You have to complete a " Mortgage Application", the application will usually ask for a credit report, any credit accounts, amount of income, available funds, credit card balances, and a price range. Once a lender has reviewed your application he/she will decide rather to approve or disapprove your application. If your application is approved you will need to make a down payment. A borrower with good/excellent credit is more likely to be approved for a mortgage. Interest rates will determine how much you will pay monthly. Interest rates can also change while the loan application is being reviewed and processed by the lender.