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.
Having the correct documentation is important before applying for a home mortgage. Before speaking to a lender, you’ll want to have bank statements, income tax returns and W-2s, and at least your last two paycheck stubs. If you can, prepare these documents in electronic format for easy and quick transmission to the lender.
Prepare your paperwork before applying for a mortgage. There are many items that a lender will require. These items include the last two or three years worth of tax returns, copies of each of your monthly credit card statements and installment loans. Three months bank statements and two months worth of pay stubs are also needed for approval.
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.
Make sure you’re not looking at any penalties when you apply for a new mortgage. Your old mortgage may impose fines for early payment, which can include refinancing. If there are fines, weigh the pros and cons before getting into a new mortgage, as you may end up paying a lot more than you expected, even though refinancing means a lower monthly payment.
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.
You can request for the seller to pay for certain closing costs. For example, a seller can pay either a percentage of the closing cost or for certain services. Many times the seller is responsible for paying for a termite inspection along with a survey and appraisal of the property.
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.
Know your mortgage interest rate type. When you are obtaining home financing you should understand how the interest is calculated. Your rate could be fixed or it could be adjustable. With fixed interest rates, your payment will usually not change. Adjustable rates vary depending on the flow of the market and are variable.
Many computers have built in programs that will calculate payments and interest for a loan. Use the program to determine how much total interest your mortgage rate will cost, and also compare the cost for loans with different terms. You may choose a shorter term loan when you realize how much interest you could save.
Keep your credit score in good shape by always paying your bills on time. Avoid negative reporting on your score by staying current on all your obligations, even your utility bills. Do take out credit cards at department stores even though you get a discount. You can build a good credit rating by using cards and paying them off every month.
During your application for a home loan, get a rate-lock. A rate-lock in writing guarantees certain terms and interest rates for a given period of time. Set the rate-lock “on application” instead of “on approval”. The lock-in period needs to be long enough to allow for factors that can delay the loan process.
Give yourself time to get ready for a mortgage. Even in an age of supposed instant Internet approvals, you need to take time preparing for a mortgage. This is time to clear your credit report, save money and maximize your score as much as possible. Give yourself at least six months in advance, although a year is better.
Investigate preapprovals before you start home shopping. Preapproved mortgages will give you an idea of both how much home you can afford plus what your monthly mortgage payments will be. This will set the parameters of your home shopping and save you time not looking at properties you can’t realistically afford.
When shopping for a mortgage loan, ask if the rate is adjustable or fixed. Adjustable rate loans have interest rates which can vary greatly during the life of the mortgage. Also, your monthly payments will never be fixed and can increase by hundreds of dollars monthly. If the rate on the loan is adjustable, ask how and when the loan payment and rate could change.
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.
