Going through the home loan application process is often an intimidating experience for people, especially for people who have experienced trouble getting loans in the past. If you want to get approved for a loan when you apply, here are the top three things you should do before you contact a mortgage lender.
Pay Off Your Debts
To begin, write a list of all the debts you have so that you can see where you stand with your debt load. Having debts is not a horrible thing if you want to get approved for a loan, but having certain types of debts is a bad thing. Credit card debt is one of the worst types of debts you could have, and you should see if you can find a way to pay off your balances before applying for a loan. If you can, you should, as this will help you qualify a little easier for a loan. If you have a car loan, you do not need to worry about paying that off right away. Lenders expect borrowers to have car loans and other types of structured loans.
Improve Your Credit
Secondly, you will need to get a copy of your credit report to see where you stand with that. Your credit score will affect your ability to get a loan, and it will also affect the type and quality of loan you qualify for. As you scan through your credit report, do you see things that are dragging down the score? For example, do you have an unpaid, past-due debt on the report? If so, pay it off. Do you see things that should not be on your report? If so, dispute them. You may need to spend a few months working on this step before you are ready to apply for a loan.
Save Up Some Money
Finally, you should look at your saving's account balance to see if there is enough for a down payment. If not, work on saving up more money. Saving money typically takes a lot time, and it might require giving up some things, but it will help you qualify for a home loan.
The application process for a home loan can be lengthy and overwhelming, but it is a necessary step for getting a loan. If you would like more details about home loan programs, talk to a mortgage lender today.
For more information, talk to companies like Mortgaged LA.