Applying for a mortgage is a decision that will affect your finances over next decades. It represents a major decision, and therefore deserves all the attention you can give. Knowing what you need to know will help you make the right decision.
Pay down your current debt and avoid gaining new debt while going through the mortgage loan process. Low consumer debts will make it easier to qualify for the home loan you want. High consumer debt could lead to a denial of your mortgage loan application. Carrying some debt is going to cost you financially because your mortgage rate will be increased.
Before attempting to secure a loan, you should take the time to look over your credit report, as well as making sure that your financial situation is in perfect order. Recent years have made it more difficult to get a mortgage, so a solid credit report is critical if you wish to qualify for a loan with good terms.
Be open and honest with your lender. You may feel like giving up on your mortgage if your finances are bad; however, many times lenders will renegotiate loans rather than have them default. Contact your lender to discuss options.
During the pre-approval process for the mortgage loan, avoid going on any costly shopping sprees while waiting for it to close! Your lender may recheck your credit as a final step in your mortgage approval. Excessive spending may cause your loan to be disapproved. If you need to make any major purchases, wait until after you sign the closing paperwork.
More than likely, you’ll need to come up with a down payment. Some banks used to allow no down payments, but now they typically require it. Consider your finances carefully and find out what kind of down payment you will need to provide.
You should have good credit in order to get a home loan. Lenders want a good credit history to assure they will be getting their money for the home. Bad credit should be repaired before applying for the mortgage, otherwise you run the risk of your application getting denied.
Using this information, you can obtain the mortgage that’s best for you. There is a lot of information available to help you, and there isn’t a need to get stuck in a mortgage that does not work for you. Rather, let the knowledge be your road map to mortgage success.