Mortgages are a big part of buying a home, and getting a loan with the right lender is critical. You need someone who can walk you through the process, understand your situation and find the best mortgage for you.
Different lenders offer varying terms, rates and fees. It pays to rate-shop with at least three lenders before deciding on one.
Online Lenders
If you’re in the market for a mortgage, you’ll want to choose a lender that will be convenient for you and work well with your budget. There are many options to consider, including online lenders and local banks. You’ll also want to find a lender that offers personalized advice and is easy to communicate with.
The best way to choose the right mortgage lender is to compare rates, fees and terms. Multiple studies show that rate-shopping will save you thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage. You can get started by comparing loans and interest rates with NerdWallet.
You can also use an online mortgage calculator to determine your potential monthly payment. It will also let you know how much money you’ll need to make your down payment and how long it will take to pay off your loan.
Another advantage of an online lender is that they typically have faster processing times than traditional lenders. This can help you save time and energy as you’re shopping for a home.
Some online lenders have digital apps that allow you to track your application progress on a mobile device. This can be helpful, especially if you’re a first-time homeowner and don’t have experience working with a mortgage lender.
You should be sure to read the fine print on any online forms. Some may have hidden fees and other charges that can impact your approval. If you click “enter” without reading the details, you could end up paying more than you need to for a mortgage.
When you apply for a mortgage online, you’ll be required to upload your financial documents and information. These may include your pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements and more. You’ll also need to provide your social security number and other personal information.
If you’re unsure about which information is needed, you can consult with your bank or credit union. Some lenders also offer remote online notary signing, where you’ll join a video conference and sign your loan disclosures from the comfort of your home or office.
One disadvantage of using an online lender is that you won’t have access to a dedicated person to answer your questions and provide support throughout the process. This can be frustrating if you’re confused about something on the mortgage application, or if you need help dealing with a snag in the loan approval process.
Traditional Banks
Banks offer a variety of financial services, including checking accounts and savings accounts, mortgages and home loans, credit cards and other lending products. Some banks also provide insurance and other services.
Some people still prefer to use traditional banks because of the convenience they offer. For example, a bank with a local branch can make it easier to deposit cash or withdraw funds. Many people also find it less stressful to talk to a real person rather than relying on a computer.
Another benefit to using a traditional bank is that they are often covered by the FDIC, which protects deposits. This is important because you need to be sure that your money is safe, and the FDIC is there to help if things go wrong.
Besides this, the human touch that traditional institutions provide is a valuable asset in establishing relationships and fostering loyalty. According to EY’s global consumer banking survey, customers are more likely to trust their financial institution if they can get in-person support.
In addition, most traditional banks have a network of ATMs in their area that customers can use for free. This is a big advantage over online banks that typically have no proprietary ATMs.
However, a traditional bank may not offer the same rates that online banks do on their savings and certificate of deposit (CD) accounts. These rates are based on the bank’s overhead costs and are not as competitive as those of online banks.
The key to choosing the right lender is understanding how your finances work and finding a bank that can provide you with the mortgage you need at an affordable price. You should consider the features that are most important to you, such as the type of account you want, whether it offers interest on deposits and how quickly you can get your money out if needed.
As long as you choose a good lender, you should be able to get the mortgage that you need without any trouble. If you do have any problems, the lender should be able to help you solve them so that you can move forward with your mortgage application.
Credit Score
Credit scores are a crucial part of a mortgage lenders decision-making process. They help determine whether a person can afford to pay a mortgage and how much they can borrow, as well as the interest rate.
The most popular credit scoring model is the FICO score, which is used by about 90% of top lenders. There are also many other credit-scoring models.
Your credit score is a three-digit number that lets lenders see how likely you are to make payments on time, so they can decide whether theyll lend you money or not. Your score can range from 300 to 850, and its often the first thing a lender considers before making a decision.
Whats more, your score can affect everything from the size of an initial deposit to the terms of your loan. A higher credit score can lead to a lower interest rate and better terms for your mortgage.
Payment history: This category shows your track record of paying your debts on time, and it accounts for 35% of the overall credit score. Its especially important if you have multiple types of credit, such as a bank loan or a credit card. Generally, lenders look favorably upon people with good repayment histories and a wide variety of loans.
How much you owe: The amount of money you currently owe accounts for 30% of your total score. A lender is less likely to approve you for a mortgage if youre already carrying a lot of debt, and its also important for your long-term financial health.
Length of credit history: The longer your credit history, the better, although this only accounts for 15% of the overall score. A longer credit history gives lenders more data about you, so its less likely that youll make a mistake that hurts your score.
New credit: 10% of your score is based on how much credit youve recently applied for and opened. Applying for a large number of new lines of credit at once can be a sign that youre unstable financially, so its best to keep your application count low.
Down Payment
The size of your down payment affects many aspects of your mortgage repayment process. A higher down payment can result in a lower interest rate and a more affordable property, but it can also make your monthly payments more expensive.
The amount of your down payment depends on the type of mortgage you want and the purchase price of the home. Some loans require a down payment as low as 5%, while others may ask for 20 percent or more. Putting down less than 20% typically means you will need to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), which can add additional costs to your mortgage.
You can decide on a down payment amount that works for you by using an affordability calculator and a real estate agent. It’s also important to take a holistic look at your savings, debt and other expenses.
If you can’t save a large down payment, there are other financing options. A home equity line of credit or a second loan can be a great option for many homeowners. These can help you build equity faster and allow you to get out of a mortgage sooner, if desired.
Another way to save for a down payment is by applying for federally funded down payment assistance programs. These programs offer down payment assistance to first-time buyers and those with low incomes.
In addition to helping you buy a home, these programs can reduce your debt load and improve your credit score. However, you must be able to meet the requirements for these programs.
Regardless of the down payment amount you decide to put down, be sure to save enough to cover your closing costs. These are generally around 2-5% of the home’s purchase price.
The size of your down payment will determine how much money you have available to use for other expenses, such as moving costs and any renovations you need to do on the home. It’s also important to have a few months’ worth of savings set aside for emergencies.
