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How-To Guide: Buying Your First Home
Step 6: Get Funding
Often the cost of real estate financing is routinely greater than the original purchase price of a home (after including interest and closing costs). Because financing is so important, buyers should have as much information as possible regarding mortgage options and costs.
Realtor.com® provides consumers with extensive mortgage information as well as a variety of loan calculators. Local American Community Group REALTORS® can provide mortgage information, discuss financing options and recommend loan sources.
What kind of loan?
There are thousands of loans available out there from a variety of lenders, but in general, the mortgage you choose will likely be determined by at least several key factors:
• How much down? Loans with 5 percent down or less are available -- in fact, loans from major lenders with no money down have appeared in
recent years.
• If you place less than 20 percent down, lenders will want the mortgage guaranteed by an outside third party such as the Veterans
Administration (VA), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or a
private mortgage insurer (PMI, or private mortgage insurance, is
required by lender to protectagainst any mortgage defaults). Millions of
VA, FHA and PMI loans are generated each year.
• How's your credit? The best rates and terms are only available to those with solid credit. To get the best loans, make a point of paying credit
cards, installment payments, rent and mortgage bills in full and on
time.
• Are you a first-time buyer? It might seem that "first-time buyer" means someone who has never owned property before, but under most state
programs, the term refers to those who have not owned property within
the past three years. State-backed first-timer programs often feature
smaller down payments and below-market interest rates. For details,
speak with your local American Community Group REALTOR®.
How do you get a loan?
To obtain a loan you must complete a written loan application and provide supporting documentation. Specific documents include recent pay stubs, rental checks and tax returns for the past two or three years if you are self-employed. During the prequalification procedure, the loan officer will describe the type of paperwork required.
Where do you get a loan?
Mortgage financing can be obtained from mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions, and insurance companies.
A growing number of American Community Group REALTORS® can also arrange financing through the American Community Group network of lenders.
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