Archive for February, 2007

Choosing The Right Mortgage To Fit Your Income

Sunday, February 25th, 2007

’t afford to buy our new home outright, so we
save up a down payment and then work out an arrangement to
finance the balance. This arrangement is called a mortgage. You
agree to pay a set amount and use the house as collateral. If
you miss a certain number of payments, the bank has the right
to declare you in default of your mortgage and foreclose on
your property. You then lose everything you have invested plus
the house. To avoid such problems, it is important to get the
mortgage that fits your income.

There are many different kinds of mortgages. These include
fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages. There are sub prime rates
for people with credit problems. There are also jumbo, balloon
and construction mortgages. The most common mortgages are fixed
rate mortgages where the borrower repays a fixed rate of
interest over a period of 20 or 30 years. The interest rate is
in effect for the life of your mortgage. The monthly payment
(including interest) is determined when the loan is made. It
does not change over time.

The adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) differs from the fixed rate
because the interest rates and monthly payments go up and down
depending on market interest rates. Hybrid ARMs usually include
a one or five year fixed interest rate. After that the interest
becomes that of the market place and the borrower’s monthly
payment goes up and down for the duration of the loan. There
are also ARMs where the borrower pays only the interest on the
loan for ten years. After that the borrower must pay the
current rate of interest. Some ARMs can be converted to fixed
rate mortgages for a fee. The good news is that there are caps
on the interest and payments due. Periodic caps limit prevent
interest rates from rising more than a certain number of
percentage points in any year. Lifetime caps limit how much the
interest rate can rise over the life of the loan. Payment caps
limit the amount the monthly payment can rise over the life of
the loan in dollars, rather than how much the rate can change
in percentage points.

Sub prime mortgages are for people with credit problems and
having a credit score of less than 620. They have higher
interest rates than do regular loans. Just how much higher
depends on the borrower’s credit score, size of down payment,
and what types of delinquencies the borrower has in the recent
past. Sub prime loans can have a prepayment penalty if the loan
is paid off early. They can also include a balloon payment. In
this type of loan, the borrower is required to pay off the
balance of the loan in full after a specified period has
passed. If the borrower can’t pay the entire amount, he/she has
to refinance the loan or sell the house.

There are other types of loans. The jumbo loan is higher than
most loans and allows you to buy a more expensive house. The
downside is that you pay a higher interest rate than normal.
Two-step mortgages have a fixed rate and payment for an initial
period, one adjustment of interest rates and then a fixed rate
and payment for the remainder of the loan.

About The Author: You will find more from this author at:
http://www.investing-magazine.com

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid#98297
##################

What Mortgage Options Are Available To A Homebuyer?

Saturday, February 24th, 2007

is something that most people look forward to.
When it comes time to look at the various options that are
available for mortgages, though, the questions start to arise.
There are so many different options that it can definitely be
confusing. Here are some brief descriptions that explain your
different loan type products.

Every mortgage will fall under one of two general types – it
will either be a fixed rate mortgage or an adjustable rate
mortgage. Here are definitions of these two types.

Fixed Rate Mortgages

A fixed rate mortgage is one in which the interest and payment
rate always stays the same. It does not matter what happens to
the market – good or bad, your payment does not change. This is
especially good when the market is changing or the economy is
fluctuating.

Adjustable Rate Mortgages

An adjustable rate mortgage is one that changes periodically in
order to reflect the economic conditions. Most people get these
mortgages because it allows them to get a little bigger house
than they could otherwise afford. These usually have a fixed
rate portion for a few years first, then the rate changes
regularly – could be monthly or yearly. This type of mortgage
is the best when the economy is good, but could be very costly
in times of adverse economies.

Among these two types of mortgages, there are different names
that could come under either general type.

Balloon Mortgage

This type of fixed rate mortgage and is generally for 5 to 7
years. It does not fully amortize by the end of the term since
it is usually refinanced for a 25 or 30-year mortgage. This
option must be stated in the terms, though, so be sure it is in
there, or you may be left without being able to refinance.

Jumbo Mortgage

Two of the largest loan agencies in the US – Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac, set ceilings on the amount of loans that they will
give to a borrower for a home. Any mortgage requiring more than
this is considered a jumbo mortgage. They may also be called a
non-conforming mortgage.

