Mortgage Debt Has Advantages – Tax Advantages

The first time you buy a home, you may break into a cold sweat when you go to sign the loan documents and realize you are committing to paying back hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Mortgage Debt Has Advantages – Tax Advantages
Although having a mortgage is not what any homeowner wants, no one wants to be in debt, there are certain advantages of having a mortgage. First of all, not only does it allow a person to own a home of their own, but it always carries tax advantages. A mortgage is one of the biggest write-off’s available.
Everyone looks for ways to save on their taxes. After all, only two things are certain in life, death and taxes, and the less the taxes are the better. A mortgage, although this means you are in debt and are paying interest, allows people to use the interest paid on their mortgage as a tax write-off. Simply put, it can save a homeowner with a mortgage thousands of dollars in taxes.
This works by first calculating the amount paid in mortgage interest over the year. Once you have this number, you can use it on your 1040 income tax form as a deduction. That’s right, every dollar paid in interest on the mortgage is a deduction and can lower your gross income. By lowering the gross income, not only does it mean you can reach a lower tax bracket and pay a smaller tax rate, but you’ll also have a considerably smaller tax amount due in the first place based on that lower gross income.
As can be seen, the tax benefits of a mortgage are one of the benefits of having a mortgage in the first place. Although simply owning a home in the first place is the biggest plus, the tax benefits are a nice addition to that. They are an incentive that many people reluctant to look into a home and mortgages should consider. After all, you will be happy down the line when you have built up a healthy amount of equity.

Read More

Online mortgage quote: Why You May Not Be Getting The Best Rate

While shopping online for online mortgage quote can be great in terms of saving time and convenience, it won’t necessarily get you the best deals available. What you save depends to a great extent on the way you negotiate with lenders for the online mortgage quote. Like with any negotiation, you get the upper hand when you are knowledgeable about how the industry works.
One of the main precautions to take on when looking for online mortgage quotes is to ensure that the brokers you deal with represent several different lending institutes and therefore can offer you a good variety of options. Beware of brokers who are merely lender agents in disguise. If a broker represents only one bank or lender, there is a great likelihood that you will not be offered the online mortgage quote that is most suitable for your needs.
In devising consumer protection laws for online mortgage quotes and increasing convenience, states have ultimately ended up having an adverse impact on competition, apart from making online mortgage costs higher than necessary.
Explaining The Costs
Most states do not require online mortgage businesses to have a brick and mortar presence. However about one third of all states make this a mandatory requirement. Due to this, the expenses increase. Laws of this nature have prevented mortgage brokers from being exclusively online and offering much lower rates.
It is mostly the existing brick and mortar mortgage brokers who are the blame for the laws in a bid to minimize competition. The laws have also led to a multi-state licensing system due to which national mortgage firms with a presence in all states get an unfair online advantage over the competition. These companies don’t have to put in money into costly infrastructure apart from enjoying lower transaction costs and can therefore offer lower rates to consumers.
The Bottom Line
The reality is that the online companies who face compulsion to bear the costs of renting offices, employing a workforce and infrastructure and equipment which they would otherwise not require, choose to avoid doing business in that particular state altogether.
The end result is that it is the consumer who is eventually at a disadvantage. Their options are limited further for sources of capital and the competition among lenders is also less intense.

Read More

Remortgage to Restart the Mortgage Cycle on Fresh Terms

Remortgage or refinance is a right that lenders of the yesteryear were afraid to offer to borrowers. In fact, remortgage was severely prohibited through clauses such as early repayment penalty. The logic was that by refinancing the borrowers were actually paying off the mortgage earlier. In this manner, the lenders lost a large amount in the form of interest.
Borrowers flinched at the early repayment penalty, but they continued with their demand to exercise the right to refinance. Loan providers accepted the fact that it will not be an easy task to continue binding the borrowers. Now the right is easily exercisable, except for a few loan providers who continue to include such outdated clauses in the mortgage contract.
Remortgage or refinance takes place when a borrower approaches a mortgage lender with a bargain to repay the existing mortgage. In exchange, the borrower takes up a new mortgage on fresh terms. The new mortgage may not necessarily benefit the borrower with cash. Different people will use remortgage option for different ends.
Cash will result particularly when the borrower has remortgaged to draw extra cash. In this form of remortgage, the borrower requests the loan provider to draw a new mortgage with the unpaid value of the existing mortgage and certain amount of cash. Since this method allows access to cash at a very low rate of interest, many people use this option, especially those who are cash short.
What others do is use remortgage as a debt consolidation option. Instead of drawing a part of the new mortgage as cash, people will include their debts into the existing mortgage. The new mortgage lender repays the debts along with the existing mortgage. Resources at the rate of mortgage when used for debt consolidation save several pounds of the borrower in terms of interest.
For people who are not lured by features like extra cash and debt consolidation, will find improvement in interest rate a good enough feature to take the dip, or go for remortgage. Taking a new mortgage on fresh terms means that a new interest rate regime will become functional. Mortgages taken years back will find the present interest rates very cheap. Remortgage will be viewed as a step to incorporate the present interest rates in the monthly repayments. Switching over to the new interest rates can bring down monthly repayments.
Search for alternative methods of repayment and other features that are missing in a traditional mortgage leads people to take up mortgages like interest only mortgage, pension mortgage, endowment mortgage, etc. The only drawback of an interest only mortgage is that a very large sum is required to be repaid at the end of the term. Instead of creating a repayment vehicle to repay the mortgage, it will be more beneficial to remortgage the existing mortgage, to give it a character similar to the traditional mortgages.
Mortgage refinancing or remortgage must be distinguished from a second mortgage. While there is a change of mortgage lender and mortgage terms in the case of refinance; second mortgage simply requires an inclusion of an extra debt in the existing mortgage. The mortgagor requests the existing mortgage holder to either offer cash or repay some debts. This sum is included in the existing mortgage and repaid through increased monthly instalments. Therefore, there is no change of mortgage lender and mortgage terms in case of second mortgage.
Remortgage helps to take advantage of the increase in equity in home. Loan providers welcome the boost in equity by offering a greater value of mortgage. Remortgage is also beneficial to people who have improved their credit status after taking the existing mortgage. As we all know, credit status has enough bearing on the terms at which mortgage is lent. A bad credit score at the time of taking mortgage will result in the borrower getting mortgage at expensive terms. Now, with an improvement in credit status, the borrower can demand a better term mortgage from another mortgage lender.
Remortgage is not without drawbacks. The most visible drawback is that repayment extends for another long period. The borrower needs to again spend on several fees like property valuation fees, legal fees, and administration and arrangement fees. This is excluding the early repayment penalty that some lenders will include for premature settlement of accounts.
The remortgage decision must be taken with sufficient prudence. There have been instances when borrowers have fallen trap to bad deal mortgages in order to escape an existing taxing mortgage. The key to a best deal mortgage is being informed. Independent financial advisors need to be consulted before taking the remortgage decision.

