Getting Preapproved For a Mortgage
A mortgage is a loan used to buy a home or other real estate. It gives the lender a claim on the property if the borrower defaults, and lets them sell it to recover their money. A borrower can get a mortgage from a bank, credit union, mortgage-specific lender, online lender or other source. The process of obtaining a mortgage involves extensive review of the borrower’s financial profile to assess their repayment odds. Getting preapproved for a mortgage is an early step that can help speed up the underwriting process.
A borrower can choose from a wide range of mortgage terms, including 15- and 30-year fixed-rate loans. Choosing a longer term can reduce the monthly payments but will increase the total amount of interest paid over the life of the loan.
The lender will review a borrower’s finances and credit history, including their debt-to-income ratio (DTI) and credit score, to determine whether they qualify for a given loan size. The lower the DTI ratio and higher the credit score, the better the borrower’s odds of qualifying for a low mortgage rate.
Borrowers will usually have to provide proof of homeowner’s insurance, which covers the property against damage and losses caused by natural or man-made disasters. The lender will often charge a premium for this coverage as part of the mortgage closing costs.
Mortgage lenders will also generally require borrowers to set up an escrow account for property taxes and homeowners’ insurance, which they manage on the borrower’s behalf. These funds are added to the borrower’s monthly mortgage payment and used to pay these bills when they come due.
Some lenders have specific requirements for a mortgage, such as requiring the borrower to put at least 20% of the purchase price down. Putting down a large down payment decreases the overall mortgage amount and may allow the borrower to avoid an extra monthly cost called private mortgage insurance.
Obtaining a mortgage can involve lengthy paperwork and a detailed look at the borrower’s finances, income, assets and debt to make sure they can afford the loan. The mortgage underwriting process can be streamlined by having all required documentation ready ahead of time and responding promptly to any requests made by the lender.
The current state of the economy, government monetary policy and global markets all influence mortgage rates. While there isn’t much a homebuyer can do to control these factors, it is possible to take steps to improve their own financial health and boost their chances of securing a good mortgage rate. This includes regularly monitoring their credit to ensure it is accurate and their scores are high enough for lenders to view them favorably. It is also important for borrowers to stay on top of their budget and avoid overspending, which can cause them to run into trouble with repaying their mortgage.