The mortgage industry is constantly changing and consulting a mortgage professional is still the best way to navigate the loan process.

You’ve read what we have to say about Dave Ramsey's way of living and gotten your financial house in order, making you ready to begin the great house hunt. But before you dive head first into gathering your top ten list of dream homes, you may want to learn a little more about what you'll be paying for that home. 

You’ve set a budget for your monthly payments, but those payments could vary greatly depending on the interest rate you pay for a loan. And the interest rate you end up paying may vary for a number of reasons, too. 

For a 30-year loan on $150,000, the monthly payment of interest and principal at 5 percent would be $805. That same loan at a 4 percent rate would be $716 a month. It's kind of amazing to see the difference one little percentage point can make.

The interest rate you pay is largely determined by your credit score, which includes: