Mortgage Law in New Hampshire

In Amherst, New Hampshire, 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 given 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.

Most people find this arrangement to be mutually beneficial - the lender makes a profit, and the borrower is able to buy a home where it would otherwise have been impractical.

Getting a Mortgage in Amherst, New Hampshire

The most important factor in getting a mortgage on favorable terms in Amherst, New Hampshire 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.

Most lenders will require you to provide a down-payment before they issue a mortgage. This is a particular percentage of the purchase price that you have to pay upfront. When considering buying a house, you should ensure that you have enough money saved up to more than cover the down payment, so making it doesn't put a huge strain on your finances.

Also essential is realism about your finances. Credit is a strange thing - it allows people to buy things that they could never pay for on their own. Some people are tempted by the siren song of credit into buying far more than they can afford. This can happen when buying a house, as well. When buying a house with a mortgage, you need to make sure you know how much it will actually cost, and how much you'll be paying each month. And mortgage payments aren't the only expenses associated with owning a home. There are homeowner's association fees, property taxes, and the cost of maintenance.

Once all of your affairs are in order, the time to sign the mortgage agreement comes. Once the agreement is signed, the loan is final, and there's no going back. Well before this day, you should make absolutely sure that you clearly understand every single provision of your mortgage agreement, and the obligations it imposes on you.

Can a Amherst, New Hampshire Real Estate Attorney help?

Because of the gravity of the decision to buy a house, and the complexity of some of the issues involved, it is never a bad idea to seek the help of an Amherst, New Hampshire real estate attorney if you have any questions whatsoever.