Home Mortgage Tips That Can Conserve You A Bundle

Written by-Fagan Husted

When people think of mortgages, they often imagine pushy lenders and high interest rates. When you know a lot about the process of getting a mortgage, you'll find that these negative thoughts leave your mind completely. To learn all you can, read the content below which has been written by experts to provide you with the best advice available.

Talk to your family and friends about where they got their home mortgages. Sometimes the best recommendations are from those immediately around you. They'll have lots of information on their own experiences with their banks, so you can feel more secure about where you should shop. Really it can save you many hours of time!

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.

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 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.

If you can afford a higher monthly payment on the house you want to buy, consider getting a shorter mortgage. Most mortgage loans are based on a 30-year term. A mortgage loan for 15 or 20 years may increase your monthly payment but you will save money in the long run.

Get mortgage loan estimates from at least three different mortgage lenders and three different banks. By shopping around, you may get a lower interest rate, pay fewer points and save money on closing costs. It's almost always preferable to get a fixed interest rate. With variable rates, you may not know from month to month what your mortgage payment will be.

Check out the interest rates for 15, 20 and 30 year term lengths. Many times the shorter the term length the lower the interest rate. Although you may think you payment will be higher on a shorter term loan, you can actually save money on your payment by choosing a lower interest rate and a shorter term.

Check with your local Better Business Bureau before giving personal information to any lender. Unfortunately, there are predatory lenders out there that are only out to steal your identity. By checking with your BBB, you can ensure that you are only giving your information to a legitimate home mortgage lender.

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.

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.




Chose a bank to carry your mortgage. Not all companies who finance homes are banks. Some of them are investment companies and private corporations. Though you may be comfortable with them, banks are usually the easier option. Local bankers can usually cut down the turn-around time between application and available funds.

Remember that it takes time to get a mortgage closed; therefore, it is important to include enough time in the sales contract for the loan to close. Although it may be tempting to say the deal will be closed within 30 days, it is best to use a 60 or 90 day timeframe.

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.

After your mortgage is approved, continue to manage your credit responsibly. Your mortgage broker will check your credit again before finalizing the deal. If you decide to go out and charge a trip to Tahiti on your credit card to celebrate your new home, you could very well lose your home mortgage! Simply sit tight and continue making timely payments on the debts you have until you are firmly situated in your new home.

Keep your credit score in good shape by always paying your bills on time. Avoid negative reporting on your score by staying current on all your obligations, even your utility bills. Do take out credit cards at department stores even though you get a discount. You can build a good credit rating by using cards and paying them off every month.

Negotiate a better interest rate on your mortgage by bringing your other assets to the potential lending bank. Transferring your savings accounts, checking accounts and money market accounts to the lenders bank can result in a lower interest rate. A bank may also be more willing to make a loan to a customer of their bank.

If your downpayment is less than 20% of the sales price of the home you want to buy, expect the mortgage lender to require mortgage insurance. This insurance protects the lender in the event that you can't pay your mortgage payments. Avoid mortgage insurance premiums by making a downpayment of at least 20%.

Be sure you are honest when you're applying for a loan. If you aren't truthful, you may be denied the loan you seek. Read A lot more will not have faith in you if you tell lies.

With everything you now know, getting approved should be much easier than before. Anyone who tries can find an approval, but they have use their head to do so, and do what the lenders need. The tips from this article will help you get approved.