list of charges prior to closing your loan. Lenders who add charges not shown on the estimate to the final bill are a violation of the law.

Mortgage Insurance May Be Required

If you don't have at least 20 percent to use as a down payment on your West Virginia home mortgage loan,

No matter where you choose to live in the state, West Virginia homes are affordable. Homes in the larger cities of West Virginia usually range between $20,000 to $1.5 million, and home prices in smaller metro areas and rural areas average between $10,000 and $610,000. There is also plenty of open land to build on.

If you are considering getting a West Virginia home mortgage loan, there are 3 very important things you should know before getting started:

You Can Negotiate for a Better Rate

While most people know how important it is to shop around for a good mortgage rate, the majority of them don't realize that you don't have to accept the rate given to you. Any borrower can bargain for a better rate. If Lender A offers you a rate of 5.9 percent and Lender B offers you a rate of 6.5 percent, you can ask Lender B for a better offer. You may be surprised at what a lender can do to get you a better rate.

You Are Entitled to a Good Faith Estimate

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) requires lenders to give you a written estimate of your closing costs when you turn in your mortgage application. Closely examine this itemized list of charges prior to closing your loan. Lenders who add charges not shown on the estimate to the final bill are a violation of the law.

Mortgage Insurance May Be Required

If you don't have at least 20 percent to use as a down payment on your West Virginia home mortgage loan,

land to build on.

If you are considering getting a West Virginia home mortgage loan, there are 3 very important things you should know before getting started:

You Can Negotiate for a Better Rate

While most people know how important it is to shop around for a good mortgage rate, the majority of them don't realize that you don't have to accept the rate given to you. Any borrower can bargain for a better rate. If Lender A offers you a rate of 5.9 percent and Lender B offers you a rate of 6.5 percent, you can ask Lender B for a better offer. You may be surprised at what a lender can do to get you a better rate.

You Are Entitled to a Good Faith Estimate

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) requires lenders to give you a written estimate of your closing costs when you turn in your mortgage application. Closely examine this itemized list of charges prior to closing your loan. Lenders who add charges not shown on the estimate to the final bill are a violation of the law.

Mortgage Insurance May Be Required

If you don't have at least 20 percent to use as a down payment on your West Virginia home mortgage loan,

rate, the majority of them don't realize that you don't have to accept the rate given to you. Any borrower can bargain for a better rate. If Lender A offers you a rate of 5.9 percent and Lender B offers you a rate of 6.5 percent, you can ask Lender B for a better offer. You may be surprised at what a lender can do to get you a better rate.

You Are Entitled to a Good Faith Estimate

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) requires lenders to give you a written estimate of your closing costs when you turn in your mortgage application. Closely examine this itemized list of charges prior to closing your loan. Lenders who add charges not shown on the estimate to the final bill are a violation of the law.

Mortgage Insurance May Be Required

If you don't have at least 20 percent to use as a down payment on your West Virginia home mortgage loan,

a lender can do to get you a better rate.

You Are Entitled to a Good Faith Estimate

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) requires lenders to give you a written estimate of your closing costs when you turn in your mortgage application. Closely examine this itemized list of charges prior to closing your loan. Lenders who add charges not shown on the estimate to the final bill are a violation of the law.

Mortgage Insurance May Be Required

If you don't have at least 20 percent to use as a down payment on your West Virginia home mortgage loan,

list of charges prior to closing your loan. Lenders who add charges not shown on the estimate to the final bill are a violation of the law.

Mortgage Insurance May Be Required

If you don't have at least 20 percent to use as a down payment on your West Virginia home mortgage loan, your lender may require you to carry private mortgage insurance (PMI). While it may be a necessity, PMI is an added expense that no homeowner wants to have. Fortunately, home values in West Virginia increase an average of 15 percent every 5 years. By law, lenders must automatically cancel your mortgage insurance once your home's equity reaches 22 percent. Even if you have to get PMI, you should be able to get rid of it in a short amount of time.