Home refinancing closing costs should be consider before signing a contract. You can actually lose money on closing costs if you aren’t careful. Shopping lenders can help you find lower fees, but you may find other financing options have lower costs.
Length Of Time To Recoup Costs
While the general rule of thumb is to keep a loan for two years to recoup closing costs, it isn’t a hard fast rule. For one, if you only have five years left on your loan, then refinancing won’t save you money since you have already paid most of the loan’s interest. There are also other reasons for refinancing, such as reducing terms or improve caps on an ARM.
To know if you can save money by refinancing, take the time to do a little math. Add up your current mortgage’s interest costs for the rest of the term. Compare this with the cost of refinancing and the new loan’s interest cost. If you can see a savings, then refinance for those better rates.
Lenders Charge Different Fees
Most people are surprised to find that lenders charge different fees. While the standard is a couple of thousands, points can also increase costs. Since rates and fees vary so widely between packages, a better number to compare is the APR, which gives the true cost of the loan.
Online research can yield thousands of dollars in savings. Within a few minutes you can receive several quotes from a mortgage broker. You can also request quotes from individual lenders’ sites too.
Variety Of Refinancing Options
There are several ways to refinance your mortgage. You can choose an ARM, fixed-rate, or hybrid. You can also reduce your loan term or increase yearly payments to lower interest costs. Each option has pros and cons, and should be considered with your unique budget.
Another option to access your equity is to use a line of credit or home equity loan. These two options don’t have the closing costs of a traditional mortgage, but they don’t lower the rate on your principal.
Before refinancing, make sure that you will save money by researching both loans and lenders.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Home Mortgage Refinancing For Investment Reasons
Are you caught in the vicious cycle of debt? Even if you have, be assured that it is common phenomena these days and there are definitely ways to get out of it. The traditional moneylenders have metamorphosed into banks, brokerage firms plus individual brokers. These agencies can lure you into further debts or help you depending upon your needs as well awareness of how the system works. Mortgage refinancing is one such method that promises a way out of debt.
In fact, Mortgage refinancing is not only the end to a means but means to yield further profits. It usually works for -
a) Miscellaneous debt
b) And high expenditures.
Mortgage refinancing for investment is a very upcoming phenomenon. You should be very well acquainted with the norms and regulations of mortgage refinancing, if you are planning for an investment. You can gain from the equity on you mortgage refinancing for investment.
If you are planning to have mortgage refinancing for investment, you must know that it would help in:
a) Raising the monthly payment sum for loans
b) Lowering rate of interest on loans
c) Getting the equity on the mortgage loans
The professional brokers and marketers have through information about the trend of the mortgage refinancing. It would help to gain higher revenues from your investments if plan the mortgage refinancing. Some of the most important factors that would influence your revenue are:
a) Your financial records and account indirectly influences the rate of interest. The mortgage refinancing firms tend to give clients with better financial history benefits on mortgage interest. You can enjoy lower rate of interest on the mortgage refinancing amount. Whereas individuals with bad credit history and insecure financial prospects are usually allotted higher rate of interest on the mortgage. Thus, leading to a loss from the benefits on earnings form refinancing for investment.
b) A study of the market would reveal the different mortgage refinancing quotes and rates. Even if your target were solely to refinance your mortgage getting just any rate of interest would lead to loss of valuable money. Try to get the mortgage refinancing at the period when the rate of interest goes down. You can save a lot of money by paying lower premiums to the bank. Besides, the money saved from the transaction could be deposited in your savings account. You can invest the money on further purchase of bonds and equity. The excess amount can be utilized to repay the mortgage loans, educational loans, health insurance premiums, auto loans and travel insurance.
c) Finally, the tenure of mortgage refinancing would predict the rate of interest. Compare the various mortgage refinancing quotes before signing the contract. Always discuss the possibilities of an extended tenure. There are some companies that have lower rate of interest on a longer term length. Whereas most of the firms increase the rate of interest after a certain gap of time. Thus, lowering your earnings from the mortgage refinancing for investment.
In fact, Mortgage refinancing is not only the end to a means but means to yield further profits. It usually works for -
a) Miscellaneous debt
b) And high expenditures.
Mortgage refinancing for investment is a very upcoming phenomenon. You should be very well acquainted with the norms and regulations of mortgage refinancing, if you are planning for an investment. You can gain from the equity on you mortgage refinancing for investment.
If you are planning to have mortgage refinancing for investment, you must know that it would help in:
a) Raising the monthly payment sum for loans
b) Lowering rate of interest on loans
c) Getting the equity on the mortgage loans
The professional brokers and marketers have through information about the trend of the mortgage refinancing. It would help to gain higher revenues from your investments if plan the mortgage refinancing. Some of the most important factors that would influence your revenue are:
a) Your financial records and account indirectly influences the rate of interest. The mortgage refinancing firms tend to give clients with better financial history benefits on mortgage interest. You can enjoy lower rate of interest on the mortgage refinancing amount. Whereas individuals with bad credit history and insecure financial prospects are usually allotted higher rate of interest on the mortgage. Thus, leading to a loss from the benefits on earnings form refinancing for investment.
b) A study of the market would reveal the different mortgage refinancing quotes and rates. Even if your target were solely to refinance your mortgage getting just any rate of interest would lead to loss of valuable money. Try to get the mortgage refinancing at the period when the rate of interest goes down. You can save a lot of money by paying lower premiums to the bank. Besides, the money saved from the transaction could be deposited in your savings account. You can invest the money on further purchase of bonds and equity. The excess amount can be utilized to repay the mortgage loans, educational loans, health insurance premiums, auto loans and travel insurance.
c) Finally, the tenure of mortgage refinancing would predict the rate of interest. Compare the various mortgage refinancing quotes before signing the contract. Always discuss the possibilities of an extended tenure. There are some companies that have lower rate of interest on a longer term length. Whereas most of the firms increase the rate of interest after a certain gap of time. Thus, lowering your earnings from the mortgage refinancing for investment.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Make Down Payment On a Home Mortgage Refinance Loan From 401k Or 403b Retirement Annuities
If you are purchasing a home and have a substantial portion of your assets inside of a retirement account such as a 401K, 403B or other retirement product or annuity, you may choose the increasingly popular option of tapping those funds to make a down payment on your new home. Like any other accounts you may have in your name, such as brokerage accounts and bank checking, savings and money market accounts, most popular retirement accounts qualify as assets to be counted toward your “reserves”, a measure used by mortgage lenders to determine how many months of payments you must have in order to serve as a buffer covering payments you might miss if there were any interruption of your income.
Retirement accounts such as 401(k) or 403(b) annuity accounts are generally administered or sponsored in whole or in part by your employer. In addition to serving as excellent documentation of your earnings and savings, your 401K or 403B accounts can be used in a variety of ways to help finance your new home purchase. Depending on the specific restrictions applied to your account, you may have the option of withdrawing money directly from the account or “borrowing” money in the form of a loan (against your own funds) which is repaid at a generally low rate of interest. Regardless of whether you cash money out of your account or take a loan against it, be sure to thoroughly document any details of the transaction, including any withdrawal or loan application paperwork, demand drafts, cashier’s checks, deposit tickets, etc. for the purpose of substantiating this source of funds to your lender.
Lenders do treat down payment money from retirement accounts differently from program to program and state to state, sometimes from case to case. In particular, borrowing money in the form of a loan may increase what the lender’s perceives as your monthly debt obligations, because even though you are borrowing money from your own account, you are still obligated to make a payment every month which you wouldn’t have to make otherwise, and lenders will often consider this to be detrimental to your qualifying DTI or Debt to Income Ratio, making it harder to borrow as much money as you may need. On the other hand, cashing out any type of retirement account will always create a taxable event and sometimes also a penalty fee, which generally accounts to more than the nominal interest rate common to the loan option. Speak with your loan officer about the requirements of your individual program and weight the options with him/her or another trusted financial professional.
You may also consider speaking to your employer about any down payment assistance programs which may be available to you as part of your benefits package. These can come in many forms, but it is important to clarify with your employer that any down payment assistance granted does not amount to a loan and that there is no expectation of payment. Why would an employer want to help you make a down payment? Call them old fashioned, but most companies do want their employees to stick with them, and if your employer helped you achieve ownership of your dream home, how would you feel about them? As with the 401K, 403B or other retirement account options, down payment assistance from your employer should be documented in detail and all copies of communication, checks, deposit tickets and statements of account, along with signed records stipulating that the funds are given freely and not to be repaid, should be kept for submission to your lender.
Retirement accounts such as 401(k) or 403(b) annuity accounts are generally administered or sponsored in whole or in part by your employer. In addition to serving as excellent documentation of your earnings and savings, your 401K or 403B accounts can be used in a variety of ways to help finance your new home purchase. Depending on the specific restrictions applied to your account, you may have the option of withdrawing money directly from the account or “borrowing” money in the form of a loan (against your own funds) which is repaid at a generally low rate of interest. Regardless of whether you cash money out of your account or take a loan against it, be sure to thoroughly document any details of the transaction, including any withdrawal or loan application paperwork, demand drafts, cashier’s checks, deposit tickets, etc. for the purpose of substantiating this source of funds to your lender.
