<human>:  What are the best practices to follow when applying for a mortgage loan?
<bot>: The best practices to follow when applying for a mortgage loan include being prepared with your financial documents and being aware of your credit score, evaluating your current budget and income to determine how much you can afford, shopping around for the best terms and interest rates and reading the loan documents carefully before signing. Additionally, it is important to be honest about your financial history and have realistic expectations regarding what you’re looking for in a mortgage loan.