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10 Essential Tips for Taking Out Your First Mortgage

Taking out your first mortgage presents a major financial commitment, possibly the biggest one you'll ever make, so it's crucial that you get the best deal available. Getting a mortgage is often not a quick and straightforward process either, particularly since the options available to you will vary depending on factors such as your income, credit score and any past or current borrowings you might have.


#1. Save Up a Large Deposit


In almost all cases, you'll need to have a substantial deposit to pay towards the home you want to buy. Fortunately, those with higher deposits will be able to take advantage of better interest rates and a wider range of borrowing options.


#2. Choose the Right Mortgage Type


There is a broad range of mortgage options available, particularly to those with larger deposits and excellent credit ratings. Most importantly, you'll be choosing between a fixed- and variable-rate package. Fixed-rate mortgages lock you into a specific interest rate for a period of up to five years, making them the best choice during periods of low interest rates across the board.


#3. Understand the Extra Costs


When determining how much you need to borrow, you'll need to factor in the additional costs involved, most of which are unavoidable. Additional costs may include home inspections and real estate fees.


#4. Don't Borrow Too Much


It can make sense to borrow as much as you can if interest rates are at an all-time low, but only if you have something to invest the money in. After all, there's no point in having your borrowed money sitting in the bank while you're paying interest on it. If the home you're interested in buying needs a substantial amount of work done on it, make sure you get some estimates to find out how much you need to borrow.


#5. Check Your Credit Score


Your credit score determines your borrowing power, and this is one of the first things that potential lenders will examine when considering your application. You can check your credit score online for free using agencies like Equifax or Experian. If you have a bad or neutral credit score, your borrowing options will be fewer or even none at all, so it makes sense to work on improving it before buying a home.


#6. Don't Change Jobs


Potential lenders are likely to be turned off by applicants who have recently changed jobs, so it's wise to apply for a mortgage only once you've been in the same job for at least six months. If you're unemployed or still on a probationary period in your job, many lenders will not accept your application unless you have an excellent financial record. Once you have your application accepted, you're free to do what you want.


#7. Eliminate Debts


If you have any existing debts, they may reflect badly on your credit score, in turn making it more difficult to get a good mortgage deal. You may also find yourself in a situation later where your debts have reached such a level that you can no longer afford your monthly mortgage payments. As such, you should always make certain your financial situation is stable and debt-free before making an application.


#8. Provide Proof of Income


All mortgage lenders require applicants to present proof of income so they can decide whether or not the client is able to make the monthly payments. Your monthly pay stubs should provide all of the information you need. If you're self-employed, things can get more complicated, particularly if you haven't been self-employed for a long time.


#9. Overpay When Possible


When choosing a mortgage deal, it is essential not only that you can afford the monthly payments, but also that you will have plenty left over. Since a mortgage is typically a very long-term commitment, you should try to overpay as much as comfortably possible, in order to eliminate the debt earlier on. Paying your mortgage off sooner will look better on your credit score and improve your long-term finances.


#10. Contact a Mortgage Broker

A Mortgage Broker's primary expertise is locating funding for mortgage financing. They know where the best rates can be found. What's more, they have the knowledge required to present a proposal for financing to lenders in the best way possible to successfully obtain mortgage financing.


Final Words

Although you should dedicate plenty of time to researching the best deal, it is important to remember that you're not locked in for the entire duration of the mortgage. You can always remortgage your home later on with a more attractive deal should the opportunity arise. There will be charges involved in transferring your mortgage debt, but the long-term savings can be substantial.

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Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?

There are a multitude of reasons why a homeowner may be considering refinancing their mortgage. However, before any final decisions are made it is always a good idea to consider carefully whether refinancing is a good idea for you.


What is refinancing?

To refinance means to apply for a new loan on your current mortgage. Due to the fact that you are applying for a new loan, you will need to supply your lender with all of the details necessary for refinancing - this will include credit history, income history, your assets and the appraisal of your home to name just a few.


Reasons why most people refinance

The vast majority of mortgage refinances are completed in order to obtain a lower interest rate on a mortgage. After all, a lower interest rate can potentially save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.


Some other reasons to refinance a mortgage would include: 

1.Stabilizing a monthly payment: Some homeowners opt to refinance their mortgages to switch from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed-rate mortgage. When you have a fixed interest rate on your mortgage it is much easier to complete your monthly budget since the payment amount will not change. 


2.Combining two mortgages: Though it is uncommon, some homeowners choose to refinance mortgages so that they can combine the two payments into one. For some, this is just to make things more convenient, while for others it may hold some financial benefits. 


Though refinancing may seem like a good fit for you at this point, there are still a few questions that you need to ask yourself before moving forward. These questions are: 


1.Is there any prepayment penalty on your current mortgage? If so, you will need to figure the penalty into deciding whether the refinance math works in your favor. 


2.What are the upfront costs for the new mortgage? Refinances often come with closing costs so these will need to be accounted for. 


3.How will the refinance impact your tax situation? You may want to speak with an accountant to see if refinancing will change your taxes at the end of the year. 


4.How much money will you save by refinancing? This is the most important question of all. If the refinance isn't going to save you any money there's a good chance it may not be worth completing it. 


Ultimately, your decision on whether to move forward with any refinance deal will depend entirely on your own personal situation. However, don't be afraid to shop around for the best rates and you may soon find a refinance deal that works well for you.

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