Lenders do treat down payment money from retirement accounts differently from program to program and state to state, sometimes from case to case. In particular, borrowing money in the form of a loan may increase what the lender’s perceives as your monthly debt obligations, because even though you are borrowing money from your own account, you are still obligated to make a payment every month which you wouldn’t have to make otherwise, and lenders will often consider this to be detrimental to your qualifying DTI or Debt to Income Ratio, making it harder to borrow as much money as you may need. On the other hand, cashing out any type of retirement account will always create a taxable event and sometimes also a penalty fee, which generally accounts to more than the nominal interest rate common to the loan option. Speak with your loan officer about the requirements of your individual program and weight the options with him/her or another trusted financial professional.
You may also consider speaking to your employer about any down payment assistance programs which may be available to you as part of your benefits package. These can come in many forms, but it is important to clarify with your employer that any down payment assistance granted does not amount to a loan and that there is no expectation of payment. Why would an employer want to help you make a down payment? Call them old fashioned, but most companies do want their employees to stick with them, and if your employer helped you achieve ownership of your dream home, how would you feel about them? As with the 401K, 403B or other retirement account options, down payment assistance from your employer should be documented in detail and all copies of communication, checks, deposit tickets and statements of account, along with signed records stipulating that the funds are given freely and not to be repaid, should be kept for submission to your lender.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
3 Tips For Refinancing Home Mortgage Loans Online
Save even more on your refinancing by going online for your next mortgage lender. By searching for refinancing quotes online, you can tap into a larger pool of lenders.
Online financing companies also offer special deals to remain competitive, so you could potentially save thousands with a better offer. While online lenders can save you time and money, follow these tips to be sure you are getting the best deal.
1. Compare Many Lenders
It may be tempting to simply look at your favorite financing company. But to get the best rate, you need to look at many lenders, even ones that aren’t nationally known.
To make the process a little bit easier, start with a mortgage broker site. They bring together dozens of lenders for the most competitive financing packages. They will give you multiple bids that you can compare side by side. The other option is to start your search with recommended lenders.
2. Look At All The Numbers – Not Just The Rate
Many different numbers make a loan a good deal, not just the interest rate. Closing costs and fees can sometimes make a cheap loan very expensive. For a general idea of a loan’s cost, compare the APR, which includes both the closing costs and interest rates.
Also look at the fees, which can add up to hundreds. There may be annual, cash out, or early payment fees. With a typical mortgage, you shouldn’t have these fees. It is only with a home equity loan or subprime mortgage where you may run into these. And in most cases you can get them removed.
3. Give Yourself Plenty Of Time
Searching for a refinance lender isn’t a process that should be rushed. With so much money on the line, give yourself plenty of time to sort through all the numbers. By searching online, you can keep your search to just a couple of hours.
When you are actually ready to apply for your refinancing, the application takes less than fifteen minutes to complete. In a couple of days, you’ll receive your loan contract. And in two weeks you can be enjoying lower rates on your new mortgage.
Online financing companies also offer special deals to remain competitive, so you could potentially save thousands with a better offer. While online lenders can save you time and money, follow these tips to be sure you are getting the best deal.
1. Compare Many Lenders
It may be tempting to simply look at your favorite financing company. But to get the best rate, you need to look at many lenders, even ones that aren’t nationally known.
To make the process a little bit easier, start with a mortgage broker site. They bring together dozens of lenders for the most competitive financing packages. They will give you multiple bids that you can compare side by side. The other option is to start your search with recommended lenders.
2. Look At All The Numbers – Not Just The Rate
Many different numbers make a loan a good deal, not just the interest rate. Closing costs and fees can sometimes make a cheap loan very expensive. For a general idea of a loan’s cost, compare the APR, which includes both the closing costs and interest rates.
Also look at the fees, which can add up to hundreds. There may be annual, cash out, or early payment fees. With a typical mortgage, you shouldn’t have these fees. It is only with a home equity loan or subprime mortgage where you may run into these. And in most cases you can get them removed.
3. Give Yourself Plenty Of Time
Searching for a refinance lender isn’t a process that should be rushed. With so much money on the line, give yourself plenty of time to sort through all the numbers. By searching online, you can keep your search to just a couple of hours.
When you are actually ready to apply for your refinancing, the application takes less than fifteen minutes to complete. In a couple of days, you’ll receive your loan contract. And in two weeks you can be enjoying lower rates on your new mortgage.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Fixed Rate vs. Adjustable Rate Home Mortgage Refinance Loans
When is a good time to refinance your mortgage to a fixed rate loan?
The very best time to refinance is when the interest rates are at an all time low. If you're waiting for this option, you'll want to follow the market and keep an eye on what direction our financial leaders are heading. Usually it's based on the status of our economy and there is a lot of discussion about it before the prime interest rate moves in either direction. Keep your ear to the ground.
It's also a good idea to refinance to a fixed rate if you plan on living in your home for the life of the loan. Ninety percent (90%) of our population moves to a new or different home for one reason or another within 5-7 years. But, there are those who stay put and want the stability of steady payments. It makes financial planning much easier to know for certain how much your expenses are from month to month. If you are one of these people, your best refinance option is a fixed rate mortgage.
By all means... if you can't sleep at night worrying about the ups and downs of your mortgage payment, then contact a good mortgage broker and start the refinance process right away. It's not worth the stress!
When is a good time to consider an ARM?
When you DON'T qualify for the purchase of a home or refinance to a fixed rate mortgage. Sometimes this is the only way to qualify for a purchase due to credit history, debt to income ratio or not enough income. Later on you can refinance into a fixed rate loan if the ARM loan makes you nervous.
When your monthly payment, after the refinance, will be significantly less than the total of your current payment plus the payments of all your credit cards and loans. If you're in a home for 5-7 years and you are paying 10, 15 or even 20% interest rate on consumer debts, refinance your mortgage and use your equity to pay off your high interest debts. This will make a significant impact on your monthly cash flow and may give you the necessary breathing room you need.
When you DON'T plan on staying in your home for more than 5-7 years due to family size increasing, kids going off to college, job relocation, etc. Why pay for a higher fixed rate long term mortgage if you are only going to move or refinance in a few years anyway.
Homeowners who refinance with long term fixed rates pay between 1.00-2.00% higher than those who refinance with an ARM. That may not seem like a lot but when you have a $250,000 mortgage, it makes a BIG difference in your payment.
When you CAN anticipate increases in your income due to promotions and raises. Some employees receive a raise each year based on a percentage of their current income and can come relatively close to determining what their raise will be. If you're due for and expect to get a promotion, you'll probably know ahead of time what that new position will pay you. These are perfect opportunities to consider a refinance.
When you ARE comfortable with moderate adjustments in your mortgage payment. Some people are just more relaxed about finances than others. Most often this is due to not having to worry about their basic survival needs and having a steady, generous income.
What it all boils down to is level of risk. If you can't sleep at night unless you know your mortgage payment is $XXX.00 every month, then a long term fixed rate mortgage is the best option for you.
If you can sleep at night taking some calculated risks, other options may be available to you.
The very best time to refinance is when the interest rates are at an all time low. If you're waiting for this option, you'll want to follow the market and keep an eye on what direction our financial leaders are heading. Usually it's based on the status of our economy and there is a lot of discussion about it before the prime interest rate moves in either direction. Keep your ear to the ground.
It's also a good idea to refinance to a fixed rate if you plan on living in your home for the life of the loan. Ninety percent (90%) of our population moves to a new or different home for one reason or another within 5-7 years. But, there are those who stay put and want the stability of steady payments. It makes financial planning much easier to know for certain how much your expenses are from month to month. If you are one of these people, your best refinance option is a fixed rate mortgage.
By all means... if you can't sleep at night worrying about the ups and downs of your mortgage payment, then contact a good mortgage broker and start the refinance process right away. It's not worth the stress!
When is a good time to consider an ARM?
When you DON'T qualify for the purchase of a home or refinance to a fixed rate mortgage. Sometimes this is the only way to qualify for a purchase due to credit history, debt to income ratio or not enough income. Later on you can refinance into a fixed rate loan if the ARM loan makes you nervous.
When your monthly payment, after the refinance, will be significantly less than the total of your current payment plus the payments of all your credit cards and loans. If you're in a home for 5-7 years and you are paying 10, 15 or even 20% interest rate on consumer debts, refinance your mortgage and use your equity to pay off your high interest debts. This will make a significant impact on your monthly cash flow and may give you the necessary breathing room you need.
When you DON'T plan on staying in your home for more than 5-7 years due to family size increasing, kids going off to college, job relocation, etc. Why pay for a higher fixed rate long term mortgage if you are only going to move or refinance in a few years anyway.
Homeowners who refinance with long term fixed rates pay between 1.00-2.00% higher than those who refinance with an ARM. That may not seem like a lot but when you have a $250,000 mortgage, it makes a BIG difference in your payment.
