Purchasing a home is a decision that can lead to financial security. However, financing is often a confusing process especially for first time home buyers. Obtaining information on the different types of home loans is one of the most important steps to getting started in the home buying process. There are many different types of products available.
Knowing your credit score before you even go a bank or mortgage company is imperative. People with high credit scores are most likely to get lower interests rates and to be approved for higher loan amounts.
Job stability is another item that lenders look at. Steady employment with verifiable income is an important factor in the eyes of most lenders. Often lenders will require bank account statements, paycheck stubs and W-2's before they will approve someone for a home loan.
There are many stipulations to getting a home loan. Many times, the bank will offer a second mortgage that will have a higher interest rate and is generally shorter than the standard 30 year contract. Many people will do this if the current interest rate is lower than it was when the home was purchased.
For people that are in strong financial positions but do not have a big enough down payment then the possibility of securing two different loans from the bank or mortgage company might be an option. Be sure to read the fine print, because some time the second mortgage (which is the smaller of the two) will not be the standard 30 year time span, it can be any where from 5 to 15 years depending on the lender and the circumstances. A higher interest rate is usually applied to the second mortgage as well.
Of course, there are other options available to prospective buyers as well. Adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) have interest rates that vary each month according to market trends, this means that the mortgage payment will vary. Another option is an interest only loan, in which the buyer only pays interest on the loan for a specified period of time and then starts paying on the principal at a later date, when they are making more money.
Overall, home loans can be somewhat confusing, especially for first time buyers. It is a good idea to know your credit score and to have a strong grasp of your current financial situation. Talking to a few different lenders and researching your options is a good place to start. - 29969
Knowing your credit score before you even go a bank or mortgage company is imperative. People with high credit scores are most likely to get lower interests rates and to be approved for higher loan amounts.
Job stability is another item that lenders look at. Steady employment with verifiable income is an important factor in the eyes of most lenders. Often lenders will require bank account statements, paycheck stubs and W-2's before they will approve someone for a home loan.
There are many stipulations to getting a home loan. Many times, the bank will offer a second mortgage that will have a higher interest rate and is generally shorter than the standard 30 year contract. Many people will do this if the current interest rate is lower than it was when the home was purchased.
For people that are in strong financial positions but do not have a big enough down payment then the possibility of securing two different loans from the bank or mortgage company might be an option. Be sure to read the fine print, because some time the second mortgage (which is the smaller of the two) will not be the standard 30 year time span, it can be any where from 5 to 15 years depending on the lender and the circumstances. A higher interest rate is usually applied to the second mortgage as well.
Of course, there are other options available to prospective buyers as well. Adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) have interest rates that vary each month according to market trends, this means that the mortgage payment will vary. Another option is an interest only loan, in which the buyer only pays interest on the loan for a specified period of time and then starts paying on the principal at a later date, when they are making more money.
Overall, home loans can be somewhat confusing, especially for first time buyers. It is a good idea to know your credit score and to have a strong grasp of your current financial situation. Talking to a few different lenders and researching your options is a good place to start. - 29969
About the Author:
Graham McKenzie is the content coordinator for a leading South African leading Homeloan and Bond Origination portal which provides access to Standard Bank Homeloan.
