Buying a home is a tedious task. The intensity of research is so enormous that it takes away a lot of our time. It requires correct research for good rates, better customer service, credibility of the lender themselves and what best would be in our own interest as a loan seeker. To be in the smart rat race, you need to search for the best mortgage lenders out of the lot. The main challenge is to select on the right choices available before us, which is – Who will accept my application – would it be the bank or online lenders or mortgage brokers.
A lot of factors have to be taken into consideration before deciding the right mortgage lender but a lot of it depends on the fact whether you are a first time loan seeker or a seasoned home buyer etc., While the seasoned ones have all the information at the back of their hands, here is something important for all those first time homebuyers.
First understand and always remember that the rate and terms you have been told will vary depending on your credit score and financial circumstances! If you fail to produce appropriate recommendations, chances of finding the most economical loan lending option is highly minimal.
The best mortgage lenders have three properties in common.
They are usually available easily. A mortgage lender does not need to have a nationwide presence to be one of the best mortgage lenders.
They are not the middlemen.
They are not predatory. Lenders get complaints and objections all the time. They might have got protests due to false paperwork or expired license. But that doesn’t mean they are predatory.
The first priority of a borrower who look for best mortgage lenders is an easy-to-navigate, functional website.
Key features that one look for in a mortgage lender is:
Right loan rates at the right place on the website
A knowledge portal with additional features like mortgage calculators
An efficient online loan application
Knowledgeable person who can answer queries via live chat
Good customer service executive to talk to
Also, five best tips which can help you find the best mortgage lender:
Good credit score. The better the credit score, the more negotiating control you’ll have.
Knowledge about the mortgage lending background.
Compare rates from several mortgage lenders.
Have the right questions ready with respect to the lender. Find out about the mode of communication, fees and requirements.
There are companies that work on collecting and maintaining credit information of consumers. These are known as credit reporting agencies (CRAs). There are three such major CRAs in the country, namely Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Apart from these, there are other smaller-scale agencies too that specialize at the job. If you’re worried about “where to get my credit score?,” the larger CRAs are the most reliable bets.
These major CRAs obtain information from companies that you hold business and transactions with. People or companies that lend you money regularly report to these CRAs on your repaying status. There is also detailed information on the amount you are indebted and whether you have ever defaulted on your payments. Aside from the reports obtained from lenders, these companies also tally your general records based on certain other aspects. Some of these aspects are your public records from the local and state judiciary. These include your tax records and bankruptcy information. This information makes up an important chunk of your credit score and its report.
Equifax
Present in 24 countries, Equifax is an agency that offers consumers protection against identity theft and credit fraudulence. They also sell credit reports and credit monitoring assistance to businesses.
Experian
Experian started off in London and is now a trusted agency in 39 different countries. It provides you with a credit score, credit report, and even credit tracker on subscription. The agency uses FICO 8 system of credit score calculation. Experian was a part of Forbes’ “World’s Most Innovative Companies” in 2018.
TransUnion
Based across 30 countries with a database of over 1 billion consumers, TransUnion is another CRA giant. The agency, like the other ones, will provide you with your credit score and your credit reports. In case you decide to freeze your TransUnion credit report, it will also go the extra mile to notify Equifax and Experian, which frankly is a big help especially in case of identity theft and credit fraud.
So, the next time you are sat wondering “where to get my credit score?,” think of these three giants that provide you with an annual credit score and credit report for free once each year. However, if you are looking for more frequent updates, you can subscribe to their services and receive your monthly updates.
Did you know that you have more than a single credit score? Agencies calculate your credit score based on the data in your credit reports. If you are wondering, “where to get my credit score?,” there are three main credit reporting agencies. These can have different credit scores for you if your information on each of their credit reports is different. Also, these agencies charge a fee to reveal your credit score.
Recently, it has become easier to track and get hold of your credit score without paying any fees. You can get it from your credit card company, your loan provider, and even from a non-profit counselor. Here are a few tips you can use to check your score.