Finding the Right Loan
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  Finding the right loan  
 

If you feel that you are ready to buy a home, the first step is to understand some of the complexities involved with getting a loan. You want to have a good lender to help guide you through this process. The Preferred Lender Directory located on this site can give you the names of lenders who are able to meet the needs of many types of homebuyers, from those with established credit histories, to recent immigrants with no traditional credit history. Here are some things to keep in mind when you meet with a lender about a mortgage:

 
     
 
  If your down payment is less than 20%, you will need to get Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), which is usually about $25-$65 a month depending on the value of the house. This fee can be rolled into your mortgage payment.
  Buying a house includes more than just the cost of the house itself. You also have the closing costs, which equal about 1-2% of the home value. You will need this money at the time of closing.