InvestY Archives | Page 79 of 94

Jul

2023

Angel Investors: What They Are and How to Find Them

By Kate Ashford | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

An angel investor is typically a high-net-worth individual or a group of wealthy individuals who invest their money in a venture at an early stage in return for an equity share.

There are several ways a new small business might try to secure money for expansion or growth, from friends to bank lenders to joining a startup accelerator program. Angel investors are another option that can provide a capital infusion, but there are trade offs when accepting funds in exchange for a stake in a new company.

What Is an Angel Investor?

If you’ve ever watched the show Shark Tank, you’ve seen one type of angel investor in action. On the show, a group of wealthy investors listen to pitches from entrepreneurs who are looking for funding for their small business or startup. In exchange for funding, these investors generally ask for an ownership share in the business.

Angel investors can also be personal friends or colleagues of the entrepreneur. Typically they’re wealthy enough to provide a significant amount of money, despite the risks the startup could fail.

Recommended: What Is Active Investing?

That said, angel investors typically invest in startups that have the potential to grow and have minimal downside risk in the long term. An angel investor may provide a one-time investment in a company, or they may provide ongoing support. They may also be called private investors, seed investors, or just “angels,” for short.

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Who Can Be an Angel Investor?

Angel investors were once required to be accredited investors, which demanded, among other things, that they have a net worth of $1 million in assets, not including personal residences — or yearly income greater than $200,000 alone, or $300,000 for a household for the previous two years. (Anyone who holds a Series 7, Series 65, or Series 82 in good standing also qualifies).

This was meant to limit angel investing — which is a risky practice — to those who ostensibly had enough assets to safely dabble in it. In recent years, however, anyone can be an angel investor.

Ways to Become an Angel Investor With Less Cash

Angel investing is undoubtedly risky — businesses fail all the time. However, lately it is possible to get involved in angel investing without putting tens of thousands of dollars on the line. (A smaller investment won’t reduce the risk, but it may potentially reduce an investor’s total loss.) These crowdfunding platforms enable smaller investors to dip their toes in the water:

• WeFunder is an equity crowdfunding site that allows you to invest as little as $100 in startups and small businesses. The site encourages investors to invest in companies and products they love and believe in. Although the investment is smaller than might be typical, the site still describes these investments as risky and advises that people don’t invest money they can’t afford to lose.

• SeedInvest is an equity crowdfunding site that allows users to get started with $1,000. The company vets all startups on the platform and offers a variety of investment opportunities. The site notes that early-stage investors should expect to hold their investments for at least five years, and that there is no guarantee on returns.

Recommended: Tips for Investing in Tech Stocks

What Are the Pros of Using Angel Investors?

There are a number of benefits to using angel investors to help finance a venture.

Less risk

If you take out a loan to finance your business, you’ll still be expected to pay it back, whether or not your venture is a success. Angel investors generally understand the risk of investing in a startup business, and may not expect any return on capital if the business goes south.

Expertise

If angel investors also happen to be experts in your business, they can offer advice and guidance based on their years of experience.

Credibility

Angel investors are often well-known in their field, and if they invest in your idea, it can boost your reputation and status to have them on board.

They’re Willing to Take a Leap

Unlike a bank, which may need more concrete proof that you’re onto something big, an angel investor might be more willing to gamble on your great idea.

Better Chance of Success

Companies with angel investor interest stand a greater chance of survival than those with less angel investor interest, according to findings from the National Bureau of Economic Research. Having angel investment doesn’t mitigate the risk of starting a business, but it’s possible that having angel investors on board can provide some oversight or accountability that might be beneficial.

What Are the Cons of Angel Investors?

There are also some potential disadvantages to having angel investors.

Loss of Full Ownership

Angel investors often provide funding in return for a share of the business, so involving angel investors means giving up some of your control. It also means that if the business succeeds, they’ll share in the proceeds.

They May Add Pressure

Angel investors aren’t giving you money out of kindness and good will. They may be aggressive investors who expect to see a high return on their investment. If they’re sinking money into your venture, it may feel there’s more riding on your success or failure.

Funding May Be Slow

Finding angel investors can take time, and the process of securing backers — and for the cash to find its way to your venture — can take even longer.

It’s a Competitive Market

Even if you have a brilliant idea, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to find backers for it. Although there were 334,680 active angel investors in 2021, only 64,480 entrepreneurial ventures received angel funding, according to an analysis by the University of New Hampshire Center for Venture Research.

