Home ownership could be closer than you think
At Solarity, we're helping put home ownership within reach for more buyers with our zero-down payment and low-down payment loan programs. So, you don't necessarily need to have 20% down in order to qualify for a conventional home loan. In fact, you might find that, for what you're paying in rent, you can actually afford a home of your own!1
Meet first-time homebuyers Kenzie and Riley
Hear from new homeowners, Kenzie and Riley, as they explain why they chose Solarity to finance their first home in Yakima, Washington.2
Loan programs to help you purchase your first home
No-down payment programs
Low-down payment programs
Traditional home loans
Understanding the home loan process
It might seem like buying a home is a complicated process. Sure, there are some forms to fill out and some hoops to jump through. But when you work with Solarity, we do the bulk of the heavy lifting so you can savor the experience. After all, you only buy your first home once!
Here's a quick overview of the process:
- Step 1: Get pre-approved to figure out what you can afford
- Step 2: Shop for houses (the fun part!)
- Step 3: Make an offer
- Step 4: Close
- Step 5: Move in and start enjoying your new home!
Pre-approval: what you need to know
Pre-approval is an important step in applying for a conventional mortgage. It tells real estate agents and home owners that you're a serious buyer. Being pre-approved helps you figure out how much home you can afford and how much you'll be able to borrow.
Here's what you'll need to start the pre-approval process (full PDF checklist):
- Current address
- Driver's license and Social Security number
- Two months of bank statements
- Income history for the past two years
- W-2s for the last two years and proof of income for the past 30 days
- List of current debts
Create memories, not paperwork
With a Solarity home loan, enjoy amazing service and a speedy close so you can get settled in your new home faster and easier than ever. Solarity home loans are:
Fast
Apply online in just a few minutes.
Easy
We guide you every step of the way.
Affordable
Great rates and flexible terms.
The Solarity eSigning Experience
When you choose Solarity's eSigning Experience, you complete the entire closing online, from the comfort of your home or office and using any device, even your phone.3 You can skip the drive across town and focus instead on this exciting occasion....closing on your home loan!
So be sure to tell your real estate professional or title company you'd like to utilize Solarity's eSigning Experience for your closing.
- Sign from anywhere using your phone, tablet or computer
- Review your documents ahead of time before signing
- Remote Online Notary (RON) certifies the process (no need to leave home!)
- Close with your Solarity team and closing partners - all in one place: online
Our members say it best:
Apply, ask questions or just kick some tires
No matter where you are in the buying process, it's never too early to talk about financing. Get in touch with us to get started:
Online
It takes less than 10 minutes to apply online. Submit your application and we'll follow up with you to discuss your situation.
I'm ready, let's go!
Call
Ready to talk to someone right now? Our Home Loan Guides are ready to talk to you, too! Call 1.888.626.1799.
Start my callCommon questions about home loans
Closing costs are the fees and expenses you pay for a home loan and are typically between 2% and 6% of the loan amount. Closing costs consist of lender fees—such as the loan origination fee and discount points—as well as third-party fees, escrow account funds and prepaids like taxes and insurance.
At Solarity, we offer transparent loan pricing: our loan origination is a flat fee of $1,495 instead of the more common 1% of loan amount. The advantage of a flat fee is that no matter how large your loan is, your loan origination fee remains the same, which can save you money at closing. For example, other lenders typically charge a 1% loan origination fee. On a $300,000 home loan, that would be $3,000. With Solarity’s flat $1,495 loan origination fee, you would save in closing costs.
Lenders are required by law to clearly disclose closing costs at the bottom of Page 1 of the standardized Loan Estimate form, which you can explore here. Lenders must deliver this form within three days of receiving your application. Whether you’re buying or refinancing, it doesn’t cost anything to apply for a home loan at Solarity, and you can apply online in just a few minutes. Once we receive your application, we can estimate how much you’ll need to bring to closing.
Still have questions about closing costs? Connect with our expert Home Loan Guides who can clarify any further questions you may have.
Solarity has a number of no down payment and low down payment options. For many loans, Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI may be required if you put less than 20% down. Read more about down payment requirements and saving for a down payment.
A pre-approval letter is a document that states the dollar amount a lender is willing to lend toward a home purchase. It is important to have it when you start house hunting because it will show both your real estate agent and the sellers' agent that you’re a serious and qualified buyer.
We can typically turn around a pre-approval letter very quickly - within 48 hours and a pre-qualification letter the same day. Supplying as much financial information as possible to our expert Home Loan Guides will move the process along quicker.
Want to learn more about what a pre-approval is and how it works? Watch our video.
Definitely not (unless you want to)! You can do the ENTIRE process online, applying for a Solarity home loan from your home computer or mobile device. In addition, you can call our expert Home Loan Guides. If you walk into a branch, we can connect you with our Home Loan Guides that way, too!
We will work around your schedule and will communicate with you in the manner that's most convenient for you. We go to great lengths to make the entire process for you as easy as we can. You can even close the loan from your mobile phone (message and data rates may apply). We can't wait to help you get started!
If you choose a fixed rate mortgage, the rate you lock in during the loan process will be the rate you have for the life of your loan. A 30-year fixed rate mortgage is one of the most common, traditional types of loans, and can be a particularly attractive option when rates are low.
If you choose an adjustable rate mortgage (or “ARM”) your rate will likely vary over the life of the loan. Many ARMs have what is known as an introductory period in which your rate stays the same for a specified amount of time, followed by periodic rate adjustments for the remainder of the loan. In a "5/1 ARM," for instance, your introductory rate will stay the same for the first five years, and your rate may then adjust up or down each year thereafter. The introductory rates on ARMs are often lower than their fixed rate loan equivalents.
Most lenders offer a wide variety of fixed- and adjustable-rate home loan options (Solarity does!). Solarity's expert Home Loan Guides will help walk you through the loan options to help you find the one that’s best for you and your particular situation.
- Current address
- Driver's license and Social Security number
- Two months of bank statements
- Income history for the past two years
- W-2s for the last two years and proof of income for the past 30 days
- List of current debts
Helpful articles and information
Selah food drive: generosity of Solarity members and employees aids local food bank
Thank you to our members and employees who supported Solarity's March food drive benefitting the Selah Naches Food Bank!
March food drive for Selah Naches Food Bank
Solarity has teamed up with the Selah Naches Food Bank for the month of March to collect desperately-needed non-perishable food items and toiletries.
Be aware of recent scams
It's important to be aware of a few of the more common techniques a fraudster will use to contact you so you can be better prepared if a situation presents itself.
Message and data rates may apply depending on your cell phone plan. Please contact your wireless carrier for more information.