What You Need To Learn About Your Home Mortgage

Content written by-Bernard Prater

Are you planning to purchase a house? Perhaps you wish to refinance your existing loan. If so, then you will need to obtain a home mortgage. The process can often be confusing, but it should go more smoothly with this information.



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 the idea of a mortgage looming over your head for the next few decades does not appeal to you, consider refinancing over a shorter period. Although your monthly payments will be more, you'll save a lot in terms of interest over the life of the loan. It also means being mortgage-free much sooner, and owning your home outright!

Try to have a down payment of at least 20 percent of the sales price. In addition to lowering your interest rate, you will also avoid pmi or private mortgage insurance premiums. This insurance protects the lender should you default on the loan. Premiums are added to your monthly payment.

Do not sign up with the first mortgage lender that you come across. There are so many out there that you would be doing yourself a disservice by being hasty. You should shop around a bit to make sure that the rate you are being offered is fair and competitive.

Get a pre-approval letter for your mortgage loan. A pre-approved mortgage loan normally makes the entire process move along more smoothly. It also helps because you know how much you can afford to spend. Your pre-approval letter will also include the interest rate you will be paying so you will have a good idea what your monthly payment will be before you make an offer.

Know your credit score before going in to get a mortgage. Your potential lender will do their own homework on this, but you should arm yourself with the intel as well. Knowledge is power in terms of the negotiations to follow. If you aren't clear on your strengths and weaknesses, then a lender can more easily use the knowledge against you.

Do not let a single denial prevent you from finding a mortgage. Each lender has different guidelines so you may be able to qualify with a different lender. Keep shopping around and looking for more options. Most people can qualify for a mortgage even if it means they need a co-signer.

Remember that there are always closing costs and a down payment associated with a home mortgage. Closing costs could be about three or four percent of the price of the home you select. Be sure to establish a savings account and fund it well so that you will be able to cover your down payment and closing costs comfortably.

When considering the cost of your mortgage, also think about property taxes and homeowners insurance costs. Sometimes lenders will factor property taxes and insurance payments into your loan calculations but often they do not. You don't want to be surprised when the tax office sends a bill and you learn the cost of required insurance.

Be sure to have all your paperwork in order before applying to a lender. You will need to have good documentation of your income, your tax status and your financial obligations. Ask each lender you intend to apply with exactly what is needed for a successful application. Gather your documentation accordingly so that your home mortgage application process will be smooth, simple and successful.

If your credit is not great, you should save up for a bigger down payment. People often save between five and ten percent, but if you have less than perfect credit, it is wise to save 20 percent.

If you want a home loan, you need to know everything you can about all associated fees. There are a lot of things that can go wrong when you're trying to close out on a home. It really does feel like a major challenge. But with some homework, you will know better what to expect.

If you need to make repairs to your home you may want to consider a second home mortgage. As long as you have a good history of paying on time you should be able to get a great rate, and by improving your home you are increasing its value. Just be sure that you will be able to make the payments.

If you plan to buy a new home within a year or two, build a sold relationship with your bank or credit union. Take a small loan out and pay it off before you get a home mortgage. That establishes a good history with them in advance.

Consider a home mortgage plan that incorporates the property taxes into this. Some companies will even give you a break on interest if you do this, as in makes it more likely that you will keep possession of your home. Not paying your taxes could lead to someone else owning the property on which your home resides.

Be sure that you know exactly how long your home mortgage contract will require you to wait before it allows you to refinance. Some contracts will let you within on year, while others may not allow it before five years pass. What you can tolerate depends on many factors, so be sure to keep this tip in mind.

If you're not a good negotiator, hire a mortgage broker. The lender will pay their commission, which means you don't have to pay for their help, which saves you time and money. They'll be able to locate a great rate with great terms for you without any time spent on your part.

Never choose a home mortgage from a company that asks you to do unscrupulous things. If a rep is asking you to claim more than you make to secure the mortgage, it's not a good sign that your mortgage is in good hands. Walk away from these deals as quickly as you can.

Since reading this article, you have more knowledge of home mortgages. Use all of this information to make your way through the process more efficiently. Owning your own home is a wonderful feeling, so don't procrastinate because you don't know much about home mortgages.