Category: Capital Investment

So, you’ve found your dream home at a great price. You’ve lined up your mortgage with a pre-approval, and it looks like your home-buying journey is nearly over. However, it’s a mistake to think you’re in the clear.

Until the purchase is completed and all the documents are exchanged, it’s still possible for plenty to go wrong. Some of the risks are out of your control, but here are four financial mistakes that George Campolo, a winner of the 2016 & 2017 RE/MAX NY Region Executive Club Award, suggests you avoid if you want your new home purchase to go without a hitch.

1) Applying for Credit

From the time you apply for your mortgage, until it is paid out to the seller and the closing is over, DO NOT apply for any new sources of credit. Getting a new credit card or buying a car could potentially change your credit score enough to disqualify you from your mortgage approval.

At best it could cause delays while your application is reevaluated, at worst, NO loan, NO new house.  Remember, a mortgage pre-approval is only an offer in principle. It’s not a cast-iron guarantee that you’ll receive the loan no matter what else happens along the way. The lender will run your credit in the beginning of the process to issue your preapproval, but did you know that the lender will run your credit again a day or two before you close?  ANY change could blow up your purchase. That includes CO-SIGNING a loan for a friend or relative. DON’T do it! You can do whatever you want AFTER the closing when you have the keys in your hand, but NOT in between the application and the closing. You can wait for that new car another 90 days if you have to.

2) Cleaning Up Your Finances

It’s not just applying for new credit lines that can disrupt your credit rating. You might see moving as an ideal opportunity to tidy up your finances by closing old accounts that you no longer use.

While this sounds sensible in theory, it can actually lower your credit score significantly. Closing accounts could put your credit utilization over the level your mortgage lender is comfortable with. Once you’ve gained your pre-approval, hold tight on altering any aspect of your credit situation to avoid unforeseen consequences. A good loan originator can look at your credit profile and advise you as to what and what NOT to do.

3) Changing Jobs

Similarly, changing jobs during the buying process can create enough uncertainty to worry your mortgage lender and have them reject your loan application. Lenders like to see lengthy, continuous employment, preferably with the same company. There’s always a chance a new job won’t work out, leaving you unemployed and unable to pay your mortgage. It’s worst when you change jobs AND your field of employment. A promotion within the same company or even a switch from say one law firm to another might …

With the ever-increasing expenses, we often tend to look for a second income. It is these alternate incomes that allow us to have all the luxuries and comforts of our life. The market today is flooded with various financial instruments that appear lucrative to every investor. However, it is imperative to choose the one that is in sync with one’s financial goals and objectives, and that’s where the Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) come to the forefront.

What are ELSS?

Equity-linked savings scheme popularly known as ELSS are close-ended, lock-in period of 3 years diversified equity schemes offered by mutual funds in India. They offer tax benefits under the new Section 80C of Income Tax Act 1961.ELSS can be invested using both SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) and lump sums investment options. There is a 3 years lock-in period and thus has better Liquidity compared to other options like NSC and Public Provident Fund. ELSS is considered one of the best tax saving instruments.

Why should you invest in ELSS

1.Shorter lock-in periods:

The best part about investing in ELSS is the, among all the tax-saving schemes, they offer the shortest lock-in period. The three year lock-in period allows the investors to save and earn good interest on their finances. It also offers the investors the liberty to update their portfolios from time-to-time to make the most of the current market trend.

2.Plenty of options:

The ELSS also presents its investors with a plethora of options to invest in. Each option available offers a diverse portfolio of stocks to choose from. This helps the investor to customize their portfolio with respect to their financial goals and objectives.

3.Start with minimum investment:

While other funds may ask for huge initial investment, ELSS allows it investors to start with a minimum of Rs. 500. This helps the investor invest lower amount and not compromise on the benefits offered by the ELSS. The Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) allows the investor to invest in a part of their earnings each month with discipline.

4.Tax-saving:

ELSS investment offers tons of tax benefits under the Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. The Act states that one can avail tax deduction of up to Rs. 1,50,000 yearly, as per the ELSS investments performed by the investor. The tax saving ELSS also allows its investors to earn tax-free capital gains and dividends up to Rs. 1,00,000 on a yearly basis.

For investors who come under the 20-30% tax slab, there are chances of saving a good amount, annually by investing in the ELSS.

Although, it is true that ELSS come with a lot of benefits it is wise to invest in it only after carefully understanding what meets your investment objective, horizon and risk profile.

In the light of the above-mentioned benefits, ELSS certainly looks like a wise investment if done with proper expert guidance.

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