Mortgage in Dallas - 10 Important Questions to Ask!

Below are some important questions you should ask your lender before you begin the process of obtaining a mortgage. If you would like to learn more about important questions to ask, as well as any other information about your situation, feel free to contact one of our trained mortgage specialists.

1. What is the interest rate on this mortgage?

To determine exactly what you will pay over the term of the loan, you need to know the rate. Rates can change quickly, and if your credit is less than perfect, you may not be offered the lender's lowest figure.

To effectively compare different lenders' programs, ask for the annual percentage rate (APR) of the actual mortgage interest. This is generally higher than the initial quoted rate because it includes some fees. But beware: the APR found in advertisements can be misleading. Not all Mortgage lenders include all the fees they charge in the calculation that determines APR, so customers who use that figure to shop rather than an itemized breakdown of rates, points and fees may end up comparing apples to oranges.

2. What are the closing costs?

Mortgages include fees for various services provided by lenders and other parties involved in the transaction. You will want to know what those fees will be as early as possible. Lenders are required to provide a written good faith estimate of closing costs within 3 days of receiving a loan application.

3. How many discount and origination points will I pay?

Lenders may actually charge prepaid mortgage interest points to lower your interest rate or other points that have no benefit to you. Find out how many you will be expected to pay and which kind of points they will be.

4. When can I lock the interest rate and what will it cost me to do so?

Your interest rate may fluctuate between the time you apply and closing. To prevent it from going up, you may want to lock the rate, and even points, for a specified period. Ask your lender if lock fees apply. Also, find out what the experts are expecting rates to do.

5. Is there a prepayment penalty on this loan?

There could be a prepayment penalty on your loan. Some penalties are 1% of the loan amount, others are equal to 6 months' interest, some apply only when you refinance or reduce the principal balance by more than 20%, and some kick in if you sell your home. Find out the duration of any penalty period and how that penalty is calculated. Some lenders offer lower interest rates to buyers who accept prepayment penalties.

6. What is the minimum down payment required for this loan?

The rate and terms of your loan will be based on a down payment figure, typically 3% to 20% of the buy price. If you can put more money down, you may be able to lower your rate and improve your terms; if you come up short, you may be required to get mortgage insurance.

7. What are the qualifying guidelines for this loan?

These requirements relate to your income, employment, assets, liabilities and credit history. 1st time home buyer programs, VA loans and other government-sponsored mortgage programs typically offer easier qualifying guidelines than most conventional loans.

8. What documents will I have to provide?

Most lenders will require proof of income and assets before approving your loan, and they may require other documents as well. Buyers with excellent credit may qualify for a no-documentation or "no-doc" loan, but they can expect to pay a hefty down payment and a higher interest rate.

9. How long will it take to process my loan application?

The answer depends on a number of variables. When the loan business is brisk, underwriters get backed up, verification takes longer, appraisals move slower and other bottlenecks develop along the loan pipeline. Lenders may say 2 weeks, but 45 to 60 days is probably more realistic in most cases. You will need their best guess to determine how long to lock in your loan.

10. What might delay approval of my loan?

If you provide the lender with complete, accurate information, the loan process should run smoothly. If the underwriter discovers credit problems, however, there could be delays. Make sure you notify your lender if you change jobs, increase or decrease your salary, incur additional debt or change marital status between the time you submit an application and the time the loan is funded.