Planning to get a mortgage starts with a great deal of research. You need to understand your local laws, how to find a lender and more. To begin your learning, read the article below as it is chock full of great advice which you can’t get a new mortgage without.

Have at least 20 percent of the purchase price saved. Lenders will want to verify that you have not borrowed the money, so it is important that you save the money and show deposits into your checking or savings account. Down payments cannot be borrowed; thus it is important to show a paper trail of deposits.

If you are having difficulty refinancing your home because you owe more than it is worth, don’t give up. A program known as the HARP has been created so homeowners can refinance their home even if they are not in a good situation. Speak to your mortgage lender to find out if HARP can help you out. If your lender still refuses to cooperate with you, then find one who will.

Try shopping around for a home mortgage. When you do shop around, you need to do more than just compare interest rates. While they’re important, you need to consider closing costs, points and the different types of loans. Try getting estimates from a few banks and mortgage brokers before deciding the best combination for your situation.

If your mortgage has been approved, avoid any moves that may change your credit rating. Your lender may run a second credit check before the closing and any suspicious activity may affect your interest rate. Don’t close credit card accounts or take out any additional loans. Pay every bill on time.

If you are offered a loan with a low rate, lock in the rate. Your loan may take 30 to 60 days to approve. If you lock in the rate, that will guarantee that the rate you end up with is at least that low. Then you would not end up with a higher rate at the end.

Do not allow yourself to fall for whatever the banks tell you about getting a home mortgage. You have to remember that they are in the business of making money, and many of them are willing to use techniques to suck as much of that money out of you that they can.

Try giving your lender a chance to help you with mortgage payment problems. If you struggle to make payments, do not ignore your lender’s services. There are various new programs to help you keep up with your mortgage payments like forbearance if you have an FHA mortgage. Lenders are generally happy to work out any delinquent loans via loan modifications, or possibly short sales if you can’t afford to keep your home. It can be difficult to deal with them over this, but communication is key.

Avoid paying Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI), by giving 20 percent or more down payment when financing a mortgage. If you borrow more than 80 percent of your home’s value, the lender will require you to obtain LMI. LMI protects the lender for any default payment on the loan. It is usually a percentage of your loan’s value and can be quite expensive.

Ask a lot of questions of the mortgage lender you plan to use. The lender should answer your questions clearly, without being vague. If a lender dodges your questions or refuses to give a straight answer, you know it’s time to look for a new home mortgage lender to work with.

Rebuild or repair your credit before shopping for a home mortgage. A good credit history and credit score qualifies you for a better interest rate. It is also frustrating to find the perfect house but not qualify for the loan you need. Taking the time to fix your credit before buying a house will save you money in the long run.

Never sign home mortgage paperwork that has blank spaces. Also, make sure you initial each page after you read it. This ensures that terms cannot be added after you sign. Unscrupulous lenders may be inclined to add pages to your contract which you did not read, and this protects you from this practice.

Let your social circle know that you are trying to get a mortgage. Friends, family and even coworkers can be wonderful sources of referrals and first hand testimony as to who to use or avoid. Get online and seek out reviews and feedback from previous customers to get a feel for who is right for you.

Look into credit unions. There are many options for obtaining financing and credit unions have their strengths. Often credit unions will hold mortgages in their private portfolio. Banks and other financial institutions routinely sell mortgages to other holding companies. This could result in your loan changing hands multiple times over its lifetime.

Shop around for the best home mortgage. Ask for referrals from friends or family members who have recently applied for a home mortgage. They will give you first hand advice about how the mortgage broker performed. Additionally, ask your real estate agent for referrals of good mortgage brokers in your area.

During your application for a home loan, get a rate-lock. A rate-lock in writing guarantees certain terms and interest rates for a given period of time. Set the rate-lock “on application” instead of “on approval”. The lock-in period needs to be long enough to allow for factors that can delay the loan process.

Pay off more than your minimum to your home mortgage every month. Even $20 extra each month can help you pay off your mortgage more quickly over time. Plus, it’ll mean less interest costs to you over the years too. If you can afford more, then feel free to pay more.

Since you have read all of the advice in this article, you should feel confident in taking the next steps towards securing your mortgage. All you have to do is use each tip to its fullest extent. Soon enough, you’ll have the mortgage you need and your finances will be back on track.