5 Mortgage Tips to Help You Get the Best Deal

Applying for a home loan can be a confusing and sometimes frustrating experience for prospective home buyers, but it doesn’t have to be. By keeping these mortgage tips in mind, you can make the home-buying process easier and ensure you are getting a loan that meets your budget and needs.

5 Tips for Getting the Best Mortgage Loan

1. Check your credit. Finding out your credit score should be the first thing you do before considering your home buying options. Your credit score will impact the types of loans you are eligible for, how much money you can borrow and your interest rate.

2. Set a budget. Use a mortgage calculator to determine how much house you can afford and stick to it. You should also keep in mind how much you will have to pay in property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, maintenance costs, furnishings and utilities. According to LearnVest, you should take the top amount you are approved for take 20% off of it to make sure you can afford the extra expenses that go along with home ownership.

3. Understand your loan options. By learning about your loan options before you apply, you can make sure the lender you choose offers the best type of loan for you. Types of mortgage loans include the following:

Fixed-rate mortgages
Adjustable rate mortgages
Government loans
Construction loans
Professional loans

4. Shop around. When shopping for a mortgage, you don’t have to go with the first lender you talk to. You might get a better interest rate from one lender than you do for another. You’ll likely find that local community banks like First Bank will offer the most competitive rates and best service with all their lending options.

5. Prep your documents. Find out what documents you’ll need to apply for a mortgage and gather them before you meet with a lender. Required documents typically include:

Credit report
Tax returns
Pay stubs
Two forms of ID
Proof of current property owned

Visit First Bank’s Financial Education Center for more tips on buying a home, or talk to a First Bank mortgage loan expert near you to learn more about our home loan options.

———

Sources:

http://www.learnvest.com/knowledge-center/7-top-mortgage-shopping-mistakes-to-avoid/3/

http://www.realtor.com/advice/14-step-pre-approval-checklist/

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/137/how-do-i-find-the-best-loan-available-when-im-shopping-for-a-home-mortgage-loan.html

Share:

Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.

First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

Chalk on pavement with true and false checkboxes

5 Common Mortgage Myths Debunked While it’s important to do your research during the home-buying process, you can’t believe everything you hear. We’ll help you spot the popular mortgage myths and reveal the truth behind them. 5 min read

a young couple and their dog on the couch.

Q&As for Prospective Homebuyers Thank you to our Homebuyer Happy Hour Moderators: Jarrod Burcham Mortgage Loan Originator | NMLS 1900830 951-795-0467 jburcham@localfirstbank.com Monica Moses Community Mortgage Officer | NMLS 1651906 910-225-3399 mmoses@localfirstbank.com Schedule a Private Consultation with Jarrod or Monica What are some of the key terms I need to know when thinking about a mortgage? There are several key terms that are used during the mortgage process, including: Credit Scores: Important for qualifying for a mortgage. Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio: The size of the loan compared to the purchase price of the property. Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio: The ratio of monthly debt payments to monthly income, which affects mortgage qualification. Why is personalized guidance important for homebuyers? Personalized guidance is important because the mortgage process can be complex, and individual circumstances can vary. Private consultations can help potential homebuyers understand their specific financial situation and mortgage options. 5 min read

Shot of an attractive young couple moving house

[First Bank Webinar] Homebuyer Happy Hour Event Details: Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025 Time: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm Location: Zoom Webinar (link provided upon registration) What to Expect: Our First Bank mortgage experts will share general mortgage information along with how the mortgage application process works. Topics covered include: General information: basic mortgage terms and definitions, documentation standards and income calculation Mortgage application process: what to expect, how to prepare Mortgage applicant qualification: loan to value, debt to income ratio and calculations, credit expectations Meet our First Bank Experts: Jarrod Burcham | Mortgage Loan Originator | Greensboro, NC Jarrod pledges professional service and personal attention while finding the right mortgage that fits your needs. Whether you are looking to purchase your first home, build your next, refinance your current home, buy an investment property or purchase a vacation rental, Jarrod will guide you through the home loan process. Monica Moses | Community Mortgage Officer | Apex, NC As Community Mortgage Officer, Monica serves as a liaison for the mortgage loan originators regarding community outreach in underserved markets. One of her focuses is educating potential homeowners by participating in homebuyer workshops in low to moderate income areas. Monica’s role allows First Bank to build connections with minority realtors and builders while enhancing the visibility of our organization. Registrations are now closed – stay tuned for the Q&As from our Homebuyer Happy Hour! Our knowledgeable panel shared their experiences and provided actionable insights during our Homebuyer Happy Hour to help you make informed decisions about homebuying. We will be posting the Q&As from the session to view on our website soon so you won’t miss any valuable expert insights. Keep an eye on our website for updates, and feel free to reach out to one of our loan officers if you have any mortgage questions. 2 min read

Current Mortgage Rates 30-Year Fixed Is now the right time to buy the house you have your heart set on? One important thing to consider is the current mortgage rate trends and whether a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is a good fit for you. At First Bank, our real-estate loan experts can answer your questions about mortgage rates and more. What is a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage? In the most basic terms, this kind of mortgage provides you with a guarantee that the “interest rate and your monthly payments for principal and interest remain the same for the entire length of the loan.” Budget-friendly: Easily manage and plan your monthly budget without worrying about fluctuating interest rates. It also gives you more breathing room in case your current financial situation changes for whatever reason at some point in the future. Save now: A 30-year loan means lower monthly payments spread out over a longer period of time, in contrast to the high monthly payments of a shorter-term loan. This means the money you save monthly with a longer-term loan can go into your savings or investment accounts now, instead of putting it towards paying off your mortgage immediately. Get flexibility: The beauty of a 30-year mortgage is that even though you have lower monthly payments, you can choose to submit a higher payment equivalent to the monthly rate for a shorter-term loan. This means you can decrease your overall total that much more when you have a bit of extra cash in the bank, but still submit your loan’s lower payment rate when your money is a little tighter. What determines my interest rate? Mortgage interest rates vary depending on several factors, including: The economy. Mortgage rates can fluctuate in some states due to unemployment rates, default and foreclosure rates and differing property values. State laws. States that allow recourse typically have lower mortgage rates. Size of competition. When you have multiple lenders competing for your business, loan costs are typically driven down. Market conditions. An increase or decrease in home building and sales can drive interest rates up or down. Government. Government policies like the Federal Reserve can cause mortgage interest rates to fluctuate. 30-Year Fixed Mortgages from First Bank With a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage from First Bank, home buyers can enjoy a fixed interest rate 3 min read

5 Mortgage Tips to Help You Get the Best Deal

Ready to talk to an expert?

5 Tips for Getting the Best Mortgage Loan

Ready to talk to an expert?

You may be interested in...