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Where to Find Angel Investors

Startups looking for early-stage investors can look in several places.

Friends and family

Most commonly, startups get much of their initial investment from friends and family who believe in their idea and want to support the venture.

High-Net-Worth Individuals

Networking within your business community may allow you to make connections with people who’d be interested in helping to back your idea. It can be helpful to join local business, trade, and community organizations. Attend meetings and trade fairs, and have your elevator pitch well-honed.

Angel Funding Groups

There are a number of sites that seek to match entrepreneurs with angel investors, including:

Angel Capital Association : A collective of accredited angel investors

Golden Seeds : A group whose members focus on women-led ventures

Angel Investment Network : A network that seeks to connect entrepreneurs with business angels

Crowdfunding sites

While traditional angel groups seek to match entrepreneurs with accredited investors, crowdfunding sites allow lots of smaller investors to pitch in to move your venture along. (Picture a GoFundMe for your business idea.) These include SeedInvest, LocalStake, WeFunder, and Fundable.

You’ll likely have to apply to have your idea or business vetted by the site before they’ll present your project to their members.

The Takeaway

Angel investors are typically high-net-worth individual or group backers that support startup and early-stage business ventures. But lately, opportunities have opened up for individuals of all types to invest in companies that have recently launched.

For entrepreneurs, an angel investor can be an enormous help, both in terms of financing their dream as well as providing guidance if they have relevant business experience. On the flip side, some entrepreneurs may find there is added pressure to deliver when an angel investor is backing their startup.

Whether you’re interested in finding an angel investor for your own startup idea, or thinking of becoming one, there are a number of risks associated with this type of business. Consider the pros and cons in light of your own financial goals, as there are many different paths forward.

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Jul

2023

3 Ways to Pay for Your Kid’s Braces

By Julia Califano | Budgeting & Goals, personal_loan | Comments Off

Braces can help correct dental alignment issues (like crowded, gapped, or crooked teeth) and give your child a beautiful smile. But if an orthodontist visit is in your future, prepare for sticker shock: Depending on the type of appliances they recommend and severity of the dental problem, kids’ braces can run well into the thousands of dollars. If you haven’t been saving up for this developmental milestone, you may be wondering: How do I pay for braces?

Fortunately, you do have some options, including payment plans, flexible spending accounts, and loans. Here’s a look at ways to make covering the high cost of braces more manageable.

What’s the Average Cost of Braces?

The cost of getting braces varies depending on the area, dentist, and type of braces, but you can expect to shell out anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000.

Here is a look at typical costs for different types of orthodontic treatment:

• Metal braces (traditional braces): $3,000 – $7,000

• Ceramic braces (tooth-colored braces): $4,000 – $8,000

• Lingual braces (braces that go on the back surfaces of your teeth): $8,000 – $10,000

• Invisible braces (custom-made trays that straighten your teeth over time): $4,000 – $7,400

If you have dental insurance, it might partially cover a child’s orthodontic treatment. Policies vary but many dental plans will cover 50% of the cost of braces with a $1500 lifetime maximum per child. While this still leaves you on the hook for the remainder, it can make a significant dent in your total out-of-pocket expenses.

Also keep in mind that many practices offer a discount (often 5%) on your braces cost if you choose to pay for the treatment up front.

Smart Options to Pay for Braces

Here’s a look at some ways to make orthodontic treatment costs more manageable.

1. Asking Your Orthodontic Office About Payment Plans

Many orthodontic offices offer flexible payment plans that allow you to stretch the cost of braces over a specified period. One common scenario is interest-free financing that spreads payments across two years. This can make the payments (typically debited monthly from your checking or saving account) more manageable.

For example, an interest-free, 24-month payment plan, with no required down payment, would make a $5,000 orthodontic treatment cost about $209 per month, assuming you don’t have any insurance coverage. If your dental plan covers some of your costs, your monthly, of course, will be less.

Payment policies will vary from office to office, so it’s a good idea to ask about payment plans, including any interest or financing charges associated with the plan, as well as the duration of the payment period. By understanding the terms up front, you can make an informed decision about which practice you want to use and how you will pay for the braces.

2. Using a Flexible Spending Account or a Health Savings Account

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health saving accounts (HSAs) are offered as a part of healthcare plans by some employers. Both allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars to be used toward eligible expenses, which often include orthodontic treatment.

