Mortgage Loans

Loan Tips For First-Time Home Buyers

Written by George Spearov

There are many types of first time home buyers loans available. Some are through the government, and some are through private lenders. The most important thing to do is to research all the different options and find the one that is best for you and your situation.

Buying your first home can be a daunting task, especially if you have no experience in real estate or with buying properties. 

There are plenty of ways that first-time home buyers can get access to cash to help them buy their first house without having to mortgage their future. 

A first-time home buyer loan is a loan for purchasing your first property as an individual. They are available from banks and other lenders who specialize in lending money for the acquisition of residential property by individuals who have not owned a home before. 

Things to consider when taking out a loan for your first home?

How much money can you afford to borrow to buy your first house? This will depend on a few factors. 

  • Your current income
  • Your current debts
  • Your credit score
  • Your down payment

Generally speaking, the higher your income and credit score, the more money you will be able to borrow. If you have a large down payment, you may also be able to borrow even more money.

For instance, if you have a credit score of 700 to 719 and can put down 20 percent, you may be able to secure a 5.833 percent interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. If your credit score is 660 to 679, you may be able to get an interest rate of 6.66 percent. For, people with credit scores of 800 or above may be able to get an interest rate around 5.5 percent

Different Types Of Loans

There are a few different types of loans that first time home buyers can apply for. The most common type of loan is a fixed-rate mortgage, which has a fixed interest rate and monthly payments that remain the same over the life of the loan. 

Another common type of loan is an adjustable-rate mortgage, An adjustable-rate mortgage is a loan with an interest rate that can change over time. With this type of mortgage, you may end up paying less interest by the end of the loan. Some home buyers are not comfortable with the potential fluctuation of interest rates, as base rates can change depending on decisions made by the Federal Reserve.

There are also government-backed loans like the FHA loan, which has lower interest rates than traditional mortgages to provide more access for those without much money. And finally, there’s the VA loan which offers veterans significant discounts on their monthly mortgage payments.

  • FHA loans are available to first-time home buyers with a minimum credit score of 580. Borrowers with a credit score between 500 and 579 can qualify for an FHA loan with a 10% down payment. Borrowers with a credit score of at least 580 can qualify for a FHA loan with a 3.5% down payment.
  • VA loans are available to eligible active duty service members, veterans, and their surviving spouses. 

Fees

The fees associated with the loan for first time home buyers can vary depending on the type of loan that is being taken out. For example, an FHA loan will have different fees than a conventional loan. The fees can also vary depending on the lender that you use. It is important to compare the fees from different lenders before you choose a loan.

Credit Score Impact

The impact of the loan on your credit score for first time home buyers will depend on a many factors, including the size of the loan, the interest rate, and the repayment schedule. Generally speaking, the larger the loan, the higher the interest rate, and the shorter the repayment schedule, the more your credit score will be affected.

10 Requirements For A First-Time Home Buyer 

  1. You must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident.
  2. You must be at least 18 years old.
  3. You must be an individual and not a corporation, LLC, or trust. 
  4. You cannot have a mortgage at the time of application. 
  5. You must have a down payment.
  6.  You must have a regular source of income.
  7. You must be able to provide documentation verifying your income and assets.
  8. You must be able to provide documentation demonstrating that you are buying your first home. 
  9. You must have a good credit history. Your credit score should fall between 600-850, depending on the lender you’re applying through. 
  10. Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) must be less than 36 percent upon application approval.

How to Shop for a Loan that is right for you?

There are a few things to consider when shopping for a first time home buyer loan that is right for you. 

First, there are different types of loans available, so you will want to make sure you are looking at the right type for your needs. 

The second is the interest rate. You will want to find a loan with a competitive interest rate that fits your budget. 

The third is the term of the loan. This is the length of time that you have to repay the loan. The most common terms are 15 years and 30 years, but you may also see terms of 10, 20, or 25 years.

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FHA Loans and HUD Homes

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulate many different types of lending institutions, including banks, credit unions, and mortgage companies. Each of these institutions has different lending requirements, so it is important to shop around and compare rates before choosing a lender.

The FHA is one of the largest sources for financing for single family homes in the US. An FHA loan is a loan that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration. 

The FHA loan is a popular option for first-time home buyers because it has more flexible lending standards than a conventional mortgage. The reason for this is that the FHA loan allows buyers to put down as little as 3.5% for a down payment. Additionally, the FHA loan has more lenient credit requirements than other loan options, making it a good option for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit.

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a department in the government that helps people have access to affordable housing. HUD’s mission is to help create strong communities and quality affordable homes for everyone. 

HUD’s work to improve the housing market includes initiatives to increase access to affordable housing, reduce barriers to homeownership, and support sustainable homeownership. 

HUD also works to protect consumers by enforcing fair housing laws and regulations, and by providing resources and information on housing rights and responsibilities.

The government offers many different programs for first time home buyers, including tax breaks, low interest loans, and down payment assistance. These programs can make buying a home more affordable for those who might not otherwise be able to do so. 

The Docs 

Your lender will send the Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before the loan closes. The Closing Disclosure is a document that provides borrowers with final information about their loan before closing. 

This includes the loan terms, your projected monthly payments, and how much you will need to pay in closing costs. 

The Closing Disclosure also outlines the fees associated with your loan, so that you will know how much the loan will cost you in total.

The loan documents usually have the promissory note, mortgage or deed of trust, and other related papers. 

The lender will also provide the borrower with a Truth in Lending Disclosure Statement and other disclosures required by law. 

The borrower should read all these documents before signing them. 

The Closing 

The day you’ve been waiting for is finally here! 

You’ll meet your real estate agent at your new home to do a final walk-through. If everything looks good and you’re happy to sign the documents, the buyer and seller will both meet with a closing agent and sign the final paperwork to transfer ownership of the property.

There are things the buyer needs to bring to the closing.

  • Their legal representative
  • A certified or cashier’s check to cover the down payment and closing costs
  • A valid ID-Proof of homeowners insurance
  • The signed Agreement of Purchase and Sale
  • A letter from your insurance company stating you have homeowners insurance

Congratulations! Now you get the keys!

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Final Thoughts

It’s exciting to buy your first home, you can only do it once. 

Before you step out the door to look at houses it’s important to learn about the whole process of buying a house from start to finish so that you know what to expect and there are no surprises. Researching ahead of time will also help you avoid any problems.

Shop around and do your research to find the best mortgage deal for your circumstances. A mortgage broker can be a good option, but make sure to compare rates and terms from many lenders to get the best deal.

Along the way you will need to contact certain people or businesses to help you in your journey. It is vitally important that you have a great Realtor™. Ask friends and family if they could recommend someone they know is trustworthy and not lazy. 

For any other contractors, inspectors or other professionals you need to ask your Realtor™ as they are a wealth of knowledge and have already vetted the best professionals to help.

Last thing; have fun- buying a house is the largest purchase you will ever make but it should fill you with a sense of joy and satisfaction.

*Editorial note: The content of this post is based on the author’s opinions, and should not be considered as fact or advice. We recommend seeking professional help when dealing with financial issues.