Are you planning to buy a new home? Or is your current mortgage too high thanks to the slumping economy? Do you need to refinance or take on a second mortgage to complete work on your home? No matter what reason you have for seeking a mortgage, this article has what you need to know.
Consider unexpected expenses when you decide on the monthly mortgage payment that you can afford. It is not always a good idea to borrow the maximum that the lender will allow if your payment will stretch your budget to the limit and unexpected bills would leave you unable to make your payment.
Have available all your financial records before filling out the application for a home mortgage. There is basic financial paperwork that is required by most lenders. Tax documents, bank statements and pay stubs will likely be required. Getting these documents together will make the process smoother and faster.
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.
If you are able to pay more for your monthly payments, it is a good idea to get a shorter-term loan. Most lenders will give you a lower rate if you opt to pay your mortgage over 20 years instead of 30 years. Borrowers who get shorter term loans (such as 15 or 20 years terms) are considered less risky than those with longer term loans, resulting in lower interest rates.
When considering a home mortgage lender, check the lender’s record with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB is an excellent resource for learning what your potential lender’s reputation is. Unhappy customers can file a complaint with the BBB, and then the lender gets the opportunity to address the complaint and resolve it.
Know that Good Faith estimates are not binding. These estimates are designed to give you a good idea of what your mortgage will cost. It should include title insurance, points, and appraisal fees. Although you can use this information to figure out a budget, lenders are not required to give you a mortgage based on that estimate.
Mortgage rates change frequently, so familiarize yourself with the current rates. You will also want to know what the mortgage rates have been in the recent past. If mortgage rates are rising, you may want to get a loan now rather than later. If the rates are falling, you may decide to wait another month or so before getting your loan.
Learn ways you can avoid being taken in by less-than-honest home mortgage lenders. Bad mortgage practices can end up costing you a lot of money. Avoid the lenders that are trying to smooth talk their way into a deal. If the rates appear too good to be true, be skeptical. Avoid lenders that say a poor credit score is not a problem. Steer clear of any lender who encourages dishonesty in the application process.
If you are having problems paying your home mortgage, contact your lender immediately. Don’t ignore the problem. That’ll only make the issue worse. Your lender can show you many different options that may be available to you. They can help you keep your home by making the costs more affordable.
Having a strong employment history will make it easier to qualify for a home mortgage. Lenders like to see that you have been at the same job for a good length of time. Barring that, they like to see continuous employment for at leas the past five or more years.
Do not embark on the process of buying a home if you have just started a new job within the last year. The best home mortgage rates go to those that have been with a company for a number of years. Having a job for a short time is seen as a risk, and you will be the one to pay for it with a higher interest rate.
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.
If your downpayment is less than 20% of the sales price of the home you want to buy, expect the mortgage lender to require mortgage insurance. This insurance protects the lender in the event that you can’t pay your mortgage payments. Avoid mortgage insurance premiums by making a downpayment of at least 20%.
When you want to buy a new home, you’ll have to find a mortgage you can afford. If your plan is refinancing or paying for renovations, you’ll need to locate a mortgage which permits these uses. All of the tips in this article will help in either situation, so be sure to use them.
