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Michelle Leon

Loan Officer

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I am a Wife, proud Mommy of two, and a Senior Mortgage Broker at Mortgage Squad Miami. I’ve been in the mortgage industry since 2010, and I absolutely love what I do! Helping people achieve homeownership and making the process smooth and stress-free is what drives me every day.

  • michellel@mtgsquad.com
  • (305) 766-3931

NMLS# 943594

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Michelle Leon

Closing

Closing on a loan is the final step in the mortgage process, where all the necessary paperwork is signed, and ownership of the property is transferred to you. Here's what to expect:

Review Closing Disclosure: You'll receive a Closing Disclosure document outlining the final terms of your loan, including the loan amount, interest rate, and closing costs. Review this carefully before the closing date.

Sign Documents: At the closing meeting, you'll sign various documents, including the mortgage note, deed of trust, and other legal paperwork.

Pay Closing Costs: You'll need to pay any remaining closing costs, which may include fees for the appraisal, title insurance, and other services.

Transfer of Funds: The lender will transfer the loan funds to the seller, and you'll provide any required down payment.

Receive Keys: Once all documents are signed and funds are transferred, you'll receive the keys to your new home.

This process ensures that all legal and financial aspects of the transaction are completed, allowing you to officially become a homeowner.

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Underwriting

Underwriting is a critical step in the mortgage approval process where the lender evaluates your financial information to determine your eligibility for a loan. Here's what happens: Review of Financial Documents: The underwriter examines your income, assets, debts, and credit history to assess your ability to repay the loan. Risk Assessment: The underwriter evaluates the risk associated with lending to you, considering factors like your credit score, employment history, and debt-to-income ratio. Property Appraisal: The underwriter reviews the appraisal report to ensure the property's value supports the loan amount. Compliance Check: The underwriter ensures that your application meets all regulatory and lender-specific requirements.

Once the underwriter completes their review, they will either approve, deny, or request additional information to finalize the decision.

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PreProcessing

During the loan processing stage, several key steps are taken to ensure your mortgage application is complete and accurate: Document Collection: The lender gathers all necessary documents, such as income verification, bank statements, and credit reports. Verification: The information provided in your application is verified, including employment, income, and assets. Appraisal: An appraisal is ordered to determine the market value of the property you are purchasing. Underwriting: The underwriter reviews your application and documentation to assess your creditworthiness and ensure you meet the loan requirements. Approval: Once the underwriter approves your loan, you will receive a conditional approval, outlining any additional requirements needed before closing. This process ensures that all aspects of your application are thoroughly reviewed

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Pre-Approval

Take the first step towards your dream home by getting pre-approved today. Complete our application to understand your purchasing power and streamline your home buying process. Start your journey with confidence and clarity!

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Application

Complete your application and unlock the door to your dream home with ease. Discover your purchasing power and embark on the path to acquiring your goals.

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Private Lending

Our private lending solutions are designed to cater to a variety of real estate investment needs. Whether you’re looking to build, renovate, or invest in commercial properties, we offer flexible and tailored financing options to help you achieve your goals. 

Our Products: 

  1. Construction Loans: 
  1. Purpose: Ideal for financing new construction projects. 
  1. Benefits: Provides the necessary funds to cover construction costs, with flexible terms to suit your project’s timeline. 
  1. Hard Money / Private Lending: 
  1. Purpose: Offers quick and accessible financing for various real estate investments. 
  1. Benefits: Easier qualification process compared to traditional loans, making it suitable for borrowers with unique financial situations or urgent funding needs. 
  1. Fix & Flip Loans: 
  1. Purpose: Designed for investors looking to purchase, renovate, and sell properties for a profit. 
  1. Benefits: Provides the capital needed to acquire and improve properties, with terms that align with the short-term nature of fix-and-flip projects. 
  1. Commercial Loans: 
  1. Purpose: Tailored for financing commercial real estate ventures. 
  1. Benefits: Offers competitive rates and flexible terms to support the acquisition, development, or refinancing of commercial properties. 

Our private lending solutions are crafted to provide the flexibility and support you need to succeed in your real estate investments. Whether you’re building from the ground up, renovating for resale, or expanding your commercial portfolio, we have the right financing options for you.

NONQM Programs

Our Non-Qualified Mortgage (Non-QM) loans are designed to provide flexible financing solutions for borrowers who may not meet the standard lending criteria set by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for qualified mortgages. These loans are ideal for individuals with non-traditional income sources, such as self-employed professionals, freelancers, or those who have experienced recent credit events. 

