Getting a home loan is not as tough as rumor has it! The mortgage approval process simply boils down to the four basic items explained in the following few paragraphs. First time home buyers and even repeat purchasers need not be bewildered by the formulas and methods used by lenders, you just need someone to hold your hand and an expert that knows the home loan rules!
Lenders are looking for what I call the four “C”s and once you understand the concept of these basic requirements everything else starts to make sense.
- Cash – Lenders look for “skin-in-the-game” as a way to make sure that you have a financial incentive to continue to make the mortgage payment when things get tough. The larger your down payment or equity the less they have to worry about the borrower walking away from the home loan. Minimum down payment requirements range from as little as 0% to as much as 35%
Get a home loan and then sit back and enjoy
- Capacity – Another way of saying income. The lender wants to make sure that the borrowers have sufficient stable income to handle the mortgage, property taxes, insurance and other debts. Key words in the previous statement are SUFFICIENT and STABLE. Lenders will use a combination of pay stubs, W-2 and other documents and compare those to the only reliable source available in our financial system to prove their legitimacy….the IRS and your tax returns. The minimum requirements for income vary widely by program; lender and other factors so make sure you are working with someone that understands the rules.
- Credit – Simply put – how have you handled other financial promises of repayment in the past? Nowadays it is easy for a lender to figure this out with a copy of your credit report and a number called a credit score. A credit score is numerical representation of your credit risk. Over 700 is good below 620 not so good. By the way there are easy ways to increase your credit score. (Call me to discuss)
- Collateral – The property you wish to purchase. Lenders are looking for collateral (their security) to be in good shape and free of any health and safety issues. Why not a complete “fixer upper” see the cash bullet above. The lender wishes to protect a borrower from any unforeseen repairs that the borrower cannot afford. Besides the last thing a lender wants to do is to have to fix up a property after having to foreclose on a home loan.
I have been helping people finance their real estate for over 25 years. Whether you are a seasoned real estate investor or first time home buyer my experience and knowledge will insure that your home loan goes smoothly! I would be happy to meet with you for a free consultation to discuss your plans to purchase a home.
