The Real Truth About Homeownership: Why It’s Worth the Journey

As a mortgage lender, we’ve helped countless families achieve their dreams of homeownership. We understand that owning a home isn’t always a walk in the park, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Let’s talk about why homeownership remains one of the most powerful ways to build long-term wealth and stability.
Building Equity, Not Someone Else’s Wealth
Every mortgage payment you make is like paying yourself instead of your landlord. While renters help their landlords build wealth, homeowners gradually increase their own net worth through equity. It’s like having a automatic savings account that grows over time.
Tax Benefits That Make a Difference
Homeownership comes with significant tax advantages, including the opportunities to deduct mortgage interest and property taxes. These deductions can lead to substantial savings come tax season, putting more money back in your pocket.
Freedom to Create Your Space
Want to paint your walls hot pink? Plant a garden? Finally get that dog you’ve always wanted? As a homeowner, you don’t need to ask for permission. Your home truly becomes your castle, allowing you to customize your space to match your lifestyle and preferences.
Protection from Rising Housing Costs
While renters face annual increases in their monthly payments, homeowners with fixed-rate mortgages enjoy more stable housing costs. In today’s inflationary environment, this predictability is more valuable than ever.
Let’s Be Real: It’s Not Always Easy
Homeownership comes with its own share of challenges. From unexpected repairs to property maintenance, being a homeowner means being responsible for everything that goes wrong. That leaky faucet? It’s on you now. The AC that decides to quit in August? Another problem to solve.
But here’s the truth: these challenges are temporary, while the benefits of homeownership are long-lasting. Every obstacle you overcome as a homeowner is an investment in your future and your family’s stability.
The Long-Term Perspective
When you’re writing that monthly mortgage check or dealing with a home repair, remember that you’re playing the long game. Homeownership is about building generational wealth, creating stability for your family, and investing in your future.
While the path to homeownership might not always be easy, it remains one of the most reliable ways to build wealth and create the life you want. As a company who’s helped many people and families navigate this journey, we can tell you that most homeowners look back and say, “It was all worth it.”
Ready to start your homeownership journey? Reach out to your loan officer to talk about your options and create a plan that works for you. Don’t have a loan officer yet? Find one here.
Remember, the best investment in your future might be the roof over your head.

Who’s who in the mortgage process

Who’s who in the mortgage process

Here is a list of some of the people you will become familiar with throughout the loan process. This should help you better understand what you can expect from each individual along your journey home.

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Appraiser

An individual who is licensed to estimate the worth (fair market value) of the property you are purchasing.

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Closing or Settlement Agent

The party who conducts the closing meeting. This role may be filled by an attorney, title company, or real estate agents depending upon the state where the property is located.

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Loan Officer

A Loan Officer represents one lending institution and their loan programs. They help you choose the best mortgage loan based upon your situation and will help you complete the loan application.

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Loan Servicer

The entity that collects mortgage payments (it may or may not be the lender) and pays taxes and insurance and mortgage insurance, if required, on your behalf.

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Mortgage Insurer

By compensating the lender for losses should a borrower be unable to make payments, Mortgage Insurance is often used to purchase a home without a 20% down payment.

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Mortgage Lender

Financial institution that issues loans. Unlike brokers, lenders control the whole process; from underwriting to funding.

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Property Inspector

An individual certified to conduct a examination of the home. An inspector will look for issues that may affect the value of the property and can assess the condition of a property’s roof, foundation, heating and cooling sys- tems, plumbing, electrical work, water and sewage, and some safety issues.

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Real Estate Agent

A real estate agent is a person who acts as an intermediary between sellers and buyers of real estate/real property and attempts to find sellers who wish to sell and buyers who wish to buy. They can often provide helpful and specific community information such as shop-ping, transportation, and schools.

Looking to buy your first home?

When considering the purchase of a home, you’re bound to have questions. Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Steps to home ownership made easy

Purchasing a home can seem complex. Obtaining a mortgage shouldn’t be. Here is a simple checklist to get you started.

