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As a home buyer, you are frequently overwhelmed by the idea of obtaining a new home mortgage. While the prospect of buying a new home is certainly exciting, you will want to know what to expect when you begin the mortgage process.
The first step in understanding a new home mortgage is in understanding that there are actually many different types of mortgages available. The two most common types of mortgages are fixed rate mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages. A fixed rate mortgage offers the advantage of the same interest rate over the entire length of the loan. So, if you obtain a 5.5% interest rate on your mortgage when you purchase your home, you can be assured that your interest rate will remain 5.5% until you sell your home, pay off the mortgage or refinance your home loan. This can be especially advantageous for home buyers who are committed to a budget and do not want any surprises.
An adjustable rate new home mortgage can offer a lower interest rate at the time you purchase your home. If you do not think you will be in the home longer than a few years, this can be quite attractive. The key to keep in mind with an adjustable rate mortgage is that the interest rate could rise at some point in time; however. In most cases, an adjustable rate mortgage will contain cap limitation, both the amount that the rate can rise as well as how often it can rise during a specified period of time.
You will also need to consider the term of your new home mortgage. At one time, the most common terms for a home loan were 15 years and 30 years. Today; however, lenders have recognized that the needs of homeowners have evolved and as a result, there are many more options including 10 years, 20 years and even 40 years. When choosing a term for your loan, remember that a shorter term mortgage will allow you to pay off your mortgage sooner and save money in interest overall; however, your monthly mortgage payments will be higher. A longer term mortgage will provide the benefit of lower monthly mortgage payments; however, it will take longer to pay off your mortgage and you will pay more interest over the duration of your mortgage.
Beside the type of new home mortgage and term, your mortgage payment will also be dependent on your ability to qualify for the best interest rate. Lenders must take into consideration the amount of risk they may be incurring when they approve a home mortgage application. If you have a low credit score, they may feel you are a higher risk. As a result, you may not be able to qualify for a low interest rate. If your credit score is good, then you will be considered a lower risk and consequently, you can qualifier for a better interest rate. This means your monthly mortgage payment will be lower.
Finally, the amount of debt that you are carrying could impact the interest rate you are able to qualify for. As a general rule of thumb, most lenders prefer for an applicant’s total housing costs not to exceed 30% of their pre-tax monthly income and total debt not to exceed 36% of their total pre-tax monthly income. There are exceptions in some cases; however, so be sure to speak with your new home mortgage lender about your situation.
