
When most folks take Route 20 between Atlanta, Georgia, and Birmingham, Alabama, they don’t even think twice about a great little town they pass in between the two cities. Anniston, Alabama, a town of just under 25,000 people, is a fast growing community that has the best of the rural country life of the south and the exciting life that comes with being so close to two of the south’s most energetic metropolitan areas. Alabama is a state that is rich in cultural history and is one of the most popular destinations for those looking to get away from those harsh northern winters. Alabama is also a popular choice because of the remarkably low cost of living compared to most other parts of the country. Anniston is a small town for now, but with its convenient location, you can bet that Anniston won’t stay small for much longer. If you already call Anniston home, you might be interested in taking advantage of the low rates right now on home equity loans or on a great refinance. If you are thinking of relocating to Anniston, you might be interested in taking out a first time mortgage. Here are a few tips that can help you get the most out of your next bank loan experience.
Refinance
Before you even set foot near a lender, the first thing you should do is contact the credit bureaus that have your records on file and request a copy of your credit score. This is so important because it is a mathematical representation of how much of a credit risk you are. The higher the number, the less of a risk you seem to be, and the better your refinance terms and interest rate will be. But with things like identity theft becoming more and more of a reality these days, you should be keeping an eye on your credit report, even if you aren’t getting ready to apply for a major loan. Every US citizen is allowed to have one free copy of his or her credit report every year to make sure that it is accurate. If you do find a problem or a charge that is not yours, there are ways you can appeal an entry and, as long as you can show proof that you never signed up for that card or took a particular loan out, fixing your credit report is easy. Your lender is going to put a lot of stock into your credit score, so make sure that it is accurate and reflective of your financial progress over the last few years. You don’t want a criminal taking advantage of your credit and ruining your chance at a great refinance.
First Mortgage
The same essential advice is true when you are applying for your first mortgage. Chances are, you aren’t in as good financial shape at this point in your life as you would be when you apply for a refinance in five or ten years. Therefore, it is even more important that the banks see the real you reflected in your credit score. Take your one free report a few months before you apply and check it to see if there are any mistakes or if your identity has been stolen. If there are problems, don’t delay in getting them fixed. If you have already applied for your mortgage and you realize there are false entries on your credit report, call your loan officer right away and report the problems so they can take the mistake into consideration when they are determining what terms you’ll receive.
Home Equity Loan
Keeping an eye on your credit score is a good idea when it comes to your home equity loan, too. While the main source of your loan will come from your equity, your interest rate will be determined in part on your credit score.
If you would like more information on home equity loans, refinancing, or a first mortgage, please fill out the form below and one of our experts will contact you shortly.
