Home Mortgage Advice That Can Conserve You A Bundle

Authored by-Atkins Jorgensen

Looking for the right mortgage can take a little time. That is why it's a good idea to prepare in advance. The process of closing on a mortgage takes time as well, and you don't want to find yourself in an undesirable situation. Instead, you want to be happy that you've found the right mortgage, so keep reading!

Get your documents ready before you go to a mortgage lender. You should have an idea of the documents they will require, and if you don't, you can ask ahead of time. Most mortgage lenders will want the same documents, so keep them together in a file folder or a neat stack.

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.

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.

If you're denied for a mortgage, never let that deter you from looking to other companies. One lender denying you doesn't mean that they all will. Keep shopping around until you have exhausted all of your possibilities. Get a co-signer if you need one.

If your mortgage has been approved, avoid any moves that may change your credit rating. Your lender may run a second credit check before the closing and any suspicious activity may affect your interest rate. Don't close credit card accounts or take out any additional loans. Pay every bill on time.

Find out how much your mortgage broker will be making off of the transaction. Many times mortgage broker commissions are negotiable just like real estate agent commissions are negotiable. Get this information and writing and take the time to look over the fee schedule to ensure the items listed are correct.

Make sure that all of your loans and other payments are up to date before you apply for a mortgage. Every delinquency you have is going to impact your credit score, so it is best to pay things off and have a solid payment history before you contact any lenders.

You can request for the seller to pay for certain closing costs. For example, a seller can pay either a percentage of the closing cost or for certain services. Many times the seller is responsible for paying for a termite inspection along with a survey and appraisal of the property.

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.




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.

Ask a lot of questions of the mortgage lender you plan to use. The lender should answer your questions clearly, without being vague. If a lender dodges your questions or refuses to give a straight answer, you know it's time to look for a new home mortgage lender to work with.

Be prompt about getting your documentation to your lender once you have applied for a home mortgage. If your lender does not have all the necessary documentation on hand, and you have begun negotiations on a home, you could end up losing lots of money. Remember that there are nonrefundable deposits and fees involved, so you must get all your documentation submitted in a timely manner.

There are times when the seller of a home will be able to give you a land contract so you can purchase the home. The seller needs to own the home outright, or owe very little on it for this to work. A land contract may need to be paid within a few 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.

Be careful about quicksand mortgages. These are mortgages that have all sorts of hidden tricks in them like balloon payments, prepayment penalties, tons of upfront fees, and more. These loans typically are only helpful to the lender, not to the customer. In fact, they can make your loan down right unaffordable over time.

Research the lender you like. Mortgage lenders are usually covered by regulations via their own state. Look at the rules concerning lenders in that state. This will give you a better feel for their governing licenses and liabilities. Do a check of their reputation with the Better Business Bureau as well.

One item of documentation for home mortgage application that is often overlooked is a gift letter. If your relatives have chipped in to help you make your down payment, you may need to document your source of income. This really depends on the type of home mortgage you get. Some require this, and others do not. Play it safe by getting a gift letter from anyone who gives you money to help you buy your home. Have this on file with your other documentation.

In the area of home mortgages is often becomes complicated to anyone who doesn't understand what lenders require in order to get approved. The tips in the above article should have shown you the basic information that anyone can use to better the approval chances. Study the tips again, and use them the next time you're in search of a home mortgage.