Read the Fine Print of Mortgage Indemnity 100% Equity Loans
Indemnity is an insurance applied to equity loans, which covers
the lender in the event the borrower should default on the
repayments. The indemnity is usually applied when the home
equity is lower than the amount owed on the pending mortgage.
One hundred percent mortgage loans are often offered to
homeowners who have less equity against the balanced owed. Many
lenders will offer “90% loan to value,” which details an amount
of “90%” of the face value of the home. The 100% mortgage loans
are offered so that homebuyers can get 100% loan to value. These
loans are disturbing in one way, since the borrower is venturing
a higher risk of losing his home. These particular loans are
offered above the law, since the law stipulates that lenders are
not permitted to give more than 75% equity worth to borrowers.
However, lenders took a venture and have made waves in offering
such loans to specific groups, known as negative equity
borrowers.
It is important to understand loan details to avoid loss.
Lenders consider themselves at risk when lending money, but
rarely do they consider the potential loss to borrowers.
Therefore, make sure you do your research and learn more about
the loans available to you, including learning the APR,
deposits, mortgage repayments, and so on-and specifically the
terms and conditions of each loan offered. The terms and
conditions are vital to understand, because there are always
messages in the fine print that will significantly alter the
loan package.
If you have never taken out an equity loan previously, you will
need to consider a number of other things, including what your
best potential bargaining options are for each lender and
corresponding loan. If you do not consider these options, you
may easily be back into an unfavorable contract, which could
lead you to financial ruin.
About the author:
Emanuele Allenti is the owner of
http://www.incredible-equity-loans-do-exist.info and
http://www.incredible-equity-loans-in-us.info websites.
4 Ways To A Low Mortgage Interest Rate
It is natural to want the lowest possible interest rate on your mortgage loan. A lower interest rate gives a lower monthly payment or allows you to afford more house for the same monthly payment. Here are four quick ways to get a lower interest rate on your next mortgage loan.
1. Shorten The Term of Your Mortgage. Lenders charge lower interest rates for loans with shorter terms. For fixed mortgage loans, try a 20 year or 15 year term instead of the standard 30 year fixed rate. A 20 year term is often 1/8th of an interest rate lower while a 15 year term will save you up to 1/2 of an interest rate. The drawbacks include a higher monthly payment and stricter guidelines for underwriting, but the total interest paid over the life of the loan will be dramatically reduced with a shorter term.
For Fixed Period ARMs (loans that are fixed for 3, 5, 7, or 10 years), the lowest interest rate will again be found with the shorter term loans. The 5 Year Fixed Period ARM gives you a lower rate without a lot of risk of increasing interest rates if you reasonably think you will move or refinance within the next 5 years. Note: The average homeowner is currently moving or refinancing at least every three years.
2. Improve Your Credit. Lenders often offer lower rates for select customers with extremely good credit, especially on jumbo loan amounts (loan amount in excess of $400,000 – 2006 Conforming Loan Limit). To qualify, you will need a credit score of at least 780 – a mark achieved by less than 20% of all credit scored borrowers.
On the flip side, if your credit score is below 680, you may find yourself being charged a higher rate or not credit-qualified for the best programs. Similar credit score hurdles may exist at 520, 580, 620, etc. The key is to find out what your score is and then work to raise it to the next level to obtain lower interest rates or access to better loan programs.
3. Increase Your Down Payment (or Equity). One of the key parameters for loan pricing is the loan to value percentage (loan amount / home value) of your loan. Borrowers using 95% or 100% loan to value financing will find themselves paying a higher interest rate. If you have access to additional cash, find out if you can get a lower interest rate at 80% or 90% loan to value and use the different interest rates to determine the best use of your available funds.
If you are refinancing, getting cash out of your house above 70% loan to value will cost more than at under 70% loan to value and the interest rates really jump at 80% and 90% loan to value. As you are researching interest rates, be sure to ask about the interest rate for lower loan to value percentages.
4. Pay Discount Points. Always consider paying discount points, or higher fees, for a lower interest rate. One discount point, 1% of the loan amount or $1,000 per $100,000 borrowed, will give you a lower interest rate on any quoted mortgage program. You will need to analyze the cost of the lower interest rate against the monthly savings that the lower rate will bring for your mortgage payment.