Assumable Mortgages

An assumable mortgage is one that the new buyer of the house
simply takes over without
any refinancing. The terms that enable this kind of transfer
must be in the contract when applied for, or it cannot qualify
as an assumable mortgage. It will also require the lender’s
permission and the new owner must qualify before being
approved. Under some conditions, some of the terms may be
changed, and closing costs will be involved. Taking over an
assumable mortgage cold turn out to be very good for the buyer
- especially if the interest rate is better than what the
market is offering at the time. Both types, fixed rate or
adjustable rate, can be assumable.

Interest Only Mortgages

While the title of this mortgage is more than a little
deceiving, it is not what it seems. It would be more truthful
to say interest first mortgage than anything. With this type of
mortgage, the interest is paid first, leaving the principal
untouched until the interest is paid. Generally, this means
more is paid because the principal is not paid down at all.
This would normally slowly reduce your interest. The difference
could result in thousands of dollars more being paid over the
lifetime of the mortgage.

About The Author: Joe Kenny writes for the UK personal finance
sites http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk and also
http://www.cardguide.co.uk

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid#128075
##################

How To Obtain A Loan To Fix Your Home

Saturday, February 24th, 2007

provement loans because they were created to help
us make improvements on our homes that we couldn’t otherwise
afford. These loans can be used for things like adding an extra
room, putting in a pool for our family in the summer, re-doing a
kitchen or bathroom, or even replacing old carpet with new.

These are secured loans, which means that collateral is
required which is usually based on the current equity in the
home. In order to qualify for tax deductions, the improvements
must be on the your primary residence, not on second homes,
rental or vacation property.

Interest rates on your home improvement loan is usually lower
than other secured loans since it is deemed as less risky and
tends to improve the borrower’s home. You must own your home or
be financing your home to be qualified for a home improvement
loan.

These loans are intended to help you the borrower add
additional features to your home. The most popular home
improvement is kitchen and bathroom remodeling, however other
things such as installation of a new roof, adding a garage, or
installing a pool are other frequently done improvements. The
two most common types of home improvement loans available are;
FHA Title I Home Improvement Loans and Traditional Home
Improvement Loans

With both, you must either own or be in the process of buying
the home since it’s going to be used as collateral for the
loan. When going for the Traditional loan you must have
considerable equity in your home, usually upwards 20%. Your
current equity in the home, as well as that created by the
improvements, is your collateral. The lender then secures the
loan taking a first or second lien.

Usually, home improvement loans are allocated for ten years or
less, however some lenders may have programs that will allow
for up to 15 years, depending on how much money is borrowed.
Just like mortgages, interest paid on your loan is tax
deductible. The Interest rate on home improvement loans is
frequently considerably lower than personal loans because
lenders consider those very risky.

An FHA Title I Loan is a U.S. Government program that helps you
improve or rehabilitate your home much like a conventional home
improvement loan.

This program is obtainable through various lenders, commonly
banks. Some types of luxury improvements such as swimming pools
and barbecue pits aren’t allowed under this loan. With Title I
loans, you aren’t required to have any equity in your home for
collateral. The loan period can be up to 20 years and you can
have some past credit problems, providing you’ve shown recent
acceptable credit.

On loan requests below $7,500, the lender will not take a lien
on the home. The requirements are less severe than conventional
home improvement loans and make it easier for a greater number
of home owners to partake. As an added bonus, the interest paid
is tax deductible.

About The Author: Greg Hansward continually pens newsletters on
themes related to router accessories and router jigs. Writing
for writings (e.g.
http://www.insidewoodworking.com/rout/routertabl.html on router
tables ) he expressed his know-how on the subject.

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid#126727
##################

Easy Ways To Get Home Equity Loans: On The Web

Friday, February 23rd, 2007

ur life you may need some extra money. Some
people get home equity loans. Equity is the difference between
what you owe on your mortgage and the market value of your
home. You build equity as that difference grows. As you repay
the mortgage principal to decrease the amount you owe or when
your home’s value increases, you build up equity. You can
borrow against it by making a home equity loan or establishing
a line of credit. Both have much lower interest rates than
credit cards and personal loans. The interest you pay on a home
equity loan or line of credit is usually tax-deductible.

A home equity loan provides you with a lump sum amount of cash.
The terms are simple. You repay the loan over a specified time
at a fixed interest rate. The payment rate is set at the time
of the loan and it never changes. If the value of the loan is
not greater than the value of the house, you may be able to
deduct the interest on the loan.

