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.
When it comes to getting a good interest rate, shop around. Each individual lender sets their interest rate based on the current market rate; however, interest rates can vary from company to company. By shopping around, you can ensure that you will be receiving the lowest interest rate currently available.
There are loans available for first time home buyers. These loans usually do not require a lot of money down and often have lower interest rates than standard mortgages. Most first time home buyer loans are guaranteed by the government; thus, there is more paperwork needed than standard mortgage applications.
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.
Know your credit score and keep unsavory mortgage lenders at bay. Some unscrupulous lenders will lie to you about your credit score, claiming it is lower than it actually is. They use this lie to justify charging you a higher interest rate on your mortgage. Knowing your credit score is protection from this fraud.
Know the amount you are paying for closing costs, and remember to itemize. Whether you pay closing costs up front or the costs are added to your loan, you need to know how much you are paying. Sometimes you can negotiate with the seller to split some of the closing costs.
What do you do if the appraisal does not reflect the sales price? There are limited options; however, don’t give up hope. You can dispute the appraisal and ask for a second opinion; however, you will need to pay for the appraisal out of your pocket at the time of the appraisal.
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.
Pay down your debt. You should minimize all other debts when you are pursuing financing on a home. Keep your credit in check, and pay off any credit cards you carry. This will help you to obtain financing more easily. The less debt you have, the more you will have to pay toward your mortgage.
If you have a 30-year mortgage, consider making an extra payment in addition to your regular monthly payment. This will pay off your principal. Making an extra payment often gets your mortgage paid off faster and saves you money on interest.
Prior to refinancing a loan, make sure you get all terms in writing. Include all fees and costs for closing, application, inspection, etc. Though most lenders are up front about their charges, others tend to disguise fees so that you do not notice.
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.
Don’t forget to calculate closing costs when applying for a mortgage, particularly if this is your first time. Above and beyond the down payment, numerous charges exist simply for processing the loan, and many are caught off guard by this. You should anticipate paying up to four percent of the mortgage value in total closing costs.
Avoid mortgages with an interest rate that is variable. The main thing that’s wrong with these mortgages is that they mirror what is happening in the economy; you may be facing a mortgage that’s doubled soon because of a changing interest rate. This will leave you in foreclosure and miserable.
You likely know you should compare at least three lenders in shopping around. Don’t hide this fact from each lender when doing your shopping around. They know you’re shopping around. Be forthright in other offers to sweeten the deals any individual lenders give you. Play them against each other to see who really wants your business.
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.
