🎉 Montana Mortgage Specialist | Julie Lapham

Selecting the best mortgage plan for your needs in Montana can feel overwhelming, but Julie Lapham at CHURCHILL Mortgage is here to guide you through the process. Julie’s expertise ensures that you choose a plan that fits both your financial situation and long-term goals. Here’s how Julie can help:

• Assess Your Financial Situation: Julie starts by reviewing your credit score, income, and debt-to-income ratio, all critical factors in determining the best mortgage options for you. This assessment helps to identify what loan products and rates you may qualify for.
• Understand Your Homeownership Goals: Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, looking to refinance, or seeking an investment property, Julie works closely with you to define your specific homeownership goals. This helps her recommend mortgage solutions like fixed-rate mortgages for stability or adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM) for lower initial payments.
• Explore Loan Options: Julie offers a range of mortgage products, including FHA, VA, USDA, and jumbo loans. She’ll explain the pros and cons of each loan, making sure you understand how interest rates, loan terms, and down payments will affect your monthly payments and the overall cost of the loan.
• Select the Right Loan Term: Julie will help you decide between a shorter-term mortgage, which results in higher monthly payments but lower overall interest, and a longer-term mortgage, which spreads the payments out over a longer period but may cost more in interest over time.
• Consider Additional Costs: Julie ensures you’re fully aware of all associated costs, such as closing costs, property taxes, and homeowner’s insurance, that might affect the affordability of your mortgage plan.
• Ongoing Support: From pre-qualification to closing, Julie provides step-by-step guidance, answering your questions and ensuring you’re comfortable with every decision.

By working with Julie Lapham at CHURCHILL Mortgage, you can confidently select the mortgage plan that meets your needs in Montana. Contact Julie at (406) 240-0032 or email julie.lapham@churchillmortgage.com to get started today.

Improving your credit score before applying for a mortgage can significantly impact the rates and loan products you qualify for. Julie Lapham at CHURCHILL Mortgage recommends taking the following steps to boost your credit score and increase your chances of securing better mortgage terms:

1. Review Your Credit Report
   Begin by reviewing your credit report from the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Julie can help you check for any errors or inaccuracies that could be dragging down your score.
2. Dispute Credit Report Errors
   If there are any discrepancies on your credit report, it’s important to dispute them with the credit bureaus. Clearing up errors can immediately improve your score.
3. Pay Down Credit Card Balances
   One of the quickest ways to improve your credit score is by lowering your credit utilization ratio. Try to keep your balances below 30% of your total available credit to boost your score.
4. Avoid Opening New Credit Accounts
   Avoid applying for new credit or loans in the months leading up to your mortgage application. New credit inquiries can temporarily lower your credit score and increase your debt-to-income ratio, which can affect your mortgage eligibility.
5. Make Timely Payments
   Your payment history is one of the biggest factors affecting your credit score. Make sure all your bills, including credit cards, loans, and utilities, are paid on time. Consider setting up automatic payments to avoid missed deadlines.
6. Address Negative Items on Your Credit Report
   If there are any late payments, collections, or other negative marks on your credit report, Julie can guide you through addressing them. Paying off old debts or negotiating with creditors can help improve your score.

By following these steps, you’ll be in a better financial position when applying for a mortgage. For more personalized credit score improvement strategies, reach out to Julie Lapham at CHURCHILL Mortgage at (406) 240-0032 or email julie.lapham@churchillmortgage.com.

Yes, you can either refinance your mortgage or purchase a home with Julie Lapham at CHURCHILL Mortgage. Whether you’re looking to reduce your monthly payments or buy your dream home, Julie is here to guide you every step of the way.

Home Purchase with Julie Lapham at CHURCHILL Mortgage

• Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval: Julie will help you get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage, which gives you a clear idea of how much you can borrow and strengthens your offers when purchasing a home.
• Explore Loan Options: Julie offers a wide variety of mortgage products, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans, and jumbo loans. She’ll help you navigate the available options and find the one that fits your financial situation and homeownership goals.
• Competitive Interest Rates: Julie works diligently to secure the most competitive interest rates, ensuring you save money over the life of your loan.
• Step-by-Step Guidance: From the application process to closing, Julie will guide you every step of the way, answering your questions and ensuring a smooth transaction.

Refinancing with Julie Lapham at CHURCHILL Mortgage

• Lower Monthly Payments: Refinancing can help you lock in a lower interest rate, which can significantly reduce your monthly payments and save you money in the long run.
• Cash-Out Refinancing: If you have built up equity in your home, Julie can help you explore cash-out refinancing options, allowing you to use your home’s equity for home improvements, debt consolidation, or other financial needs.
• Adjust Loan Terms: If you want to pay off your mortgage faster, refinancing to a shorter loan term might be the best option. Conversely, Julie can also help you extend your loan term to lower your monthly payments.

For personalized guidance on refinancing or purchasing a home, contact Julie Lapham at CHURCHILL Mortgage at (406) 240-0032 or email julie.lapham@churchillmortgage.com.

Getting started on your mortgage application is easier when you’re prepared. Julie Lapham at CHURCHILL Mortgage advises gathering the following documents to streamline the process:

General Documents for Mortgage Applications

• Proof of Income:
  • W-2 Forms: Provide W-2s from the past two years to verify your employment and income history.
  • Pay Stubs: Submit your most recent pay stubs, usually covering the last 30 days.
  • Tax Returns: Self-employed applicants will need to provide tax returns from the past two years for income verification.
• Proof of Identity:
  • Government-Issued ID: A valid driver’s license or passport is required to verify your identity.
  • Social Security Number: This is necessary to pull your credit report.
• Credit History:
  • Credit Report: Julie will review your credit report to assess your eligibility for a mortgage.
  • Debt Information: Include documentation of any outstanding debts, such as credit cards, student loans, and car loans. This helps calculate your debt-to-income ratio.
• Proof of Assets:
  • Bank Statements: Submit bank statements from the past two months to verify your financial reserves for down payments and closing costs.
  • Retirement or Investment Account Statements: If you plan to use funds from a retirement or investment account, you’ll need to provide statements verifying those balances.
• Proof of Employment:
  • Employment Verification: Julie may contact your employer to verify your employment. Self-employed individuals will need to provide additional documentation, such as business licenses or profit and loss statements.

Loan Program-Specific Documents

• Conventional Loans: May require higher credit scores and more extensive income and asset documentation.
• FHA Loans: Designed for borrowers with lower credit scores, these loans require additional documentation.
• VA Loans: Veterans and active-duty service members will need to provide a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
• USDA Loans: For rural buyers, you’ll need to confirm that the property meets USDA eligibility guidelines.

By preparing these documents ahead of time, you can ensure a smoother application process. For more information, contact Julie Lapham at CHURCHILL Mortgage at (406) 240-0032 or email julie.lapham@churchillmortgage.com.