flgaland@gmail.com
    (386) 243-0124

Florida Land Network Leonard Dicks Realty, LLCFlorida Land Network Leonard Dicks Realty, LLC

North Florida Land for Sale

  • Home
  • Search
    • Advanced Search
    • Easy Search
    • Map Search
  • Featured
    • Featured Listings
    • Featured Virtual Tours
    • Featured Additional Special Properties
  • Buy
    • Mortgage
    • Moving Checklist
  • Sell
    • Marketing Your Home
    • What’s Your Property Worth?
    • Sell Your Home Faster
    • Local Market Reports
  • Concierge
    • About Leonard
    • Blog
    • Schools
  • Contact

3 Things You Need to Know Before You Apply for a Mortgage

3 Things You Need to Know Before You Apply for a Mortgage

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or you’re purchasing your 100th home (wow, right?!), here are three things you need to know before you apply for a mortgage loan.

3 Things You Need to Know Before You Apply for a Mortgage

Before you start exploring lenders, you need to know:

  • What makes a good credit score
  • How much of a down payment you should have
  • What your debt-to-income ratio is

What Makes a Good Credit Score?

The higher your credit score is, the better terms lenders are willing to offer you.

A score of 750 or better is considered excellent, and 700 to 749 is good (and usually qualifies you for great rates). Fair credit is typically 650 to 699, and if yours falls in that range, you’ll likely have to pay higher interest rates than people who have higher scores.

Here’s a quick graphic on what lenders think of your credit.

Credit Scores and Buying a Home - Mortgages in Lake City FL

How Much of a Down Payment Should You Have?

The more money you put down, the lower your monthly payments will be. Try to aim for at least 20 percent – but know that you don’t really need that much to buy a home. Many lenders and many loan types are designed for lower down payments (some as little as 3.5 percent). Even better for some buyers, VA loans don’t require anything down.

Related: What you need to know about VA loans

Find Homes for Sale in Lake City Now

What’s Your Debt-to-Income Ratio?

Lenders want you to have a decent debt-to-income ratio. That’s the amount of money you make versus the amount of money you have to spend each month, like your monthly credit card minimums. You need to know what yours is so you can lower it if necessary.

Related: How to calculate your debt-to-income ratio

Are You Buying a Home for Sale in Lake City?

If you’re moving to Lake City, we can help you find the perfect place to live. Call us at 386-243-0124 to tell us what you want from your home and we will begin searching right away.

Check these out:

  • Waterfront residential in Lake City
  • Waterfront land in Columbia County
  • Bank-owned homes and foreclosure in Columbia County
  • Short sales in Columbia County
  • Paved road frontage for sale in Columbia County
  • Non-deed-restricted land for sale in Columbia County
  • Wooded oak tree land for sale in Columbia County
  • Land-for-land home combo in Lake City
SW Mcgriff Ln & Kaman $248,535

SW Mcgriff Ln & Kaman Lake City, Florida

13.15 Acres

15585 184th St $549,900

15585 184th St McAlpin, Florida

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,130 SqFt 41.81 Acres

Posted in: Blog, Buyers, Buying, Mortgages Tagged: Buying a Home, Financing, First-Time Buyers, Mortgage

Search Smarter

Did you know the hottest Land for sale in Florida often sell within days of being listed? Don't miss out! Set up your own custom property alert so you can be notified of the newest homes as they hit the market! Simply click the button below and choose the types of Florida land you are looking for and save your search to start getting alerts today!

New Property Alerts

As local expert I also have access to North Florida Land for sale before it hits the market and can show you more information that are only accessible in the MLS. If you would like to set up a time to go over your real estate needs, please free to contact me at your convenience. There is no obligation and or pressure... I hope to hear from you!

Post navigation

« Should You Get a Mortgage Online or In Person?
What’s a Standard Down Payment When You Buy a Home? »

Sign up for North Florida New Land Alerts
Find out what your North Florida Land is Worth

Popular Land Searches

  • Timber Tracts
  • Paved Road Frontage
  • Large Land Tracts
  • Cattle Land
  • Up to 5 Acres
  • 5 – 10 Acres
  • 10 – 20 Acres
  • 20 – 40 Acres
  • 40 – 100 Acres
  • 100 – 200 Acres
  • 200 – 500 Acres
  • 500 Acres & Up
  • Timber Land

Contact

North Florida Land for Sale

(386) 243-0124

flgaland@gmail.com

Office: (386) 243-0124
250 NW Main Blvd #75
Lake City, Florida 32055

View Florida Land Network Leonard Dicks LLC on Google

Follow Me



Give us a Review


Search Smarter

Did you know the hottest North Florida land for sale often sells within days of being listed? Don't miss out! Set up your own custom property alert so you can be notified of the newest land as they hit the market! Simply click the button below and choose the types of North Florida land you are looking for and save your search to start getting alerts today!

New Property Alerts

As a local expert, I also have access to North Florida land for sale before it hits the market and can show you more information that is only accessible in the MLS. If you would like to set up a time to go over your real estate needs, please free to contact me contact me at your convenience. There is no obligation and or pressure... I hope to hear from you!

© 2025 | Florida Land Network Leonard Dicks LLC All Rights Reserved· 386-243-0124 | Sitemap · Properties Sitemap · Properties XML Sitemap · Terms of Service · Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy · Accessibility Statement · Disclaimer · North Florida Land Network Leonard Dicks LLC
Log in · Real Estate Websites by Real Estate Websites by YourSiteNeedsMe.com