Do you want to get a house but don’t have the funds to buy one outright? Then you need to look into a home loan. The bank gives home loans so that people who are eligible can easily get a house. 

You must repay the loan with interest within a set time frame. But you can get into your own home now.

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There are many benefits, drawbacks, and opportunities associated with home loans that you might miss, for example, tax benefits, extra charges, and many other things.

In this article, you will find out some crucial things you didn't know about home loans. Let's go!

1. Foreclosure Procedures

Foreclosure occurs when you fail to repay the loan. The bank will then sell your house to get the money they loaned you.

You can also decide to sell your house before foreclosure. It will give you cash, and you may get the money you invested in making that home. Plus, it will pay off your debts.

It's always a good idea to know all the rules about foreclosure—for example, mortgage rates, loan repayment time, and consequences. It will help you make a plan for your money and take the steps you need to pay back the loan on time. 

2. Affordability

Be aware of your limits! You can’t just get a loan without thinking about how you can repay it. 

Obviously, you should have enough income to repay the home loan. You have to include the mortgage payments with your daily living costs. Make sure you know how much you can afford to pay every month.

So the first thing to think about is whether or not you can afford a home loan based on your current and future income.

3. Down Payment Benefits

Try to make as much of a down payment as you can because it will keep your mortgage and the interest low. It's better to put at least a 20 percent down. 

If you are planning to get a home loan, then start saving money for a good down payment.

You must pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) if you put less than 20 percent down on a conventional loan. 

Once your outstanding balance is 80 percent of the original loan amount, you can ask to eliminate PMI. With a small down payment, you might be able to buy a home faster, but it could cost you more in the long run.

4. Costs in Addition

One of the things that you didn’t know about home loans is the additional charges. What do you usually look at when applying for a home loan? The amount of the loan, the EMIs, the deadline to repay the amount, and so on. 

But you may ignore or just not notice the hidden additional charges. However, they are important because they can cost you money and affect your financial plan. 

And, eventually, it becomes hard to find the money for these charges. So be careful about the costs and know them before applying for a home loan.

5. Maintaining CIBIL's rating

Having a good credit score will help you get a home loan or any other loan from the bank. It's the first impression to approve a home loan. 

If your CIBIL score is over 750, you may be able to get lower rates on home loans. It affects how loans are processed and paid out. 

6.  Difference Between Prequalification and Preapproval

You will need to get through the steps (prequalification and preapproval) before getting a home loan. These two things are different. Don't make the mistake of mixing them up.

Prequalification is a statement of how much you can borrow, or even whether you can borrow or not. It says that you are eligible to get a home loan. 

You can get qualified for a home mortgage depending on factors like your income, financial condition, and credit score. 

Then you can go for the preapproval process. This comes after the prequalification. A lender tells you how much you can take as a loan and the interest rate during the preapproval process. 

It's the process where your financial condition is analyzed and set up to give you a loan. If things look good after this, then you can go ahead and decide what you want to buy.

7. Various Loan Options

You may have heard about home loans with high interest rates for 10+ years. 

You can get a 10-year loan. But there are also loans that last 30 years. Furthermore, there are also fixed or changeable interest rates. It's up to your income, desires, and lifestyle which one you want to select.

8. Women's Influence

When a woman applies for a home loan, often she can get a lower interest rate than men. This is a special program to help women buy houses.

Men can also use this program if they have a female family member who is the main applicant for the home loan.

9. Benefits from Taxation

Did you know home loans have tax benefits? You'll benefit from two sections. 

You can get tax deductions against your loan payments. Moreover, there are many other tax benefits that you can get from home loans. It would be best to consult a tax accountant or lawyer to get the most accurate information about this. 

Conclusion

A home loan is really a great option because it lets you have a home right away. But sometimes, this can lead to disaster. 

If you choose a home loan that does not suit your lifestyle and income, you can get into trouble. You could lose your home, money, and the dream of homeownership. 

Be careful when choosing a home loan and spend money wisely to repay it on time. It is better to know everything about home loans to make a proper plan. Ask your banker for the things you didn't know about home loans. 

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