Every American dreams to own the perfect home of his or her own. If you are searching for your first home but are unsure of the mortgage financing process, this is the perfect article for you. Use the information in the following paragraphs to learn the key tips you need to understand to help you get a great deal on your mortgage financing.
Before beginning any home buying negotiation, get pre-approved for your home mortgage. That pre-approval will give you a lot better position in terms of the negotiation. It’s a sign to the seller that you can afford the house and that the bank is already behind you in terms of the buy. It can make a serious difference.
Have at least 20 percent of the purchase price saved. Lenders will want to verify that you have not borrowed the money, so it is important that you save the money and show deposits into your checking or savings account. Down payments cannot be borrowed; thus it is important to show a paper trail of deposits.
Make sure you’re organized when you apply for a mortgage and have thought through the required terms. This will require setting realistic boundaries about your affordable monthly payments based on budget and not dreams of what house you get. Even though it might be your dream home, if you can’t afford the payments then it will be a lot of trouble down the road.
Never take out a new loan or use your credit cards while waiting for your home mortgage to be approved. This simple mistake has the potential of keeping you from getting your home loan approved. Make sacrifices, if need be, to avoid charging anything to your credit cards. Also, ensure each payment is received before the due date.
If this is your first home, check out government programs for buyers like you. You can find programs through the government that will help lower closing costs, and lenders who may work with people who have credit issues.
Get quotes from many refinancing sources, before signing on the dotted line for a new mortgage. While rates are generally consistent, lenders are often open to negotiations, and you can get a better deal by going with one over another. Shop around and tell each of them what your best offer is, as one may top them all to get your business.
Speak with many lenders before selecting the one you want to borrow from. Know what these lenders are all about, and check with family and friends to get a good picture on what they will charge you. You can choose the best one as soon as you learn more about them.
Figure out what kind of mortgage is best for you. Learn about the various types of loans. Knowing all about these different types of mortgages and comparing them makes it easier to decide on the type of mortgage appropriate for you. Speak to a lender regarding your mortgage options.
Try to pay down your principal every month on your loan, on top of your normal payment. This will help you pay down your loan more quickly. Even an extra hundred dollars per month can cut your loan term by as much as ten years.
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.
Pay off or lower the amount owed on your credit cards before applying for a home mortgage. Although your credit card balances do not have to be zero, you should have no more than 50 percent of the available credit charged on each credit card. This shows lenders that you are a wise credit user.
Do not take out a mortgage loan in order to buy the most expensive home on the block. While that may seem like a good idea, it can have a negative impact on your financial future. Since home values are calculated based on all of the homes around them, which means that later on you may have a hard time selling it for its full value.
If you have previously been a renter where maintenance was included in the rent, remember to include it in your budget calculations as a homeowner. A good rule of thumb is to dedicate one, two or even three perecent of the home’s market value annually towards maintenance. This should be enough to keep the home up over time.
As was stated earlier in this article, almost all Americans dream to own a home of their own. If you are in the process of looking for your first home, use this article to educate yourself on mortgage financing. By carefully reviewing the tips in this article you can get a great deal on your mortgage.
