Before you can get preapproved for a loan, you need to determine what loan you can afford. It is helpful to consult financial advisors to look at your situation and determine the best estimated monthly payment for you. That will determine your best loan total given the current interest rates on home loans.

After determining what you can afford for your estimated monthly payment, it is time to get preapproved for your loan by an equal housing lender. When preapproving home loans, one of the first things the lender looks at is your credit score. Your credit score will be a factor in the loan amount and interest rate you qualify for. However, if you have a low credit score, don’t despair! Your lender can help you with a loan program, such as an FHA loan, which helps those with a lower credit score to own a home.

Where you go for home loans will affect your mortgage experience. It will also affect your interest rate and your estimated monthly payments. You want a lender who gives you attentive customer service, who will take the time to explain things to you, like rate points and APR, for a positive mortgage experience. You have several options: a loan officer at a bank, an online mortgage lender, or a loan broker. While a loan officer can help with mortgage loans, including adjustable-rate or fixed-rate ones, they are limited to the loan options their bank offers. An online mortgage lender is also limited in the mortgage options they can offer, and the online process can be difficult if you have a low credit score. However, a mortgage broker is an expert in home loans and has access to more mortgage options for you. They can shop your loan across many lenders to get the best mortgage rates and payment options—improving your mortgage experience. Additionally, brokers often have less overhead. You get those savings in lower closing costs, lower interest rates, and reduced fees. That’s great customer service!

When shopping for mortgage loans, there are many things to think about.

• Do you want an adjustable-rate mortgage? Adjustable-rate loans start at a lower interest rate than other mortgage loans, but after the fixed-rate period, the interest rate will adjust with the current market for the remaining life of the loan. After the fixed-rate period, your APR may increase significantly, affecting your monthly payment.
• Do you want a fixed-rate mortgage? A fixed-rate home mortgage does not have a fixed-rate period. The interest rate remains the same for the entire term of the loan.
• What loan term do you want? Home loans have various repayment periods, called the loan term. The term of the loan will affect your monthly payment.
• Do you need mortgage insurance? If you have less than a 20% down payment, you need mortgage insurance, which increases your monthly payments. You don’t have to pay mortgage insurance over the entire life of the loan; once you pay 20% of the loan principal, the mortgage insurance goes away, and your monthly payments go down.
• What are the current mortgage rates? Mortgage rates are synonymous with the interest rate on home loans, and will significantly impact your monthly mortgage payment.
• Do you want to roll your closing costs into your mortgage? This is sometimes one of your loan options, but not always.

Since there are many factors to consider that could affect your estimated monthly payment, it is essential you have a lender who will give you excellent customer service so that you get the loan you want and have a positive mortgage experience.

After you’ve gotten preapproved and had your offer accepted on a new home, it is time to finalize your loan. At this point, your estimated monthly payment becomes a solid number. If you are getting a fixed rate on the current loan, your interest rate will be locked in for the life of the loan. After securing your loan, there will be closing costs to consider. These include fees for originating the loan, title insurance, and appraisal fees, among other things. Be sure you keep your closing costs in mind when considering how much money you need to buy your home.

Once you own some equity in your home through making payments on your current loan, you can take out a home equity line of credit. A home equity line of credit often has a fixed rate of interest that is lower than the interest rate of the current loan on your home, making it a smarter option than taking out a second mortgage at current mortgage rates. And it doesn’t have to be repaid until you use it, like a credit card. Your monthly payment will be based on the interest rate and the credit you use.

Also, If you already own a home, and want to purchase a second home, financial advisors can help determine if taking a home equity line of credit would be a good way to finance the down payment. Home equity rates are usually lower than the current home mortgage rates and have more payment options, which means a better estimated monthly payment. A home equity line of credit can be used for home repairs or to pay off higher-interest loans, among other things. You can get personal loans for these needs, but home equity rates are usually lower than the interest rates on personal loans.