When you refinance your existing mortgage, you are essentially paying off the existing mortgage debt and replacing it with a new loan. Many of the same costs are involved in refinancing a loan as are in first-time financing.
To start with, the lender will need personal information to verify employment for you and your co-borrower (if there is one). They will also need information regarding all of your debts and assets, including your existing mortgage.
In order to expedite the paperwork process, start gathering the following items: Last two years Tax Returns including W2s, last two months Paystubs and bank statements.
What costs are involved? There are no-cost and low-cost refinance loans available, and some or all of the fees and closing costs may be waived with these types of loans. This is a brief rundown on fees that could be associated with a refinance loan: Underwriting , Processing , Appraisal, Escrow, Title Insurance and Notary fees.
Just as you encountered in your original loan, your lender will be required to provide you with a Truth-in-Lending Statement that outlines the fees associated with your new mortgage loan. Let us help you evaluate your personal situation and assist you in finding the loan program that works best to meet your long-term goals.
Shopping for the Right Mortgage: Finding a mortgage that’s right for you should be easy. But there are often many different programs to choose from, as well as a myriad of ways to structure the loan in terms of the amount, term, payment, rate, closing costs…the list of options may seem endless. However, because there are so many options available, it’s important to seek advice from an experienced mortgage professional who has your best interest at heart. The first step in determining which program is right for you is to ask yourself the important questions listed below. These questions can also help you confirm that you’ve chosen the right mortgage professional as well, because he or she should be asking you the same questions before trying to put any mortgage in place:
How long do you anticipate living in your home? Do you expect any changes over the next few years, such as expanding your family or having children go off to college or even move away? Do you expect any changes in income due to promotions, relocation, retirement, inheritance or pension? Are you expecting a change with regard to your investments? When it comes to investment strategies, are you conservative, aggressive or somewhere in between?
Avoid Changes to Your Financial Profile During the Loan Process
Once your loan package has been sent to the lender, there are a number of things you should avoid doing that will change your financial picture. Remember, the lender is looking for stability and consistency. If you want the best interest rate, keep that in mind. Here are a few things to consider:
The lender is looking to see what your source of down payment is.
Your lender will most likely ask you to provide proof of your liquid assets. This includes bank statements for checking and savings accounts, verification of investments, and any other liquid assets. Some of the things they ask for may seem trivial, but keep in mind, if you are planning a move to a new home, it’s important to have all documentation readily available. If the lender asks for cancelled checks or deposit receipts to meet certain conditions, you want to be able to find these things quickly to avoid delaying the closing of your loan. Make sure your paper trail is easy to document, and don’t move money from one account to another.
Major purchases tip the scales against your favor.
Avoid making any major purchases. You might be thinking about purchasing new appliances for the new home. This is not the time to do it. Avoid making any major purchases on jewelry, appliances, furniture, vacations, or anything with a significant price tag.
Buying or leasing a car can make a negative impact on the way the lender views your financial status. This is a big ticket item that dramatically affects your debt-to-income ratio. You may feel you have room in your budget to purchase a new car, and think this is a worthy investment if you are looking for a home that will mean a longer commute for you on a daily basis. But by tacking a car payment onto your existing debt, you reduce the amount that you will qualify for in a home loan. A $400 a month car payment can reduce your approved loan limit by as much as $50,000. Think about doing this after your loan is approved if you really need it.
If you have to change jobs, you may be asked to document why this change occurred.
If you are changing jobs to increase your income, that’s a no-brainer for the lender. If you have an erratic work history to start with, another job change may make it look worse for you.
If you are an hourly wage employee, most likely a job change will have no effect on your ability to qualify for a loan. If you have a track record of a consistent amount of overtime or consistent bonuses over the last two years, the lender views this favorably. If you change jobs, there is no way of knowing if the new employer will pay overtime. Many do not! If you work on a salary + commission or straight commission basis, it has a dramatic effect on your stability. If you are considering starting your own business, again, this is something to consider after your loan is funded. “By Ed Eissa”