Home Loans

In today’s digital world, we have options to do nearly everything online. We can shop for groceries, order a new outfit, and even buy the latest sports car online. At Prevail Bank, we believe that local mortgage lenders will never go out of style. We offer the convenience of online applications, or, by your preferred method of communication; email, phone call, or even text. But most importantly, your lender is always here when you need them, at the point of application,...

Understanding your credit report is important when you’re looking to make large purchases such as financing a car, or a home mortgage. But what exactly is a credit report? A credit report works much like your high school report card, but for your finances. These reports contain a record of how and when you pay your bills, how much debt you have, and how long you have been managing your lines of credit.

The information in your credit report is used to...

Saving enough money for a down payment on a home can be challenging. This is one of the largest issues many homebuyers face when applying for a mortgage loan. A down payment on a home is simply a percentage of the total cost that a buyer has to pay up front.

Minimum down payments are typically based on three sets of criteria; the type of mortgage, the lender, and your financial situation and history. Depending on the...

A mortgage pre-approval qualifies you with the amount of available money you can borrow, including your monthly payment, and your interest rate. This amount is typically subject to a property appraisal and other requirements. Mortgage pre-approvals are determined by a Mortgage Loan Originator who reviews your finances. This includes your debt, income amount, assets and credit history. Following the pre-approval evaluation, a letter is then provided as proof...

Interest rates are still historically low, but rising. The housing market is strong. The economy is on the upswing… You've decided now's the time: you're going to buy your first house. It can be an intimidating process, so here are a few tips to help your transition from renter to owner go smoothly:

1: Do Your Research
The first—and most crucial—step in home buying is to determine how much you're able to spend. That includes knowing how much...

Is your credit score affecting your life? Understanding your credit score can be confusing. Here are some helpful tips to help understand how to improve your credit score and get your life back on track.

Your credit score affects many aspects of your life, including making large purchases, obtaining loans, renting an apartment and even applying for a job! Do you know your current credit score? When was the last time you checked your credit report? Here are a few simple steps you can take to help improve your credit score and keep it working for you, not against you.

Monitor Your Debt Ratio

One of the major factors in your credit score is how much...

The Federal Reserve may have raised interest rates slightly, but mortgage rates are still near historic lows. It's still a great time to buy if you've been considering a new home! But how much house can you really afford? This is a difficult question, particularly for first-time homebuyers. Here are a few important points to consider when setting your house-hunting budget:

Start with your Income & Interest Rate
When setting your budget for a house, there are two primary...