October Events in Phoenix 2016

The fall is finally upon us! The nights are coming quicker & we only have a couple triple digit temperatures remaining. Besides the beautiful 70-80 degree temperatures, there are great concerts and festivals that you will want to make sure to check out. Below is a list of events that I suggest you attend:

Oktoberfest Events

Tempe Town Lake Oktoberfest

One of Arizona’s biggest Oktoberfest celebrations takes place in Tempe Town Lake! The festivities start October 7th and conclude on October 9th. You will be able to find a carnival, dachshund runs, beer and wine gardens, live music, and amusements for the kids. Admission is free, you will just want to make sure you have your ID and cash ready so that you can buy tickets to redeem your Pumpkin Ales!

San Tan Oktoberfest in Chandler Arizona

This event takes place October 1st and will be the ninth annual Oktoberfest for San tan Brewing located in Downtown Chandler. The event starts at 3 PM and ends at 11 PM. Admission is $12 (kids 12 and under are free). The event includes keg rolling, tricycle races, keg contests, beer pong, eating contests and more!

There are several other events taking place around the valley such as Scottsdale, Flagstaff, Tucson & more. Make sure to search your local city if these are too far for you to attend.

Fall Concerts in Arizona Are a Must

Perfect temperatures and live music, need I say more? There are just too many concerts taking place to name here. To see a full list feel free to visit http://www.phoenixconcerts.net/. There you will see a list of every event taking place in the State.

Halloween Attractions

The 13th Floor Haunted House

If you plan on going to haunted houses you will want to make sure to check out the 13th Floor Attraction. It’s been featured on the Travel Channel, Fox News, and MTV. It’s claimed to be Arizona’s most popular haunted house with over 60,000 square feet of horror that includes 2 haunted houses in 1 location. To learn more you can visit their website at http://13thflooraz.com/.

Fear Farm

This even offers something for everyone. It includes 5 haunted houses, Phoenix’s largest corn maze, and a haunted hay ride! Fear Farm was voted the best haunted house in 2015. You can learn more information about this event by visiting their website at http://fearfarm.com/.

Hiking Season is Here

Outside of all the great events taking place one of Arizona’s greatest assets is all of it’s hiking trails. No matter where you are located in the Valley, nature isn’t far. Some of the best locations to escape include:

Phoenix Sonoran Preserve

This location has clear trails and well-marked tracks. Due to the higher elevation, it receives more rain than other trails making it more colorful than some other hiking areas. It’s also a great spot for mountain bikers.

Pinnacle Peak

A beautiful trail located in Scottsdale, you can catch great views of the creosote plants, cholla cactus & the local wildlife. Certain locations also include rock climbing & star gazing. This is a moderate hike and has a number of ups and downs throughout its 1.75-mile trail.

Tom’s Thumb

This is a gorgeous 3.7-mile trail with plenty of vegetation and provides breathtaking views of Phoenix and Four Peaks. If you take on this hike make sure to check out the natural cave called Ogre’s Den, which features beautiful art and trinkets.

This article could really be a few thousand words long. There is just so much to do in this beautiful state now that Winter is around the corner. Do you have other hot spots or events that you would like to add to this list? Please feel free to leave a comment below. 🙂

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Pathway To Purchase Program

This down payment assistance program offers home buyers up to 10% of the loan amount up to a max of $20,000 towards a down payment. This can also be used towards closing costs in Arizona. It’s important to note that income and debt ratio limitations apply. This program is available for first-time home buyers & anyone who meets the minimum FICO score requirements. The maximum purchase price for this program is $371,936.

Existing homes, townhouses, and condos qualify for loan financing. New builds do not qualify for this program.

Home Buyer Qualifications:

Buyers must have a fico score of at least 640 and a debt-to-income ratio of 45%. All buyers must also attend a homebuyer education course, obtain a certificate of completion, and receive a home inspection.

Need an experienced loan officer in Phoenix Arizona? Let The Justin Haines Team get you pre-qualified in as little as 24 hours! They are experts when it comes to the programs being offered in Arizona & can get you into your dream home with their stress-free process. Click the link below & fill out the short form on their website to get started.

