Obtaining housing finance helps you realise your dream of owning a house. However, every lending institution has a few Home Loan eligibility conditions you must fulfil to obtain the required funding. Several factors influence your loan eligibility, including your credit history, income, documents, etc. In the following sections, we will explore some most crucial factors impacting your house loan eligibility.
Credit History
Your credit history is one of the most fundamental factors determining your loan eligibility. Your credit score reflects your creditworthiness based on your history of managing credit and repayments. A high credit rating is a favourable element, increasing your chances of loan approval. Pay your loan EMIs and credit card bills on time, reduce your debt-to-income ratio, and avoid loan defaults to improve and maintain a decent credit score.
Income and Employment
Lending companies assess your income and employment when evaluating your loan application. A steady employment and regular income stream is crucial for your Home Loan eligibility. They also look at your DTI ratio to see if you have enough disposable income to adjust the new EMIs into your monthly budget.
The minimum income requirement varies based on the city you live in. For instance, Kotak Mahindra Bank provides Home Loans to business entities and HUFs. To apply for a Home Loan at the lending institution, you must fulfil the following minimum income requirements:
- Rs. 20,000 in Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore, and Rs. 15,000 in other Indian cities
- Rs. 2,40,000 per annum for companies, firms, HUFs, and LLPs in Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore, and Rs. 1,80,000 per annum for these entities in other cities.
Documentation
A house loan involves a substantial amount and a long repayment term. The loan provider largely depends on your documentation to confirm your eligibility and repayment capability. Therefore, you must check the lender’s documentation requirements and ensure you can fulfil them. At Kotak Mahindra Bank, the Home Loan documentation requirements are as follows:
- Identity Proof: PAN Card, Aadhaar Card*, Driving License, Passport, Voter ID
- Address Proof: Driving License, Aadhaar Card*, Voter ID, Passport
- Income Proof: Salary Slips, Form 16, ITR, Profit and Loss Accounts, Balance Sheet
- Age Proof: Voter ID, Passport, Aadhaar Card*, PAN Card, Driving License
- Proof of Educational Qualification: Degree Certificate for self-employed professionals
- Signature Proof: PAN Card, Passport
- Relationship Proof: Repayment Track Record (RTR)
Down Payment
Although lending institutions cover a majority of the property’s cost, you must make a small down payment to show your seriousness towards borrowing and purchasing the house. Even if a housing financier offers a high loan-to-value ratio, you must try to make the maximum down payment you can afford.
The amount you invest from your end plays a significant role in evaluating your Home Loan eligibility. A bigger down payment reduces your loan requirement and demonstrates your sense of financial responsibility. Depending on the property’s price you wish to buy, plan your finances and save enough to make a bigger down payment. Making a considerable down payment reduces the lender’s risk, thus improving your chances of Home Loan approval.
Current Financial Obligations
Your current financial obligations, such as existing loans, credit card balances, insurance premiums, etc., affect your Home Loan eligibility. To calculate your debt-to-income ratio, lenders assess your financial load and compare it to your income. Reduce your existing financial obligations to improve your DTI ratio and make your application more attractive to housing finance providers.
Use a Home Loan Eligibility Calculator
An eligibility calculator is an online tool that determines your eligibility based on several variables you enter. These include your income, current financial obligations, age, credit score, years left to your retirement, etc. The better your repayment capacity, the higher your loan eligibility. So, keep these figures in a better position to grab a Home Loan easily with favourable terms and conditions.
Borrowing a house loan is a crucial decision for your finances. Your Home Loan eligibility depends on several crucial factors, including your credit score, current financial obligations, documents, income, down payment, etc. Maintain a strong credit score, stabilise your income, and save for a substantial down payment to enhance your eligibility for a Home Loan at the best rates and conditions. Take proactive steps to apply for a Home Loan at Kotak Mahindra Bank and achieve your goal of homeownership.