Read More

Subprime Hybrid Mortgages

Subprime hybrid mortgages offer temporarily low rates for borrowers while they work to rebuild their credit. With a sub-prime hybrid mortgage, you don’t have to pay PMI, saving hundreds a year. After two or three years of on time payments, you can then refinance for conventional mortgage rates.
Hybrid Mortgage Basics
Since so many people refinance their home loans after they have reestablished their credit, lenders created a mortgage to offer maximum flexibility for borrowers. Hybrid mortgages are typically 1.5% lower than a conventional loan for the first two or three years, depending on your mortgage terms. After that, the rated becomes adjustable, rising and falling based on indexes.
Lenders usually require a prepayment fee if the mortgage is paid off before two or three years. Since most borrowers use this period to establish good credit, the fee isn’t a problem for most. You may also be able to waive the fee by paying a point upon the loan’s settlement.
A hybrid mortgage also allows you to borrow more than with a fixed rate mortgage since your monthly payments are lower. You may also decide to increase your down payment to lower your rate or increase the amount you qualify to borrow.
Hybrid Mortgage Lenders
Hybrid mortgages are offered by conventional and sub-prime lenders. Rates, fees, and terms will vary with each lender. In order to find the best financing package, you should request quotes from several lenders before making a decision.
Typically online financing companies waive or reduce fees, so they are well worth checking out. You can also request quotes from traditional companies through their websites. Online mortgage brokers also make comparison shopping easy by offering several side by side quotes.
Refinancing Options
After you have had your hybrid for at least two years, you should begin shopping to refinance your mortgage. If you are planning to move within seven years, an adjustable rate mortgage may offer you the lowest rate. If you plan to stay put, a fixed rate mortgage can guarantee you a low rate over the course of your loan.
As with a sub-prime loan, compare lenders and finance packages to find the best deal.

Read More

The Perils of Plastic

Millions of credit card borrowers are about to face larger monthly payments, a change that represents both good news and bad for consumers.
Under new guidelines suggested by the federal government, starting in January minimum monthly payments for credit card debt will generally increase. Many mortgage lenders will no longer require payments equal to 2 percent of the debt, an amount that includes interest and fees. Instead most will now require a payment equal to 1 percent of the debt plus fees, interest and charges. Altogether, the new payment will be more than 2 percent of the borrower''s outstanding debt in many cases.
This is the good news. The higher monthly payments will reduce overall interest costs and force people to borrow less with credit cards.
The bad news? It will reduce the ability of many consumers to obtain a mortgage.
According to the most recent Federal Reserve report, we now have $799.1 billion dollars in outstanding credit card debt. That''s about $2,681.54 per person: For a household with four people, average credit card debt amounts to almost $10,750.
Such debt would not be a problem if it were offset by equally robust savings. Unfortunately, the Bureau of Economic Analysis says our saving percentage was -.2 percent in both October and November. Instead of putting money away, in those two months alone we spent $37.4 billion more than we earned.
Credit card financing is unsecured debt -- a form of financing that''s especially risky for mortgage lenders. More risk means higher interest, and in the case of credit cards interest rates between 18 and 28 percent are well known.

