3 Tips for Finding the Best Mortgage Lending

Banda Grafika February 04, 2017

3 Tips for Finding the Best Mortgage Lending

 Buying a home is one of the biggest financial investments the average American will make in their lifetime. Therefore, it’s important to find a lender that you trust and feel good about working with now and in the future. Mortgage lending in Catlin, Illinois, is not a one-size-fits-all process. Buyers who go into the lending process with their eyes wide open will score the best deals.


Here are 3 tips to help you find the best lender for your situation.

Avoid Short-Term Lending

Short-term lending isn’t the same as a 30-year mortgage versus a 15-year mortgage. Short-term lending refers to loans that start out with a great rate, but have a clause that states within so many months your rate could go up. These loans are typically called adjustable rate mortgages (ARM). Only consider a short-term, adjustable rate mortgage if you know you are going to be in a position to refinance before your rate goes up.

Say No to Interest-Only Loans

An interest-only loan may seem like a way to save money because you’re not paying principal, but it’s really a money trap. Remember that at the beginning of the loan, you always pay more in interest than principal. Also, if you’re only paying interest, you’re really not paying down the mortgage and still further away from actually owning your home. Interest-only loans are best for short-term new construction projects that will convert to regular payments once the construction process is complete.

Bad Credit? Shop Around for the Best Loan

Don’t think that a bad credit score means you have to settle for the first lender who will give your application a second glance. Sub-prime lenders were in short supply shortly after the Great Recession, but that was several years ago and the market has turned around. This means that there are more bad credit loan products available for less-than-perfect buyers.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that all these products have your best financial interests at heart. While bad credit buyers will pay more in interest and likely be required to pay points, be wary of lenders who want to exploit your situation. Take your time to weigh all your options. Also, consider taking a couple of years to build your credit and saving money for a generous down payment. These two actions, alone, will put you in a better position to find a loan.

When you follow these tips, mortgage lending in Catlin, Illinois, can be a pleasant, straightforward process.