First time home buyers often face some common barriers to qualifying for a new loan: poor credit, feeling a bit overwhelmed, and a lack of knowledge about available options. Here are 5 tips to get you on the road to home ownership.

Tip #1: Start now to improve your credit score: Having a low credit, or FICO, score is one of the biggest barriers to qualifying for a mortgage for first-time buyers. This is even true for people who have perfect payment histories and very little outstanding debt. Why? Because those two items only make up 65% of your credit score.

The remaining 35% of your score reflects your status in these areas: length of credit history, amount of recently-approved or “new” credit, and variation in types of credit currently extended to you. All of these latter three factors particularly affect first-time buyers. What to do? Start improving your credit score right away.

Tip #2: Educate yourself about all of the loan factors: If you have never applied to or been accepted for a home loan before, it is natural that you may not know about all of the factors to consider when applying for a loan. There are multiple ways to structure your loan and a myriad of variables above and beyond just the rate you are getting. If you are just calling around asking for a good rate, you will likely get into a mortgage situation that does not take into account all of your needs. Make sure you educate yourself about all of the options available to you before you start making phone calls.

Tip #3: Be persistent despite feeling overwhelmed: For those who have never owned a home, the idea of borrowing $100,000 or more can certainly sound daunting. This feeling of being overwhelmed can often cause would-be borrowers to put off applying for a mortgage for yet another year. If this is you, it means just another year you will not be building equity in or enjoying your new home. It is natural to feel a bit overwhelmed, but make sure that this feeling does not stop you from moving forward and making it happen.

Tip #4: Learn about unique financing options: Did you know in many cases it is possible to borrow against your IRA without incurring any sort of early withdrawal penalties? This is a privilege that people buying their second or third home do not have. Also: many locales have their own first-time buyer programs that give substantial incentives for people in your situation. Make sure you know all of your options before making your decision.

Tip #5: If you get turned down, call at least 10 more lenders: Nobody likes to be rejected for a loan. But, if you are rejected the first time, call 10 more lenders. It is not the case that one size fits all and the situation of each lender is unique in terms of your eligibility. Also, contrary to popular belief, multiple credit report queries in a short span like 2-3 months from multiple mortgage lenders will not hurt your credit score.

Buying your first home should be an exciting, rewarding experience. By improving your credit score, being persistent in the process and educating yourself about your options, you could soon find yourself in the home of your dreams with a payment you can afford.

By: Jed C. Jones Ph.D.

Type of loan

The type of loan that you select has a significant impact on the home loan rate. A variable rate loan may start out at a low rate and quickly escalate to a much higher rate. In fact, this is one of the major reasons why homeowners find themselves in trouble when they purchase a home with monthly payments that are at the limit of their personal affordability and then the payments increase because the interest rates increase. A fixed interest rate may cost slightly more than a variable loan to begin with, but you know what the rate will be in two years.

Economy

The economy of the nation has an impact on the home loan rate, particularly if the loan as a variable rate loan. Often the loan rate is tied to the prime interest rate plus a certain number of points. Of course, when the economy is slowing down, loans are somewhat harder to get and the qualifying process may be more stringent. When the economy is booming and loans are easy, more people can qualify to get a mortgage loan because the restrictions are less onerous. People are more willing to take a chance on a larger loan when they feel positive about the state of the economy.

Credit score

When applying for a new loan, the loan broker will almost always check the credit score before deciding what the home loan rate will be. The higher the credit score of the potential borrower, the better deal can be put together with the broker. Conversely, if the credit score is low or if there is little credit history, the loan is likely to cost more or require a higher percentage of the total as a cash down payment. Careful attention to making mortgage payments in full and on time will allow the borrower to create a new a better credit history so that a refinance later will have a better rate.

Loan Term

Theoretically a loan can be for any length of time, and this factor is one that many potential borrowers don’t think about. They just assume the best home loan rate will be at a 30 year mortgage term. Even conventional loans can be taken for 15 years, 20 years or 25 years. Shorter term loans cost much less in interest over the term of the loan, so even at a higher monthly payment and the same interest rate, the shorter term loan is a better deal, with significantly less money paid in interest.

Balloon payment

Another common way to structure a mortgage loan that will affect the home loan rate is whether or not there is a balloon payment attached to the payment of the loan. Often a mortgage will be structured to run for two or three years with a very low interest rate at the end of which there is a balloon payment that is the balance of the loan. At the end of the initial period, often the rate will increase, or the monthly payment will jump. Sometimes the entire loan is refinanced at that point.




By: Alan Lim

There are many factors that determine the home loan rate that you will be charged on a new or refinancing mortgage loan. Knowing and understanding how each of the variables affect the interest rate will help you to make the best choice of loan.

Type of loan

The type of loan that you select has a significant impact on the home loan rate. A variable rate loan may start out at a low rate and quickly escalate to a much higher rate. In fact, this is one of the major reasons why homeowners find themselves in trouble when they purchase a home with monthly payments that are at the limit of their personal affordability and then the payments increase because the interest rates increase. A fixed interest rate may cost slightly more than a variable loan to begin with, but you know what the rate will be in two years.

Economy

The economy of the nation has an impact on the home loan rate, particularly if the loan as a variable rate loan. Often the loan rate is tied to the prime interest rate plus a certain number of points. Of course, when the economy is slowing down, loans are somewhat harder to get and the qualifying process may be more stringent. When the economy is booming and loans are easy, more people can qualify to get a mortgage loan because the restrictions are less onerous. People are more willing to take a chance on a larger loan when they feel positive about the state of the economy.

Credit score

When applying for a new loan, the loan broker will almost always check the credit score before deciding what the home loan rate will be. The higher the credit score of the potential borrower, the better deal can be put together with the broker. Conversely, if the credit score is low or if there is little credit history, the loan is likely to cost more or require a higher percentage of the total as a cash down payment. Careful attention to making mortgage payments in full and on time will allow the borrower to create a new a better credit history so that a refinance later will have a better rate.

Loan Term

Theoretically a loan can be for any length of time, and this factor is one that many potential borrowers don’t think about. They just assume the best home loan rate will be at a 30 year mortgage term. Even conventional loans can be taken for 15 years, 20 years or 25 years. Shorter term loans cost much less in interest over the term of the loan, so even at a higher monthly payment and the same interest rate, the shorter term loan is a better deal, with significantly less money paid in interest.

Balloon payment

Another common way to structure a mortgage loan that will affect the home loan rate is whether or not there is a balloon payment attached to the payment of the loan. Often a mortgage will be structured to run for two or three years with a very low interest rate at the end of which there is a balloon payment that is the balance of the loan. At the end of the initial period, often the rate will increase, or the monthly payment will jump. Sometimes the entire loan is refinanced at that point.




By: Alan Lim