With an FSA, you determine how much you want your employer to set aside for the year (up to the FSA limit). You then need to use the funds for qualified medical expenses before the end of the year, (though you may be able to roll over a certain amount to the following year.

To save to an HSA, you must enroll in a high-deductible health insurance plan, or HDHP (as defined by the government). Each year, you decide how much to contribute to your HSA, though you can’t exceed government-mandated maximums. If you have an HSA through your workplace, you can often set up automatic contributions directly from your paycheck. Typically, you get a debit card or checks linked to your HSA balance, and you can use the funds on eligible medical expenses.

Unlike an FSA, your HSA balance rolls over from year to year, so you never have to worry about losing your savings.

3. Taking out a Loan

If the above options aren’t available or sufficient to cover the cost of braces, you may want to consider getting a personal loan. These loans, available through banks, online lenders, and credit unions, are usually unsecured (meaning you don’t need to put up any collateral) and can be used for almost any type of expense, including your kid’s braces. In fact, healthcare costs are a common reason why people apply for a personal loan.

Financing braces, of course, comes with interest, which will add to the total cost of the treatment. However, personal loans generally have lower interest rates than credit cards. They also provide you with a lump sum up front, which might help you get a discount for paying in full (if your orthodontist offers that). Plus, you’ll get a set monthly payment you can budget for.

When exploring personal loans to pay for braces, it’s important to shop around and look for a loan that offers favorable rates and terms and fits within your budget.

The Takeaway

The cost of a child’s braces can seem daunting. Fortunately, there are several options available to help you manage the expense. Whether you choose a payment plan offered by your orthodontist, utilize a flexible spending account or health savings account, or opt for a loan, careful planning and research can help you to find a solution that works for your family’s financial situation.

If you’re interested in exploring personal loan options for braces, SoFi could help. SoFi personal loans offer competitive, fixed rates and a variety of terms. Checking your rate won’t affect your credit score, and it takes just one minute.

Pay for your kid’s braces — without taking on high-interest debt.

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Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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Jul

2023

Tips on How to Choose The Right ETF

By Inyoung Hwang | invest, Investing | Comments Off

ETFs are tradable funds that investors can buy and sell on stock exchanges all day. They typically hold a basket of assets, such as stocks or bonds, and mirror the moves of another underlying index. Since its start almost three decades ago, the ETF industry has taken the financial world by storm, and there are thousands of different ETFs on the market that investors can choose from.

But each investor is different, and some ETFs likely won’t be a good fit for their portfolio or strategy. Learning to choose or pick ETFs that do fit your strategy can take some practice, but it’s good to have some guidelines in mind.

How Do I Pick an ETF?

There’s no right or wrong way to pick an exchange-traded fund (ETF), but you can follow a process to help you determine which securities may be the best fit for you. It starts with picking an asset class.

Step 1: Pick the Asset Class

Because the performance of an ETF is so closely tied to an underlying index, investors need to first decide which underlying asset class they want exposure to. The main asset classes are stocks, bonds, currencies, and commodities.

Risk is generally inversely correlated to return. So riskier assets have the potential to deliver greater returns, while safer assets tend to deliver reliable, albeit smaller, returns. Stocks are considered to be a riskier, more volatile asset class. Commodities even more so. Meanwhile, bonds tend to be safer but also deliver more muted returns.

Keep in mind, just because an investor buys an ETF that gives them exposure to one asset class, that doesn’t preclude them from buying another that invests in another market. In fact, it’s a healthy portfolio diversification strategy to allocate one’s money into different asset classes, a practice known as asset allocation.

Step 2: Narrow the Focus

Once an investor has chosen their asset class, they can dive deeper within that market. When it comes to stock ETFs, this usually involves picking an industry – like technology or financial – that they’d like to get greater exposure to. Equity ETFs may also focus on a specific attribute a stock can have. Or dividend ETFs, which hold shares of companies with regular payouts.

For bond ETFs, investors can decide between funds that invest in U.S. government-bond versus bonds issued by countries abroad, as well as investment-grade (higher quality) company debt versus high-yield (junk) bonds.

More recently, thematic ETFs have taken off. These are stock funds that tend to be much narrower than the traditional sector ETF. They can focus on a niche subsector, like robotics, electric cars or blockchain, or even modern trends, like the gig economy or working from home.

