Many people dream of the day they will own a home. When you purchase a home, you feel a sense of pride. To buy a home, almost everyone must obtain a mortgage loan. If you are in the market for a mortgage, the advice and tips below will be a great help.

Even before you contact any lenders, make sure that your credit report is clean. In 2013 they have made it a lot harder to get credit and to measure up to their standards, so you have to get things in order with your credit so that you can get great mortgage terms.

If your home is already worth much less than is currently owed and you have had issues refinancing, keep trying. A program known as HARP has been modified, allowing a greater number of homeowners to refinance. Speak to your home loan provider about the new possibilities under HARP. If your lender says no, go to a new lender.

Avoid getting a loan for the maximum amount. A mortgage lender will show you how much you are qualified for, however, these figures are representative of their own internal model, not exactly on how much you can afford to pay back. Consider your lifestyle, your spending, your income and just how much you realistically are able to afford and still live in relative comfort.

If your financial situation changes, you may not be approved for a mortgage. You should not apply for a mortgage until you have a secure job. If you filled out an application listing your current employer, don’t accept a new job until the mortgage is approved.

Before you even talk to a lender, look at your budget and decide what the maximum price is you are willing to spend for a home. This means setting a limit for monthly payments, based on what you can afford and not just what type of house you want. No matter how good the home you chose is, if you cannot afford it, you are bound to get into financial trouble.

Clean up your credit before applying for a mortgage. Lenders tend to closely look at your entire credit history to make sure you’re a good risk. With bad credit, accomplish whatever it takes to avoid a loan denial.

As you go through the mortgage application process, keep paying down debt, and don’t take any new bills on. You will be able to get a higher loan for your mortgage when you have minimal debt. When you have a lot of debt, there is a good chance your application for a mortgage loan will be denied. Carrying some debt is going to cost you financially because your mortgage rate will be increased.

Now you know how to get a great mortgage. These tips must be used for you to find success, though. Make your dream of owning your own home a reality using this advice to make the right mortgage decision.