Choosing the best mortgage plan can feel overwhelming, but Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage offers tailored advice to ensure you make the best decision for your financial situation and homeownership goals. Kyle’s approach focuses on understanding your unique needs and guiding you through each mortgage option.

• Assess Your Financial Profile: Kyle will start by helping you evaluate your credit score, income, and debt-to-income ratio, which are key factors in determining your mortgage options and securing favorable terms.
• Identify Your Homeownership Goals: Whether you’re a first-time buyer, refinancing, or purchasing an investment property, Kyle will tailor his advice to your goals. He can recommend options like fixed-rate mortgages for consistent payments or adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) if you’re looking for a lower initial interest rate.
• Explore Loan Options: Wintrust Mortgage offers a range of products, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans, and jumbo loans. Kyle will help you understand the advantages and potential drawbacks of each loan type, so you can make an informed decision that aligns with your financial objectives.
• Consider Loan Terms and Rates: Kyle will walk you through the implications of different loan terms—whether it’s a shorter-term mortgage with higher monthly payments but less interest, or a longer-term loan with more manageable monthly payments.
• Account for Additional Costs: Kyle will ensure you understand all associated costs, like closing costs, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and private mortgage insurance (PMI) if applicable. These can affect your monthly budget, and Kyle will help you plan accordingly.
• Personalized Support: Kyle’s approach at Wintrust Mortgage is to provide one-on-one guidance, tailoring a mortgage plan specifically to meet your financial situation and goals, ensuring you’re comfortable with your choices every step of the way.

To receive expert mortgage advice, reach out to Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage at 515-473-0546 or via email at Klehman@wintrustmortgage.com.

Improving your credit score can unlock better mortgage options and terms. Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage offers actionable steps to help you increase your score before applying for a mortgage in Iowa:

1. Review Your Credit Report
   Start by pulling your credit report from the three major bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Check for any errors, like outdated account balances or incorrect personal information, which can negatively impact your score.
2. Dispute Inaccuracies
   If you find errors, promptly dispute them with the credit bureaus. Removing inaccuracies can give your credit score a quick boost, improving your chances of qualifying for a mortgage with better terms.
3. Lower Your Credit Utilization
   Aim to keep your credit utilization ratio below 30%. This means using less than 30% of your available credit across all credit cards, which demonstrates responsible credit management and can positively impact your score.
4. Avoid New Credit Accounts
   Opening new lines of credit right before applying for a mortgage can temporarily lower your score. Kyle advises against applying for additional credit in the months leading up to your mortgage application.
5. Make Timely Payments
   Your payment history is a significant factor in your credit score. Set up reminders or automatic payments to ensure you’re paying all your bills on time, including credit cards, student loans, and utilities.
6. Address Negative Marks
   If you have any negative items, such as late payments or collections, work to resolve them. Kyle can provide guidance on negotiating settlements or creating a payment plan with creditors, which may help remove these items from your credit report.
7. Pay Down Outstanding Debts
   Reducing outstanding debt can improve your debt-to-income ratio and boost your score. Start by paying down high-interest credit cards and smaller debts to reduce your credit utilization further.
8. Regularly Monitor Your Credit
   Credit monitoring ensures you’re alerted to any changes in your credit report. By staying on top of fluctuations, you’ll be able to address potential issues early, keeping you in good standing for your mortgage application.

Starting these steps well before applying for a mortgage can increase your chances of qualifying for the best rates. For personalized guidance, reach out to Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage at 515-473-0546 or Klehman@wintrustmortgage.com.

Yes, you can explore refinancing your mortgage or purchasing a new home with Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage. Kyle’s expertise can help you decide whether refinancing or buying is right for your current financial situation and future goals.

Home Purchase with Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage

• Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval: Kyle can help you get pre-qualified or pre-approved, which strengthens your position as a buyer and sets a realistic budget before house hunting.
• Wide Range of Loan Options: Kyle provides access to various mortgage products, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans, and jumbo loans. He’ll guide you through these choices to find the best fit for your home purchase needs.
• Competitive Interest Rates: Kyle will work to secure the best interest rates available, ensuring you save money over the life of your loan.
• Step-by-Step Guidance: Kyle offers ongoing support throughout the home-buying process, from application to closing, ensuring a seamless experience.

Refinancing with Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage

• Lower Your Monthly Payments: Refinancing can reduce your interest rate, thereby lowering monthly payments. Kyle will evaluate your current mortgage to see if this option suits you.
• Cash-Out Refinancing: Access your home’s equity for financial goals like home improvements or debt consolidation through cash-out refinancing, a product Kyle can help you explore.
• Adjust Loan Terms: If you’re looking to pay off your mortgage faster or extend it for lower payments, Kyle will guide you through your refinancing options.

To discuss refinancing or home purchase options, contact Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage at 515-473-0546 or Klehman@wintrustmortgage.com.

To initiate your mortgage application with Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage, gathering the right documents will ensure a smooth process. Here’s a checklist of essential items to prepare:

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.
  • Pay Stubs: Submit recent pay stubs covering at least the last 30 days to show current earnings.
  • Tax Returns: Self-employed applicants should include the last two years of tax returns to verify income stability.
• Proof of Identity:
  • Government-Issued ID: A valid driver’s license or passport to confirm your identity.
  • Social Security Number: Used to pull your credit report and verify your identity.
• Credit History:
  • Credit Report: Kyle will review your credit report to assess your eligibility and determine the best loan terms available.
  • Outstanding Debt Information: Include details on any outstanding debts, such as credit cards, student loans, or auto loans.
• Proof of Assets:
  • Bank Statements: Provide statements from the past two months to verify your financial reserves for the down payment and closing costs.
  • Retirement or Investment Account Statements: If you plan to use funds from these accounts, include statements to verify balances and transactions.
• Proof of Employment:
  • Employment Verification: In some cases, Wintrust Mortgage may contact your employer to verify your employment. Self-employed applicants will need additional documents, such as profit and loss statements.

Loan Program-Specific Documents

• Conventional Loans: Often require a more extensive review of income and assets.
• FHA Loans: Additional documentation may be needed to verify eligibility for FHA-backed loans.
• VA Loans: Veterans need to provide a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
• USDA Loans: If applicable, you’ll need to prove the property meets USDA criteria.

Additional Documentation That May Be Needed

• Gift Letter: If receiving down payment funds from family, a gift letter is required to confirm that the funds are a gift, not a loan.
• Divorce Decree: If applicable, provide this to clarify obligations like alimony or child support, as they impact your debt-to-income ratio.
• Bankruptcy or Foreclosure Records: If you have past bankruptcy or foreclosure, bring documentation showing enough time has passed since the event.

For assistance in gathering documents and starting your application, reach out to Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage at 515-473-0546 or email Klehman@wintrustmortgage.com.