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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions home loan. See the most common topics and more.

  • What documents do I need to prepare for my loan application?
    Below is a standard list of documents that are necessary to begin the qualifying process. Since every situation is unique, please know that it is not unusual for your mortgage professional to ask for additional documentation. Your Property – Copy of signed sales contract including all riders – Verification of the deposit you placed on the home – Names, addresses and telephone numbers of all realtors, builders, insurance agents and attorneys involved – Copy of Listing Sheet and legal description if available (if the property is a condominium please provide condominium declaration, by-laws and most recent budget) Your Income – Copies of your pay-stubs for the most recent 30-day period and year-to-date – Copies of your W-2 forms for the past two years – Names and addresses of all employers for the last two years – Letter explaining any gaps in employment in the past 2 years – Work visa or green card (copy front and back), if applicable
  • What is an APR?
    The annual percentage rate (APR) is an interest rate reflecting the cost of a mortgage as a yearly rate. This rate is likely to be higher than the stated note rate or advertised rate on the mortgage, because it takes into account points and other credit costs. The APR allows homebuyers to compare different types of mortgages based on the annual cost for each loan. The APR is designed to measure the “true cost of a loan.” It creates a level playing field for lenders. It prevents lenders from advertising a low rate and hiding fees. The APR does not affect your monthly payments. Your monthly payments are strictly a function of the interest rate and the length of the loan. Because APR calculations are effected by the various different fees charged by lenders, a loan with a lower APR is not necessarily a better rate. The best way to compare loans is to ask lenders to provide you with a loan estimate of their costs on the same type of program (e.g. 30-year fixed) at the same interest rate. You can then delete the fees that are independent of the loan such as homeowners insurance, title fees, escrow fees, attorney fees, etc. Now add up all the loan fees. The lender that has lower loan fees has a cheaper loan than the lender with higher loan fees. The following fees are generally included in the APR: – Points – both discount points and origination points – Pre-paid interest. The interest paid from the date the loan closes to the end of the month. – Loan-processing fee • Underwriting fee • Document-preparation fee – Private mortgage-insurance – Escrow fee The following fees are normally NOT included in the APR: – Title or abstract fee – Borrower Attorney fee – Home-inspection fees – Recording fee – Transfer taxes – Credit report – Appraisal fee
  • What are points?
    A point is a percentage of the loan amount, or 1-point = 1% of the loan, so one point on a $100,000 loan is $1,000. Points are costs that need to be paid to a lender to get mortgage financing under specified terms. Discount points are fees used to lower the interest rate on a mortgage loan by paying some of this interest up-front. Lenders may refer to costs in terms of basic points in hundredths of a percent, 100 basis points = 1 point, or 1% of the loan amount.
  • What does it mean to lock the interest rate?
    Interest rates can change from the day you apply for a loan to the day you close the transaction. If interest rates rise sharply during the application process it can increase the borrower’s mortgage payment unexpectedly. Therefore, a lender can allow the borrower to “lock-in” the loan’s interest rate guaranteeing that rate for a specified time period, often 30-60 days, sometimes for a fee.
  • Should I pay points to lower my interest rate?
    Yes, if you plan to stay in the property for a least a few years. Paying discount points to lower the loan’s interest rate is a good way to lower your required monthly loan payment, and possibly increase the loan amount that you can afford to borrow. However, if you plan to stay in the property for only a year or two, your monthly savings may not be enough to recoup the cost of the discount points that you paid up-front.
  • When should I refinance?
    It’s generally a good time to refinance when mortgage rates are 2% lower than the current rate on your loan. It may be a viable option even if the interest rate difference is only 1% or less. Any reduction can trim your monthly mortgage payments. Example: Your payment, excluding taxes and insurance, would be about $770 on a $100,000 loan at 8.5%; if the rate were lowered to 7.5%, your payment would then be $700, now you’re saving $70 per month. Your savings depends on your income, budget, loan amount, and interest rate changes.

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