What is a mortgage?

If you’re looking to buy a home, this is an important type of loan that you’ll want to know more about.

If you're thinking about buying a house, you've probably heard the term "mortgage." This is a key part of purchasing a home, and something you’ll need to understand before going forward.

Mortgage definition

So, what is a mortgage loan? A mortgage is a loan in which the lender gives the borrower a sum of money to purchase property or real estate. The lender then holds the title of the borrower's property until the loan is paid off.

How does a mortgage work?

Even with the mortgage definition in hand, you may still have several questions about how a home loan works.

To get a mortgage, most lenders will require that you have a down payment to put toward a percentage of the home price. After your down payment has been provided, your home loan then covers the remainder of the home purchase price.

The mortgage is comprised of principal, which is the amount you originally borrowed, plus interest. You will make a monthly payment on the total that you owe and pay off the home loan over an agreed-upon length of time. 

To get a home loan, a good place to start is to speak with a mortgage loan officer. This professional will walk you through the application process, which includes checking your credit, verifying your income, and helping to determine how much you can afford to borrow.

How do mortgage payments work?

Each month, part of your payment goes toward the principal and part goes to the interest on the loan. Depending on how your loan is structured, you may also pay a portion of other fees and expenses monthly as well, such as your homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, private mortgage insurance, and/or association dues.

Only the portion of your payment that's applied to the principal reduces your balance. Loans are often structured so a greater portion of the payment goes toward interest at the beginning of the loan, with the proportions of your payment for principal versus interest changing gradually over the life of the loan.

Mortgage 101

While it could take a whole book to write a comprehensive mortgage guide, you can grasp some of the basics quickly with these key facts:

  • Mortgages feature either a fixed interest rate that doesn't change or an adjustable rate that will vary from year to year.
  • The value of your down payment can vary between different loan programs but many loan programs allow for lower down payments and some allow for gift funds.from a direct relative or a close friend that you could use towards the down payment.
  • In addition to your down payment, you will have other expenses such as a closing costs for your loan to get processed and underwritten, title fees to acquire appropriate title insurance, and possible prepaid items such as proration of daily interest, property taxes and homeowner’s insurance. Closing costs and prepaids usually amount to anywhere between 3 and 5 percent of the amount mortgaged.

What is a home loan prequalification?

Real estate agents often ask that you get prequalified for a mortgage before you begin looking at houses. This gives you a good idea of what you can afford to buy. Without a prequalification, you may end up shopping for homes that are out of your price range.

To get a mortgage prequalification, you'll need to talk to a lender and provide them with some basic financial information, including your household income and household debt. A prequalification is not a guarantee of mortgage approval, but it will give you an idea of where you stand.

What is a home mortgage loan officer?

A mortgage loan officer is an individual who will help you explore your options when it comes to choosing a home loan. A loan officer will help you evaluate your financial situation and determine what type of mortgage is best for your needs. This professional can help you determine the appropriate price range for your budget, and find a mortgage program that helps you get the home you want without creating undue financial strain. Your home mortgage officer will serve as your primary point of contact for financial matters throughout the application and home buying process.

 

If you’re ready to talk to someone to learn more about the financing process, find a U.S. Bank mortgage loan officer near you

Mortgages at U.S. Bank

Related content

What is a home equity line of credit (HELOC) and what can it be used for?

Putting home ownership within reach for a diverse workforce

What’s the difference between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?

Tips for realtors to help clients get their homeownership goals back on track

How jumbo loans can help home buyers and your builder business

Simple steps to be ready for a natural disaster

Checklist: financial recovery after a natural disaster

Pros and cons of a personal line credit

3 tips for saving money when moving to a new home

5 ways to maximize your garage sale profits 

What you need to know about renting

What’s a subordination agreement, and why does it matter?

Checklist: 10 things to look for when touring a home

How to sell and buy a home at the same time

Mortgages after retirement: Here’s what to know

Dear Money Mentor: What is cash-out refinancing and is it right for you?

Home improvements with the best ROI

Overcoming high interest rates: Getting your homeownership goals back on track

How we did it: Converted to solar power

PCS moving checklist for military spouses and families

For today's homebuyers, time and money are everything

Crypto + Homebuying: Impacts on the real estate market

Should you buy a house that’s still under construction?

How I did it: Bought my dream home using equity

Buying a home Q&A: What made three homeowners fall in love with their new home

House Hacks: How buying an investment property worked as my first home

Managing the impacts of appraisal gaps in a hot housing market

How I did it: Built living spaces to support my family

Spring cleaning checklist for your home: 5 budget-boosting tasks

Bringing economic opportunity to underserved communities one home at a time

Community activist achieves dream of homeownership

Saving for a down payment: Where should I keep my money?