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Steps To Take Before Buying a New Home

When you make that decision that you are going to buy a new home, it’s normal to want to go out and house shop. That is typically the most fun part of the home buying process after all. Before you go out and do that it’s important that you take the step of getting pre-approved for a loan. Below are 4 tips that will set you up for success and save you time.

1. No Credit Card Surprises

If you are like most people you probably haven’t checked your credit report in the last year or two. When going through the pre-approval process you will discover any credit report mistakes and find issues that could cause problems in the final stages of the loan process. It really makes for a stress free process by getting these details cleared before moving forward.

2. Understand Your Budget

We all want that three-story colonial with Viking appliances, granite counters and a swimming pool with a big back yard. Does that really fit your budget though? This is another area where pre-approval comes into play. You will have a estimate on your price range before you go shopping around.

3. Find The Best Lender in Your Area

You want to make sure you are working with the right lender at terms that work for you. A mortgage is a long-term commitment, so don’t rush through this step. Once you are pre-approved for a loan this is a great next step to take on your home buying journey.

4. Showing You Are Serious About Buying

A lot of people go to open houses, imagining how they would remodel the home to suit their tastes but don’t get pre-approved. If you actually go through the pre-approval process for a new home it shows the realtor that you have all your paperwork in order and are actually able to make the purchase. If you want a good agent to work for you they will want to make sure that you are serious about buying before investing their time and energy into finding your dream home.

Ready to Get Pre-Approved For a Home Loan?

If you are looking to buy a home in the Phoenix area then you will want to go through an experienced home loan officer to help you get pre-approved. All you need to do is visit the Justin Haines Team Website and take 10 seconds to fill out their form. Doing this will give you the chance to qualify for no money down loans and other programs potentially available to you.

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What Type of Home Loans Are Available in Phoenix Arizona

What Type of Home Loans Are Available To You

The decision to buy a home is a big one, oftentimes it’ll affect you the rest of your life. Many first-time home buyers don’t know where to start. Understanding the different types of home loans available to you can give you the vital information that you need in order to make an informed decision. It’s also important to understand the pros and cons of each type of loan. As you move get ready to become a homeowner, working closely with an experienced loan officer in Phoenix Arizona can help make the process as stress-free as possible. It’s important to consider your options and look at the fine details to make sure you are making the right decision on your home loan.

Fixed vs. Adjustable Loan Types

One of the first steps to getting the best mortgage for your needs is picking between a fixed-rate or adjustable rate loan. The differences between the two types of loans are as follows:

Fixed-rate mortgages are loans that have the same exact interest rate for the life of the loan. This basically means that because your rate doesn’t change, the monthly loan payment will never change, even for long-term financing such as 30-year fixed rate loans.

Adjustable rate mortgages are a type of home loan that has an interest rate that can change throughout the life of the loan. Many of these types of mortgages will change every year after experiencing an initial period of the remaining fixed rate loan balance. This is where the hybrid effect kicks in. A hybrid adjustable rate mortgage begins with a fixed-rate interest rate, before switching to an adjustable interest rate.

Pros and Cons of Fixed & Adjustable Rate Loans

Like every loan, it’s important that you understand the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision. Adjustable rate mortgages typically start with a lower interest rate than a fixed loan, but the adjustment period is a con. Keeping this in mind, know that your mortgage rates can change year to year, often raising as the life of the loan carries on. The best part of fixed rate loans is that your interest rate and monthly payment stays the same over the entire period of the loan. With this stability comes higher interest rates though.

Conventional Loans vs Government Insured

Once you have figured out whether you want a fixed or adjustable rate mortgage, you then need to figure out whether you prefer a conventional or government insured home loan (FHA or VA).

A conventional loan is not insured or guaranteed by the government. Conventional loans offer a 3% down option and don’t require a perfect credit score to become eligible. below are the three types of government insured loans available:

FHA Loans: The Federal Housing Administration harbors a mortgage insurance program that is directly managed by the department of housing and Urban Development or HUD. HUD is an arm of the federal government making the loan process different. FHA loans are available to everyone, not just for first time home buyers. The advantage that most people like about FHA loans is the smaller down payment, often as low as 3.5% of the overall purchase price.

