Category: Loan Origination

When starting the home loan process, you expect to work with a Loan Officer. But you might not be aware of all the behind-the-scenes mortgage team members that work hard to ensure your loan process goes smoothly from application to closing! So, let’s get to know them!

Your Mortgage Team Consists of:

Loan Officer

Your Loan Officer will be your first stop in the home loan process. Your realtor will be able to suggest a trusted Loan Officer but ultimately the decision will be up to you. Purchasing a home is a big decision and you want the best on your side! Your Loan Officer will gather the documentation needed to get your application and prequalification started and will assist you in choosing a program that will best suit your needs!

Production Assistant

Not all Loan Officers have a Production Assistant but if they do, you may often be in contact with them as well. The Production Assistant is an additional set of hands that can assist in collecting paperwork, communicating with various members of the mortgage team, and provides overall support to ensure a hassle-free home loan process.

Underwriter

After the Loan Officer collects what is needed for your loan application, they send it over to the Underwriter for approval. The Underwriter will make the decision whether to make a loan based on your credit, employment, assets, and other factors. Then they will match this risk to an appropriate rate and term or loan amount.

Loan Processor

Another member you will be in contact with throughout the home loan process is your Loan Processor. Your Loan Processor works with you to collect all the necessary documentation for your loan file. This includes pay stubs, W-2 forms, bank statements, and credit report explanations. They work as a liaison between you and the underwriter, title company, and other parties that may be involved to get you to the closing table.

Closer

Finally, we are at the finish line! The Closer reviews all loan-closing documentation to ensure accuracy and that your mortgage loan is fully compliant. They review for errors and work alongside the Processor, Loan Officer, and title company to get anything corrected as need. Once your closing date approaches and all documents are ready, the Closer prepares the loan package and forwards it to the title company for settlement!

The home loan process may seem a bit daunting at first but having the right mortgage team by your side makes all the difference! At First Home Mortgage, we pride ourselves on having a highly qualified mortgage team to ensure you have a stress-free homebuying experience. To find a Loan Officer in your area, visit www.firsthome.com/loan-officers.

To learn more about the home loan process, read our blog post about home loan milestones.

Buying a home will most likely be the largest purchase you ever make.  With that in mind, you might assume having the lowest interest rate is best, but this is not always the case.  The lowest advertised interest rate may not be your best option.  Some lenders and mortgage brokers advertise low rates but don’t inform you of all the additional points and fees that come with the mortgage.  Here are a few tips to take into consideration before rate shopping.

Rate Shopping Tip #1: Look at Points and Fees

Always ask about points, lender fees, broker fees, and settlement costs. Points are pre-paid interest that affects the quoted interest rate.  You can ask to have your points quoted as a dollar amount instead of just a percentage.  For example, on a $200,000 loan, one point would equal $2,000.

Rate Shopping Tip #2: Shop Smart

Interest rates fluctuate daily. Talk to your Loan Officer about when the best time to lock in on a rate is.  First Home Mortgage values honesty and service, so any questions you may have for your Loan Officer will be answered diligently, fairly, and in regard to your best interest. If you contact different lenders, make sure you provide each lender with the same information.  Such information will include the quality of your credit, location, type and use of your property, the size of the down payment, and/or the amount of home equity you have.

Rate Shopping Tip #3: Finding the Best Lender

Customer service may be the most important consideration when shopping for home financing. During the loan process, you should feel comfortable disclosing your financial information and asking questions. A trustworthy lender will be responsive and will assess your situation carefully to best suit your home buying needs. Make sure to choose a lender who can offer personalized options and takes the time to understand your goals.  Just remember interest rates don’t always matter.

If you have any questions or would like to get started on this home-buying journey, contact First Home Mortgage Corporation today!  We provide the mortgage you need to make “home” happen by delivering customer service that not only fulfills goals but exceeds expectations.

Many people have preconceived notions about how to buy a house and what it takes to do it, but they aren’t always true. There are many pervasive myths surrounding the home buying process; read on for 5 misconceptions about home buying.

The First Step is to Look for a House

When someone is interested in buying a home, often times the first thing they do is start looking at houses. Before looking at homes, you should consult with a Loan Officer about getting pre-qualified for a mortgage. There are lots of benefits to prequalification including getting a more concrete estimate of how much you can afford and signaling to sellers that you are serious about buying.

Down Payments Are the Only Up-Front Cost

As nice as it is to think the only up-front cost of buying a home is the down payment, that’s not true. It’s important to keep closing costs in mind. A buyer can generally expect to pay closing costs between 2% to 5% of the loan amount, so it can be a considerable amount. Don’t forget about the cost of a home inspection, too. There are also moving costs to consider as well. It’s important not to completely drain your savings to put towards a down payment as there are these other costs to keep in mind (plus you should keep some money saved for potential emergencies and unforeseen expenses).

You Must Make a 20% Down Payment

The rule of thumb when it comes to down payments is that you should put down 20%. This doesn’t have to be the case. There are an abundance of down payment assistance programs and specialty loan programs available that allow for smaller down payments. For example, FHA loans allow for down payments as low as 3.5%. However, bear in mind that in most cases, you’ll have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) or mortgage insurance premium (MIP) when putting down less than 20%.

