Getting Started
Start A Green File
A Green File should contain all of your important financial documents. Regardless of the loan type, lenders will need information about you. Make copies of financial statements; bank accounts, investments, credit cards, auto loans, recent pay stubs and two years’ tax returns.
Check Your Credit Rating
Credit scores range between 400 and 800. 620 + is considered “good”. 680 + is considered “premium” and may possibly help get you a lower interest rate.
Below you will find the contact information for the 3 major credit reporting agencies to help you determine your credit rating. Ask your lender how to improve your credit score if you need to. Going forward, treat your credit like gold.
| Equifax | http://www.equifax.com | 800.685.1111 |
| Experian | http://www.experian.com | 800.392.1122 |
| Trans Union | http://www.transunion.com | 800.888.4213 |
Savings & Debt
If you are buying real estate, try to accumulate funds towards your down payment, closing costs (appraisal, miscellaneous fees, escrow, title insurance, etc.) and expenses such as inspections. Furthermore, try to pay down existing revolving and high interest rate debt like credit cards.
Toe The Line
Now is not a good time to change careers, move your money around, or buy big ticket items. Lenders like stability. So if you are considering any major changes, it pays to meet with a lender and ask them how to proceed before you make any changes! If you are tempted to buy a big ticket item, consider the following:
A $500 a month debt payment (like a credit card or auto loan) could lower the amount of home you can afford by about $83,000! *
* Based on a 30 year mortgage at 6% interest.
Financing guide FAQs – Los Angeles
Pre‑qualification is an informal estimate based on basic information you provide, while pre‑approval uses verified documents and a credit check to give you a stronger, written loan amount for LA offers.
You complete a loan application, provide income, asset, and debt documents, and authorize a credit check so the lender can underwrite your file and issue a pre‑approval letter.
Your rate is influenced by your credit score, loan type, down payment size, loan term, debt‑to‑income ratio, and overall market conditions at the time you lock, not just by the city.
Common options for LA buyers include conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, and other specialized loans, each with different requirements for credit, down payment, and property type.
Closing costs are one‑time fees and prepaid items due at settlement, such as lender charges, escrow and title services, government recording fees, property taxes, and homeowners insurance.