Home ownership is the American dream, but obtaining a mortgage loan in the current state of the economy can be difficult. There are multiple home mortgage options, and it is important that you choose the right one. This article contains some valuable tips to help you get a mortgage for the home you finally found.

Predatory lenders are still in the marketplace. These lenders usually prey on home buyers with less than perfect credit. They offer low or no down payments; however, the interest rates are extremely high. Additionally, these lenders often refuse to work with the homeowner should problems arise in the future.

There are loans available for first time home buyers. These loans usually do not require a lot of money down and often have lower interest rates than standard mortgages. Most first time home buyer loans are guaranteed by the government; thus, there is more paperwork needed than standard mortgage applications.

Work with your bank to become pre-approved. Pre-approval helps give you an understanding of how much home you can really afford. It'll keep you from wasting time looking at houses that are simply outside of your range. It'll also protect you from overspending and putting yourself in a position where foreclosure could be in your future.

Before getting a mortgage, study your credit history. Good credit is what can help you get a mortgage. Obtain copies of your credit history and scores from the three major credit-reporting bureaus. Study your reports carefully to ensure that no issues or errors must be resolved before you apply. Many lenders need a minimum score of 680, which complies with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae's guidelines. Most lenders want to avoid scores that are lower than 620.

Organize your financial life before going after a home mortgage. If your paperwork is all over the place and confusing, then you'll just make the entire mortgage process that much longer. Do yourself and your lender a favor and put your financial papers in order prior to making any appointments.

Keep the lines of communication open with your lender, no matter how bad your financial situation may get. There are far too many people who give up and do nothing when they're underwater with their loan. The smart thing to do is call the lender to renegotiate the terms. Find out your options by speaking with your mortgage provider as soon as possible.

Get a copy of your credit score before you apply for a mortgage. It is best to know where you stand before you complete an application for a mortgage. You should check your credit even if you are sure you have a good score since identity theft or mistakes can occur.

Now that you are armed with the valuable information found in this article, you have a better chance of getting the financing you need. Your best option may be a short term loan that you can convert later, or a 30 year mortgage. Follow the advice in this article to find the loan that works best for you.