A debt consolidation loan, another type of home equity loan,
lets you combine all your debts into one loan. Having to make
just one payment a month, you can better manage your debt. If
you’re consolidating credit card bills, don’t use them after
you get the loan. Cut them up and destroy them. Better still,
contact the financial institutions that issued the cards and
close the accounts. Otherwise, you might be tempted to
overspend, which is what got you in trouble in the first place.

A home equity line of credit has some advantages over
installment loans. There is a specified amount of money you can
draw upon as you need it for up to 10 years. You only pay on the
amount of credit that you use. Payments are based on the amount
you borrow and the interest has a variable rate. As you repay
the loan, you have more money you can borrow against. Interest
rates for lines of credit and payment amounts are adjustable
over time.

Today you can apply for a home equity loan or line of credit
online. The minimum amount you can borrow is $5,000, although
some online companies have set the minimum at $10,000. The
amount of your loan is determined by the relationship of the
amount of the loan to your home’s value. This is called the LTV
(loan to value) ratio. Loans of $100-500,000 are not uncommon.

You can usually qualify for a loan or line of credit providing
that you meet the following criteria. You have built a credit
history involving credit cards, auto loans, or a mortgage. You
usually pay your bills on time (some exceptions may apply). You
have had no more than two or three late payments reported to a
credit bureau within the last 7 years. There have been no
bankruptcies or judgments against you with a discharge date of
less than 5 years before you apply for the loan. You have not
had bills reported to a collection agency within the last 10
years.

The online process is usually very simple and takes little
time. You’ll be asked some basic questions about yourself, your
income and the mortgage property. Next, a copy of your credit
report is obtained electronically. You’ll be asked which of
your loans are related to the property being mortgaged. There
will also be an electronic appraisal of your home’s value. Once
the online company reviews all your financial data, it’s just a
matter of seconds or minutes until they approve or decline your
loan.

About The Author: Read more from this author at:
http://www.investing-magazine.com

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid#98295
##################

Secured Loans Primer

Friday, February 23rd, 2007

red Loan?

A secured loan is essentially a loan that is taken out against
your home or other collateral. In the context of this guide,
when talking about secured loans and secured lending, reference
is being made to that of a lender placing a legal charge over a
property.

The most common type of secured loan is that of a mortgage. It
is not within the financial capability of most people to
purchase a property outright so most of us will therefore need
to secure a mortgage.

Again, in the context of this guide, when talking about secured
loans and secured lending, reference is being made to secondary
secured loans, or =EBsecond charges’ as they are commonly known
within the industry. Borrowers who apply for a secured
loan/second charge are doing so to follow that of their first
mortgage.

How Do Secured Loans Work?

To the average lender, secured loans offer a very appealing
prospect. They are able to lend out large sums of money with
the additional security of a property – They will subsequently
have open to them a number of legal remedies in the event of
the borrower defaulting there obligations and payments – This
will of course include home repossession.

A lender will register a secured loan by way of a legal charge
with which the applicant must give consent to in order for an
application to complete. The charge is then registered at the
Land Registry by the lenders solicitors.

When it comes to remortgaging, most secured lenders will
require the outstanding balance to be redeemed at the same time
as the first mortgage. An exception to this is when a second
charge lender grants a =EBdeed of postponement’, thus allowing
the existing second charge loan to run alongside that of the
new mortgage lender.

What Are The Characteristics Of A Secured Loan?

The characteristics of a secured loan share many similarities
to that of a mortgage. The most common one being that if your
do not keep up the repayments on the secured loan, your home
may be repossessed.

In the case of taking out a secured loan, it is a common myth
that your home will be safe so long as you meet the repayments
on your first mortgage. This is not true. If you fail to meet
the repayments on your secured loan, even if you are up to date
on your mortgage, the lender can seek possession of your
property through the courts.

Secured loans can be arranged on loan sizes that usually range
from =A35,000 to =A3100,000, depending on the lender. Flexible
terms are also available on secured lending, ranging from 5 up
to 30 years. Some lenders will have schemes available allowing
you to borrow more than the value of your property (combined
with that of your first mortgage) of up to 125%. These schemes
are not too common and it is believed that this is more of a
marketing ploy rather than a viable or an advisable option to
many borrowers.

How Does A Debt Consolidation Secured Loan Work?

