You're a first-time buyer, a future Millennial home owner in need of a mortgage loan. You've never been through the mortgage process — you're not even sure what a mortgage loan entails. When you asked your parents about it, they outlined the process: Fill out forms, schedule meetings with loan officers, get rejected because you didn't fill something out correctly, reexamine your mortgage options with your real estate agent, and then start all over. That could mean days lost between (re!)filling out the forms and hearing whether your mortgage loan was accepted.

Naturally, as a prospective Millennial home owner, you're wondering, "Isn't there an online tool for that?" Of course there is! That's why we're here. We make navigating your mortgage options as easy as ordering takeout.

What Mortgage Options Are Available? Use the Self-Diagnostic!

Before starting your mortgage review, you might want to know your options. It's the equivalent of looking at a menu before placing your order: You're not making a decision; you're just checking out what might be available.

The Self-Diagnosis Tool shows you options you might not even know existed, like the CA School program available to California teachers or the Florida Military Heroes program available to both veterans and active duty military in Florida. Whether these or other mortgage options are right for you or not, it's good to know they're available so you can learn more.

Starting Your Self-Diagnosis

To start the self-diagnosis tool, click on "Loan Programs" from the main webpage. "Loan Programs" are many — very many — which we trim down to size with four simple search questions.

Four Simple Questions

1. On the left side panel, use the spinner to set your state.

2. Set "Loan Purpose" to "Purchase." If you're already a home owner interested in refinancing a home, select "Refinancing."

3. Set "Credit Score" to your FICO credit score. You can find your score free using any of several online tools, such as Credit Karma or Experian. Any of our featured lenders will also provide this service.

4. "Down Payment" is a percentage of the price. There's a good chance you won't know this right now, but that's nothing to worry about. You can try different settings and see what options you might get.

Remember, you're just looking at the menu, not ordering anything yet, so you can browse as much as you like. If you discover a mortgage option that seems attractive but requires a high percentage down payment, you'll be glad you played around with the settings. You couldn't grill a loan officer like that, but this is precisely what online tools are for.

Starting Your Mortgage Review

The review will ask you a series of questions, mostly yes or no, to easily guide you through the mortgage process. Here's how a typical session works.

Select Your State

Click "Get Started," then select your state. If it's gray, don't worry. The mortgage process is still valid, just a little more complicated to work on. Fill out the search options, and you'll see a list of featured lenders to complete the mortgage process.

Most prospective home buyers reading this will live in a state we fully support, like Florida, Texas, or California, where we can walk you step by step through your mortgage options.

Type of Residence

Assuming you're a first-time buyer, you'll want to click on "Purchase a Home," and then the type of home you're considering. If you're a home buyer, select "Single-Family Residence." If your situation is a little different, click on the best option, like "Condo." So far, it's as easy as cheese on a pizza. Now click "Primary Residence."

What to Spend

You can work with a wide or narrow price range, as you prefer. Set the slider and click "Next."

"Are you a first-time homebuyer?" Regardless of the complexity this question may unpack behind the scenes, it's just "yes" or "no."

Next is whether you have a real estate agent. Then you'll be at the down payment section. Enter your down payment and click "Next."

Credit Rating

As mentioned before, several online tools like Credit Karma and Experian will provide your credit score free of charge. Our featured lenders will do the same. Click the button that matches your score. For example, if your score is 670, click "Good," whereas 640 would be "Average."

Next are a series of questions about you and whether you're self-employed, in active military service, etc. Answer them "yes" or "no." 

You'll also see a question about bankruptcy. It's ideal for the prospective Millennial home owner to have never declared bankruptcy, but if you have, be honest. If it's fairly recent, it's in your credit history, but it doesn't always prevent you from securing a mortgage loan.

Location, Location, Location

Confirm your state, click "Next," then pick the city closest to you and click "Next."

You Made It!

Fill out your name, phone, and email and one of our mortgage loan experts will contact you with your mortgage options!  Mortgage Options? There's an Online Tool for That!

As a first time buyer or Millennial home owner looking to refinance, you want to know what type of mortgage loans are available so you can make an informed choice. No filling out forms before you know what's out there! Get your options directly at reviewmymortgage.com.