Let''s imagine a household with $10,000 in credit card debt. Imagine also that the interest rate is a modest 18 percent and that a monthly repayment equal to 2 of the outstanding balance is required. If you borrowed no more this loan would take 7.8 years to repay and interest over time would amount to $8,622. Increase the required monthly payment to 4 percent, the same debt could be repaid in 2.7 years and interest would amount to $2,628 -- a plump savings of almost $6,000.
The new repayment standards for credit cards will reduce credit card debt for millions -- but the higher minimum payments will also impact mortgage applications.
When mortgage lenders look at mortgage applications they consider many financial issues. Of particular interest is what borrowers spend each month, spending divided into two general categories: Housing expenses and consumer expenses.
Housing expenses are typically seen as mortgage interest and principal plus property taxes and insurance -- "PITI" in lender jargon. Consumer expenses include PITI plus such things as required monthly payments for credit card bills, auto payments, student loan pay, etc.
Expenses are described as a percentage of monthly income. If your household has a monthly income of $8,000 and monthly PITI is $2,240 then your "front" ratio is 28 percent. If overall required expenses are $2,880 then the "back" ratio is 36 percent. Overall, lenders would say the ratios are "28/36."
As it happens, to qualify for given mortgage loan programs you must meet certain front and back ratios. The ratios for loan programs vary, so if you do not qualify for one program you may qualify for others. For instance, there are different ratios for conventional loans (28/36), FHA financing (29/41) and VA loans (effectively 41/41). Adjustable rate mortgages often use 33/38 ratios while other loans have even more liberal standards, some with a back ratio above 50.
Now go back to the new payment standards for credit cards. If your required monthly payment goes from $200 to $280, that''s good for reducing credit card debt -- but your monthly required payment has increased. For instances, monthly expenses may go from $2,880 to $2,960. No a big deal in terms of cash or in the cost of a household with a monthly income of $8,000, but now the "back" ratio is 37 percent.
Whoops. That higher credit card payment means some borrowers will no longer qualify for certain mortgages. They monthly costs are above the guidelines.
What to do?
First, start with the realization that paying non-deductible, high-cost credit card charges is not a magical path to great wealth. To get the best possible mortgage, and to simply save more money, reduce credit card use.
* Look at your credit situation and get rid of credit cards you don''t use and don''t need. Keep one for emergencies.
* Speak with underwriters. Ask if it is possible to get an "exception" to the guidelines.
* Start saving. People save enormous sums of money with such basic steps as putting aside all singles found in their wallet at the end of the day or all coins in their pockets. Eat-in more often, bring lunch to work, keep safe cars longer and cut back on fashion and frills.
* If you have credit cards, always make full and timely payments and keep balances at zero.
* Instead of credit cards, use debit cards -- with a debit card you''re simply using money already in your checking account. Using cash on hand instead of credit means you''re likely to buy less.
* Get over-draft protection (a line of credit) for your checking account or link savings to checking accounts. Both can help prevent over-drafts and excess fees.
So the next time you pull out that credit card think about your real goal -- a new sweater or a new fireplace, a fancy dinner or a better kitchen, higher monthly payments or less. In no time it will be easy to keep the plastic out of sight and out of mind.

Read More

Zero Down Mortgage - Tips On Getting Approved

Zero down home financing is about getting rid of the obstacle of closing costs. You can trade in your rent payment for a house payment without paying thousands at closing. Before you start enjoying the benefits of home ownership, make sure you follow these tips to get approved for the best rates.
Check Your Credit Report
Annually checking your credit report is a good idea, especially if you are applying for new credit. Make sure that all your information is correct. If there are mistakes, get them fixed. Otherwise, you could be paying thousands in interest charges.
While looking at your accounts, keep your debt to a minimum. A high debt to income ratio can disqualify your for a zero down loan. Also make sure the debt you do have is spread over multiple accounts rather than maxing out one account.
Increase Your Cash Reserves
Cash reserves settle lender’s nerves. So you might consider liquidating stocks or other assets when applying for a mortgage. At a minimum, lenders like to see at least two month’s worth of payments as liquid assets. You do have the option of reinvesting those funds after the loan has been completed.
Look For The Right Lender
Not all lenders will look at your application in the same way. Each company has their own lending criteria. So start your search by requesting loan estimates from several financial institutions. You can start with a mortgage broker site or go directly to the lender.
There are several definitions of zero down home financing. It could mean no down payment or a rolled in closing costs. There are even home loans with no closing costs. Check loan quotes and their fine print to find the financing that best meets your financial goals.
Always Other Options
There are other options to avoid a down payment. One option is to get two mortgages to finance your home’s purchase. The other option is to put money down, but then turn around and take out a home equity loan. This option usually helps you avoid paying PMI.
Don’t rush into any mortgage. Research the numbers and choose what works best for you and your budget.

Read More

What Is A Mortgage Calculator?

A mortgage calculator is a wonderful tool that you should use anytime you are considering the purchase of a home. Because a home is likely to be the largest and most costly of investments that you make, it is ideal for you to insure that you get the best outcome for your home loan. You should carefully compare many of the things that you will find offered from the lenders out there. You should do this with the use of these tools as it will help you to see the wide range of benefits you can have. Why pay a home loan lender more for the same product that another is offering at a much lower rate?
<b>How Does It Work?</b>
How does this tool work for you then? A mortgage calculator will provide you with a wide range of information. First, you will be inputting some information about the loan that you are looking at. It will take the terms of the potential loan, the interest rate of it, as well as the fees that are involved and will spit out all sorts of valuable information for you. Now, one thing that is important to remember here is that it does not collect any of your personal information. That means that you will not have to worry about being trapped into a loan or that there will be endless people calling you.
<b>What Will It Tell You?</b>
The mortgage calculator will tell you many things, actually. First, it will tell you what you will pay for the entire home if you do not pay it off early. This number can be very big and frightening. Next, it will tell you what the monthly payment for your home loan will be. This is a great tool to use to compare how much of a home you can afford by this number too. It will then give you what is called an amortization schedule. This will provide you with an idea of where your monthly payment will go. In most home loans, the first several years a larger percentage of your monthly payment will go towards interest than it will the principal. Looking at this can tell you how much interest you will pay as well.
Now, there are many benefits to using this tool. First off, you can easily see if you can afford a loan that large, or perhaps even look for a little more. You can see what the interest charges will be as well as the total cost of the loan. Take this information and use it to compare several different types of loans as well. In fact, you can easily use the mortgage calculator to compare the various loans offered by various companies as well.
All in all, this is a tool that is ideal to use. There is no charge for using it. You should never have to pay to use it and there is no obligation to use the company that is providing the tool either. Finally, you can find a mortgage calculator offered on many of the websites of lenders.

