Be Prepared When You're Mortgage Shopping

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Did you know that homeowners have better financial and emotional stability? If you're ready to start looking for a home loan, first research mortgage lenders.  Do you want to learn how to shop for mortgage rates? This guide will go over tips for mortgage shopping that could save you thousands of dollars.  

Your credit score can determine if you get a high or low mortgage interest rate. If you have a high score, the likelihood is that you won’t default. If your lender is confident that you can repay on time, they will offer you a low-interest rate. Yet, a low credit score will result in a higher interest rate. Improve your credit score by paying bills on time or paying down your credit card. Check your score and watch out for any mistakes. If you find errors, make sure they get cleared up before you apply for a mortgage. As a borrower, look into your credit six months before you apply for a mortgage. This gives you the time you need to fix any errors. Learn more about factors that impact your credit.

Lenders are looking for applicants who can repay their mortgage. They want to see that your income is high enough to repay the mortgage, and you have a record of paying off debt. If you can show two years of stable employment, you will have a better chance of getting a lender. Your profile will appear strong if you have worked with the same employer for those two years.If you are self-employed, you might face a few more challenges, but you can still get a loan. Employed applicants can provide their W-2 forms for their proof of income. A self-employed borrower will need their 1040 tax form. You can improve your chances of getting approved a loan by reducing your debt and tax reductions. Consider keeping separate personal and business accounts. Use a tool like QuickBooks to track your expenses and income. Find an experienced mortgage broker who will work with you to help you find the best mortgage rate. They will also help you gather the documents you need.

Give yourself a goal for how much you want to save for your home. If you can save a larger down payment, you could get a lower mortgage interest rate. A lower down payment is acceptable, but you could have a higher interest rate. You will also need to buy private mortgage insurance. This insurance will protect the lender if you don’t pay. If you need private mortgage insurance (PMI), ask how much your payment each month will be with the PMI. Also, find out the total cost of the insurance.

You can get a loan from credit unions, banks, mortgage companies, and mortgage brokers. For example, you can go and apply for a loan from your local bank. You could work with a bank loan officer who will offer a mortgage rate from your institution. But if your loan application's declined, your loan officer won’t take any further action at the bank. A mortgage broker will work to find the best loan with a great mortgage interest rate, and low closing costs for the borrower. They can work with many lenders. If one of the loans gets declined, your broker will apply to another lender without needing a new credit report.  Be sure to shop lenders with your local mortgage broker!

FHA loans are a great option for low and moderate-income borrowers. These loans are also popular with first-time home buyers, or borrowers with average credit scores.  For an FHA loan, you can have a smaller down payment and lower credit score and still get accepted. These loans get offered by FHA-approved lenders. The Federal Housing Administration insures the loan. Your down payment could come from a down-payment grant, savings, or a monetary gift from family. If you don’t have a high income, cash savings, or a high credit, you can still become a homeowner. You'll need to pay for FHA mortgage insurance. This will protect the lender from a loss if you end up defaulting on the loan.

Active duty service members, veterans, and widowed military spouses can apply. A VA loan is a mortgage loan that gets backed by the US Department of Veteran Affairs. The loan's issued by private lenders. You won’t need a down payment for this type of loan. You also won’t have to pay PMI. Learn more about VA loans.

Lenders have to provide a three-page loan estimate that details the closing costs and the interest paid over the life of the loan.  This will detail everything about the cost associated with the particular mortgage. You'll get the estimated interest rates, expenses each month, and closing costs. Borrowers can negotiate for better terms after the lender has provided the estimates. If you can make a higher down payment or have strong credit, aim to negotiate. You can ask the lender to reduce specific fees or lower interest rates .Learn about the annual percentage rate (APR) and the annual percentage yield (APY). Understand how APY and APR can affect your home loan repayments.

We hope you found this guide on mortgage shopping helpful. Knowing how to shop for lenders and mortgage rates will help you secure a stable mortgage for your home. Want to learn more about how to find the best mortgage rate? Contact us today and chat with a local mortgage broker.