Karen
While everyone considers buying a home at some point in their life, having to get a home mortgage to pay for it can seem intimidating. In fact, some people are so worried about the situation that they continue to rent instead. Build your confidence by reading this article and learning about mortgages.
Gain Some Knowledge
Know your credit score before beginning to shop for a home mortgage. If your credit score is low, it can negatively affect the interest rate offered. By understanding your credit score, you can help ensure that you get a fair interest rate. Most lenders require a credit score of at least 680 for approval.
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.
In addition to your credit score, your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is an important part of your overall financial health. Calculating your DTI may help you determine how much you may qualify for in a new mortgage loan. Generally speaking, you will likely qualify for a mortgage loan if your total indebtedness, including your new loan payment, are around 40% or less than your gross income. There are two ways you can change your DTI, either make more money or decrease your monthly debt. Look at all of your monthly expenses. Pay down high-interest rate credit cards, and consolidate debt into the cards with the lowest required monthly payment. Look at your recurring monthly bills. Compare energy costs from different utility providers if you live in a state where you have the ability to make a choice between different electricity and other utility companies. Even small monthly savings will translate to big buying power as you are able to qualify for more of a mortgage payment.
You are sure to need to come up with a down payment. While there used to be more options for loans without down payments, the industry-standard now requires them for a greater number of mortgages. You should ask how much you will have to spend on your down payment before submitting your application.
Do not waste time in your home mortgage process. After you’ve submitted a mortgage application to the lender, this is when your clock starts ticking. You have to send any necessary documents for the application process quickly. Any delays could destroy a purchase and cost you your deposit. Get an expected closing date, and then keep in touch with the lender periodically until your loan closes. Some lenders close quicker than others.
Find out if the loan you are applying for is a fixed rate or an 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.
Understand the difference between a mortgage broker and a mortgage lender. It’s always good to get familiar with types of brokers since there are many broker services nowadays. A broker facilitates the trading of securities, such as the selling or buying of stocks for investment. A prime brokerage is a large institution that provides many services, from cash management to risk management, for other large institutions. Understand the difference between a broker and a lender. There is an important distinction that you need to be aware of so you can make the best choice for your situation. A mortgage broker is a middle man, who helps you shop for loans from several different lenders. A mortgage lender is a direct source for a loan.
Find out how much your mortgage broker will be making off of the transaction. Many times mortgage broker commissions are negotiable just like real estate agent commissions are negotiable. Get this information and writing and take the time to look over the fee schedule to ensure the items listed are correct.
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 can really endure it financially. First do the math so that you know that you will be able to keep the home that you buy.
Take the time to get your credit into the best shape possible before you look into getting a home mortgage. The better the shape of your credit rating, the lower your interest rate will be. This will mean paying thousands less over the term of your mortgage contract, which will be worth the wait.
You can even use a new mortgage to make much-needed upgrades to your home such as your kitchen, you can call a contractor to get some kitchen remodel ideas.
Final Words
The ideas in this article have taught you the best practice when it comes to getting a mortgage. You have no reason to feel overwhelmed by the process now that you know how to get the job done right. Take your time, utilize each tip and turn your mortgage journey into a positive outcome.
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