Read More

Subprime Mortgages – Information

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard the radio commercial claiming you can get a mortgage despite having bad credit. Bad credit mortgages are better known as subprime mortgages.
Subprime
“Subprime” is a euphemism for a borrower who simply doesn’t qualify for a traditional home mortgage.  Subprime loans used to be very difficult to get, but things changed in the 1990’s. Banks began to realize there were a lot of borrowers with less than stellar credit or other problems. More borrowers meant more revenues, so banks started creating subprime mortgages and the game was on. As a result of these new loans, home ownership in the United States has risen to all time highs.
One of the biggest determinants in qualifying for a loan is your credit score. A borrower’s credit history is analyzed using a “FICO” score, named after Fair Isaac and Company, Inc. Generally, a FICO score below 620 is considered an indication of bad credit. The borrower is then classified as a subprime borrower.
Importantly, a FICO score below 620 is not the only reason a person may be classified as subprime. An infrequent borrowing history, new employment position or expensive home may also key the designation. In fact, nearly 50 percent of subprime borrowers have FICO scores above 620.
When a lender writes a mortgage, it is betting on whether the borrower will repay the loan completely and in a timely manner. The better your credit score, employment history and so, the better deal you will get from the lender. Obviously, subprime borrowers aren’t going to get the best deal. Instead, a lender may require a larger down payment and will certainly designate a higher interest rate than given to “good” borrowers.  In addition, subprime borrowers may have to pay points just to get the loan.
The trade off of all of this, of course, is that you get a loan to buy a home. Home ownership has consistently proved to be one of the best long-term investments in the United States. While Americans are criticized for failing to save money, they are effectively doing so by purchasing homes and building equity in them.
Should you apply for a subprime loan if you have less than stellar credit or other problems? There is no right answer, so you should consider sitting down with an independent mortgage broker to analyze your situation.

Read More

Refinanced Your Home – Claim a Tax Deduction For Points

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.

Read More

Mortgages. Big Changes In The Buying And Selling Of Houses.

On June 1 st 2007, the law concerning the buying and selling of houses changes. From that date onwards everyone who wants to sell a house has firstly to prepare a Home Information Pack (HIP).
And if you don't? You're in the frame for a £200 fine! It's also probable that estate agents will also insist on you having the Pack ready by the time they put your home on the market. Certainly, buyers' solicitors won't do a thing until you provide the Pack. All in all, you don't have an option – you'll have to go along with the law.
So what has to go in the Pack?
The Government has yet to confirm the final details but at the moment, it proposes that your Pack must include the following information:
Search results from H.M. Land Registry
Replies to anticipated initial enquiries – these are the currently raised by the buyer's solicitor
Copies of any planning, listed building and building regulations consents and approvals. If you don't have these, you'll need copies from your Local Planning Authority
And for new properties, copies of building warranties, electrical test certificates, and any other warranties or guarantees attaching to the property.
A draft sale contract
It is also proposed that the Pack should contain two items currently obtained by the buyer:
A professional independent survey of the property called a Home Condition Report. This is expected to be mid-level survey like the current Homebuyer Survey and will offer far more information than a lender's valuation report – but the Government has yet to announce the details. However, it seems likely that the Report will have to comment on the property's state of repair, it's energy conservation efficiency, the number and type of rooms and parking arrangements. Both buyers and sellers will have a legal right to rely on this Report and there'll be no need for buyers to obtain their own reports or surveys. We expect lenders to make their own valuations as they do now, but they'll want to maximise the use of the new Home Condition Report to improve their valuations and cut costs to consumers.
Replies to searches made of the Local Authority

In addition, if the property is leasehold:
A copy of the lease
The most recent service charge accounts and receipts
Details of the building's insurance and receipts for the premiums paid.
And finally, any regulations made by the management company or landlord
And how much is all this going to cost? The Government believes that t he Pack is likely to cost sellers around £825 including VAT. But they claim these are not additional costs.
The Government make the following points:
The HIP transfers responsibility for obtaining local searches and a home condition report from the buyer to the seller. But since most sellers are also buyers, the costs will usually be balanced out by corresponding savings and benefits. We agree.
The Government also say that most sellers won't have to pay up front for the pack. We very much doubt that. Someone is going to have to pay and we doubt whether solicitors or estate agents will pay upfront on behalf of the seller. The seller is going to have to fork out as soon as the property is put up for sale. Some commentators predict that this will act as a brake on properties coming to the market. We think that it will dissuade all but the committed sellers – those simply wanting to test the market will probably back off. In practice this will be a good thing, but we agree that it will reduce the amount of property on the market.
The Government believes that market forces will keep down the prices for preparing Home Condition Reports and Home Information Packs. We aren't so confident about this. It very much depends on how estate agents and solicitors adapt the pricing within their fee structures. Expect some very creative pricing, especially from estate agents! It's certainly going to pay you to shop around for a good deal.
Every year around 30% of agreed house sales fall through. The cost? At least £350 million each year! It's the Government's hope that the Home Information Packs will greatly the numbers falling through and avoid much of these wasted costs. We won't argue against that but the National Association of Estate Agents disagree with us.
They think the new Packs will simply shift the existing problems from the middle of the selling process to the beginning. Other commentators believe that HIPs will do nothing to reduce gazumping or indeed, the tricks employed by some of the less reputable estate agents.
Our general view is that if the packs help to identify problems before everyone starts incurring cost and instructing solicitors, then surely that's for the better? We say better to have problems out in the open at the start than stumble upon them half way through the selling process.
We just hope that all these changes in the buying and selling houses don't result in a bureaucratic nightmare. Over 7,500 inspectors will be needed to carry out the new Home Condition Reports and getting them all trained, qualified and registered in time may yet prove to be that fly in the ointment!