A con to an FHA loan is that all home buyers will be required to purchase mortgage insurance, which increases monthly payments. To learn more about this type of loan, be sure to check out the HUD website.

VA Loans

Those who have served in the military and their families can qualify for a VA Loan. Different than an FHA loan, a portion of your loan is guaranteed by the VA. If the loan defaults, the VA pays the bank their losses up to 25% of the loan. The largest advantage of a VA loan is that borrowers can receive up to 100%. This is only available up to the conforming loan limit that is currently $417,000.

If you are looking to buy a house then you will want a qualified loan officer familiar with the Phoenix Market by your side. The Justin Haines Team has years of experience and has helped clients with all types of backgrounds and credit scores. Check out their website and get pre-approved for one of the home loan programs currently available to you.

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Home Loans For Doctors in Phoenix Arizona

Doctors looking to capitalize on Phoenix’s booming healthcare industry can take advantage of specialized loans.

Healthcare Professionals Flock to Phoenix

Phoenix has a lot of offer to a variety of home-buyers, but with a healthcare and biosciences industry expected to grow 31.9% over the next decade, it is a particularly appealing region for doctors and other healthcare professionals. Most physicians begin their careers under a massive pile of student loan debt, which, under normal circumstances, would make obtaining a home loan impossible. However, lenders realize that medical professionals, although initially saddled by debts, disproportionate to other career paths, go on to immensely lucrative careers which provide them with adequate income to repay that debt and afford housing. In addition, these doctors often find themselves in need of housing in order to begin their careers at the practices and hospitals which offer them employment, but before they have the paystubs to provide to officers for traditional loans. In response to this need, and with a desire to issue loans to well-qualified buyers, many lenders offer special financing options to doctors so that they can get settled into homes and begin their careers.

The Basics

Major lenders, such as SunTrust, Fifth-Third Bank, and Bank of America, offer loans specially designed to assist medical professionals, doctors, and other professionals in lucrative industries to obtain housing without meeting standard loan requirements. These loans apply to those who are recently graduated, in residency, or actively practicing medicine. So called “Doctor Loans” offer low-interest rates on loans up to $3 million with little or no down payment. Although excellent credit scores are required, the debt ratio for borrowers is calculated to exclude student loans and takes into account future income rather than past or current earnings.

Obtaining a Doctor Loan in Phoenix

Although “Doctor Loans” are offered across most major institutions, they are subject to the individual lenders terms and programs can vary depending on the market in which the doctor is looking to buy as well as their individual financial standing and outlook. Because these loans are tailored to a specific profession, those looking to obtain a “Doctor Loan” need to contact the institutions directly for program information as well as to apply. With the healthcare and bio-sciences outlook in Phoenix stronger than anywhere else in the nation, doctors looking to establish a successful career need look no further than Phoenix with its beautiful climate, strong housing market, and preponderance of tailored loans available to medical professionals.

To get pre-qualified please visit http://thejustinhainesteam.com.

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Home Plus & Down Payment Assistance To Help Phoenix Home Buyers

Home Plus program works to assist qualified buyers in Phoenix, Arizona.

With the economy continuing to recover, the government has been rolling out programs to assist qualified buyers who wish to purchase homes. One such program, available to buyers in Phoenix and throughout Arizona (excepting Pima County), is the Home Plus program. This HUD program works in conjunction with the Down Payment Assistance program to make buying a home easier and less financially burdensome. If you’re looking into purchasing a home in Arizona, read on to discover what this program entails and who qualifies.

Home Plus Advantages

The Home Plus program offers a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in conjunction with down payment assistance (DPA). The DPA itself is allocated in the form of a grant and as such does not need to be repaid by the mortgage borrower. These funds can be used toward the down payment and closing costs but only when paired with a Home Plus loan. Borrowers using the program can expect up to a 4% grant based on the principal of the loan, with U.S. military personnel eligible for an additional 1%. The major benefit of the Home Plus program is the fixed-rate mortgage, which protects borrowers from elements of the predatory lending practices associated with the housing crisis, such as ballooning payments.