When you CAN anticipate increases in your income due to promotions and raises. Some employees receive a raise each year based on a percentage of their current income and can come relatively close to determining what their raise will be. If you're due for and expect to get a promotion, you'll probably know ahead of time what that new position will pay you. These are perfect opportunities to consider a refinance.
When you ARE comfortable with moderate adjustments in your mortgage payment. Some people are just more relaxed about finances than others. Most often this is due to not having to worry about their basic survival needs and having a steady, generous income.
What it all boils down to is level of risk. If you can't sleep at night unless you know your mortgage payment is $XXX.00 every month, then a long term fixed rate mortgage is the best option for you.
If you can sleep at night taking some calculated risks, other options may be available to you.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Cut Costs Down by Refinancing Your Home Mortgage Loan
Typically home refinancing is done when you have a mortgage on your home and apply for a second loan to pay off the first one. While taking the decision to go for the home refinancing option, it is important to first determine whether the amount you save on interest balances the amount of fees payable during refinancing. More notably, in the current climate, it allows you to tap into equity in your property and off-set this against any credit card debts and loan repayments you are currently making. The result is a single, lower monthly repayment. After all, a mortgage is still the cheapest loan you'll ever get!
Refinancing your mortgage is not as hard as you think, but in the current climate it may be too late to get a really good deal. Interest rates have been at their lowest for many decades and the lure of cheap money has propelled scores of families into action. Cash-out, bill consolidation, and home improvements, all with lower monthly payments, have convinced people to take advantage of the equity that’s lain dormant in their homes. However, with a credit crunch on the horizon, many home-owners are tightening their belts for lack of a better word, simply because they know that cheap money may be a thing of the past (at least for a while). Saying that, there are a few deals to be had, particularly if your circumstances have changed and you have moved from a high risk lending category into a lower risk one (ie into full time employment or a higher paid job).
Deciding when or if to refinance your home depends primarily on your own unique financial situation. There really is no clear-cut rule for when or when not to do it. There are times when it makes economic sense to refinance. In order to ascertain what's best for you, it’s important that you take stock of your own financial circumstances in relation to your financial objectives and goals. With interest rates continuing to rise and the Federal Reserve tightening the belt on credit across the board (especially for sub prime loans), the slowdown in the housing market doesn't look as though it will turn into a buyers frenzy anytime soon. However, the standard market influences of supply and demand are still very much in effect. Mortgages are still being written, and many homeowners are still in the market to refinance.
When it comes to refinancing, there's a few positive and similarly negative aspects you need to take into account. The negative includes refinance fees, the positive may be lower interest rates. The two need to be off-set against each other long term to see if the venture is viable. Saying all that, if you have an equity greater than 20 percent in your property, you can also get rid of the Private Mortgage Insurance policy you pay each month. You can also cash-out on your property, raising capitol from equity you've locked up in your property through an increase in value and mortgage repayments. This cash can be off-set against other financial obligations such as store and credit cards, reducing your monthly outgoing's to a single payment.
Refinancing your mortgage is not as hard as you think, but in the current climate it may be too late to get a really good deal. Interest rates have been at their lowest for many decades and the lure of cheap money has propelled scores of families into action. Cash-out, bill consolidation, and home improvements, all with lower monthly payments, have convinced people to take advantage of the equity that’s lain dormant in their homes. However, with a credit crunch on the horizon, many home-owners are tightening their belts for lack of a better word, simply because they know that cheap money may be a thing of the past (at least for a while). Saying that, there are a few deals to be had, particularly if your circumstances have changed and you have moved from a high risk lending category into a lower risk one (ie into full time employment or a higher paid job).
Deciding when or if to refinance your home depends primarily on your own unique financial situation. There really is no clear-cut rule for when or when not to do it. There are times when it makes economic sense to refinance. In order to ascertain what's best for you, it’s important that you take stock of your own financial circumstances in relation to your financial objectives and goals. With interest rates continuing to rise and the Federal Reserve tightening the belt on credit across the board (especially for sub prime loans), the slowdown in the housing market doesn't look as though it will turn into a buyers frenzy anytime soon. However, the standard market influences of supply and demand are still very much in effect. Mortgages are still being written, and many homeowners are still in the market to refinance.
When it comes to refinancing, there's a few positive and similarly negative aspects you need to take into account. The negative includes refinance fees, the positive may be lower interest rates. The two need to be off-set against each other long term to see if the venture is viable. Saying all that, if you have an equity greater than 20 percent in your property, you can also get rid of the Private Mortgage Insurance policy you pay each month. You can also cash-out on your property, raising capitol from equity you've locked up in your property through an increase in value and mortgage repayments. This cash can be off-set against other financial obligations such as store and credit cards, reducing your monthly outgoing's to a single payment.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
3 Reasons To Refinance Your Home Mortgage Loan While Rates Are Low
Before mortgage interest rates begin to rise, homeowners should consider the advantages of refinancing now. Although we’re witnessing record low rates, these rates will not last forever. Unfortunately, many homeowners will delay refinancing and miss out on the savings. There are many reasons to refinance. Here are the top three reasons to refinance while rates are low.
1. Reduce Your Monthly Mortgage Payment
Interest rates greatly effect mortgage payments. Individuals with poor credit can get approved for home loans. However, the lender will charge higher fees or interest. If you receive a high interest rate, you may pay a couple of hundred dollars more than a good credit applicant who applied for the same mortgage amount.
If you purchased your existing home with poor credit, refinancing for a lower rate may decrease your monthly payments, especially if your credit has improved. Obtaining a home loan is a great way to boost your credit rating. In fact, many homeowners notice an increase in their credit score after establishing a good payment history with their mortgage lender. Thus, if you received a bad credit mortgage, make an effort to better your credit, and then refinance for a low rate.
2. Get a Fixed Rate Mortgage Loan
Furthermore, many homeowners choose to refinance their existing mortgage to take advantage of a low fixed rate. When interest rates were higher, many home buyers opted for adjustable rate mortgages because they carried lower rates. Although homeowners with an adjustable rate mortgage also benefit from decreases in interest rates, these low rates are not promised.
Every so often, mortgage rates rise and fall. If rates begin to climb, so do the rates for an adjustable mortgage. Hence, mortgage payments will increase. To avoid increased payments, refinance and secure a low fixed rate that will remain the same throughout the duration of the loan.
3. Take Advantage of Cash-Out Refinancing
Cash-out refinancing is a very attractive feature to refinancing your current home loan. With this option, you can refinance for a better rate, and borrow from your home’s equity. At closing, you will be given a lump sum of cash. Funds may be used to consolidate debts, remodel your home, take a nice vacation, or pay for a child’s education expense.
1. Reduce Your Monthly Mortgage Payment
Interest rates greatly effect mortgage payments. Individuals with poor credit can get approved for home loans. However, the lender will charge higher fees or interest. If you receive a high interest rate, you may pay a couple of hundred dollars more than a good credit applicant who applied for the same mortgage amount.
If you purchased your existing home with poor credit, refinancing for a lower rate may decrease your monthly payments, especially if your credit has improved. Obtaining a home loan is a great way to boost your credit rating. In fact, many homeowners notice an increase in their credit score after establishing a good payment history with their mortgage lender. Thus, if you received a bad credit mortgage, make an effort to better your credit, and then refinance for a low rate.
2. Get a Fixed Rate Mortgage Loan
Furthermore, many homeowners choose to refinance their existing mortgage to take advantage of a low fixed rate. When interest rates were higher, many home buyers opted for adjustable rate mortgages because they carried lower rates. Although homeowners with an adjustable rate mortgage also benefit from decreases in interest rates, these low rates are not promised.
Every so often, mortgage rates rise and fall. If rates begin to climb, so do the rates for an adjustable mortgage. Hence, mortgage payments will increase. To avoid increased payments, refinance and secure a low fixed rate that will remain the same throughout the duration of the loan.
3. Take Advantage of Cash-Out Refinancing
Cash-out refinancing is a very attractive feature to refinancing your current home loan. With this option, you can refinance for a better rate, and borrow from your home’s equity. At closing, you will be given a lump sum of cash. Funds may be used to consolidate debts, remodel your home, take a nice vacation, or pay for a child’s education expense.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Refinance Your Adjustable Rate Mortgage
Refinancing an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) is a common practice for borrowers. However, it may not always be the best option. Depending on how high interest rates climb, there are cases when you could end up spending more on converting your mortgage than you would save with a locked in interest rate.
Adding Up Costs
Before you jump on a refinancing offer, consider the upfront costs. To refinance a $100,000 loan, you can expect loan fees to range from $1000 to $3000. That is not including points for lower rates.
In order to recoup these origination costs, you need to be planning to spend several years in your home. Also, if you only have a couple of years left on your mortgage, you may be better off with your original mortgage.
Benefits Of Refinancing
Locking in a low rate is the most common benefit to refinancing an ARM. By converting to a fixed rate mortgage, you are guaranteed a low interest without worrying about yearly interest rate fluxes.
You can also build up your equity sooner by converting to a biweekly mortgage or short term loan. With larger monthly payments, you can potentially save thousands on interest payments.
