As one of Arizona's best mortgage lenders, Starboard Financial offers a variety of financing options. If you would like to discuss loan options, refinancing, or if you have general inquiries about the homebuying experience, Contact Us today to speak with a mortgage loan officer. If you do not have any questions and are ready to submit your information for a loan decision, feel free to apply now.
When you are on the market for a loan, it is important to consider your options. When you choose Starboard Financial, we work with home buyers to get the most out of our mortgage products. Homebuyers get a mortgage loan officer to work with, and a real estate agent if they don’t already have one, to help them deduce which type of loan is the best fit. Our Starboard Financial mortgage loan officers will make sure all of your needs and questions are met, and they will help you with the loan process every step of the way.
Conventional Loans are classified as conforming or non-conforming. Conforming simply means that the loan meets Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s established underwriting guidelines. If a mortgage loan does not fall within these guidelines, it is considered a non-conforming loan.
The main factor that determines whether a loan is conforming eligible is the loan amount. The maximum conforming loan amount is $453,100 in most states. Mortgages with loan amounts above this limit are considered Jumbo mortgages. Jumbo loans are still offered through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but they are treated with different underwriting guidelines than conventional mortgages. Higher interest rates are common for non-conforming Jumbo loans because they carry higher risks.
Fixed or adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) structures are available for Conventional loans. Fixed rate mortgages maintain the same rate and payment, subject to temporary mortgage insurance if applicable, throughout the life of the loan. The most common fixed-rate mortgages typically carry 15- or 30- year repayment terms. An ARM maintains the starting interest rate for a portion of the repayment term and then adjusts based on interest rate market conditions subject to the option selected.
Conventional mortgages require a minimum 5% down payment in most cases, whereas government loan types require a minimum 3.5% down payment or less. You will also be required to include monthly PMI in your payment if you put less than 20% down on your loan. PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance and in short, PMI protects your lender against a complete loss of money if you default on your mortgage payments.
An FHA mortgage is fully insured by the Federal Housing Administration under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The main initiative of an FHA government loan is to lower the barrier to entry of home ownership by decreasing up-front financing costs. Approved FHA lenders, such as Starboard Financial, are able to offer lower down payments for these loans because there is less risk due to the government insurance.
Credit qualification guidelines are often easier than other underwriting standards to allow more people access to the program. This benefit does not come without limitations, as availability is subject to income and primary residency restrictions. FHA loan amounts are subject to ceilings as well. FHA loans are eligible for both refinance and purchase transactions.
One of the main initiatives of the USDA Rural Housing and Development program is to provide loan options in areas where mortgage lending is scarce.
USDA loans are guaranteed by the United State Department of Agriculture, so lower and moderate income earners, Native American tribal governments, the elderly, and people with disabilities can maintain financing options in their communities. The USDA and their partners work with many other federal initiatives to provide housing and employment to rural communities as well.
Borrowers of USDA loans are eligible to contribute as little as $0 for their down payment. Asset reserve requirements tend to be less strict than conventional loan standards. Annual household income limits apply based on the USDA regional charts. You can view the income and property requirements here:
All terms of the prior loan obligation terminate when new financial funds pay off prior debt. The terms and conditions of a refinance vary widely based on the risk, product choice, credit worthiness of the borrower, and state of the property. Borrowers refinance their mortgage for various reasons:
Refinances are undertaken by borrowers to take advantage of market conditions, adjust their monthly budget, limit their exposure during financial difficulty, simplify debt management, or gain a tax advantage in certain situations.
Decreasing monthly mortgage payments by lowering the interest rate or extending the loan term is a viable option with a refinance.
If you are in the midst of a significant life change, or you want a lower rate for your mortgage, taking proactive steps to reduce your monthly debt obligation is a sound strategy.
Starboard Financial has a full range of mortgage products and loan terms to empower home buyers with the ability to take control of their monthly payments.
Cash-out refinances may not help lower your monthly mortgage payment or shorten your mortgage term, but additional cash is a useful resource.
The equity (ownership) home buyers have established with their previous down payment and monthly mortgage payments can be retracted out of your home as currency for expenses. Many borrowers pull equity for home improvement, alleviating credit card debt and other debt consolidation.
A cash-out refinance allows borrowers to see market value appreciation before the property is the sold. In some cases, when combined with a second mortgage, home buyers can refinance into a loan amount above traditional standards and keep the cash proceeds.
What you get
A single lump-sum payment for the full loan amount
A revolving source of cash that you candraw from as needed
How you use it
To finance one-time expenses that have a definite cost
To finance ongoing expenses or miscellaneous purchases, like using a credit card
Pay it back
Repay the full loan amount over a specific time period, at a fixed interest rate.
Make payments on the outstanding balance, at a variable interest rate
Benefits
It offers simple repayment terms, and the security of knowing your payments will never increase
Its flexible, there when you need it, and you only make payments on what you use.
Starboard Financial holds a special place for first-time home buyers in our company philosophy. Giving first-time home buyers the advice and knowledge to make an informed home buying decision is one of our truest pleasures. They are the lifeblood of the mortgage business, and exemplify one of the core aspects for why we formulated Starboard Financial. We have a plethora of real estate resources to help home buyers navigate the mortgage process for their first home purchase. The loan process can be overwhelming; it is our job to relieve as much of the stress as possible. Please consult these resources for help in your journey:
First Time Home Buyers Guide: Here is a step-by-step guide to a typical purchase process
Finding YOUR Agent: Tips to help you select the appropriate real estate partner
Get PreQualified: Get in touch with us to start the process
Starboard is a proud supporter of retired, reservist, and active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, by providing easy access to home loans guaranteed through the Veterans’ Administration. The VA Home Loan can be utilized to purchase or build a home for personal occupancy or primary residence.
Depending on when home buyers served, they may qualify for VA Home Loan Benefits with only 90 days of active duty, National Guard, or reservist service. Since VA Home Loans do not require a down payment, you can finance up to 100% of a home’s value and all you need is suitable credit, sufficient income, and a valid Certificate of Eligibility, along with a copy of your DD-214 discharge form if you have separated from service.
If you don’t have a current copy of your Certificate of Eligibility, Starboard Financial can work directly with the VA to help you obtain one.
VA loans are partially guaranteed by the U.S. Veteran’s Administration; therefore, mortgage lenders are able to offer better terms and easier qualification standards. Some of the lowest down payment standards in the lending industry are available as VA financing. The VA aims to help supply housing to veterans in rural areas where financing can be difficult.
In some cases, the seller is eligible to pay for all of a borrower’s closing costs, if they so choose.
Give us a call today! 1-(855) 782-7346
Please note that in a Refinance transaction, the Pre-Qualification and Accepted Contract stages will be omitted, otherwise the Purchase and Refinance loan processes are the same.
(480) 897-9777
info@starboardfinancial.com
4145 E Baseline Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234 | NMLS# 156931 NMLS Consumer Access