Securing a home loan can be daunting to some people. Home loans work a little differently than other types of loans and it’s important to know how home loans differ. If you’re thinking about or are starting the process of applying for a home loan, here are some helpful steps to take:
- Know Your Credit Score: With the convenience of online banking, it takes just a few minutes to pull up your credit score. This is very important if you’re wanting to get a home loan. Knowing your score can save you from surprises. The last thing you want to find out is that your score is lower than you thought or there’s something in your credit history you forgot about. Having a low score or poor history can bring your plans for a home loan to a halt real quick.
- Save Money: Most home loans require some sort of down payment, so not having cash on hand is another potential road block. Most lenders set their own requirements for a down payment, but keep in mind that the bigger the down payment you make, the more it’s going to help you in the long run. Keep in mind that home loans and mortgages offer require other expenses like closing costs and home appraisals.
- Keep Working: Remaining employed during the loan process is critical. Quitting or job or getting fired from your job cuts you off from a much-need money source and employment changes can put yet another snag in the application process. A loan application is often approved based on whatever information you present at the time. Changes in employment will probably cause lenders to review your finances.
- <Manage Debt: Having credit card debt won’t stop you from getting a home loan, but the less you have, the better your chances are. Lenders look at how much debt you have and too much could be a hindrance. Paying off credit card debt could help your chances of securing a home loan.
- Budget: When it comes to home buying, it’s important to have a budget. Living in a large house is nice, but it won’t be that way for too long if you can’t afford it.
The bottom line comes down to this: if you’ve got financial troubles, deal with them and motivate yourself. Take time to find out what are the most current mortgage rates, improve your credit score and when it comes time to apply for home loans, stick to a budget.
There are many types of loans available and regardless of which one you’re working toward, it pays to get your finances in order. To qualify for an FHA home loan for example, your credit score must be at least 580; you must refinance up to 97.75 percent of your primary home’s value and buy a home with as little as 3.5 percent down.
When it comes to finding current mortgage rates and up to date mortgage rates, it’s best to check with national lenders. Today’s (Sept. 17) average 30-year fixed rate for example is 4.78 percent APR, a .02 percent change from what it was just a week ago. The fact is that mortgage rates change all day, every day. So if you’re wondering, what are the most current mortgage rates, chances are they’re going to be different tomorrow morning if you looked at them last night.
Up to date mortgage rates are based primarily on the prices of mortgage-backed securities. These work like bonds and are traded similar to stocks. That means the prices on them change constantly. It can be very beneficial to know what are the most current mortgage rates and a good rule of thumb is to check at the beginning of a new trading week, which usually begins on Monday.
Aggregate sites such as Bankrate.com will let you see what are the most current mortgage rates, but monitoring the rates 24/7 doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the best rate. Your credit scores plays an important role in getting approved for a mortgage, but other factors such as property type, location, loan amount and the type of loan program can factor in as well. A reliable mortgage company can help you get the best possible rate based on these factors.
