If there is a shortage of people purchasing new homes in 2013, it’s all because home mortgage lenders are far too selective with their lending process. You might have great credit and a steady job, but that in no way means you can find a good mortgage plan. Here are some tips that should help you locate a good mortgage.
To make sure that you get the best rate on your mortgage, examine your credit rating report carefully. Lenders will make you an offer based on your credit score, so if there are any problems on your credit report, make sure to resolve them before you shop for a mortgage.
If you are considering quitting your job or accepting employment with a different company, delay the change until after the mortgage process has closed. Your mortgage loan has been approved based on the information originally submitted in your application. Any alteration can force a delay in closing or may even force your lender to overturn the decision to approve your loan.
Before you attempt to get a mortgage, it is wise to have a budget in mind. This way you aren’t stuck agreeing to something that you cannot handle in the future. Set limits for yourself and what you are able to afford. No matter how wonderful your new home is, trouble will follow if the payments are too high.
Reducing your debt as much as possible will increase your chances of being approved for a mortgage. If you are not in a good financial situation, meet with a debt consolidation professional to get out of debt as quickly as possible. You do not need to have a zero balance on your credit cards to get a mortgage but being deeply in debt is definitely a red flag.
If you are a first time homebuyer, look into government programs for people like you. There are a lot of government programs that help out with costs for closing, helping get a mortgage with a lower interest rate, or someone who can help you with your credit score.
If you are offered a loan with a low rate, lock in the rate. Your loan may take 30 to 60 days to approve. If you lock in the rate, that will guarantee that the rate you end up with is at least that low. Then you would not end up with a higher rate at the end.
Interest rates must be given attention. Interest rates determine the amount you spend. Know how they add to the monthly payments and how much the financing will cost. Do not sign your mortgage loan documents until you understand exactly what your interest expense will be.
Pay down debt prior to buying a home. The responsibility of making your mortgage payments is a big one, and you need to be ready. With less debt, it will make it easier to do that.
Consider a mortgage broker for financing. They may not be as simple as your local bank, but they usually have a larger range of available loans. Mortgage brokers often work with numerous lenders. This allows them to personalize your loan to you more readily than a bank or other finance provider.
Don’t use real estate brokers or mortgage lenders who encourage you to lie on your home mortgage application. It is illegal to lie on this application, and it is a legal document. Misrepresenting your income or other information is grounds for criminal prosecution. Working with people who encourage you do commit a crime is not a good idea.
Avoid paying Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI), by giving 20 percent or more down payment when financing a mortgage. If you borrow more than 80 percent of your home’s value, the lender will require you to obtain LMI. LMI protects the lender for any default payment on the loan. It is usually a percentage of your loan’s value and can be quite expensive.
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.
Never sign home mortgage paperwork that has blank spaces. Also, make sure you initial each page after you read it. This ensures that terms cannot be added after you sign. Unscrupulous lenders may be inclined to add pages to your contract which you did not read, and this protects you from this practice.
With the tips listed above, you will be able to navigate the minefield of home mortgages. By approaching the subject in a knowledgeable way, you can find a loan that’s right for you without falling into the interest trap. So be careful out there and use information to guide you.