When Not To Refinance
With an ARM there is always some risk involved, but there are cases when keeping your ARM makes financial sense. For instance, unless interest rates will rise more than a couple of percentage points over the course of your loan, you will probably pay more in loan fees than you will save. You should also keep your ARM if current rates are only 1% or lower than your ARM’s rate.
You may also want to keep your ARM if you are planning to move soon. With homeowners moving within seven years of buying a home, it doesn’t make sense to refinance when you won’t recoup the costs.
Picking A Lender
Just like with any mortgage, you want to be sure that you have researched several lenders before choosing one. Request quotes on both rates and fees. You will need to add up total costs to find the best financing package. You can also use the internet to find online mortgage lenders. Many times these lenders will offer lower interest rates or low closing costs to remain competitive.
Adding Up Costs
Before you jump on a refinancing offer, consider the upfront costs. To refinance a $100,000 loan, you can expect loan fees to range from $1000 to $3000. That is not including points for lower rates.
In order to recoup these origination costs, you need to be planning to spend several years in your home. Also, if you only have a couple of years left on your mortgage, you may be better off with your original mortgage.
Benefits Of Refinancing
Locking in a low rate is the most common benefit to refinancing an ARM. By converting to a fixed rate mortgage, you are guaranteed a low interest without worrying about yearly interest rate fluxes.
You can also build up your equity sooner by converting to a biweekly mortgage or short term loan. With larger monthly payments, you can potentially save thousands on interest payments.
When Not To Refinance
With an ARM there is always some risk involved, but there are cases when keeping your ARM makes financial sense. For instance, unless interest rates will rise more than a couple of percentage points over the course of your loan, you will probably pay more in loan fees than you will save. You should also keep your ARM if current rates are only 1% or lower than your ARM’s rate.
You may also want to keep your ARM if you are planning to move soon. With homeowners moving within seven years of buying a home, it doesn’t make sense to refinance when you won’t recoup the costs.
Picking A Lender
Just like with any mortgage, you want to be sure that you have researched several lenders before choosing one. Request quotes on both rates and fees. You will need to add up total costs to find the best financing package. You can also use the internet to find online mortgage lenders. Many times these lenders will offer lower interest rates or low closing costs to remain competitive.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
How To Refinance Your Home Mortgage Loan Following A Bankruptcy
Get Your Debt under Control
Bankruptcy offers you the opportunity for a fresh slate with your finances. Your old debt will be wiped clean; however, any years of established credit are gone as well. Bankruptcy can be a real stress relief if you are in a desperate situation, but it is important to realize what has brought you to that point. If you declare bankruptcy and then continue without changing your spending habits, you are destined to end up in a similar situation again. The best way to use bankruptcy is as a learning tool. Know where you lost control of your spending, and be ready to move on from there.
Lower Your Expenses
One of the best ways to lower your expenses is to refinance your home mortgage. You may think that finding a lender to refinance your home mortgage following bankruptcy will be nearly impossible, but that is not so. Depending on your situation you may be able to walk into a bank the day after your debts are discharged by the bankruptcy court and refinance your home mortgage. If you have a good deal of equity in your home, you will find it much easier to refinance following a bankruptcy.
Even if you do not have a good deal of equity, you should be able to refinance your home mortgage within six months to one year from the final date of your bankruptcy. While you are waiting to refinance your home there are several steps that you can take to make yourself more attractive to lenders.
Why Refinance Your Home Mortgage After a Bankruptcy?
What are the benefits of refinancing your home mortgage after a bankruptcy? There are many benefits to this actually. By refinancing your mortgage you can lower your monthly payments in a variety of ways. You can extend the length of the loan or refinance at a lower interest rate, both of which will lower your monthly payment. While you will be considered a higher risk loan, and will not receive the lowest interest rate available, it is still possible that your interest rate may be lower than when you initially closed on your mortgage.
Another reason to consider refinancing your home mortgage after a bankruptcy is that this will automatically start you on the path to repairing your credit. The refinance will show up as a new loan. The older loan, which due to the financial problems that brought about your bankruptcy may have had late payments or missed payments, is closed. The new loan will show no late payments or penalties.
Where to Refinance
Too often, people feel that the black mark left by bankruptcy is an obstacle that they cannot overcome. Rather than shopping for a mortgage, they go directly to a sub prime lender, or worse, a lender who involves themselves in predatory loan practices. While sub prime lenders do have their place, they should not be your first choice. Lenders who involve themselves in predatory practices, such as excessively high interest rates, or interest compounded on an irregular schedule should be avoided at all costs. They will not help you.
Sub prime lenders are not likely to provide you with as low of an interest rate as you can receive from a traditional lending institution. Following a bankruptcy, your first stop in refinancing your home should be the lender that holds your mortgage currently. Not only do they know your payment history, and the home, they may also save you some money in closing costs by keeping the loan "in house". If they are not willing to refinance your mortgage, ask them what you should do to make yourself more attractive. If they recommend that you come back after three to six months, which is probably the best advice. If they are not interested in refinancing your mortgage, don't let it discourage you, shop mortgages at other traditional lenders.
Bankruptcy offers you the opportunity for a fresh slate with your finances. Your old debt will be wiped clean; however, any years of established credit are gone as well. Bankruptcy can be a real stress relief if you are in a desperate situation, but it is important to realize what has brought you to that point. If you declare bankruptcy and then continue without changing your spending habits, you are destined to end up in a similar situation again. The best way to use bankruptcy is as a learning tool. Know where you lost control of your spending, and be ready to move on from there.
Lower Your Expenses
One of the best ways to lower your expenses is to refinance your home mortgage. You may think that finding a lender to refinance your home mortgage following bankruptcy will be nearly impossible, but that is not so. Depending on your situation you may be able to walk into a bank the day after your debts are discharged by the bankruptcy court and refinance your home mortgage. If you have a good deal of equity in your home, you will find it much easier to refinance following a bankruptcy.
Even if you do not have a good deal of equity, you should be able to refinance your home mortgage within six months to one year from the final date of your bankruptcy. While you are waiting to refinance your home there are several steps that you can take to make yourself more attractive to lenders.
- Pay all of your bills on time. This includes your current mortgage as well as any utility, student loan, or other bills that you have following the bankruptcy.
- Do not attempt to open other lines of credit, such as new credit cards or lines of credit at stores. While credit is important, if your number one goal is to refinance your mortgage after a bankruptcy, you do not want to appear to the bank that you are in danger of falling into the same credit trap that you found yourself in prior to your initial bankruptcy.
Why Refinance Your Home Mortgage After a Bankruptcy?
What are the benefits of refinancing your home mortgage after a bankruptcy? There are many benefits to this actually. By refinancing your mortgage you can lower your monthly payments in a variety of ways. You can extend the length of the loan or refinance at a lower interest rate, both of which will lower your monthly payment. While you will be considered a higher risk loan, and will not receive the lowest interest rate available, it is still possible that your interest rate may be lower than when you initially closed on your mortgage.
Another reason to consider refinancing your home mortgage after a bankruptcy is that this will automatically start you on the path to repairing your credit. The refinance will show up as a new loan. The older loan, which due to the financial problems that brought about your bankruptcy may have had late payments or missed payments, is closed. The new loan will show no late payments or penalties.
Where to Refinance
Too often, people feel that the black mark left by bankruptcy is an obstacle that they cannot overcome. Rather than shopping for a mortgage, they go directly to a sub prime lender, or worse, a lender who involves themselves in predatory loan practices. While sub prime lenders do have their place, they should not be your first choice. Lenders who involve themselves in predatory practices, such as excessively high interest rates, or interest compounded on an irregular schedule should be avoided at all costs. They will not help you.
Sub prime lenders are not likely to provide you with as low of an interest rate as you can receive from a traditional lending institution. Following a bankruptcy, your first stop in refinancing your home should be the lender that holds your mortgage currently. Not only do they know your payment history, and the home, they may also save you some money in closing costs by keeping the loan "in house". If they are not willing to refinance your mortgage, ask them what you should do to make yourself more attractive. If they recommend that you come back after three to six months, which is probably the best advice. If they are not interested in refinancing your mortgage, don't let it discourage you, shop mortgages at other traditional lenders.
Monday, April 12, 2010
What is Refinancing With Cash Out?
If you have lived in your home for a reasonable amount of time and have acquired equity through appreciation and monthly mortgage payments, you may be considering liquidating some of that equity by refinancing with cash out.
Refinancing with cash out in laymen terms simply means to refinance your existing mortgage and borrow some of the equity in the home to be received in a lump sum at the closing table.
People refinance with cash out all the time and for a variety of reasons. The number one reason being to get a lower rate on their mortgage. The cash out scenario you can use for all sorts of reasons. Such as debt consolidation, buying a new vehicle, home improvement, college tuition, family vacation, etc.
If you are seriously considering refinancing with cash out, you may want to consider shopping around for a mortgage. By shopping around you can compare rates, and fees.
Also, be sure to educate yourself as much as possible. Take the time to learn as much as you can about the mortgage industry, so when the time comes to dealing with a loan officer you will have a strong grasp on your options.
Once you are done educating yourself, you will be able to track down a mortgage company to assist you with your cash out refinance.
