Prequalification: This is an overview of your credit profile that is an important step to writing offers for new homes and one we highly recommend. It just means that you have not submitted the documentation that will be required to verify your income, financial statements showing enough assets to close and you have not yet met the underwriting guidelines of the program you are going to select once you find the home of your dreams.

Preapproval: If you have a little more time at the beginning of the process, we always recommend getting Preapproved. A preapproval is the start of the formal application process before you find the property and is more thorough review of your financial position and ability to qualify for a home.

Why get Preapproved for a Mortgage?

• You’ll be able to move faster to find the house you want
• Most of the paperwork will be out of the way so you can close your loan faster
• You will be able to move to the top of the offer stack as your income, assets, and ability to buy has been verified
• Sellers know you will be less likely to have a delay in closing
• In competitive markets, this is another feather in your cap

Buying a house is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your lifetime. Our goal is to make the process as smooth and hassle-free as we can. Understanding the process will give you the knowledge you need to get started.

• Step in Getting Prequalified or Preapproved

You can get a loan before you even select a home. One of our home loan experts can perform a pre-qualification or pre-approval so that you’ll have a good idea of how much you can afford. Once you’ve found a home, and a seller has accepted your offer, you are ready to move to the Application process.

• Application

Once you’ve selected a home, your home specialist completes the mortgage application, gathers information about the property you want to buy, and collects personal information, such as income, assets, and employment history. For a complete list of information that you need to provide, see the Application checklist.

• Processing

Once your application is complete, a loan processor reviews your file and verifies your information. We order a credit report to determine your credit history and credit score. We also order an appraisal of the property.

• Underwriting

An underwriter reviews your file and determines whether your loan will be granted and issues the loan approval. The underwriter may request additional information during this review process.

• Closing

Once the loan is approved, the closing process begins. Our closing department prepares closing documents and sends closing instructions to the title agent. The title agent is responsible for examining the title of the property and working with you for an acceptable closing date. At the closing, you’ll sign papers, pay closing costs, and finalize the transaction. Now it’s time to move into your new home.

First, start by asking yourself one of these questions.

Has your income increased? Do you need to consolidate debt? Has the equity in your home increased? Do you need money for a major expense? Has your credit rating improved?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions than we encourage you to call one of our home loan experts to give you a refinance evaluation. It costs nothing but could save you thousands of dollars in interest, pay off high balance credit cards, or help pay for college or unexpected expenses.

Knowing your options is the most import part of the refinance decision so Call us today!

¬ As you pay down your mortgage or as home values increase over time, a cash-out refinance allows you to use a portion of your equity and turn it into cash. The great news is you can use that cash however you want. Home improvements, unexpected expenses, college tuition or just to check a destination off your bucket list.

When is the best time to turn that equity into your house and use it as you see fit? That answer is up to you and can be used to fit your current needs.

Some of the more chosen reasons for utilizing a cash-out refinance are to:

• Remodel of you home
• Pay off high-interest credit cards or auto loans, neither of which is tax deductible like mortgage interest
• Help with life events like a growing family
• Bucket List Reduction
• Elimination of student debt

A renovation loan will let you do almost anything with your home. Some loans are used on smaller projects like ordinary repairs or cosmetic updates. These types of renovations loans typically don’t have minimum loan requirements for the repairs or upgrades you want to make to your home. These loans are limited to non-structural repairs with maximum loan amounts around $30,000.

With these types of loan, you can improve things like:

• Repairing or replacing your roof and gutters
• Redesigning your kitchen or bath
• Landscaping or adding a deck
• Buying new appliances
• Getting new windows, doors or floors
• Making your home energy efficient
• Upgrading plumbing, electrical, heating or cooling systems
• Ask a home loan expert (bolded and hyperlinked to find a loan officer)

Need to do more extensive renovation? We got you covered!

We have other programs that are specifically intended to make major repairs or changes to your home. These will have a minimum loan amount but the good news is you can borrow up to the value of your property plus repairs/renovation. Here are some examples:

• Room additions or adding a second floor
• Major remodeling that requires structural work
• Foundation or other structural repairs
• Projects over six months