What Type of Mortgage Is Best for You?

Buying a home can be an exciting time for a family. However, the complexity of the process can sometimes make getting a mortgage frustrating. For one, there are many different types of mortgages to choose from. To help clear up some of the confusion, below is an overview of some of the most popular mortgage types.

Conventional Mortgage

The first option you should consider is a conventional mortgage also sometimes referred to as a conventional loan. This is a mortgage that is not tied to backing from a government agency. 

Instead, these kinds of mortgages are provided through a private lender such as a bank, credit union, or mortgage company. An exception to this rule would be conventional mortgages that are guaranteed by the government-sponsored entities, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. 

If you have a good credit score, a conventional loan may be the best choice due to the control and choice you will have in the market.

Government Backed Mortgage

On the other hand, you may want to consider home loans that are indeed backed up by government agencies. This can be an excellent choice if you have poor credit or are in some kind of situation in which making the down payment would be difficult. 

Examples of government agencies that provide such loans include the FHA, VA, and USDA.

Fixed Rate Mortgage

Another popular choice is the fixed-rate mortgage. As the name suggests, this is a home loan in which the interest rate paid on the loan does not change during the loan's lifetime. 

The great thing about fixed-rate mortgages is there will be no mystery regarding what you will pay each month. The downside is, if economic conditions change during the lifetime of the loan, you may end up paying more in interest than you would have otherwise.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage

Alternatively, adjustable rate mortgages, sometimes shortened to ARM, have an interest rate that varies based on changes to an index or benchmark. 

In most cases, this usually results in paying less in interest rates in the short term and higher interest rates in the long term. If the term of the home loans are shorter, the borrower may end up saving money. 

Thankfully, there is typically a cap on how much the interest rate can inflate over the year.

Overall, don't rush into choosing a mortgage. If you take your time, you may be able to find a loan that is much better for your situation. 

However, if you rush into the process, you may end up paying more in interest and have to deal with other issues you wouldn't have if you had performed more research.

Tips for Financing a New Home

Financing a new home can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be! There are plenty of options available for those with good credit scores and even for those with bad credit scores.

The most important thing is to research the different ways to pay for a home, the costs that will be expected of you during the process, and which of your options will be the best for you. 

Below are a few things to consider when looking over your financing options.

Credit Score

Your credit score is one of the most important factors in financing a new home. The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate will be. 

If you have a good credit score, you may be able to qualify for a conventional loan with a low down payment. However, if your credit score is low, you may need to look into other options, such as an FHA or VA loan.

An FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration. This loan is a great option for first-time homebuyers or those with less-than-perfect credit. 

The down payment on an FHA loan can be as low as 3.5 percent of the purchase price of the home.

A VA loan is a mortgage backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. These loans are available to active-duty service members, veterans, and their spouses. The down payment on a VA loan can be as low as 0 percent.

Home Loans

There are many different types of home loans available, and the type that you choose will depend on your financial situation. Some common types of loans are fixed-rate loans, adjustable-rate loans, and jumbo loans. 

Fixed-rate loans have interest rates that stay the same for the life of the loan, while adjustable-rate loans have interest rates that can change over time. Jumbo loans are for borrowers who need to finance more than the conventional loan limit.

Down Payment

The amount of money that you put down on the house you’re looking to buy as a down payment will also affect your monthly payments. If you put down less money, your monthly payments will be higher. 

However, if you put down more money, your monthly payments will be lower. It's important to consider how much money you can afford to put down before you apply for a loan.

Closing Costs

Another factor to consider when financing a new home is closing costs. Closing costs are the fees associated with getting a mortgage and can vary depending on the lender you choose. 

Typical closing costs include private mortgage insurance (PMI), appraisal, and origination fees.

PMIs are insurance policies that protect the lender if you default on your loan. Appraisal fees are charged by the lender to have a professional appraiser assess the value of the home you're looking to purchase. 

Origination fees are charged by the lender for processing your loan application and can vary based on the type of loan you're applying for.

When you're ready to finance a new home, the process doesn't have to be difficult or overwhelming. By doing your research and understanding all of your options, you can find the best option for you and start fresh in your new home. 

Also, don't be afraid to ask questions and get help from a professional if you need it. With a little preparation, financing your new home can be a smooth and stress-free process.

Do You Really Need a 20% Downpayment Saved Up for Home Loans?