Read More

Locating a Down Payment

Locating a Down Payment
If you are a saver, and many of you are, than the need to locate a down payment will not be an issue for you.
But there are also many of us out there that have not had the luxury to save as much as we would have liked for various reasons. With this challenge at hand, we will need to track down a source for a down payment.
If you have excellent credit, and when I say excellent, I mean your credit history is perfect without a blemish on it, you will most likely be able to apply for a mortgage with 100% financing, if you choose to go that route.
A lot of lenders offer this product, and if you can swing it, than you won’t need to come up with any cash for a down payment, and you will only be responsible for closing costs.
If you are unable to go with 100% financing, here are a few ideas you might look into to come up with a down payment.
Retirement Plans
If your employer offers a retirement plan such as a 401k, you might want to consider borrowing from it to help out with your down payment. Most 401k plans offer this option for home purchasing reasons. You do however have to pay this money back on a monthly basis.
The down side to using a 401k plan is that when you pay the loan back, you are doing it with after tax dollars.
With that being said, it is still worth looking into, and a lot of people consider this option.
Family
When all else fails, ask family members to give you a helping hand. This is not an uncommon practice among newlyweds who often approach their parents for assistance with their down payment.
If this is not for you, I understand. It can be tough to swallow your pride and approach family members to help you out.
Save
If you are at the end of your rope, and there doesn’t seem to be any down payment money in sight. You just might have to bight the bullet, start saving, and wait it out.
A great way to jump start your savings is with your tax return money. Depending on what your return is and what percentage the lender requires you to put down, your tax return could have you in the door sooner than you think.

Read More

Home Equity Loans The Best 2nd Mortgage for Financing Home Improvements

Tired of looking at those avocado green kitchen appliances?  The wood paneling and shag in your family room?  The worn fiberglass tub enclosure in the guest bath?  Home improvement is sweeping the country.  Approximately half of fixer-uppers are do-it-yourself, while the other half is contractor driven.
So how do you decide when to move or stay around, when a home remodel is a good idea or not?
“The American Homeowner Foundation estimates the total cost of moving to be at least 10 percent of your home's current value. In other words, if you can make things right with your home for less than 10 percent of what you could sell it for, it makes sense to stay put and fix it up.”
There’s a couple of ways for you to start the transformation of your home.  If you have enough equity built up for the total cost of the project, a traditional home equity loan might work for you.  Benefits of home equity loans often include a better interest rate.  You might even lower your mortgage payment while increasing the value of your home.
For the do-it-yourselfer working toward several small projects, a home equity line of credit allows flexibility.  The lender basically sets up a line of credit based upon the equity in your home.  The, issues you checks or a credit card to draw from the account as you need the cash.
Simply make sure refinancing your home makes financial sense says Lori Vella a senior banking executive.  "Improving your home is almost always a smart investment, especially in this rate environment. Just make sure you'll be in the home long enough to recoup the cost of refinancing," says Vella.
A 2004 survey by Remodeling Magazine compares construction costs to likely return on investment (ROI) at resale.  RM sent surveys to 20,000 appraisers, sales agents, and brokers.  Those industry insiders generating 356 responses (a 1.78% response rate). 
The RM survey shows minor kitchen remodels do the best, returning 92.9 percent of your investment, followed closely by new siding at 92.8 percent.  The survey also lists bathrooms, attic bedrooms, deck additions and family or sun room add-ons as lucrative investments.  Most of those remodels returned 80% to 90% for the home owners.
A home remodel is one of the best ways to improve the value of your home.  Financially speaking, a home-equity loan could allow you to lower your mortgage payment, lower your interest rate, and when the remodel is said and done add thousands of dollars to your net worth.
Don’t forget to check with your local utility company if you want to improve the energy efficiency of your home.  Most offer an energy efficient mortgage program.
If purchasing a fixer-upper is what you looking to do.  HUD has a 203(k) program designed to finance both the purchase of the home and the remodel costs in one easy mortgage.  Most mortgage lenders offer access to the HUD 203(k) program.