Qualifying

In order to qualify for the Home Plus program, borrowers must work through an ADOH approved and participating mortgage lender. The total income of all borrower must be than $92, 984 with the purchased property valued at less than $371,936. Once purchased, the owner does need to occupy the property as a primary residence, but the property itself can be a single-family home, condo, or town home. Although this criteria forms the bare bones of the program, there are still standard loan requirements which the borrower must meet, similar to those of a standard loan. These standards include a credit score of 640 or higher and a 45% debt-to-income ratio. As mentioned, the mortgage must be backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, but there is an exception made for loans obtained by U.S. military personnel.

Regardless of the lender they will act on behalf of the buyer, guiding them through the process of obtaining the mortgage and registering for the DPA grant.

Getting Started

In all cases, buyers can expect their mortgage company to act on their behalf, guiding them through the mortgage process and registering them for the DPA grant which accompanies it. Prior to the actual purchase, home buyers are required to take a home buyer education course offered buy a HUD-approved provider. Conveniently, these courses can be taken in-person, online, or even over the phone. Buyers can get more information via this PDF issued by the Arizona Housing Finance Authority or by visiting and applying via the Arizona Department of Housing website. These programs, which work hand in hand to assist buyers throughout Arizona (except Pima County), are a great way to get into one of the most exciting housing markets in the country.

If you want to get qualified for the Home Plus program the Justin Haines Team has the experience and staff to get the job done. If you visit www.TheJustinHainesTeam.com and fill out the short form you will be contacted by someone form the team to get you pre-approved for this program.

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HFA Mortgage Preferred: Down Payment Assistance Program For Buyers

Many people and places were devastated by the housing crisis. As individuals recover and look to re-enter the housing market, programs have been implemented to encourage buying in the areas that were hardest-hit.

Subsequent to the financial and housing crises, Phoenix, and many other cities, saw a rapid increase in the number of foreclosures resulting in a landscape abundant in vacant homes and empty neighborhoods. As the economy has recovered, so have the financial situations of many people. Those people are now in a position to re-enter the housing market. In order to bolster recovery and encourage buying in these areas, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) has created the HFA Mortgage Preferred program to bring buyers and homes together and revitalize hard-hit communities.

WHAT IS IT?

What Phoenix buyers should be aware of first and foremost is that the HFA Preferred Mortgage Program is a grant, rather than a loan. Buyers who purchase a home with the assistance of the program need not worry about repaying the amount of the grant, which provides up to 5% of the purchasing loan amount toward the down payment on the property. Any qualified buyer can use the HFA Preferred Mortgage Program toward the down payment on a new or existing home, condo, or town home up to a value of $356,352. Manufactured and co-op housing is excluded, but properties comprised of up to 4 units are eligible, providing the owner occupies one of the units (or any property) within 60 days of closing, opening a nice window of opportunity for would-be investors.

WHO QUALIFIES?

The HFA Preferred Mortgage program is available to first-time and boomerang buyers alike. The only pre-condition pertaining to ownership is that the buyer does not currently own a home. In order to qualify, individuals still must meet many of the standard loan requirements modified to open the way for low-moderate income buyers. The max income allowable under the guidelines is $89,088 which must be accompanied by a FICO score of 640 or above and a debt-to-income ratio of 45%. Once all of these parameters are met, the buyer can apply for the grant to assist with the down payment on the eligible property.

GETTING STARTED:

Buyers looking to purchase a home in the Phoenix area can get started by visiting the federal or state department of housing websites and clicking through to the down-payment assistance programs. Applications can be made through either site and there you can also register for the required home buyer education courses as well as find a list of reputable home inspectors and other resources to help you on your way to Phoenix home ownership.

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A “Pathway to Purchase” for Phoenix Home Buyers

The Arizona Department of Housing released the “Pathway to Purchase” program promoting the purchase of homes in 17 areas surrounding Phoenix, Arizona which have been hard-hit by mass foreclosures.

