Omaha, Nebraska, is a housing market between trends.
Homes in this metro area can be purchased for well below the national median value, meaning if you’re looking for an affordable place to lay down roots–or if you’re interested in seeking a larger home than would be available in a costlier area–you’re in luck.
According to the most recent Zillow assessment of Omaha trends, the median home in the area is worth $171,600 while the median price of listed homes is $215,000 – $178,000 for houses that have sold.
The national median, according to the Census Bureau, is $302,400, far above any of the measures for Omaha. Recent times have seen the price of homes in Omaha spike, with Zillow recording a 7.4 percent growth over 12 months.
With that said, the market appears to have peaked, with prices predicted to fall 1.3 percent over the coming year.
Trulia’s market trends report noted that Omaha’s median rent price has fallen to the same level it had reached a year ago, after plateauing in the summer months.
The price per square foot of a home has risen 6 percent year-over-year, and the median sales price according to this market watcher is $180,000.
These numbers tell the same story as Zillow’s data: If you’re looking for a market that is considerably more affordable than the national norm, Omaha is ready to welcome you.
When it’s time to settle down in a new home or take advantage of favorable market conditions, you’ll need to find a lender. You should also remember that this process is directed and shaped by many factors beyond local market conditions.
Current Mortgage and Refinancing Rates in Omaha
4 Critical Elements that Affect Mortgage Rate & Refinance Rates in Omaha
When you’re inspecting the housing market in Omaha, considering your next purchase or refinance, there are factors to focus on that go beyond price trends and availability. Often, it is a combination of your financial history and decisions that determine available to you.
Lenders base their mortgage rates on different factors. Shopping around and looking for companies that offer options tailored to your needs could be your best bet for finding an ideal mortgage, one that will help fund your dream home in Omaha.
From your credit history and score to your status as a veteran, retiree, or government employee, your details may make you eligible for a favorable home loan. Understanding some of the most relevant factors that affect mortgage rates can boost your decision-making ability.
The following are four prime considerations when applying for a home loan:
Debt-to-income ratio
Mortgage lenders are more likely to give you a favorable interest rate on your home loan if they’re sure you’ll be able to pay back what you borrow. One of the most important measures of financial stability is your debt-to-income ratio.
You arrive at this figure by dividing your debt payments for one month by your earnings for the same period. If only a small portion of your salary is going to repayments, lenders may give you favorable conditions.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau noted that 43 percent is a magic number: This is typically the highest debt-to-income ratio you can have if you want a Qualified Mortgage, a primary type of low-risk loan.
Size of home and amount of loan
There is a standard loan amount for each county, applying for a larger loan is possible, but the mortgage is will then qualify as a “jumbo” loan. The interest rates and available terms for jumbo loan products tend to differ from smaller mortgages, but this doesn’t mean you should rule them out.
The Home Buying Institute pointed out that over several years, market trends began to favor jumbo loans, with these high-value products being offered at lower rates than their smaller counterparts. The overall loan value is one of many factors to weigh when comparing monthly pricing, and the results may be surprising.
Down payment amount
One major determinant in loan pricing and terms is how much money you’re willing and able to pay upfront. Making a larger down payment shows lenders that you’re capable of taking on more financial responsibility, thus reducing the risk in lending. This may lead to low-interest rates and more favorable terms.
The Home Buying Institute pointed out that lenders often assess costs based on risk, and the security implied by a low down payment may cause them to lower rates. Furthermore, loans with 20 percent or higher down payments tend to be exempt from mortgage insurance.
While the down payment amount is often a significant metric, every loan is different. , for instance, may come with no down payment or mortgage insurance requirements.
FICO credit score
There is more than one kind of credit score, making the concept of a generic “credit score” problematic. With that said, the CFPB offered a reminder that FICO is the most used score among mortgage lenders, and thus the number to be most conscious of. Three major agencies assess credit scores.
Instead of just using one, lenders will likely consult all three and select the middle result, according to the CFPB. To keep your score high and therefore reassure financial institutions of your creditworthiness, you can take steps like minimizing your debt, increasing your savings, and refraining from taking out new lines of credit you may not be able to repay.
How to Get the Best Mortgage & Refinancing Rates in Omaha
When it’s time to apply for a home loan in Omaha, you should remember that lenders will offer you different rates and terms, even within the same region.
There are numerous lenders in every city around the nation ready to provide competitive mortgage rates, and Omaha is no different. You should, therefore, shop around for favorable terms and pricing instead of limiting your search to products offered by a single lender.
Beyond shopping around, you can negotiate with lenders to receive terms and rates that favor you, and this is true whether you are buying a new home or refinancing your current mortgage.
As RefiGuide points out, there is when it comes to the costs associated with refinancing a loan. In some cases, you can reduce origination, document preparation, and title search fees if you take the time to negotiate.
While exercising all options is an important way to receive favorable terms on your purchase or refinance loan in Omaha, not all loan applicants perform these steps.
The CFPB points out that it’s common for borrowers to only apply with one lender. Seventy-seven percent of individuals in the association’s data only filed paperwork with one mortgage provider, and nearly half of individuals never even considered more than one lender.
Recommended Companies in Omaha
When shopping around for mortgages in Omaha, you can choose from a huge selection of reputable and established lenders. These companies consist of large-scale national operators, local banks, and credit unions.
The following are a few options to get you started on your search for ideal terms, options, and interest rates.
- NBKC Bank: This financial institution offers home loans around the country. The bank allows customers to check predicted rates online and provides a library of lending resources with useful NBKC Bank foregrounds its VA loan offerings, making it a potential match if you’re eligible for veteran’s benefits.
- New American Funding: New American Funding is another large lender with a scope that spans the whole country. The company has grown from a 40-person business in 2003 into an industry force today.
- J.G. Wentworth: This lender focuses on its ability to offer low-interest rates to its borrowers and has loaned $10 billion in the years since its founding in 1992. The bank offers multiple purchase and refinance options.
- CrossCountry Mortgage: Another recently-founded nationwide lender, CrossCountry focuses its promotion on its ability to provide close and attentive customer service. The company was established in Ohio and has spread to new states over the past 15-plus years.
Source: goodfinancialcents.com