Getting a home mortgage is a pretty serious financial decision that needs to be handled with a lot of care. If you rush head first into a loan without educating yourself about them first, you can cause yourself big financial trouble. If you are currently going through the motions of the loan process and have any doubts about your understanding of how it all works, then it may interest you to read on.
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.
Predatory lenders are still in the marketplace. These lenders usually prey on home buyers with less than perfect credit. They offer low or no down payments; however, the interest rates are extremely high. Additionally, these lenders often refuse to work with the homeowner should problems arise in the future.
Before you refinance your mortgage, make sure you’ve got a good reason to do so. Lenders are scrutinizing applications more closely than ever, and if they don’t like the reasons you’re looking for more money, they may decline your request. Be sure you can accommodate the terms of the new mortgage, and be sure you look responsible with the motivations for the loan.
When considering the cost of your mortgage, also think about property taxes and homeowners insurance costs. Sometimes lenders will factor property taxes and insurance payments into your loan calculations but often they do not. You don’t want to be surprised when the tax office sends a bill and you learn the cost of required insurance.
Really think about the amount of house that you can really afford. Banks will give you pre-approved home mortgages if you’d like, but there may be other considerations that the bank isn’t thinking of. Do you have future education needs? Are there upcoming travel expenses? Consider these when looking at your total mortgage.
Look into no closing cost options. If closing costs are concerning you, there are many offers out there where those costs are taken care of by the lender. The lender then charges you slightly more in your interest rate to make up for the difference. This can help you if immediate cash is an issue.
Mortgage lenders want you to have lower balances across the board, not big ones on a couple of accounts. Your credit card balances should be less than 50% of your overall credit limit. Below 30 percent is even better.
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.
In the six months before applying for a mortgage loan, cut down on your credit card use. Having too many, even if they have no balance, can make it seem as if you’re financially irresponsible. Closing all accounts other than a couple will help you get a great interest rate.
Remember that there are always closing costs and a down payment associated with a home mortgage. Closing costs could be about three or four percent of the price of the home you select. Be sure to establish a savings account and fund it well so that you will be able to cover your down payment and closing costs comfortably.
Ask a lot of questions of the mortgage lender you plan to use. The lender should answer your questions clearly, without being vague. If a lender dodges your questions or refuses to give a straight answer, you know it’s time to look for a new home mortgage lender to work with.
If your downpayment is less than 20% of the sales price of the home you want to buy, expect the mortgage lender to require mortgage insurance. This insurance protects the lender in the event that you can’t pay your mortgage payments. Avoid mortgage insurance premiums by making a downpayment of at least 20%.
Speak with a broker and ask them questions about things you do not understand. Stay on top of the changes happening to your mortgage. Provide your mortgage broker with multiple ways to contact you. Check your e-mail regularly in case your broker requires specific documents or needs to update you on any new information.
Opt out of credit offers before applying for a home mortgage. Many times creditors will pull a credit file without your knowledge. This can result in an immediate decline for a home mortgage. To help prevent this from happening to you, opt out of all credit offers at least six months before applying for a loan.
Do not forget to consider the local property tax rates before you enter into a home mortgage contract. Just because you can afford the mortgage payment does not mean that you will be able to afford the taxes on the home. In some areas the taxes on a modest home can feel like a second mortgage, so be sure to look into this.
After your mortgage is approved, continue to manage your credit responsibly. Your mortgage broker will check your credit again before finalizing the deal. If you decide to go out and charge a trip to Tahiti on your credit card to celebrate your new home, you could very well lose your home mortgage! Simply sit tight and continue making timely payments on the debts you have until you are firmly situated in your new home.
Given your new knowledge of home loans, you may be prepared to proceed. The tips located above will help guide you through the process. Now, all you have to do is go shopping for mortgages and remember what you learned here.
