Do you know all the steps involved in applying for a house? The process begins long before you even find the property itself. The mortgage application process can seem daunting and confusing, but the more you prepare, the smoother your experience will be.
Here are the major parts of the process to know:
Mortgage loans have basic minimum requirements for you to qualify. Most of these criteria are financial factors, but things like property type also come into account. Some metrics a mortgage lender will consider before giving you a loan estimate are your debt to income ratio, credit score, income and assets.
Many first-time homebuyers are unaware they have room to negotiate loan estimates. Lenders can be flexible about their rates and fees offered.
You can shop around and compare prices with other customers. In some cases, you may use it as a bargaining tool in order for a lender to lower your rates. Checking multiple mortgage rates helps you understand how much money you really qualify for.
Lenders examine your finances - bank statements, taxable return, salary stubs, credit and credit history - and determine the cost for a new home purchase. By obtaining a preapproval letter from a lender before making an offer or even beginning your home search, you can be certain you’ll have the financing you need.
Also, you’ll have a better idea of how much house you can afford, and a better chance your eventual offer is accepted by the seller.
Avoid taking on new debts
Mortgage underwriters will evaluate your credit report based on monthly payments of your debt and total income. If you have too many credit cards in one month to repay your loan, your credit score can take a hit - and the lender will notice. To avoid this situation, don’t apply for any credit cards, credit lines or loans while applying for a mortgage.
Lenders do not consider your lifestyle or your personal expenses when you apply for a loan, so be sure you include additional housekeeping costs into your financial plan. Interest rate and down payment amount are both major factors in determining the amount of your mortgage payments, but don’t forget to factor your other costs into a budget.
When you apply for a mortgage, you’ll likely be taking on the biggest financial debt of your life. It’s no small undertaking, but it is possible to choose the best loan for you. Keep these basics in mind to keep your process as simple as possible.
Gary Rudden, Lisa Rudden, and Nick Bobruska
RUDDEN BOBRUSKA TEAM
What sets your team apart from other real estate teams?
There is no team out in the market that offers what we do. All of us are Realtors, but
we each have specialized roles, which make our team so unique!
After decades of living and selling real estate in the DMV, we have established
ourselves as one of the top real estate teams with our market expertise and
cutting-edge technology. Our savvy high-tech marketing is on every website
and social media source. We have a huge network with other top agents, which
helps to premarket homes and discover homes for buyers before they reach the
open market. Our services include professional in-house staging services, broker
expertise in negotiating and navigating contracts, and buyer representation in all
price ranges. Each client has different needs and we create a marketing plan based
on those needs.
Our most distinct feature is our in-house construction and renovation team. We
are literally a full-service, one-stop shop when selling or buying a home!
How does the in-house construction and renovation team work?
All work is managed and completed through our licensed and bonded construction
crew. No need to call outside contractors. We are like “HGTV,” but we just don’t
have a show! Whether it’s a small makeover or a major renovation, we do it all. Our
sellers love this aspect of our team because we make preparing your home for the
market so seamless. Our buyers love the advice and insight we can give for future
renovations and repairs.
Having a licensed Maryland Home Improvement contractor as part of our team
along with the knowledge, experience, commitment and services that we offer, truly
puts our team as a vanguard in the real estate industry.