About Pineywoods Mortgage

Pineywoods Mortgage Broker Services

Are you thinking of buying a home? Are you considering getting a home loan or refinancing your home to take advantage of a strong market? Pineywoods Mortgage in Tampa can help guide you through the process. Our mortgage experts have nearly 20 years of experience helping residents acquire the home of their dreams and leveraging their property and the housing market to extract additional value. We work with banks, mortgage lenders, real estate agents, and other institutions to secure you the best rate possible on a timeline that fits your needs.

One of the biggest advantages of working with Pineywoods Mortgage is that we’re a local, homegrown company — we know the Tampa real estate market better than anyone, and we enjoy excellent working relationships with lending institutions around in Tampa that we can utilize to your advantage. It may seem more convenient to work with a big, national mortgage company, but they don’t have the same intimate knowledge of the local housing market that we do, and they aren’t as motivated to focus on a solution that’s best for you. Big, national mortgage companies will often prioritize their bottom line over your needs, treating you as one of just many numbers in their ledger. When you work with Pineywoods Mortgage in Tampa, we’ll treat you as well as one of our neighbors, because we are your neighbors. We’ll assess your needs and the details of your individual situation and go over all your options with you. We strive to be prompt, attentive, and thorough, so we can help you navigate the mortgage process as quickly, smoothly, and well-informed as possible. Continue reading for a more detailed look at all the home mortgage services we offer.

First-Time Homebuyer Loans

Buying a home is a thrilling venture that can dredge up a lot of positive and negative emotions, but don’t be deterred by the sticker shock. Yes, you’re dropping a large sum of money on a down payment and committing to a significant monthly payment, but you’re also acquiring a huge asset, and, most importantly, you’re securing a home for you and your family. Between all the financial planning and dreaming about your family growing together in a new home, it can be difficult to stay calm and organized.

At Pineywoods Mortgage, we deliver you peace of mind and a sense of security by offering home mortgage loans to first-time home buyers like you. We know just how stressful wading into real estate for the first time can be, and we’ll happily guide you through everything you need to consider and plan for in order to secure a perfect first home on a timeline and budget that fits your needs. Below, we’ve provided a high-level overview of the steps you should take in order to properly search for, evaluate, finance, and acquire your dream home for as good a deal as possible. If you have questions or would like to get started on getting approved for a first-time homebuyer home mortgage loan, call Pineywoods Mortgage in today!

Steps To Buying A Home

Refine Your Search

• To begin your search, you’ll want to make a list of your priorities for your new home. You’ll want to consider factors like:
• How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
• How big of a kitchen do you want?
• How many garage spaces?
• Do you need a basement?
• How big of a yard would you like?
• Are there specific amenities you’d like, such as heated flooring or a deck?
• Would you prefer an older home or a newer home?
• Do you want property attached, or would you prefer a neighborhood home?
• Should your home be located in a specific area or in close proximity to certain facilities, such as a local school or your place of work?

Come up with your answers to these questions, and then sort your priorities. What aspects of your house are non-negotiable needs, and which wants do you want the most? From there, you’ll be able to begin searching the Tampa markets for your dream home.

Find A Real Estate Agent

Working with a knowledgeable and reliable real estate agent is imperative to ensuring a successful first-time home buying experience. Experienced real estate agents know the local real estate market intimately and will be able to get you the best price for your home. Pineywoods Mortgage enjoys long, fruitful working relationships with many of Tampa finest real estate agents, and we’ll work closely with them in the pre-approval and pre-approved process so they can be best equipped to help you make competitive offers quickly on a home that meets your criteria. If you’d like to learn more about our pre-approval services, visit our Pre-Approval page or skip ahead to the next section on this page.

Choose Pineywoods Mortgage To Be Your Mortgage Broker

Once you’ve found your real estate agent, you should choose a mortgage broker to work with, as well — you should choose Pineywoods Mortgage. It’s critical that you come to us or another mortgage broker before you begin seriously pursuing a home on the market so that you can get pre-approved for the home mortgage loan that best suits your needs. The power of pre-approval gives you a significant leg up in the market, as it allows you and your real estate agent to make an offer on a home more quickly than competing buyers that have yet to be approved. Furthermore, Pineywoods Mortgage or another broker will be able to consult with you to help you get a better idea of how much home you can realistically afford. Home buyers who wait to choose a mortgage broker until after they’ve begun seriously pursuing a new home may make an offer on their dream home only to be rejected for a loan and have their offer disqualified — they may also have a rude financial awakening and be forced to reorient their home search toward houses at lower price points that meet fewer of their criteria.

