Plan to Budget Accordingly

When starting the mortgage loan process, your United Funding Loan Officer will help you analyze your current financial situation, your short- and long-term goals, and other factors to help you find the most affordable loan. This ensures your mortgage will fit your budget, with payments you can afford. Here are some questions to ask yourself when anticipating your future mortgage and budget requirements:

• How much down payment can you afford? The size of your down payment can affect how much your monthly mortgage payments will be, and the interest rate you receive. A larger down payment can mean lower monthly payments and more favorable terms overall.

• What is my income-to-debt ratio? Income-to-debt ratio is the amount of income you have compared to the amount of your debt, which includes things like credit card bills, car loans, etc. The income-to-debt ratio is calculated by adding up monthly debt payments and dividing them by gross monthly income. A percentage below 43 percent is generally considered acceptable for obtaining a mortgage.

• What is my credit score' The higher credit your score is the more likely you'll receive a lower interest rate during the home loan process. Your credit score plays an important role in the rate you receive, how much loan you can afford, and the size of your monthly payments.

As soon as you're ready to start the mortgage process, it's important to minimize activities that may affect your income-to-debt ratio or credit score. You shouldn't make any large purchases, get a new credit card, a car loan, or even change jobs without letting your United Funding Loan Officer know.

Anticipate Your Monthly Payment

As part of the mortgage process, calculating your monthly payments include four parts: Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance (PITI).

• Principal is the initial amount you borrow, then the remaining balance throughout the life of the home loan.

• Interest is the fee you pay a lender to borrow the money.

• Taxes and how much you pay are determined by your local government tax authority.

• Insurance on your home and property is required for all mortgages. Rates are set by your insurance provider.

Taxes and insurance are included in your monthly payment (PITI) if your mortgage is set up with an escrow account. If you choose to use an escrow account, the costs for these homeowner expenses are collected in small amounts that are spread throughout the year. Your lender will use the escrow account to pay your taxes and insurance for you.

With an escrow account, you avoid making a large payment when filing your taxes or making multiple insurance payments throughout the year. If you choose not to use an escrow account, you are responsible for making tax and insurance payments.

Know How the Interest Rate Affects the Payment

The interest rate you qualify for during the mortgage loan process plays a significant role in determining your monthly payment. A higher rate will translate to higher monthly payments. Here are three important considerations that will impact the rate you receive:

• Fixed-versus adjustable-rate loans:

• Short-term versus long-term loans:

• Paying discount points:

As part of the home loan process, getting prequalified for your loan before you start house hunting is a great way to get an idea of how much home you can afford and what your monthly payments might be. United Funding mortgage experts are ready to help you explore your options so you get you the best home loan to fit your budget.