First time buyer mortgage tips

May 11, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Mortgages

Buying a home for the first time can be one of the most exciting, and most stressful events of your lifetime. The sense of independence and the excitement about selecting your new home are great fun. However, the process of looking for a home and searching the market can be exhausting. Perhaps more exhausting is the process of getting financing to purchase your new home. There are lots of options and lots of considerations when looking for the best new home loan. It is important to understand what you are getting into and to know where to go for help. Let’s take a look at several important first time buyer mortgage tips that can make your buying experience more fun than frustration.

The first thing to know about buying your first home is that many lenders have programmes in place to assist first time buyers. This assistance includes basic support during the selection and shopping process. More specifically, some lenders have nice rate plans and packages designed to help first time buyers get a fair loan opportunity despite the lack of previous homeowners and mortgage history.

Another of the more important first time buyer mortgage tips is to keep in mind all of the costs that go into buying a home and getting a mortgage. Mortgages obviously have repayment plans that include principle and interest provisions. Additionally, there are costs to close a loan including bank fees, appraisal fees, inspection fees, local council fees, application fees, and more. These expenses are typically paid by the borrower at the close of the sale and mortgage.

Consider whether you want to obtain mortgage insurance protection as well. Some lenders have notoriously pressured borrowers into taking on expensive insurance premiums by bundling mortgage protection with the new mortgage loan. New provisions from the Competition Commission require a 7 day delay between the close of a mortgage and the sale of mortgage insurance by the lender. You need to use this time to explore options in the independent insurance market to get less expensive protection. This mortgage payment protection helps you keep up with monthly mortgage payments if you face involuntary redundancy. Some plans also cover prolonged illness or accident. The benefits of the insurance replace a significant portion of your monthly income.

Finally, remember to carefully calculate all the expenses you will have in your new home when contemplating your buying range. Some people mistakenly believe they can afford to buy a bigger house than they should and end up being forced to foreclose because they cannot keep up with monthly payments. Objectively consider the costs of your new mortgage, including homeowners insurance, along with the other potential costs noted.

Here is a quick reminder of the most important first time buyer mortgage tips:

  • Look into lender programs that assist first time home buyers
  • Carefully consider all costs that go into buying a home and getting a mortgage
  • Consider whether to obtain mortgage insurance protection
  • Calculate all expenses with your new home and only buy what you can afford

Featured Products