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Sunday, May 6, 2018

By Nancy Sullivan


You don't need a rocket scientist to tell you that mortgage shopping isn't as fun as checking out floor finishes and crown moldings. That said, it's arguably the most important piece of the jigsaw that is the home buying process. And when it comes to St Kitts real estate loans, there are certain elements you could take advantage of in order to get the best possible deal.

Your credit score will influence not only how much you'll be charged in interest, but also the success rate of the applications you send. To get to the point where this becomes an asset ( i. E. A score of 740 or above), you need to start with the simple steps like paying off debts on time. Otherwise, just try to keep yours as high as possible throughout the application period.

Is it okay to shop around for the best rates? Absolutely. Not all institutions use the same formula to evaluate their clients' backgrounds. As such, it's not unusual for interest rates and fees to vary across a handful of lenders. Slight as they may seem, these variations could make a huge difference in the long run.

It doesn't take a genius to see the need to balance your income with debts you already have. This should be part of your priorities list now that you're shopping for a mortgage. Lenders will want to what percentage of your earnings will go towards servicing the mortgage, plus any other loans you'll be paying off. This is known as the debt-to-income ration, and should ideally be no more than 36%.

Opting to pay for points is an effective way to charm a lender into lowering your mortgage rate. Each point will be worth 1% of the borrowed amount, and the more you pay, the less you'll be charged in interest. This will be guaranteed for the life of your mortgage, as long as you keep it unchanged for the entire time. Just make sure to check the difference in monthly payments before taking this route.

Contrary to popular opinion, mortgages with short tenures aren't usually priced higher than their long-term alternatives. While it's true that the former carry higher monthly installments, it's worth clarifying that rates always vary in proportion to the repayment term. So don't let a 15-year loan scare you; as long as you can keep up with the repayments, you'll end up paying less in interest than you would with a 30-year mortgage.

Most lenders require a down payment of at least 5% the property's value. While coming up with a larger amount might seem too much, it's actually one of the most effective ways to land a low-interest loan. This could also save you the need to insure the mortgage, thus paving way for more savings down the road.

It's not unusual for interest rates to change by the hour. So if you've just been pre-qualified for a low-interest mortgage, ask the lender if they'll be willing to lock in your rate. This will basically freeze the quoted figure for a certain period. Rate locks often come at a price, but it's a small investment that could make a huge difference.




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