Home Mortgages 101: What You Need To Know
Home Mortgages 101: What You Need To Know
When you are buying a new home, it is an exciting time. There is so much to be excited about, but dealing with your home mortgage can be difficult. Finding the best rates and terms is important, as well as paying your mortgage off in a timely manner. Follow the home mortgage tips below to go about your mortgage the right way.
If you are considering quitting your job or accepting employment with a different company, delay the change until after the mortgage process has closed. Your mortgage loan has been approved based on the information originally submitted in your application. Any alteration can force a delay in closing or may even force your lender to overturn the decision to approve your loan.
Start saving all of your paperwork that may be required by the lender. These documents include pay stubs, bank statements, W-2 forms and your income tax returns. Keep these documents together and ready to send at all times. If you don't have your paperwork in order, your mortgage may be delayed.
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.
Be sure to compare the different term options that are available for home mortgages. You could choose between a number of options, including 10, 15 and 30 year options. The key is to determine what the final cost of your home will be after each term would be up, and from there whether or not you would be able to afford the mortgage each month for the most affordable option.
Don't apply for new credit and don't cancel existing credit cards in the six months before applying for a mortgage loan. Mortgage brokers are looking for consistency. Any time you apply for credit, it goes on your credit report. Avoid charging a large amount during that time and make every payment on time.
Pay more towards the principal every month that you can. This will help you pay your mortgage off much faster. For instance, an extra hundred bucks monthly applied to principal can shave a decade off your loan.
Before looking to buy a house, make sure you get pre-approved for a mortgage. Getting pre-approved lets you know how much you can spend on a property before you start bidding. It also prevents you from falling in love with a property you can't afford. Also, many times seller will consider buyers with pre-approval letters more seriously than those without it.
Dealing with all the specifics of your home mortgage can be very difficult, especially when you are buying your first home. You need to do some research before you sign the papers to make sure you are getting a good deal. Follow the home mortgage tips listed above for some help with the process.