Read More

Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac Mortgage Loans - Conforming Loans Provide Low Interest Rates

Conforming loans provide low interest rates since they are almost guaranteed to be purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which allows more funds to be available for borrowers. However, these corporations have terms, such as maximum loan, that limit how much you can borrow. If you don’t meet their terms, you will need to apply for a non-conventional loan with slightly higher interest rates.
Loan Purchasers
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are stockholder owned companies that purchase mortgages, package them into securities, and then resells them to investors. This allows banks and other financing companies to lend to more customers since their capital is not tied up in long-term loans.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have strict requirements for purchasing loans. Basically, they want to reduce their risk level so they put a cap on loan amounts, credit score, income level, and down payment.
Conforming Loan Amounts
Each year Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac create new guidelines for loan amounts. In 2005, a mortgage limit for a single-family dwelling is $359,650. Limits for multiple family dwelling are significantly higher, roughly an additional $100,000 per family. Maximum loan amounts are also 50% higher in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands since property prices are higher.
Second mortgages also have their limit. In 2005 the limit was $179,825, but the total mortgaged amount of both loans could not exceed $359,650. As with first mortgages, second mortgages can also be 50% higher in designated areas.
Non-Conforming Loans
There are other loan options if you don’t qualify for a conforming loan. If you need to borrow more than the maximum conforming loan amount, then you will want to apply for a jumbo loan. Because these types of loans are handled on a smaller scale, their rates are slightly higher than a conforming loan.
If you have poor credit or little down payment, you can use a subprime lender who specialized in lending to B/C type loans. You can expect to pay higher rates with these lenders, but many offer favorable terms. To find the best deal and to avoid scams, you must research your lender. Compare rates and terms until you find a favorable financing package.

Read More

Buying Mortgage Leads: Tips for Internet Mortgage Loan & Refinance Leads

Small mortgage companies must determine the most cost-effective way to market their services. There are different options to acquire mortgage leads. The options are direct source leads, internet leads from their own web site, newspaper advertising, and third party online leads or mortgage brokers.
Mortgage lenders may receive leads directly from Internet companies such as Lending Tree or mortgage companies who bundle and sell leads, such as leadpoint.com. Lending Tree markets their internet leads directly to mortgage institutions that must compete with 4 or 5 other mortgage institutions for the mortgage loans. Lending tree advertises that they represent 9 out of the top 10 financial institutions.
Leadingplanet.com sells their Internet leads to mortgage brokers. They advertise that they provide thousands of mortgage professionals with fresh leads each month and their primary goal is to provide cost effective leads that will increase borrower fundings.  According to Claudio Perida, "leads are the blood to our loans.  In order for me to be consistent and productive, I need a reliable source of mortgage leads."
Internet mortgage sites offer to sell bundles of mortgages by type to brokers or financial institutions directly. The loans are bundled into groups of 25 by type, purchase leads; refinance leads, debt consolidation leads, second mortgage leads, home equity leads, etc. One site listed 18 different type leads.
The cost of a bundle of 25 mortgage leads varied from $125 - $150. A single bundle at the lower price would cost $3,125 and all 18 bundles would run $56,250.
The same leads can be sold over and over again. The broker buying the leads must find a company willing to close on the mortgage.

Some lending institutions have set up web site to market leads directly. This is significant as more and more borrowers are turning to the Internet in their search for lenders. In order to get the most bang for their advertising buck, small companies must carefully research all of the options available and chose the one most suited for their needs.

Read More

Beware of Mortgage Redemption Fees

Recent research by the Moneyfacts mortgage team has highlighted an alarming increase in the number of mortgage providers who have increased their redemption fees.
In the twelve months to 31 March 2005, 53 providers have upped their redemption penalty, 23 of which have increased by over 100%. Some examples of the higher fees are Alliance & Leicester increasing their fee from £195 to £295, Cheltenham & Gloucester from £100 to £225 and The Royal Bank of Scotland from £75 to £225.
With the mortgage market as competitive as it has ever been and with interest margins being eroded, lenders are increasing these fees to try to recoup some of this lost revenue but also to try to deter customers from switching their mortgage.
The redemption fee, also known as a discharge fee, deeds fee, exit fee or sealing fee, is basically an administration fee that you will have to pay when you repay your mortgage or move your mortgage from your existing lender. When these fees are increased, it is important to remember that they don’t just apply to new applicants, but also to the many thousands of existing customers with the lenders concerned.
Darren Cook, Head of Mortgages at Moneyfacts comments: “If you are only looking at keeping your mortgage with the same provider for a couple of years, a £295 exit fee certainly needs to be taken into account when shopping around. With 42 providers having an exit fee of less than £100 and 16 with no fee at all, it is worth weighing up the impact of these lower fees, not just the interest rates.”

