How to Determine What You Can Afford
The vast majority of home buyers don't pay all at once but rather take out a mortgage loan, making monthly payments for up to 30 years. Your options are determined largely by what kind of loan you can get, how much cash you have for a down payment, and how much of a monthly loan payment you can afford. Prospective homeowners also have to factor in the costs of home ownership, which includes maintenance, property taxes, and emergencies.
Generally speaking, you don't want to pay more than 1/3 of your monthly income on mortgage payments. In fact, lending institutions often will not grant a loan if the monthly payment will be more than 25 percent of the borrower's income since there is a much higher risk of default. From a practical standpoint, you need to be able to get through periods of economic hardship without losing your home.
Getting Preapproved for a Mortgage
Perhaps the most important piece of information used by lenders to determine your creditworthiness is your FICO credit score, which is provided by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Generally, those with a higher credit score are most likely to get larger loans with lower rates. Make sure you check your credit score and correct any errors that may be present before you talk to a lender. Lenders also consider borrowers' monthly income, how long they have held their job, and where they would like to purchase.
After reviewing your information, the lender can then pre-approve you for a loan. They will issue you a prequalification letter, which you can show to the seller (or the seller's agent) when making an offer. The letter is not a guarantee, legally speaking, but can serve as a guideline. The next step is to get pre-approved, which means the lender has done its due diligence and has guaranteed the loan.
Understanding the Different Types of Mortgages
Not all mortgages are created equal, and it's important that you understand exactly how they differ before signing on the dotted line. The two main types of home loans are fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages. Fixed-rate loans are more stable, as the rate stays the same throughout the entire life of the loan. This means you pay the exact same amount in monthly home payments until the loan is paid off.
As the name implies, an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is subject to fluctuations in rates. On one hand, ARMs are more accessible to borrowers and allow more people to experience home ownership. However, they also can be unreliable. Since the rate is tied to the prime rate it can either go up or down, which makes it kind of a gamble for many homebuyers. Some lenders offer enticingly low ARM rates to lure borrowers, but these rates typically go up quite a bit as the rates change.
Get Help from a Real Estate Attorney
If you are in the market for a new home, you will most likely need to apply for a mortgage. Learning about the process before meeting with a loan officer can help you make the right choices. If you have questions about mortgages or would like to learn more about real estate laws in your state, it's best to speak to a skilled real estate attorney near you today.
