Published 07-19-2019 by Rico Castillo
You need to get a mortgage to buy a home. If you don’t have the cash to buy a home outright, then unless you acquire it illegally, you’re going to need a mortgage.
You can apply and get a mortgage through large online companies like RocketMortgage or talk with a local lender for a more personal experience. I recommend to at least talk with both and try to get the best deal for you.
When I talk with new home buyers and we go over what they need to get started in the buying process, we always go over getting a pre-approval from a lender so they’ll know where they stand financially.
Most of the time, they’re prepared for the process, but sometimes, I get someone who has no idea where to start and when I mention that they need to get a mortgage, they always have that scared look on their faces.
They think it’s going to be . . .
It’s a classic case of being afraid of the unknown.
So, to lessen their fears, I go through the basics of what they need to get a mortgage. . .
When you get a mortgage, be prepared to get a lot of paperwork for your lender. To begin with, you’ll need to have . . .
The list is for all borrowers who is going to be on the loan.
If you’re applying for a VA loan, you’ll also need your . . .
Talk with your favorite lender. There may be more items needed, but what’s listed above are needed for sure.
When are getting ready to get a mortgage, two things always come to mind - down payment money and your credit.
It would only make sense to order your credit report ahead of time.
When I say “order,” I don’t mean to actually have it pulled from the 3 credit bureaus by a company, because that would affect your overall score.
Once a year, you have the right to contact each of the 3 credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) and ask for a free copy of your credit report.
Here is a link to request your yearly, free credit report from TransUnion
The report won’t include your credit score, but that is not what you’re after. What you’re actually looking for are what is IN your credit report.
If there are any discrepancies or mistakes in your credit report, take care of it now by sending a dispute letter to the credit bureau that is listing it and provide any supporting documents that those items are mistakes. By taking care of these mistakes, most of the time, your credit score will take care of itself.
Make sure to go over your credit reports with a fine-toothed comb.
There are many items in your credit report that could cause you to either not qualify or qualify for less when you apply to get a mortgage. It would be wise to order your report ahead of time and dispute any mistakes.
I would start this process at least 6 months before meeting with a lender. You can keep saving for your down payment while waiting.
You are going to need some money when you buy a home even if you’re getting a 100% loan, such as a VA loan. You still need funds for closing costs and inspection reports - though in a VA loan, you can get a true VA No-No and have the seller cover it all.
Even then, you still need funds for your initial down payment or Good Faith Deposit, as well as for the inspection reports. You’ll just get reimbursed later if it was agreed to by the seller during the negotiating process.
Most of the time, however, you will need money towards the purchase.
This does not mean you have to have the money in your immediate bank account. Go over this with your lender, but your down payment could come from your other sources, like:
Talk with your lender and go over where your down payment is coming from if it’s not from your immediate bank account. If it is in there, but it’s large deposit, make sure you have documentation of its source.
The down payment you need to get a mortgage can come from . . .
Did your ears just perk up? I’ve seen many of my first time home buyers sit back and breathe a sigh of relief after I tell them about down payment assistance programs.
These programs can come from government agencies, local programs and sometimes from your employer. Just ask your lender and you HR department to see if there are any available.
Sometimes, the program will run out of money for the year and you may have to wait until they have funding available again.
“What if I still need more time to work on my credit or save more money for my down payment?” you ask!
I have good news for you, my friend, because there is a . . .
I wrote an entire article on this, but here is a quick rundown of this awesome program.
It is a lease-to-own type of program that will allow you to earn equity on the home during your lease term.
You can then use the equity towards your purchase of that home when you’re ready to buy the home.
What could be better than earning equity while renting?
To me, it’s free money.
If you want to increase your chances of getting approved when you get a mortgage, then be prepared. Start to work on your credit now by ordering your free credit report from each of the 3 bureaus, while saving as much as you can for your down payment.
You can also start looking into using alternative ways for your down payment as well as inquiring into different down payment assistance programs.
Talk to a real estate agent who knows the real estate and mortgage process to increase your chances of a successful home purchase.
Getting into a home may take a lot less money to get started than you think.
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About the author: All of the articles in this site were written and provided by Rico Castillo (DRE# 01234643) with Coldwell Banker. If any information is provided by another source, such as the local MLS or by Metrolist, then a disclaimer will be on that page.
Rico can be reached by cell at (916) 934-3146 or email at rico.castillo@cbnorcal.com. Visit his YouTube Channel at https://bit.ly/3bAaZJs
My aim is always 100% client satisfaction by helping you accomplish your real estate goals and finding you the home you've Dreamed about in the area you and your family can feel proud and safe to live in!
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