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Before you start to look for a new home, it is important to know your borrowing power. Here are some of the things you will need to consider in obtaining the right mortgage.

Getting A Mortgage: A Step-by-Step Guide Through the Process:

Find a qualified lender
Get the power of pre-approval
Choose the right mortgage for you
Tips to easy qualification
Clean up those credit issues
Alternative Financing
Process overview: Application, Approval, and Closing
What to bring to your loan application: A helpful checklist
Refinancing your current mortgage

 
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Having a qualified lender on your team is essential to realizing your real estate goals. There are many fine Mortgage Specialists in the Iowa City area that will take the time to understand your real estate goals and advise you on the steps and products available to reach them.

Here are some of the fine mortgage institutions in the area. Click on the logo to go to their sites for more information on what they have to offer.

 
Countrywide Home Loans       Wells Fargo       Hills Bank and Trust
University of Iowa Community Credit Union       Iowa State Bank and Trust       Residential Mortgage Network
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In today's highly competitive market, buyers who arrange their financing first have a distinct advantage. With a pre-approval in hand, you can shop for your new home knowing what your approved loan amount is and how different loan amounts will affect your monthly mortgage payment.

Pre-approval will also help your real estate professional know what price range to keep your home search within - and it gives you a great negotiating tool when you are ready to make an offer. In competitive situations, a pre-approved mortgage could make the difference between getting the home of your dreams or losing out to someone else.

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We can tailor a mortgage program to fit your specific needs.
Dressel Meadows Realty knows that financing can be a hectic part of the home buying experience. Area mortgage professionals make it their priority to guide you through the financing process and into the best loan program for your situation. They can provide approvals in minutes, hassle-free one-stop shopping, and efficient underwriting with your best interests in mind. With a vast menu of loan products at their disposal, they will find a solution that gives you the greatest long-term benefit at the most competitive rate.
An important decision in the process is whether to select a fixed rate or an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). Fixed rate mortgages offer principal and interest payments that don't change during the loan term. ARMs and balloons generally offer a lower starting interest rate; however, the payments can go up or down periodically (annually or every few years) depending on market conditions and the type of ARM selected.

Use the following as a guide to determine which mortgage may work best for you:

  Fixed:
 
I like the security of knowing my monthly principal and interest payment won't change over the years.
I think that interest rates may increase significantly during the term of my loan.
I plan to be in my home more than ten years.
 
  ARM:
 
I only plan to live in my home for ten (or fewer) years
I'd like lower payments in the early years of my loan.
I can budget for and manage mortgage payments that fluctuate with interest rates.
I need a larger loan than I initially thought for the house I want.
 

With over 300 different Mortgage Products available, your area Mortgage Specialist can help you determine the best product for your current and anticipated future situation.

TIP: You could experience significant savings with a 15-year Mortgage. For instance on a $150,000 mortgage at 7.5% interest you would pay approximately $250,293 over the life of the loan. On this same loan with a 30-year term you would pay approximately $377,575 over the life of the loan. This is a savings of around $125,000 - over $8,300 per year for 15 years.

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Are you concerned about qualifying for the amount needed to purchase the home that will fit your needs best? Or, is your estimated monthly mortgage amount higher than you expected?

Here are a few options to consider during the qualification process:

 
Choose an ARM, which should have a lower initial interest rate, thereby lowering your monthly payments.
Consider a "temporary buy down" of the interest rate. This would allow you to qualify for a substantially higher mortgage amount because the lower interest rate reduces payments during the early years of the loan.
Restructure your debt by paying it off with savings or a gift. Or, reduce your monthly payments through debt consolidation or refinancing. .
Add a non-occupant co-borrower to the mortgage (a parent or close relative who won't live at your house but who would be equally obligated to repay the loan).
 

Your area Mortgage Specialists can help you determine which qualification strategies will work best for you. Remember, their role is to make this process as easy as possible for you while also meeting all of your short- and long-term home financing objectives.

TIP: Keep money aside- -don't spend all of your money on the down payment and closing costs. "Incidentals" can add up quickly and you'll want to have some cash for moving expenses, new window treatments, landscaping - - and of course everything from caulk and painting supplies to lawn mowers and ladders. In fact, in some cases your lender may require that you show evidence of having at least two months worth of house payments available after closing.

