Mortgage Law in Pennsylvania
Mortgages are a special type of secured loan, where the security is the piece of property bought with the loan. In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, most mortgages are taken out to buy houses. The seller of the house is paid by the bank, and the buyer, in exchange, agrees to pay the bank back in installments, with interest. If they fail to make these payments, the bank can seize the house.
Mortgages are useful because they permit a person to buy a house, or other larger piece of real estate, without having to pay the full price up front. Most people, obviously, don't have that kind of money on hand. However, many find it manageable to make monthly payments on the mortgage, plus interest, over a period of many years.
Buying anything with a loan costs more than just the purchase price. This is because lenders charge interest on their loans, which, when all is said and done, adds up to a very considerable amount of money.
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 unrealistic.
Getting a Mortgage in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
When trying to get a mortgage in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, it's important that you have a good credit history dating back as far as possible. The better your past record of paying back loans, the more likely a bank is to assume the risk of loaning you hundreds of thousands (or more) dollars to buy a house.
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.
Also important 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 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 imperative 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 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 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 a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania real estate attorney if you have any questions whatsoever.