If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may find yourself in need of a mortgage loan. Over 60 percent of homeowners have a mortgage, so becoming familiar with the loan process can be beneficial to your homebuying journey.
What is a mortgage?
A mortgage is a legal agreement between a borrower and a lender where the borrower, once approved for a set amount, pays back the lender over a specified term.
Most mortgage loan terms range from 10 to 30 years, with the 30-year term being the most popular as it often comes with lower monthly payments. However, it’s good to note, the longer you take to pay off the loan, the more money you’ll pay in interest over the lifespan of the loan.
Get ready for preapproval
Getting preapproved for a mortgage loan is a great first step, as it allows you to see if you qualify. It also can give you a good idea of the financing you’ll have to work with to purchase a home. During the preapproval process, your lender will collect your financial information to see if you meet their borrowing requirements.
You’ll most likely will need to provide W-2s, tax return info, your credit score and a few other items for preapproval verification.
What is a mortgage composed of?
A mortgage loan is made up of 4 primary components that include the principal, tax, insurance and interest.
The principal amount is the amount of funds still left to pay off the loan, whereas interest is the fee your lender charges for taking out their loan.
Your mortgage provider may also collect property taxes on your behalf through your monthly mortgage payment to be used annually. If you put down less than 20 percent on your home’s down payment, your loan provider may require you to pay for mortgage insurance to protect them if you default on the loan.
Owning a home and paying for a mortgage is a significant commitment, so consider speaking with a lending officer. They can help you explore your options, get a better understanding of the process and find the right loan for your next home purchase.
About the Author
Kimberly Hering
Kimberly Hering's devotion to helping people achieve their real estate goals stems from her genuine enjoyment of the process. Whatever the task, Kimberly makes it her mission to get it done, however she can, without compromising her client's needs. Often, that means thinking outside the box. After working with Kimberly, clients describe her as being Trustworthy, Creative, Patient, Highly Skilled, Attentive to the Process and having a lot of Integrity.
After spending more than 15 successful years working on Wall Street, Kimberly transitioned into Real Estate, joining Alain Pinel Realtors, then moving to Zephyr, now Corcoran Global Living, in 2018. During her career on Wall Street, Kimberly was a Vice President working as an Institutional Equity Salesperson for Montgomery Securities for 10 years. She covered the top money managers throughout the US and Canada. She joined Jefferies & Co as a Senior Vice President managing the Western Region Institutional Sales group, while continuing to cover the top money managers.
Kimberly leverages her extensive experience selling equities to top money managers throughout the US and Canada, to successfully negotiating any Real Estate transaction seamlessly for her clients. Kimberly is well versed in Marin's neighborhoods, towns, cities, and education system.
Living in the Bay Area for 35 years, 25 years in Marin and having 2 sons in local Marin schools, Kimberly spends a lot of time volunteering in the community and serving on various local Boards. Kimberly has a collection of resources ranging from the best local breakfast spots to vetted contractors. With her reliable list of valuable resources, Real Estate experience and unsurpassed knowledge of Marin's many communities, Kimberly can guide her clients through every aspect of a Real Estate transaction seamlessly.
Relocating to Marin, downsizing, upsizing, first time home buying, final home purchase or sale, or a lot to build a dream home, no matter the undertaking, Kimberly works seamlessly until the job at hand is completed with 100% satisfaction.