By Nick Simmons


If you are looking to buy a house, then you need to find the right kind of mortgage. Various lenders offer different kinds of mortgage packages. Knowing which lender to approach and what mortgage package to choose can help get you the best mortgage deal and lead you one step closer to owning that dream house.

To determine the right mortgage package, look at the price of the house you want. From this price, subtract the amount of down payment needed. The resulting sum is the amount you need to borrow to pay for the house.

The bank will take into consideration your current income, your credit scores, and your down payment amount and then will determine the amount of money you can borrow to purchase your home. You can then make a decision between the two types of standard rate mortgages - a fixed interest rate mortgage or an adjustable rate mortgage.

After determining the amount you can borrow, you are then given an option to choose among the several kinds of mortgages, the most common of which are: a fixed-rate mortgage and the mortgage with an adjustable rate. From the name itself, a fixed-rate mortgage means that the interest rates and the monthly payments on the mortgage remain the same throughout the term of the loan. The rates of interest are always higher on this type of mortgage because there is less risk involved.

The biggest advantage of the adjustable rate is the lower interest rate it typically offers thus providing a lower principle loan payment. The glaring con to the adjustable rate mortgage is the fact that the interest rate typically increases over time, directly related to market changes, therefore making it difficult to predict or budget for mortgage payments.

In addition to these two main types of mortgages, you can also opt for a combination of fixed-rate mortgage and adjustable-rate mortgage whereby the loan is locked in to a fixed interest rate for a certain period before allowing the interest rates to increase. Ask around because there are banks that also allow you to choose how much you want to pay on a monthly basis.

When choosing a convenient mortgage, it is always best to inquire about its annual percentage rate. This includes the rates of interest along with the other costs of the mortgage.

Should you opt for a short-term mortgage, bear in mind this type of mortgage usually requires a higher monthly payment. On a final note, it also helps to be aware of closing costs or settlement costs. You definitely want to avoid surprises when it comes to additional fees.




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