It’s not so uncommon when you hear someone who retired wanting to pack up their things and move. While it can be an exhilarating time, it can also be rather difficult, especially if they’re planning on buying a new house altogether. Did you know that lenders are barred from discriminating against older people who are trying to apply for a loan? Despite having the advantage of not having to worry about discrimination, retirees are still going to face some difficult challenges in obtaining a mortgage.
Read on to learn a few tips about securing a mortgage while in retirement.
Purchasing a New Home Isn’t Always the Best Decision
Purchasing a mortgage is a huge undertaking for anyone, regardless of whether they work or not. Should someone even get approved for one, it’s not always the smartest financial decision to make. A lot of retirees these days have a lower income than they did while they were working. Due to this, many people tend to underestimate how long the money needs to last for them. Adding a mortgage payment can deplete what little money is there even faster, which can make it difficult to live comfortably.
Regardless of age potential home buyers need to do their homework. Make sure you carefully evaluate your finances before applying for a mortgage. Buying a home involves a lot more than just the monthly payment. You also need to consider property tax and homeowner insurance. In addition, you need to plan for other monthly expenses, which include power, water and even unexpected medical bills.
In addition, remember to evaluate whatever debts you have as well. Having debt not only lowers your credit score, it can significantly hurt your chances of securing a mortgage. Finally, having too much credit can also work against you. It’s recommended that you utilize only 20 percent of your total credit. Lenders like to see that you know how to manage your credit responsibly.
Showing the Right Amount of Income
Having a job is not a requirement for applying for a mortgage and here’s why; any income that is received from pensions or a social security account will count. In addition to that, withdrawing from a retirement account is also counted. Aside from showing a stable income, retirees must also show a low debt-to-income ratio. It may not be a challenge for some people as this depends on how much they have to their name and how much income they have during their retirement.
Talk to a few lenders about the requirements they have when it comes to income and debt-to income ratios before signing a mortgage application.
It’s important to keep in mind lenders look at a number of factors when you apply for a mortgage. They’ll want to look at your credit score, down payments and occupancy status. If you’re retired and looking to purchase a mortgage, make sure you’re prepared for it.
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