Once you begin your search, don’t limit yourself to one company, talk with up to four at the very least. Allow them to assess your scenario and do inform them that you are shopping around.
By letting the loan officer know that you are shopping around, it will be in their best interest to offer you their best rate to prohibit you from going to their competition.
The mortgage industry is a very competitive one, and they will compete for your business. So sit back, relax, and wait for the best offer to come your way. Good luck.
Refinancing with cash out in laymen terms simply means to refinance your existing mortgage and borrow some of the equity in the home to be received in a lump sum at the closing table.
People refinance with cash out all the time and for a variety of reasons. The number one reason being to get a lower rate on their mortgage. The cash out scenario you can use for all sorts of reasons. Such as debt consolidation, buying a new vehicle, home improvement, college tuition, family vacation, etc.
If you are seriously considering refinancing with cash out, you may want to consider shopping around for a mortgage. By shopping around you can compare rates, and fees.
Also, be sure to educate yourself as much as possible. Take the time to learn as much as you can about the mortgage industry, so when the time comes to dealing with a loan officer you will have a strong grasp on your options.
Once you are done educating yourself, you will be able to track down a mortgage company to assist you with your cash out refinance.
Once you begin your search, don’t limit yourself to one company, talk with up to four at the very least. Allow them to assess your scenario and do inform them that you are shopping around.
By letting the loan officer know that you are shopping around, it will be in their best interest to offer you their best rate to prohibit you from going to their competition.
The mortgage industry is a very competitive one, and they will compete for your business. So sit back, relax, and wait for the best offer to come your way. Good luck.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Refinancing Home Loans
If you are a home owner, you may have at one time or another considered refinancing your house.
One purpose refinancing your house may serve would be obtaining a lower rate which would lower the amount of fees’ you pay on the money you borrowed over the course of the loan.
Another purpose refinancing your house may serve is that if you have lived in your home for some time, at least long enough to establish some equity through appreciation and principal payments, you may be considering refinancing and getting some cash out.
It is not at all uncommon to liquidate some of the equity in your home to put toward home repairs, buying a car, college tuition, etc.
The mortgage industry is a very competitive one, so obtaining a lender to help you refinance your house should not be at all that hard.
For starters you may want to check out the internet to find a lender. The internet is a very valuable resource when it comes to locating lenders and loan officers so that you may shop around for the best deal.
Once you have located a few lenders to work with, allow them to assess your situation to see what rate and product they come back at you with.
Once you have received a few quotes and explanations of programs available to you, base your decision on what rate and program best fits your needs and budget.
Obviously, you will want to go with the program that offers you the best rate. This is the wisest choice. However, make sure you get the loan officer’s proposal in writing. Anything but a written agreement is useless.
Remember, before you go jumping in to refinancing your house, do your homework, and research the mortgage industry, it will make the process a lot less painless.
One purpose refinancing your house may serve would be obtaining a lower rate which would lower the amount of fees’ you pay on the money you borrowed over the course of the loan.
Another purpose refinancing your house may serve is that if you have lived in your home for some time, at least long enough to establish some equity through appreciation and principal payments, you may be considering refinancing and getting some cash out.
It is not at all uncommon to liquidate some of the equity in your home to put toward home repairs, buying a car, college tuition, etc.
The mortgage industry is a very competitive one, so obtaining a lender to help you refinance your house should not be at all that hard.
For starters you may want to check out the internet to find a lender. The internet is a very valuable resource when it comes to locating lenders and loan officers so that you may shop around for the best deal.
Once you have located a few lenders to work with, allow them to assess your situation to see what rate and product they come back at you with.
Once you have received a few quotes and explanations of programs available to you, base your decision on what rate and program best fits your needs and budget.
Obviously, you will want to go with the program that offers you the best rate. This is the wisest choice. However, make sure you get the loan officer’s proposal in writing. Anything but a written agreement is useless.
Remember, before you go jumping in to refinancing your house, do your homework, and research the mortgage industry, it will make the process a lot less painless.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
When is it Worth it to Refinance a Home Loan?
When is it worth it to refinance your house? This guide will take you through a couple of the points you’ll need to know about when you’re trying to decide whether to refinance your mortgage or not.
Generally, you need to be aware of what the interest rate you’re paying on your mortage is. When interest rates start to go down, you have to be ready to jump on it and take advantage of a lower rate. It generally costs a couple of thousand dollars to refinance, though, so you need to think about several factors before deciding whether or not to do it.
First, how much are you paying now? You need to know both your monthly savings and the amount of time you expect to be there. Only refinance if you’re sure that you will be staying in that house for awhile - moving and selling your house would wipe out all the benefit of refinancing. You also need to think about whether interest rates will go lower in the future. You don’t want to jump on a refinancing and then suddenly find out a few months later that interest rates have dropped a point. Even a small change in interest rates can produce a large gain over the life of your loan, so you want to make sure you’re refinancing at the low point. Talk to your bank loan officer - they’ll generally tell you whether they think it’s a good idea and what direction they think interest rates will be going. Ask them to show you specific calculations, and then check them yourself.
Generally, you need to be aware of what the interest rate you’re paying on your mortage is. When interest rates start to go down, you have to be ready to jump on it and take advantage of a lower rate. It generally costs a couple of thousand dollars to refinance, though, so you need to think about several factors before deciding whether or not to do it.
First, how much are you paying now? You need to know both your monthly savings and the amount of time you expect to be there. Only refinance if you’re sure that you will be staying in that house for awhile - moving and selling your house would wipe out all the benefit of refinancing. You also need to think about whether interest rates will go lower in the future. You don’t want to jump on a refinancing and then suddenly find out a few months later that interest rates have dropped a point. Even a small change in interest rates can produce a large gain over the life of your loan, so you want to make sure you’re refinancing at the low point. Talk to your bank loan officer - they’ll generally tell you whether they think it’s a good idea and what direction they think interest rates will be going. Ask them to show you specific calculations, and then check them yourself.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Refinance Your Home Loan to Claim a Tax Deduction
The mortgage refinance market has cooled off dramatically with recent rate increases. Many people, however, refinanced during 2005 and can claim tax deductions.
Refinanced Your Home – Claim a Tax Deduction For Points
Mortgage rates have been shockingly low over the last few years. This is hardly news to anyone that owns a home. The nominal rates, however, did result in a major boom for the mortgage industry. As rates jostled up and down, millions refinanced to save just the fraction more on their home loans. Heck, many people refinanced multiple times! Alas, this rapid refinance craze has come to an end with the rise in mortgage interest rates.
If you refinanced this past year to get lower rates, I have some good news. Not only did you get lower rates, but you probably built up some additional tax deductions you can use to cut your tax bill.
To obtain a mortgage, whether new or a refinance, homeowners often have to pay points. These nasty little charges represent a percentage of the loan and are typically an upfront charge. Fortunately, points are deductible. Generally, you will claim a deduction for points as part of the mortgage interest deduction that makes our real estate industry so attractive. The type of loan, however, impacts how the points are deducted.
If you obtained a new home loan for a residence, you can deduct the full amount of the points. To do so, however, you must itemize on your tax return. Since you should be deducting the interest paid on the mortgage as well, this is a no brainer.
If you refinanced an existing home loan for a residence, however, things are a bit different. Yes, you can deduct the points paid on the refinance. Unfortunately, you have to deduct them over the life of the loan. In practical terms, you cannot deduct the full $3,000 you paid in points when you refinanced in August of last year. Instead, you can deduct a percentage of the $3,000. The percentage is the value of the points divided by the number of months of the loan. There are two ways around this tax handicap.
If you refinanced twice in 2005, and some of you did, you can deduct the full amount of the points on the first refinance. Why? You can do this because the life of the first refinance was less than a year, which all occurred in 2005.
In certain cases, points may also be immediately deductible if you used a refinance for home improvements. It is a bit technical and beyond the scope of this article. If you actually used a refinance to improve the home, and you can prove it with receipts, speak with a tax professional to write off all your points immediately.
Refinanced Your Home – Claim a Tax Deduction For Points
Mortgage rates have been shockingly low over the last few years. This is hardly news to anyone that owns a home. The nominal rates, however, did result in a major boom for the mortgage industry. As rates jostled up and down, millions refinanced to save just the fraction more on their home loans. Heck, many people refinanced multiple times! Alas, this rapid refinance craze has come to an end with the rise in mortgage interest rates.
If you refinanced this past year to get lower rates, I have some good news. Not only did you get lower rates, but you probably built up some additional tax deductions you can use to cut your tax bill.
To obtain a mortgage, whether new or a refinance, homeowners often have to pay points. These nasty little charges represent a percentage of the loan and are typically an upfront charge. Fortunately, points are deductible. Generally, you will claim a deduction for points as part of the mortgage interest deduction that makes our real estate industry so attractive. The type of loan, however, impacts how the points are deducted.
If you obtained a new home loan for a residence, you can deduct the full amount of the points. To do so, however, you must itemize on your tax return. Since you should be deducting the interest paid on the mortgage as well, this is a no brainer.