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Don't be discouraged if your credit history doesn't sparkle. Lenders have a large variety of mortgage products and special programs that will help you qualify for the home you want. Let your Mortgage Specialist help you evaluate your credit history and provide assistance.

For those credit issues that affect your ability to buy today, develop a budget to pay off debt - - and stick to it. It may take a year or more to clear everything up, but perseverance will pay off.

Your area Mortgage Specialists will help you develop a plan, and you'll be well on your way to home ownership!

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Perhaps you are self-employed... work on commission... have past or present credit issues... or have other unique financial circumstances that may disqualify you from getting a loan.

It is estimated that 25% of prospective home buyers are in the alternative finance category - - either with low credit scores or hard-to-document income, assets, or employment. There are a broad range of innovative programs can break down barriers to qualification such as high debt ratios, late mortgage payments, open collections or judgments, bankruptcies, or foreclosures.

  Flexible options at competitive rates and fees
 
No or low down payments.
Up to 100% home financing with some derogatory credit okay. No mortgage insurance on most of these programs!
Stated income loans for W2'd or self-employed buyers.
Investment property financing up to 90%. No income, asset, or employment documentation required in many cases.
For more information on Alternative Finance programs, contact one of your area Mortgage Specialists today. Working together they can help you reach your real estate goals.
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  Applying For Your Loan:
 
Your area Mortgage Consultant will fill out a standard loan application and ask for a complete list of- -and documentation supporting- -your assets, debt and employment information (see What To Bring To Application).
You will get a Good Faith Estimate that will approximate how much money you'll need to close on your loan. Your mortgage file is then passed on to a processor who will track down any missing information you didn't bring to application.
 
  The Approval Process:
 
From processing, your file goes to underwriting where the loan information is evaluated and the final credit decision is made.
Once approved, the file is sent to a Mortgage Closer who prepares the many documents needed for your loan closing.
 
  The Closing:
 
The loan closing (also called settlement) usually takes place at a title company. Your real estate agent will help coordinate a convenient date for you and the seller at the time you sign your purchase agreement.
You'll sign all the documents the mortgage company needs for your note. You'll need to bring a number of items to closing. When everything has been signed, the seller passes the keys to you, and the house is yours!
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We Make The Application Process Easy!
Your area Mortgage Specialists are conveniently located and are always available to take your loan application. We know the home buying process can be hectic so we are committed to making the application process as simple as possible. Please bring the below items to your application in order to speed up the pre-approval process.
PAY STUBS -1 FULL MONTH FOR EACH APPLICANT
  TAX INFORMATION
  Vacation/2nd Home & Investment Financing
  Salaried & Hourly Employees
  W2's for the past 2 years
Commissioned, Bonus or 1099 Income
  Complete Federal tax returns for the past 2 years (Including W2's, 1099's and all schedules)
  Self Employed
  The above plus corporate or partnership returns including K-1's for the past 2 years and a year-to-date profit and loss statement.
  ASSETS
  Statements
  Most recent statement for all accounts (ALL PAGES). If you do not have these, you will need to contact your bank(s) and ask for a printout with a signature, title and date from the person completing the printouts for you.
If you receive quarterly statements, please provide the most recent. If there are any large (other than payroll) deposits on any of your statements, please bring documentation on the source of funds for the deposits.
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Right now, interest rates are still very low. If you have a mortgage, you may be considering whether or not you want to refinance. Ask yourself:
1. How long do you plan to live in your home? If it's less than one year, refinancing may not be a good option since it takes that long to recoup your closing costs. (Closing costs can be paid up front, rolled into your new mortgage or eliminated by choosing a higher interest rate.)
2. Is it time to change from a long-term to a short-term mortgage? This could greatly accelerate your equity buildup.
3. Should you use this tax-deductible resource to liquidate cash for college, home improvement, debt consolidation, etc.?
4. Are you satisfied with the size and location of your current home, or should you take advantage of this low interest rate climate to make a move?
 

Contact your area Mortgage Specialist or your tax advisor for guidance.

TIP: When Refinancing Makes Dollars and Sense - Sometimes it doesn't make sense to refinance unless the new rate is at least 1% lower than the rate on your current mortgage.

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