Once you have the basics covered the next step in purchasing a home is to determine your exact financial situation. At this point you have gone through your wants and needs in a home. You have also gotten a basic foundation established of how much you have for a down payment as well as home much you want to spend each month as far as a mortgage payment. This is the point you need to get down and dirty with your finances. This is the point in which you retain a realtor that is willing to help you get what you want and a mortgage lender that will address how much you can afford.
To establish a foundation with your finances you must first start by getting a detailed copy of your credit report. The hope is that the report is above 720 if it isn’t you need to work to correct issues that with errors in reporting as well meeting with a financial advisor that can help you increase the rating. Some tips that may come from meeting with an advisor could be paying down your credit cards or increasing the amount of money you earn.
Getting your financial house in order involves saving for a larger down payment. A ten percent down payment is standard however some lenders are more apt to provide a lower interest rate to buyers who have a larger down payment. Consider putting twenty percent down to decrease your mortgage interest rate. When thinking about a larger down payment take into account that you will have closing costs that creep up, expenses for moving as well as the surprises that aren’t accounted for during the inspection process.
Find a mortgage provider that you like once your credit score is in order and get pre-approved. This will give you a limit on what you can spend on a home. This is the upper limit on what you can afford. Most home buyers should seek to find a home for at least twenty percent less than what they are pre-approved for. Otherwise you are placing yourself in a tight position when it comes to the amount of your monthly mortgage payment.
You should also discuss with your mortgage provider the process of actually getting a loan as well as the different options in mortgage loans available to you. Key factors involved in determining what loan type is right for you are the following: the required down payment, the interest rate, the costs and fees involved in closing the loan and secondary requirements from the actual lender. Secondary requirements can include flood insurance, private road agreements, self employment documentation and such. This secondary information is all necessary documentation outside of the cookie cutter information needed for most mortgages.
Different types of mortgages available from lenders can include conventional, adjustable rate, FHA, VA, assumable, balloon and private mortgage insurance. These are a variety of mortgages to look into and to understand before moving forward with any one type of mortgage. The process of buying a home requires a whole lot of work before looking for a home can even begin. A reputable realtor will help you with this entire process even before showing you a single home and a mortgage lender will help explain anything and everything you need to know before supplying you with the right loan for your need.
Lake and Land Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor out of Pinckney, Michigan serving homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Hamburg, Pinckney and Howell. More information can be found at http://www.lakelandmi.com/buyers-resources.php