🎉 Mortgages Montana | Sara Koezler

Selecting the best mortgage plan in Montana requires careful consideration of your financial situation, goals, and future plans. Sara Koezler at Guaranteed Rate provides expert advice to help you navigate through the mortgage options that fit your unique needs. Here’s how Sara can help:

• Assessing Your Financial Situation: Sara starts by evaluating your credit score, income, and debt-to-income ratio. These factors are essential in determining the loan products and interest rates that you qualify for.
• Identifying Your Homeownership Goals: Whether you’re purchasing your first home, refinancing, or buying an investment property, Sara works with you to understand your short-term and long-term goals. She’ll tailor mortgage options to match your needs, whether you’re looking for a fixed-rate mortgage for long-term stability or an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) for lower initial payments.
• Comparing Mortgage Options: Sara offers a wide range of mortgage products, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans, and jumbo loans. She explains the benefits and drawbacks of each, ensuring you fully understand how factors like interest rates, down payments, and loan terms will impact your monthly payments and overall cost.
• Choosing the Right Loan Term: Sara will help you decide between a shorter-term mortgage, which typically has higher monthly payments but lower total interest, and a longer-term mortgage, which offers lower monthly payments but may cost more in interest over time.
• Considering Additional Costs: With Sara’s guidance, you’ll understand additional costs such as closing costs, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and private mortgage insurance (PMI), so you can prepare financially.
• Ongoing Support: Throughout the mortgage process, Sara will provide personalized, one-on-one support, answering any questions and helping you make confident, informed decisions.

By working with Sara Koezler at Guaranteed Rate, you’ll have access to expert guidance and customized mortgage options. Contact Sara at (406) 580-6604 or email sara.koelzer@rate.com to start exploring your mortgage options in Montana.

Improving your credit score is a crucial step in securing the best mortgage terms. Sara Koezler at Guaranteed Rate suggests these strategies to boost your credit score before applying for a mortgage in Montana:

1. Review Your Credit Report
   Start by reviewing your credit report from the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Check for errors or discrepancies that may negatively impact your score, and dispute any inaccuracies.
2. Dispute Credit Report Errors
   If you find any incorrect information on your credit report, disputing it can improve your score. Sara can help guide you through the dispute process to ensure the errors are corrected.
3. Pay Down Outstanding Debt
   Lowering your credit utilization ratio—the percentage of your available credit that you’re using—is one of the most effective ways to raise your score. Aim to keep your balances below 30% of your total credit limit.
4. Avoid Opening New Credit Accounts
   In the months leading up to your mortgage application, avoid opening new lines of credit or loans, as these can temporarily lower your score and increase your debt-to-income ratio.
5. Make Timely Payments
   Your payment history plays a significant role in your credit score. Ensure that all of your bills, including credit cards, loans, and utilities, are paid on time. Set up automatic payments or reminders to avoid late payments.
6. Address Negative Marks on Your Credit Report
   If there are any negative items, such as collections or late payments, addressing them can help improve your score. Paying off old debts or negotiating settlements with creditors can remove some negative marks from your credit report.
7. Monitor Your Credit Regularly
   Regular monitoring of your credit report ensures you catch any issues early. Keeping track of your score can help you stay on top of your financial health in the months leading up to your mortgage application.

By following these steps, you’ll be in a stronger financial position to qualify for the best mortgage rates. Contact Sara Koezler at Guaranteed Rate for personalized assistance with improving your credit score. Reach her at (406) 580-6604 or via email at sara.koelzer@rate.com.

Yes, you can either refinance your mortgage or make a home purchase with Sara Koezler at Guaranteed Rate. Whether you’re looking to lower your interest rate, shorten your loan term, or purchase a new property, Sara will guide you through the entire process.

Home Purchase with Sara Koezler at Guaranteed Rate

• Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval: Sara will help you get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage, giving you an edge when negotiating with sellers. A pre-approval shows that you’re a serious buyer.
• Explore Loan Options: Sara offers a range of mortgage products, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans, and jumbo loans. She will help you determine which loan product fits your financial situation and homeownership goals.
• Competitive Interest Rates: Sara will work hard to secure the most competitive interest rates available, helping you save money over the life of your loan.
• Step-by-Step Guidance: From the initial application to the final closing, Sara provides personalized support, ensuring that the home buying process is smooth and stress-free.

Refinancing with Sara Koezler at Guaranteed Rate

• Lower Your Monthly Payments: Refinancing may allow you to lock in a lower interest rate, reducing your monthly payments and saving you money.
• Cash-Out Refinancing: If you’ve built up equity in your home, Sara can help you access that equity through cash-out refinancing, allowing you to fund home improvements, pay off debt, or cover other financial needs.
• Adjust Loan Terms: Whether you want to shorten your loan term to pay off your mortgage faster or extend your loan term to reduce monthly payments, Sara will help you explore your refinancing options.

For personalized assistance with refinancing or purchasing a home, contact Sara Koezler at Guaranteed Rate at (406) 580-6604 or email sara.koelzer@rate.com.

Before starting your mortgage application, it’s important to gather all necessary documents to streamline the process. Sara Koezler at Guaranteed Rate recommends having the following documents ready:

General Documents for Mortgage Applications

• Proof of Income:
  • W-2 Forms: Provide W-2s from the past two years to verify your income and employment.
  • Pay Stubs: Submit your most recent pay stubs, typically covering the last 30 days, to confirm your earnings.
  • Tax Returns: If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to provide tax returns from the last two years.
• Proof of Identity:
  • Government-Issued ID: A valid driver’s license or passport is required to verify your identity.
  • Social Security Number: Necessary to pull your credit report and assess your financial history.
• Credit History:
  • Credit Report: Sara will review your credit report to determine your eligibility for various mortgage products.
  • Debt Information: Include any outstanding debts (such as credit cards, student loans, or auto loans) to help calculate your debt-to-income ratio.
• Proof of Assets:
  • Bank Statements: Provide bank statements from the last two months to verify your financial reserves for the down payment and closing costs.
  • Investment or Retirement Account Statements: If you plan to use retirement or investment funds, you’ll need to provide statements verifying the balances.
• Proof of Employment:
  • Employment Verification: Sara may contact your employer to verify your employment. Self-employed individuals should provide business licenses, profit-and-loss statements, and tax returns.

Loan Program-Specific Documents

• Conventional Loans: Generally require higher credit scores and more detailed income and asset documentation.
• FHA Loans: Designed for borrowers with lower credit scores, requiring additional documentation.
• VA Loans: Veterans and active-duty military members need to provide a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
• USDA Loans: For rural properties, documentation showing that the property qualifies for USDA loan benefits is needed.

By preparing these documents in advance, you’ll ensure a faster, more efficient mortgage application process. Contact Sara Koezler at Guaranteed Rate at (406) 580-6604 or email sara.koelzer@rate.com for more guidance.