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Masari, Inc.
Mortgage Division
600 W. Santa Ana Blvd, Suite 525
Santa Ana, CA 92701


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"Our commitment to excellence and superior customer service is helping homeowners realize the American Dream every day. We can help you too."

 

5 Easy Steps for Financing Your Home.
Step 1: Shop for a Mortgage
Step 2: Pre-Qualify for a Mortgage
Step 3: Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Step 4: Obtain Your Final Loan Approval
Step 5: Close the Loan

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Step 1: Shop for a Mortgage

"Where can I find the lender with the best rates and service?"

Shopping for a mortgage is the most critical part of the home financing process. By choosing a qualified lender, the remaining four steps of the process will be easier as a result of the lender's expertise.

To find a qualified lender, you have many avenues to explore. You can seek advice and referrals from those who have been through the mortgage process recently. You can look through the many ads in your local newspaper. And with the arrival of the Internet, thousands of mortgage lenders are available to you with the click of a mouse.

As you begin your search, you may notice that some lenders are referred to as "brokers" while others are named "banks." Depending on your situation, it may be prudent to shop among a variety of types of lenders. The average mortgage consumer usually contacts between 4 and 6 lending institutions. The following is a brief explanation of the different types. Mortgage brokers tend to be low cost, local sources of home financing. Most mortgage brokers work with a variety of lending sources so they can offer competitive rates along with a myriad of programs. This is useful if you have a situation that does not fit within the usual guidelines. Banks may be local, regional or national. A bank will usually offer a limited array of mortgage programs and if you do not qualify for these, you may not have additional options.

Your main goals in the shopping process should be to find a mortgage lender with a friendly, knowledgeable staff, competitive interest rates and fees, and verifiable references. To help in your final selection, you should have a list of questions prepared prior to making calls. Be sure to include questions similar to these:

  • What programs best suit my needs?
  • What interest rate can you offer me including all points and origination fees?
  • Will you provide me with a written estimate of closing costs?
  • Will you provide me with a written rate quote?
  • When can I lock the rate and for how long?
  • Does this loan have a prepayment penalty?
  • Does this loan have negative amortization?
  • Will my loan require mortgage insurance?
  • Do you have options that do not require mortgage insurance?
  • How fast can I get a pre-approval?
  • Do you charge a fee for obtaining a pre-approval?
  • Do you charge an application fee?
  • Do you charge a lock fee?
  • How do I apply for a loan with your institution?
  • What documents do you require for my particular loan?
  • Do you have access to automated underwriting?
  • What happens if I am declined?
  • Where and with whom does the loan close?
  • How long have you been in business?

If you follow these basic guidelines when shopping for a mortgage lender, the remaining steps to financing your home should proceed smoothly.

Step 2: Pre-Qualify for a Mortgage
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"What Can I Afford?"

Most likely, as you've shopped for a mortgage lender, you've also been shopping for a Realtor. If you have already chosen your Realtor, he or she has probably asked if you have been "pre-qualified" by a lender. If you haven't spoken with a Realtor yet, you can be one step ahead if you have been pre-qualified by a mortgage lender. A Realtor likes for a potential homebuyer to be pre-qualified so as to avoid looking at homes you may not be able to afford.

A pre-qualification is based on a conversation you have with a lender's loan officer, or a form you complete on a lender's website. By answering a few questions, you can find out quickly what size home and loan amount you can afford. You can expect the following questions to be asked:

  • What is your gross income per month (before taxes and deductions)?
  • What are your current monthly liabilities (excluding current rent/mortgage payments)?
  • How much money do you have available for down payment?

Based on your answers to these questions, a loan officer will tell you what loan amount a lender would lend to you as long as the information provided can be satisfactorily verified. Please keep in mind, that many times a credit check is not done at this stage, but that you should mention any issues you know of regarding your credit history.

At this point, you can safely shop for a new home with a Realtor knowing that you won't fall in love with a home you may not be able to afford.

Step 3: Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
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"Why do I need to get pre-approved?"

