What can I do to get a great mortgage? How can I find low rates I can afford? What should I know before I talk to any lenders? When do I start the process? How can I find answers to all of these questions and more? Read on for expert mortgage advice.
Beware of low interest rate loans that have a balloon payment at the end. These loans generally have lower interest rates and payments; however, a large amount is due at the end of the loan. This loan may seem like a great idea; however, most people cannot afford the balloon payment and default on their loans.
Prepare yourself for your mortgage application early. If you want to purchase a home, make sure you have your financials ready. Get debt under control and start saving. If you are not in good financial shape when you apply for a mortgage, you will likely be turned down.
Know how much you can afford to put towards your home mortgage. Do not rely on the lender to tell you the amount you qualify for, causing you to borrow the maximum amount. Try planning your budget and leaving some room for unexpected expenses. This is usually the case when you buy a home. You can use banking calculators to determine how much you can afford on a home and provide an estimate of the monthly mortgage payments.
Refinancing a home mortgage when interest rates are low can save you thousands of dollars on your mortgage. You may even be able to shorten the term of your loan from 30 years to 15 years and still have a monthly payment that is affordable. You can then pay your home off sooner.
Check out the interest rates for 15, 20 and 30 year term lengths. Many times the shorter the term length the lower the interest rate. Although you may think you payment will be higher on a shorter term loan, you can actually save money on your payment by choosing a lower interest rate and a shorter term.
Don’t apply for new credit and don’t cancel existing credit cards in the six months before applying for a mortgage loan. Mortgage brokers are looking for consistency. Any time you apply for credit, it goes on your credit report. Avoid charging a large amount during that time and make every payment on time.
When looking for a mortgage, do not limit yourself to banks only. Family could be a cheap source of a loan, for example. Credit unions are another option and they often offer some great rates. When you’re shopping for a loan, look at all of your choices.
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 close out any credit card accounts while you are in the middle of applying for a loan. This will negatively impact you since all of your credit cards were used when determining your eligibility for a loan. If you need to close your account for any reason, wait until the loan process is over.
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.
Know the real estate agency or home builder you are dealing with. It is common for builders and agencies to have their own in-house financiers. Ask the about their lenders. Find out their available loan terms. This could open a new avenue of financing up for your new home mortgage.
There are times when the seller of a home will be able to give you a land contract so you can purchase the home. The seller needs to own the home outright, or owe very little on it for this to work. A land contract may need to be paid within a few years.
Ask around about mortgage financing. You may be surprised at the leads you can generate by simply talking to people. Ask your co-workers, friends, and family about their mortgage companies and experiences. They will often lead you to resources that you would not have been able to find on your own.
Ask your lender in advance what documentation they need before you meet with them. This is usually going to include tax returns, income statements and W2s, although more might be needed. The more time you have to get it all together is the less likely you’ll be unprepared at the actual meeting time.
Get at least three mortgage offers before deciding on which one to go with. Home mortgages, like many other loans, will vary in their costs and rates from lender to lender. What you think is a good deal may not be, so it’s important to see multiple options before making a decision.
Always read the fine print. If you have a hard time understanding the information, get some help with an expert that does not work for the lending company. You want to make sure that the terms do not change after a certain amount of time. The last thing you want is surprises.
Now do you have all of the answers to your questions? We hope that the content posted here has been helpful and will assist you in the mortgage application process. Continue reading articles just like this one to be sure that you know all you need to before you begin.