There are pros and cons to thematic ETFs: while they’re often marketed as a convenient way to wager on an investment story, they also tend to underperform the broader market. Thematic ETFs have also been criticized for being too narrow and not offering the wide breadth that ETFs were originally designed to offer.

Step 3: Explore Different ETF Strategies

ETFs began as a way to provide investors access to broad markets with a single investment. Since then however, the popularity of the industry has led to the creation of numerous different kinds of ETFs, some of which employ complex strategies.

Here are some of the different ETF types:

• Leveraged ETFs allow investors to make magnified bets on different assets or markets. So instead of replicating the move of the underlying index exactly, leveraged ETFs will produce a move that’s 2x or 3x.

• Inverse ETFs let investors wager against an asset, so shorting or betting that the price of a market will go down. So if on a given day, the underlying market goes down, the inverse ETF’s price will go up.

• Actively Managed ETFs invest in assets without following an index. While ETFs are usually a form of passive investing–the strategy of tracking another index–actively managed ETFs are like stock-picking strategies packaged into a tradable fund.

• Smart-Beta & Factor ETFs use a rules-based system — such as stock weightings, valuations, or volatility trends — to choose the investments in a fund. These funds are often considered a hybrid between passive and actively managed ETFs.

• Currency-Hedged ETFs are funds that let investors wager on a basket of overseas stocks, while mitigating the risk that stems from currency fluctuations.

Step 4: Look at ETF Costs

A fundamental reason why ETFs have become so influential is their low cost. Low ETF fees have compressed costs across the board in asset management. The average expense ratio of most ETFs has fallen over time. Expense ratios are a percentage of assets subtracted each year. So, an expense ratio of 0.45% means that the charge is $4.50 for every $1,000 invested each year.

Because the vast majority of ETFs tend to be passive, they tend to be much cheaper than mutual funds, many of which are still actively managed. More complex ETFs like leveraged funds, or actively managed ones, tend to have higher expense ratios. But some passive ETF fees have hit rock-bottom levels.

Step 5: Other Ways to Analyze ETFs

What about how well an ETF has done? Should that matter? While profitability can make an investment look more attractive, it shouldn’t be the only factor investors use when determining which ETF to buy. That’s because in investing, past performance is not indicative of future results.

For ETFs, another key measure of performance is how well it tracks the underlying index. Tracking errors, when a move in the ETF veers from one by the market it’s designed to track, can come up from time to time, particularly in leveraged funds or ones that invest in stocks overseas.

Looking at the assets under management (AUM) can be a helpful way to pick an ETF. A larger AUM can signal an ETF’s popularity, which in turn makes it more likely that it’s liquid, or easy to trade without impacting prices.

💡 Quick Tip: If you’re opening a brokerage account for the first time, consider starting with an amount of money you’re prepared to lose. Investing always includes the risk of loss, and until you’ve gained some experience, it’s probably wise to start small.

How to Find an ETF’s Holdings, Prospectus, and Fact Sheet

Another touted perk of ETFs is their transparency. Investors can look up what’s exactly in a fund by going to the ETF provider’s website and searching for the fund. Contacting the ETF provider directly for this information is also possible. ETF providers are required to update this information regularly.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulation also requires that ETF providers make easily available an ETF’s prospectus. The prospectus has information about the ETF including its investment objective, the risks, fees, as well as expenses. For investors interested in an ETF, one of the most important things they can do is research the fund by carefully reading the prospectus.

Similarly, ETF fact sheets act like quick summaries of the fund, giving key information like performance, the top holdings, and other portfolio characteristics. ETF providers typically produce fact sheets every quarter and make them available on their website.

The Takeaway

Choosing an ETF from the thousands out there can seem daunting, but taking a step-by-step approach can help individuals sort through the multitude of options. A key step investors can take in researching ETFs is reading the fund’s prospectus, where they’ll find vital information on the investment objectives as well as potential risks.

Considerations include which asset class an investor wants to invest in; how broad or narrow of an exposure they want; costs — which are usually shown as expense ratios; and lastly, an ETF’s size can give clues on the popularity and liquidity of the fund. One ETF, on its own, can provide some diversification. However, some people choose to use a number of ETFs as building blocks to assembling a well-balanced portfolio.

