For many individuals in Blue Ridge, VA, purchasing a home is a necessity. It's a place to raise their children, and it provides community. However, it also brings on a high cost that is typically covered by a home mortgage. When a person decides to go through this process, they will want to analyze and compare mortgage rates that are available. Wirefly makes the process of doing this simple by offering a home mortgage analysis tool. It saves a person a great amount of time and helps them find a mortgage loan with a low interest rate. By taking the time to compare different home loans, a person will increase the chances of saving money over the long run.
If you are looking to purchase a new home in the Blue Ridge, VA area, you will likely need some sort of a loan in order to finance this large purchase. Nowadays, even the least expensive homes are valued at over $50,000. This makes it nearly impossible to purchase a home using cash. The question is, then, what do you need to do to obtain a home loan? And what factors are taken into consideration when determining your interest rate? When you are looking for a mortgage you will, of course, want to find one with the lowest interest rates that you possibly can. These are a few of the steps you will need to take when looking for the best mortgage with the lowest rates. When you finally locate your dream home, your real estate agent will probably have a few recommendations for you in the way of lenders. These will usually be described as “preferred lenders” that they have worked with in the past. You should always take this referral with a healthy dose of skepticism. Keep in mind that your real estate agent’s job is to close the sale as quickly as they can, not get you the best deal on a mortgage. Finding and securing a home loan is a long and arduous process that should not be rushed. This is especially true if this is your first time buying a house. Your priority should be on finding the best rates.
Check out both small, local lenders and big name, national companies when looking for a mortgage. Compare their rates online so you can truly be sure you are getting the best deal. Wirefly offers great mortgage tools that will let you easily compare rates from a variety of lenders in Blue Ridge, VA. The main determining factor of your interest rates is your credit score. Before you apply for any home loans, try to boost up your credit score as much as possible. This way you can be sure that you are being offered the best rates.
Mortgage loans in Blue Ridge, VA are designed for all types of buyers. Some individuals may be purchasing their home for the first time, and others may be refinancing to receive a lower interest rate. When a person goes to shop for a loan, they will find two main categories: conventional loans and government-backed loans. Conventional loans can be set up so that a person pays a fixed rate or a variable rate.
Fixed rate mortgages are typically offered in time spans that equal 30 years or 15 years. When a person decides to use a 30 year fixed-rate loan, they end up paying a fixed amount for the mortgage every month for the next 30 years. Their payment will go towards both principal and interest. Their interest rate will also stay fixed for those 30 years. In contrast, a 15 year fixed-rate loan has a time span that equals 15 years. This type of home loan will have a lower interest rate, but it will also have a higher fixed payment each month. An advantage of choosing a 30 year fixed-rate loan is that it makes a mortgage more affordable due to the lower monthly payments. However, a disadvantage is that a person will carry this type of loan for twice the time of a 15 year fixed-rate loan. A person must decide which is best for their budget.
An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) is another type of conventional loan that is chosen by some individuals. It is easiest to show how this type of loan works with an example. A 3/1 ARM is a popular adjustable rate mortgage that is offered in Blue Ridge, VA. If a person chooses this option, they will pay a fixed rate for three years and pay a variable rate for the next 27 years of the loan. This option is usually a wise choice for individuals who will not be staying in a house for an extended period of time. If a person thinks that they will be living in the home for longer than five years, they may want to consider a fixed-rate loan as interest rates could continue to rise year after year. They would be stuck with higher mortgage payments if they initially chose an ARM.
There are other choices that you need to make rather than just a fixed-rate or an adjustable-rate. Government-backed loans, such as FHA, USDA or VA loans, are available, or you can obtain a conventional loan. A conventional loan is not backed by the federal government. The requirements for a conventional loan are different than those for FHA, VA, or USDA loans.
The Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, insures loans that are run by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. This is a section of the federal government. All types of borrowers are eligible to apply for FHA loans in Blue Ridge, VA, not just first-time homebuyers. These loans are less risky for lenders because the government insures them if you default on the loan. Normally, the down payment amount only needs to be 3.5% of the cost of the loan. With this type of loan, you do need to pay mortgage insurance, so your monthly payment will be higher.
Before refinancing your Blue Ridge, VA mortgage, you first have to understand that you’re basically applying for another home loan. When you are refinancing your home loan, you might be forced to settle all closing costs and any additional charges if your application happens to gain approval. Another factor worth your consideration is as to whether or not a refinanced mortgage will help you save some money in the long run. If refinancing your home loan proves to offset most or all of your financial savings, then that means that you are subject to losses. Therefore go for loans with the lowest interest rates. However, interest rates increase whenever you refinance your home loan from fixed-rate mortgages to adjustable-rate home loans. For the best home loans rates in Blue Ridge, VA, ensure that you keep your credit score as high as possible. A high credit score builds confidence amongst lenders since it proves that you are an individual with a little risk due to your ability to repay loans on time. In this case, your credit score acts as your collateral. You can achieve the best credit scores reducing your overall debts, and by you only applying for mortgages with fixed interest rates only. With fixed interest rates, you can repay your debts in time. Although the standards of acquiring home loans in Blue Ridge, VA are strict, people with low credit scores are also able to gain access to these loans.