A debt consolidation secured loan enables borrowers with
significant levels of debt to consolidate some or all of these
outstanding commitments into one loan amount and subsequently,
one monthly payment. Debt consolidation is seen by many as an
extremely effective short term solution to relieving the
pressures of debt.

It is highly likely that by arranging a secured loan to clear
off other unsecured debts such as credit cards, personal loans
and hire purchases, the borrower is able to achieve a lower
rate of interest than that applied to their unsecured
commitments.

Not only will this take the effect of reducing the monthly
payments but also secured loans can be arranged over a longer
term than that of their unsecured counterparts. By extending
the term of the loan will also mean that lower monthly payments
can be achieved.

This is often viewed as a short term solution as in the long
term, increasing the term of the debts may mean that you end up
paying more interest. The other potential disadvantage of these
types of loans is that consolidated debts that were once
unsecured would then transform to being secured on the
property.

What Are The Benefits Of A Secured Loan?

There are many benefits to be realised in taking out a secured
loan. Many lenders and brokers alike will not charge any
upfront fees, house valuation costs or legal fees. Compared to
the fees associated with a remortgage, the secured loan option
can be a very appealing one to borrowers.

Such fees associated with a remortgage will include valuation
and administration fees, higher lending charges, discharge
fees, title insurance and telegraphic transfer fees – This list
is by no means exhaustive however they may not all be applicable
in every case.

The timescales involved along with the various fees involved
can be a put off for some homeowners considering a remortgage.

Perhaps the biggest appeal to most homeowners who are seeking
finance is the speed at which a secured loan application can
complete. At the top end of the scale, an application can take
just a matter of days to complete. However for the majority,
two to three weeks is a sensible timeframe to look for.

The benefits of secured loans when looked at against comparable
unsecured loans are that it is highly likely that you will
obtain a more favourable rate of interest on secured lending.
As discussed earlier, this is due to the fact that the lender
will in this case secure the loan by legal charge over the
property – reducing their perceived level of risk and
subsequently reducing the rate of interest.

A secured loan will also offer a more flexible repayment period
than that of an unsecured loan – between 5 and 30 years with
many lenders. If it is the intention of the borrower to obtain
the very lowest monthly payment then this could be large
benefit to them.

How Do I Know Whether I Should Take Out A Remortgage Or Secured
Loan?

Each case must be assessed on its own merits. It is impossible
to answer this question without careful consideration and
assessment of the borrowers circumstances, needs and
objectives.

The obvious example would be where a borrower seeking finance
has a large early repayment charge to redeem their mortgage. In
this case it may not be appropriate to remortgage. ERCs (Early
repayment charges) can be as high as 7% of the outstanding
mortgage balance which can of course result in thousands of
pounds.

By arranging a secured loan in this instance might mean that
you would be paying a slightly higher rate than that of the
mortgage, however it could potentially save thousands of pounds
of charges.

Another example of when taking out a secured loan might be of
more benefit to the borrower would be a case where the first
mortgage was originally taken out before the individual started
to miss payments or run up another form of bad credit. It is
highly likely in this instance that raising finance through a
remortgage would mean paying a higher non-conforming/sub prime
rate on the entire amount of borrowing.

By arranging a secured loan might mean that the borrower can
still enjoy the prime high street rate applied to the first
mortgage whilst only paying a higher non-conforming/sub prime
rate on the new secured loan – the additional finance.

Can I Apply For A Secured Loan With A Bad Credit History?

There are many schemes available today to cater for nearly
every type of borrower – regardless of credit history. If there
is available equity in your property and you can meet the
affordability criteria then it is highly like that you will be
eligible for a secured loan. Bad credit will usually be defined
between having one or more of the following:

# Mortgage arrears
# Rental arrears
# Secured loan arrears
# County Court Judgements
# Individual voluntary arrangements
# Bankruptcy

The more severe your credit history then the higher the
interest rate that you will be charged. This again is a
reflection of the higher level of risk perceived by the lender.

About The Author: Chris Copper Jnr enjoys writing on areas of
personal and commercial finance. He works for Any Loans -
http://www.any-loans.co.uk

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid#128320
##################

ñ Do They Exist?

Wednesday, February 21st, 2007

sion of online financial services and the uptake
of more people being willing to use them, loan applications =EBin
principle’ can often be reached in a matter of a few minutes
and, these days, borrowers can complete an online application
form just as quickly and this can be done 24/7, 365 days of the
year even from the comfort of your own home. The term =EBin
principle’ basically means that when an application is
submitted, this immediately gets automatically cross-checked
with the credit reference agencies which can then also
automatically trigger a response back to the lender whose
systems can then, in turn, inform a prospective borrower
whether or not their application has been agreed =EBin
principle’. With many brokers offering to compare the best loan
rates on the market, a customer now has very fast access to the
optimum deals available.

