3 Rules to Remember When Shopping for a Mortgage

Since you're in the market for a new home, you're probably in the market for a new mortgage. Here are 3 critical shopping tips for anyone looking for a new loan.

• Know the Terms

All the terms of a loan matter. Unfortunately, shopping for a mortgage is not as simple as finding out how much a lender will let you borrow and at what interest rate. You'll want to get a complete breakdown of what any offer your receive means to you on a monthly basis as well as how much money you'll be spending over the life of the loan. 

• Not all Mortgages are the same

There are several mortgage types available to residential home buyers. Most people will shop for a traditional fixed rate mortgage, but other options are available including adjustable rate loans (ARMs), Federal Housing Administration loans (FHAs), and Veteran's Administration loans. You'll want to be sure to understand what kind of loan a lender is offering you. 

• Fees, Fees, Fees

Most loans have fees associated with them in additional to the principal amount borrowed to buy the home. You can sometimes borrow the money need to cover these fees, but that will obviously increase the overall amount of debt you undertake. Some fees are paid up front, and others are not due until closing. 

If you'd like to chat with me personally about how to shop for a mortgage and what other questions you can ask lenders to find the best deal, give me a call at any time. I'm happy to get you started on the right path so we can start looking for your new home!