Read More

Bad Credit Home Loan Mortgage Services – 3 Crucial Things To Watch Out For

When you are seeking out bad credit home loan mortgage services, there are 3 crucial things to watch out for. Predatory lenders are common among bad credit home loan lenders so it’s important to watch for signs of a shady lender.
However, if you take your time and pay attention to details, you will be able to find the best mortgage services for your individual financial situation.
Choose a Reputable Lender – Be sure that you are dealing with a reputable company. There are things that should put your guard up right away. Watch to see if the broker is aggressively pursuing the opportunity to give you a loan – particularly if they contact you first – beware. The old adage does apply, and if they offer services or terms that seem too good, and do not conform to the norm, watch out. Carefully research those offering bad credit home loans, checking up on their business reputations and getting a feel for what services and terms are typical.
Read The Fine Print - The next of the 3 crucial things to watch out for has to due with having a clear understanding of the terms and conditions offered by those providing bad credit home loan mortgage services. There are many predatory lenders out there and understanding how they operate will help you to steer clear of them. Outrageously high interest rates and fees, balloon payments – a large lump sum due at the end of the agreement – and a loan amount that is based on the value of the house, rather than on your income are just a few of the signs that you may be entering into a predatory loan, one in which they are betting on profiting from your failure, one that they helped to design.
Try To Stay Logical - Perhaps the most important of the 3 crucial things to watch out for, the one that will help you to avoid the vast majority of the negative experiences that can happen when making use of bad credit home loan mortgage services, is your own desire. Be careful that your desire to own a house does not override your common sense, making you vulnerable to predatory lenders. Honestly assess your income and what you can afford, being sure to leave room for the unexpected – such as temporary unemployment due to sickness or layoff. Leave some room in your budget for savings that may carry you through a temporary difficulty.
As long as you invest time and effort in careful research of potential providers of bad credit home loan mortgage services and keep these 3 crucial things to watch out for in mind, the odds are that you will find the right services for you. Bad credit home loan mortgage services can help you achieve your goal of homeownership. Being aware of the 3 crucial things to watch out for can help you to make loan agreements that will let you keep that home you’ve worked so hard to buy.

Read More

Bad Credit But Need A Mortgage ?

Bad Credit Mortgage
Bad credit mortgage loans are meant especially for the people who are suffering with bad credit. Bad credit mortgages or sub-prime mortgages are becoming more common in today's challenging credit environment and many of the mortgage lenders are now offering very competitive mortgage products to cater for this growing market trend.  Change your Life for the Better Bad credit mortgage loans are the loans that are given out to those people with bad credit who can put up a mortgage as a security against the loan.  Bad credit mortgage loans have now become the most favored loans.  Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to make sure your bad credit mortgage loan is a blessing, not a curse.  Some bad credit mortgage loans carry a pre-payment penalty, so make sure your loan doesn't have one.  If you need a bad credit mortgage, then you should find out all the facts before you commit to anything. What's the difference between a bad credit mortgage and a standard mortgage. In essence, a bad credit mortgage is very similar to a standard mortgage.  When you choose a bad credit mortgage, you need to be sure that you can meet the required terms; if you can show that you are making regular payments as agreed with the lender, it could help your credit rating.  Although the bad credit mortgage market is much smaller than the main mortgage market, it can still seem complicated.  A bad credit mortgage broker will have a comprehensive knowledge of all the products on the market and will be able to look at your circumstances to see which products might suit you best.  If you have extensive credit card debts, have been declared bankrupt, had a County Court Judgement (CCJ) against you or have had a mortgage application declined in the past, you should ask about a bad credit mortgage from you mortgage broker because you will probably not be approved for a regular mortgage. You'll be able to learn the right way to go about borrowing in the most effective way where bad credit mortgage loans are concerned and all that you need to be prepared for when seeking sub prime financing resources.
Mortgage Industry
The mortgage industry is experiencing a countrywide credit crunch that has tightened the guidelines for most mortgage lenders, but some are always working with crusading financial institutions that find ways to release new home equity and mortgage refinance programs to the consumers who need it most.  That is why you need to ask your mortgage broker exactly what kind of programs he has available for you if your credit score is below 500. If he cannot help you with your refinance or getting you a bad credit mortgage there are other hungry loan officers out there looking for your business.
The smarts thing you can do is refinance your 1st. and 2nd mortgage and pay off your bills and credit card debt, Bad credit mortgage loans can be used for purchasing, or refinancing the equity on your home.  This is a very popular option and is also a good way for homeowners to take equity out of their home and get some cash back for spending on other projects or just to clear bad debt, especially if you have mortgage arrears And if you have enough equity so that your new loan is for less than 80% of your home’s value, you’ll be able to stop paying Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), which will save you even more.  Get approved for home equity line for cash out for home improvements Re-establish your credit by refinancing your mortgage & loans Stated income and no-doc loans for salaried or self employed are possible.
Bad Credit Mortgage rates
This credit management strategies can help you make the most of a new loan opportunity, minimizing past damage to your credit and building a strong financial future.  The loan you get will carry a higher rate of interest and will have higher closing fees.  It is advisable to check the rates with a few bad credit lenders and compare.  Even though you have to pay a higher rate, see that the one you settle at is reasonable and the most favorable.  At present interest rates are low so try and get the best deal.  You can always wait a while, improve your credit score and then get a loan at a low rate of interest.  The actual rate available will depend upon your circumstances. Make sure that you do not fall into the trap of getting ridiculously high interest rates, and poor repayment this options certainly do not favor your credit problemsr.  Talk to a financial advisor about the local conditions, and see if he or she can give you any guidance on the subject before your final pick.