Key Products include: 

  • 1099 Only as Proof of Income: 
  • Purpose: Perfect for self-employed individuals who receive 1099 forms instead of traditional W-2s. 
  • Benefits: Simplifies the qualification process by using 1099 forms as proof of income. 
  • Bank Statement Loans: 
  • Purpose: Ideal for borrowers with irregular income streams. 
  • Benefits: Uses bank statements to verify income, making it easier for self-employed individuals and freelancers to qualify. 
  • Foreign National Loans: 
  • Purpose: Designed for non-U.S. citizens looking to invest in U.S. real estate. 
  • Benefits: Offers flexible qualification criteria to accommodate foreign nationals. 
  • Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) Loans: 
  • Purpose: Suitable for real estate investors. 
  • Benefits: Focuses on the property’s cash flow rather than the borrower’s personal income, making it easier to qualify based on the investment’s performance. 

Why Use a Non-QM Program: 

  • Flexible Qualification Requirements: Unlike traditional mortgages, Non-QM loans offer more lenient criteria, making it easier for borrowers with unique financial situations to qualify. 
  • Ideal for Non-Traditional Income: Perfect for self-employed individuals, freelancers, or those with irregular income streams. 
  • Accommodates Recent Credit Events: Suitable for borrowers who have faced recent credit challenges but are on the path to financial recovery. 
  • Our non-QM loans provide an excellent opportunity for those who need a more tailored approach to home financing. Whether you’re self-employed, have a fluctuating income, or have experienced recent credit issues, our non-QM loans can help you achieve your homeownership goals. 

Downpayment Assistance

Down payment assistance (DPA) programs are designed to help homebuyers cover the initial costs of purchasing a home, such as the down payment and closing costs. These programs can come in the form of grants, forgivable loans, deferred-payment loans, or low-interest second mortgages. 

Types of Down Payment Assistance: 

  1. Grants: These are funds that do not need to be repaid, making them an excellent option for eligible homebuyers. 
  1. Forgivable Loans: These loans are forgiven over a set period, typically if the homeowner remains in the home for a certain number of years. 
  1. Deferred-Payment Loans: These loans do not require repayment until the homeowner sells, refinances, or pays off the first mortgage. 
  1. Low-Interest Second Mortgages: These are additional loans with low interest rates that help cover the down payment and closing costs. 

Who May Qualify: 

  • First-Time Homebuyers: Many DPA programs are targeted at individuals who are purchasing their first home. 
  • Low-to-Moderate Income Borrowers: Eligibility often depends on the borrower’s income, with programs designed to assist those with low to moderate incomes. 
  • Primary Residence Buyers: Typically, the home being purchased must be the buyer’s primary residence. 
  • Geographic Eligibility: Some programs are specific to certain areas, such as rural or suburban regions. 
  • Credit Requirements: While requirements vary, many programs require a minimum credit score and a healthy debt-to-income ratio. 
  • Educational Courses: Some programs may require homebuyers to complete a homebuyer education course. 

Down payment assistance programs provide a valuable opportunity for eligible homebuyers to overcome the financial barriers to homeownership. By reducing the upfront costs, these programs make it easier for individuals and families to achieve their dream of owning a home.

USDA Loans

USDA loans are mortgage loans backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are designed to help low-to-moderate income borrowers purchase homes in eligible rural and suburban areas. These loans offer several benefits that make homeownership more accessible and affordable. 

Key Features: 

  1. No Down Payment: 
  1. Benefit: USDA loans often require no down payment, making it easier for borrowers to purchase a home without needing to save for a large upfront cost. 
  1. Competitive Interest Rates: 
  1. Benefit: USDA loans typically offer lower interest rates compared to conventional loans, which can result in significant savings over the life of the loan. 
  1. Low Mortgage Insurance Costs: 
  1. Benefit: USDA loans have lower mortgage insurance premiums compared to FHA loans, which can reduce monthly payments. 
  1. Flexible Credit Requirements: 
  1. Benefit: USDA loans have more lenient credit requirements, making it easier for borrowers with varying credit histories to qualify. 
  1. Geographic Eligibility: 
  1. Requirement: USDA loans are available for properties located in eligible rural and suburban areas as defined by the USDA. 

Who Can Benefit from USDA Loans? 

  • Low-to-Moderate Income Borrowers: Individuals and families with low to moderate incomes who meet the USDA’s income eligibility requirements. 
  • Rural and Suburban Homebuyers: Those looking to purchase a home in eligible rural or suburban areas. 

USDA loans provide a valuable opportunity for eligible borrowers to achieve homeownership with favorable terms and benefits. If you meet the income and geographic requirements, a USDA loan can help you secure your dream home with ease and affordability.

VA Loans

VA loans are mortgage loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and are designed to help veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. These loans offer several benefits that make homeownership more accessible and affordable for those who have served our country. 