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

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INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

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Shares of ETFs must be bought and sold at market price, which can vary significantly from the Fund’s net asset value (NAV). Investment returns are subject to market volatility and shares may be worth more or less their original value when redeemed. The diversification of an ETF will not protect against loss. An ETF may not achieve its stated investment objective. Rebalancing and other activities within the fund may be subject to tax consequences.
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Jul

2023

How to Buy and Sell a House at the Same Time

By Kevin Brouillard | Budgeting & Goals, Home Ownership, mortgage | Comments Off

Whether relocating down the block or across the country, there is a lot of work and planning that goes into moving. For current homeowners, there may be more logistics when simultaneously buying and selling houses.

If you’re figuring out how to sell and buy a house at the same time, there are some options to choose from based on your own budget, situation, and tolerance for risk.

Although this situation can be complex, it is not uncommon. In fact, 74% of home buyers owned their previous residence.

To help you navigate this juggling act, this guide will go over potential challenges and outline some alternative options and tips to close on both deals.

Evaluating the Local Housing Market

Taking stock of the local housing market can help inform how to sell and buy a house at the same time. Not only does the market influence home prices, it can also impact the length of closing on a sale or purchase.

You may be faced with a housing market that favors buyers over sellers or vice-versa. Researching your local housing market ahead of time can help guide your efforts in finding a new house.

When It’s a Buyer’s Market

A buyer’s market has more houses for sale than people actively looking to purchase a home. Generally, finding a new house in areas with a higher concentration of sellers can be easier than selling. At the same time, an accurate listing price and contingencies can factor into the equation.

Since there is less competition in the market, buyers can consider requesting an extended closing to allow time to sell their own house or include other contingencies in their offer. For instance, a home sale contingency can be included in a contract to coordinate a purchase with the sale of the buyer’s house.

A home sale contingency asks for the patience of a seller depending on their situation. Complications may arise in the event that all parties involved are simultaneously buying and selling homes.

On the flipside, sellers in a buyer’s market could benefit from setting a competitive asking price and getting ahead of inspection by buttoning up any lingering home maintenance issues.

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When It’s a Seller’s Market

If there are more buyers in the housing market than there are homes for sale, it’s considered a seller’s market. Often, selling a house where there’s a high percentage of homebuyers takes less time and can fetch a higher price.

Sellers may be able to take advantage of the housing scarcity and go with a more ambitious asking price. If this pays off, the extra cash could be especially useful if you are shopping for houses in a seller’s market yourself. Making a competitive offer may be helpful if you are trying to beat out other bids and quickly secure a home.

It’s also not uncommon for houses to receive multiple offers in a seller’s market. If this is the case, sellers may have more success negotiating favorable terms that suit their sell and buy situation.

For example, a rent-back agreement allows sellers to lease their former house from the new owners for a set period of time. This gives them more time to find their new home, but may not be an acceptable condition for every prospective buyer.

Calculating Home Equity

Getting your finances in order to buy and sell a home isn’t just about counting savings and building budgets. Home equity is another important consideration.

To calculate home equity, subtract the money owed on a mortgage loan from the current market value of a house. For example, if your home is worth $250,000 and you still owe $150,000 on your mortgage loan, you have $100,000 of equity in your home.

Depending on your financial situation, home equity may be necessary to buy a new home. Keep in mind that equity does not become available until the closing is complete. Typically, lenders will limit borrowers to 80% to 90% of their available equity, depending on factors such as credit history and income, among others.

Unless you’re selling a home shortly after buying it, the market value of a home could likely differ from the initial purchase price. These changes could either increase or decrease your home equity.

Generally speaking, the average home sale price in the United States increases year-to-year, barring notable exceptions like the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent recession. Yet, these trends don’t account for regional housing booms and busts.

Getting an official valuation from a real estate appraiser, which typically costs between $300 and $400, is one way to get a more accurate idea of your home equity and a feasible sale price. Researching comparable homes that recently sold in your community can give you a ballpark estimate, too.

💡 Quick Tip: You can use money you get with a cash-out refi for any purpose, including home renovations, consolidating other high-interest debts, funding a child’s education, or buying another property.

Prequalification vs Preapproval

Being aware of your own financial situation is useful for a variety of reasons, especially when buying a house. But if you’re among the majority of buyers who finance their home purchase, your mortgage lender will consider factors besides your own number crunching and goals when deciding their loan total.

