Some loans will allow you to secure just a 5% down payment plus closing costs.  Another similar loan option is called a piggy-back loan where you get approved for the first and second mortgage at the same time to avoid PMI. You could also apply for a FHA loan which only requires you to put down 3.5% down. Your interest rate will probably be higher, and you will be required to buy private mortgage insurance (PMI).

Mortgage Broker – Helps buyers find mortgage lenders and assists with loan processing. Mortgage Lender – The company or organization that actually makes the loan. Loan Officer – An employee of the lender or broker that is directly involved in the loan process from start to finish.

Since your mortgage lender will get your credit report before deciding to approve your application it is smart to check it on your own ahead of time. Doing so allows you to clean up any issues and improve your credit before applying for a loan.

The closing costs you pay when securing a mortgage will be about 3% to 6% of the total loan and include:

Generally paid with your application: A non-refundable application fee to process your information An appraisal fee for the property, which is required by the lenderA fee for the lender to check your credit report (i.e. credit score and history) to help determine qualifications as well as loan limitsGenerally paid at closing:A survey fee may be required in order to verify property boundariesA flood certification fee may be required to ensure the property is not in a flood zoneThe title search fee is used to check the property’s history to ensure there are no legal claims on itTitle insurance from the lender is used to make sure the loan is repaidAttorney costs associated with closing the loanRecording and transfer costs—a small fee applied to recording the purchase of your homeLoan preparation fees, which are a percentage of the overall loan amountDiscount points (an optional percentage-of-the-loan amount) paid to get a lower interest rateEscrow accounts, including private mortgage insurance (PMI), homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, and possibly, interest

Mortgage Broker – Helps buyers find mortgage lenders and assists with loan processing. Mortgage Lender – The company or organization that actually makes the loan. Loan Officer – An employee of the lender or broker that is directly involved in the loan process from start to finish.

Fixed-rate mortgages make sense for buyers when the current mortgage rate is low. This allows you to lock in the current rate and be protected from increases that are likely to take place over the next 30 years. If the current rate is high, an adjustable-rate mortgage may be better because rates can drop. It is good to remember that you will have the option to refinance in the future to take advantage of rate changes as well.

If the bank or mortgage company determines that your loan is a risk, they may require private mortgage insurance. This insurance serves to insulate the lender in the event that you default on your loan. It is possible that the fair market value of your house will not cover the full amount of money owed to the bank or mortgage company if you default. In such cases, private mortgage insurance reimburses the lender for the difference. Private mortgage insurance is usually required for borrowers that make a down payment of less than 20% or with poor credit scores.