If you refinanced an existing home loan for a residence, however, things are a bit different. Yes, you can deduct the points paid on the refinance. Unfortunately, you have to deduct them over the life of the loan. In practical terms, you cannot deduct the full $3,000 you paid in points when you refinanced in August of last year. Instead, you can deduct a percentage of the $3,000. The percentage is the value of the points divided by the number of months of the loan. There are two ways around this tax handicap.
If you refinanced twice in 2005, and some of you did, you can deduct the full amount of the points on the first refinance. Why? You can do this because the life of the first refinance was less than a year, which all occurred in 2005.
In certain cases, points may also be immediately deductible if you used a refinance for home improvements. It is a bit technical and beyond the scope of this article. If you actually used a refinance to improve the home, and you can prove it with receipts, speak with a tax professional to write off all your points immediately.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A Good Idea To Save Money By Refinancing Your Mortgage -
Do you know that refinancing your mortgage can save a considerable amount of money on your mortgage rates? Refinancing your mortgage helps you to enjoy the benefit of lower interest rates and reduce your monthly mortgage repayment amount. If you are planning to refinance your mortgage then you need to consider several things to pick up the best deal available in the financial market.
Before selecting someone to refinance your mortgage you need to check the details of your present mortgage. That is how many years are remaining for your loan period and which type of interest rate you are currently paying for your mortgage.
These days there are several money lenders who offer mortgage refinancing services. But you need to be very careful while selecting a mortgage lender. Before selecting any money lender you need to talk with various lenders and know the various refinancing schemes they offer. This helps you to get a clear idea of how much monthly repayment amount you need to pay after you refinance your mortgage. Check whether the mortgage lender has calculated your monthly repayment amount from the principal left on your mortgage. Remember to compare your present interest rate and the previous interest rate and make sure that your new interest rate is lower than the original one.
Some people refinance their mortgage to get some additional money for home improvement or other expenses while some others refinance their mortgage to save money on their present mortgage. Whatever the reason for your refinancing plan let your money lender know that. Most mortgage lenders offer refinancing for 10 to 40 years. It is better from your part to suggest to your mortgage lender a refinancing period after calculating the monthly repayment amount. Similar to other loans, you can select fixed rate mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages. Most people tend to use fixed rate interests for their mortgages. The main advantage of using fixed rate interest rates is that it is less risky compared to the adjustable rate mortgages. This is because the interest rate of adjustable rate mortgages always tends to change – that is you cannot predict how much interest you need to pay in the next month.
Nowadays there are many mortgage lenders who offer their services through internet. This is an easy way to find a perfect mortgage lender. Online refinancing helps you to find a mortgage lender with the convenience of your home or office. Just do a search in the internet search engines to find a perfect money lender who can offer you services which best suit your needs.
Before selecting someone to refinance your mortgage you need to check the details of your present mortgage. That is how many years are remaining for your loan period and which type of interest rate you are currently paying for your mortgage.
These days there are several money lenders who offer mortgage refinancing services. But you need to be very careful while selecting a mortgage lender. Before selecting any money lender you need to talk with various lenders and know the various refinancing schemes they offer. This helps you to get a clear idea of how much monthly repayment amount you need to pay after you refinance your mortgage. Check whether the mortgage lender has calculated your monthly repayment amount from the principal left on your mortgage. Remember to compare your present interest rate and the previous interest rate and make sure that your new interest rate is lower than the original one.
Some people refinance their mortgage to get some additional money for home improvement or other expenses while some others refinance their mortgage to save money on their present mortgage. Whatever the reason for your refinancing plan let your money lender know that. Most mortgage lenders offer refinancing for 10 to 40 years. It is better from your part to suggest to your mortgage lender a refinancing period after calculating the monthly repayment amount. Similar to other loans, you can select fixed rate mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages. Most people tend to use fixed rate interests for their mortgages. The main advantage of using fixed rate interest rates is that it is less risky compared to the adjustable rate mortgages. This is because the interest rate of adjustable rate mortgages always tends to change – that is you cannot predict how much interest you need to pay in the next month.
Nowadays there are many mortgage lenders who offer their services through internet. This is an easy way to find a perfect mortgage lender. Online refinancing helps you to find a mortgage lender with the convenience of your home or office. Just do a search in the internet search engines to find a perfect money lender who can offer you services which best suit your needs.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
How To Refinance With Bad Credit
If you have bad credit and believe you are out of luck when it comes to refinancing or purchasing a new home, you may want to reconsider your options.
Just because you have bad credit, it does not mean you will be unable to get a loan, nor does it mean that you are at the mercy of the mortgage companies. You are not.
The mortgage industry is a very diverse one with literally thousands of lenders across the country that just might offer a program that fits your needs.
These lenders that offer programs to consumers with poor credit are known as wholesale lenders.
Wholesale lenders work directly with mortgage brokers, whose job it is to assist you in finding a mortgage lender regardless of your credit score.
It is also the responsibility of the mortgage broker to counsel and educate you through the entire mortgage process.
If you decide that you do not want to do the shopping around yourself, than you should seriously consider finding a mortgage broker to help you. They have relationships with hundreds of wholesale lenders, and they will work to find a program that fits your needs.
Keep in mind, brokers are paid on commission, so it is just as important to them as it is to you to get to the closing table.
A good place to start for tracking down a mortgage broker is the internet. Contact a few brokers, allow for them to assess your situation, than work with the one that best fits your needs and budget. Best of luck.
Just because you have bad credit, it does not mean you will be unable to get a loan, nor does it mean that you are at the mercy of the mortgage companies. You are not.
The mortgage industry is a very diverse one with literally thousands of lenders across the country that just might offer a program that fits your needs.
These lenders that offer programs to consumers with poor credit are known as wholesale lenders.
Wholesale lenders work directly with mortgage brokers, whose job it is to assist you in finding a mortgage lender regardless of your credit score.
It is also the responsibility of the mortgage broker to counsel and educate you through the entire mortgage process.
If you decide that you do not want to do the shopping around yourself, than you should seriously consider finding a mortgage broker to help you. They have relationships with hundreds of wholesale lenders, and they will work to find a program that fits your needs.
Keep in mind, brokers are paid on commission, so it is just as important to them as it is to you to get to the closing table.
A good place to start for tracking down a mortgage broker is the internet. Contact a few brokers, allow for them to assess your situation, than work with the one that best fits your needs and budget. Best of luck.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Information on Reverse Mortgage Loans
The first question that needs to be answered is "what is a reverse mortgage?" A reverse mortgage is a specific type of loan used by older homeowners who have built up some equity in their home. It is a method of acquiring cash from their home, manufactured home, town home or condominium. By using this type of borrowing method senior citizens can come up with money that they can use any way they want without the need to pay it back during their lifetime. If these elderly Americans can qualify they can turn their home equity into money.
If older American homeowners are struggling with their finances they can apply for this type of loan which can be used to pay off debts, increase their monthly income or for other things. This monetary influx will allow these senior citizens an opportunity to get out from under their current debt or to increase their monthly income which can be used for their daily expenses. They can start enjoying their life to the fullest by coming up with the additional cash they need. The money can be used to get out of financial trouble, home improvements, traveling and for other expenditures. This extra cash may be used for luxuries they have always wanted, but could never afford.
The purpose of a reverse mortgage is to allow senior citizens the opportunity to receive the extra cash they require without the necessity of having to sell their house. The cash they get can provide them with the additional financial security they require and also give them a chance at enjoying their remaining years by reducing their money worries. There are several ways to receive this money including regular monthly payments, a lump sum or even as a credit line. A line of credit is the most common method people use to receive money from a reverse mortgage. Some retired persons get their money by using a combination of these methods. It's possible to receive monthly payments while also getting a big chunk of money up front too.
The term reverse mortgage is a simple way of "reversing" a mortgage. Rather than being forced to make monthly payments by taking out a home loan people can actually receive monthly payments themselves. It's a method for retired homeowners to increase their comfort of living by taking advantage of the equity they have built up in their home. The loan amount depends on many factors including the value of their residence, how old they are, how much equity is in the home along with other factors.
To qualify for a reverse mortgage the applicant must be 62 years of age or older. They must also own a home (single family residence), manufactured home built on or after June 1976, town home or condominium. And of course they must have a certain amount of home equity. It is not necessary to have the house paid off completely, but there must be equity in it. In other words you can still qualify for a reverse mortgage even if you have an outstanding mortgage loan.
The loan cannot exceed the home's value, but there are no monthly income requirements and no medical prerequisites for qualification. There are few requirements, one of which is that the applicant must first meet with an approved counselor to discuss the loan or other possible options for their situation. Other than that there are very few requirements.
If older American homeowners are struggling with their finances they can apply for this type of loan which can be used to pay off debts, increase their monthly income or for other things. This monetary influx will allow these senior citizens an opportunity to get out from under their current debt or to increase their monthly income which can be used for their daily expenses. They can start enjoying their life to the fullest by coming up with the additional cash they need. The money can be used to get out of financial trouble, home improvements, traveling and for other expenditures. This extra cash may be used for luxuries they have always wanted, but could never afford.
