Mortgage Law in Nebraska

In Norfolk, Nebraska, 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 available. A mortgage is a loan issued to buy a piece of real estate, with that same real estate serving as collateral.

Taking out a mortgage and buying a house is not a decision to make lightly. However, mortgages serve some very useful purposes. Because houses are so expensive, it's impossible for most people to buy them by paying the full price upfront. A mortgage ensures that the seller gets paid immediately, and that the buyer is able to pay the purchase price over a long period of time, in manageable installments.

Buying anything on credit creates additional 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.

However, 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 Norfolk, Nebraska

The most important factor in getting a mortgage on favorable terms in Norfolk, Nebraska 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 ensure that you have enough money saved up to cover the down payment on a house, if you are considering buying one. This will prevent 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 immediately pay for can tempt some people into taking on more debt than they can handle. 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 basically makes everything final, so it's essential 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 Norfolk, Nebraska Real Estate Attorney help?

Buying a home is not a decision to be made lightly. It is crucial to obtain competent legal and financial advice before purchasing a home. To that end, a knowledgeable Norfolk, Nebraska real estate attorney should be consulted.