Buying your first residential mortgage involves a lot of research. Check out online loan calculators and talk to your local banks or credit unions about mortgage loans they offer. Be sure to get pre-approval before you begin viewing homes. You must provide financial documents, pay stubs, and tax forms.

Steve Wilcox W/Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. enables homebuyers to purchase property by borrowing from a mortgage lender and paying it back. Plus, interest over a set period. They are available in various forms and can be used for many purposes. There are many factors to consider when deciding on the right type of residential mortgage, including how much you can afford, the type of home you want, and your long-term financial goals.

To determine how much you can afford, start by figuring out how much you and your partner (if applicable) make each month. This should include all sources of income, from wages to investment earnings to alimony. Next, calculate your debts and other expenses. The rule of thumb is that your total monthly housing costs — including your mortgage, insurance, and property taxes — should not exceed 36% of your gross pretax income.

Then, determine how much you can put down as a down payment on your new home. Remember that a larger down payment will reduce the amount you need to borrow and make your monthly payments more affordable. Lastly, consider other locations where you can find a home that fits your budget.

If you plan on renting out your new home, your mortgage lender will require you to get a separate buy-to-let mortgage. The lender will perform affordability checks to ensure your expected rental income is high enough to pay off the mortgage. If you are concerned about meeting this requirement, mortgages are available that allow borrowers to overpay on their loans. However, be careful to understand the penalties associated with doing this, as they can be substantial.

Homeownership is an important investment, and the type of property you choose will significantly impact your lifestyle and finances. The most effective way to find the right home is to list your wants and needs clearly. Your list should include fundamental desires such as neighborhood and size and specific details like bathroom layout and kitchen appliances. Then, you can narrow your search and use local real estate websites to find properties that meet your criteria. Look into national and state first-time buyer programs, which can help you get into your dream home with a lower down payment.

It’s also helpful to understand that lenders will consider your debt-to-income ratio when determining how much you can afford. To qualify for a mortgage, your housing expenses (principal, interest, taxes, and homeowner’s insurance) should be less than 30% of your monthly income. This is why it’s important to carefully review your budget before starting the house-hunting process and talk with a real estate agent who can help you stay within your financial comfort zone.

A residential mortgage is a loan that lets you buy property to live in or to let out. You borrow money from your lender to pay for the property and then pay it back in regular installments plus interest. There are different types of residential mortgages, and the one you need will depend on your needs and situation.

You can also get a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage backed by the government with more flexible lending requirements. FHA loans are ideal for first-time buyers, and you can often qualify with a lower credit score than conventional mortgages. You’ll still need a substantial deposit and may need to pay PMI if you put down less than 20%.

There’s also a Veterans Affairs (VA) loan available to current service members, veterans, and their eligible spouses. This loan is only available to some, as specific eligibility criteria must be met. There’s no PMI, and you can typically qualify without a large down payment.

You can also take out a second mortgage, secured by your home, but it is subordinate to your primary mortgage. This type of loan is often used to finance home improvements or cover other major expenses. You can refinance your existing mortgage to a second, though you’ll need to have enough equity in your property to make this financially feasible.

Residential mortgages last 10 to 30 years, giving you a set amount of time to repay your loan in monthly payments plus interest. If you fail to keep up your repayments, your lender has the right to repossess your home, but this is usually a last resort. If you want to repay your mortgage early, many lenders allow you to do so by overpaying up to a certain percentage of the outstanding debt each year, though it’s important to check the terms and conditions of your mortgage.

Suppose you plan to let your property out to tenants. In that case, you must remortgage your home for a buy-to-let mortgage and carry out affordability checks to ensure your rental income is sufficient to cover your repayments.

Many mortgage lenders are out there, and they differ in the types of loans they offer. Knowing your options is key to getting the best deal on your home loan. A good place to start is at the banks or credit unions where you have accounts, as they may offer exclusive mortgage products to their customers. Ask friends or real estate professionals for lender and broker referrals.

Before you commit, get preapproved by multiple lenders to determine how much you can afford. However, remember that the sum the lender qualifies you for doesn’t consider your other expenses (like utility bills, daycare, and health insurance). You could wind up “house poor” if you buy a property you can’t afford, so don’t rush into a mortgage decision just because you have been preapproved.

Mortgage companies also provide different products to help homeowners with their homeownership journey, such as home equity lines of credit and refinancing options. Some lenders are direct lenders who originate and fund their loans, while others are wholesale lenders who sell them to the bigger lending institutions on the secondary mortgage market. Direct lenders tend to have stricter requirements, while wholesale lenders typically have a more diverse selection of loan products and lower rates.

Then, there are mortgage brokers, who act as the middleman between borrowers and direct lenders. Mortgage brokers can find lenders willing to work with borrowers with unique situations, such as bad credit or a short employment history. If you’re considering working with a mortgage broker, check out their license status and determine any disciplinary actions.