You might be wondering what the difference is between a pre-qualification and a pre-approval. As discussed in step 2 of the financing process, a pre-qualification is a determination of what loan amount you can afford. A pre-approval is one step closer to becoming a homeowner because it is a full verification of the information you provided in the pre-qualification process.

To obtain a pre-approval, an underwriter must review and approve your credit report, your income documentation, and your asset verification. If the information you provide is satisfactory, you will receive a loan commitment letter. A loan commitment letter provides evidence to all interested parties that a mortgage lender has committed to giving you a loan based on the details contained in the letter.

To take the next step and obtain a pre-approval, a mortgage lender requires specific documentation. Items you will need to provide to get pre-approved are listed below. (Documents vary depending on your specific situation. Your loan officer will be able to provide a list relating to your scenario.)

  • Completed loan application
  • Paystubs for the past 30 days
  • W2 forms for the past 2 years
  • Federal tax returns for the past 2 years if borrower is self-employed, owns rental properties, or receives a substantial amount of income from an unconventional source
  • YTD Profit and Loss Statement if borrower is self-employed
  • Divorce Decree and Separation Agreement if borrower receives or pays child support or maintenance
  • Asset statements from all asset accounts for the past three months evidencing sufficient funds to close, and any reserve mortgage payments that may be required
  • Purchase contract executed by all parties
  • Verification of rental history if current renter
  • List of current liabilities including account balance, monthly payment, and account number
  • Gift letter if applicable (lender will provide official form to use)
  • Letter of explanation for any credit issues or any gaps in employment
  • Certificate of Eligibility if you are applying for a VA loan

A pre-approved mortgage is a great bargaining tool for any prospective homebuyer. In many markets, a realtor will even require you to be pre-approved prior to submission of an offer to purchase. This commitment can mean the difference between a winning bid and not being considered. And once you find a home and have an offer accepted, the final steps in the financing process can move along smoothly.

Step 4: Obtain Your Final Loan Approval
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"Do I need to do anything else?"

As you take the steps to financing your home, important details need to be taken care of along the way. For example, your lender will require an appraisal on the property that you are purchasing. Completion of these stipulations may occur during the shopping phase, or they might take place right before closing. Each person's situation is unique and it is your loan officer's job to identify these requirements so that you can obtain your final loan approval.

The following list of conditions is for your reference only. Your loan officer will be able to tell you specifically what is needed for your final loan approval. He or she will also be able to assist you in the satisfaction of any conditions.

  • Appraisal of property to be purchased
  • Interest rate lock-in completed
  • Satisfactory evidence of insurance on property to be purchased
  • Approval of condominium or Planned Unit Development project
  • Approval of outstanding loan conditions you may not have provided at the pre-approval step
  • Satisfactory title commitment
  • Satisfactory closing agent

The time frame for the completion of some of the items listed above is dependent on the sales contract's requirements, or your lender's requirements. It is always recommended, however, to complete any items required as soon as possible so as to avoid any potential last minute problems.

Step 5: Close the Loan
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"When can I close?"

If your lender has informed you that you have obtained your final loan approval, then technically, you are ready to close. However, when you are purchasing a home, other parties are involved, and a specific closing date has probably already been scheduled.

Your Realtor will have coordinated the exact closing place and time with the seller, the closing agent, and you, the buyer. Your mortgage lender will be aware of the closing place and time, and will prepare the loan documents for the closing. Keep in mind that these mortgage loan documents may be the most important papers that you sign during your lifetime, so make sure you understand them and they are correct before you sign them.

When you get to the closing, you can expect the following to occur:

  • You will sign your loan documents, and any other papers that your closing agent has prepared.
  • You will provide a cashier's check for your down payment and any closing costs or prepaid items that may be required.
  • You will celebrate when all goes smoothly and you are the proud owner of your new home.

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the five easy steps to financing your home. If you have additional questions, be sure to ask your qualified loan officer. He or she is prepared to assist you throughout the process to ensure your experience is a pleasant one.

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