- Loan officers at a bank work for the bank.
-
Mortgage brokers
work for you and have a fiduciary relationship.
- Most banks cooperate with mortgage brokers.
- You can go to a broker and obtain a loan through
a bank.
- Most banks will offer you a menu of programs
while a loan broker will offer a
menu of lenders. Banks and mortgage brokers are under different
government controls.
- A complaint regarding a bank would go to the
State Department of Banking.
-
A complaint regarding a loan broker would go to
the State Department of Real Estate.
Contact someone from each source to see what special programs they
have to offer.
Selecting a Mortgage Lender:
You
should pick a mortgage lender based on experience, customer service
and recommendations. Work with a mortgage lender who is experienced in
the business, knows the availability of the different type loans and
how to handle the demands of processing. Don't make the decision based
solely on which lender is offering the lowest rates. If a company is
offering a mortgage package that is well below market rates, you
should beware. All mortgage companies generally choose from the same
pool of investors. A company offering abnormally low rates might make
up the difference by increasing closing costs or tacking on additional
settlement fees.
How
Much Can I Qualify For? Most
mortgage lenders require your housing payments not to exceed 25-33%
(depending on your down payment) of your gross monthly income called
"housing expense ratio". Your total debt payments should not exceed
33-38%, figured on a monthly basis. This figure is called your "total
debt ratio". Use the
home mortgage calculators
to find out how much you can afford.
How Much Do I Need?
Besides setting aside money for a down payment, you will need money
for closing costs. Those costs can range from $3,000 to $10,000,
depending on the type of loan, the loan fees and the community the
property is located in. The smartest and most time efficient thing to
do is get pre-approved up front, before you start looking for a home.
Next, find an agent familiar with the area you want to live and you
are comfortable with. Educate your self about local property values
and the current market trend.