QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Lenders typically look at your credit, assets, down payment, income, and debt.

Prequalification is an estimate of how much you will be able to borrow. You supply the lender with some basic information about your income, debts and assets. The lender checks your information and gives you a general estimate of home loan amount and monthly payments. Prequalification only takes a few minutes and it’s free.

With preapproval, lenders review some basics about your finances and provide you with an official letter that states that as long as you meet certain conditions, you will be approved for a specific loan amount and loan program. That allows you to shop with confidence, as sellers often require a preapproval when you go to bid on a home. Learn more about the preapproval step in the loan process.

No. Often before shopping for a home, prospective homebuyers set a budget. Get prequalified or preapproved and we’ll help you determine how much of a monthly mortgage you can afford and how much you might be able to borrow.

No two loans are ever the same, so it is difficult to estimate how long it takes to complete a loan. If you provide us with all of the requested documentation in a timely manner, we will certainly do everything in our power to make sure that your loan transaction is completed as quickly as possible and within any rate lock period specified (if your rate has been locked in).

It depends. Generally speaking, lenders require you to put down between 3.5% to 20% of the home’s value. See the side by side comparison of the mortgage programs.

Typically, if your loan amount is more than 80% of the home’s appraised value, you will be required to obtain private mortgage insurance known as PMI.

A second home is a home you use personally. The mortgage process for a second home is very similar to your primary home mortgage. An investment property is a property you rent out (become a landlord) or buy for the purpose of fixing up and selling at a higher value. This could be an apartment property, condominium, or single family residence.

Not necessarily. Even if you have had credit problems, you may still qualify for a loan. Your credit score is only one of the factors to qualify for a loan. Lenders also look at your employment history, income, debt, and cash reserves.

Conventional loans usually require a minimum down payment of 5%. FHA mortgages are available for as little as 3.5% down. VA mortgages have a no-down payment option for eligible veterans.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is automatically terminated at 78% loan-to-value/22% equity (based on the amortization schedule) if the loan is current or has reached the midpoint of the payoff. You can also sometimes request that it be cancelled at 80% loan-to-value/20% equity.

Yes. Even if your current mortgage balance is more than your home is worth, you may still be able to refinance and lower your monthly payment. To find out if you qualify, get started by applying online now or call a mortgage experts at 805-237-8811.

We’ve helped thousands of homeowners get the home loan assistance they need. We can help you find a program that fits your particular situation and see if you qualify for a refinance, loan modification, or other home loan assistance program.

Refinancing has many benefits, depending on your financial goals. You can refinance to lower your rate, pay off your loan sooner, get cash out of your home to pay for a big purchase (i.e. education or home improvements), or switch from an Adjustable Rate to a Fixed Rate.

You should always make your next mortgage payment unless instructed otherwise, as any defaults/delinquencies may negatively impact your credit.

Once your loan has been closed/funded and its servicing has been transferred, you can contact your new servicer to setup and schedule an auto payment.

No two loans are ever the same, so it is difficult to estimate how long it takes to complete a loan. If you provide us with all of the requested documentation in a timely manner, we will certainly do everything in our power to make sure that your loan transaction is completed as quickly as possible and within any rate lock period specified (if your rate has been locked in).

Unless this is a purchase transaction with an estimated closing date, the exact closing date for your loan is not typically known until the processor and underwriter have reviewed your application in its entirety and fulfilled any other conditions/documentation requested for it. We will definitely do our best to make sure that the transaction is completed as timely as possible.

Conventional loans usually require a minimum down payment of 5%. FHA mortgages are available for as little as 3.5% down. VA mortgages have a no-down payment option for eligible veterans.

A credit check occurs at the beginning of the loan processing, and we are also required to perform another credit check right before your loan closes. You should avoid opening any new credit accounts, or even increasing the limits of your existing ones, as this may affect your qualifying ratios and cause unintended delays or even the denial of your home loan.

There are different formulas and models used to calculate your credit score, depending on the type of credit report that is obtained. A free credit report typically provides scores based on a “consumer” model, whereas the FICO® scores provided by your lender are based on a “mortgage” model. Because the information on your credit report is weighed differently depending on which model is used, there will be discrepancies between the scores.