What is a Mortgage?
- Real Vision
- March 31, 2022
- 8:39 PM
If you’re going to buy a house, you will likely need to borrow money from a bank, credit union, or reputable financial institution. This loan is known as a mortgage. It is used to purchase a home, property, or piece of real estate. As the borrower, you agree to pay back the loan plus interest over a set period of time.
Once you obtain the loan and close the deal on your home, the lender will place a claim or lien on the property, which serves as collateral for the loan. If you fall behind on your mortgage or can no longer afford your monthly payments, the lender could repossess the home. Once you repay the principal amount of the loan, you will own the home outright.
Nearly everyone in the U.S. will take out a mortgage when buying a home. Learn more about home loans, how they work, and how you can use one to become a homeowner.
What Is a Mortgage?
A mortgage is defined as a loan used to buy a piece of property, such as a home or apartment. The total amount of the loan is typically enough to cover the purchase price of the home. The borrower uses this money to buy the property from the seller, so that they can move in right away. They will then pay the lender back over a set period of time plus interest.
Most mortgages require a partial down payment, usually a certain percentage of the property’s total market value. Different lenders and states have certain down payment requirements. For example, the borrower may need to pay at least 5% to 20% of the home’s total value out-of-pocket before the lender will approve them for a mortgage. The borrower is also responsible for additional expenses, including closing costs, as well as insurance for the loan.
Consumers use mortgages to purchase all kinds of properties. Lenders can then sell mortgages to investors for a profit. Mortgages can also be packaged together during the trading process. They are usually seen as a stable investment for both lenders and investors, considering most borrowers pay their mortgages back on time.
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How Does a Mortgage Work?
A mortgage represents an official agreement between the lender and borrower. Every mortgage comes with specific terms and conditions, including the principal amount of the loan, interest rate, and the repayment plan, or how much time the borrower has to pay back the principal amount. The length of the repayment plan can last anywhere from 5 to 40 years or more.
All mortgages come with interest. The interest rate, or annual percentage rate (APR), will either be fixed or adjustable.
With a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate will not change over the course of the loan.
With an adjustable-rate mortgage, the interest rate will usually start low during what’s known as the introductory period. It will then increase based on the terms and conditions of the loan. The lender will also change the mortgage based on the interest rate set by the Federal Reserve, which oversees financial policy in the U.S.
As a borrower, you can use a mortgage to buy a piece of property, but you will not own the home outright until you pay off your mortgage in full. If you stop paying your monthly bills or default on the loan altogether, the lender will repossess the home and evict you from the property. They can then sell the property to recoup their investment.
Read More: How To Buy A Foreclosed Home
What Types of Mortgage Loans Are There?
Lenders offer different types of mortgages based on the length of the repayment plan and the type of interest rate. As a borrower, you can choose between a fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage. You can also set the length of the repayment plan based on the options available to you.
Most mortgages in the U.S. are 30-year fixed-rate, which means the borrower has 30 years to repay the loan, and the interest rate will not change. Many borrowers need at least 30 years to pay off the principal amount. They also tend to prefer fixed-rate mortgages, so they don’t have to worry about the interest rate changing over time.
While fixed-rate mortgages are more predictable, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) often come with low introductory rates that can be appealing to borrowers. If you choose this option, it’s best to pay off as much of your mortgage as possible before the interest rate goes up at the end of the introductory period. You may also make more money several years down the line, which can help you cover the higher interest rate.
When setting the length of the repayment period, you need to give yourself enough time to pay back the principal plus interest. Many lenders offer mortgage-payment calculators that will tell you exactly how much you will need to pay each month, including interest. Make sure that you can afford to pay this bill every month and still have enough money left over in case of an emergency.
You may also qualify for other types of loans as well, including those managed by the federal government. FHA loans are managed by the Federal Housing Administration. They are reserved for first-time homeowners and low-income borrowers. The government insures these loans to reduce the potential risk for lenders. USDA loans are reserved for American farmers and are managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. VA loans for America’s veterans don’t require down payments and usually offer low interest rates.
How Long Are Home Loans and Mortgages?
Mortgage loans typically last from 5 to 40 years or more; however, most mortgages tend to last 30 years.
The longer the repayment plan, the more you will have to pay in interest over time. The sooner you pay off the loan, the more you will save in interest.
If you want to save money, you can always go with a longer repayment plan to lower your monthly payment and then pay more than what’s required every month to get out of debt as soon as possible.
How to Qualify for a Mortgage
When applying for a mortgage, you will need to start by reaching out to different lenders in your area to see if they are willing to lend you money. They will need to see proof that you can repay the loan on time by going over your financial information, including your pay stubs, tax returns, income-to-debt ratio, and as well as a credit check.
It’s best to compare these different offers to see which lender will give you the lowest interest rate before signing on the dotted line. Two factors determine your interest rate. The lender will first create a base interest rate, which is determined by the current interest rate from the Federal Reserve. They will then add a secondary rate on top of the first based on your financial standing. They will then add these two rates together to give you a final interest rate.
Once you choose a mortgage and get approved for the loan, you can use this money to purchase the house you have selected. Most borrowers will find a property before they apply for a mortgage. This is known as pre-approval.
To get pre-approved, you will need to submit your financial information to a lender. They will then pre-approve you for a certain amount that you can then use to bid on the home in question. Once you close the deal on the property, you can begin the application process.
What Is the Mortgage Underwriting Process?
The underwriting process is when the lender considers your application for the loan. They will consider your financial information to see if you are capable of paying back the principal amount on time plus interest. If you don’t have a lot of savings in the bank or can barely afford your monthly payment, the lender will consider you a risk. If you have plenty of savings and make more than enough money to pay your monthly bill, you will be considered less of a risk, which increases your chances of getting approved. Lenders don’t want to lend money to borrowers that may have trouble paying it back, or they risk losing money.
The underwriter will verify your information to make sure you are a good fit for the loan. Some lenders use automated technology to assess a borrower’s financial standing quickly. During the evaluation process, the lender may reach out to you with additional follow-up questions about your income or financial history, so it’s important to make yourself available during this time. The underwriter may also need to verify the total value of your assets, including life insurance policy, retirement savings, and investment accounts.
The entire underwriting process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the size of the loan and the length and complexity of your financial information. For example, it may take longer if you have many different types of investments or various forms of income.