If you pay $2,500 to lower the interest rate by 1/4% on a $250,000 loan, this will save you approximately $600 per year in interest expenses. If you plan to stay in your house for more than 4 years ($600 for 4 years), then paying a point to get a lower interest rate will benefit your pocketbook past year 4 for the remaining length of the mortgage loan.
About the Author
Chuck Aikens
VP, Internet Lending
Current Interest Rates
Greenwood Capital, LLC
7600 E Orchard Rd, #330-s
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
303-607-5306 Direct 866-582-0901 Toll Free 303-253-9516 Fax
My Mortgage Blog
Mortgages – Points and Interest Rates Go Hand in Hand
When it comes to mortgages, many people tend to look at points
and interest rates as to separate issues. In fact, they can
almost always be used as leverage against each other.
Points and Interest Rates
Two critical components of a home loan are the interest rate and
points charged at the outset. The interest rate is simply the
cost of borrowing the money and applies to the total amount
borrowed, to wit, six percent for example. The points on a home
loan are an up-front fee that equates to a percentage of the
loan. For instance, one point equates to an up-front fee equal
to one percent of the total loan value. Paying one point on a
$300,000 loan would equate to a fee of $3,000.
Many people jump to the conclusion that points are bad and
should be avoided at all costs. While this may seem like common
sense, it is not true in all situations. From the lenders view
point, points and interest rates work hand in hand. If you have
a unique cash situation, you may be able to save a ton of
interest over the life of a loan by paying increased points at
the outset of the loan. Generally, the more you pay in points,
the lower the interest rate on the loan.
If you intend to hold onto your property for a long time, paying
maximum points on the mortgage makes sense if you have the cash.
The reason for this is the money spent on the points will be
easily recovered if you can reduce the interest rate by a full
percentage point or more. Saving even one percent on an interest
rate will save you tens of thousands of dollars in interest
payments on a thirty year loan. In such a situation, it makes
sense to pay $6,000 or so in point to save $30,000 or $40,000 in
future interest payments. Of course, you have to have the cash
available to do it.
If you intend to hold onto a home for a short period of time,
the same issues need to be considered. In this case, however,
you will not have time to recover any money paid in points
because you intend to sell in a few years. As a result, you want
to shop for a loan that requires no points be paid. Yes, you
will have to accept a higher interest rate on the loan, but this
should be somewhat immaterial if you are only buying for the
short term.
The bigger point is points and interest rates should be viewed
as connected parts of a mortgage. As a borrower, you can
negotiate with lenders to raise or lower either one by tweaking
the other.
About the author:
Dan Lewis is with http://www.gwhomeloans.com – a San Diego
mortgage brokers providing San Diego home loans. Visit
http://www.gwhomeloans.com/services.html to learn more about
options on San Diego mortgages from a San Diego mortgage broker
company.
Mortgage Loans 101: How to Prepare for Closing Costs
Most home buyers understand the basics of home mortgage loans.
They know what a mortgage loan is, how interest works, and other
fundamentals of the home loan process.
But when it comes to the closing costs associated with buying a
home, many of these same home buyers get caught off guard – by
both the variety and total amount of closing costs. By
understanding and preparing for these costs ahead of time, you
can avoid such surprises.
What Are Closing Costs?
Closing costs are the total cost of completing the transfer of
ownership of a house. These costs do not include the purchase
price of the home. Rather, they are the extras — fees and
expenses aside from the purchase price.
On average, closing costs range between 3% and 5% of the total
loan amount. So for a loan of $200,000, closing costs might run
$6,000 to $10,000 (3% and 5% respectively of $200,000).
Whats Included Within Closing Costs?
Closing costs vary depending on where you live and what mortgage
lender you choose. But closing costs often include fees for the
following (this list is not all-inclusive):
* Loan origination
* Loan application
* Appraisal
* Document preparation
* Attorneys services
* Escrow agents services
* Pest inspection
* Credit report / processing
Getting an Estimate of Closing Costs
The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA, requires
that mortgage lenders give you a good faith estimate of all the
loan-related fees youre likely to pay at closing. They must
give you this estimate at the time of loan application. Keep in
mind, however, that these are just estimates. Actual closing
costs may be more than the good faith estimate closing costs.