It is often the speed of the process which can determine
whether or not a lender can secure the business which means
that, once a prospective borrower has an agreement =EBin
principle’, he/she can stop shopping around for alternative
deals. Obviously, paperwork, be that in written form or online,
will have to be completed before the loan agreement can be
properly formalised but the technology does speed the whole
process up which results in the borrower getting the money into
their account far more quickly.

The actual speed of the =EBquick’ decision will also depend on
the type of loan a borrower requires. Secured loans – those
usually available to homeowners and which are secured against
the equitable value of the home – usually mean that the
decision =EBin principle’ can be reached more quickly. However,
they usually take a little longer to arrange, in terms of
having the money in the bank, as more facts and figures will be
required in terms of the asset (usually your home) you are using
as collateral. With an unsecured loan, the process of getting
the money into your bank is far quicker as lenders will
generally be able to gather the information they need, in terms
of your ability to repay the loan, from information which they
receive back from the credit reference agencies about your
credit history and, therefore, their calculated assessment of
your =EBrisk’ in terms of your ability to repay the loan.

About The Author: To find the best loan rates and other
information about online loans, just review
http://www.privilegeloans.com

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid#127406
##################

Do Loans Change Much Between Different Lenders?

Wednesday, February 21st, 2007

art, the actual loan rate (APR) that you might be
offered by lenders will not vary all that greatly. As there is a
lot of fierce competition between lenders who are on the lookout
for your business, they are all only too aware that the APR is
probably the most important factor in terms of their
advertising and marketing strategy when it comes to potentially
=EBluring’ a customer in to check out their finance packages so
you’ll not find too much difference between them all, although
they will vary to a degree.

However, whilst interest rates might not differ all that much,
the lenders’ fees can vary tremendously and these can often be
=EBburied’ deep within the terms and conditions of any loan
agreement so it’s important that you are aware of these
additional costs and are extremely vigilant in asking all the
right questions when you are approaching any lender to ask for
money. There can be early settlement charges, payment
protection insurance and other arrangement fees which might
make one loan quote far more expensive than another, even
though the APR, at first glance, seemed to indicate that the
two lenders would be able to offer you virtually identical
quotes.

Most reputable lenders will explain any additional costs in
plain English but before you sign on the dotted line, you
should ensure that all additional costs are set down in writing
along with the total cost of the loan at the close before you
agree to take it out. Make sure you question any charges you
don’t understand and ask them to also be included in any
written proposal and presented in plain English. Some lenders
can even be prepared to waive the fees for you in certain
cases.

Certain lenders have also started to specialise in certain
types of borrowers so if, for example, you have a bad credit
rating, you might just find that you can get a cheaper deal by
taking out a loan with one of the lenders who specialise in
finding the right deal for people with a poor credit history.

The key here is to take your time and do your homework first.
Don’t be rushed into signing any agreement until you’re sure
that what’s contained on the =EBbottom line’ of any loan proposal
offers you the cheapest deal around and one which is tailored to
suit your own individual needs and circumstances. Review loans
thoroughly and if you’re still not certain, an independent
finance broker will offer you free advice and will often be
able to find the right deal for you at the cheapest cost.

About The Author: Just compare loans and shortcut the route to
a better personal loan deal on http://www.reviewloans.co.uk

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid#127407
##################

Ten Important Questions To Ask Your Mortgage Loan Broker

Tuesday, February 20th, 2007

—————————————————-

Ten Important Questions To Ask Your Mortgage Loan Broker
Copyright (c) 2007 James Copper
Any Loans UK
http://www.any-loans.co.uk

When looking for a mortgage in todays market you are swapped with
information, products and deals. This can make the whole process
very daunting and confusing. For this reason it is good to be
prepared with a set of questions to ask your mortgage broker, so
that you do not get ripped off and you know where you stand.

1. What are different types of mortgages and in what way do they
work?

There are a mass of different types of mortgage products on the
market, so make sure that your broker explains the differences
between the different types of mortgages and how they can benefit
you. For example may lender these days offer fixed rates,
discounts and cashback over a number of terms. Also make sure
that you get an outline of the varying ways of paying the capital
off. This at first might seem to be a complicated area, but once
you have the basics explained everything will become a lot
clearer and you will start to see how different products will
suit your personal circumstances better than others.