For many prospective homebuyers, prequalifying is the first step to getting an estimate of how large a loan they would likely qualify for. Lenders generally evaluate factors like a buyer’s debt, assets, and income, which may take just a matter of days.

Becoming prequalified does not lock buyers into a set mortgage rate. Rather, it gives buyers a more accurate picture of their financing options and what houses are in their price range. Before making an offer, it is generally advisable that buyers are prequalified, which can be demonstrated with a letter from your lender. This can signal to the sellers that you are a serious buyer.

To ultimately obtain a mortgage loan, buyers still need to go through preapproval. In doing so, lenders perform a more thorough credit and financial background check to arrive at a specified preapproved loan amount.

Sellers may consider offers from preapproved buyers to be more favorable than those with just prequalification since there is less concern about a rejected mortgage application pending a deal. It may also get you to the closing table faster, which can be a big plus if you’re in a competitive market.

Selling Before Buying

Whether by intention or pure circumstance, you could face a choice of selling your house before buying your next home.

Selling first can potentially be beneficial for qualifying for a mortgage loan. After the sale closes, you may be able to use that money to finance a down payment on a new home, as well as having a lower debt-to-income ratio.

Yet, selling before buying may create complications for finding a place to stay until you purchase a new home. If the new buyers are not willing or able to do a rent-back agreement, you may end up having to find temporary housing in the meantime.

Apartments and rental properties may require signing up to a 12-month lease. For prospective homebuyers, a lengthy rental commitment with penalties for leaving early may be costly. Instead, finding a month-to-month rental option can grant more flexibility and sync up with a storage unit lease, if needed.

Buying Before Selling

When you find your dream home, you may want to pull the trigger and make an offer right away. But what does that mean if your house hasn’t sold yet?

If your budget allows you to buy a home with cash vs. a mortgage, you may be in a position to move forward with the offer.

For some, making a down payment or home purchase before selling with savings alone is not feasible. In other cases, your debt-to-income ratio and credit may prevent you from getting a second mortgage.

There are several options available if this is the case. A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) can let prospective buyers borrow against the equity of their current home. A buyer’s credit and existing home equity are taken into account to qualify for a HELOC.

If approved, buyers can use the HELOC to access money for a down payment, which could then be paid off when their house sells. Take note of the repayment terms and interest rate on the HELOC, as these can vary from lender to lender.

Taking out a bridge loan is another possibility. These short-term loans are usually structured to cover a down payment and become due after several months. Bridge loans generally have high interest rates and may require an origination fee. Sellers who cannot unload their house in time may need to request an extension or begin repaying the loan while still paying their mortgage.

Choosing a Real Estate Agent

A savvy real estate agent can help reduce the stress and uncertainty of selling and buying a house at the same time. Their expertise can come in handy for setting an accurate listing price, scheduling showings, and staging a home.

If you had a positive experience with the agent you worked with to buy your home, their familiarity with your property could help expedite the process and give you peace of mind in case you have to move out of the area before selling.

There are benefits to using the same agent for buying and selling when geography allows. For instance, they can simplify the lines of communication and more easily coordinate the closing of both homes with your ideal timeline.

Sometimes it may not be possible to use the same realtor. The obvious case is when you’re moving a significant distance to a new area.

The need to use two realtors could arise if you’ve chosen a reputable realtor who exclusively works with buyers or sellers alone. If you decide to hire such a realtor, they may be able to recommend a trusted colleague in their agency to handle your other deal.

Timing Your Closing Dates

There is a lot to consider when selling and buying a house at the same time. The timing of both deals can impact financing options, having to find temporary housing, and figuring out how to store or move your belongings.

Setting a closing date is part of the negotiating process for any real estate deal, and coordinating closings for the same date can streamline the process.

Still, closings can be delayed due to reasons outside your control. Having a back-up plan, such as a rent-back agreement, can keep you in your home while you find a new house. Putting additional contingencies in a contract can help with rescheduling closings as needed or even walking away without much financial loss.

Obtaining a Mortgage

Buying and selling houses at once may not always be easy, but it is doable.

If you cannot purchase a house with cash or home equity, you’ll need to figure out how much you can borrow.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.

