Should You Get a Home Loan Over the Internet? is a post originally published on: Everything Finance - Everything Finance - Its all about Money!

In our digital world we’ve become accustomed to being able to do just about anything at the touch of a button.

So many would prefer to do things in the comfort of their own home rather than venture outside and into a brick and mortar store, or even talk on the phone for that matter. Instead, we chose to shop, talk, Bank, and order food all online. It’s also especially easy to do anything financial online as well, and that includes getting a home loan.

However, even in our primarily digital culture, there are still times when doing things in person have their advantages. That being said, how do you know whether or not getting your mortgage online is the best and easiest route to go? Here are six things to consider before getting your home loan over the Internet.

It Might Save You Time

Since the invention of the Internet, we’ve learned to turn to our computers for just about everything. It’s just naturally more convenient. You don’t have to take time out of your busy schedule to actually go to a bank and can do things on your timetable. The beauty of using an online lender is that you can literally get your mortgage at any point during the day.

That being said, if your work or life is crazy and time seems like it’s always an issue, an online lender might be the best way for you to go. Moreover, the process online is sometimes simpler, which could also save you valuable time.

Rates Might Be Better

Whenever you go to a physical store, whether that is a retailer or bank, you’ll at some point have to account for overhead. A part from qualifying for a lower Rate, a physical bank may not be able to provide as low of a rate as you’d like because they have to pay to operate their building.

Online lenders, however, don’t have to account for that and therefore can offer you lower interest rates and fees. Depending on the rate an online lender can give you could end up saving thousands of dollars in the long run.

You’ll More Easily Get Approved

One of the biggest factors banks consider when your applying for a loan is your credit score. Every bank and lender will have credit score guidelines when it comes to loan approval. In fact, I don’t think you’ll find one that doesn’t have a minimum that you must meet. However, certain banks or lenders often try to weed out potential borrowers that could be a credit risk, which means they’ll have a much higher minimum credit score guideline. That being said, if your credit score isn’t stellar, say lower than 700, you might want to consider going the online route. Internet lenders will likely allow you to have a lower credit score and still approve you for a loan.

Deciding wether or not to get your home loan over the internet is not as black and white as you…
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You Won’t Deal with a Person

For some, this might be an argument in favor of going online, however, there are sometimes situations when speaking with an actual person is more helpful than trying to get your home loan over the Internet. If you ever have a problem or questions you’d like answered, you might find any issues more easily resolved when you’re dealing with a local bank. Although many online companies treat their customers well, it might be more difficult to fix things or make adjustments in a timely manner.

Moreover, it can be difficult, in some cases with online organizations, to get an actual person on the phone. If you take out a loan nearby, however, you can simply stop by and get in touch with someone in an instant.

Nothing’s Guaranteed

Many online lenders will try to get your attention with low rates that can seem to good to be true. Unfortunately, more often than not, people take advantage of these deals only to find out that they don’t actually qualify or are told those rates are no longer an option. And when they figure this out, it can often be too late to cancel, which means you might end up paying more than you’d hoped.

Furthermore, just because an online lender approve you doesn’t mean it’s always for your best interest. A bank often has the sense not to approve someone with a lower credit score. Online lenders, however, will approve you only to then charge higher interest rates that you really can’t afford.

Going Local Could Be Simpler

As everything goes digital, so do all of our accounts. It seems like you are forced to create logins and passwords for just about every website you visit. When I think of the long list of online account information I’m forced to keep track of, I’m not sure I want to create yet another account for my mortgage. By going to your local bank you might make your life easier by keeping all your accounts in one place. You can keep one login for all your financials, pay bills in one place, and work with the same people for all your banking needs.

In an increasingly digital world it only makes sense to want to take care of every aspect of your life online. After all, the Internet and the constant evolution of technology have continued to make our lives and many of our daily tasks easier than ever before. And I have to admit, opting to sign up for and manage your home loan online does seem like a convenient way to go. Nonetheless, there’s still something to be said for working in person, especially depending on your situation.

Before choosing to go with an online lender, you may want to consider a few factors to decide if it’s the right route for you. As with any online company, it’s always important to do your homework to ensure you’re working with a trustworthy source.

Did you get your home loan over the Internet? If so, what are some of the pros and cons you’ve found?