What You Need to Do When Shopping for Mortgage

Finding the right mortgage can save you thousands of dollars and help you save up for future expenses. There are several mortgage deals out there, you just have to find the right one. It may be time- consuming, but if you look diligent enough, you just might find the right loan for you. Here are some tips on how to find the perfect loan for your house.

1. Compare Apples to Apples

Try to shop around for mortgages around your area. Some commercial banks can offer you some mortgage information, but you might want to look at thrift institutions, mortgage companies, and even credit unions to find some competitive deals. You might be surprised at what you might find. Some mortgage companies in cities like Savannah may be accredited by FHA and you might see yourself paying less than 20% for a down payment, which is a standard procedure for most companies.

2. Know the Difference Between Mortgage Lender and Mortgage Broker

Most people might find it confusing, but a mortgage lender and a mortgage broker are two completely different things. Mortgage brokers in all states, including Georgia, have wider access to different lenders, therefore, provide you more options. However, they do charge fees for their services.  However, a mortgage lender is a financial institution that makes a loan directly to the borrower. Most mortgage brokers don’t always make it clear that they’re brokers, so make sure to ask them just to clarify. If they are indeed brokers, ask them the fees associated with their service and what are their payment options.

3. Get a Free Credit Report

You can get a free credit report for every 12 month rolling period from three of the biggest creditors. This will let you know what your current situation is and if you’ll be approved for a mortgage or not. Make sure that your credit score is in good standing so that you won’t have any problems when you apply for a mortgage.

4. Request to Lock- in Your Mortgage

Once you’ve found out the best mortgage rate and negotiated the terms of your lender, ask your mortgage lender for a written lock- in. This will ensure that any increase in the rate will not affect you while you complete your mortgage. There may be an additional fee charged to you for locking in the mortgage rate, but by doing so will save you hundreds of dollars in an increase will occur. If, in any case, your mortgage rate decreases rather than increase before closing, ask your lender if you can have it negotiated.

5. Know What You can Afford

Take a list of all your monthly expenses and calculate if your monthly income can meet your monthly expenses plus your soon-to-be mortgage payment. It’s better to be aware of how much you can afford rather than regretting it later.