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BUYING A HOME

A mortgage built just for you

We support you every step of the way during the home financing process.

Get prequalified or preapproved.

Call: 844-777-2689
TTY: 800-659-5495

See what’s possible

Home loans up to $4,000,000

Programs designed for first-time homebuyers, including down payment assistance from approved local community programs in select markets

Rate discounts for eligible Bank of the West customers (Download details)

Flexible loan programs to meet your unique financial needs, including Fannie Mae HomeReady®, FHA and VA loans

homebuyer mortgage guide
TIPS & RESOURCES

First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide

All the information you need to make your move with confidence.

Download in English
Download in Spanish
homebuyer mortgage guide

Today’s Purchase Rates

Select a rate or APR to view important loan information.

* Rates subject to change without notice.

View rates for your specific situation or program.

Are you shopping rates with another lender?

We'll do our best to meet or beat your current mortgage offer from another lender. Even if you've already applied elsewhere, we may be able to reimburse you up to $750 for closing costs when your new Bank of the West mortgage closes.footnote1

Turn your deposits with us into interest rate discounts

Our relationship pricing discounts for current Bank of the West and Bank of the West Investment Services (BWIS) customers start at 0.125% if you have $100,000 or more in deposits and other eligible assets under management (AUM) and rising to 0.75% with $3 million or more in deposits and other eligible AUM.footnote2

Get a 0.125% discount for setting up autopayfootnote3,footnote4

Simply have your monthly mortgage payment automatically deducted from a Bank of the West savings or checking account.

Talk to your home finance specialist for details.

Why choose Bank of the West?

  • Experienced home finance specialists with you every step of the process –Find a home finance specialist
  • Dedicated Mortgage Sales Centers with convenient evening and weekend hours – Find My Branch
  • Down payment assistance programs from approved community organizations

Get answers to your questions regarding the home financing process

  • Will getting a preapproval hurt my credit score?
    For information on how inquires impact your credit score, refer to FICO’s website for more information.
  • How long does it take to get a mortgage?
    Generally, it can take approximately 30 days for a purchase mortgage to fund. However, please note that factors such as the type of loan product, property condition, appraisal turn times, market demand, and ability to obtain required documentation may impact these timeframes. Contact a Home Loan Specialist for current turn times.
  • What is the difference between prequalification and preapproval?

    Prequalification
    The home finance specialist collects estimates of your income and liabilities to determine what mortgage products may be available to you and what you can afford to borrow. Our home finance specialists can prequalify you by phone in some cases. It normally takes 15 to 20 minutes, and the applicant will receive a prequalification letter.

    Preapproval
    This is a more thorough review of your creditworthiness. We verify not only your credit, but also your income, assets, and liabilities. Further, you will need to submit documentation such as proof of income, assets, and debt records. The process can take 20 minutes if you come prepared, or in some cases up to two business days.

  • When is the home appraisal ordered?
    Once your offer to purchase a home is accepted and you have applied for a mortgage, the lender will order an appraisal to ensure that the property’s value is sufficient for the loan amount requested. A licensed appraiser will visit the property to conduct the appraisal inspection. Generally, the appraisal report is completed and received between two days to two weeks, depending on the type of appraisal, the location of the property, and market demand.
  • What does loan closing mean?
    Generally, closing is when you sign your loan documents and become obligated on the mortgage loan, and in a purchase transaction, when the seller signs documents to transfer your title to the property. The timing may depend on state laws and local practices.
  • What is the amortization period?
    This is the repayment period of a loan during which payments of both principal and interest are required to be made to pay down the balance on the loan according to the terms of the loan documents prior to its maturity date. The amortization period may vary by the loan product and whether the loan has an interest-only period. For example, a 30-year fixed rate mortgage loan, which requires principal and interest payments from the beginning, has a 30-year amortization period.
  • Is the interest tax deductible?
    Interest paid on your mortgage loan and home equity line of credit may be tax deductible for some borrowers. Consult your tax advisor for more information.
  • What are some of the common mortgage fees and costs I might incur after closing?
    Click here to download an outline of our common mortgage fees and costs.
  • How do I request a mortgage loan payoff amount?
    Our customer service team can provide a loan payoff amount. Simply call 888-915-2327 (TTY: 800-659-5495) and select “mortgage payoff” to speak with one of our team members.
  • What’s the difference between a fixed-rate mortgage and an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)?
    Fixed-Rate Mortgage
    • Interest rate will never change
    • Predictable monthly principal and interest payments
    • Protects you from interest rate increases over time
    • Most popular because of its stability

    Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)
    • Low initial interest rate that is fixed for a set period
    • After the fixed-rate period, the interest rate adjusts based on an index (such as SOFR) and monthly payments fluctuate with the market
    • May be best if you plan to pay more on your loan early on or live in your home for a short time
  • What is mortgage insurance?
    Mortgage insurance (MI) protects your lender against financial loss if you can’t repay your loan. If your down payment is less than 20%, you may be required to have mortgage insurance.

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Note: Bank of the West has branches only in the states listed in the drop-down. At this time, we only open accounts for individuals and businesses in these states.