Even people who don't know much about mortgages know the rule of thumb that you should expect to put down 20% of the cost of the home. It begs the question, though, of whether that is a hard-and-fast rule or if there is some wiggle room.

If you're looking to get into a home, it makes sense to do your research so that you can be prepared to make the best moves to secure your financial future.

Here is a basic explanation of how to do just that.

Different Lenders

One thing to consider when it comes to home loans is that different lenders offer different mortgage products. While any lender can offer you a product that requires a 20% down payment, some lenders are willing to get especially creative to work with your financial situation. 

Digging further into this, the lender you choose could have a major impact on whether or not you're approved for a particular loan. Therefore, if you have time, it might suit you to shop lenders before you commit.

Different Loans

The good news for aspiring homeowners is that there are a variety of mortgage products available that don't require a 20% down payment. 

Many of these home loans are readily available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For example, if you have served in the military, you may be eligible for exclusive mortgage products offering competitive interest rates and low down payments. 

First-time homebuyers also can often find unique loan products that require less than 20% down.

Paying More

Just because 20% is the recommended down payment for many types of loans doesn't mean that you can't put down more. In fact, if you are able to put a larger down payment on your home, you'll likely lower your monthly payments over the life of the mortgage. 

In many cases, you'll also be able to reduce your interest rate, saving you even more money and helping you get out of debt sooner.

Interest Rates

Buying a home right now is a great choice because interest rates are at historically low levels. It's important to keep in mind, though, that opting for a lower down payment may increase your interest rate, at least slightly. 

Of course, this largely depends on the types of mortgages you qualify for and your personal financial history. Don't let slightly higher interest rates stop you from pursuing the dream of owning a home if you're otherwise able to afford the mortgage payments.

Don't Get Ahead of Yourself

With all of the talk about the hot housing market, it can be easy to think that you need to get into a house as quickly as possible. Before you go down that road, though, it's important to first assess your current financial standing. 

Taking stock of your budget will ensure that you don't run into any speed bumps down the road. This will help make the gift of owning a home even sweeter.

5 Must-Know Steps to Financing a New Home

Applying for a loan is just one step of many involved in financing a new home. There are several other steps you should take before you sign your loan documents and decide on a lender. Let's look at five of those steps. 

Make a Budget

You don't want to leave it up to a bank officer to decide how much house you can afford. Instead of letting them tell you how much you're approved for and then finding a house that's within that range, you need to create a budget that shows you exactly what you spend each month on bills, groceries, fun, entertainment and miscellaneous expenses. 

Then, start adding in house payments, savings for repairs and maintenance, home and flood insurance, property taxes and revised utilities. 

Then start tweaking your other spending categories until you find a manageable amount for your house payment based on your income. This will give you a guideline for the total amount you can finance. 

Compare Rates

Homeowners need to focus on getting a monthly payment they can afford, but they also want to get a good interest rate in order to keep the overall cost of the house low. Compare rates with local banks, national lenders and credit unions until you find the best deal. 

Check Your Credit

Your credit report and FICO score is going to dictate how low an interest rate you qualify for. 

Before you get financing, check your report for any black marks against you and any incorrect information. Then, work to get your information corrected and your score improved. 

Get a Home Inspection

When you're financing a home, you're making a huge commitment that you're not going to be able to back out of without some devastating consequences. 

Getting a home inspection will not only prevent you from buying a home in bad condition, it can also give you leverage to negotiate the cost down. 

Finance as Little as Possible

When you finance your new home, you will have the option to make a low down payment and wrap your closing costs into the loan. This will essentially increase your loan amount, interest charges and the overall cost of the home.

Financing your home is one of the biggest financial steps you'll take in your entire life. Take on the process carefully and thoughtfully, consult with a professional from an agency like Florida Lifestyle Realty, and remember -- it's up to you to protect your own best interests, not the lender's.

Mortgage FAQ For First-Time Homebuyers

When you venture out into the world of the first-time homebuyer, it stands to reason that you’ll have a lot of questions during the process. Most first-time homebuyers don’t know much, if anything, about the process, the terms or how to get the best deal for themselves.

Everyone knows that buying a home is a big financial obligation, so here’s a quick mortgage FAQ for those of you doing it for the first time.

Where Should I Go?