2. What is the Annual Percentage Rate (APR)?

In accordance to regulations the APR is meant to appear in all
adverts alongside the headline mortgage rate. The APR is used to
provide customers with the true cost of loans and empower them to
be able to compare different deals. Do remember that APR is
unreliable and is no substitute for personal prepared quote that
outlines all upfront and ongoing costs.

3. What is the interest rate that I will be charged?

In the cases of fixed, capped or discount rate then your broker
should tell you what the initial rate you will paying and how
long you will be on that rate for.

4. So what happens at the end of the fixed or discount rate
period?

It is important to know what will happen when your fixed or
discount rate period ends. Will you be switched on to the
standard variable rate or will the lender offer you another
discounted or fixed rate deal. Also remember remortgaging is a
good option.

5. Standard Variable Rate. What is that?

Because house prices are at a record high many people (probably
including yourself) are now thinking of their mortgages in the
long term as well as the upfront rate. For this reason it is
worth knowing what current customers are paying. It is highly
unlikely that when you come to the end of your fixed or discount
rate period you will be on the same SVR as current customers. But
you can use the information to see how the lender compares
against others in the market.

6. What are the Early Redemption Charges or Early Repayment
Charges attached to the product?

Most mortgage deals will involve some kind of repayment charge.
So you will have to a fee to the lender if you repay your
mortgage early or switch to another lender within a set time
period. Make sure you find out precisely what you will have to
pay and what would happen if you moved home during the mortgages
term.

7. What will my monthly payments be at the quoted interest rate?

Your broker should tell you exactly what your monthly payments
are going to be. They should also tell you what you would be
paying at the SVR as to give you an indication of what you will
be paying after your products term comes to an end. Get the
broker to work out the payments on interest rates of up to 11% as
well. This way if the interest rates rise substantially you will
be able to see if you can afford the mortgage.

8. Are there any other conditions attached to the mortgage?

Different lenders will have different deals, incentives and
clauses. Lenders will offer better discounts, fixed rates or
cashbacks if you are prepared to take the lenders building and
contents insurance. This is something that will be worth
considering. Just make sure that you are informed about the terms
and what would happen if you moved your insurance cover.

9. Are there any Higher Lending Charges?

With some lenders there may be a Higher Lending Charge (HLC) if
you are borrowing more than a certain amount of the value of the
property. Make sure you know what the charges are and how much
the fees are. Some lenders will add HLC charge to the loan others
will charge it upfront.

10. What are the arrangement or broker fees?

Your broker should tell you about every payment you will have to
make to arrange your mortgage. This will give you an idea of the
whole cost of the deal rather than just an upfront rate. This
will also allow you to shop around and find the best deal.

So next time you are looking for a mortgage make sure you have
these ten questions to hand.

———————————————————————
James Copper enjoys writing on all areas of personal finance.
He is a Loans Broker for http://www.any-loans.co.uk

3 Essential Mortgage Refinance Secrets You’ll Need To Pick The Right Home Loan

Tuesday, February 20th, 2007

your monthly mortgage payment is always
attractive, don’t let a slightly lower mortgage rate fool you.
If you’re not careful when thinking about a mortgage refinance,
you could cost yourself more in expenses than what you save in
monthly payments — and not even know it. (Even with so-called
“no cost” mortgage loans.) Refinancing a home loan has more to
it than appears on the surface. Be sure to consult with a
mortgage professional before getting yourself into something
you can’t reverse.

Mistake #1: Waiting for lower interest rates.

Mortgage rates are notoriously unpredictable. No one can
speculate on mortgage rates with enough accuracy to win every
time. If rates are attractive, consider refinancing. If you do
it right, and rates go down again later, you can always
refinance again. If trates go down substantially before you
finalize the loan, you can always change mortgage brokers. If
rates go up, you’ll be glad you locked that initial rate in!

Mistake #2: Not shopping around enough with local mortgage
bankers/brokers.

E-loan, Lending Tree, and other online mortgage shopping sites
are great, but be careful! They are national mortgage shopping
sites. That might sound nice because you get mortgage lenders
from across the nation competing for your business, but be
careful – any lender other than a mortgage lender who is
familiar with lending in your home-state will not be familiar
with local practices, and that could cost you in many ways. It
might not only cost you that lower interest rate, but depending
on your other circumstances, it could actually cause you miss
that window of opportunity.

