Did you know that more than 16% of people who applied for mortgages in 2020 got denied?

Buying a home and signing a mortgage contract can be an overwhelming moment, especially when you apply for the wrong things.

If you want to get the best loans possible, you should consider all of your mortgage options.

Continue reading to learn more about what a mortgage contract is and how you can get one!

Discover What a Mortgage Is

There are a few ways to obtain a mortgage contract loan when you go to purchase a home.

Promissory notes and deeds of trust are alternative ways of getting a loan. If you only want to pull a lien on a property, promissory notes are best. Deeds of trust give the owner certain rights to a property.

What makes mortgages so unique, however, is that they give the owner all of the rights to the property. This means that they can sell the home, make changes, and are responsible for all of the payments.

Below are a few types of mortgage loan options to consider.

FHA Loans

If you are worried about paying a mortgage, you should research the Federal Housing Administration.

The FHA will assist with your loans. This comes in handy when selling a property won’t pay off the foreclosure amount. These loans give money to people who can’t cover all of the costs of moving.

People with low credit scores benefit most from this type of loan since other options pay more attention to scores.

VA Loans

Have you ever been in the United States military or are you currently a part of it?

If so, you are entitled to VA loans. The US Department of Veteran Affairs is helping people get homes through lenders. Specific borrowers can use this type of loan, and it’s protected even if you can’t pay the loan back.

Many people that qualify use this mortgage route since it is often the cheapest choice.

Conventional Loans

Lenders typically don’t like to give conventional loans since there aren’t any guarantees.

Conventional loans are a great option for people who have a strong credit score. If you have a lot of debt, you should look into other loans since this one can quickly become expensive. These loans often have a large upfront payment when you buy a home. 

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s requirements get met with conventional loans. Talking to private mortgage investors will help you determine if you should get a conforming or non-conforming loan.

Pre-Approved vs Pre-Qualified

If you want to buy a home, you must learn about the pre-approval and qualification requirements.

These steps are meant to speed up the purchasing process and prevent people from considering a home that they can’t afford. Pre-qualification is the first step that will give you a range of loans that you may qualify for. Your consumer spending data will help lenders calculate a reasonable amount.

Pre-approval is the next step, where lenders have committed to a conditional mortgage. Credit checks and more thorough research will be done by the lender to ensure that you can pay them back. You will recieve an exact amount that you will get approved for at the financial institution.

Both of these steps take a few days, but the process goes by fairly quickly.

Documents to Gather

While you are getting pre-qualified and pre-approved, you’ll want to start gathering a few documents.

Before you can sign a mortgage contract, your lender will want to review your tax returns and bank statements over the past couple of years. You may need to obtain gift letters, renting history, and references from previous landlords.

Always bring a copy of your photo ID or passport when handling mortgage details. Lenders will need it to verify your identity and for filing purposes. Your lender or financial advisor will notify you of other documents that will be necessary to provide proof of your ability to pay.

Details in a Mortgage Contract

Mortgage contracts are important documents that will give you all of the details about your loan.

Your interest rate and fixed or adjustable rates will get included in the contract. If you aren’t able to make payments, the consequences are identified within the document. Prepayment penalty conditions are also stated in the contract.

When you go to sell your home, you will need your mortgage details to monitor how much you owe in escrow and if you need to cover any differences.

Prepare for Mortgage Payments

Once the contract gets signed, you will be responsible for making payments on the property.

It’s important to understand the expenses before signing so that you don’t get in over your head. Sit down with your partner or financial advisor to discuss a reasonable amount that you can pay each month. The principal balance will account for most of your monthly payments.

Aside from paying down your principal balance, you’ll also be covering interest and taxes. Most contract homeowners insurance, which can be another large expense.

Will Your Mortgage Contract Sign Your Life Away?

If you are nervous about signing your mortgage contract, there are a few things you can do.

By understanding what’s included in a mortgage, you can prepare your finances and improve your credit score. Depending on your credit and spending habits, you may qualify for a better loan with lower interest rates. If you are or have ever been a service member, you can get some of the best loans possible.

Don’t be afraid to talk to financial advisors about your loan so that you don’t find yourself in debt.

Make sure you read our website for more information about buying a home and managing your finances!