*Terms and conditions apply. Applies to conventional purchase loans only. Rate will lock for 90 calendar days at the time of pre-approval subject to payment on 60th day of the fee below. If you submit a fully executed purchase contract within 30 days of the initial rate lock, SoFi will reduce the interest rate by an additional 0.125% at no cost. If current market pricing has improved by .75 percentage points or more from the original locked rate, you may qualify for an additional rate reduction. If you have not submitted a fully executed purchase contract within 60 days of your initial rate lock, you will be charged $250 to maintain the rate lock through the 90-day period. The $250 fee will be credited back to you at the time of closing. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this offer at any time with or without notice to you.

*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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Jul

2023

Can You Put an Offer on a House That Is Contingent?

By Sarah Brooks | Home Ownership, mortgage | Comments Off

After months of searching, you’ve found your dream home. There’s just one problem: It’s marked as contingent. Can you still make an offer on a house that is contingent? In a word, yes.

Here’s what you need to know about contingent homes and what they mean for hopeful buyers.

Table of Contents

What Does Contingent Mean on a House?
Can a Contingent Home Fall Through?
How to Put in an Offer on a Contingent Home
Buying a Contingent Home Is Possible, But Is It Worth It?

What Does Contingent Mean On a House?

When scrolling through online real estate listings, you’re likely to come across a few different listing classifications. These tell you what stage of the real estate process a property is in.

A listing classified as “active” means the home is currently for sale and potential buyers are welcome to view the home and make an offer. A home listed as “pending” means a closing date has been set and all contingencies have been met. A home listed as “sold” is officially off the market.

In real estate, contingent means an offer has been accepted on a home, but before the sale can go through, certain criteria (specified in the contract) need to be met.

Many buyers don’t fully understand the contingent house meaning when it comes to their options. Unfortunately, this could mean buyers are throwing away real estate opportunities.

💡 Quick Tip: Thinking of using a mortgage broker? That person will try to help you save money by finding the best loan offers you are eligible for. But if you deal directly with an online mortgage lender, you won’t have to pay a mortgage broker’s commission, which is usually based on the mortgage amount.

Can a Contingent Home Fall Through?

Yes, it can.

In 2023, the National Association of Realtors® found that 5% of contracts over a three-month time period were terminated. Reasons for a contract falling through include job loss, unmet contingencies (such as the buyer not being able to sell their home), trouble with financing, home inspection issues, and more.

Financing Falls Through

According to a NAR® report, 87% of homebuyers financed their home. Home loans aren’t finalized until closing, so until a buyer signs on the dotted line on closing day, financing isn’t guaranteed.

Even though buyers may be pre-approved for financing, finalizing the process involves diving deeper into their financial matters. Sometimes unanswered debts come up or loan seekers have overestimated their assets.

Whatever the reason, financing can fall through at any time and push a home back on the market.

Appraisal Is Low

An appraisal must be completed when a home is being bought with a mortgage loan. A qualified appraiser determines the value of the home through a variety of measures, including condition and location.

An appraisal that comes in much lower than expected can push a home back on the market. Buyers might decide they are no longer interested, sellers might not agree to a lower price, or the financial institution providing funding could stop the transaction from taking place.

Surprises in the Home Inspection

A home inspection that turns up unexpected issues can void a contingent contract. Unless the buyer and seller can come to an agreement about who will absorb the cost of each necessary fix, it’s unlikely a new offer will be made or accepted.

A home inspection that finds a home to be in severe disrepair could make it difficult or impossible to secure funding, as well.

The Buyer Is Unable to Sell Their Home

One of the most common requirements written into a contingent offer is that the sale can’t go through until the buyer sells their home. Many homeowners can’t afford two mortgages at once, and this is the best way to prevent an overlap.

However, this leaves the seller in an uncomfortable position, not knowing if their home will officially sell in one week or three months. Unless specifics are written into the contingency contract, a seller may back out of the contract or accept another offer if they feel the sale is moving too slowly.

💡 Quick Tip: One answer to rising house prices is a jumbo loan. Apply for a jumbo loan online with SoFi, and you could finance up to $2.5 million with as little as 10% down. Get preapproved and you’ll be prepared to compete in a hot market.

How to Put in an Offer on a Contingent Home

In most cases, putting an offer in on a contingent home is an option to consider. Although it doesn’t guarantee you’ll close on the home, it does mean you could be first in line should the current contract fall through.

Putting an offer in on a contingent home is similar to the homebuying process of any active listing. Here are a few responses you could receive:

• Crickets. In some cases, a seller and buyer may have already gone through the requirements and are approaching a closing date. If this is the case, you’re likely to hear crickets. Don’t take it personally.

