Ann Gavlick

Mortgage Information

Here you’ll find a bit about mortgages, including a mortgage calculator and tips for finding a good lender. If you’re curious about terminology within the mortgage world, make use of the helpful glossary of real estate terms on this site.

Choosing a Lender

This is the first step you need to take before beginning your home search. Choosing a lender you are comfortable with and who can also provide you with a much needed prequalification letter is imperative.

I personally recommend beginning your search with one of these mortgage professionals:

I also recommend  Chris Bass and Nicholas Andress with Fairway Independent Mortgage, Karen Fisher and Sean Wood with Nova Home Loans all of whom have worked with my past clients and have guided them through the loan process.

Here are some questions you should ask your potential lenders:

What are the most popular mortgages you offer? Why are they so popular?

Which type of mortgage plan do you think would be best for me, and why?

Are your rates, terms, fees, and closing costs negotiable?

Will I have to purchase private mortgage insurance? If so, how much will it cost and how long will it be required? Note that private mortgage insurance is usually required if your down payment is less than 20 percent. However, most lenders will let you discontinue the insurance when you’ve acquired a certain amount of equity by paying down the loan.

Who will service the loan – your bank, or another company?

How long will this loan be in a lock-in period? The lock-in period is the amount of time that the quoted interest rate will be honored. Will I be able to obtain a lower rate if it drops during this period?

How long with the loan approval process take?

How long will it take to close the loan?

Are there any charges or penalties for prepaying the loan?

Checklist: What You Need for a Mortgage

Time to get rid of surprises later down the road! In order to be prepared to apply for a mortgage, you should be sure that you have access to the following information and documents:

• W-2 forms (or business tax returns if you’re self-employed) for the last two to three years for each person signing the loan
• Copies of at least one pay stub for each person signing the loan
• Account numbers of all your credit cards and the amounts of any outstanding balances
• Copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements for both checking and savings accounts
• Lender, loan number, and amount owed on other loans such as student loans and car loans
• Addresses where you’ve lived for the last five to seven years, with names of landlords if applicable
• Copies of brokerage account statements for two to four months, as well as a list of any other major assets of value (such as boats, RVs, stocks and bonds not held in a brokerage account)
• Copies of your most recent 401(k) or other retirement account statement
• Documentation to verify any additional income, such as child support or pension
• Copies of personal tax forms for the last two to three years
• Documentation to verify any additional income, such as child support or pension

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