If it’s time for you to get a home mortgage, then you might feel a little intimidated. You are thinking about the different companies and their products, and you are thinking about your credit. You are probably thinking about the large amount of paperwork and the approval and closing process as well. Don’t let these things overwhelm you, but instead focus on the tips that you’re about to read and deal with each step one at a time.
To make sure that you get the best rate on your mortgage, examine your credit rating report carefully. Lenders will make you an offer based on your credit score, so if there are any problems on your credit report, make sure to resolve them before you shop for a mortgage.
Save enough money to make a down payment. Lenders may accept as little as 3.5% down but try to make a larger down payment. If you put down 20% of your total mortgage, you won’t have to pay private mortgage insurance and your payments will be lower. You will also need cash to pay closing costs, application fees and other expenses.
Put all of your paperwork together before visiting a lender. The lender will require you to show proof of your income, statements from the bank and any other documents about your assets. If you have what you need before you go, you will get approved much quicker than you would have otherwise.
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.
You may be able to add your homeowners insurance costs to your mortgage payment. One advantage of this is negating the need to make two payments. Instead of paying your mortgage and an insurance bill, you can pay both bills in one payment. If you like to consolidate your bills, this is a good idea.
When you see a loan with a low rate, be sure that you know how much the fees are. Usually, the lower the interest rate, the higher the points. These are fees that you have to pay out-of-pocket when you close your loan. So, be aware of that so you will not be caught be surprise.
Do not take out a mortgage loan for more than you can comfortably afford to pay back. Sometimes lenders offer borrowers a lot more money than they need and it can be quite tempting since it would help you purchase a bigger house. Decline their offer because it will lead you into a debt pit you cannot get out of.
Check with your local Better Business Bureau before giving personal information to any lender. Unfortunately, there are predatory lenders out there that are only out to steal your identity. By checking with your BBB, you can ensure that you are only giving your information to a legitimate home mortgage lender.
Do not sign a home mortgage contract before you have determined that there is no doubt that you will be able to afford the payments. Just because the bank approves you for a loan does not mean that you could really endure it financially. First do the math so that you know that you will be able to keep the home that you buy.
Make sure that you have a good amount of savings before you get yourself into a home mortgage contract. There are not certainties when it comes to the economy or job stability. To protect yourself you want to have enough money saved to make your payments for many months in case the worst does occur.
Consider having an escrow account tied to your loan. By including your property taxes and homeowners insurance into your loan, you can avoid large lump sum payments yearly. Including these two items in your mortgage will slightly raise the monthly payment; however, most people can afford this more than making a yearly tax and insurance payment.
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.
Pay off or lower the amount owed on your credit cards before applying for a home mortgage. Although your credit card balances do not have to be zero, you should have no more than 50 percent of the available credit charged on each credit card. This shows lenders that you are a wise credit user.
You likely know you should compare at least three lenders in shopping around. Don’t hide this fact from each lender when doing your shopping around. They know you’re shopping around. Be forthright in other offers to sweeten the deals any individual lenders give you. Play them against each other to see who really wants your business.
Keep on top of your mortgage application by checking in with your loan manager at least once per week. It only takes one missing piece of paperwork to delay your approval and closing. There may also be last minute requests for more information that need to be provided. Don’t assume everything is fine if you don’t hear from your lender.
With the advice that has been given to you, you are now equipped to enter the mortgage market and begin deciding which route you want to take. It’s important that you understand all of your options, and you want to feel in control and not thrown into a mortgage by a lender that doesn’t fit your needs. Instead, go forth and get the right mortgage!
