Sharon worked us through the application questions and let us know exactly what we needed. As the refinance process went on, she was always in touch with us and let us know where the application was in the process. Sharon made the process from start to finish painless.

-Brian H.

Do well and live good with four simple steps to finance the home you love or refinance the rate you don't:

Compare mortgage rates in Ohio

Step 1: Compare

Quickly compare mortgage rates and payment terms to find the best fit for you.

Calculate mortgage payment in Ohio

Step 2: Calculate

Calculate your monthly mortgage payment to fit your budget.

Prepare to buy a home in Ohio

Step 3: Prepare

We'll make things easy for you to get financially prepared to apply.

Apply for a home in Ohio

Step 4: Apply

Get pre-approved for your mortgage to negotiate confidently with sellers.

Home Buying Guide

The Complete Guide To Buying The Home You Love

Buying a home should be a joyful experience. To help make it so, we have gathered advice from mortgage experts into one, easy to follow how-to guide that will accompany you through every step of your home buying journey. Whether this is your first time buying a home or you're ready to do it again, this roadmap will help you confidently purchase a home you love.

Get The Free Home Buying Guide

Step 1: Compare the Best Mortgage Rates in Ohio
Rates effective as of December 3, 2024
Rates subject to change without notice.

*APR means Annual Percentage Rate. The rates stated assume the purpose of the loan is either a refinance or purchase of a primary residence, with a 20% or greater down payment, a rate lock period of 45 days, a borrower with a credit score of 640 or greater and the loan meets the qualifying criteria for the Federal Home Loan Bank’s (FHLB) Mortgage Purchase Program. Rates subject to change without notice and may be modified given your specific situation.

Step 3: Get prepared to buy your home in Ohio

Save for a down payment in Ohio

Save for a Down Payment

A down payment is the funds you apply towards the purchase of your home, but is not included in the loan amount.  

The amount of down payment required varies for different mortgage types. Conventional mortgages generally require a minimum of 5% down. 

Don't let down payments worry you. We have a variety of options available to help make your purchase possible.

Learn More About Down Payments

Review debt to income ratio in Ohio

Review Debt-to-Income Ratio

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is the sum of all of your debt payments divided by your gross monthly income.

An ideal mortgage should make up no more than 28% of your DTI; an ideal DTI is less than 36%.

Our budget calculator will help you prepare a list of your monthly expenses ahead of applying for your loan.

Calculate My Budget

Prepare to buy a home in Ohio

Ensure Job Stability

A steady stream of documented income shows that the borrower has the ability to repay their mortgage. 

Gaps in employment are understandable and will not automatically not deter you from qualifying for a mortgage. 

You will need to provide 30 days of paystubs before closing on your mortgage.

Your credit score in Ohio

Check Your Credit Score

Your credit score is a number between 300 and 850 that is determined by your payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, and types of credit used. Better credit reports and higher scores make it easier and cheaper to borrow. 

If you are concerned that you may not qualify for a conventional loan based on your credit score, your lender may recommend a different type of mortgage such as one of our in-house options.

Learn More About Credit 

Get Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About the
Best Mortgage Loans in Ohio

Can I apply for a mortgage before I find a home to purchase?

Yes, applying to get pre-approved for a mortgage before you find a home is one of the best things you can do.

 

We will collect your financial information, review your credit and pre-approve you. You can use your pre-approval letter to assure realtors and sellers that you are a qualified buyer, which may give you more weight to any offer to purchase you make.

What's the difference between APR and interest rate?

The Federal Truth in Lending law requires that all financial institutions disclose APR when they advertise a rate. The APR is designed to show the actual cost of financing and includes closing fees in the loan calculation. However, not all fees are included and lenders are allowed to interpret which fees they include. Fees like appraisal and title work are not required to be included in the APR calculation, however you may still be required to pay them. These fees, along with the interest rate determine the estimated cost of financing over the full term of the loan.

 

APR is an effective interest rate, but not the actual interest rate. The actual interest rate, along with term and the amount you borrower is what is utilized when calculating your payments.

What are escrows? Am I required to include them in my monthly payment?

Escrows are monies set aside for paying your taxes and homeowner's insurance. Some people prefer to pay these themselves and keep their payment as small as possible, while others prefer to pay them as part of their mortgage payment.

 

You are required to escrow unless you put down 20% when purchasing or have 20% equity in your property when refinancing.

Do I have to find my own appraiser?

No, we will order the appraisal for you. We utilize a 'round robin' of local, licensed appraisers that are familiar with our market.