Mortgage lenders are a necessary part of buying a home for most people. No matter what your credit score or how much money you have saved, the right mortgage lender can make the home buying process a lot easier for you. The perfect mortgage lender is out there, you just need to know how to find that company. Once you have chosen a mortgage lender, your can use the following tips when working together to make everything go as smoothly as possible:

Tip #1: Make sure you understand the terms of your mortgage agreement.

A mortgage agreement is more than an interest rate. Foreclosure has become a huge problem in recent years in part because people do not always read the documents they sign. It might be a lot of paperwork, but you should know exactly the terms to which you’re agreeing. What happens if you’re late on a payment? When is the money due every month? Are there balloon payments in your future? What rights does the mortgage lender have to call in the remaining debt? What rights do you have in a foreclosure situation? How much can your interest rate change over time? What will you be paying in closing costs? If you do not know the answers to all of these questions, you have not read your mortgage paperwork closely enough. As a new home buyer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your bases are covered.

Tip #2: Pay for points if you can.

Most lenders offer "points" as part of your closing costs, and you have the option to pay for these or not. Paying for points is only a good idea if you can pay for them without overstretch yourself, and if you already have enough money for the down payment and other closing costs. Points are a way to get a lower interest rate by giving some money upfront, and they are not available for everyone. To a certain degree, paying for points does not make sense because you will pay more for the point than you will save in the interest. Your mortgage lender should help you determine the maximum amount you should pay in points. If you do not understand the process, make sure you ask questions until you do.

Tip #3: Don’t be afraid to ask your mortgage lender questions.

Many people do not ask their mortgage lender many questions because they are afraid that their rates will go up or that they will be denied a mortgage altogether. That should not be the case. Yes, a mortgage lender has the choice to work with you or not, but you are essentially "hiring" someone to work for you. The right mortgage lender should welcome any and all questions you may have, even after the paperwork has been signed. Before working with a mortgage lender, make sure you understand your mortgage completely, and during the time when you are repaying your mortgage, do not be afraid to call your mortgage lender if you have questions about anything. You have the right to have all of your questions answered, and if one mortgage lender seems annoyed to answer, consider working with someone else.

Tip #4: Be considerate of your mortgage lender’s time.

Your representative from your mortgage company puts a lot of work into figuring out your rate and drawing up the right documents. It is important to be considerate of his or her time. If your plans change part way through the process or your have a hard time making a payment as you are repaying the mortgage, call your mortgage lender to discuss the situation. Also, even though you should feel free to ask questions (see the tip above), before you go into a house-buying situation, make sure you understand a little about how mortgages work so that you don’t waste time trying to learn about the most basic concepts.

Tip #5: Fix your credit before approaching a mortgage lender.

If you want to avoid issues with getting approved, make sure that you have your ducks lined up before you even start looking for a mortgage lender. Credit scores aren’t easy to fix, but it can be done. Start by paying off any late debts you may have, and then pay off other bills, starting with your credit cards. You can also contact the credit reporting agencies if you see mistakes that could be damaging your score, and it could help to close some of your credit cards so that you don’t have as high of a debt potential. Wait a few months for the changes you’ve made to take effect on your report, and while you’re doing that, save up to that you have even more money for a down payment and closing costs.