10 Expert Tips for Managing Your Home Mortgage

Buying a home is an exciting time for most Americans. After all, your home is where you'll live and raise a family, but it's also a major investment. A home mortgage is a loan that allows you to finance your house with monthly payments. According to Forbes, about 63% of homeowners have mortgages, and there are many things you should know about your home mortgage before making that leap.

1. Understand the Contract Terms

Never sign a mortgage contract without understanding all the terms. Read it over as many times as you need to, and don't be afraid to contact a lawyer who can assist you so you can understand the fees that are involved. Be aware of any penalties for late or missed payments. Check your interest rates and see how they may go up over time. Of course, be aware of your mortgage payment schedule and if there is a penalty for paying it off early.

2. Make Timely Payments

A mortgage is a major responsibility, and you should treat it as one of your expense priorities. Remember, your home is where you live, and you don't want to put yourself in a situation where you may end up in foreclosure or have other legal strikes against your home, such as a tax lien or judgment. Do your best to make timely payments so you can stay on top of your mortgage. Making timely payments also helps ensure that you maintain a strong credit rating.

3. Pay Extra

When you sign a mortgage contract, you'll know exactly how much you should pay every month. However, just like your credit card or any other revolving account, it's always a good idea to pay extra whenever you can. After all, the sooner you pay off your mortgage, the sooner you will be out of that large amount of debt. Being free of your mortgage loan can be a major weight off your shoulders and can also free you up to do upgrades on your home.

4. Avoid Additional Debt

When you take out a mortgage, you're taking out a large amount of debt. For most people, a typical mortgage loan is six figures. Therefore, it's in your best interest to avoid taking on additional debt, unless it's something you know you could pay back immediately. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a situation where you're swimming in debt and can end up in bankruptcy. If you were someone who relied on credit cards to do all of your shopping, you may want to save those for an emergency or get rid of them.

5. Get Several Home Insurance Quotes

Home insurance is a must for your house. Home insurance is there to protect your home in case something goes wrong out of your control. In the event of a natural disaster or timely repair of your home, insurance is there to cover you. However, like any other insurer, all home insurance providers are not created equal. Do your due diligence and contact several home insurance quotes before you decide on the right one. You'll often need to decide on a home insurer when you sign your mortgage.

6. Keep Up With Market Changes

The real estate market changes all the time. As a result, interest rates can go up or down. The type of homes that people are buying can also drastically change. As a matter of fact, in the past few years, tiny homes and portable houses have started to become more commonplace in the United States. By keeping up with market changes, you can make sure that you're staying on top of anything that can affect your mortgage. After all, such changes may determine whether you need to refinance or not.

7. Learn About Refinancing

Many homeowners end up refinancing their homes at some point. Refinancing can provide a great way for you to save monthly payments by lowering your interest rate. Before you decide to refinance, do the same type of leg work that you did to get your original mortgage. After all, if you're not aware, you could easily get scammed if you're not dealing with a reputable provider.

8. Research Your Lender

One of the good things about getting a home mortgage is you're not at a loss for choices. All mortgage lenders are not created equal, and you have different providers to consider. You may be able to get a mortgage right from your bank or credit union. Credit unions often have better rates compared to regular banks. Be sure to find out about special programs that you can benefit from.

For example, if you served your country as a veteran, you're eligible for a mortgage that doesn't require any money down. If you're a first-time homeowner, look into the government lending program, known as the FHA Loan, in which you only pay 3% down. Paying 0% to 3% in a down payment is a major savings from the typical 20% most homebuyers are expected to make.

Make sure to find out what is right for you. While some programs look great on paper, it doesn't mean it'll be best for your situation. Don't be afraid to get more advice about buying a home from other mortgage professionals who can help you compare the different programs.

9. Get What You Can Afford

Before taking on a home mortgage, be realistic about what you can actually afford. Many people make the mistake of taking on a mortgage for the full amount they were approved for. For example, just because you were approved for a mortgage totaling $600,000 doesn't mean it's a good idea to get one for that amount. You can always get one for a lesser amount, such as $200,000 or $300,000 if it makes sense. The rule of thumb is to compare your regular income as well as your debt-to-income ratio. Remember, your mortgage won't be the only bill you'll be paying, as you'll still have to pay for utilities, food, and other life expenses.

10. Keep Track of Your Credit

When people apply for a mortgage, they understand that they have to show their credit score and report. After doing all that work to get your credit score up and get the highest score possible, you may breathe a sigh of relief once you finally sign a home mortgage contract. However, just because you have a mortgage on deck doesn't mean you should start to ignore your credit score or history. After all, a day may come when you'll need to refinance, or when you want to buy a new home. Keeping your score high can ensure you always get the best interest rates available. In other words, a low or a high credit score can be the difference between an interest rate of 3% versus 7%.

As you can see, taking on a home mortgage is a great deal of responsibility. It's a major financial obligation and you want to understand everything involved. Do your research and stay on top of your credit report, compare mortgage lenders, find the best special program available, and keep up with your monthly payments. To learn more about what goes into mortgages, business loans, and more, contact our local team at Capital Bank today.