Top 5 reasons to get-prequalified

Getting prequalified is a great first step when beginning to shop for a home.

Disclaimer: SecurityNational Mortgage Company, and its loan officers, unless individually licensed and specifically denoted in their credentials, are not qualified to, and are prohibited from representing themselves as accountants, attorneys, certified financial planners, estate planners, investment specialists or tax experts, and will not advise you in those matters. Always seek the advice of a licensed professional. By submitting your contact information you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. You also expressly consent to having SecurityNational Mortgage Company contact you about your inquiry. This is not a commitment to make a loan. Loans are subject to borrower and property qualifications. Contact loan officer listed for an accurate, personalized quote. Interest rates and program guidelines are subject to change without notice. SecurityNational Mortgage Company is an Equal Housing Lender. Company NMLS# 3116

Mortgage do’s and don’ts

Mortgage do’s and don’ts

Do’s

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Do keep paying bills on time

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Do let us know of any significant changes (job, new expenses)

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Do get us all documentation requested on a timely basis

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Do tell us of large new deposits to bank accounts

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Do keep a paper trail of new deposits/transfers into bank accounts that are not payroll related

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Do use funds for closing from only the asset accounts we have verified

Don’ts

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Refrain from changing jobs, becoming self-employed or quitting your job

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Refrain from buying a new vehicle or other large purchases (furniture, appliances) on credit

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Refrain from using credit cards excessively and increasing credit card balances

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Refrain from making large deposits or changing banks without first checking with your loan officer

Looking to buy your first home?

When considering the purchase of a home, you’re bound to have questions. Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Steps to home ownership made easy

Purchasing a home can seem complex. Obtaining a mortgage shouldn’t be. Here is a simple checklist to get you started.

Top 5 reasons to get-prequalified

Getting prequalified is a great first step when beginning to shop for a home.

Disclaimer: SecurityNational Mortgage Company, and its loan officers, unless individually licensed and specifically denoted in their credentials, are not qualified to, and are prohibited from representing themselves as accountants, attorneys, certified financial planners, estate planners, investment specialists or tax experts, and will not advise you in those matters. Always seek the advice of a licensed professional. By submitting your contact information you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. You also expressly consent to having SecurityNational Mortgage Company contact you about your inquiry. This is not a commitment to make a loan. Loans are subject to borrower and property qualifications. Contact loan officer listed for an accurate, personalized quote. Interest rates and program guidelines are subject to change without notice. SecurityNational Mortgage Company is an Equal Housing Lender. Company NMLS# 3116

Common loan documents needed prior to closing your loan

Common loan documents needed prior to closing your loan

*SecurityNational Mortgage Company does not require income documentation to complete a loan application or to receive a loan estimate.

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Last 2 years W2's

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Last 2 years tax returns with all schedules (if applicable)

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1099s and copy of business license (if applicable)

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Most recent pay stubs (minumum of 30 days)

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2 months most recent bank statements (all accounts and all pages)

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Explanation of any inquires on credit report (signed and dated)

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Copy of earnest money check and purchase contract (for purchase transactions)

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Mortgage statement (for refinance transactions)

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Most recent homeowners insurance policy and tax statement for all properties owned (if applicable)

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Trust documentation (if applicable)

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Trust documentation (if applicable)

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Divorce decree/separation agreement and child support order (if applicable)

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Identification documentation, such as driver’s license, permanent resident alien card, etc.

Looking to buy your first home?

When considering the purchase of a home, you’re bound to have questions. Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Steps to home ownership made easy

Purchasing a home can seem complex. Obtaining a mortgage shouldn’t be. Here is a simple checklist to get you started.

Top 5 reasons to get-prequalified

Getting prequalified is a great first step when beginning to shop for a home.

