Applying for a mortgage these days can be accomplished entirely online, no need to schlep to a bank and suffer cramps filling out paperwork.
Instead, you can punch some basic info into an online mortgage site, and up pops a bunch of loan choices. An industry renowned for being slow and cumbersome is now wooing customers with the promise of ease, speed, and transparency. Rocket Mortgage and Quicken Loan’s online platform, for example, promises qualified customers approval is as little as eight minutes.
But taking out a six-figure loan is one of the most complicated and substantial financial transactions most people will ever make. Does it really make sense to handle it by pushing a few buttons on your smartphone?
Maybe for those with a typical 9-to-5 job and good credit. If you are a salaried employee with no overtime, no bonus, no funky income, just a plain-vanilla borrower, then sometimes the online mortgage does work. But then there is everyone else.
Here are some of the many reasons why these borrowers might consider taking more time with the process, including consulting with an experienced loan officer or mortgage broker.
You Want to Shop Around for the Best Loan
First and foremost, it’s always in a borrower’s best interest to comparison shop on rates and fees. Speed and convenience alone do not always translate into a better price for borrowers.
You should invest some time in it, do your research. Also, do your do diligence on your credit. And think about how long you’re going to be in your home. The reason? The length of time you estimate you are likely to be staying in the home can factor in whether you apply for a fixed or adjustable rate loan.
Gaining an understanding of different loan programs is a smarter approach than just “going online and filling out things.” A lot of people really don’t know if they’re getting the right loan program, the right interest rate, the right down payment.
The research process may ultimately lead you straight to the speedy online mortgage site as the best option anyway. But you won’t know that unless you go out and take a look around.
You’re a First-Time Home Buyer
Research all your options is especially important if you’ve never purchased a home before. First-time buyers should always talk through important details like rates, points, and closing costs with an expert. After you’ve been through the process once, you have a better idea of what to expect and what information you’ll need to provide to make the process go smoothly.
Even those who have borrowed before may want to consult with someone if there is anything about their circumstance that might make qualifying more difficult. For example, a real person could be a helpful advocate for borrowers who are buying a second home or rental property, have spotty credit, or have inconsistent income.
You’re Self-Employed
About 15 million Americans are classified as self-employed, according to the Pew Research Center. While salaried workers generally only have to show the lender their W-2 tax forms to prove their income, self-employed workers should expect that they will have to provide the lender with more income documentation, such as tax returns from the last few years.
The fact is, some online lenders are more strict about documentation requirements than federal guidelines require, because they want to reduce their risk. That can make qualifying even tougher for a borrower who is already perceived as a higher risk. For example, applicants who have only been in their current job for a few months, or those who want to include overtime pay as evidence of their buying power. The lender will want to see proof that the overtime pay is consistent. Certain guidelines say you have to show you have it for 12 months or 24 months, but it depends on the loan.
You Want Some Extra Handholding
Working with someone one-on-one may also help prevent last-minute problems when it comes time to buy that house. There are several occasions when home buyers go to purchase a house, and halfway through the transaction, the online lender says all of a sudden, “you can’t get approved.”
Finally, there is the matter of personal preference. Not everyone likes the impersonal approach. Before applying for a loan, borrowers might consider whether they are the kind of person who appreciates a lot of help and attention in other shopping experiences. If you like a hands-on environment you’re a different kind of shopper than someone who enjoys going to a warehouse club. Your expectations going in will influence how satisfied you are with the process.
