Skip to main content
_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_new_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_newGroup 9
Back
Scroll to top

7 Songs to Play After Closing on Your New Home

Homebuying 2 min read
headphones sitting on books

Ready to talk to an expert?

Loan officers work hard to make the process of buying a home as easy as possible. But it’s still a tremendous undertaking, from collecting the necessary documents to deciding to commit such a large sum of money on what may well be your largest investment ever.

So when you finally close on your new home, we recommend loading up your MP3 player (or, if you’re old school, burning a CD or making a mixtape) with these seven songs to kick off your celebration!

From all of us at First Bank, congratulations on buying your new home!

Home – Edward Sharpe and Magnetic Zeros

Relevant lyric: “Home is wherever I’m with you.”

Homeward Bound – Simon and Garfunkel

Relevant lyric: “Home, where my thought’s escaping, home, where my music’s playing, home, where my love lies waiting silently for me.”

Closing Time – Semisonic

Relevant lyric: “Closing time.”

The song is more about a bar at closing time than a home closing, but with a title like “Closing Time,” we had to include it!

Home – Phillip Phillips

Relevant lyric: “Cause I’m gonna make this place your home.”

Take Me Home – Phil Collins

Relevant lyric: “Take, take me home.”

Our House – Madness

Relevant lyric: “Our house. In the middle of our street.”

If you say you don’t like this song, that’s simply Madness.

Looking Out My Back Door – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Relevant lyric: “Look at all the happy creatures dancing on the lawn. Bother me tomorrow, today, I’ll buy no sorrows. Doo, doo, doo, looking out my back door.”

This song will help you think of your home as a really fun place.

We wish you all the best with your closing. And if you aren’t quite there yet, get some expert home buying advice at First Bank today.

Ready to talk to an expert?

Share:
First Bank’s Good To Know Logo
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.
First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

FHA Loans 101: 3 Major Requirements If you have a strong understanding of the FHA loan requirements, you’ll experience a quicker and smoother loan application process. FHA loans provide homebuyers of all income levels the opportunity to purchase a home with lenient qualifying terms and lower down payment requirements. There are, however, three major requirements that prevents people from purchasing an unaffordable home. Three Major Requirements Debt-to-Income Ratio:There are two debt-to-income ratio requirements that FHA lenders will look at in order to determine if a buyer can afford a home: Mortgage payment expense to effective income: Add your total mortgage payment and divide it by your gross monthly income. The maximum ratio to qualify is 31%. Total fixed payment to effective income: Add your total mortgage payment and all recurring monthly debt and divide it by your gross monthly income. The maximum ratio to qualify is 43%. FHA Credit: FHA loans are more lenient when it comes to qualifying terms, but there are still certain credit requirements applicants must meet. If you have no credit history, filed for bankruptcy, have a history of late payments, been foreclosed on, or sent to debt collections, it will be harder to get approved for a loan. Application: Aside from financial requirements, there are a few FHA loan application requirements buyers must meet and present to their loan officer: Address (past two years) Social Security number Names and location of your employers (past two years) Gross monthly salary at your current job(s) Information for all checking and savings accounts Information for all open loans Complete information for other real estate you own Approximate value of all personal property Certificate of Eligibility and DD-214 (for veterans only) Current check stubs and your W-2 forms (past two years) Personal tax returns (past two years), current income statement, and business balance sheet for self-employed individuals If you understand the FHA loan requirements and are ready to apply for a loan, you can apply online with First Bank.* Have more questions about FHA loans? Visit the FHA’s website, or contact your local First Bank branch to learn more. *Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #474504. Loans subject to credit approval. ——— Sources: http://www.fha.com/fha_requirements_debt http://www.fha.com/fha_requirements_checklist http://www.fha.com/ 2 min read
5 Mortgage Tips to Help You Get the Best Deal Applying for a home loan can be a confusing and sometimes frustrating experience for prospective home buyers, but it doesn’t have to be. By keeping these mortgage tips in mind, you can make the home-buying process easier and ensure you are getting a loan that meets your budget and needs. 5 Tips for Getting the Best Mortgage Loan 1. Check your credit. Finding out your credit score should be the first thing you do before considering your home buying options. Your credit score will impact the types of loans you are eligible for, how much money you can borrow and your interest rate. 2. Set a budget. Use a mortgage calculator to determine how much house you can afford and stick to it. You should also keep in mind how much you will have to pay in property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, maintenance costs, furnishings and utilities. According to LearnVest, you should take the top amount you are approved for take 20% off of it to make sure you can afford the extra expenses that go along with home ownership. 3. Understand your loan options. By learning about your loan options before you apply, you can make sure the lender you choose offers the best type of loan for you. Types of mortgage loans include the following: Fixed-rate mortgages Adjustable rate mortgages Government loans Construction loans Professional loans 4. Shop around. When shopping for a mortgage, you don’t have to go with the first lender you talk to. You might get a better interest rate from one lender than you do for another. You’ll likely find that local community banks like First Bank will offer the most competitive rates and best service with all their lending options. 5. Prep your documents. Find out what documents you’ll need to apply for a mortgage and gather them before you meet with a lender. Required documents typically include: Credit report Tax returns Pay stubs Two forms of ID Proof of current property owned Visit First Bank’s Financial Education Center for more tips on buying a home, or talk to a First Bank mortgage loan expert near you to learn more about our home loan options.  ——— Sources: http://www.learnvest.com/knowledge-center/7-top-mortgage-shopping-mistakes-to-avoid/3/ http://www.realtor.com/advice/14-step-pre-approval-checklist/ http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/137/how-do-i-find-the-best-loan-available-when-im-shopping-for-a-home-mortgage-loan.html 2 min read
Refinance Your Mortgage with These 5 Tips Over time, the mortgage market fluctuates and creates new opportunities for homeowners to revise the terms of their mortgage. This is known as refinancing. When refinanced, a mortgage can include lower interest rates, home equity credit, and a restructured loan duration. Homeowners will refinance for many reasons: to get a cash out, to buy out someone on the title, to consolidate their debt, for a low-rate bridge loan, and more. Test out this Refinance Mortgage Calculator, and then see if the following tips can save you time and money in your search for the perfect home loan. 5 Tips to Refinance Your Mortgage Lock in a Cost-Efficient Rate. Ultimately, it is a good idea to lower your monthly payment and re-structure the length of time it will take to pay off your loan. If you are purely looking for a lower rate, according to the Federal Reserve Board, the interest on the mortgage needs to be 1-2% lower than their current mortgage loan rate. Keep in mind that a lower rate isn’t always possible during a refinance, depending on your reason for doing the new loan. Evaluate the Terms. When it comes to mortgage refinancing, you should always read the fine print. Some lenders may offer lower rates, but with much longer terms. To determine if a loan is worthwhile compared to your current mortgage, multiply what you are currently paying (principle with interest, but not escrow) by the number of months left. Do the same for the refinance option and compare to determine if it is a good fit. Consider the Benefits of a New Type of Mortgage. If you are looking to refinance your mortgage, a great tip is to check out the variety of loan types lenders offer. Each may have advantages and disadvantages, and one may be a better fit for your situation. For example, if your financial assets have grown or changed, you may benefit from switching to an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) or a fixed-rate mortgage (FRM), depending on your unique needs. Don’t forget about property taxes and escrow accounts, which can also significantly impact your monthly payment amount. Shop Around. The financially savvy homeowner is aware of the many options available for mortgage refinancing. Ask a lot of questions. 3 min read