Our Plano branch will remain temporarily closed due to water damage. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and invite you to visit one of our other branch locations. In line with the CDC guidance, all employees and members visiting a branch location will still be required to wear a mask, until further notice.
Make homeownership a reality with a CUTX home loan
Some mortgage loans1 are designed to keep payments low, others cost less in the long run. Some have interest rates that change with the prime rate, others remain fixed forever. Choose the type of mortgage loan that’s right for you.
By spreading payments over the longest period, you keep payments small. With a fixed interest rate, your rate will remain low if industry rates rise. At CUTX, you have the option to pay extra each month to save money on interest— with no prepayment penalties!
Do you qualify for a better interest rate on your mortgage? Want to switch from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate? Need to take a little cash out for a home improvement or to consolidate loans? A home refinance costs around 2.5% but can potentially save you a lot.
Buying a home is a journey: coming up with a down payment, making sure your credit score is as high as possible, getting loan approval, and shopping for and buying the perfect home. This email series is packed with tips and strategies to make it easier. Sign up today!
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A CUTX Mortgage Lending Specialist would be happy to answer your questions and help you with your application. Fill out this form, and we'll give you a call.
The minimum down payment is 5% on certain programs we offer, and with some low-income programs you may qualify for as little as 3% down. Traditional programs require a standard down payment of 20%.
Our mortgage lending team works with you to find the best mortgage solution for your situation. Call today to speak with one of our loan originators.
A good rule of thumb is to have a mortgage payment that does not exceed 28% of your income. However, lenders also look at your debt-to-income ratio. If you add up your monthly debts—student loans, credit cards, auto loan payments, etc.—and divide them by your gross monthly income, that will give you your debt to income ratio. Most lenders look for a ratio of 36% or less. Use our calculators to see what kind of mortgage you might qualify for, or contact our mortgage lending team for more help.
In addition to the down payment and the monthly payment, you also have:
The first step would be to visit with a mortgage lending specialist and get pre-qualified for a loan. Our mortgage lending team can find out what loan amount you may qualify for and help you pick the best type of loan for the home you hope to buy. They can also advise you on strategies for coming up with a down payment and getting your finances in order for buying a home.
These mortgages typically have the lowest payment options. They also give you the best tax advantage, since interest on home mortgages is often tax deductible. The best benefit, however, comes with getting a 30-year mortgage from a lender like CUTX that charges no pre-payment penalty. With a 30-year loan you are obligated to a small payment, but you have the option of paying extra on your premium when you have it. This pays the loan off more quickly, rapidly builds equity, and reduces your overall interest expense. This can help with the biggest disadvantage of a 30-year mortgage which is the accrual of more interest than with shorter-term mortgages.
Fifteen-year mortgages can save you thousands in interest, build equity quickly, and at the end of 15 years you’re virtually free from one of the biggest life expenses: housing costs. Finally, lenders often give borrowers a lower interest rate for 15-year mortgages. On the other hand, that reduces your tax benefit if you’re eligible to deduct the interest from your mortgage. And 15-year mortgage payments are significantly more expensive every month—though not double.
Get a copy of your credit report. Many reports have errors on them or old debts that have been paid but not cleared on the report. Fixing errors can improve your credit score. Check out our articles on strategies for budgeting and for coming up with a down payment. Improve your debt-to-income ratio by making extra payments to remove debts more quickly. Start a savings plan for a 20 percent down payment.
1. NMLS #576560 Credit Union of Texas provides mortgage loans through its affiliate Texas Mortgage Lending, LLC, NMLS #1641703. CUTX home loan programs are only available in Texas. Loans are subject to credit approval, CUTX's lending policies, and property approval. 2. ARM loans are variable rate loans; interest rates and payments may increase after closing.
