Mortgages are used to finance a new home purchase. If you already have a home, you can refinance your current mortgage. No matter which type of mortgage you are pursuing, the tips and tricks below will help you get it quickly, easily and at a rate you can afford.
Start preparing for home ownership months before you are ready to buy. In order to get approved for a home mortgage, you must have your entire financial situation in order. This means you need to save up a decent sized nest egg, and make sure your debt is well situated. If you wait longer than you should, you might not be able to get a home mortgage.
If you want to accurately estimate your potential monthly mortgage payment, consider loan pre-approval. Comparison shop to figure out what you can afford. Your lender can help you calculate estimated monthly payments.
You will need to show a work history that goes back a while before you are considered for a mortgage. A two-year work history is often required to secure loan approval. Switching jobs a lot can result in your loan being denied. If you’re in the process of getting approved for a home loan, make sure you do quit your job during the process.
Gather financial documents together before making your loan application. Most lenders require a standard set of documents pertaining to income and employment. This includes your statements, the W2s, latest paycheck stubs and your income tax returns. You will sail through the process quickly with your documents in hand.
If you are denied a loan, don’t give up. Instead, check out other lenders and fill out their mortgage applications. Each lender can set its own criteria for granting loans. This makes it a good idea to apply to a few lenders in the first place.
Research government programs that assist first time home buyers. Many programs help you reduce your costs and fees.
Extra Payments
Make extra payments whenever possible. Making extra payments reduces your principle. This will help you pay your loan even faster and reduce your total interest amount.
Before picking a lender, look into many different financial institutions. Check out reputations with people you know and online, along with any hidden fees and rates within the contracts. Once you know the details for each, you’ll be able to choose the one which best suits your needs.
Avoid dealing with shady lenders. Some will scam you in a heartbeat. Don’t go with lends that attempt to smooth, fast, or sweet talk you into signing something. Never sign loan documents with unusually high interest rates. Bad credit scores are a problem. The lender should be upfront about that. Never use a lender who suggests you report your information inaccurately in order to qualify.
If credit unions or banks have turned you down, consider a home loan broker. Many times a broker is able to find a mortgage that will fit your circumstances better than traditional lenders can. They work with different lenders to get the best option for you.
Make sure you understand all of the fees and charges that come with any proposed loan agreement. There are itemized costs for closing, as well as commissions and miscellaneous charges you need to be aware of. Some fees are open for negotiation with both sellers and lenders.
When the lending market is tight, having a good credit score is vital to securing a favorable mortgage rate. Review your credit reports from all three major agencies and check for errors. Most banks typically won’t lend to those with scores that are under 620.
Try to get a second mortgage if you are unable to afford the down payment. You may just find that some sellers are very interested in helping out. However, now you will need to come up with two payments each month in order to keep your home.
Talk to your mortgage broker and ask questions about anything you don’t understand. You should understand what is going on. Be sure the broker knows how to contact you. Check your email to ensure that you don’t miss any important notes from your broker.
If you’re looking to renegotiate the terms of your home loan, you should take the time to see what a variety of local banks have to offer you. Many online lenders have lower interest rates than regular banks. You might talk to your lender about this and it might cause them to offer you a better rate.
Know ahead of time that a lender will need several types of your documents. Get them together before you even apply. Also make sure the documents you provide are complete. This will make the process go smoothly and quickly.
If you’re thinking of getting a different lender, you should be careful about it. Many lenders offer their loyal customers better rates. Sometimes you may get to slide on penalties and you may only have to pay a little to have a home appraised. They may even allow you to have a year’s worth of a lower interest rate.
Ask for word of mouth recommendations to a good mortgage broker. They can share their experiences and send you in the right direction. It is still wise to shop around even after you get the referral though.
You only need to know the basics to get a good home loan. Now that you read this article you should have the necessary tools required to make a well informed decision. That will enable you to get a good rate.