Want to learn more about mortgages? Join us for a First-time Homebuyer Webinar on May 15 from 12 PM - 1 PM. Visit ent.com/events to register or see more upcoming classes.
Buying a home is a journey —
let us be your guide
Buying a home is a journey — let us be your guide
I want to refinance
I'm in research mode
I need to know my budget
Stress less in your homebuying process
Stress less in your homebuying process
60-day Lock & Shop rates1
Get pre-approved, lock in your interest rate and shop with confidence.
Lifetime loan support
We’ll be your contact for help. Have questions? You know who to call.
$500 guaranteed on-time closing2
You’ll close on your home on time or we’ll owe you $500. Guaranteed.
Local expertise
With Ent, you’ve got local mortgage experts in your corner to guide you.
Steps that open the door to your new home
Steps that open the door to your new home
Buying a home is an adventure. But don’t worry — these are roads that Ent’s home loan experts have traveled before and we’re here to help you reach your destination. Take a look at the steps below to be prepared for what happens at each stop on your journey.
Get pre-approved
Getting pre-approved gives you a clear picture of how much house you can afford. It also gives you the competitive advantage when you start submitting offers.
If you’d like to lock in your interest rate at this point (so it doesn’t go up when it’s time to buy), talk to your Ent mortgage expert.
Go shopping
Now comes the fun part! Hire a real estate agent who knows the neighborhood you’re looking in and shop.
Use our homebuying tools to guide you. When you find what you want, you’ll have a local Ent mortgage expert to advise you.
Check out a helpful article:
Buying a Home for the First Time?
Make an offer
Consult with your real estate agent to consider factors like the house, local market and your budget to determine a fair offer.
Then we’ll work with you on an updated pre-approval letter that reflects the offer amount.
Check out a helpful article:
Calculate Your Debt-to-Income Ratio
Check out a helpful article:
Calculate Your
Debt-to-Income Ratio
Get an appraisal
After your offer is accepted, an appraisal is required to ensure the value of the property supports your offer.
An optional (but highly recommended) home inspection can alert you to issues with the house, which could also mean changing the offer to your advantage.
Check out THIS helpful RESOURCE:
Home Value Estimator
Close with confidence
Your loan documents are sent to the title company to prepare for closing and an appointment is set for you to sign the documents.
You’ll close on time; we guarantee it. If not, we’ll owe you $500.2 And once you’ve signed on the dotted line — the keys are yours!
Check out a helpful article:
Ten Major Steps in Buying a House
Check out a helpful article:
Ten Major Steps in
Buying a House
Find the loan option that fits you
Find the loan option that fits you
Mortgages aren’t one-size-fits-all. There are options to fit different needs and lifestyles. The guide below will help you to choose the loan that meets you where you are. If you’re still not sure where to start, just contact our experts and they’ll get you on the right track.
Get expert, local guidance
If you’d like more information on which option is best for you, reach out to our mortgage experts. They have the local experience to recommend the best loan fit for your personal situation.
Conventional
Fixed rate:
- You want a fixed rate for the loan duration
- You have a good credit score
- You want your payments to be predictable
- You can afford to put 3% down
Adjustable rate (ARM):
- You want a lower initial interest rate
- You plan to move again within a few years
- You’re ok with possible rate fluctuations
- You can afford to put 3% down
Conventional
Fixed rate:
- You want a fixed rate for the loan duration
- You have a good credit score
- You want your payments to be predictable
- You can afford to put 3% down
Adjustable rate (ARM):
- You want a lower initial interest rate
- You plan to move again within a few years
- You’re ok with possible rate fluctuations
- You can afford to put 3% down
Jumbo
Best when you:
- Need to borrow beyond conventional limits
- Can clear higher eligibility requirements
- Can afford to put 5%-10% down
First-time homebuyer
Best when you:
- Are a first-time homebuyer
- Want a discount on mortgage insurance
- Can afford to put 3% down
VA
Best when you:
- Are a veteran or active-duty military
- Want to get a loan at a lower rate
- Want the option to put no money down
FHA
Best when you:
- Have a lower credit score
- Want a fixed rate with easier qualifications
- Can afford to put 3.5% down
Types of mortgage loans explained
Types of mortgage loans explained
For ADA accessible version, click here.
Your new home by the numbers
Your new home by the numbers
Ready to know how much home you can afford? Just enter some basic information into the mortgage calculator below to estimate your total monthly payment, including principal and interest, monthly property taxes, fees and insurance.
Results from this calculation are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes only. Calculators should be used as a self-help tool only and do not consider the impact of fees that may apply. Results may not be applicable to your individual situation and do not constitute an offer. We encourage you to seek advice and guidance from a qualified professional regarding all personal finance issues. Actual terms may differ.
If you’re new to home loans, don’t worry — we’re not.
If you’re new to home loans, don’t worry — we’re not.
We began home loans
for Coloradans
Homes financed in
the past 5 years
Lent to homebuyers in
the past 5 years
Why Choose Ent Credit Union
Why choose Ent Credit Union
Free resources to help you navigate the neighborhood
Free resources to help you navigate the neighborhood
Take advantage of our free tools, useful articles and more. You’ll stress less having the know-how you need to confidently take each step in your journey.
5 Things to Avoid After You Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Achieving a pre-approval for a home loan marks a significant milestone. It signifies that your journey to homeownership is within grasp. More importantly, it signals to sellers that you’re a serious buyer backed by a financial institution. However, what you do after you get pre-approved for a mortgage can significantly impact the final approval of your loan. Therefore, understanding what not to do after preapproval for a mortgage is crucial.
