If you are trying to decide on what mortgage company to choose, then maybe you could use a little extra help. You don’t want to make a mistake, and there is no reason to feel overwhelmed. Keep reading to find out some very valuable information that can serve to help you locate the best mortgage.
Check your credit report before applying for a mortgage. With today’s identity theft problems, there is a slight chance that your identity may have been compromised. By pulling a credit report, you can ensure that all of the information is correct. If you notice items on the credit report that are incorrect, seek assistance from a credit bureau.
Watch out for banks offering a “no cost” mortgage loan. There is really no such thing as “no cost”. The closing costs with “no cost” mortgages is rolled into the mortgage loan instead of being due upfront. This means that you will be paying interest on the closing costs.
You are sure to need to come up with a down payment. Some mortgage companies approved applications without requiring a down payment, but most companies now require one. You should ask how much you will have to spend on your down payment before submitting your application.
Make sure that you narrow your scope to what you can realistically afford before you start shopping for a mortgage. This ensures you are able to live within your means and demonstrate to your lender that you are serious. This means that you should set an upper limit for what you’re willing to pay every month. Regardless of how great it is to live in a new home, you’re going to hate it if you wind up not being able to afford it.
Prepare your paperwork before applying for a mortgage. There are many items that a lender will require. These items include the last two or three years worth of tax returns, copies of each of your monthly credit card statements and installment loans. Three months bank statements and two months worth of pay stubs are also needed for approval.
If you are buying a home for the first time, there are many government programs available to you. Many of these can lower closing costs, find lower-interest mortgage, or lenders that can help you even if you’re credit history and score isn’t so great.
Consider a mortgage broker instead of a bank, especially if you have less than perfect credit. Unlike banks, mortgage brokers have a variety of sources in which to get your loan approved. Additionally, many times mortgage brokers can get you a better interest rate than you can receive from a traditional bank.
Check with your local Better Business Bureau before giving personal information to any lender. Unfortunately, there are predatory lenders out there that are only out to steal your identity. By checking with your BBB, you can ensure that you are only giving your information to a legitimate home mortgage lender.
You should have low balances spread out on different accounts, rather than large balances on only one or two account. Try to keep balances down below half of the credit limit. It is best if your balances total thirty percent or under.
If you can afford the higher payments, go for a 15-year mortgage instead of a 30-year mortgage. In the first few years of a 30-year loan, your payment is mainly applied to the interest payments. Very little goes toward your equity. In a 15-year loan, you build up your equity much faster.
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.
Make sure you pay down any debts and avoid new ones while in the process of getting approved for a mortgage loan. Before a lender approves you for a mortgage, they evaluate your debt to income ratio. If your debt ratio is too high, the lender can offer you a lower mortgage or deny you a loan.
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.
All in all, you will be satisfied with your mortgage if you use what you have now learned. You never want to feel like you’ve made a decision that will cost you years of your life’s finances. Getting the mortgage you deserve helps keep everything in order and helps provide for your family.
