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If you are in the market to refinance your mortgage, you will want to understand the three criteria most lenders use to qualify buyers. These criteria are: your credit, your income, and your equity you will have in the property. By understanding these three criteria you can help yourself to get the most refinancing interest rate possible. Let’s look at each of these three items:
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Your Credit
One of the main criteria a lender uses in deciding on your refinancing interest rate is your credit scores. If you have good credit scores then you will get a good mortgage refinancing interest rate; if you have bad credit scores then you will be quoted very high rates.
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Your credit score is directly impacted by the debt load you carry and the payments which you make or don’t make each and every month. It is vitally important to pay each of your bills and obligations on time, all the time. By having late payments, especially on a mortgage, you are showing your potential lender that you may make your payment late.
If you will be shopping for a home mortgage refinance loan, you will want to avoid any possible negative entries on your credit report. Some of the worst negative entries come from foreclosures, bankruptcies, charge-offs, and collection accounts. These must be avoided when at all possible!
Another negative for your credit scores, is carrying high balances compared to your credit limits. If you have a $2,000 Visa and every month you carry a balance of $1,990, you are showing your potential lender that you likely live on credit, and on live the edge. You should always carry a balance of less than half of your credit limits to keep your credit scores higher.
Your Income
If you are in the market for a home mortgage refinance loan you will want to have a steady job for at least the prior year. By having steady income you are able to show the lender that you can pay the monthly payments on your home refinance loan. By having steady income you reduce the risk to the lender that you will not repay the loan.
If you are self-employed then you will have a much harder time obtaining a traditional home mortgage refinance loan. You might want to opt for a “No Document” option where your interest rate will be a bit higher but you will not have to work as hard to possible!
Your Home Equity Amount
The third mortgage criteria you need to be aware of is the equity you have in your property. Your equity in your home is equal to the market value of your home minus your mortgage debt. Your equity is the portion of your property which you own out-right.
For example, if your home is worth $100,000 and you have a $60,000 mortgage, then your equity is $40,000. The more equity you have the more likely a lender will be willing to lend to you because you assume a lot of risk if you do not make your payments.
By understanding these three criteria you can help yourself to get the most refinancing interest rate possible. If you know that you are going to try and refinance your mortgage, take the time to clean up your credit, have a steady work history, and build up as much equity as you possibly can.
©2009 Best Refinance Mortgage Rates