Buying a Home in Wisconsin
Have you been daydreaming about buying a home in Wisconsin? The Badger State may just be the home you’ve been looking for. Before you start looking, here’s everything you need to know about Wisconsin.
Hello, Wisconsin! Besides plenty of cheese, this state boasts a total population of well over 5.7 million individuals, of which one if five prefer to dwell in the state’s five biggest cities:
- Milwaukee
- Madison (state capital)
- Green Bay
- Kenosha
- Racine
Take your time and calculate the amount of home that you can afford to purchase. Wisconsin ranks 37th in US homes for sale at average price, and 28th for homes over $1,000,000. The first thing you need to do–before you start looking at homes– is to acquire a loan preapproval. It’ll be invaluable for budgeting purposes.
First-time Homebuyers
First-time homebuyers may qualify for a program administrated by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA.) Pick a 30-year fixed-rate Advantage Conventional loan, or choose a HomeStyle Renovation loan to finance the purchase price of the home, your planned renovation, and up to six months’ of mortgage payments.
Combine your conventional or Advantage Conventional loan with a down payment assistance program to get up to 3% of the purchase price that can be applied to a 3.5% down payment requirement. This is offered as a second mortgage with a ten year payback period.
You’ll be required to have:
- A 620 minimum credit score
- A loan amount at or under the conforming loan limit
- Proof of a completed homebuyer education course
- The ability to meet WHEDA income limits and purchase price requirements
Refinancing in Wisconsin
If the lower Wisconsin mortgage rates appeal to you and you already own a home, you may be thinking about refinancing. If so, here are some things to think about:
- Refinancing could extend your mortgage’s length and terms
- Refinancing could lower your interest rate and save you thousands
- Refinancing can provide you with excess cash from your home equity
- Refinancing may allow you to stop paying PMI, also known as private mortgage insurance
You may get offered a streamlined refinance based on your type of existing loan. Ask your lender for more information.