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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pre-approval letter and do I need one to begin house hunting?

What is the maximum monthly payment I can afford?

What does my monthly mortgage payment consist of?

What is a credit score and how is it determined?

How does my credit score affect my mortgage loan?

What is an escrow account?

What is an origination fee?

What are discount points?

What is an APR?

What items will I need at application?

How much money will I need at closing?

What is the difference between a fixed rate and an adjustable rate mortgage?

How do I know which loan program will best suit my needs?


What is a pre-approval letter and do I need one to begin house hunting?

When you begin your home search, it’s nice to know just how much home you can afford.  The best way to do this is to speak with your local Mortgage Consultant and have them issue you a pre-approval letter.  A pre-approval letter is based on a verification of your income, credit, and assets.  This letter provides proof to real estate agents and sellers that you’re approved up to a set amount for a mortgage loan.  In addition, this letter lets sellers know you are committed to the process of buying a home which can sometimes provide an edge over other buyers.  Obtaining a pre-approval letter is quick and easy and is a service provided to you at no cost.

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What is the maximum monthly payment I can afford?

Trustcorp Mortgage Company qualifies you as a prospective borrower by looking at your total monthly income and debts.  For conventional loans, standard industry debt-to-income ratios are 28/36. This means that up to 28% of your gross monthly income may be used for the payment of your mortgage, or up to 36% of your gross monthly income may be used for your total monthly debts (i.e., credit cards, car loan payments), including the amount of your new mortgage payment.

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What does my monthly mortgage payment consist of?

 

Your monthly mortgage payment consists of a payment on the principal of your loan, the interest payment, and your escrow payment.  These four components are often referred to as your PITI.  Principal (P) refers to the part of the monthly payment that reduces the remaining balance of the mortgage. Interest (I) is the fee charged for borrowing money. Taxes (T) and insurance (I) refer to the amounts that are paid into an escrow account each month for property taxes, mortgage insurance, and hazard insurance.

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What is a credit score and how is it determined?

Your credit rating is based on the information in your credit report maintained by credit reporting agencies. This information is converted into a number, your Credit Score, which the lender uses to determine whether you are likely to repay your loan in a timely manner.  The scores used in mortgage lending are typically in the 300 to 900 range. A general guide is that the higher your score the better.  Your Trustcorp Mortgage Company Mortgage Consultant can review this information with you.

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How does my credit score affect my mortgage loan?

Most mortgage loans today have minimum credit score requirements.  Therefore, if your credit score does not meet the guidelines of the program, you will not be able to qualify for that particular loan program.  While your credit score is not the only factor in determining your eligibility for a particular program, it is an important part of the equation.  Your credit score can allow you to qualify for a better interest rate on your mortgage, thereby reducing your monthly payment

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What is an escrow account?

An escrow account is money that is deposited with a third party – other than the buyer and the seller -- to be used to pay various fees. A borrower typically provides funds that will pay taxes, mortgage insurance, lease payments, hazard insurance premiums, and other payments when they are due which are placed in an escrow account.

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What is an origination fee?

An origination fee is a fee paid to the company originating your loan to cover their costs associated with creating, processing, and closing your mortgage.  This fee is typically 1% of your loan amount.

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What are discount points?

Discount points are a percentage of the loan amount that you can pay to reduce your interest rate. One "point" equals 1% of the loan amount. If you're going to be in your home for a relatively short period, it may not be worth it to you to pay discount points to reduce your rate. If you would like to lower your monthly payment by lowering your interest rate, then paying points up front may be the best way to do this.

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What is an APR?

APR stands for "annual percentage rate" and reflects the interest rate charged on the loan plus prepaid finance charges, such as the points and financing costs you pay in obtaining the loan. Other lenders may quote a low interest rate, but often charge miscellaneous fees in addition to origination and closing fees. You'll want to look closely at the APR to see how much you're really paying for your loan.

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What items will I need at application?

 

While it is true that certain mortgage programs require more information than others, it is still important to be as prepared as possible for your meeting with your Mortgage Consultant.  The more information you can provide at application, the quicker your loan will be processed. 

 

      Please be prepared to provide the following at application:

§    A copy of your most recent pay-stub, complete with year to date and gross pay.  The pay-stub must be dated within 30 days of application.

§    A copy of your prior 2 (two) years W-2s.

§    If self-employed, include copies of your past 2 (two) years 1040 tax returns and corporate returns with all schedules.  All returns must be signed and dated by all borrowers.

§    If self-employed, include current (within 30 days) profit & loss statement and balance sheet signed and dated.

§    A copy of the 2 (two) most recent bank, retirement, and investment statements.

§    If you are currently renting, please bring with you your landlord’s name and address along with your monthly payment amount.

§    A copy of your driver’s license or social security card.

§    If this is a purchase transaction, a copy of the sales contract for the subject property.

§    If this is a refinance, a copy of your recent homeowner’s insurance policy showing coverage amount and annual premium.

§    If this is a refinance, a copy of a recent statement from your current mortgage company showing address and account number.

If this is a refinance, a copy of your most recent property tax notices showing the amount of taxes due

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How much money will I need at closing?

Your closing costs will depend upon the amount of your down payment as well as the various fees charged to finalize the purchase of your home. Generally, conventional loans require a minimum of 3% to 10% of the sales price in down payment. FHA loans require at least 3% to 5% down, while VA loans can often be financed for 0% down. Closing cost fees will include such items as mortgage insurance, prepaid taxes, attorney's fees, title insurance, etc.  Depending on the interest rate of your loan, no-closing cost options are available.

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What is the difference between a fixed rate and an adjustable rate mortgage?

A fixed-rate mortgage charges a set interest rate that does not change throughout the life of the loan. The main advantage of a fixed-rate mortgage is that the borrower is protected from sudden and potentially significant increases in monthly mortgage payments if interest rates rise.

The interest rate for an adjustable-rate mortgage varies over time. The initial interest rate on an ARM is generally below the market rate on a comparable fixed-rate loan. As time goes by, the interest rate will change based on a specific formula and may exceed the going rate for fixed-rate loans.

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How do I know which loan program will best suit my needs?

Fixed rate, no down payment, adjustable rate…there are so many loan programs available today it’s virtually impossible to know which one will best fit your needs without expert advice.  To ensure you are selecting a loan program that works for you, please visit your local Trustcorp Mortgage branch and speak with one of our qualified Mortgage Consultants.  They can help evaluate your situation, determine your long-term housing goals, and put you in the loan program that best fits your needs.

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