Finding out that you could have gotten a much better mortgage than you currently have can be a very distasteful experience. You don’t want to be that person. You want to go into a mortgage being well-informed. Therefore, keep reading so that you find out the information that you need to know.
When you get a quote for a home mortgage, make sure that the paperwork does not mention anything about PMI insurance. Sometimes a mortgage requires that you get PMI insurance in order to get a lower rate. However, the cost of the insurance can offset the break you get in the rate. So look over this carefully.
Before applying for a mortgage, pay down your debts. Lenders use a debt to income ratio to verify that you are able to afford a mortgage. A general rule of thumb is 36 percent of your gross income should be available to pay all of your monthly expenses, including your mortgage payment.
You should be aware of the taxes on the home you want to buy. You should understand just how much your property taxes will be before buying a home. If the tax assessor thinks your property is worth more than you expect, this can lead to sticker shock at tax time.
Understand the difference between a mortgage broker and a mortgage lender. There is an important distinction that you need to be aware of so you can make the best choice for your situation. A mortgage broker is a middle man, who helps you shop for loans from several different lenders. A mortgage lender is the direct source for a loan.
Keep in mind that not all mortgage lending companies have the same rules for approving mortgages and don’t be discouraged if you are turned down by the first one you try. Ask for an explanation of why you were denied the mortgage and fix the problem if you can. It may also be that you just need to find a different mortgage company.
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.
Be sure to keep all payments current when you are in the process of getting a mortgage loan. If you are in the middle of the loan approval process and there is some indication that you have been delinquent with any payments, it may affect your loan status in a negative way.
Base your anticipated mortgage on what you can actually afford to pay, not solely on what a lender preapproves you for. Some mortgage companies, when pleased with the credit score and history they review, will approve for more than what a party can reasonably afford. Use this for leverage, but don’t get into a mortgage that’s too big for your budget.
You may be so excited about getting a new home that you go out and start buying all types of furniture. Unless you are paying for the furniture in cash, you need to hold off on this. You don’t want to open any lines of credit or make any large purchases until after your loan is closed.
Boost your chances at of a lower mortgage rate by visiting your lender several months before submitting an application. Time is vital in the mortgage process.
Meeting with the lender months beforehand can help you fix issues like credit scores that could raise your rates. Usually when your offer is accepted, you will be quickly heading towards your closing date. This leaves little time to fix anything that could lower your rate.
Avoid paying Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI), by giving 20 percent or more down payment when financing a mortgage. If you borrow more than 80 percent of your home’s value, the lender will require you to obtain LMI. LMI protects the lender for any default payment on the loan. It is usually a percentage of your loan’s value and can be quite expensive.
Know the risk involved with mortgage brokers. Many mortgage brokers are up-front with their fees and costs. Some other brokers are not so transparent. They will add costs onto your loan to compensate themselves for their involvement. This can quickly add up to an expense you did not see coming.
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.
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.
Answer every question on your home mortgage application absolutely honestly. There is no benefit in lying, as all of the information that you provide will be thoroughly examined for accuracy. Additionally, a small fib could easily lead to your denial, so just be honest from the start so that you have the best chances.
While you may have thought that finding a good mortgage company and loan is difficult, that really isn’t the reality. You just have to know what you’re doing, and with the advice you’ve read, you’re sure to do just fine. Make sure you look at every aspect of getting a mortgage, and you will end up with the right one.