If you want to make a large purchase such as a property purchase, you will need to secure financing. If you're new to Real Estate, securing a loan as large as a Mortgage can seem pretty intimidating. However, there are several things you can do to help make the mortgage process a little bit easier:

1) About a year before you start looking for a property, get serious about your finances. Order your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus, and go over them very carefully. Fix any errors that occur on your credit reports, and make sure that you understand what your credit score is. If you credit rating is low, start a serious plan to revamp your credit rating as quickly as possible. This means paying your bills on time, paying down any loans you currently have, and generally getting your finances into shape. Your mortgage lenders will use your credit score to evaluate your credit worthiness, so good credit score can help the land a better mortgage deal.

2) Decide what you can afford to buy. Now that you're getting serious about your finances, use online mortgage calculators and make an appointment with a loan officer from your bank to determine exactly how much you can afford to spend on a mortgage each month. Aim to spend a little less than what you can afford, since you don't want to be living paycheck to paycheck.

3) Start looking for down payment solutions. The larger your down payment, the better deal you can generally secure on your mortgage. Having a large down payment is often an excellent incentive for lenders to offer you a great rate. Therefore, start looking into assets you can sell, savings you can access, and start putting aside money every month so that you have a nice down payment -- at least 10%. Keep in mind, too, that you may be able to borrow against your retirement savings and your life insurance in order to buy a house. Look into these options to see whether they make sense for you.

4) Start comparing lenders. Compare lenders in terms of not only the interest rate they quote, but also the types of mortgages and the terms they offer. Don't be afraid to compare several lenders at once, but be aware that each time you ask for a mortgage quote, your credit score is pulled, and eventually this can lower your credit rating slightly. Try comparing a few lenders or use a mortgage broker in order to find great rates without affecting your credit rating. Keep in mind, too, that even a few percent difference in interest rates can mean thousands of dollars saved over the term of your loan, so don't be shy about asking lenders to improve their offers. Once you find that ideal loan, lock it in and get pre-approved so that you can go house hunting.

Benjamin DeBell is the owner and web master of bendebell.com, your guide to tulsa real estate. Benjamin DeBell also recommends tulsa realtor, Phillip Uzzel for all your buying and selling needs. When it comes to old or new remodel on your property, Benjamin DeBell trusts tulsa construction leader; DeBell Construction.