Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Securing A Homeloan In A Time Of A recession. Is it Possible?

By Tom Martens

A recession brings on economic uncertainty. It's one of those spiral effects. Consumers aren't willing to spend money and banks aren't always willing to lend it.

Recessions represent an ideal time to take out a home loan because banks are more willing to offer cheaper interest rates. The cheaper rate can save the buyer thousands of dollars over the duration of the loan. Who doesn't want that?

A high credit score is your key to getting in. Do not have a high credit score' Especially during a recession your chances of getting approved are very low and even if you are approved, the interest rates will be extraordinarily.

Second, make sure you have money in the bank. You will not only need between three and 20 percent of the home's total cost for a down payment, but you will also need a minimum of two or three months of mortgage payments in the bank. These are called reserves, and most lenders require reserves in order to obtain a home loan. Your lender can provide specific details on the down payment and reserves requirements.

Make sure you can verify your employment, income and assets. It's not just enough to tell the home loan provider that you have a job and some money in the bank. You will need to provide documentation like paycheck stubs and bank account statements in order to secure a home loan.

The documentation is even more important if applying for a home loan during a recession, because the bank is less willing to grant the loan. Submitting the documentation early ensure a quicker approval.

Don't be afraid to negotiate with your home loan provider during a recession. Home loan providers need business, but especially during a recession when home purchases may have slowed down. Shop around and see who offers the best deal with the best rates. Let your home loan provider know you're talking to the competition and see if they can offer you a better deal.

Buying a home can be time consuming and intimidating, and buying a home in a recession can be downright frightening. But with some preparation on your part, you should be able to qualify for a home loan with competitive rates. See your home loan provider for answers to your specific questions. They can take the time to examine your situation and come up with a home loan that best suits your needs, recession or not. - 29904

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