How Can Homeownership Be More Affordable?
Buying a home is important for many people, but the thought of securing a long-term mortgage loan and making monthly payments can seem daunting. Can homeownership be more affordable? This really depends on what your goals and current needs are. Here are a few ways that you can find a more cost-effective loan to meet your individual goals.
Work to Improve Your Creditworthiness
The most important way to reduce your cost of a home loan is to ensure lenders view you as a worthy, reliable borrower. To do this, consider these tips:
- Prove you have reliable income from an employer you’ve been with for some time.
- Work to pay down your credit card debt and other loans you have. Keep their balances as low as possible.
- Make payments on time every month. Show you can be trusted to do so.
- Maintain a savings account and work to grow your funds there.
- Check your credit report to be sure it is accurate. Work to improve your score when possible.
The higher your credit score is, the lower an interest rate on a mortgage loan can be for you. At the heart of borrowing is being able to control these factors for yourself.
Choose the Right Mortgage for Your Needs
The next step in making homeownership more affordable is choosing the right loan for your needs. Your community bank can help you to do that. Here are a few tips for getting the lowest interest rate:
- If you are a member of the Armed Forces, either active duty or retired, you may qualify for a low-interest VA loan.
- If you are a first-time home buyer, an FHA loan can help you get a lower interest rate.
- Pay points, or an upfront fee, to get a lower interest rate over the lifetime of your loan.
- Make a sizable down payment, even if you do not have to, to lower the lender’s risk so they offer a lower interest rate.
- Work with your lender to qualify for other HUD loans, for example, if you are buying rural or farmland.
These are just a few ways your banker can help you to find an affordable loan. Take the time to invest wisely in the loans available to you based on what your budget is.
At Citizens National Bank, it is possible to find an affordable, low-interest mortgage loan. Individuals will find that working with a local, community bank can help them to find a home loan that meets their needs and remains affordable. Contact us today to learn more about available options.
