Mortgage rates, Santa Barbara, CA, are dynamic; they change every now and then. This is one of the reasons why many homebuyers find hunting for the best mortgage deals available a bit of a challenge. However, if you are prepared and armed with correct information, the process of getting an ideal mortgage deal can become a lot easier.
In this post, we are sharing some important tips to take into account in order to find the best mortgage rates available in the market today.
Consider the following:
- Make your credit score healthier. Credit scores are used by lenders in measuring how responsible you are in your finances. That is, the higher your score, the better your chances to find the best mortgage rates, Santa Barbara, CA. Improving your credit score may take some time, but it is worth the wait when you can save some serious amount from mortgage rates.
- Aim for a bigger down payment. Mortgage service providers, like your HomePlus Mortgage, recommend a 20% (or even more) down payment. This might be a challenging goal for you to hit, but you will appreciate when your effort comes into fruition, knowing that you are getting the best mortgage rate in town. In addition to mortgage rate advantage, you also do not need to pay for mortgage insurance when you put down this amount. So, be prepared, make sure you are ready before you even start hunting for lenders.
- The length of stay in the property is also part of the equation. Here’s the thing: It doesn’t make sense to buy a new home under a fixed-rate term if you do not plan to live in that home for more than a few years. Usually, adjustable-rate mortgages have low initial interest rates but can increase significantly after a specified timeframe. Make sure that you are clear with your goal why you are buying a new home – is it for a long term or a short term?
- Figure out how healthy your finances when it comes to debt-to-income ratio. There are two faces of debt-to-income ratio. One is the back-end ratio, which calculates the total of all of your monthly minimum debt payments and your proposed new housing payment, divided by how much your stable monthly income (gross). The front-end ratio, on the other hand, takes aim at housing costs only (minus all other debts). History can tell that banks tend to view as ideal candidates those who have no more than 28% for front-end and no more than 36% for the back-end debt-to-income-ratio.
Want to learn more on how you can get the best deals on mortgage rates, Santa Barbara, CA? Contact us here at HomePlus Mortgage today.
