Buying a house is a huge undertaking. Really it is the largest single purchase that you may ever make. One of the most important things to do before you even start to look at houses is to truly understand mortgages. Picking the wrong one could lead to big problems. Once you have the right mortgage, the house buying process will go much smoother. Here are some the things you need to know as you are beginning your search for a mortgage.

There are a couple of ways you can obtain a mortgage. You can either go directly to a bank or you can go to a mortgage broker. A bank is just that. They have a certain mortgage program that they will offer and that's it. A mortgage broker works with many different banks to find you the best deal. The fees with a broker will be higher because they are the go between so they need to be paid also. In some states brokers do not have to be licensed so they are not regulated. As with everything else you will find good ones and you will find bad ones. The choice is really up to you. The process of getting a mortgage can be such a complicated task, I would recommend doing what ever you feel most comfortable with. There is no need to add extra stress into an already stressful situation.

Now the first thing a lender will look at when determining what you are eligible for, is your income. That is your total income from all sources. This is applied to all parties that will be on the mortgage. All parties will need to go through the same steps to be approved for the mortgage. You will need to show your tax returns and pay stubs. The more money you make the bigger mortgage you can get.

The lender will also check your credit report. This will tell them a couple of things that are important. First it will tell them your debt ratio. A debt ratio is simply how much you owe compared to how much you make. The second and more confusing thing your credit report will show is your credit score. It is a good idea to pull your credit report before you apply for a mortgage. Doing this will eliminate any surprises and allow you to start working on any negative items or disputes.

Your interest rate will be determined by your debt ratio and your income. Sometimes it may be necessary to get a higher interest rate in order to obtain a mortgage. If that is the case do not worry because you can always refinance your mortgage at anytime to get a better rate as your situation gets better.

There are hundreds of different mortgage plans out there for all different types of situations. There are really very few people who can't get a mortgage of some amount. It can be a very confusing and overwhelming process. Don't be afraid to ask questions so you are sure to understand everything.

Michael Russell Your Independent Mortgage guide.