There are a lot of people out there seeking home mortgages, but very few are going to find a fair, secure loan. Most will end up paying far too much, and others won’t be able to afford the terms. These are obviously traps you want to avoid like the plague, and thus it’s in your best interest to learn more about the lending process before proceeding.
To make your application for a mortgage fast and easy, make electronic copies of your last two pay checks, two recent bank statements, W2s, and tax information. Lenders will ask for all of this information to go with the application and having them on hand in electronic format makes it easy to supply this information.
Talk to your family and friends about where they got their home mortgages. Sometimes the best recommendations are from those immediately around you. They’ll have lots of information on their own experiences with their banks, so you can feel more secure about where you should shop. Really it can save you many hours of time!
Get your financial documents in order. These documents are going to be what lenders want when you’re trying to get your mortgage. These documents will include your income tax returns, your latest pay stubs and bank statements. It will be an easier process if you have these documents together.
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.
Find out if the loan you are applying for is a fixed rate or 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.
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 could really endure it financially. First do the math so that you know that you will be able to keep the home that you buy.
Learn about the three main types of home mortgage options. The three choices are a balloon mortgage, a fixed-rate mortgage, and an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). Each of these types of mortgages has different terms and you want to know this information before you make a decision about what is right for you.
Avoid interest only type loans. With an interest only loan, the borrower only pays for the interest on the loan and the principal never decreases. This type of loan may seem like a wise choice; however, at the end of the loan a balloon payment is needed. This payment is the entire principal of the loan.
Shop around for the best mortgage terms. Lenders individually set term limits on their loans. By shopping around, you can get a lower interest rate or lower down payment requirements. When shopping around, don’t forget about mortgage brokers who have the ability to work with multiple lenders to find you the best rate.
Know all that goes into the mortgage and what you are getting fee wise so that you know what’s going to happen. Make certain all commission fees, closing costs and other charges are itemized. You might be able to negotiate this with either the lender or the seller.
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.
Be wary of mortgage lenders who promise you the moon. Most lenders work on commission. So, it goes without saying that there are dishonest lenders who will promise anything to get a commission. Remember that you can back out of loan application at any time if you do not feel comfortable.
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.
The more you know about home mortgages, the better off you’ll be when it’s time to sign the papers. By using tips like the ones provided to you above, you can avoid a lot of the traps and scams that snag so many others. Just take your time, learn about the subject, and never sign anything unless you understand it.