Your dream home can be a reality with the help of Southport Bank. Let us take care of the paperwork so you can focus on the pleasures of being a homeowner.
- Step 1 - Are you ready to buy a home?
- Step 2 - Pre-Qualify before you buy
- Step 3 - Complete & Sign the Application
- Step 4 - Pre-approval
- Step 5 - Find your Dream Home
- Step 6 - Appraisal Completed by an Independent Appraiser
- Step 7 - Commitment Issued
- Step 8 - Closing
- Step 9 - Automatic Mortgage Payments
Step 1 - Are you ready to buy a home?
When you begin thinking about buying a home, you
will be faced with many decisions. It is not always easy to find the
right home, and getting a mortgage can seem complicated.
A home mortgage loan consists of documents that are in fact your
promise to pay back the loan. Southport Bank wants you to feel secure
in your
new home and financially comfortable, so we work with you to help
insure that your income can support the loan payment. Try a loan
on
for size by using our built-in calculators
- "Rent vs. Buy", "Mortgage Qualifier" and "Mortgage
Calculator."
Some other factors that are used to determine your ability to get
a mortgage loan are job history, credit history, and amount of savings.
Generally, a borrower should have two years or more of steady employment,
which demonstrates a consistent income flow for repayment of the loan.
Sometimes people think they have good credit, then they apply for
a loan and are surprised to learn that there are some problems with
their credit. You can check your credit history before applying for
a loan, or at any time to verify it's accuracy. There are three
credit
bureaus that keep records on consumers: Equifax
(800-685-1111), Experian
(888-397-3742) and TransUnion
(800-888-4213). You should be able to contact them to get a copy
of your credit report. You can also order a copy of your combined
credit report from all three bureaus at www.truelink.com.
A fee may be charged for these services.
Learn more about credit issues at http://www.truecredit.com/help/learnCenter/welcome.jsp,
and www.ftc.gov.
For copies of FTC (Federal Trade Commission) brochures on credit issues,
call 877-FTC-HELP.
When you buy a home, you will need money that you have saved for the
down payment and closing costs associated with the home purchase and
loan. Generally, you need to make a down payment that equals at least
5 percent of the purchase price, but the amount may vary. You will
also need money for closing costs, such as title policy, points, and
recording fees. These costs can be expensive, and sometimes the property
seller is willing to pay part of your closing costs.
Step 2 - Pre-Qualify before you buy
You will want to meet with a Southport Bank Mortgage Lender about pre-qualifying for a mortgage before you start your home search. This step will help you determine exactly how much house you can afford and expedite the acceptance of your offer when you locate your dream home. This is a free service of Southport Bank.
Step 3 - Complete & Sign the Application
Have your personal financial records ready. You will need to provide information on your personal financial situation and the loan application. You will also be asked to sign documents allowing the lender to check with your bank, employer and allowing a credit check. In order to complete the application, you'll need the following information:
- Personal Contact Information
- Social Security Number(s)
- Employment History
- Asset Information (deposit accounts, retirement funds, stocks, property)
- Liability Information (loans, credit cards, debts)
Get a head start on the mortgage process. Click here to apply for your Home Mortgage online. One of our Mortgage Bankers will contact you to set up an appointment. If you’d like to make an appointment to apply in person, please call (262) 942-1111.
After we receive the verification of information
on your loan application and check your credit, we can then approve
you for a loan, subject to an appraisal to verify the value of the
property you may buy. We will furnish you with a pre-qualification
letter to verify your financing approval to real estate agents and
sellers.
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Once you have found a home and the seller accepts,
you will be asked to provide us with a copy of the accepted "Offer
to Purchase" so we can order the appraisal.
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Step 6 - Appraisal Completed by an Independent Appraiser
The property you purchase is used as collateral
for your loan. Therefore, we require an independent appraisal report.
The appraiser estimates the current value of the property based on
the size of the property, the age of the property, its structural
integrity, and the neighborhood. When we receive the results of the
appraisal we will contact you.
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Underwriters will review your application and
the appraisal to make a final decision on your loan. Once it is approved,
you'll receive a "Commitment Letter" asking you to help
schedule a time (within the number of days stipulated in the letter)
for the closing and property transfer. The realtor involved in selling
the property will, generally, schedule the closing for home purchases.
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This is when you take legal ownership of the
property. Closings are generally conducted by title companies, and
frequently take place at their offices. Usually all the parties involved
(seller, attorney, lender, and buyer) attend. Just prior to the closing,
you will be informed of the exact amount of down payment and closing
cost money you need to bring. You will also be asked to provide proof
of hazard insurance for the property to the bank a few days before
the scheduled closing. At the closing, you will be given a brief explanation
of a number of legal documents and asked to sign them. As a buyer,
you will sign a mortgage note, which is the personal promise to repay
the loan, and the mortgage, which is the financial lien or claim against
the property. Finally, the moment you have been waiting for - you
receive the house keys and are officially a homeowner!
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Step 9 - Automatic Mortgage Payments
We can arrange to have your mortgage payment taken
automatically from your checking account monthly. No need to write
a check, make a trip to the bank, or mail the payment in. Never worry
about your payment being late again.
Click here to learn more about your home
loan options.
