Things You Can Do To Get a Good Mortgage

More people than ever are buying homes but it takes a lot of patience, restraint and educated planning to get them. Lenders do not like to see recently acquired auto loans, coupled with high credit card debt and a small savings account. If, however, you have managed to save more than a few thousand dollars, have consistently paid your bills on time, or early, and have systematically built up a good credit score, you will get the loan, the terms and the property that you want.

Top Things You Must Do:

1. Make loan and other debt payments on time, every time. Do not attempt to get a loan if your credit rating shows delinquent or haphazard payments. It will only make it that much more difficult now and in the future.
   
   
2. If you ever have a financial crisis that forces you to be late on a payment, or choose what payments you will make, miss the credit card payment first, second should be the payment on any installment loan you might have and the last payment you want to miss is the payment for an existing mortgage. Credit scoring systems look at the performance of similar loans first when deciding what type of score you will be given. If you ever fall on tough times and must make a decision on what should be paid first, always pay your mortgage loan first, if you have one.
   
   
3. Always try to pay off more of your debt before applying and then put down a smaller amount at closing. You will end up with a larger mortgage, but this strategy will allow you to replace non tax-deductible, high-interest rate debt with lower-rate mortgage debt that features deductible interest
   
   Note: This may not apply to everyone and every scenario so be certain you understand the tax code and how it will apply to you specifically.
   
   
4. If you can plan ahead, always apply for your mortgage before any other type of expected credit or loan application is made. The more times you apply for credit in the period prior to asking for a mortgage the less your chances will be for getting your home loan.
   
   
5. Save as much as you can for the down payment. Utilize an employee payroll savings plan or possibly invest in a low risk money market account with reasonable rates to help accumulate a decent down payment.
   

Print Page