A mortgage is a loan to finance the purchase of your home. A mortgage loan may also be used in the refinance of an existing home (mortgage) loan.

The home you purchase acts as the collateral for the loan, which is a legal contract you sign to promise that you'll pay the debt, with interest and other costs. The typical term for a mortgage loan is between 15 and 30 years.

To repay the debt, you make monthly installments or payments that typically include (PITI):

• Principal
• Interest
• Taxes
• Insurance 

Leaders Credit Union offers mortgage loans at affordable rates.

The specific amount of your closing costs will be based on your loan amount and other factors. Here are the fees that are included in your closing costs.

• Third-party fees, including the appraisal fee, credit report fee, settlement/closing fee, survey fee, tax service fee, title insurance fee, flood certification fee, property insurance premium, and courier/mailing fee. Where applicable, these are fees that Leaders will collect and pass on to the party who performed the service.
• Property taxes and other unavoidable costs, including your state/local property taxes and recording fees.
• Lender fees, including mortgage points (if applicable), document preparation fees, and loan processing fees.

Your closing costs will be disclosed on the Loan Estimate and on the Closing Disclosure. With VA loans, closing expenses are capped and you have the option to negotiate seller concessions.

Yes and no. While most VA loan closing costs must be paid out of pocket at the time of the closing, there is an exception. The VA Funding Fee may be financed if you wish.

Yes. There is no minimum down payment required to buy a house with a VA loan. If you want to make a down payment, you should know that there are down payment assistance programs available as well.

No, there is no mortgage insurance required with a VA loan. Veterans deserve the advantages of no down payment or mortgage insurance. Even if you opt not to make a down payment, you will not need to pay for insurance.

Mortgage points offer home buyers the option to trade an up-front payment to reduce the interest rate for their mortgage. The cost of points is added to your closing costs. The benefit of buying points if you can afford it is that you will save money over the term of your mortgage thanks to a reduction in your interest rate.