How To Get A Mortgage (With Infographic)
Here at Patriot Home Mortgage, our mortgage professionals are experts at helping our clients find the mortgage that fits their needs. There is no one-size-fits-all mortgage, so consider these steps as a more general, big picture look at the mortgage process. And if you stop by one of our offices in St. George or Mesquite we can help you hash out the finer details and get you the mortgage financing you need to close on your dream home.
Take a look at this infographic, which lays out the steps in getting a mortgage in a clear and simple way. After the visual overview, we’ll share more in depth information on each of the steps.
1. Check Your Credit
In general, the higher your credit score, the better rate you’ll be able to get on your mortgage. If you have a lower credit score, though, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a mortgage! If you’re in this situation, an FHA mortgage might be the right solution for you. If you don’t think the time is right to purchase a home, you can work to improve your credit and make a financial plan and a timeline for when you will be ready.
2. Get Pre-Approved
Essentially, a mortgage pre-approval is a promise from a lender that based on your financial information you are qualified to borrow up to a certain amount of money. After examining your credit and verifying your income, your lender will give you a pre-approval letter that states how much money you can borrow and at what rate. Pre-approval gives you a better chance at getting the home you want because both the real estate agent and the seller will want to see the pre-approval letter.
3. Choose a Mortgage Type
Our mortgage company works everyday to help our clients in St. George and Mesquite understand their different mortgage options so that you can choose the mortgage type that’s right for you. Here are the types of mortgage financing we offer if you’d like to learn more:
If you find this list overwhelming and are having a hard time figuring out what mortgage financing option is right for you, contact our mortgage company in St. George or Mesquite to schedule a consultation.
4. Find the Right Mortgage Company
While we hope you choose Patriot Mortgage Company for your mortgage financing needs, we also understand that you have many options. We suggest scheduling consultations with multiple mortgage companies, including Patriot, and be sure that the company and lender you choose to go with is the best fit for you!
5. Submit Your Application
Your application for mortgage financing is similar to the pre-approval process, and you’ll need to submit recent financial information that proves your ability to cover the down payment and monthly payments for the mortgage. Here is the information you’ll need as a borrower:
- Tax returns
- W-2s or other proof of income
- Credit history
- Rental history
- Recent bank statements
- Details on long-term debts (like student loans)
- Photo ID and Social Security Number
Depending on the type of home loan you are applying for or your financial situation, you may need to provide other documents than the ones listed.
6. Underwriting
Underwriting is the part of the mortgage process where the lender evaluates your application and finalizes the loan. The lender’s goal is to assess your ability to repay the money you borrow to purchase your home and the amount of risk they would take on by offering you the mortgage. The underwriting process is about both whether you will be approved for the loan, but also how large a loan you can apply for and what your interest rates will be.
7. Close on Your New Home!
Closing is the last stage, and the most exciting part of the home buying process. You will pay the agreed upon down payment and closing costs and sign the prepared documents.
After you have signed the documents you will be given the keys and you can celebrate in your new home!
Patriot Home Mortgage
One of the goals of our mortgage company is to make the mortgage process as clear and easy as possible for our clients in St. George and Mesquite. Our motto is “Helping People Live Better.” And we work to uphold that every single day. Learn more and contact us today to get the mortgage financing process started.