The purpose of a reverse mortgage is to allow senior citizens the opportunity to receive the extra cash they require without the necessity of having to sell their house. The cash they get can provide them with the additional financial security they require and also give them a chance at enjoying their remaining years by reducing their money worries. There are several ways to receive this money including regular monthly payments, a lump sum or even as a credit line. A line of credit is the most common method people use to receive money from a reverse mortgage. Some retired persons get their money by using a combination of these methods. It's possible to receive monthly payments while also getting a big chunk of money up front too.
The term reverse mortgage is a simple way of "reversing" a mortgage. Rather than being forced to make monthly payments by taking out a home loan people can actually receive monthly payments themselves. It's a method for retired homeowners to increase their comfort of living by taking advantage of the equity they have built up in their home. The loan amount depends on many factors including the value of their residence, how old they are, how much equity is in the home along with other factors.
To qualify for a reverse mortgage the applicant must be 62 years of age or older. They must also own a home (single family residence), manufactured home built on or after June 1976, town home or condominium. And of course they must have a certain amount of home equity. It is not necessary to have the house paid off completely, but there must be equity in it. In other words you can still qualify for a reverse mortgage even if you have an outstanding mortgage loan.
The loan cannot exceed the home's value, but there are no monthly income requirements and no medical prerequisites for qualification. There are few requirements, one of which is that the applicant must first meet with an approved counselor to discuss the loan or other possible options for their situation. Other than that there are very few requirements.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Different Types Of Mortgage Refinance Loans
With today’s lenders, you have more refinancing options than ever before. So whether you are looking to reduce your rates or lower your monthly payments, you can find financing that is right for you.
Lenders also let you compare loan quotes online without hurting your credit score. So with real numbers, you can determine which is the best lender and loan for you. You take the guesswork out of the refinancing process, knowing how much you can save.
Stability Of A Fixed Rate Mortgage
Refinancing for a fixed rate mortgage can lower your rates and give you peace of mind. By setting your mortgage rate today, you know exactly how much your interest will cost and how long your loan will last.
Fixed rate mortgages also allow you to buy down the rate, saving you thousands if you keep the mortgage for several years. You can also extend the loan period to reduce monthly payment amounts.
Betting On Lower Rates With An Adjustable Rate Mortgage
Refinancing with an adjustable rate mortgage will qualify you for some especially low rates a year or more. With these introductory offers, you can save hundreds a month.
There is the chance that rates will increase, along with your monthly payments. Depending on your caps, you may also see your mortgage lengthen due to high rates. But if you aren’t planning to keep your loan or house for too long, you may find the savings worth the risk.
Cashing Out Your Equity With A Refi
Cashing out part of your equity during a refi saves you money on application fees and higher rates with a separate home equity loan. When you pull out your equity, you can still select fixed or adjustable rates. You also have the options of extending or shortening your loan terms.
Creative Terms For Unique Situations
Interest only loans and similar creative loan terms work for those in unique situations. For instance, if you are planning to move in a year, refinancing with an interest only loan can cut your mortgage payments by hundreds of dollars. And by selling before the loan payments jump, you don’t have to worry about high payments.
Lenders also let you compare loan quotes online without hurting your credit score. So with real numbers, you can determine which is the best lender and loan for you. You take the guesswork out of the refinancing process, knowing how much you can save.
Stability Of A Fixed Rate Mortgage
Refinancing for a fixed rate mortgage can lower your rates and give you peace of mind. By setting your mortgage rate today, you know exactly how much your interest will cost and how long your loan will last.
Fixed rate mortgages also allow you to buy down the rate, saving you thousands if you keep the mortgage for several years. You can also extend the loan period to reduce monthly payment amounts.
Betting On Lower Rates With An Adjustable Rate Mortgage
Refinancing with an adjustable rate mortgage will qualify you for some especially low rates a year or more. With these introductory offers, you can save hundreds a month.
There is the chance that rates will increase, along with your monthly payments. Depending on your caps, you may also see your mortgage lengthen due to high rates. But if you aren’t planning to keep your loan or house for too long, you may find the savings worth the risk.
Cashing Out Your Equity With A Refi
Cashing out part of your equity during a refi saves you money on application fees and higher rates with a separate home equity loan. When you pull out your equity, you can still select fixed or adjustable rates. You also have the options of extending or shortening your loan terms.
Creative Terms For Unique Situations
Interest only loans and similar creative loan terms work for those in unique situations. For instance, if you are planning to move in a year, refinancing with an interest only loan can cut your mortgage payments by hundreds of dollars. And by selling before the loan payments jump, you don’t have to worry about high payments.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Mortgage Refinancing 101: The Basics
Managing your finances is as important as earning them. Rather at times it is more significant to administer your resources than actually find ways to earn. Since imprudent investments might result into drainage of hard earned monetary resources. Diligent management of income enables one to enjoy maximum benefits even by incurring minimum expenses. Careful analysis of financial situation is more important when credits and mortgage of house property is involved. At the time of purchasing a house due to time limits or other inevitable circumstances one might be compelled to accept loan at higher interest rates. Also there might be situations when earlier rate of interest on loan are higher than current rate charged by banks, in such a financial scenario it is always wise to reconsider all monetary state of affairs.
As economy of finance, investments and banking gets more competitive with every passing year it is the consumer who benefits from cutthroat competition. As a result of growing financial system several schemes are introduce frequently for attracting potential patrons. It might occur that mortgage companies would be ready to waive regular charges like legal fees, appraisal and application expenses incurred during refinancing. This is an ideal situation to opt for refinancing as in such situation one can avail lower interest rates without any cost involvement. Well a catch here might be that these companies would charge interest a bit higher than the current market rate. But considering one’s individual financial circumstances if one stands to profit even for that higher rate it is advisable to accept refinancing form the firm.
The time span passed after accepting your present mortgage is a vital consideration. Generally if around three years have lapsed since mortgage was done refinancing of the same might be fruitful. This is so as after loan repayment for that much time the loan actually gets condensed to a lesser amount coupled with lower prevailing interest rates one can hope to achieve reduced monthly payment liability.
By passage of time paying capacity of an individual increases this may again lead to considering refinancing of funds. One might be interested in increasing his monthly payments so that he could enjoy other capital benefits. Shortening the term of mortgage is another appealing factor as it leads to faster building of equity. A shorter mortgage term at lower interests results in bigger monthly installments but at the end one benefits by paying less overall interest on total loan amount.
One more important factor that directs to consider refinancing is want of some ready cash. At specific situations one might need some extra money to fulfill certain upcoming demands. This actually is “cashing out” on the home equity built up during the years. Here a person refinances for more than the balance amount left on loan. This is achievable even without increasing the amount of monthly installments due to lower interest rates. Wise use of extra income made by refinancing is always important. Utilizing this revenue to pay off certain short-term loans as for example car loan or a credit card loan is one of the best way spend that extra cash.
As economy of finance, investments and banking gets more competitive with every passing year it is the consumer who benefits from cutthroat competition. As a result of growing financial system several schemes are introduce frequently for attracting potential patrons. It might occur that mortgage companies would be ready to waive regular charges like legal fees, appraisal and application expenses incurred during refinancing. This is an ideal situation to opt for refinancing as in such situation one can avail lower interest rates without any cost involvement. Well a catch here might be that these companies would charge interest a bit higher than the current market rate. But considering one’s individual financial circumstances if one stands to profit even for that higher rate it is advisable to accept refinancing form the firm.
The time span passed after accepting your present mortgage is a vital consideration. Generally if around three years have lapsed since mortgage was done refinancing of the same might be fruitful. This is so as after loan repayment for that much time the loan actually gets condensed to a lesser amount coupled with lower prevailing interest rates one can hope to achieve reduced monthly payment liability.
By passage of time paying capacity of an individual increases this may again lead to considering refinancing of funds. One might be interested in increasing his monthly payments so that he could enjoy other capital benefits. Shortening the term of mortgage is another appealing factor as it leads to faster building of equity. A shorter mortgage term at lower interests results in bigger monthly installments but at the end one benefits by paying less overall interest on total loan amount.
One more important factor that directs to consider refinancing is want of some ready cash. At specific situations one might need some extra money to fulfill certain upcoming demands. This actually is “cashing out” on the home equity built up during the years. Here a person refinances for more than the balance amount left on loan. This is achievable even without increasing the amount of monthly installments due to lower interest rates. Wise use of extra income made by refinancing is always important. Utilizing this revenue to pay off certain short-term loans as for example car loan or a credit card loan is one of the best way spend that extra cash.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Home Refinancing For People With Bad Credit
Sub-prime mortgage loans gives people options, including those with bad credit. Sub-prime lenders don’t have to follow conventional underwriting rules, so they can work with anyone, regardless of their credit background. They can also provide more lenient terms than traditional lenders.
Qualifying For Sub-Prime Financing
Basically, anyone can qualify for financing with a sub-prime financing company. No matter your credit situation, even if you are just out of bankruptcy, you can apply with a sub-prime lender.
They also work with people who have excellent credit but need more flexible loans. For instance, if you want a loan above the conventional caps, you will have to work with a sub-prime lender to get a jumbo loan. 100% cash out refinancing is also easier to get with sub-prime companies.
