When you’re applying for a home loan, make sure you tell your lender everything

If you’re thinking about getting prequalified to buy a home, maybe you have some issues with your credit history in the past, or maybe you cosigned for someone else’s property. These are the types of things you might think might not matter to a mortgage company granting your home loan, but they do matter. If you have any sort of financial challenge or issue of any sort, here are some things you might want to talk about with your lender to insure success…

Mortgage companies have to look at your complete and total financial picture which involves a thorough examination of your cash, deposits, all bank, accounts, credit, history, credit, score, income, employment how many hours you work, as well as supporting your ability to handle the mortgage payment, including any, and all consumer debts, the mortgage payment in relation to your monthly income, and a whole slew of other things, including the property appraisal report. There’s actually a substantial number of factors that go into a lender’s ability to approve a home loan.

If your financial situation is anything out of the ordinary, maybe you had judgment, tax debt, short sale, bankruptcy, foreclosure, alimony, and child support any of these sorts of things. Make sure you tell your lender upfront. Applying for a loan and then going into contract on a home, then telling them about some piece of additional information like an undisclosed property for example, this is a type of thing that can make your mortgage transaction go from relatively streamlined to problematic and difficult in a matter of minutes. It’s super important no matter how challenging or how difficult your situation is to be upfront and tell the lender everything you’re working with. The lender can make a determination about how they can help you based on your situation so you can decide if that mortgage company is worth your time in going through the unraveling of whatever your financial process and challenge might be. When you’re looking for a home loan to buy a home, you want a mortgage company that will need to do whatever it takes morally and ethically to help you purchase a home.

That means collaborating with you to uncover and piece things together. Maybe its job history, maybe it’s the lender knowing the alimony is an obligation that comes off income and it’s no longer treated as a debt anymore, maybe it’s the fact that your auto loan has a few months of payments left on it, which no longer has to be counted in your debt-to-income ratio. Whatever the situation is be upfront with your lender. A good mortgage company should be able to help you identify what challenges are, and they should ask you about any and all of these things and tell them everything good, bad, ugly different, and everything in between. It’s critical because these are the types of things even if it seems tiny and mundane that could blow up your process and/or cause you to lose your earnest money deposit in a real estate transaction. Communication is the number one thing most important in a real estate transaction. This not only sets you up for success, but it also will create a smooth process and will help the lender help you and your family be successful when buying a home. Looking to buy a home get a no cost quote today.

RELATED MORTGAGE ADVICE FROM SCOTT SHELDON

When buying a home, it’s natural to want the lowest mortgage rate possible. But sometimes, chasing a slightly better rate from another lender—especially after your offer has already been accepted—can backfire in a big way. Let’s walk through a real-world scenario. You’ve got an offer accepted on a house. You’re working with a lender who has you approved, documents in underwriting, and a 21-day close of escrow in place. Everything is moving forward. Then you hear from another lender offering a rate that’s 0.25% lower, with slightly better closing costs. It’s tempting. But before you make a jump, here’s what you need to consider. Switching Lenders Comes with Time Costs When you pivot to a new lender mid-contract, they’ll need to: Re-underwrite your entire loan, Order a new appraisal, Disclose and sign new loan documents, Submit the file for final loan approval, Schedule and fund closing—all over again. This doesn’t happen overnight. Even in ideal circumstances, the new lender is likely going to need at least 25–30 days to close. If you’re in a fast-moving or competitive market, this is a real problem. Most sellers won’t grant a contract extension just because you’re switching lenders. So, what happens next? A Contract Extension Can Jeopardize Your Deal Asking for a contract extension means the seller must agree to delay closing. But that delay introduces risk—especially if the seller has backup offers or simply wants certainty. They may not grant the extension. Or worse, they could cancel the deal outright and take another buyer’s offer. Even if the seller agrees to extend, your earnest money and negotiation power could take a hit. And for what? A slightly lower rate that might save you $50 to $75 a month? Mortgage Rates Aren’t as Far Apart as You Think Here’s the truth: all mortgage lenders get their money from the same place—the bond market. The pricing differences between lenders usually range from 0.125% to 0.25% in rate on any given day. If one lender seems to be offering dramatically better pricing, the first thing you should ask is: How? Head over to FreddieMac.com and check the average 30-year fixed rate posted weekly. This is one of the most reliable benchmarks for where rates truly stand in the market. If a lender is quoting you a rate that’s well below that average, ask for the details: Are they charging extra points? Is this a teaser rate with a prepayment penalty? Is it based on a different loan product or risky structure? Often, what sounds “too good to be true”… is. Consider the Bigger Picture Think long-term. If you’re financing $600,000, a 0.25% lower rate may reduce your payment by roughly $75/month. But what if you lose the house and have to start over? That monthly savings doesn’t mean much if you’re outbid on your dream home or lose your deposit. Also, remember: you’re not going to keep this rate forever. Today’s homebuyers typically refinance when rates drop by about 0.75% or more. So if rates fall within the next year or two, you’ll likely be refinancing anyway. Instead of paying extra points now or risking the entire deal for a minor monthly savings, it may be better to accept a slightly higher rate—knowing you’ll refinance when the time is right. The Real Risk Isn’t the Rate—It’s the Delay When shopping for a home loan, don’t just ask, “What’s your rate?” Ask: Can you close on time? Is this rate sustainable or based on hidden costs? Will switching lenders delay or jeopardize my contract? A home purchase contract is a binding agreement between you and the seller to perform within a set timeframe. If you can’t meet those dates because you're chasing a slightly better rate elsewhere, you may want to reconsider if now is the right time to buy. Final Thoughts Yes, interest rates matter. But execution matters more. Before making a switch mid-transaction, talk to your lender. Have an honest conversation about pricing, timelines, and strategy. You might find that staying the course, securing the house, and planning to refinance later offers a better path to financial security. Want to Know Your Options? Let’s compare rates and strategies the smart way—without risking your dream home. 👉 Click here to get a custom rate quote today.

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