A home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. Securing a home without financing would make homeownership impossible for many buyers, but mortgages offer an alternative. A mortgage is a loan that a financial institution, like a credit union, provides so you can purchase a home and pay it off over time.
When you take out a mortgage, your new property serves as collateral. Besides paying back the principal balance of the mortgage, you’ll also pay interest on the principal balance, property taxes, and mortgage insurance if it’s required by your lender.
Before you apply for a mortgage, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the homebuying process. You’ll want to understand how mortgages work, and it helps to learn about the following.
- The distinctions between being prequalified and preapproved
- The difference between fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages
- How to estimate the costs of homeownership
To qualify for a mortgage, you must meet several requirements. Here are six of the financial prerequisites for getting a mortgage.
1. A Reliable Source of Income
Potential mortgage lenders will want proof of your income, as well as the income of anyone else whose name will be on your mortgage, such as a spouse. They’ll ask for documentation to verify your income amount, such as tax returns and/or pay statements. In addition to the amount of your income, they’ll look for consistency over time. If they notice drops in income, they may ask for justification or documentation proving that the decrease was only temporary.
Having a sufficient, consistent salary or other means of income shows you have the monthly funds to make your mortgage payments.
2. A Debt-to-Income Ratio Within the Guidelines
Your debt-to-income ratio reflects the percentage of your monthly income that goes toward paying down debt. This number is another reason that having a reliable source of income is so important.
If you have a high debt-to-income ratio, you may be at an increased risk of making late payments, partial payments, or failing to make payments altogether. A low debt-to-income ratio signals that you’re less likely to struggle with your mortgage payments.
To calculate your debt-to-income ratio, divide the sum of your monthly debt payments by your monthly income.
3. An Established Credit History
A strong credit history can potentially increase your chances of qualifying for a mortgage under favorable terms. Some lenders practice risk-based lending, which means that your interest rate decreases the higher your credit score is. However, even lenders that don’t practice this have credit standards borrowers must meet in order to be approved for a loan.
Your credit history reflects the debt you’ve worked to pay down and how you manage revolving debt, like credit cards. Making payments on loans for a car, college, and other expenses will create a record of your ability to pay back your debts and help increase your score. When you have a higher credit score, you’ll have a better chance of approval for a mortgage.
4. Required Documentation
Before a lender approves your mortgage application, they’ll expect to see several documents that confirm your identity and provide proof that you’ll be able to make your payments in full and on time. While it may vary by lender, typically the lender will:
- Review your credit report
- Verify proof of income (you may be asked to provide paystubs, W2s, and/or tax returns)
- Verify assets for a down payment and/or reserves, if applicable
5. Funds for a Down Payment
Your down payment is one of the first investments you’ll make in your home. The amount of money you can put down on your house affects the total amount you’ll need to borrow, your interest rate, and whether your lender requires you to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI). If you make a large down payment, your reduced loan amount may qualify you for a lower interest rate with some lenders as well as reduced PMI or no PMI on your monthly payment. The size of your required down payment may vary based on your lender.
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Buying a home is a big decision. Fortunately, we can help you form a plan that meets your unique needs, offering competitive rates and personalized service.
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