Mortgage Law in North Carolina
In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 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 authorized to buy a piece of real estate, with that same real estate serving as collateral.
Mortgages are useful because they permit a person to buy a house, or other larger piece of real estate, without having to pay the complete price up front. Most people, obviously, don't have that kind of money on hand. Thankfully, many find it manageable to make monthly payments on the mortgage, plus interest, over a period of many years.
Buying something on credit creates further costs. Because lenders make their money by charging interest on loans, borrowers end up paying far more than the purchase price when they buy a house (or anything else) on credit.
But various home buyers think that a mortgage is worth the extra cost it imposes. After all, it wouldn't be possible for most people to buy homes if they had to pay for the whole thing up front.
Getting a Mortgage in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
When attempting to get a mortgage in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, it's critical to have a long track record of good credit. In lending such a large amount of money, banks take a significant risk. However, if you mitigate that risk somewhat with proof that you always pay your debts, you are a far less risky prospect, as far as the bank is concerned, making them far more likely to approve a loan.
The majority of lenders require a down payment on any mortgage. This is typically represented as some percentage of the total purchase price. Lenders require this to show that the borrower is financially solvent, indicating that they are usually responsible with their money. You should ensure that you have more money than the required down payment saved up, so that making this payment doesn't hurt your financial situation.
It's also important to be realistic about your financial situation when calculating monthly payments. Obviously, a more expensive house will result in higher mortgage payments. While buying a house on credit may tempt you to get something more expensive than you can really afford, you should resist this temptation. Having a big, expensive home won't count for much if you can't make the payments, and it gets foreclosed. You should make a reasonable accounting of the expenses associated with home ownership. This includes mortgage payments, property taxes, and others.
Once everything is in order, it comes time to complete the mortgage agreement. Once this is signed, there is typically no going back, so you should make sure that you understand every single term in this long-term agreement.
Can a Chapel Hill, North Carolina Real Estate Attorney help?
Buying a home is not a decision to be made lightly. It is necessary to obtain competent legal and financial advice before purchasing a home. To that end, a knowledgeable Chapel Hill, North Carolina real estate attorney should be consulted.