Having a condo sale fall through can be devastating for both the buyer and the seller. When Downtown San Diego condos or lofts go back on the market, it often arouses suspicion. In reality, however, there are a number of factors that can sideline a condo sale. Emotions, funding issues, and even condo inspections all have a significant impact on how swift and seamless these processes are.
Changes in Buyer Qualifications
There are a number of factors that can cause a mortgage application to be rejected, even after consistently positive feedback from the lender. Until public records have been reviewed by lending institutions, there is no guarantee that borrowers do not have liens against them. If liens are identified, irrespective of how nominal the associated debts may be, lenders will not issue loan approvals until these liens have been taken care of. Some prospective buyers also make the mistake of opening new lines of credit during the loan review process, whether to buy new cars or to finance the purchase of new furniture. This can have a significant impact on their debt-to-income ratios and on their ability to qualify.
Change of Heart
Buyer’s remorse is a very common reason why property sales fall through. A condo is a major investment and one that some consumers might not have the heart to see through. Standard contracts within the state of California give buyers a total of 17 days to have condo inspections performed. Consumers have the option to cancel contracts at any time during these 17 days. The most common reason for cancelling a contract is fear of investing. Although purchasing real estate in Downtown San Diego might seem like the right idea at the start of this process, once the magnitude of full ownership costs is perceived, some buyers discover that they aren’t emotionally or financially ready to commit.
Condo Inspections
Not only can fear of ownership responsibilities stagnate the purchasing process, but results from a condo inspection can also bring a condo sale to a grinding halt. A diligent inspector will not only consider the actual unit, but common areas and exterior areas that will be used solely by the new condo owner. An exhaustive examination can reveal evidence of past water damage or other issues that may have an impact on current or future condo values. If a variety of issues are highlighted in the inspection report, this can cause hesitation on the part of both buyers and lenders.
Failure to Meet FHA Funding Requirements
When the borrower is financing his or her purchase with an FHA condo loan, strict requirements must be met on all ends. Not only does the buyer have to show adequate financial fitness for qualifying for the loan, but the condo building, the unit and the related HOA will also have to meet a number of strict standards. Certain loans, particularly FHA loans, have specific requirements concerning the number of units that have been sold, the number of units that are owner-occupied and the overall financial and legal fitness of the HOA. If any of these requirements are not met, funding will invariably be denied until the necessary changes have been made.
Work with an Experienced Agent
When you’re ready to seriously shop for a condo, loft, or penthouse in Downtown San Diego, make sure you work with experienced agents who specialize in the area and understand the local market. At 92101 Urban Living, we work, play, and live in Downtown San Diego, and exclusively work with properties in the neighborhood, including condos in Cortez Hill, Core, Columbia, East Village, Gaslamp, Marina, and Little Italy. Give us a call at (619) 649-0368 and start your search today! ')}