stardevelop.com Live Help Accept Decline Close
1.888.207.6647 Your Local Mortgage Experts


Get A Loan
Lowest rates guaranteed*
Live Help
CALCULATOR
Loan assessments made easy.
CAREERS
Join the LEi team..
 
articles

Avoiding Common California Mortgage Mistakes


When you begin shopping for a mortgage in California it is important that you avoid some common mortgage mistakes that could put you into a bad financial situation. Being aware of some of these mistakes will put you in a better position to make a California mortgage deal that is advantageous for you. The following are some of the most common mistakes that individuals make when shopping for a mortgage in California.

Always make sure your finances are on the up and up before you shop for a mortgage loan, if your finances are in a bad position it will be difficult for you to find a deal on a mortgage in California. Furthermore, lenders will see that you have been rejected for a mortgage and that can make it harder for you to get a mortgage loan. Get all of your paperwork and finances in order before you start shopping. Get a copy of your credit report and make sure it is correct before you begin shopping as well.

Make sure you get a letter of pre-approval before you begin shopping for a California mortgage. This will give you a better idea of what you can afford, and it can help you obtain a mortgage loan as well. A common mistake people make is mistaking a pre-approval with a pre-qualification. A pre-qualification guarantees you nothing, and it could give you false hopes on what you can actually afford. A pre-approval requires that your credit history be checked out, but it is a guaranteed amount. Trying to shop for a home in California with only a letter of pre-qualification can be looked at negatively by those selling their homes.

Borrowing a sum of money that is too large for you to handle is another problem. Some people simply lie to themselves, and get themselves to believe that they can afford more than they actually can, while other people are pressured into this by lenders. You need to make sure you can keep up with any payments you agree on; you do not want to put yourself in a position to lose your home. If you figure out how much you can afford to pay before you begin shopping it will help you a lot.

Shopping around for a home in California is important as well; when making any major purchase you want to make sure you are getting the best deal possible. Finding an okay deal is a common pitfall; just because it’s a deal doesn’t mean you can’t do better. Many companies offer deals that have hidden costs and will wind up costing you more than you originally intended.

Make sure you don’t get stuck with any extra items or fees on your loan that you don’t want. These fees may not seem like a lot but they can add up quickly. Only sign for a mortgage that has what you need in it and make sure you ask about any fees you see in the paperwork. Remember if a lender tries to do something that can hurt you, you can always walk away. Avoiding these common mistakes will help you find a better deal.

 
Back to Articles