Make An Offer And Secure Your Dream Home

Once you’ve found your dream home with the help of a trusted local real estate agent and the power of pre-approval from Pineywoods Mortgage, it’s time to make an offer and get serious. You’ll want to get the house inspected and appraised to ensure the good condition of the home’s appliances and HVAC system, and confirm the value of the asset (home) that you’re acquiring. After that, call Pineywoods Mortgage to move forward with the loan you’ve been pre-approved for. Once you’ve ensured everything is settled with your home and your finances are in order, all that’s left is to sign the closing paperwork, take the keys, and begin moving into your new home! If you encounter any snags along the way or have questions, don’t hesitate to call us. We’re in the business of making dreams come true, and we’ll do everything we can to ensure you find a new home that meets your needs and desires while staying true to your budget.

Pre-Approval

Getting a pre-approval should be one of your first steps in the house buying market. In a competitive housing market, your dream home may get multiple offers within days of going on the market, and the power of pre-approval can help your offer stand out from the rest of the pack. Getting pre-approval for a home mortgage loan from a mortgage broker like Pineywoods Mortgage reinforces your offer with secure financial backing, showing the homeowner or real estate agent selling the property that your offer is reliable, greatly speeding up the timeline for closing on your offer should it be accepted.

At Pineywoods Mortgage, we know just how competitive the housing markets in Tampa  can be. In a competitive, multi-offer market, quick pre-approval and closing is essential to securing your dream home. Luckily, we specialize in both! When you choose Pineywoods Mortgage as your mortgage broker, our goal is to get you pre-approved for a loan in as soon as one business day.

Our lightning-fast pre-approvals aren’t a flash in the pan, either. When you receive pre-approval for a home mortgage loan from Pineywoods Mortgage, your pre-approval can last up to 90 days, allowing you plenty of time to scour the housing market for the perfect home for your needs and wishes. Unlike some national mortgage companies, we don’t change the details after you prequalify for a home mortgage loan from us — once you’re pre-approved for a loan from Pineywoods Mortgage, our goal is to keep your mortgage rate locked in for the duration of the pre-approval period.

The advantages of pre-approval from Pineywoods Mortgage don’t end there. If rates drop during while you’re in the process of buying your home, you may be able to take advantage of a lower rate if you wish. If you want to refinance your mortgage in the future, we can help you with that, too — we’ll create customized refinancing options for you based on your needs.

If you hope to truly compete in the Tampa housing markets, then you need the lightning-quick pre-approval, competitive mortgage rates, and caring personal service that only a local mortgage broker like Pineywoods Mortgage can provide. We can get our clients pre-approved at speeds other mortgage brokers can only dream of matching, and we’ll never treat you like just another number in a ledger. Call us today to get started financing your dream home!

Conventional Loans

If you’re done with renting and ready to get financially prepared to acquire your own home, you’ll likely need to look at getting a home mortgage loan from Pineywoods Mortgage. At Pineywoods, we believe in assessing each client’s individual situation to pair them with the right loan for their needs. In our experience, conventional home mortgage loans are the most popular type of loan. But are they the best option for you?

Unlike VHA or FHA loans, conventional home mortgage loans are not insured by the U.S. government. Conventional home mortgage loans are instead backed by private lenders, and the insurance is typically paid by those taking on the loan. Conventional home mortgage loans commonly offer a variety of term lengths and quick processing times. To qualify for a conventional home mortgage loan, your credit score must be at least 620, and you should be prepared to put down a 20 percent down payment on the sale price of your new home.

Advantages of Conventional Loans

No Mortgage Insurance Required

While conventional home mortgage loans require you to put down more money up front than government-backed loans do, they do not require you to purchase mortgage insurance if your down payment is at least 20 percent of the sale price of your new home. Many first-time home buyers utilizing a government-backed mortgage loan face the added expense of mortgage insurance on top of their monthly loan payment.

Lower Monthly Payments

Because conventional home mortgage loans typically require you to put more money down, your monthly payment will be lower than it would be on a government-backed loan — and that’s even before factoring in the mortgage insurance expense you’re not having to pay!

Less Paperwork

Conventional home mortgage loans have less risk than government-backed loans, so there’s often fewer limitations on them and fewer reporting requirements you have to fulfill in order to qualify. Conventional home mortgage loans can even be used for rental properties!