Key Features: 

  1. No Down Payment: 
  1. Benefit: VA loans often require no down payment, making it easier for veterans and service members to purchase a home without needing to save for a large upfront cost. 
  1. Competitive Interest Rates: 
  1. Benefit: VA loans typically offer lower interest rates compared to conventional loans, which can result in significant savings over the life of the loan. 
  1. No Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): 
  1. Benefit: Unlike conventional loans, VA loans do not require PMI, even with a low or no down payment. This can lower monthly mortgage payments. 
  1. Flexible Credit Requirements: 
  1. Benefit: VA loans have more lenient credit requirements, making it easier for borrowers with varying credit histories to qualify. 
  1. Limited Closing Costs: 
  1. Benefit: The VA limits the amount of closing costs that veterans and service members can be charged, helping to reduce the overall cost of purchasing a home. 
  1. Assumable Loans: 
  1. Benefit: VA loans can be transferred to a new buyer, which can be an attractive feature if you decide to sell your home in the future. 

Who Can Benefit from VA Loans? 

  • Veterans: Those who have served in the U.S. military and meet the eligibility requirements. 
  • Active-Duty Service Members: Current members of the U.S. military. 
  • Eligible Surviving Spouses: Spouses of deceased veterans who meet specific eligibility criteria. 

VA loans provide a valuable opportunity for those who have served our country to achieve homeownership with favorable terms and benefits. If you are a veteran, active-duty service member, or eligible surviving spouse, a VA loan can help you secure your dream home with ease and affordability. 

FHA Loans

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are government-backed mortgages designed to make homeownership more accessible, especially for first-time homebuyers and those with lower credit scores. These loans are insured by the FHA, which allows lenders to offer more favorable terms and lower down payment requirements.

Key Features: 

  1. Lower Down Payment: 
  1. Benefit: FHA loans typically require a down payment as low as 3.5%, making it easier for buyers to afford a home. 
  1. Flexible Credit Requirements: 
  1. Benefit: Borrowers with lower credit scores may still qualify for an FHA loan, as the credit requirements are more lenient compared to conventional loans. 
  1. Assumable Loans: 
  1. Benefit: FHA loans can be transferred to a new buyer, which can be an attractive feature if you decide to sell your home in the future. 
  1. Competitive Interest Rates: 
  1. Benefit: Because FHA loans are government-insured, lenders can offer competitive interest rates, which can result in lower monthly payments. 
  1. Mortgage Insurance: 
  1. Requirement: FHA loans require both an upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP) and an annual MIP, which is divided into monthly payments. This insurance protects the lender in case of default. 

Who Can Benefit from FHA Loans? 

  • First-Time Homebuyers: FHA loans are ideal for those entering the housing market for the first time. 
  • Borrowers with Lower Credit Scores: Individuals with less-than-perfect credit can still qualify for an FHA loan. 
  • Buyers with Limited Savings: The lower down payment requirement makes it easier for those with limited savings to purchase a home. 

FHA loans provide a pathway to homeownership for many who might otherwise struggle to qualify for a conventional mortgage. With their flexible requirements and lower down payment options, FHA loans can help you achieve your dream of owning a home. 

Conventional Loans

Conventional loans are a popular type of mortgage that are not insured or guaranteed by the federal government. These loans typically offer competitive interest rates and flexible terms, making them an attractive option for many homebuyers. 

Key Features: 

  1. Variety of Loan Terms: 
  1. Benefit: Conventional loans come with various term lengths, such as 15, 20, or 30 years, allowing borrowers to choose a repayment plan that best fits their financial situation. 
  1. Fixed or Adjustable Rates: 
  1. Benefit: Borrowers can choose between fixed-rate mortgages, which have a consistent interest rate for the life of the loan, or adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), which have an interest rate that can change periodically. 
  1. Higher Loan Limits: 
  1. Benefit: Conventional loans often have higher loan limits compared to government-backed loans, making them suitable for purchasing more expensive properties. 
  1. Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): 
  1. Requirement: If the down payment is less than 20%, borrowers are typically required to pay PMI, which protects the lender in case of default. PMI can be canceled once the borrower reaches 20% equity in the home. 
  1. Stricter Qualification Requirements: 
  1. Requirement: Conventional loans usually have stricter credit score, and debt-to-income ratio requirements compared to government-backed loans, making them ideal for borrowers with strong credit profiles. 

Who Can Benefit from Conventional Loans? 

  • Borrowers with Strong Credit: Individuals with good to excellent credit scores can benefit from the competitive interest rates offered by conventional loans. 
  • Buyers with Larger Down Payments: Those who can afford a down payment of 20% or more can avoid PMI and reduce their monthly mortgage payments. 
  • Homebuyers Seeking Flexibility: With various term lengths and rate options, conventional loans offer flexibility to suit different financial needs and goals. 

Conventional loans provide a versatile and competitive financing option for homebuyers who meet the qualification criteria. Whether you’re looking for a fixed-rate mortgage for stability or an ARM for potential savings, a conventional loan can help you achieve your homeownership dreams.