Mistake #3: Not looking at the whole picture.

If you have been paying your mortgage for several years, the
amount saved every month by refinancing might not save as much
as you think. In fact, it usually costs far more than people
think! In other words, if you are 10 years into your mortgage
loan, refinancing your mortgage would make you start over on
the repayment of that debt. Obviously, it might be great to
save some money after refinancing your home loan, but once you
refinance the loan you’ve been paying on for 10 years, you’ll
be paying off that loan for an additional 10 years! That could
really hurt. Sure, it may seem great that you’re lowering your
$1200 monthly payment by $100, but when you factor in the extra
120 payments of $1100 that you’ll have after refinancing, you’ll
find that your “$100 monthly savings” will actually cost an
extra $108,000 over the life of the loan! ($1100 times 360
payments over 30 years is $108,000 more than $1200 times 240
months.)

Be sure to get a “good faith estimate” and “Truth in Lending
statement” from your mortgage broker before jumping into a new
loan that could cost thousands of dollars (if not hundreds of
thousands) over the life of your new loan. Get your mortgage
broker to explain not only what your monthly payment will be,
but also what your new loan balance will be compared to your
old loan, what the new interest rate is, and how many years you
will be adding to your repayment schedule if you do refinance.

About The Author: If you’re thinking of buying Colorado real
estate, be sure to visit http://www.AutomatedHomefinder.com, or
http://www.BenchmarkRealtyLLC.com . In addition to researching
the Colorado market, you can use a mortgage calculator to find
out if refinancing is right for you.

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=126868
==================

Mortgages And Equity Loans How To Choose

Tuesday, February 20th, 2007

home you might receive numerous solicitations to
refinance your home, after a while this gets very tiring. If you
have equity in your home, you can refinance you current mortgage
for debt consolidation. A 2nd mortgage and a home equity loan
are basically the same type of financing. You may also want to
shorten your loan period to pay less on interest charges. With
online lenders you can quickly trade in your balloon payment
and extended loan periods for better rates and payments.

Today’s homeowners who are looking to refinance have a tool
that many didn’t have ten years ago, the internet. A fixed rate
second mortgage or variable home equity credit line can get you
cash that you need and a tax deduction, you can do this without
refinancing your home and you do not need to give up your low
interest mortgage.

While you are looking to convert your loan, make sure you are
getting the best long term financing for your budget Before
refinancing do some research, there are many sites that can be
used a resource to find the best interest rate and save you
money in the long run.

When trying to improve your credit status there are creditors
who offer credit in order to re-establish your credit and
financial status. They offer credit, loans and mortgages. When
times are tough and you cannot make your payments creditors
will call your home, but if you cannot pay your more important
bills like your home or car this will result in repo or a
foreclosure.

Bad credit mortgage refinancing is used to solve two problems
of investors. The first use of bad credit mortgage refinancing
is applicable for those who have bad credit standing,
considerable high interest card debt and a home with equity. If
one of the reasons you are putting off refinancing is because
your credit rating is bad, you should think again, by
refinancing you can increase your credit rating if you make the
payments on time.

The real estate market boomed in the 2000 and rate were low,
but if you refinanced your home during this period everything
has changed, the mortgage rates are much higher and as the new
rates come into play the payments are much higher. If you were
fortunate enough to lock in a low, fixed rate then good for
you. If you have an adjustable rate mortgage that is scheduled
to =ECadjust=EE in the coming months to a higher interest rate, you
might want to switch to a fixed rate mortgage to ensure your
financial peace-of-mind.

You can lower your monthly payment by qualifying for a better
interest rate and/or choosing a mortgage with a longer term
length. A just drop of half or three quarters of a percentage
point can lower your monthly payment. By refinancing your
mortgage it allows a homeowner to lower his or her monthly
payments or it improves the loan terms.

The interest rate on a home equity loan will always be higher
then a first mortgage due to increased risk for the lender.
When you hear the term home equity refinancing what everyone is
talking about is tax deductions, lower interest rates to save
money for the homeowner and to improve the credit score.

About The Author: David Marc Fishman is the owner of
http://www.tipsquad.com. The new way to give advice by video.
Online auction shopping experience at http://www.priceriot.com

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid#125733
##################