• We’ll get back to you. If your offer is appealing, you can expect the seller’s agent to want to speak with yours. A quick conversation between the professionals will likely reveal if the deal can take place or not. Keep in mind that if the sellers have accepted a contingent offer without a “kick-out clause,” they may not be able to back out of the contract.

• Yes! If a motivated seller is not happy with the speed of the current buyer, your tantalizing offer could win them over quickly. If your offer is accepted, you’ll move forward with the process required by your lender. If you’ve offered cash, closing may happen rather quickly.

First-time homebuyers can
prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan,
with as little as 3% down.

Questions? Call (888)-541-0398.

Buying a Contingent Home Is Possible, But Is It Worth It?

The answer to this question really depends on how much you want to own the home in question.

Making an offer on a contingent home can take you on a rollercoaster ride. Before you hop on, consider the benefits and potential pitfalls.

Pros

Fast closing. The sellers may be tired of their current contract and ready to move on. If you can put in a better offer, you could be closing sooner rather than later. Before you make an offer, make sure you’re really ready to buy a home.

Less competition. It may not be obvious on an online listing, but a contingent home’s contract could be dead in the water. And while other buyers scroll past the listing because they don’t realize they can still make an offer, you might be able to swoop in and get the home without worrying about competing bids.

Cons

Higher price. It’s less likely you’ll get a great deal when making an offer on a contingent home. In most cases, a contingent offer is high to encourage sellers to hold out if the closing process takes longer than anticipated. You may have to cough up a bit extra to get the home, which is why you should only put an offer on a contingent home that you absolutely love.

Wasted time. Think of putting an offer on a contingent home like asking someone out who is already in a committed relationship. Sure, there’s a chance they’ll say yes. But there’s no way to know if your efforts will be worth it.

The Takeaway

Can you still make an offer on a house that is contingent? Yes. But before you do, make sure the house is worth the added effort and be prepared to move forward quickly in the homebuying process.

SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.

*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

Angel Investors: What They Are and How to Find Them

What Is an Angel Investor?

Who Can Be an Angel Investor?

Ways to Become an Angel Investor With Less Cash

What Are the Pros of Using Angel Investors?

Less risk

Expertise

Credibility

They’re Willing to Take a Leap

Better Chance of Success

What Are the Cons of Angel Investors?

Loss of Full Ownership

They May Add Pressure

Funding May Be Slow

It’s a Competitive Market

Where to Find Angel Investors

Friends and family

High-Net-Worth Individuals

Angel Funding Groups

Crowdfunding sites

The Takeaway

3 Ways to Pay for Your Kid’s Braces

What’s the Average Cost of Braces?

Smart Options to Pay for Braces

1. Asking Your Orthodontic Office About Payment Plans

2. Using a Flexible Spending Account or a Health Savings Account

3. Taking out a Loan

The Takeaway

Tips on How to Choose The Right ETF

How Do I Pick an ETF?

Step 1: Pick the Asset Class

Step 2: Narrow the Focus

Step 3: Explore Different ETF Strategies

Step 4: Look at ETF Costs

Step 5: Other Ways to Analyze ETFs

How to Find an ETF’s Holdings, Prospectus, and Fact Sheet

The Takeaway

How to Buy and Sell a House at the Same Time

Evaluating the Local Housing Market

When It’s a Buyer’s Market

When It’s a Seller’s Market

Calculating Home Equity

Prequalification vs Preapproval

Selling Before Buying

Buying Before Selling

Choosing a Real Estate Agent

Timing Your Closing Dates

Obtaining a Mortgage

Can You Put an Offer on a House That Is Contingent?

What Does Contingent Mean On a House?

Can a Contingent Home Fall Through?

Financing Falls Through

Appraisal Is Low

Surprises in the Home Inspection

The Buyer Is Unable to Sell Their Home

How to Put in an Offer on a Contingent Home

First-time homebuyers can prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan, with as little as 3% down.

Buying a Contingent Home Is Possible, But Is It Worth It?

Pros

Cons

The Takeaway

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Student Loan Refinancing

Personal Loans

Online Investments

Other

First-time homebuyers can
prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan,
with as little as 3% down.

Student Loan
Refinancing

Personal
Loans

Online
Investments