Even those with a steady job and sufficient income are cautious about signing their mortgages for Santa Cruz homes for sale. They realize that signing mortgages set them up with payments for a significant amount of their lifetimes. Others worry, especially now, about losing their jobs in an unstable economy. The “what if” game begins, and potential homebuyers know that, if they lose their job, there’s a very real possibility they might lose their home.
Job-loss mortgage insurance gives homebuyers a “fallback plan” should they ever lose that stable income. It’s a definite relief to many who want to buy Santa Cruz homes for sale, but can job-loss mortgage insurance really help homeowners? Or, is it just another way to swindle the innocent out of hard-earned money?
What is it?
Job-loss mortgage insurance is exactly what it sounds like. Some insurance companies offer an insurance plan to help you pay your monthly mortgage payment should you lose your job. Although it’s been around for years, the big companies, such as Bank of America and GE Casualty, have begun picking it up in the past 10 years,.
How does it work?
Job-loss policies pay all or part of your mortgage payment if your job loss is involuntary, and some pay if you become medically unable to work. Policies vary depending on the provider, but most go into action after a month of unemployment. Most also have a wait period which means they won’t pay out during the first six months after you've purchased the policy.
Maximum monthly benefits, what the policy covers and whether you have to be receiving unemployment benefits are just a few things to look over while researching providers. As usual with anything insurance, make sure you read the fine print.
Is it worth it?
A lot of financial advisors say not to bother with the job-loss mortgage insurance. Take the money you’d be spending on insurance and build a savings account to hold six months worth of payments. However, many first-time home buyers have depleted their reserve funds just to get the house, and may not have the money to put aside.
My advice to you…
If you’re interested in buying one of the Santa Cruz homes for sale, but you're worried about your job stability, look into job-loss mortgage insurance. Once you have the facts, policy information and coverage costs, figure it into your finances (payments for coverage vs. building a six-month fallback account) and decide what’s best for you.
If you’re looking for a beautiful home at a price you can afford, I can help. Call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com for more information.
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