Alaska Gov’t Loans, How Much Can I Afford?

What have you heard about qualifying for an Gov’t-insured Loan? Only inexpensive homes are allowed? Not true! You need a lot of money for a down payment? Not true! You need perfect credit? Not true! Your credit score has to be at least 650? Not true! If you ever declared bankruptcy or had a foreclosure, [...]

Use Your VA to Buy More Than One Home In AK

On February 3, 2011, in Mortgage Programs, by Jackie Toppin

Unique to Alaska, veteran buyers may have  more than one home  financed at the same time using their current VA benefits.  Called bonus entitlement, a Veteran who has a current home financed with the VA may have enough bonus entitlement to purchase as second home, as long as he intends to use the new home as  his or her primary [...]

Seller pays off Veterans debt on Alaska VA loan

On January 22, 2011, in Tips And Advice, by Jackie Toppin

One of the only loan programs that has not been hit hard with changes and government scruitny has been the VA guaranteed loans to our activy duty military, and eligible veterans.   Conventional and FHA loans limit what the seller can pay for for a new buyer on a real estate trasncation to just loan fees.  VA, however, still [...]

How to Choose an FHA Lender in Alaska

On May 17, 2009, in Tips And Advice, by Jackie Toppin

Why should I work with you? The biggest mistake people make when shopping for their mortgage is to make their decision on who they will work with based upon the lowest interest rate they locate over the phone, or the Internet.  They never even consider the ramifications of getting involved with a lender that is not knowledgeable,  creditable, or [...]

Where To Find FHA Down Payment Funds In Alaska

On May 6, 2009, in Tips And Advice, by Jackie Toppin

With the demise of the seller paid down payment programs last November, and the increase in the FHA down payment requirements from 3% to 3.5%, Alaska first-time home buyers are finding it a little more challenging to find their down payment funds. What most buyers don’t know is that there are many ways to fund [...]

Alaska FHA Mortgage, Where do I Start?

On February 27, 2009, in Tips And Advice, by Jackie Toppin

Where do you start?  By asking yourself, “can I really buy a house?” An FHA mortgage might be just the option you’ve been looking for to help you buy your first or move up home. A home is both an investment and a savings plan for your future. Knowledge opens doors. This is literally true when it [...]

Alaska FHA Loan Limits Increase 2/24/2009

On February 27, 2009, in Tips And Advice, by Jackie Toppin

Alaska FHA Mortgage Limits for 2009 have been temporarily increased.  Below are the loan limits per borough throughout the State of Alaska until December 31, 2009 County One-Family Two-Family Three-Family Four-Family Aleutians West $349,600.00 $447,550.00 $540,950.00 $672,300.00 Anchorage $347,500.00 $444,850.00 $537,750.00 $668,250.00 Juneau $398,750.00 $540,450.00 $617,050.00 $766,850.00 Ketchikan $322,200.00 $412,200.00 $498,250.00 $619,250.00 Kodiak Island $318,750.00 [...]

Alaska FHA Mortgage, Benefits and Protections

On February 27, 2009, in Tips And Advice, by Jackie Toppin

Alaska FHA Mortgage programs offer unique benefits and protection for home buyers.   They provide less risk for the lender, as well as fast closings, competitive rates and foreclosure protections for you. FHA mortgage programs are insured by the Federal government and are some of the safest products on the market today. Benefits and protections on [...]