F.A.Q.

A mortgage broker is a middleman who acts as a go-between for the borrower and the lenders, so you are always working indirectly with the lender. By working with My Lender List we connect you with the company that is actually lending you the money to purchase or refinance your home.

The first step is to apply for pre-qualification — you'll provide Home Community Mortgage with information on your income, credit and bills, and we'll tell you whether you pre-qualify for a loan and give you general idea of how much it might be for. This typically gives buyers an advantage in the home-buying and bidding process. Buying a home is often the biggest purchase people make in their lifetime, so it's important to look at your total financial situation and decide what payments you will be comfortable with.

A conforming loan follows the guidelines set forth by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and generally has a loan limit of $417,000 in the 48 contiguous states (certain high cost areas have higher limits). A non-conforming mortgage may be for a higher amount than the limit set on conforming loans. In some instances the term may also refer to a loan where the borrower has credit issues or unusual documentation. Non-conforming loans generally have higher interest rates and you may need to put down more cash to secure your loan. Jumbo loans are non-conforming loans.

We'll look at your income and bills, and then plug those numbers into calculations to determine the percentage of your income that can be devoted to your housing payment. We'll also take a look at other factors in your housing costs, like current interest rates, local property taxes and homeowners' insurance costs, as well as the mortgage payment itself. Visit our Mortgage Calculators page to try out some different scenarios.

Each type of loan has different benefits and advantages. At My Lender List, we work with you to help you fully understand the home-financing options available. We'll consider your current financial situation including your short- and long-term financial goals to assess which option might be best for you.

Check out our “What To Expect in the Mortgage Process” page for in-depth details on how your loan actually gets processed.

Proof of homeowners' (or hazard) insurance is required at closing. Start shopping around early in the process. An experienced agent at KB Home Insurance Agency can give you an idea of how much insurance will be for different types of homes, and can be reached at 1-800-446-3371.

We participate in several affordable mortgage programs which are designed to encourage homeownership across the country and to make buying a first home a low-stress process. We'll talk with you about the programs available in our area and any federal programs you may qualify for.

Once your application has been completed and submitted to the processors and underwriters, it's carefully reviewed and all your documentation is verified. We may need to ask you for more information, but that's not unusual. The sooner you can get that information back to us, the faster your application will be processed. Once your loan is approved, a closing date is set up and we'll review what happens and what you'll need to do to finalize the transaction. For more details on the loan process, visit the “What To Expect From The Mortgage Process” page.

Closing costs are expenses that may be due on the day you actually buy your new home. These can include property tax, homeowner’s insurance premiums or other fees associated with the purchase. Your lending professional will be able to walk you through any closing costs if necessary- and explain anything in advance so there are no surprises at closing. Some fees vary by location, and may include: Attorney's or escrow fees Per Diem Interest Loan origination fee Recording fees and taxes Survey or Appraisal fee Title Insurance (yours and lender's) Loan discount points First payment to escrow account for future real estate taxes and insurance Any documentation preparation fees

Closing is a scheduled time to make sure all the final loan documents are in order. You will sign all the necessary documents to record the title and transfer ownership of the home to your name. You’ll need to provide proof of your homeowners insurance. The closing agent will go over any payments you may owe. Take your time, look at each page and ask any questions you may have. Once you sign everything- you’ll be a new homeowner! Example of documents you'll receive at closing: Settlement statement, HUD-1 form Truth-in-Lending statement Mortgage note Mortgage or deed of trust Binding sales contract Keys to your new home Visit the Mortgage Term Glossary for more information on the terms listed above.