Disclaimer: SecurityNational Mortgage Company, and its loan officers, unless individually licensed and specifically denoted in their credentials, are not qualified to, and are prohibited from representing themselves as accountants, attorneys, certified financial planners, estate planners, investment specialists or tax experts, and will not advise you in those matters. Always seek the advice of a licensed professional. By submitting your contact information you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. You also expressly consent to having SecurityNational Mortgage Company contact you about your inquiry. This is not a commitment to make a loan. Loans are subject to borrower and property qualifications. Contact loan officer listed for an accurate, personalized quote. Interest rates and program guidelines are subject to change without notice. SecurityNational Mortgage Company is an Equal Housing Lender. Company NMLS# 3116

Top 5 reasons to get prequalified

Top 5 reasons to get prequalified

Negotiate Towards a Better Price

Prequalified gives the seller confidence by being reassured that financing shouldn’t be an issue.

Reduce Stress

Know what terms you need, if you’ll want to ask for down payment and/or closing cost assistance.

Save Time

Don’t waste time looking at homes that are below, or above your true shopping range.

Avoid Heartache

Don’t fall in love with a home, only to find out that you can’t qualify.

Get an Accurate Credit Picture

If you need to dispute any information, it’s better to know up front. Credit repair can help!

Looking to buy your first home?

When considering the purchase of a home, you’re bound to have questions. Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Steps to home owner ship made easy

Purchasing a home can seem complex. Obtaining a mortgage shouldn’t be. Here is a simple checklist to get you started.

Common loan docs needed prior to close

A simple checklist of documents and items needed prior to closing on your home loan.

Disclaimer: SecurityNational Mortgage Company, and its loan officers, unless individually licensed and specifically denoted in their credentials, are not qualified to, and are prohibited from representing themselves as accountants, attorneys, certified financial planners, estate planners, investment specialists or tax experts, and will not advise you in those matters. Always seek the advice of a licensed professional. By submitting your contact information you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. You also expressly consent to having SecurityNational Mortgage Company contact you about your inquiry. This is not a commitment to make a loan. Loans are subject to borrower and property qualifications. Contact loan officer listed for an accurate, personalized quote. Interest rates and program guidelines are subject to change without notice. SecurityNational Mortgage Company is an Equal Housing Lender. Company NMLS# 3116

Looking for a home loan?

Looking for a home loan?

When considering the purchase of a home, you’re bound to have questions. Well, you’ve come to the right place!

We’ve got the deep industry experience and long-term stability you’re looking for in a mortgage company. Our professional loan experts are ready to guide you through the process.

You’re unique, so the service you get should be tailored to your needs. Unlike a one-size-fits-all organization, we’re a full service lender with a wide range of loan products and competitive interest rates to meet your specific situation. Our in-house underwriting and processing expertise means a fast and reliable loan experience for you.

Feel free to poke around our website and learn a little about us and the various loan types we offer, visit our educational section with informative information, find a local branch near you, let us guide you to the next stop on your mortgage journey.

We can help navigate you to your desired destination!

Steps to home ownership made easy

Purchasing a home can seem complex. Obtaining a mortgage shouldn’t be. Here is a simple checklist to get you started.

Top 5 reasons to get-prequalified

Getting prequalified is a great first step when beginning to shop for a home.

Common loan documents needed prior to close

A simple checklist of documents and items needed prior to closing on your home loan.

Disclaimer: SecurityNational Mortgage Company, and its loan officers, unless individually licensed and specifically denoted in their credentials, are not qualified to, and are prohibited from representing themselves as accountants, attorneys, certified financial planners, estate planners, investment specialists or tax experts, and will not advise you in those matters. Always seek the advice of a licensed professional. By submitting your contact information you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. You also expressly consent to having SecurityNational Mortgage Company contact you about your inquiry. This is not a commitment to make a loan. Loans are subject to borrower and property qualifications. Contact loan officer listed for an accurate, personalized quote. Interest rates and program guidelines are subject to change without notice. SecurityNational Mortgage Company is an Equal Housing Lender. Company NMLS# 3116