Ten Key Factors When Applying for a Mortgage Loan

Ready, Set, Borrow

If you anticipate applying for a home mortgage any time in the near future, now is the time to start planning. Why? Because financial moves you make (or don't make) now may help increase (or decrease) your chances of mortgage approval, as well as impact the interest rate you'll pay.

Your credit score, in particular, plays a large part in a lender's mortgage decision, so you want to be especially careful not to do anything that would damage your score. Here are 10 tips to help you prepare for the process of applying for a home mortgage.

-- Don Sadler