How to Apply for Mortgage Loans
To apply for a mortgage loan, you'll need a W-2, pay stubs from the last 30 days, and several other documents. You must meet the lender's requirements to get approved for a mortgage loan. A decent credit score is one of the main requirements for securing a mortgage loan from a lender. Shop around and compare multiple lenders before applying for mortgage loans.
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Steve Crowell
Mortgage Loan Originator
Steve Crowell is a New Hampshire based mortgage loan originator with Luminate Home Loans, Inc. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 2003 with a BS in Business and Economics and a BA in History, he went on to get his broker license in 2005. In 2021, he was recognized as a Luminate Home Loans “Circle of Excellence” top agent. Steve works as a trusted resource for clients w...
Mortgage Loan Originator
UPDATED: May 16, 2023
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident loan decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one loan provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about loans. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything loan related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.
UPDATED: May 16, 2023
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident loan decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one loan provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Mortgage loans usually don’t cover down payments
- Good credit scores produce lower interest rates
- Compare multiple lenders and go with the company that best meets your needs
Did you know you can apply online for mortgage loans? How do you apply for mortgage loans?
Read through this guide to learn how you can apply for mortgage loans and secure low annual percentage rates.
When you finish reading about how to apply for mortgage loans, enter your ZIP code in the free comparison tool above to compare multiple lenders in your area.
How can I apply for a mortgage loan?
Before you apply, there are a few things you’ll need to qualify for a mortgage loan. Here’s a list of items and information mortgage lenders usually ask for:
- W-2s from the last two years
- Pay stubs from the last 30 days
- Banks statements from the last two months
- Personal and business tax returns
- Social Security number
- Permanent address
- Driver’s license
- A credit report
- Copy of year-to-date profits if you’re self-employed
- A signed copy of a purchase and sales agreement
Once you have all the necessary documents, you should be ready to start a mortgage application.
But what are the steps to getting a mortgage loan? Continue reading to learn how applying for a mortgage loan works.
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Six Steps to Getting a Mortgage Loan
What are the steps to getting a mortgage? Although the steps vary for each lender, we found six steps that most borrowers face when they want a mortgage loan. Let’s go through each step.
- Step #1 – Fill out a mortgage application in person or online
- Step #2 – Review the estimates to get an idea of how much you’ll spend on monthly payments
- Step #3 – Pick a bank, credit union, or other mortgage loan agency
- Step #4 – Your loan application and other qualifications go into processing
- Step #5 – The lender begins the underwriting process
- Step #6 – If everything checks out, your loan will be approved
If you’re denied a mortgage loan, the lender explains why your qualifications aren’t enough to get a loan.
Some lenders have minimum credit score requirements. You may get around loan denial by going to another lender with lower requirements.
However, lenders with lower requirements often have higher interest rates.
Can I apply for a mortgage online?
The short answer is yes. You can apply for a mortgage loan online faster than filling out and processing an in-person mortgage application.
If you’re having trouble getting a mortgage loan in your community, try an online lender. Online mortgage lenders can process your mortgage loan much quicker.
Electronic documents move almost instantly, so a mortgage loan company can receive and process your information faster.
Factors That Determine Mortgage Loan Payments
Many factors determine whether affordable mortgage payments are available to you. Take a look at the list below to see what will affect your monthly mortgage payments.
- Home price
- Mortgage lender
- Down payment
- Loan amount
- Annual percentage rate (APR)
- Loan terms
- Credit score
- Location (state)
Do you want to see how these factors work? Type “mortgage loan calculator” in the Google search bar to access a calculator tool that estimates your monthly mortgage loan payment.
https://youtu.be/rJgNbVTYgwM
APR varies for each person. To secure a low APR, you need a good credit score.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), insurance companies and lenders give lower rates to people who have a good credit history because this correlates to lowered risk.
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Which companies are the top mortgage lenders in 2021?
Before you get a mortgage loan, you should shop around with multiple lenders to find the best interest rates and good service. You should start with the best lenders.
We put together a list of the best mortgage loan agencies in the United States. Let’s review the list below.
The Best Mortgage Lenders in 2021Mortgage Companies | Best Quality | Minimum Credit Score Requirement |
---|---|---|
Alterra | Best of FHA Loans | N/A |
Better | Best for Financing | 620 |
Chase | Best for First-Time Home Buyer and Buyers Who Need Jumbo Loans | 620 |
Connexus | Best for Home Equity Lines of Credit | N/A |
Flagstar | Best for Jumbo Loans | N/A |
Guaranteed Rate | Best for Online Experience and Refinancing | 620 |
Navy Federal | Best for VA Loans | N/A |
New American Funding | Best for Nontraditional Credit Histories | 620 |
North American Savings Bank | Best for Overall Mortgage Experience for First-Time Home Buyers and Veterans | 620 |
PrimeLending | Best of FHA Loans | 580 |
Quicken Loans | Best for Customer Satisfaction | 620 |
Wells Fargo | Best for Overall Online Experience | 620 |
PrimeLending has the lowest credit score requirement. Meanwhile, North American Savings Bank is the best lender overall.
Your experience may vary for each company, so you should compare lenders to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Should I get a personal loan to pay for a mortgage down payment?
Mortgage lenders don’t recommend you get a personal loan from another agency to pay for a down payment on a mortgage. If you can’t afford the down payment cost, you may have to take out a personal loan.
How does a mortgage loan work after the down payment?
After you’ve made a down payment, the mortgage loan activates and pays for the price of the home. You’ll pay back interest over the term of the loan.
Apply for Mortgage Loans: What’s the bottom line?
Applying for a mortgage loan is simple when you have all the requirements. It can get complicated if you have fair or poor credit. But don’t let that stop you. There’s always a way for you to secure a mortgage loan.
Now that you know how to apply for a mortgage loan, use our free online quote tool to compare multiple lenders near you and get a mortgage loan today.
Apply for a Loan
Enter your ZIP code below to view lenders with cheap loan rates.
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Steve Crowell
Mortgage Loan Originator
Steve Crowell is a New Hampshire based mortgage loan originator with Luminate Home Loans, Inc. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 2003 with a BS in Business and Economics and a BA in History, he went on to get his broker license in 2005. In 2021, he was recognized as a Luminate Home Loans “Circle of Excellence” top agent. Steve works as a trusted resource for clients w...
Mortgage Loan Originator
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about loans. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything loan related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.