Be Prepared when Seeking a MortgageWhen you're looking for a mortgage, whether it's a first time loan or you're taking advantage of an opportunity to refinance an existing mortgage, it may seem that you're wading through a quagmire of uncharted territory. If you're prepared ahead of time, you'll avoid some of the common pitfalls and know how to find the best deal for your situation. Remember that you are the consumer and that you are shopping for a service. That means that you have the right to be treated as a customer. Ask questions and keep asking until you get all the answers you are looking for. If a potential lender is reluctant to spend the time addressing your concerns, you don't have to do business with that particular company. In today's market with the opportunities to shop for a mortgage online, finding a lender is the least of your worries. Look for the best interest rates, but also search for a lender who offers the mortgage without the high closing costs. There are likely to be some requirements for closing the loan. You may be asked to pay for an appraisal, home inspection and even a survey if property is involved in the transaction. Those are fairly standard but be wary of a company that charges a large additional fee for closing costs though you can expect a moderate fee. A lender is a business and as such, is in business to make money. That means that you as the consumer should expect to pay for the service, but comparing fees and interest rates will help you find the best possible deal on your mortgage. Finally, be aware of unbelievable claims. A company that promises you'll be approved for a loan regardless of credit is probably making promises that they can't keep. If you're asked to pay an application fee with this guarantee, you could be wasting your money. In some cases, the lender will approve the loan, but will make unreasonable requirements for repayment or down payment. If you then can't meet the terms, the company will have fulfilled their promise - they did offer you the loan. Your application fee is typically non-refundable and you've simply lost that money. Mark Lambie is the founder of The Loan House a website that allows consumers to quickly and easily get mortgage quotes and mortgage information.
MORE RESOURCES updated Wed. October / 09 / 2024 Today's Refinance Rates by State – Oct. 7, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage and refinance rates today, October 6, 2024: Rates increase in response to jobs report Yahoo Finance Rate-And-Term Refinance Locks Surge 700% Over Previous Year National Mortgage Professional The Top 10 States Looking To Refinance—for Lower Rates, HELOCs, and Other Reasons - Realtor.com News Rate-and-Term Refinance Locks Surge 700% Over Previous Year Following the FOMC’s September Interest Rate Reduction The Janesville Gazette Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 6, 2024 | Rates up As Big Fed Cuts Become Less Likely Business Insider Mortgage Refinance Rates Climb to Two-Month High Investopedia Column | You don’t have to refinance your mortgage to cut your interest The Washington Post These Are the Pros and Cons of a Cash-Out Mortgage Refinance U.S News & World Report Money Today's Refinance Rates by State – Oct. 8, 2024 Investopedia What are today's mortgage refinance rates? Yahoo Finance Mortgage Refinance Rates Rise to 7-Week High Investopedia Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of October 2024 Business Insider Mortgage and refinance rates today, October 5, 2024: Rates surpass 6% for the first time in weeks Yahoo Finance Refinance Rates Today: Compare Mortgage Refinance Offers Business Insider Housing market update: More than 4 million homeowners could refinance their mortgages - Fast Company 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 4, 2024 | Rates Up Following Strong Jobs Report Business Insider 30-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates Business Insider Best mortgage refinance lenders of October 2024 Yahoo Finance Should I refinance my mortgage in 2024? Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 7, 2024 | Why Are Rates Higher This Month? Blame the Strong Economy Business Insider Today's Refinance Rates by State – Oct. 3, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop Back Investopedia How to Decide If a Mortgage Refinance Is Right for You U.S News & World Report Money Data Spotlight: The Impact of Changing Mortgage Interest Rates Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Mortgage Refinance Rates Dip Lower - Sep 30, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Hold Near 19-Month Low Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Keep Moving Higher Investopedia Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 5, 2024 | Rates Tick up Near 6% in Response to Labor Market Strength Business Insider Mortgage Refinance Rates Are Down, But Should You Refi to a 30-, 20-, or 15-Year Mortgage? Investopedia Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Now That the Fed Just Cut Rates? Kiplinger's Personal Finance Mortgage Refinance Rates Shoot Up from 19-Month Low Investopedia What current mortgage refinance rates mean for your situation CNN Underscored Rates remain elevated ahead of jobs report - Current mortgage rates for October 2, 2024 Bankrate.com Is Now the Right Time to Refinance Your Mortgage? Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Oct. 2, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Refinance In Canada Forbes The Feds Just Lowered Interest Rates! So Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Now? Philadelphia magazine Today's Refinance Rates by State – Sept. 19, 2024 Investopedia The Mortgage Refinance Window Finally Cracks Open Bankrate.com Mortgage rates are down now that the Fed has started cutting rates. Is it time to consider refinancing? Business Insider Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop – Sept. 5, 2024 Investopedia Refinancing Medical Student Loans: Best Lenders of October 2024 The Wall Street Journal Mortgage Interest Rates Today, September 30, 2024 | Rates Are Low. Will They Go Lower This Year? Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 3, 2024 | Rates Stay Put as Labor Market Continues to Show Strength Business Insider 30-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates Sink to Cheapest Level Since Early 2023 – Sept. 12, 2024 Investopedia Earnest Student Loans Review U.S News & World Report Money
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