Mortgage FAQs

What is the maximum percentage of my home's value that I can borrow?

The maximum percentage of your home's value depends on the purpose of your loan, how you use the property, and the loan type you choose, so the best way to determine what loan amount we can offer is to complete our online application!

Should I pay points in exchange for a lower interest rate?

Points are considered a form of interest. Each point is equal to one percent of the loan amount. You pay them, up front, at your loan closing in exchange for a lower interest rate over the life of your loan. This means more money will be required at closing, however, you will have lower monthly payments over the term of your loan.

To determine whether it makes sense for you to pay points, you should compare the cost of the points to the monthly payments savings created by the lower interest rate. Divide the total cost of the points by the savings in each monthly payment. This calculation provides the number of payments you'll make before you actually begin to save money by paying points. If the number of months it will take to recoup the points is longer than you plan on having this mortgage, you should consider the loan program option that doesn't require points to be paid.

If you'd prefer not to make this calculation the "old-fashioned way," we have a points calculator!

Tips for completing our online application

Completing our online application is as easy as 1-2-3! We'll ask you questions about your personal finances and the home. You'll probably know all the answers off the top of your head.

The application is broken down into sections and you can track your progress through each section at the top of each screen. It should take less than 20 minutes to complete the application.

Move through the application by using the back and next arrows at the bottom of each screen. Don't use the back and next button on your browser while you're completing the application.

We use exciting new technology in order to provide you with the most convenient online mortgage application ever! As you answer some of the questions, you'll note that questions below may change, disappear or new questions are added instantly. We don't ever want to waste your time asking for information that isn't important in your situation, so we evaluate the information we need based on your answers. Isn't that what amazing customer service is all about?

If you need additional help answering a question, click on the question mark at the end of the question for more information.

If you don't have time to complete the application right now or if you need to gather information before you finish, we'll save the information you have completed. When you're ready to finish, return to the site and enter your User ID and password to continue.

What can you expect when applying for a mortgage?

First, you'll complete our online application!

The application will ask you questions about the home and your finances and takes less than 20 minutes to complete. As soon as you've finished the application we'll review your request for instant approval. If your application is approved online, we'll ask you for a deposit to cover the cost of the appraisal on your home so that we can begin to process your request immediately. This deposit will be credited towards your closing fees at closing.

After completing your application, a Loan Advisor will contact you to introduce himself or herself and to answer any questions you may have. Your Loan Advisor is a mortgage expert and will provide help and guidance along the way. If your request wasn't approved online, he or she will ask you for any information required to make a decision about your loan.

If you are purchasing a new home, the Loan Advisor will also contact the Real Estate Broker or the seller so that they'll know whom to contact with questions.

We'll send you an application kit and prepare your loan for closing.

The application kit will be sent to you and will contain papers for you to sign and a list of items we'll need to verify the information you provided about your finances during the online application.

We'll order the appraisal from a licensed appraiser who is familiar with home values in your area. Depending on your finances and the loan amount requested, different types of appraisals are used. Sometimes the appraiser will need to view the home. Sometimes they are able to do their evaluation from the street.

Title insurance will be necessary. If you're purchasing a home, we'll work with the real estate broker or seller to ensure the title work is ordered as soon as possible. If you are refinancing we'll take care of ordering the title work for you. We'll use the title insurance to confirm the legal status of your property and to prepare the closing documents.

We'll contact you to coordinate your closing date.

After we received the application kit back from you and the appraisal and title work, we'll contact you to schedule your loan closing. If you are purchasing a home, we'll also schedule the closing with the real estate broker and the seller.

The closing will take place at the office of a title company or attorney in your area who will act as our agent. A few days before closing, your Loan Advisor will contact you to walk through the final information so that there won't be any surprises at closing.

That's all there is to it! You're on your way to the most convenient home loan ever!