Steps You Should Take Before You Start Applying For Mortages, Not After
If you’re looking to buy a house at any time, you’re most likely going to need a mortgage. But before you start applying, you should really take the time to prepare. Getting a mortgage when you’re not at your financial best can tie you into a financial agreement that you may not be able to keep to, in the long term. Here, we’re going to look at a few steps that you should take before you start applying.
Know how much you can borrow and pay
Take the time to look over your money, to know how much you’re bringing in, and how much you’re able to free in your budget to pay off a mortgage. You should keep in mind that, aside from a mortgage, you also have fees to consider. That said, the truth is that if you’re already paying rent, you’re already likely to be able to pay a mortgage. They tend to shake out as less expensive, the problem is that many renters have trouble building up the downpayment they need for their mortgage due to the amount of rent that they’re paying. You should also look at mortgage calculators online, so you can get a better idea of how much you’re likely to be able to borrow. You don’t have to borrow the maximum available, but it’s good to know the scale you can operate within.
Get your finances under control
You want to make sure that your finances are in the best position possible before you apply for a mortgage. Aside from having plenty saved up to pay the downpayment, you may want to take the time to whittle down any debts and pay them off in advance. Take the time to look at your credit rating as well, and do what you can to repair or build upon it. If you have events like a default or a CCJ on there, you might want to consider waiting before applying as events like this can hinder a lender’s decision. That said, there are mortgages available for those who have marks like these on their records.
Ensure that you’re organised in advance
Take the time to do your own mortgage research, find out what the condition of the market is at the moment, including standard interest rates, and take the time to use mortgage comparison sites to get an idea of the best deals that might be available to you. Of course, you may choose to enlist the help of a broker, who can offer insights into parts of the lending market that you might not otherwise find, but you still want to make sure that you’re well-informed enough on your own to have some agency in your decision. Make sure to get your paperwork ready, as well, such as a photo ID, bank statements, proof of regular income, and the like.
A common mistake of young homeowners is to not take care to ensure that their mortgage works for them, meaning they’re paying more than they should for their home, which can make it harder to keep climbing up that property ladder. Don’t let that happen to you.
