Book time on our calendar to talk to a mortgage expert.
Get your questions answered, so you know what to expect when buying a home.
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Learn what to do next.
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Gather reliable information.
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Move forward with your home purchase.
"NewCastle helped me get my first mortgage, and I recommend them very highly. Incredible customer service, super responsive, and played a huge role in..."
"My experience with New Castle Home Loans and Jim's team was nothing short of outstanding. They provided me with a home loan that was tailored to my family's needs, and the entire process was incredibly easy-going and hassle-free..."
"Fastest and most reliable service I have ever had and heard. I am especially thankful for Jim Quist for his knowledgeable and caring service. His service was above and beyond..."
"I have done three mortgages with new castle. Perfect efficincy and super happy to work with them again."
"The NewCastle team helped us achieve our long-time goal of becoming homeowners. I never dreamed closing on a home could go so smoothly for us. They were..."
"Highly recommended! Jim and his entire time were friendly, helpful, and responsive. I'm glad I worked with this business, who has an office right here in the city and understands the intricacies of the Chicago market."
"It’s been a absolute pleasure working with the New Castle team for the 2nd time, I can’t say enough good things about this company..."
"I worked with Jim last year and worked with him again this year as well. Jim was very helpful, and is very obvious that he..."
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should you get pre-approved for a mortgage?
The best time to get pre-approved for a mortgage is between 1 and 4 months before buying a home. Start the pre-approval at least 1 month in advance. And wait until you're within 4 months of buying a place.
We check your credit before issuing a pre-approval letter. Your credit score determines how much you can afford and the type of loan, interest rate, and monthly payment. It expires in 4 months. After that, we restart the pre-approval process with another credit check.
How long is a mortgage pre-approval good for?
Your mortgage pre-approval letter is good for 4 months from the date we check your credit report. After 4 months, your credit expires, and so does your pre-approval.
We'll update your pre-approval for another 4 months if you're still looking for a home to buy. Updating the pre-approval is easy. First, we recheck your credit and reverify your financial information. Then, you get a new pre-approval letter, so you can take advantage of every opportunity.
Should you get pre-approved by multiple lenders?
You need 1 strong mortgage pre-approval letter to include with your offer to buy a house.
Make sure the lender's underwriter verifies your financial information and signs it. Otherwise, sellers and agents feel uneasy about an uncertain outcome. As a result, you're less likely to win the deal, especially when competing with other buyers.
You're in the right place for a strong pre-approval letter. We confirm your information upfront so you get a personalized letter signed by our underwriter.
Will a mortgage credit check lower your score?
We check your credit before pre-approving your mortgage to give you a reliable pre-approval letter and rate quote. It's a hard inquiry that reports to the credit bureaus and affects your credit score. Therefore, we always ask for your permission first.
The report and score are good for 4 months. Multiple inquiries by lenders within 45 days count as 1 inquiry. So your credit will be okay if the last is within 45 days of the first. But, credit checks after the 45-day window may lower your score.
To keep your inquiries low and your score high, allow only one lender to check your credit for your pre-approval letter. Choose a lender that verifies your financial information. This way, you have the best chance that the sellers will accept your offer to buy their home. Then, after you're under contract, you'll have plenty of time to shop and compare loan offers.
Why use NewCastle Home Loans for a mortgage?
When you work with us, you get a lower interest rate and better service on your mortgage.
- View an honest rate quote upfront to know what to expect.
- Enjoy the convenience of a 100% online mortgage.
- Rely on our staff of certified mortgage underwriters to guide you to homeownership, making sure everything goes smoothly.
After that, close your loan on time, at the interest rate we promised, with better service than you expected.