A home is made of hearts. Inside the strong compound of bricks and cement, a home narrates a story- the story of past, present and probable future. It is where one finds pleasure, hides sorrow and dreams for the incessantly moving seconds. It is contentment when a home becomes a reality.

John Payne said, "Mid pleasures and palaces though we roam, be it ever so humble, there is no place like home." This explains the significance of a home, the place where one finds his real self. A home is something that gives everything.

To possess a home of our own there are various processes that has to undergo. It is not that simple. It is an after effect of a long process of planning, execution and proper administration of various factors. Sometimes, you get the best home with nice surroundings and favorable situations. Or otherwise, you might get a beautiful plot to make a home of your choice at affordable rates. The next step would be necessarily to go straight and buy it. But disturbances happen and hurdles come in the way blocking your dreams. The main threat would usually be finance.

To tackle the problem effectively and easily, there are so many home loans available. Depending upon the priority and need, one can select the loan to finance your home. A lot of brainstorming and perfect planning is necessary before taking the right decision for choosing the loan for your home.

There are different steps that include in the process of buying a loan-

1. Purpose of buying the loan Usually loans are provided by banks and Housing Finance Companies. They give loans for various reasons. They are:
   
   • Purchase of property
   • Construction of property
   • Extension of property
   • Repairs of property and
   • Site loans

2. How much can you afford Once the purpose of applying for the loan is clear, the next step would be analyzing your ability and present financial status to go for the type of loan you can borrow. It is mere foolishness to go for a loan that gives you exorbitant amount you cannot afford. So it is always advisable to go for an amount you are confident that you can pay back. Basically, the affordability scale can be put in to different points.
   
   • How much you can afford to pay back every month?
   • The evaluated value of the property
   • Your credit history
   • How much money you have for down payment

3. The type of loan you choose Home loans are of various types. Understanding the benefits and the nature of loans, the selection can be done. You can also consider your expectations regarding the financial conditions, and how long you want to keep your house. Various types of loans are given below.
   
   • Fixed Rate Mortgages (FRM) Fixed rate mortgages have higher rates. They usually have terms lasting 15 or 30 years. Throughout those years, the interest rate and principal will never change. There are also mortgages, which shorten the loan by calling for half the monthly payment every two weeks.

     Fixed rate mortgages can be considered if you plan to stay at home for more than five years. This is because as the interest rate increases, the monthly rate payment on this type of loan decreases.

   • Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM) The interest rate for ARM in the beginning is less than the Fixed Rate Mortgages. But here the rates change at specified interval of time. Thus the monthly payment increases or decreases. Even then you can go for higher amount for your loan prices as the monthly payment will be comparatively lower.

     ARM is a good choice if you are looking for a way to consolidate debt or if you are going for an investment, you need immediate cash from.

     Thus each ARM has four basic components
     

     Initial interest rate is lower than that of most fixed rate mortgages. This is all the more tied to certain economic indicators that dictate in part what the monthly payments will be.

     Adjustment interval is the time between changes in the monthly interest rate and payment happens.

     Index, against which the lenders measure the difference between the profit they make in the mortgage and other types of investments.

     Margin is the additional rate the lender adds to the index to establish the adjusted interest rate on an adjustable interest rate.

   • Seller Assisted Mortgages
     Here the seller of the home helps with the financing by underwriting all or part of the loan. This holds a lower interest rate with lower monthly payments. But the previous homeowner may hold the deed of trust and thus if the loan trusts call for certain payment schedules, the buyer may have to seek an altogether new financing.

   • Balloon mortgage
     These are short-term mortgages with almost the similar feature as of the Fixed Rate Mortgage. Balloon loans have different types of maturity periods, but most have a term of 5-7 years. Balloon loans can be considered if you prefer to live in an appreciating house and for a short period with less payment.

   • Graduated Payment mortgage
     This is an alternative to the Adjustable rate Mortgage. GPM has a fixed note rate and payment schedule. Like the ARM this also gives the customer the ability to avoid the negative amortization and pay the additional principal. The note rate of a GPM is .5% to .75% higher than fixed rate mortgage. GPM is useful in market a market with rapid growth and appreciation.

   • Combination Rate Mortgage
     Combination Rate Mortgages is a combination of ARM and FRM. They are also referred to as hybrid loans by the lenders. The interest rate is fixed for the first three years were the monthly payment also remains the same. The interest rate varies in the next years and is also adjustable.

   The best way to find the mortgage or loan type that suits you is to consider the opinion of a mortgage professional.

4. Applying for a loan Once you are determined about the type of loan you are going to buy, then the next step would be applying for it with a written loan proposal. Filling up the necessary information, you can apply it in a local branch. Now there are also facilities to apply it online and over the phone. The applied form will be then processed, reviewed and evaluated.

5. Closing stage Closing your loan happens when you finish the paper works and pay closing costs and procure ownership of the property or home. Here a closing agent will review the settlement sheet with you and loan documents will be signed which include mortgage, deed of trust and note.

   Once all the formalities are finished, you are given the ownership of the home with dealings and procedures written on a paper. All the closing documents will also be given.

   The banks, which lend money, will consider certain things before giving you the eligibility to go for a loan. They are divided basically in to 3 different things.

   • Capability
     This is the most important criteria in lending a loan to the buyer. The capacity of the loan applicant to repay the amount will be taken in to consideration along with the payment history or credit history of the person. They evaluate the credit history by three different ways- grading, scoring and automated underwriting. Usually other mortgage lenders than the banks consider the credit scoring.

   • Collateral security
     The bank necessarily wants to know an alternate way of repayment. Collateral security is the additional form of security you can provide a lender. Both personal and business assets are considered sources of collateral security for the bank. A guarantee is a document some one else signs expressing the willingness to repay the amount if you don't pay.

   • Character
     This is completely on the personal impression you make on the lender. The educational background and importance of references you make is also determined.

A home is an important place. You can make it a heaven by building dreams in bright colors. You can also make it a hell without prior planning, improper administration and bad financial plan. Every minute detail that deals with the construction or purchase of a house should be taken in to consideration for a hazard free life.

As George Moore puts it, "a man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it"