Financing Flexibility

Conventional home mortgage loans may also allow you to finance your home above its current value, which is something you can’t do with FHA loans. The excess funds from financing above your property’s value is given to you as cash, which can be used on furniture or immediate home improvements, whatever you want. You’ll be financing the extra costs yourself, but the interest rate would be less than financing through other ways.

FHA/VA Loans

If you struggle to qualify for conventional home mortgage loans, there are other options available. The Federal Housing Administration and the Veterans Administration both offer home mortgage loans to help you with the financing of a new home.

FHA loans were introduced to help first-time home buyers and others that struggle to qualify for conventional home mortgage loans. With FHA loans, the FHA facilitates the approval of your financing and backs the mortgage you receive from an FHA-approved mortgage lender. FHA loans are available to people at virtually any income level. All you need to be eligible is a credit score of at least 580, and you need to make a down payment on your house of at least 3.5%. You also need to be able to pay your mortgage insurance up front, and for the duration of the loan.

VA loans were introduced to help veterans buy a home, farm, or start a business after serving our country. With fewer restrictions than other government-backed loans, VA loans have helped countless veterans finance homes who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. There are plenty of reasons to pursue a VA home loan if you qualify. The following groups are eligible for VA home mortgage loans:
Veterans of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard qualify immediately
Active duty military qualify after six months of service
Reservists and members of the National Guard qualify after six years of service, or after 181 days if you are called into active duty
Spouses of veterans who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty

Pineywoods Mortgage helps homeowners of all income levels find a dream home within their budget. When you partner with us, we’ll handle the hassle of finding a reliable, FHA-approved mortgage lender that will work with your FHA or VA loan. Don’t stress about the financial details — we’ll help you understand the details of your situation and find a financing solution that fits your budget and timeline. Call us today to get started!

Advantages of FHA Loans

Lower Down Payment

The most onerous barrier to home ownership for most first-time home buyers is the down payment. Conventional loans require a down payment of at least 20%, which can be a monumental burden for young couples and families, depending on the price of the home. FHA loans reduce the burden of down payment by requiring home buyers to put only 3.5%down. This makes buying your dream home much more feasible.

Lower Credit Score Requirements

You don’t have to have good credit to qualify for an FHA home mortgage loan, as the minimum credit score required to qualify is just 580. You do, however, have to have an established credit history. If you don’t, it’s imperative that you begin building credit now! Pineywoods Mortgage can help you start establishing credit. Call today!

Lower Mortgage Rates

The mortgage rates offered by FHA home mortgage loans are usually lower than those offered by conventional loans. You’ll get a lower interest rate the better your credit score is.

Lower Closing Costs

Closing on a home typically costs thousands of dollars, but not with FHA loans! The FHA has mandated reduced closing costs for homebuyers financing their property acquisition with an FHA loan.

Advantages Of VA Loans

No Down Payment Required

This benefit is particularly useful for veterans returning from overseas duty who might not have had as much time to accrue savings.

Lower Interest Rate

The interest rates on VA home mortgage loans are generally lower than most other loans, despite the fact that no down payment is required.

No Mortgage Insurance Required

Unlike other loans, VA loans do not require you to purchase mortgage insurance, no matter how small your down payment on your home.

Easier Refinancing

VA home mortgage loans have fewer requirements than most other loan types if you want to refinance your property in the future.

VA Loans Never Expire

You can obtain as many VA loans in your lifetime as you like, so long as you only have one VA loan at a time. This means you can enjoy the benefits of VA home mortgage loans in the future, regardless of your financial situation.

VA Loans Are Assumable

If you need to sell your home in the future but can’t find a qualified buyer, you can have someone else assume your VA home mortgage loan!

Limited Closing Costs

Similar to how the FHA handles FHA loans, the VA limits the amount of closing costs that mortgage lenders can charge for VA loans. Those costs may be passed on to the seller or the lender can assume them, but the veteran cannot pay them under law. This doesn’t mean you’re protected from all closing costs with a VA loan, but that you’re protected from many kinds of closing costs that can add up quickly for home buyers utilizing conventional loans.

Tampa Home Refinancing Services

There are many reasons you might want to refinance your home loan. You might want to take advantage of your property increasing in value. You might want some extra cash to go back to school or take a dream vacation. You may want to shorten the term of your loan. Regardless of your reasons for wanting to refinance your home loan, Pineywoods Mortgage can help you find the perfect fit for your situation. We’ll meet with you to discuss your financial situation and create custom, personalized refinancing options for you to choose from!