This is often the first questions a first-time homebuyer has about mortgages. With only a little searching you can find countless options and they all look tempting. So, what do you do? Don’t rush, that is the first thing, then decide if you think bank, credit union, private lender or trust company would be the best choice. Sometimes, seeing a mortgage broker will point you in the right direction.

What Is Mortgage Pre-Approval?

A mortgage pre-approval is a process where your lender approves you mortgage at a specific amount ahead of time. This approval is based on several factors and it helps homebuyers know where to look, because they have a general idea of what they’ll be able to afford and what they won’t.

What Is a Down Payment?

Even the most novice of homebuyers has heard the term “down payment” before. Just as it seems, a down payment refers to making a lump sum payment upfront, that will come off the total price of the home. A conventional mortgage requires a 20 percent down payment, while a high-ratio mortgage needs 5 percent.

How Much Can I Afford?

Your pre-approval amount can often give you an indication of how much you can afford, but not always. Sometimes, the lifestyle you want isn’t really possible if you assume a mortgage for that much. Some lenders or brokers have calculators that will help, but it’s really about working out the money in vs. money out and see what number works best for you and your family.

What is a Fixed Mortgage Rate?

A fixed mortgage rate comes with a static interest rate for a specific amount of time, or term. The most common term is five years, and this means you don’t have to worry about the interest fluctuating during that time.

What is a Variable Mortgage Rate?

On the other side, a variable mortgage rate is a mortgage that does not have a rate guarantee. The rate you pay fluctuates according to the lenders Prime rate. Sometimes this is good and sometimes it isn’t, based on which direction that Prime rate moves.

What are Closing Costs?

Closing costs are part of every home purchase, and they are payable after the purchase is finalized. Some of the most common include:

• Legal fees and disbursements
• Title insurance
• Land transfer tax
• Property survey
• Property tax adjustment

Home inspection, moving costs and other miscellaneous expenses like tools and appliances will also be part of the process. 

What Do Amortization & Term Mean?

Amortization is the period of time in years that it will take you to pay off your mortgage in full. Term is the length of time your interest rate type (fixed or variable) will last. When the term is over, you pay the balance of the mortgage or renegotiate a new term under the current market conditions.

Author Bio:
The author of the article is Jeremy Benson. He has been writing about finance, mortgage and Canadian law since 7 years. Blogging is one among his greatest passions. Follow him on Twitter@jeremybenson19.

6 Tips to Help You Get a Home Loan

If you are planning to get a home loan, then you must be losing your sleep thinking about whether or not you are going to get an approval. It is difficult to get a home loan from a good lending institution or bank. But, if you go about the process carefully and plan ahead of time, you can manage to get a home loan. Given below are six tips that can help you get a home loan without much hassle  

1. State The Purpose Of The Loan - When you apply for a loan, the lenders need enough documents and proofs to be sure of your purpose. You may have to furnish the building plan and other relevant documents that show the lenders that the value of the property that you have quoted is correct. There are some lending institutions that might even send officers to inspect the property. 

2. Determine Your Income And Expenses - There is a limit to how much you can get as loan amount. This can easily be calculated depending on your gross income and expenditure per month. Prepare the credit report. Try to pay off most of your debts before you apply for the loan. If you have a lot of debt, the lenders would not be keen on lending you money for fear of default. 

3. Check The Eligibility Criteria - All lending institutions have different eligibility criteria. The criteria for the hdfc home loans are different from those of the state banks. Check the eligibility criteria of the institution you want to borrow from and try to fulfil those. Most expect you have a job with a minimum income, are in good health, and have a good credit record. 

4. Furnish All Relevant Documents - When you apply for a home loan, most lenders want ID and address proof. You also have to provide your bank account statement and a statement for all your assets and liabilities. You also have to furnish a salary statement from your employer as a proof that you are in a position to repay the loan amount. These papers should be in proper order and you should furnish them without any delay. 

5. Have A Reliable Guarantor - Some lenders want an additional guarantee in the form of a strong guarantor. In the case of the loan defaulting, the guarantor will step in and ensure that the loan is paid fully. Therefore, if you have a guarantor who is economically strong, the lender is going to warm up to you and this ensures an approval. 

6. Check Online For The Best Loan Option - It is impractical to apply for a loan amount that you are not going to get approval for. Thus, you can always go to different sites online where you can plug in your income, expenditure and other criteria to calculate the loan amount you are eligible for. 

These six tips can help you get an easy approval. Make sure to be clear in all your financial details and have all your papers in order.