Zero down home financing is about getting rid of the obstacle of closing costs. You can trade in your rent payment for a house payment without paying thousands at closing. Before you start enjoying the benefits of home ownership, make sure you follow these tips to get approved for the best rates.
Check Your Credit Report
Annually checking your credit report is a good idea, especially if you are applying for new credit. Make sure that all your information is correct. If there are mistakes, get them fixed. Otherwise, you could be paying thousands in interest charges.
While looking at your accounts, keep your debt to a minimum. A high debt to income ratio can disqualify your for a zero down loan. Also make sure the debt you do have is spread over multiple accounts rather than maxing out one account.
Increase Your Cash Reserves
Cash reserves settle lender’s nerves. So you might consider liquidating stocks or other assets when applying for a mortgage. At a minimum, lenders like to see at least two month’s worth of payments as liquid assets. You do have the option of reinvesting those funds after the loan has been completed.
Look For The Right Lender
Not all lenders will look at your application in the same way. Each company has their own lending criteria. So start your search by requesting loan estimates from several financial institutions. You can start with a mortgage broker site or go directly to the lender.
There are several definitions of zero down home financing. It could mean no down payment or a rolled in closing costs. There are even home loans with no closing costs. Check loan quotes and their fine print to find the financing that best meets your financial goals.
Always Other Options
There are other options to avoid a down payment. One option is to get two mortgages to finance your home’s purchase. The other option is to put money down, but then turn around and take out a home equity loan. This option usually helps you avoid paying PMI.
Don’t rush into any mortgage. Research the numbers and choose what works best for you and your budget.
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Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website about
various types of loans.
