(NAPSI)—Even with interest rates low, many buyers are sitting on the fence, unsure whether now is the right time to buy a home and if they would even qualify for a loan. There’s no magic to get you the loan you want but there are a few things you can do to help get yourself on the right path. Wells Fargo, the nation’s leading home mortgage lender, offers some helpful tips to make you look your best in the eyes of a lender:

1. Check your credit—Know where your credit stands before you apply for a loan. A borrower’s credit history can affect the amount required for a down payment, the interest rate or the amount of money that can be borrowed in relation to his or her income. A credit score of 720 or above is not only going to help you look better to a lender for loan approval, it may also help you get a better interest rate. Once per year, you are able to obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. In addition to viewing your report, you may also want to consider getting your credit score. There may be a small fee to get your credit score.

2. Decrease your debt—An important factor that lenders look at when qualifying borrowers is their debt-to-income ratio. This is the relationship between your income and expenses, amount of debt a person carries compared to how much income he or she makes. The smaller your debt-to-income ratio is, the more attractive you are as a borrower. While debt-to-income requirements vary by mortgage programs, a good rule of thumb is to keep your total debt level at or below 36 percent of your gross monthly income.

3. Save for a down payment—In the current mortgage environment, most borrowers need to have a down payment. Having 20 percent down is not a must, but it will help get the best interest rate available and help you avoid private mortgage insurance. If you need help coming up with a down payment, try to find a down payment assistance program that might be able to assist you.

4. Show proof of all income—Can you repay the loan? That’s what lenders want to know when they consider your application. You must be able to verify a stable source of income. Lenders will review your employment history and will require current W-2s or tax returns if you are self-employed. If you have any other income, you should bring proof of that to share with the lender.

5. Have some money in the bank—In addition to being able to show that you can make your monthly mortgage payments and keep up with other responsibilities, lenders want to know that you have cash reserves. Some call this cushion a “rainy day fund” to handle those unexpected expenses that come with homeownership, such as certain repairs. If you’re interested in understanding and working to improve your credit standing, you can visit the Wells Fargo Smarter Credit Center found at www.wellsfargo.com/smarter_credit. The site has advice on establishing, improving and protecting credit, as well as tips on paying down debt.

 

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)