Your Credit Score Has to Be High

When it comes to buying a home, the higher your credit score, the better. However, you don’t necessarily have to have a stellar credit score to qualify for a home loan. There are even some loan options specifically tailored towards people with lower credit scores, such as FHA loans. Additionally, there are things you can do to improve your credit score so you’re in a better position to buy.

Don’t Buy a Home in Fall or Winter

Spring is notoriously the most popular time to buy a home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t, or shouldn’t, buy during other parts of the year. While many assume home buying in the fall and winter is something to avoid, it doesn’t have to be. There can even be benefits to home buying during the colder months, such as less competition from other home buyers and particularly motivated sellers.

There are a lot of misconceptions about home buying, so seeking the help of real estate and mortgage professionals can help you clarify what’s true and get you on the right path to homeownership. If you’re interested in learning more about the mortgage process and exploring your options, contact one of our experienced Loan Officers today!

In this day and age, parts of the mortgage process have evolved to include virtual components. It is essential that you take steps to safeguard your personal information and data online. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Apply with a Reputable Lender

It’s important that you choose a trusted lender to handle your mortgage needs. Be sure to do your due diligence when picking a lender and certainly before sending them any information. There are scammers out there who create fake mortgage websites with the goal of collecting your personal information. Check your lender’s NMLS number to ensure it is valid and correct and look for reviews online or referrals from people you know.

Use Secured Networks

You want to use a secured network for all your online dealings but especially when submitting personal information. Avoid using public networks. Make sure you’re on a password protected network that you trust so hackers can’t get in and steal your data.

Be Cautious Responding to Emails

Even if an email appears to be from your bank or loan officer, if it seems suspicious, don’t answer it. Beware of phishing scams that imitate legitimate email addresses with the purpose of gathering your personal information to use and exploit. If you’re unsure an email is on the up and up, reach out to your loan officer to confirm the email is actually from them before you click any links or submit any information. When possible, you should avoid sending sensitive information or documents over email, and instead opt to deliver this information in person or through a secure online portal.

Use Strong Passwords

When creating any online account, you want to make sure you have a strong password. This is especially the case when it comes to accounts associated with your mortgage. Seek to not only meet password length and complexity requirements but exceed them; the stronger the password, the better. Avoid using the same password across platforms. Enabling two-factor authentication when possible is also a good idea as it adds an additional layer of security when signing into accounts.

Trust Your Instincts

If something seems fishy to you, contact your loan officer directly to ensure everything is legitimate and you’re safe to act. It is much better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the security of your personal information and data. When in doubt, give your loan officer a call.

If you’re interested in starting the home loan process, contact one of our Loan Officers today to learn more!

There are a lot of factors to consider when beginning your journey towards a home loan. It can seem overwhelming at first, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. There are some questions you can ask your Loan Officer that can help clarify the situation and get you on the path to the best possible mortgage solution for your needs. Here are some of the questions that may prove helpful when pursuing a new mortgage.

What Types of Loans Are There?

There are many mortgage loan options available and it’s important that you understand what they are so you can ensure you choose the best one for your unique situation. Your Loan Officer should explain the difference between fixed and adjustable rates, the different terms available, and additional special programs you may qualify for. While you don’t need to be an expert on every loan option on the market, you should feel like you have enough of an understanding that you know the loan product you and your Loan Officer choose is the right one for you.

Do I Qualify for Any Special Programs?

When it comes to special mortgage programs and loan types, your Loan Officer will need to ask you some questions to learn more about you and your background in order to determine whether you qualify. For example, to qualify for a VA home loan, there are certain military requirements you must fulfill in order to be eligible. Your Loan Officer should also be able to fill you in on various other special programs such as down payment assistance programs or special programs for first-time homebuyers.

How Much Home Can I Afford?

Getting prequalified can help you determine how much you can afford to borrow. Prequalification offers an estimate of how much home you can afford based on your finances and credit. It’s beneficial to consult a Loan Officer prior to starting your home search as you’ll know what your mortgage budget is so you don’t waste time looking at homes beyond what you can afford.

What Is My Interest Rate and APR?

It’s important to understand what interest rate you’d be getting on your mortgage loan. You should be able to receive a quote from your Loan Officer. You may also want to discuss locking in your interest rate if it’s one you want to ensure doesn’t change. Additionally, you’ll want to ask about the annual percentage rate, or APR, for your loan. The APR is the annual cost of a loan expressed as a percentage and factors in fees and other charges.

How Much Do I Need to Save for a Down Payment?

How much you need to put down depends on your particular loan type and any special programs you may qualify for. The rule of thumb is generally 20 percent of the purchase price but sometimes you’re able to put down far less—or even nothing at all. However, be sure to ask about private mortgage insurance, or PMI, which you’ll likely have to pay if you put down less than 20 percent.

These are just a few of the many questions you can ask at the start of the mortgage process. When you work with an experienced Loan Officer, they will be able to answer these questions and more so you have a solid understanding of what to expect. If you’re thinking about buying or refinancing, contact one of our knowledgeable Loan Officers today to get your questions answered.