top of page

Let's Dive Into Loan Options

A woman looking at a tablet computer in one hand and a piece of paper in the other

How can you be sure you’re making the best decision about your home financing? There are so many choices, different requirements, and special programs ... it can make your eyes cross. You’ve got nothing to fear, however — your intrepid Loan Officer (that’s me) is here to help you choose the best financing for your personal needs!

When you apply for your mortgage, I’ll be asking you a lot of questions about your finances, and my team will need to gather paperwork from you. If you can get started gathering these things now, it will help your application move along more smoothly when the time comes.

 

Documents to gather include:

  • Most recent tax returns

  • W2s and/or 1099s

  • Recent bank statements

  • Recent paystubs

  • Residence history

  • A list of all your debts, such as credit cards, car loans, student loans

  • A list of all your assets, including investment and retirement accounts

 

Choices, Choices ...

Different loans for different folks: What suits your sibling or neighbor may not be right for you. Do you have 20% of the sales price in cash as a down payment? If so, you may want a conventional loan. Short on cash? An FHA loan only requires 3.5% down. Here are a few other common types of loans:

Conventional loans are good for people who have good credit and funds for a larger down payment. Conventional 97 loans are good for people who have good credit, a low debt-to-income ration, and can pay a 3%* down payment. FHA loans are good for people who have limited cash on hand and lower credit scores. VA loans are good for people who are veterans, active duty members, or military spouses. USDA loans are good for people who want to live in a rural area. Guess what, most of this country is eligible for this loan! Jumbo loans are good for people who are buying homes that cost more than the conforming loan limit set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. FHA 203 k loans are good for people who are buying an owner-occupied fixer-upper or a home that needs major renovations. Construction loans are good for people who plan to build a new home from the ground up.

This chart is for example purposes only and does not fully outline the specific requirements of each loan program. Program rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change at any time.

And we haven’t even talked about fixed rates and ARMS, or buydowns, or balloon payments, or down payment assistance programs. All of these options will be considered once we have your complete application in order to help you select the loan that's right for you.

 

*Down payment amounts are not guaranteed and depend on a variety of circumstances. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Certain restrictions may apply.

bottom of page