improve your home buying power
Before you start deciding how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need, it’s crucial to sit down and determine how much house you can afford. Once that’s done, we give you a Certificate of Pre-Approval, which is a document that tells your realtor and the seller of any home you’re interested in that you’ll likely be able to get a loan to do the deal. It can be really difficult to get buyers interested in your offer without it.
To get there, an Ark Mortgage Advisor helps you to work out a budget. We consider your net income and subtract your current debt while leaving wiggle room for unforeseen expenses. That determines your Maximum Affordable Payment (MAP) for your mortgage, which in turn tells us what amount loan you’ll be likely to be approved for. Your Ark Mortgage Advisor will also tell you about various ways you can maximize your purchasing power.
How much mortgage can I afford?
The first step in buying a house is determining a realistic budget. Start with this handy calculator to get an estimate of how much you can qualify for, and how a home loan will fit into your monthly payments. The calculator takes into account your income, the purchase price, and total monthly payment. Try a couple scenarios to see how it might affect your finances.
FAQs
Why should I lock in a rate?
Mortgage rates are notoriously unpredictable. If you’re close to buying, it’s a good idea to grab the rate when it’s low so you’ll ensure you get the best mortgage. Of course, if the rate goes down during your lock, we’ll get you the lower rate.
Will I get charged a float-down fee?
Ark Mortgage never charges a fee to get you the lower rate once you’ve purchased the rate lock.
What if my lock expires before I close?
We can usually get an extension, but there may be some cost involved. If your closing is delayed because of any problem on our end, we’ll of course cover the cost of your extension.
Pair with Other Programs
90-Day Rate Lock
Mortgage rates are unpredictable and fluctuate daily. Avoid rising interest rates, by locking it in. And you don’t pay extra to “float down” or get the lower current market rates.
Express Mortgage
The promise to close within the month may make all the difference in a seller’s decision. We can help you close on a home in 21 days – that’s 26 days faster than the industry average.
Heroes Program
If you’re a first responder or health care worker, thank you. To show our gratitude we give a substantial discount on our fees whether you purchase or refinance a home loan.