Your guide to breaking the rental cycle

DIY home projects 101: tips from a first-timer

Checklist: 6 to-dos for after a move

What are conforming loan limits and why are they increasing

Military homeownership: Your guide to resources, financing and more

Uncover the cost: Building a home

How I did it: Bought a home without a 20 percent down payment

The lowdown on 6 myths about buying a home

Home buying myths: Realities of owning a home

4 ways to free up your budget (and your life) with a smaller home

Get more home for your money with these tips

Money Moments: Tips for selling your home

Money Moments: How to finance a home addition

How I did it: My house remodel

Are professional movers worth the cost?

First-time homebuyer’s guide to getting a mortgage

Dear Money Mentor: When should I refinance a mortgage?

Beyond the mortgage: Other costs for homeowners

Quiz: How prepared are you to buy a home?

What is a mortgage?

Building a dream home that fits your life

10 ways to increase your home’s curb appeal

10 questions to ask when hiring a contractor

5 things to avoid that can devalue your home

How you can take advantage of low mortgage rates

What is an escrow account? Do I have one?

Is it the right time to refinance your mortgage?

What to know when buying a home with your significant other

What is refinancing a mortgage?

These small home improvement projects offer big returns on investment

Should you get a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit?

Mortgage basics: What’s the difference between interest rate and annual percentage rate?

Mortgage basics: What is refinancing, and is it right for you?

Mortgage basics: Prequalification or pre-approval – What do I need?

Mortgage basics: How much house can you afford?

Mortgage basics: How does your credit score impact the homebuying experience?

Mortgage basics: Finding the right home loan for you

Mortgage basics: Buying or renting – What’s right for you?

Mortgage basics: 3 key steps in the homebuying process

Is a home equity line of credit (HELOC) right for you?

How to use your home equity to finance home improvements

How does a home equity line of credit (HELOC) work?

Home equity: Small ways to improve the value of your home

Can you take advantage of the dead equity in your home?

8 steps to take before you buy a home

6 questions to ask before buying a new home

4 questions to ask before you buy an investment property

10 uses for a home equity loan

Uncover the cost: Home renovation

Improving your credit score: Truth and myths revealed

What types of credit scores qualify for a mortgage?

Start of disclosure content

Investment and insurance products and services including annuities are:
Not a deposit • Not FDIC insured • May lose value • Not bank guaranteed • Not insured by any federal government agency.

U.S. Wealth Management – U.S. Bank | U.S. Bancorp Investments is the marketing logo for U.S. Bank and its affiliate U.S. Bancorp Investments.

The information provided represents the opinion of U.S. Bank and U.S. Bancorp Investments and is not intended to be a forecast of future events or guarantee of future results. It is not intended to provide specific investment advice and should not be construed as an offering of securities or recommendation to invest. Not for use as a primary basis of investment decisions. Not to be construed to meet the needs of any particular investor. Not a representation or solicitation or an offer to sell/buy any security. Investors should consult with their investment professional for advice concerning their particular situation.

U.S. Bank, U.S. Bancorp Investments and their representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Each individual's tax and financial situation is unique. You should consult your tax and/or legal advisor for advice and information concerning your particular situation.

For U.S. Bank:

U.S. Bank does not offer insurance products but may refer you to an affiliated or third party insurance provider.

U.S. Bank is not responsible for and does not guarantee the products, services or performance of U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

For U.S. Bancorp Investments:

Investment and insurance products and services including annuities are available through U.S. Bancorp Investments, the marketing name for U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC, an investment adviser and a brokerage subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp and affiliate of U.S. Bank.

U.S. Bancorp Investments is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as both a broker-dealer and an investment adviser. To understand how brokerage and investment advisory services and fees differ, the Client Relationship Summary and Regulation Best Interest Disclosure are available for you to review.

Insurance products are available through various affiliated non-bank insurance agencies, which are U.S. Bancorp subsidiaries. Products may not be available in all states. CA Insurance License #0E24641.

Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, U.S. Bancorp Investments must provide clients with certain financial information. The U.S. Bancorp Investments Statement of Financial Condition is available for you to review, print and download.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Rule 2267 provides for BrokerCheck to allow investors to learn about the professional background, business practices, and conduct of FINRA member firms or their brokers. To request such information, contact FINRA toll-free at 1-800‐289‐9999 or via https://brokercheck.finra.org. An investor brochure describing BrokerCheck is also available through FINRA.

U.S. Bancorp Investments Order Processing Information.