Refinancing Options With Sub-Prime Lenders
Ideally, refinancing your current mortgage should lower your rates and monthly payments. Sub-prime lenders can do this, along with offering you cash out options. So whether you want all or part of your equity, you can usually cash it out at lower rates than if you took out a second mortgage.
Refinancing can also improve your caps if you have an adjustable rate mortgage. Just remember that caps, if too low, can extend your loan period. When negotiating caps, it’s important to read the fine print and know how they will affect your loan period.
Shopping For A Financing Company
Give yourself enough time to shop for your next mortgage company so you can be sure you are getting the best deal. Rates can differ widely between sub-prime lenders, so look at a number of different companies. Also remember that many traditional financial companies also offer sub-prime loans. So you have more choices than ever before.
To get the most out of your researching, ask for loan estimates on the same refinancing package. That way you can quickly compare similar numbers. Also look for any additional fees, such as early payment penalties. Sometimes these fees can be eliminated through a quick chat with the lender.
Searching online for information on lenders will speed up the refinancing process. In no time, you can be approved for your new mortgage and start saving money.
Qualifying For Sub-Prime Financing
Basically, anyone can qualify for financing with a sub-prime financing company. No matter your credit situation, even if you are just out of bankruptcy, you can apply with a sub-prime lender.
They also work with people who have excellent credit but need more flexible loans. For instance, if you want a loan above the conventional caps, you will have to work with a sub-prime lender to get a jumbo loan. 100% cash out refinancing is also easier to get with sub-prime companies.
Refinancing Options With Sub-Prime Lenders
Ideally, refinancing your current mortgage should lower your rates and monthly payments. Sub-prime lenders can do this, along with offering you cash out options. So whether you want all or part of your equity, you can usually cash it out at lower rates than if you took out a second mortgage.
Refinancing can also improve your caps if you have an adjustable rate mortgage. Just remember that caps, if too low, can extend your loan period. When negotiating caps, it’s important to read the fine print and know how they will affect your loan period.
Shopping For A Financing Company
Give yourself enough time to shop for your next mortgage company so you can be sure you are getting the best deal. Rates can differ widely between sub-prime lenders, so look at a number of different companies. Also remember that many traditional financial companies also offer sub-prime loans. So you have more choices than ever before.
To get the most out of your researching, ask for loan estimates on the same refinancing package. That way you can quickly compare similar numbers. Also look for any additional fees, such as early payment penalties. Sometimes these fees can be eliminated through a quick chat with the lender.
Searching online for information on lenders will speed up the refinancing process. In no time, you can be approved for your new mortgage and start saving money.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Can You Get Approved For A Home Loan After Bankruptcy?
After a bankruptcy, you can get approved for a home loan. Just be prepared to pay several points above conventional rates. However, if you have a large down payment or wait two years, your mortgage rates will improve to near conventional rates.
Dealing With A Past Bankruptcy On Your Credit Report
A bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for seven to ten years. However, it stops affecting your credit significantly after two years. So if you have established other good credit habits, you can qualify for market rates in no time.
But before you shrug off your bankruptcy, check your credit report to be sure that all accounts that were part of your bankruptcy are discharged. It’s not uncommon for paperwork to not get processed, leaving a negative mark on your report.
Other Helpful Factors
A down payment of 20% is expected for conventional rates with a traditional loan. Anything less and you will have to either pay a point or more at closing or additional loan interest. The same is true with sub prime loans. However, larger down payments decrease your rates.
Significant cash reserves and a large income can also offset your credit risk. The amount you want to borrow is also a factor. The lower your debt to income ratio, the better score you will get.
It’s also important to remember that not all lenders will treat your application the same. So it’s important to shop around for the right mortgage with the right terms.
Shopping Mortgage Lenders
If it has been less than two years after your bankruptcy or you know you have poor credit, start shopping with a sub prime lender. They deal primarily with people who have adverse credit. They can also offer you a lot more options than a traditional lender.
For instance, sub prime lenders have easier terms to qualify for a zero down mortgage. You can also opt for a future refinance with your mortgage when your credit score improves.
Remember that you have many financing options for a mortgage, even with a bankruptcy in your past.
Dealing With A Past Bankruptcy On Your Credit Report
A bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for seven to ten years. However, it stops affecting your credit significantly after two years. So if you have established other good credit habits, you can qualify for market rates in no time.
But before you shrug off your bankruptcy, check your credit report to be sure that all accounts that were part of your bankruptcy are discharged. It’s not uncommon for paperwork to not get processed, leaving a negative mark on your report.
Other Helpful Factors
A down payment of 20% is expected for conventional rates with a traditional loan. Anything less and you will have to either pay a point or more at closing or additional loan interest. The same is true with sub prime loans. However, larger down payments decrease your rates.
Significant cash reserves and a large income can also offset your credit risk. The amount you want to borrow is also a factor. The lower your debt to income ratio, the better score you will get.
It’s also important to remember that not all lenders will treat your application the same. So it’s important to shop around for the right mortgage with the right terms.
Shopping Mortgage Lenders
If it has been less than two years after your bankruptcy or you know you have poor credit, start shopping with a sub prime lender. They deal primarily with people who have adverse credit. They can also offer you a lot more options than a traditional lender.
For instance, sub prime lenders have easier terms to qualify for a zero down mortgage. You can also opt for a future refinance with your mortgage when your credit score improves.
Remember that you have many financing options for a mortgage, even with a bankruptcy in your past.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Bad Credit can Affect Home Mortgage Quote Problems
Your credit has everything to do with home mortgage rates as lenders charge more points and higher interest charges to consumers with bad credit. Poor credit always implies greater risk, so lenders are entitled to be compensated for the risk they are taking.
If you are a borrower who enjoys good credit, however, you should at all cost avoid getting into deals where the rates and points are at par with those for bad credit. There are plenty of cases of borrowers with good credit being charged the same rates as those with bad credit. Enjoying good credit requires effort and sacrifice, so you have every right to be charged much better rates than consumers with bad credit. Even if it means having to look a little harder to find them, you should pay rates that you deserve.
Explaining Risk and Loan Points
Every point on a loan refers to the fee amount of one percent of the loan amount. Consumers with good credit may be charged no points at all while bad credit can earn as many as four points. However caution is necessary as unscrupulous lenders may charge up to ten points if they think they can get away with it. It is up to you to make sure that they don’t, in your case.
Nevertheless there are situations where the lenders have to take risks far greater than the average. In such cases it may be justified to be charging more than the normal rates. Brokers often claim that they charge higher points as they are taking the risk of lending to those no other lenders will lend to. More often than not, this may not be true. With sufficient effort and time, a consumer will be able to find a lender willing to lend him the loan. These lenders are much more likely to treat the consumer in all fairness.
Not giving due attention to points being charged can prove costly to a consumer. Different terms may be used for points with some examples like origination fees, broker fees, discount fees and yield spread premium.
Front and Band End Points
Despite these terms, there are two basic types of points. The first is the upfront fees that the consumer pays to the lender. It is a form of compensation paid to either the lender or the broker for making the loan transaction possible.
A back end point is the other type of points that the lender pays to the mortgage broker. Sometimes they act as extra incentive for a particular loan. But it is mostly for loans given at a higher rate of interest as a reward to the broker. The problem occurs when these points spur unscrupulous lenders to hike up the rates with the consumer being absolutely unaware of it.
If you are a borrower who enjoys good credit, however, you should at all cost avoid getting into deals where the rates and points are at par with those for bad credit. There are plenty of cases of borrowers with good credit being charged the same rates as those with bad credit. Enjoying good credit requires effort and sacrifice, so you have every right to be charged much better rates than consumers with bad credit. Even if it means having to look a little harder to find them, you should pay rates that you deserve.
Explaining Risk and Loan Points
Every point on a loan refers to the fee amount of one percent of the loan amount. Consumers with good credit may be charged no points at all while bad credit can earn as many as four points. However caution is necessary as unscrupulous lenders may charge up to ten points if they think they can get away with it. It is up to you to make sure that they don’t, in your case.
Nevertheless there are situations where the lenders have to take risks far greater than the average. In such cases it may be justified to be charging more than the normal rates. Brokers often claim that they charge higher points as they are taking the risk of lending to those no other lenders will lend to. More often than not, this may not be true. With sufficient effort and time, a consumer will be able to find a lender willing to lend him the loan. These lenders are much more likely to treat the consumer in all fairness.
Not giving due attention to points being charged can prove costly to a consumer. Different terms may be used for points with some examples like origination fees, broker fees, discount fees and yield spread premium.
Front and Band End Points
Despite these terms, there are two basic types of points. The first is the upfront fees that the consumer pays to the lender. It is a form of compensation paid to either the lender or the broker for making the loan transaction possible.
A back end point is the other type of points that the lender pays to the mortgage broker. Sometimes they act as extra incentive for a particular loan. But it is mostly for loans given at a higher rate of interest as a reward to the broker. The problem occurs when these points spur unscrupulous lenders to hike up the rates with the consumer being absolutely unaware of it.
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