Home Loans for First -Time Buyers
Renovators Place Columnist
Oct 13, 2009
Shopping for your first mortgage? There are many mortgage loans geared toward those who want to buy their first home and take advantage of today's low mortgage interest rates.
With all this research under your belt, you'll be ready to get the right home loan for you.
Check Your Finances
Before you begin house shopping, evaluate your financial situation. Talk to a lender about how much you can afford to spend. The lender will look at your employment history and track record of making rent payment when considering your credit worthiness.Special Home Loans
First-time homebuyers often require special home loans to help them with the down payment and other financing issues. These mortgage loans are designed to be flexible so that people with limited credit history or problems with debt can qualify for a mortgage.Mortgage Lenders Criteria
When evaluating a first-time mortgage candidate, lenders will look for:- A solid work history
- Good credit rating
- Low debt
- Personal savings to cover emergencies, such as an illness or job loss
The Down Payment
The biggest hurdle for many first-time homebuyers is the mortgage down payment, which can be $10,000 or more with many mortgage loan programs. Many lenders, however, offer special programs for first-time homebuyers to help them clear that hurdle.0 to 5 Percent Down
If you are buying a $150,000 house, it might be difficult to save 10 percent of that figure. When the required down payment is only 3 percent, however, the process becomes more manageable. There also are loans where no down payment is required.Home Loan Resources
As you do research on home loans, look for Web sites that offer mortgage payment calculators. These tools can help you find:- Mortgage loan amounts
- Current mortgage rates
- Refinancing options
Mortgage Loan Applications Online
Many Web sites offer online mortgage loan applications. These tools provide a quick and easy way to check out a variety of home loan programs and compare their features. Some Web sites also will shop around for a mortgage for you, saving you time and frustration. A Web site may provide online assistance to answer your mortgage loans questions and may include current mortgage interest rates. You can also find information on loan consolidation programs or home equity loans and lines of credit.With all this research under your belt, you'll be ready to get the right home loan for you.
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