Mortgage Terms: Glossary and Definitions for Mortgage Terminology
A glossary of common terms used in the mortgage loan or home buying process.
8 min read
Buying a Home for the First Time? How to Navigate Your Purchase
Nothing could be more exciting than buying your first home! After years of saving and renting, it’s finally time to be the master of your own domain. But buying a home can be much more complicated than you might realize. The asking price of the home is just one piece of the equation as you navigate this all-too-important purchase. From shopping for a mortgage to budgeting for unexpected costs, we’ll walk you through every step of the process.
7 min read
Buying a House in a Hot Market
Buying a home in a seller’s market can be challenging. While housing market conditions may be less than ideal, there are still benefits to buying a property versus renting. Use these tips to stay ahead of the competition and land the house you’ve always wanted.
Mortgage loan process & homebuying FAQs
Mortgage loan process & homebuying FAQs
Mortgage loans are used to buy a home or to borrow money against the value of a home you already own. You will need proof of income, a strong credit history and a low debt-to-income ratio to qualify for a low-interest mortgage loan. But there are still options if you don’t meet all of these requirements.
You can use an FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan to purchase a home with a down payment of just 3.5% if you are eligible. These loans also let you use gifts, including money from family, as part of the down payment. However, buying a home with a smaller down payment increases the principal amount. Make sure you can afford the monthly payments and consider paying more than required each month to pay off the loan as soon as possible.
Yes, you can buy a home with moderate or even bad credit, but you will likely need to pay more interest. Lenders charge higher interest rates to borrowers with less-than-excellent credit to offset the risk of default. You may also be eligible for an FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan which helps first-time homebuyers in Colorado — including people with little to no credit — buy their first home.
You will need to be pre-approved for a mortgage loan up to a certain amount at a financial institution like Ent to make an offer on a home. A credit check is required to ensure that you are eligible for the loan. If you qualify, you will receive a mortgage pre-approval letter that you can use to make an offer on a home. This shows the seller that you can get a home loan for the necessary amount from a reputable lender.
You’ll get some of the most competitive mortgage rates in Colorado with us. As a credit union we’re able to offer more competitive interest rates and lower closing costs. You can rest assured that you are getting a reasonable rate when you apply for a mortgage with Ent.
We offer all kinds of mortgage loans, including: fixed-rate and adjustable-rate, FHA, VA, first-time homebuyer and non-conventional jumbo loans. Follow the links on this page to see the details on each loan type, or click the “Have a question?” button above to speak with a mortgage loan expert and find the best option for your situation.
Closing costs are the fees charged when you close on a home. They typically range from 3%-6% of the home’s total sale price. As the buyer, you will need to cover these closing costs.
An appraisal is a document that shows an independent assessment of how much the property is worth. The appraisal gives you useful information about the property. It describes what makes it valuable and may show how it compares to other properties in the neighborhood. In most cases, your lender will order the appraisal for your transaction.
Earnest money is a deposit you pay to show good faith on a signed contract agreement to buy a home. The deposit is held by a seller or third party like a real estate agent or title company. If the home sale is finalized or “closed,” the earnest money may be applied to closing costs or the down payment. If the contract is terminated for a permissible reason, the earnest money is returned to the buyer.
You don’t need a real estate agent to get a mortgage or purchase a home, but working with an agent can help you narrow your search when you’re shopping. They will give you insight into the local housing market and may be able to negotiate a lower price if they feel a home is overvalued. In Colorado, the seller typically pays the commission fee (usually 6%) of both agents.
* APR - All interest rates, qualification criteria and underwriting analysis is subject to the sole discretion of Ent Credit Union. This may include analysis of satisfactory insurance, appraisal and title reports. Additional conditions or exclusions may apply. Ent Credit Union reserves the right to cancel any offer or loan at any time.
1 Lock & Shop is available on fixed-rate mortgage loans, excluding all refinance types and CHFA loans. Additional conditions or exclusions may apply. Please refer to Ent’s Important Loan Information and Mortgage Rate Lock Information for more information.
2 $500 Mortgage Closing Guarantee is based on the mortgage loan closing date provided in the original sales contract. This guarantee is only available on purchase mortgage loans with closing dates set for a minimum of 30 days after the original purchase contract is signed. Loan closing date is subject to receipt of completed application and required supporting documentation. Required supporting documentation must be provided no less than two (2) business days after application receipt. Loan closing is subject to underwriting approval. Closing guarantee is not applicable if: a) borrower changes loan products or terms, b) closing is delayed due to seller’s failure to close on time, c) borrower fails to meet contract requirements, d) closing is delayed due to a third party requirement, including appraisal and inspection, e) closing date is not included in the contract, f) closing is delayed due to inclement weather or natural disaster, or g) loan documentation or application contains fraudulent information. Ent reserves the right to amend, terminate or withdraw this offer at any time without prior notice. Guarantee paid in the form of a $500 credit on the settlement form at closing.
Standard account and credit qualifications apply. All loans subject to final credit approval. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice and are dependent upon credit performance. Visit Ent.com/Legal to review Ent’s Important Loan Information and Disclosures.
Financing available on homes in Colorado. Property insurance is required. Consult a tax adviser for further information regarding deductibility of interest and charges.
Insured by NCUA | © 2024 Ent Credit Union