Getting a Mortgage? Manage Your Finances First!

If you cannot afford it, needless to say, buying a home should not be on the top of your to-do list(or on the cards at all!). Purchasing a home is a significant financial commitment, and doing so beyond your means can lead to serious consequences, including financial hardship, foreclosure, and a negative impact on your credit score. In some instances, getting a mortgage might be the smarter way to go about it for the following reasons:

Homeownership: A mortgage allows you to become a homeowner and build equity in a property over time. Instead of paying rent, your monthly mortgage payments go towards owning a home.

Long-term Investment: Real estate has historically been a valuable long-term investment. As you pay off your mortgage, you build equity in the property, which can potentially appreciate over time, leading to increased wealth.

Stability and Security: Owning a home provides stability and a sense of security, as you have control over the property and can live there as long as you want (subject to the terms of your mortgage).

Gabrielle Monaghan/ Getty Images | Find a mortgage that makes sense for your financial situation

Tax Benefits: In many countries, homeowners can benefit from tax deductions on mortgage interest and property taxes, which can help reduce the overall tax burden.

Leverage: With a mortgage, you can leverage your money to purchase a more expensive property than you might be able to afford outright. This can provide access to better and larger properties.

Diversification: Owning real estate can diversify your investment portfolio, reducing your reliance on other assets like stocks and bonds.

Potential Rental Income: If you decide to move or buy a new property in the future, you can turn your current home into a rental property, generating rental income to supplement your finances.

Inflation Hedge: Real estate is often considered an inflation hedge because property values and rental incomes tend to increase with inflation.

Control and Customization: As a homeowner, you have the freedom to customize and improve your property to suit your preferences and needs, unlike rental properties where modifications may be restricted.

Sense of Pride: Owning a home can instill a sense of pride and accomplishment as you have a place to call your own and can create lasting memories for you and your family.

However, it’s crucial to note that buying a home with a mortgage also comes with responsibilities and risks. It requires careful financial planning, budgeting, and understanding the terms of the mortgage agreement. Failure to meet mortgage payments could result in foreclosure, leading to the loss of your home and negative effects on your credit score.

OSCAR WONG/ GETTY IMAGES | Becoming a desirable home loan candidate involves improving your credit

Purchasing a home stands as one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll ever make. To prepare for this endeavor, it’s crucial to organize your finances. This will enhance your chances of mortgage approval and secure favorable interest rates. Before you apply for a mortgage, here are some steps to put your finances in order:

Minimize Your Debt: To be attractive to mortgage lenders, strive for a low debt-to-income ratio, meaning your debt should be a small portion of your income. Reducing your debt is paramount for mortgage approval. Start by paying off outstanding credit card balances and loans. You can consider consolidating high-interest debts into a lower-interest loan or balance transfer credit card to save on interest payments.

Establish an Emergency Fund: Prior to applying for a mortgage, ensure you have sufficient emergency savings. Having three to six months’ worth of living expenses in an emergency fund is advisable.

This fund will provide a safety net for unforeseen expenses like medical bills or car repairs, eliminating the need to rely on credit cards or loans. Moreover, a robust emergency fund demonstrates to lenders that you are financially responsible and can handle unexpected costs.

Increase Your Income: If you find saving for a down payment or paying off debt challenging, consider exploring ways to boost your income. This might entail taking on a part-time job, freelancing, or starting a side business. Increasing your income will aid you in saving more money and enhance your debt-to-income ratio, a critical factor in the mortgage approval process.

Maintain Open Credit Accounts: While it’s essential to pay off high-interest debt, avoid closing credit accounts. Doing so could lower your credit score and hinder your mortgage eligibility. Instead, focus on reducing balances and keeping your credit accounts open.

iStock/ Pixabay | Stop being chained down by bad credit

Review Your Credit Report: Your credit score carries significant weight in the mortgage approval process. A high credit score signals to lenders that you’re a low-risk borrower, while a low score may raise concerns.

Before applying for a mortgage, review your credit report and dispute any errors or inaccuracies. You can obtain a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus annually through AnnualCreditReport.com.

Seek Financial Advisor Assistance: If you’re uncertain about how to prepare your finances before applying for a mortgage, consider consulting a financial advisor. They can help you develop a budget, pay off debt, and improve your credit score.

Additionally, consider the following steps to bolster your mortgage application:

Further Reduce Debts: Paying off your debts will significantly improve your credit score, which is a key factor lenders assess during mortgage evaluations. Strive to pay off as much of your credit card balances and other loans as possible before applying for a mortgage.

Save for a Larger Down Payment: A larger down payment will enhance your chances of mortgage approval while also reducing your monthly payments and interest rates. Experts recommend having at least 20% of the home’s value as a down payment.