Your Mortgage Questions Answered
It’s normal to have a lot of questions about mortgages. Buying a home is one of the biggest money moves you’ll make, and if you've never done it before (or if it's been a few years) it can be overwhelming. To help you get started, we put together a list of the most common mortgage questions and their answers.
When you’re ready to take the next step and talk with a loan officer, let us know. Mann Mortgage has experts to guide you through the mortgage process and help you select the best loan for your situation.
How do I pay my bill?
Go to our Pay My Loan page where you can pay your bill directly on our site as well as find more information about the payment process.
How do I log in to see the status of my loan??
Go to our log in page and enter in your account information.
What type of loan is best for me?
Your loan advisor will work with you closely during a complimentary mortgage planning meeting to learn more about your financial situation and home buying goals. The loan advisor will then explain the loan options available and help determine which is best for you.
How much of a down payment is required?
Most people think 20% because that tends to provide the best loan terms for borrowers. However, 20% is not always mandatory especially if you are well-qualified. There are some loan programs that offer 0% down while conventional loans require as little as 3%.
What is the difference between a pre-qualification and a pre-approval?
A pre-qualification provides an estimate of what you can afford based on information you supply to Mann Mortgage including income, assets, debts, and credit score. A pre-approval is similar, but requires documentation verifying the income, assets, debts, and credit score. A pre-approval provides you with a more accurate estimate of what you will be approved for.
What documents should I be ready to supply?
Once you’ve applied online, your loan officer will review your application and send you a personalized checklist that pertains to your specific loan scenario. Below is a checklist of the most common asked for documents – being prepared to gather any applicable documents from this list ahead of time will make it less overwhelming and expedite the processing of your loan.
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Identification
- Copy of driver’s license
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Personal Assets
- Last 2 month’s bank statements (all accounts and all pages)
- Most current retirement/investment statements (all accounts and all pages)
- List of properties you currently own (current mortgage statements, insurance and tax statements if not escrowed, and rental agreements if applicable)
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Income & Employment History
- Last 30 days pay stubs (most recent)
- Last 2 years W-2s/1099s
- Last 2 years personal tax returns (all schedules; include copy of extension if filed)
- If self-employed or business owner: last 2 years corporate tax returns and YTD profit & loss and balance sheet
- If receiving social security/disability/pension income: award letters showing annual amount and duration of benefit/income
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Explanations & Other Documents (if applicable)
- List of any opened credit accounts within the last 30 days
- Explanation of any recent large deposits to bank accounts, outside of normal pay Bankruptcy documents and discharge notices
- Divorce decree & child support order
- Settlement statement from a short sale
- Copy of trustee’s deed on a foreclosure
- List of any opened credit accounts within the last 30 days
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VA Loan
- Copy of DD214
- Certificate of Eligibility
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On a Purchase
- Copy of Purchase & Sale Agreement
- Copy of earnest money
- Indicate source of down payment (checking, savings, gift, and/or sale of home proceeds)
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On a Refinance
- Current mortgage statement
- Homeowner’s insurance & property tax statements
What are things to avoid when getting a home loan?
- Do not change your job. Keeping your job and having income stability is key because it shows that you will be able to make your payments and are less likely to default on your loan. You should show at least a two-year history at the same job or in the same line of work.
- Do not change bank accounts. Just like not changing your job, you will want to show stability in your banking history.
- Do not apply for any new credit or financing. Looking for new credit doesn’t look good to lenders and your credit could take a hit just for inquiring. More importantly, financing something like a new car will affect your debt-to-income ratio.
- Do not make late payments or charge excessively on your credit cards. You will need to display a good track record of responsibility and that you can manage your money.
- Do not make any major purchases. Along the lines of responsibility, you don’t want to make large purchases at this time, especially if you’re going to need it to show reserve in your bank account to qualify or use it to pay closing costs.
- These can cause red flags if you don’t have a good explanation as to where they came from. You’ll also want to show “seasoned” money that has been in your account for at least two months.
What is private mortgage insurance (PMI)?
Private mortgage insurance is required on a conventional loan when borrowers make a down payment of less than 20%. The PMI allows you to purchase a home for as little as 3% down with the conventional loan program.
What are closing costs?
Closing costs are expenses that are paid in order to complete the transaction. On a home purchase, closing costs are paid in addition to the down payment (if the loan program requires one). Closing costs may include discount points, appraisal fees, title insurance, credit report charges, etc. On refinances and down payment assistance programs you could finance the closing costs within your loan.
What are discount points?
Discount points are a form of prepaid interest that allow the borrower to lower the interest rate of the mortgage at closing.
What is my interest rate?
Your interest rate is determined by a combination of factors including location, credit scores, loan amount, down payment, loan term, and loan type.
How do mortgage interest rates move?
Rates tend to move daily, but on a typical day-to-day basis they do not move much. Factors such as the state of the US and world economy, bond market, and housing market all have an impact on where rates head.
What is the Loan Estimate (LE)?
The Loan Estimate (LE) is a three-page form that you receive after applying for a mortgage. The form provides you with important information including the estimated interest rate, monthly payment, and total closing costs for the loan.
Why do I need to sign the disclosure statements?
Lenders are required by law to provide you the information stated on this statement in a timely manner. Your acknowledgement and signature indicate you have received this information, but it does not obligate either you or the lender in any way.
What is a Conventional Home Loan?
A conventional loan is available in a variety of loan term options and is advantageous for those coming in with a strong down payment and good credit history. By far the most popular type of home loan, conventional home loans are loans that are not insured or guaranteed by any government program like the VA, USDA, or FHA. Conventional loans can be deemed as either conforming and nonconforming. Learn More
What is an FHA loan?
A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan is insured by a government agency called the Federal Housing Administration, and offers financing to borrowers who may not be able to qualify for traditional loans. This loan is popular among first-time home buyers and those with less-than-perfect credit, as it requires smaller down payments and feature more flexible terms. Learn More
Are loans handled in-house?
We handle our clients’ loans in-house from start to finish, helping make their loan experience as quick and hassle-free as possible.
Do I need a high credit score to get a mortgage?
No, you don’t necessarily need a high credit score to purchase a home. However, as a general rule, the higher your credit score the better the loan terms. Credit score requirements for loan products can sometimes change, so contact us today to learn more!
Do you offer stick-built construction lending?
Mann Mortgage is proud to offer stick-built contruction loans, which gives borrowers a better option for building the home of their dreams. With M Mann Mortgage construction loan, you’ll gain access to our collaborative, cloud-based construction loan software which simplifies communication between you, the builder, 3rd-party inspectors, title companies and Mann Mortgage. You also get full-time support and real-time tracking through the entire building process, ensuring you stay on-budget and on-time with your construction loan. Learn More
Do you offer rehab lending for renovations?
Mann Mortgage is proud to offer renovation loans, which gives borrowers options to renovate and remodel an existing home or one that will be purchased. With a Mann Mortgage renovation loan, you’ll gain access to our collaborative, cloud-based construction loan software which simplifies communication between you, the builder, 3rd-party inspectors, title companies and Mann Mortgage. You also get full-time support and real-time tracking through the entire building process, ensuring you stay on-budget and on-time with your renovation loan.
Can I get a home loan for a manufactured home?
Mann Mortgage offers loans for certain types of manufactured homes. Please consult with a loan advisor for more information regarding financing on these types of properties.