Read More

Adjustable Rate Mortgage

The adjustable rate mortgage is a type of loan which will be secured on a home which has an interest rate and monthly payment that will vary. The adjustable rate will transfer a portion of the interest rate from the creditor to the homeowner. The adjustable rate mortgage will often be used in situations where fixed rate loans are hard to acquire. While the borrower will be at an advantage if the interest rate falls, they will be at a disadvantage if it rises. In places like the United Kingdom, this is a very common type of mortgage, while it is not popular in other countries.
The adjustable rate mortgage is excellent for homeowners who only plan to live in their homes for about three years. The interest rate will typically be low for the first three to seven years, but will begin to fluctuate after this time. Like other mortgage options, this loan allows the homeowner to pay on the principle early, and they don't have to worry about penalties. When payments are made on the principle, it will help lower the total amount of the loan, and will reduce the time that is necessary to pay it off. Many homeowners choose to pay off the entire loan once the interest rate drops to a very low level, and this is called refinancing.
One of the disadvantages to adjustable rate mortgages is that they are often sold to people who are not experienced in dealing with them. These individuals will not pay back the loans within three to seven years, and will be subjected to fluctuating interest rates, which often rise substantially. In the US, some of these cases are tried as predatory loans. There are a number of things consumers can do to protect themselves from rising interest rates. A maximum interest rate cap can be set which will only allow interest rates to rise at a specific amount each year, or the interest rate can be locked in for a specific period of time. This will give the homeowner time to increase their income so that they can make larger payments on the principle.
The primary advantage of this loan is that it lowers the cost of borrowing money for the first few years. Homeowners will save money on monthly payments, and it is excellent for those who plan on moving into a new home within the first seven years. However, there are risks to this type of mortgage that must be understood. If the owner has problems making payments, or runs into a financial emergency, the rates will eventually rise, and the owner who cannot make payments may lose their home.
One term that you will hear lenders talking about is caps. The cap can be defined as a clause that will set the highest change possible for the interest rate of the loan. Homeowners can set up a cap on their mortgage, but they will need to make a request from the lender, as the cap may not be present on the rate sheets that are presented.

Read More

1st And 2nd Mortgage Refinance Loan

Refinancing a first and second mortgage requires some extra considerations. Depending on your equity, you may find that combining the two mortgages results in a higher interest rate. You may also find that you have to carry PMI with the refinanced mortgage.
Will Refinancing Benefit You?
Refinancing two mortgages allows you to consolidate your loans into one payment, often lowering your monthly bill. You may also find lower rates under the right circumstances.
Those with a large amount of equity benefit most from consolidating loans since they qualify for the lowest rates. It is important to look at interest savings, not just monthly numbers which can be misleading.
However, if you have less than 25% equity, you may end up qualifying for higher rates. With less than 20% equity, you will also have to pay for private mortgage insurance. Even with these factors, you may still find that you will save money by refinancing.
Have You Done Your Research?
To see if refinancing makes sense for you, research mortgage lenders. You can quickly go online and request quotes and terms. Look at the different offers, and work out the numbers. An online mortgage calculator can help you figure out monthly payments and interest costs.
An easy way to compare cost is to first add up your interest payments for both mortgages. Use this number to compare interest payments with each potential mortgage.
You also need to factor in the cost of refinancing. Just like with your original mortgage, you will have to pay fees and points. You want to be sure that you can recoup these costs with your interest savings.
Why Do You Want To Refinance Both Mortgages?
While refinancing both mortgages is convenient, you may decide to refinance only one or both separately. With your main mortgage, you can expect to get low rates.
A second mortgage will usually qualify for higher rates, but you can lock them in. You may also choose to convert from a line of credit to an actual mortgage. Again, you will want to investigate financial packages before signing up with a lender.

Read More

Drastic Move of Some Mortgage Rates

In the previous week's Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the short term mortgage rates that had been rising very sharply during the time of last few weeks suddenly fell slightly last week. Whereas the long term rates almost remained unchanged.

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage (FRM) moved up one basis point with 0.5 point from 6.45 percent to 6.46 percent with same 0.5 point. During the year of 2006, at this same time the average rate of 30 year fixed rate mortgage was 6.47 percent.

The 15 year fixed rate mortgage with 0.5 point averaged 6.15 percent. Hardly shifting from 6.12 percent with 0.5 point during the week ending in August 30. Previous year during this time the 15 year fixed rate mortgage was at 6.16 percent.

The 5-year Treasury indexed hybrid adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) had an average contract interest rate of 6.32 percent with 0.6 point, yet again just a very little change from the previous week when it running at a rate of 6.35 percent with 0.6 point. The current rate is 19 basis points higher compared to what it was at this same time of 2006.

The most dramatic change has been shown by the 1-year treasury indexed adjustable rate mortgage. After jumping 24 basis points to 5.84 percent with 0.8 point during the last week, the adjustable rate mortgage settled down and returned back 10 of those basis points, averaging 5.74 percent with 0.6 point.

Frank Nothaft, vice-president and chief economist of Freddie Mac said, "Over the past week, long term mortgage rates were largely unchanged as the most recent economic news showed smaller increases than had been expected." He explained it with the example of rise in the core personal consumption expenditure price index at an annualized rate of only 1.3 percent in the second quarter where as the July's consumer spending data has shown a 1.9 percent gain in the core price index for the 12 months ending in July.

In the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ended September 7 demonstrated a remarkable drop in the 30-year fixed rate mortgage, from 6.42 percent with 1.09 point to 6.25 percent with 1 point.

The average contract interest rate for the 15-year fixed rate mortgage also had a strong decrease to 5.9 percent with 1.03 points from 6.10 percent with 1.16 points. The short term 1-year ARM decreased to 6.34 percent from 6.52 percent with points remaining unchanged at 0.93.

The mortgage application volume increased 5.5 percent from the previous week on a seasonally adjusted basis, but was down 16.7 percent from that previous week and was up with a slight 0.1 percent from what it was in the earlier year during the same time.

As a share of total mortgage activity, refinancing is up by 0.7 percent. It is now 42.1 percent from 41.4 percent during the last week. However, the market share of adjustable rate mortgages is dropping down continuously from 13.2 percent the previous week to 12.6 percent this week.

Read More