In the spring of 2016, the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) released its Pathway to Purchase (P2P) program, which encourages the purchasing of properties in areas burdened by foreclosures in the wake of the U.S. Housing crisis. This program offers down-payment and refinancing assistance to first-time and existing home owners in 17 cities surrounding Phoenix, Arizona. The goal of the program is to decrease the number of vacant properties and encourage residency in these areas by offering incentivizing financing for potential home owners in the Phoenix area.

The “Pathway to Purchase” Program is a government program funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury with a budgeted commitment of $48 million. Allotments will be made on a first come, first serve basis, to qualified homeowners in the designated cities outside of Phoenix who intend to use the property as a primary residence. 17 cities, most within an hour’s drive of Phoenix, are listed under the program guidelines.

Qualifications for the “Pathway to Purchase” buyer are geared toward enabling those who qualify for traditional loans through ADOH sanctioned lenders, but require assistance with the down payment and closing costs of a home purchase. The primary restriction on the purchaser is an income that does not exceed $92,984.

In order to alleviate the vacant housing problem, qualifying properties under the “Pathway to Purchase” program must be existing, previously occupied properties, meaning no new construction or spec homes. The sale price of P2P properties is also stipulated as being below a $371,936 limit.

Once a “Pathway to Purchase” buyer has qualified and the property selected, homebuyers are required to take a home ownership education course after which a P2P loan can be issued which will provide up to $20,000 toward the down payment. This loan can also be applied toward closing costs, furthering alleviating an initial financial hurdle for the buyer. In addition, the program provides a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, which can be borrowed against as a second mortgage. Second mortgages on “Pathway to Purchase” homes are equal to 10% of the purchase price and are issued in the form of a forgivable lien against the property at 0% interest with no required monthly payments.

For a list of cities in the Phoenix, Arizona area included in the program, or for more information on “Pathway to Purchase” visit The Justin Haines Team website.

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Phoenix Home Loan Rates Prime for Buyers

Second only to location, timing is pivotal to the decision to purchase real estate. Phoenix is a great location for investment and recent mortgage rate trends indicate that now is a great time to buy.

An Oasis in the Desert

Arizona is an arid state offering warm weather and sunshine most of the year, making it a great place to live, retire, or vacation. In addition to its enjoyable climate, the Phoenix area boasts its own desirable traits, particularly for professionals looking to buy homes. Phoenix and the surrounding areas have been listed in Forbes top 50 best places for business and careers with a low unemployment rate and job rates predicted to grow in the coming years. The Phoenix market is a growing and stable investment market, with a great tourist industry, a large military presence due to local Air Force installations, and a burgeoning tech industry as well as colleges. Home buyers in Phoenix pay an average of $184, 600 for a home, which falls below the national average.

Home Loan Rates are Trending in the Right Direction

According to Bankrate.com, mortgage rates in Phoenix have dropped this week to 3.46% down from 3.58% and falling below the national average. This news means that it is a great time for buyers to obtain a home loan at a lowered rate with a local Phoenix home loan officer. Not only are rates low, but data obtained from Zillow, a leading real estate database company shows that home values nationwide have risen 5.4% over the last five years and are projected to continue at a rate of 2.9% in the coming year. Prices have risen steadily in Phoenix, specifically, showing an average sale price of 206k between April and July of this year. The combination of low home loan rates and rising property values make this the prime time for those looking to enter into the housing market with the help of an experienced Phoenix home loan officer.

Finding a Phoenix Home Loan Officer

Mortgage rates are dropping across the board, allowing loan officers to offer more desirable loans to potential home buyers. Although buyers are often more familiar with the term ‘mortgage broker’, in order to take the best advantage of the situation I Phoenix, loan officers are a more savvy route. A loan officer works directly for the lending institution meaning that they are an expert in their company’s offerings and can help you obtain a loan that is tailored to your situation without the high commission cost associated with brokers.

Now that you understand the benefits of investing in Phoenix properties now, you can begin your search for a loan officer to help you achieve your real estate dreams.

Now that you understand the market, it’s now time to start your search for loan officer to help you get qualified for a mortgage.

http://thejustinhainesteam.com/ is the trusted and reliable source for efficient home loans to top real estate agents and home buyers. Let them partner with you to make your home buying process as stress free as possible.

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