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Basics Every Home Buyer Should Know


Buying a new home can be stressful, but the payoff is worth it! You'll get a great place to live where you can make memories. The trick is finding the right mortgage for your budget and needs. Here are some basics every home buyer should know:


What is a good idea?

The more you put down, the less you pay in interest.

The higher your credit score, the better.

The more stable your income is and the lower your DTI (debt-to-income ratio), the better and vice versa for a high DTI or low income.

Types of mortgages


There are a number of different types of mortgages, including:


  • Fixed-term mortgages. These have set rates and terms that won't change over time. They're also known as "fixed rate" loans because they don't adjust their interest rate based on market conditions or inflation rates. For example, if you take out a 30-year fixed rate mortgage at 6%, your monthly payments will stay the same every month even if interest rates go up or down over time (as long as those changes aren't too extreme).

    You can pay off this loan early by making extra principal payments each year until it's paid off completely; however, doing so might make it difficult for you to qualify for another home loan in the future since lenders will want their money back from previous loans rather than having them sit idle for years while waiting for an eventual payoff date to come around again!


  • Conventional mortgages come with flexible terms (i.e., adjustable) but fixed interest rates; therefore there may be some fluctuation between what was originally quoted when applying with the mortgage company during the initial application process versus the actual payment amount owed after the completion date arrives due largely due lack ability banks have pricing tools available today like software programs instead making accurate prediction possible without relying solely on historical data alone." You will need a minimum of 620 or higher.


  • Jumbo mortgages: When it comes to bank loans, jumbo loans are the type that doesn't conform to the guidelines set by the Federal Housing Authority. Jumbo loans are also sought after by those who are interested in obtaining a large loan. However, you'll need to have a FICO score of 700 or higher.


  • Government-insured loans: Government-insured loans are also known as FHA loans, and they're offered by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). These loans are designed to help low-income families obtain a mortgage loan. The program is also available to those who have not had previous issues with their credit history.


  • Fixed-rate mortgage: Fixed-rate mortgages are the most popular type of loan. They're used by many homeowners and buyers because they provide a lower monthly payment than other types of loans. These mortgages also allow you to lock in an interest rate for the life of your loan, which can help to stabilize your finances. One of the downsides of a Fixed-rate mortgage is that you'll have to pay more interest with a longer-term loan.


  • Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM): An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is a loan in which the interest rate is set to change over time. ARMs typically offer lower initial interest rates than fixed-rate mortgages, making them more affordable in the short term. However, they also come with an increased risk of rising payments as interest rates rise.


Get the Best Rates

  • What is a good idea?


You should always try to get the best rates. This means looking at different lenders, comparing their fees and interest rates, and making sure you can afford your mortgage loan limit. If you have an excellent credit score, then that's a bonus!


  • How much money do I need to put down?


The amount of money required for a down payment can vary by lender but generally speaking, it should be no less than 20% of the home value (in some cases up to 35%). Some lenders will allow as little as 10%.


If you don't have enough cash saved up then consider getting pre-approved for an auto loan so that when buying time comes around again later on in life -- like retirement -- there might still be options available without having full ownership rights reserved beforehand."


The higher your credit score, the better


The higher your credit score, the better. It's that simple. The lower your interest rate, the more money you'll save on monthly payments over time.


If you have a low score (below 660), it can take years to build up good enough credit history to qualify for home loans or other types of loans like car loans or student debt consolidation programs.


However, once you have built up enough good payment history and have paid off all debts in order to get approved for these types of financial products then they will usually accept borrowers with scores below 660 as well because they know how hard it is going through life without having an income earning capacity due to unemployment and other factors such as having been unable/unwilling/unable.

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Have a good deal of money to put down


The more you put in, the better your rate will be. If you have a high-interest rate loan and put down only 1%, your interest rate will be higher than if you had put down 5%. That's because lenders want to make sure that they are getting their money back after they've made all these calculations (which can take months).


The less money you put down, the higher your interest rate will be. If someone were to say "I'm willing to pay $100k for my new home", but only had 10% saved up in an emergency fund or retirement account, then there would be no room for negotiation on their part since most lenders require 20%+ as collateral before approving a loan application (and those days seem long gone now).

A stable income that can support monthly payments

When you’re buying a home, the last thing you want is to be in debt after buying your first house. A stable income is important because it shows that you have enough money to make monthly payments on your mortgage and other loans. If you are self-employed, show that with evidence (tax returns and pay stubs).


If banks won't approve loans based on a person's income alone and they need proof of assets like savings or investments, they'll ask for information about other sources of income as well. The more stable this source is and how much it makes per month the better off they'll feel about approving the loan request

A lower debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is better


The debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the most common measure of your ability to repay your loans. A lower DTI means that you can afford to pay back your debts and still live comfortably, whereas higher ones mean you’re putting off paying for things because there is too much financial pressure on your wallet.


The best way to understand what a good DTI looks like is by comparing it with the median household income in America. If half of all households have a higher gross income than yours, then it's likely there are some areas where you need to tighten up like eating out less often or buying new furniture instead of used items when possible if not completely eliminate debt altogether!


Other factors lenders look at


Lenders look at a number of other factors when determining your loan eligibility. These include:

  • Your down payment. Lenders want to see that you have enough cash available to cover closing costs and other expenses associated with buying a home, so they will require a larger down payment from borrowers who are purchasing properties in more expensive neighborhoods or with higher values.


  • The length of time it takes for the loan to close after signing an agreement with the lender (and before taking possession). If there's any chance that you'll need additional funds from another source, lenders may ask for proof that these funds are available before granting approval for their loan terms.

    In addition, if someone else is paying part or all of your closing costs such as an employer or family member then this person must also apply for financing through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac before applying directly with LendingTree for financing through us!


Working on your finances will get you a better deal.

The best way to get the best deal is to work on your finances. This can mean working on your credit score, paying off debt, and saving for a down payment. As you're working on these goals, be sure to check in with a local mortgage broker who will help you determine how much house you can afford based on what type of mortgage product (i.e., fixed-rate or ARM) and interest rate that works best for your situation.


  • Good credit: If possible, have at least one paid-off loan or line of credit before applying for financing so that the lender won't see it as an indicator that they'll be leaving money out of pocket if they grant loans based solely on income alone without considering other factors such as debt-to-income ratios (DTIs).


  • The higher your DTI ratio is, the less likely lenders will approve loans against it; however, even those with lower DTIs should still try getting preapproved so they know what kind of rates are going into play when applying later downstream."


Conclusion


There are many factors lenders look at when deciding whether to offer you a mortgage, but they all have one thing in common: they care about your ability to pay. If you can demonstrate that you’re financially stable and have good credit, then you will get a much better deal than someone who doesn’t. That said, working on your finances is always recommended even if it means making sacrifices for now.

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