How to Get the Best Mortgage

John Mussi This is a guide on how to get the best mortgage deal. Do not rush into the first offer that is made to you even if you are in a hurry for a mortgage. Take your time, check out what is on offer from local banks, building societies and mortgage brokers. The more time you spend doing this will equate to greater savings on your mortgage. Remember for most people it is something that they will only do once, so do it right!

Shopping around for a mortgage will help you to get the best financing deal. A mortgage—whether it's a home purchase, a refinancing, or a home equity loan—is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. You'll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage. Shopping, comparing, and negotiating may save you thousands of pounds.

Get quotes:

Different lenders may quote you different prices, so you should contact several lenders to make sure you're getting the best price. You can also get a mortgage through a mortgage broker. Brokers arrange transactions rather than lending money directly; in other words, they find a lender for you. A broker's access to several lenders can mean a wider selection of loan products from which you can choose.

Get Costings:

Be sure to get cost information about mortgages from several lenders or brokers. Know how much of a down payment you can afford, and find out all the costs involved. Knowing just the amount of the monthly payment or the interest rate is not enough.

Ask each lender and broker for a list of its current mortgage interest rates and whether the rates being quoted are the lowest for that day or week.

Ask about the mortgage's annual percentage rate (APR). The APR takes into account not only the interest rate but also broker fees and certain other credit charges that you may be required to pay, expressed as a yearly rate.

A mortgage often involves many fees, such as underwriting fees, broker fees and closing costs. Every lender or broker should be able to give you an estimate of its fees. Many of these fees are negotiable. Some fees are paid when you apply for a mortgage and others are paid at closing. In some cases, you can borrow the money needed to pay these fees, but doing so will increase your loan amount and total costs. "No cost" loans are sometimes available, but they usually involve higher rates.

Negotiate:

Once you know what each lender has to offer, negotiate for the best deal that you can. There's no harm in asking lenders or brokers if they can give better terms than the original ones they quoted or than those you have found elsewhere.
Once you are satisfied with the terms you have negotiated, you may want to obtain a written quote from the lender or broker. The quote should include the rate that you have agreed upon and the period the quote lasts. When buying a home, remember to shop around, to compare costs and terms, and to negotiate for the best deal.

Don't be afraid to make lenders and brokers compete with each other for your business by letting them know that you are shopping for the best mortgage deal.

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About the Author

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.