One of the best ways to ensure that you get the best mortgage interest rate possible when you’re in the market for a new home is to improve your credit score. By taking the time to evaluate your credit score and increasing it, you’ll be more likely to be offered a favorable interest rate. 

1. Evaluate Your Credit

Start by getting a credit report from each of the primary credit agencies: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. You are entitled to a free credit report from each of them once per year.

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As your largest financial obligation, your mortgage loan is an area where it’s a good ideat to attempt to save money.  Due to the coronavirus and the effects that it has had on the economy, the Federal Reserve Bank has lowered interest rates to their lowest in history. But does this mean that it’s a good time for you to refinance your home’s mortgage? 

Why Refinancing Now is a Good Idea

The first thing you probably think about when you are considering refinancing your current mortgage is the money you can save over the lifetime of your loan. In addition, you could also significantly lower your monthly payments. This could free up more money for everyday expenses, home improvement projects or even doubling up on mortgage on occasion so you can pay off that debt even faster. 

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When you’re shopping for a mortgage loan, there are several important costs that you’ll want to be aware of. By gathering this information from each of the lenders that you are considering, you’ll be able to make an informed choice regarding which one is offering the best terms for your particular circumstances. 

Costs You Probably Already Thought Of

There are several costs that you have probably already thought of or that you already know. These include the amount of a down payment you can afford. You’ll also probably know the interest rate that is charged by each lender as well as the monthly payment. While these are important costs that you’ll need to know when making a decision regarding a lender to use, they are not the only information you’ll want to know. 

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The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) slashed interest rates again by 25 basis points on October 30, 2019. This is the rate that sets what banks charge other financial institutions for lending overnight. Additionally, it’s also linked to nearly all types of revolving consumer debt. 

Is This the Last Interest Rate Reduction? 

This cut, though widely expected by the nation’s financial markets, might be the last one for some time if the Fed’s indications are accurate. Though it was the third time in 2019 the Fed dropped the rate, Chairman Jerome Powell noted that the nation’s economic expansion is maturing and that the cut was an adjustment within that cycle. 

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The debt-to-income (DTL) ratio is a standard yardstick that many lenders use to determine the soundness of the mortgage applications that come across their desks. In fact, one of the most common reasons for denying a loan is because the potential borrower has monthly payments that exceed the standard limit of 43 percent. Possible reform that could go into effect in 2021 could ease these standards and make it easier for some to qualify for a mortgage. 

How DTL Ratios Work

While lenders look at a number of factors when scrutinizing an application for a mortgage, the DTL ratio is one of the most important. It’s determined by comparing the borrower’s gross monthly income with their recurring monthly debts.

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