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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much cash will I need to purchase a new home?
How much home can I afford?
Should I get pre-approved for a mortgage before I shop for a new home?
What is the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?
What documentation will I need when I apply for a mortgage loan?
What types of mortgages are available?
What is an impound or escrow account?
What is a lock period?
Will you loan on investment property?
Will my loan be sold?

How much cash will I need to purchase a new home?

Typically, there are four cost categories when financing with a mortgage.
Down Payment: This can range from as little as zero for qualified borrowers, to whatever you can afford to put down.
Closing Costs: The lender will likely impose fees for performing certain services, as will third-party service providers such as appraisers, title examiners, and closers. Depending upon your loan size, closing costs could range from 1 to 2 percent of the loan amount.
Points: Points are usually considered optional fees that are used to buy down the rate of interest. Not every loan requires you to pay points.
Pre-Paid Items: Pre-paid items include recurring costs such as interest, Real Estate Taxes, and Hazard Insurance. These fees, which are collected at the time of closing, can differ depending upon several variables such as the interest rate and the time of month you close. For a no-obligation “Good Faith Estimate” of how much cash you will need to purchase the home of your dreams, contact one of our loan officers.

How much home can I afford?

Down Payment: The greater the down payment, the more home you will be able to afford.
Income: Lenders typically take a percentage of your qualifying, gross monthly income to arrive at a maximum housing payment that includes principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI). This percentage can vary from program to program, but usually ranges from 28 percent to 33 percent of gross monthly income.
Debt: The greater your debt load, the less monthly income will be available to service the debt on your new home, the less home you can afford.
Credit: Your credit history will also help determine how much home you can afford. A low credit score tells a lender you are a higher risk. To compensate for that risk, the lender will usually charge a higher rate of interest. The reverse is also true: a higher credit score will usually afford you a market rate of interest.

Should I get pre-approved for a mortgage before I shop for a new home?

Absolutely! Getting pre-approved for your mortgage will allow you to focus on homes you know you can afford, and lets seller know you are a serious buyer who can afford the house being offered. Pre-approval helps you stand out in the event of multiple offers and gives you negotiating strength.

What is the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?

Pre-qualification represents a mortgage professional’s opinion, in which little information, if any, has been verified. A pre-approval is the result of verifying credit, income, and assets, and represents a decision as opposed to an opinion.

What documentation will I need when I apply for a mortgage loan?

W-2 forms for the past two years
Bank statements (showing assets to close) going back sixty days

What types of mortgages are available?

Our loan officers can offer you a wide array of mortgage products, including the following:
  • Fixed Rate Mortgage: This loan offers a fixed rate of interest over the term of the loan—usually 15 or 30 years. A fixed rate means a fixed payment of principal and interest, which is desirable for long-term budgeting. This program is best when rates are low and the borrower plans to own the property for the long-term.
  • Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM): This loan usually offers a below-market interest for a fixed time period—usually one, three, five, seven, or ten years. After then, the interest rate, along with the principal and interest payment, will adjust with the movement of the economy. This loan is best for those borrowing in a high fixed-rate environment, or for those who plan to live in their new home only a short time.
  • New Construction Mortgage: This loan allows the borrower to lock in an interest for an extended period of time, usually the construction period; as completion draws near, the borrower can elect to relock if rates have improved.
  • Home Equity Lines/Loans: A home equity line, or loan, can be used in combination with a suitable first mortgage to purchase a home; if you are putting down less than 20 percent of the purchase price, the home equity loan can help you avoid having to pay mortgage insurance. These loans can also be used to help manage the equity in one of the largest assets you will ever own: your home. A home equity line can be put into place when the home is purchased, or later, and the equity drawn from the line can be used to make major purchases, such as a vacation home, car, or college education.

What is an impound or escrow account?

An impound or escrow account allows you to include, with your monthly principal and interest payment, a small portion of the cost toward your Real Estate Taxes and Hazard Insurance. The lender sets these additional funds aside until the Tax or Insurance bills come due, then pays the amount due from the account. Under some programs, an impound/escrow account may be mandatory; under others, it may be optional—although you may have to pay a fee to exercise that option.

What is a lock period?

Borrowers may have the option of “locking” in an interest before the loan closes. This action protects you against rising interest rates and guarantee your rate for a certain period of time, usually ranging from 15 to 90 days. You must close during your lock period to ensure closing with that rate.

Will you loan on investment property?

Yes. Our loan officers can loan on investment property, as well as on second and vacation homes, from one to four units in size.

Will my loan be sold?

Your loan may or may not be sold. Mortgage loans are considered assets to the lender who services them, just like stocks or bonds, and can be bought or sold as the company deems necessary. It is not a refection of the quality of your loan or the strength of your lender. Rather, yields and maturity dates are the among the biggest considerations in such sales, which usually take place in large “blocks.”

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