Tag Archives: securing home loan
10 tips to securing a home loan
Weve only got about one page to list these 10 tips for securing a home loan, so lets jump right into it!
1) Get your credit score up
This is the key rule. Do not even think about getting a home loan until youve paid off your debts and worked your credit score up.
2) Get your credit score up
Seriously! What you should do is settle all your old debts, and then cut up all of your credit cards, but one or two. Use those for simple things like buying gas or grocery shopping and then pay them off on time.
3) Live within your means
Credit cards gave birth to a generation of people buying more than they could afford, with many of them winding up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt as a result. Your spending money should be cash only.
4) Make sure the time is right
Sadly, were not all ready to own a home. If you dont have savings and a reliable career, if youre already in debt, youll want to improve your financial standing before going after home ownership.
5) Do your research
Basically, get online and do a lot of reading up on the ins and outs of home loans and the real estate market. If you develop a strong knowledge of the market, youre more likely to get what youre after.
6) Know what entices potential lenders
Its more than just having a nice job and a good credit score. Remember, they do background checks. If youve never held a job for more than a year, thats a turn off for lenders. Other things can help, too. If you have multiple sources of income, let the lender know about them.
7) Never borrow more than you think you can pay off
This is how American homebuyers got into so much trouble last year. They were knowingly borrowing more money than they could repay in the hope that home and land prices would forever appreciate.
8) Be willing to shop around
Dont grab the first loan anyone will give you. In getting a low interest rate on a loan or mortgage, youll want to look around and see who can offer you the best deal. You may get lucky, but dont count on the first bank you walk into to give you the best overall deal.
9) Dont buy a pricier house than you need
This is more a tip for actually buying a house than it is for getting a loan, but it can help on that front, too. If youre a bachelor, what on earth are you going to do with a two story, two and a half bathroom house? Dont go overboard in selecting your home and the lender probably wont feel that youre asking for too much.
10) Dont be afraid to ask for help
If you need a real estate agent or some expert advice on securing a home loan, then go for it. A qualified home loan professional might save you a vast sum of money.