Mortgage Law in Ohio

In Geneva, Ohio, a mortgage is a special type of secured loan. A loan is "secured" when there is some type of property attached to it, which can be seized by the lender in case the borrower defaults. This, obviously, reduces the risk to the lender, and makes credit more accessible. A mortgage is a loan given to buy a piece of real estate, with that same real estate serving as collateral.

Getting a mortgage isn't exactly a small decision. In fact, it's one of the most important decisions that many people make. Nonetheless, if you decide that a mortgage is right for you, it can make it possible to buy a home where it would otherwise be impossible.

When you buy something on credit, however, you are going to end up spending substantially more than the purchase price, because you have to pay interest. Obviously, a lender couldn't stay in business if it didn't charge interest on loans, this would cause it to (at best) break even on every loan it issued.

Nonetheless, many people who buy their homes with a mortgage find this extra long-term cost to be worth it, since a mortgage might be their only way to buy a home.

Getting a Mortgage in Geneva, Ohio

The most critical factor in getting a mortgage on favorable terms in Geneva, Ohio is having a good credit rating. Credit ratings exist to make it easy for prospective lenders to assess a person's risk as a borrower. A good credit rating shows that you paid most or all of your debts on time, and are likely to continue to do so. A poor credit rating says the opposite, and will make it much more difficult to get a loan, and even if you do, the interest rate is likely to be much higher.

The vast majority of lenders will require a down-payment before issuing a loan. This is some up-front payment that represents a percentage of the purchase price. You should confirm that you have enough money saved up to cover the down payment on a house, if you are considering buying one. This will keep the down payment from straining your finances too much.

You also need to be realistic about your budget. The fact that you're buying a house that you don't have to instantly pay for can tempt some people into taking on more debt than they can take. You need to make a full accounting of what the house is likely to cost, including the cost of the mortgage payments, property taxes, repairs and maintenance, and other fees.

Once you're ready to close the deal, you will have to sign all of the mortgage and sale agreements. This essentially makes everything final, so it's necessary that you have a good understanding of every provision of the agreement long before you get to this point. This is definitely an area where surprises are not desirable.

Can a Geneva, Ohio Real Estate Attorney help?

Taking out a mortgage and buying a home isn't a trivial matter, and might be the most important financial decision a person makes. A seasoned Geneva, Ohio real estate attorney can ensure that this goes as smoothly as possible.