Have you ever wanted to buy a home, but you were afraid of a mortgage? Maybe you’re worried about taxes and insurance escrow? Perhaps you don’t know how to find the right mortgage company and what is a good interest rate? All these questions are going through your mind, and this article is going to help you with a few tips to get you moving in the right direction.
Before applying for a mortgage loan, check your credit score and credit history. Any lender you visit will do this, and by checking on your credit before applying you can see the same information they will see. You can then take the time to clean up any credit problems that might keep you from getting a loan.
Organize your financial life before going after a home mortgage. If your paperwork is all over the place and confusing, then you’ll just make the entire mortgage process that much longer. Do yourself and your lender a favor and put your financial papers in order prior to making any appointments.
Make sure that all of your loans and other payments are up to date before you apply for a mortgage. Every delinquency you have is going to impact your credit score, so it is best to pay things off and have a solid payment history before you contact any lenders.
Have the necessary documents ready. There are a few documents that you’ll be expected to have when you come in for a home mortgage. You’ll need to provide bank statements, income tax reports, W-2 statements, and at least two pay stubs. Having these at the ready will help make your meetings go much quicker.
Try to get a low rate. The bank wants you to take the highest rate possible. Do not allow yourself to fall victim to these lending practices. Compare rates from different institutions so you can choose the best one.
Find out if the loan you are applying for is a fixed rate or adjustable rate loan. Generally adjustable rate loans offer lower interest rates; however, the interest rate can increase over time. With an adjustable rate loan, your interest rate can increase yearly; thus costing you more money in the long run.
Ask those close to you to share their home mortgage wisdom. They will probably have some great suggestions and a few warnings as well. Some of the people you talk to might have had problems that are possible for you to avoid. If you discuss your situation with a number of different people,you will learn a lot.
Do not change financial institutions or move any money while you are in the process of getting a loan approved. If there are large deposits and/or money is being moved around a lot, the lender will have a lot of questions about that. If you don’t have a solid reason for it, you may end up getting your loan denied.
If you are a first time home owner, get the shortest term fixed mortgage possible. The rates are typically lower for 10 and 15 year mortgages, and you will build equity in your home sooner. If you need to sell you home and purchase a larger one, you will have more cash to work with.
Ensure that your mortgage does not have any prepayment penalties associated with it. A prepayment penalty is a charge that is incurred when you pay off a mortgage early. By avoiding these fees, you can save yourself thousands. Most of today’s loans do not have prepayment penalties; however, some still do exist.
Be honest when it comes to reporting your financials to a potential lender. Chances are the truth will come out during their vetting process anyway, so it’s not worth wasting the time. And if your mortgage does go through anyway, you’ll be stuck with a home you really can’t afford. It’s a lose/lose either way.
You must be demonstrably responsible to get a home mortgage. This means you have to have a good job that pays for your lifestyle with money to spare. Not only that, you must have been on the job for a couple of years or more, and you must be a good employee. The home mortgage company is entering into a long term relationship with you, and they want to know that you are ready to commit seriously!
Never assume that a mortgage is going to just get a home for you outright. Most lenders are going to require you to chip in a down payment. Depending on the lender, this can be anywhere from 5 percent to a full fifth of the total home value. Make sure you have this saved up.
Make sure that you compare mortgage rates from several companies before you settle on one. Even if the difference seems to be minimal, this can add up over the years. One point higher can mean thousands of extra you will have to shell out over the course of the loan.
Don’t take out a mortgage for the maximum amount the bank will lend you. This was a strategy that backfired on thousands of people a few short years ago. They assumed housing values would inevitably rise and that payment would seem small in comparison. Make out a budget, and leave yourself plenty of breathing room for unexpected expenses.
It’s easy to stop thinking about maintaining a good financial profile after you’ve been approved for a loan. But avoid making any actions that will change your credit rating at this time. A lender can check your credit at any time, even after the loan has been approved. Major alterations can lead to a withdrawal of your loan.
After reading this beneficial advice, you are on your way to getting a good mortgage. Utilize what you know, and start confidently searching for the mortgage that best fits your needs. When you have found the one, you will know. It feels good to have a good mortgage company on your side.