Shop Around
Its a good idea to obtain good faith estimates from multiple
lenders. Dont choose a lender based on their interest rates
alone. Shop around for estimated closing costs as well.
Just realize that large discrepancies between estimated and
actual closing costs are not uncommon. You can prepare yourself
for this by having enough money in the bank to cover the good
faith estimate amount and then some.
A few days before closing, you will receive another document
called a settlement statement, or “HUD-1 statement.” This
document will give you a more exact tally of the closing costs
youll be expected to pay at closing.
Conclusion
Closing costs include a wide variety of fees and charges. They
can add up to a sizable amount, so its important to prepare for
them in advance. Be sure to factor closing costs into the
equation when looking for a mortgage lender. Proper planning can
help you avoid unpleasant surprises on closing day.
* Copyright 2006, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this
article in its entirety, provided you leave the byline, authors
note and website hyperlink intact.
About the author:
About the Author
Brandon Cornett is the editor of HomeBuyingInstitute.com, one of
the Internets largest libraries of home buying
information — over 100 expert articles on home buying and
home mortgage
loans! Learn more at: http://www.homebuyingin
stitute.com
A Few Thoughts on Securing a Bad Credit Mortgage Loan
Over spending, the endless nights of partying, eating out and
more or less buying everything on a whim, has most likely put a
dent in your financial situation and will affect how you live
your life for years to come. Clearly, the best option is to
dampen your lavish lifestyle sooner than later.
Alleviating yourself from huge credit card, as well as other
head-spinning debts by assessing your options now, before all
those debs start blowing up in your face is one way to right
your financial ship. One plausible option is a bad credit
mortgage loan, and its a good first step towards a more
financially disciplined lifestyle. In other words, a financial
second chance.
Unfortunately, many people have a hard time facing the reality
of their current financial situation and they foolishly think
they can go it alone. Fortunately, todays credit markets have
geared many of their programs for people just like you and they
are more than happy to assist you with your financial woes by
doing anything and everything possible to assist you in securing
that much needed mortgage refinance to get you back to financial
solvency.
First, be honest, how bad is your current financial condition.
And remember, you need to face the facts honestly and stop
playing games and dont let the possible embarrassment of having
others poking through your financial records deter you. You
current financial situation if water over the dam, theres
nothing you can do about the past so put it behind you and start
making the right decisions from this point forward.
Rest-assured the individuals you will be working with are
professionals who want nothing more but help you because its in
their financial interest as well since most loan officers work
on commission if they cant find a way to help you they dont
get paid. The system is built around vested interest and so if
its possible to help you theyll find a way.
But before you actually take that big leap in to actually
applying for a bad credit mortgage loan for yourself, try your
best to actually arm your self with (more than) enough
information to actually guide you through the debt restructuring
process.
First, dont be intimidated by the process, its really not that
complicated. More often than not, people allow themselves to get
overwhelmed, so take a deep breath, do a little research on
whats available and dont be afraid to ask questions or to
simply walk away from a deal that you feel isnt right and go
down the street or apply online at another lender.
Bad credit mortgage loans are readily available but only if you
are willing to get out there and put forth a little effort to
dig around and find the right lender with the right program for
you. Be will to have your financials thoroughly assessed by your
creditors and lenders so they have the information they need to
do their job, which is clearly to come up with a bad credit
mortgage loan that is well suited to your means and capabilities.
Just remember that just because you may qualify for a bad credit
mortgage loan, does not necessarily equate with you being off
the hook. Thats simply the beginning to changing your spending
habits and approach to money so that a few years from now you
can look back at your current financial situation as learning
experience that propelled you to a higher level of financial
responsibility. Approach this situation correctly by making the
necessary changes and you should also be able to look back and
realize that it was the wakeup call you needed and possibly one
of the best things thats ever happened to you.
About the author:
Kevin Erickson is a contributing writer to the following
websites: Bad Credit
Mortgage and Credit
Card Debt. This article may be reproduced only in its
entirety.