Archive for October, 2008

Financial Rebirth Through Remortgage

Seldom in ones life do we get a chance to alter the mistakes we made in the past. Remortgage offers a once in a life time opportunity to change from a mortgage to another that is more desirable.

So what are the mistakes that
Remortgage will help cure? With the interest rates falling, mortgages taken years ago will appear to be excessively charged. Mortgagors vie for the new rates of interest by taking the new mortgage.

But there is little guarantee that the rate of interest will be constant at this point or will not fall beyond this level. So, mortgagees always have a scope of business by helping people transfer their original mortgage. Thus, remortgages benefit both the borrower and the mortgage provider.

Remortgages are also taken for reasons other than improving interest rate. Many a times people opt for remortgage only to extend the term of repayment. This is more visible in case of interest only mortgages. Interest only mortgages, as we know, require monthly payment of interest on the mortgage and a full and final payment at the end of the term of repayment.

Refinancing the former mortgage will postpone the repayment of the mortgage. The new mortgage will have a new term of repayment. The new mortgage deal pays off the former deal. The borrower could have been at risk of losing his home had he been required to make a prompt repayment at that point of time. Borrowers get time to plan the repayment of the new mortgage deal.

However, we must not ignore the other side of the picture. The borrower is burdened with the debt for an extended period. More is the time involved in the mortgage, more is the interest cost.

Specialized mortgages have a limited benefit period, after which they become more of a burden. First time buyer mortgages for instance, offer discounted rates in the initial few years. After that the first time buyers will have to pay according to the rates prevalent in the mortgage market. By refinancing the first time buyer mortgage, borrowers can escape the high interest rates or unfavourable terms.

Full points to you if you guessed that remortgages function as a debt consolidation tool. In fact these are regularly used in order to settle debts a.k.a mortgages. Remortgage offers a new mortgage through a new lender who agrees to settle all debts through a combined mortgage deal. This may be advantageous for the borrowers since savings generally result in the deal. The entire value of the mortgage remaining along with the interest is paid as an early repayment. The savings are the result of the negotiation process. The more skilled is a person in the negotiation skills, the more will the savings be.

However, some lenders explicitly forbid a remortgage by incorporating a clause to the effect in the terms and conditions. Some mortgagees may freeze the right to remortgage for a certain time period. For instance cash back mortgages where the borrower gets cash at the beginning of the mortgage prohibit outright the right to remortgage for a period. The period may differ with the lenders. This may severely impede the borrowers’ freedom to change to a new deal. It will thus be important to closely look for such clauses when signing on the dotted line. Having agreed to the terms once there is no looking back again. May be there is no second chance for a remortgage.

ADITYA THAKUR
Aditya has completed his masters in mass communications from Jamia University. If you need UK Personal Loans, secured Loans, unsecured loans visit http://www.ukfinanceworld.co.uk

Published in: Property | on October 30th, 2008 | Comments Off

What is a Buy To Let Mortgage?

A buy to let mortgage is a mortgage on a property which is to be let out or rented, rather than occupied by the owner. A buy to let mortgage is exactly as it sounds - a mortgage that allows you to buy a property in order to let if out to a tenant.

This type of mortgage is similar to most others however the buy to let mortgage is designed for people who buy a property with the intention of letting it out.

Buy to let is purchasing a property, letting it to tenants and using the income from their rent to pay your mortgage. Essentially you have someone paying your mortgage for you, but the huge positive aspect is that at the end of the mortgage you have a valuable property and you have had someone buying the property for you with their rent. In summary a buy to let mortgage is simply a mortgage that allows you to purchase a property that you intend to let out.

A buy to let property can therefore been seen by many as an investment. The principle is simple: buy a property, let it to a tenant, and this money should pay the mortgage, perhaps with a little left over each month.

Buy to let mortgages are becoming increasingly more popular as in recent years the property market has proven to be a good investment. However, a buy to let mortgage is not so simple. First, you must be able to raise a significant deposit. Second, the rates on the buy to let mortgage may not be the most attractive on the market, although the market is competitive and there are many decent options available.

Normally people looking for a buy to let mortgage are looking to use their existing property to secure a mortgage on a second property.

A buy to let mortgage is a way to enable you to invest in property. The criteria for lending is worked out differently to a standard mortgage, however there is no limit on the number of properties you may buy to let.

The difference is that the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) is usually lower, meaning that a larger deposit is required. Other restrictions may also apply, such as minimum letting terms and rental income.

Lenders will normally incorporate a proportion of the rental income when calculating how much money they are willing to lend you. With a residential mortgage, the total mortgage repayments are based on the applicant’s salary. However, since a buy to let mortgage is used to finance the buying of a property for rental purposes, the borrower must prove that the rental income will cover the buy to let mortgage.

The big difference compared to a standard home loan is that most lenders won’t just take your salary into account when assessing eligibility. Potential rental income from the property is normally the most important factor in assessing affordability. Another important difference is that a minimum deposit of 15% is required.

Buy to let investors should also consider the downsides. Will you be able to let the property? Will you be able to let the property all year round? Prudence dictates that in calculating whether you are able to afford a buy to let mortgage, you should see whether you would have enough income to support the second mortgage payments when you are unable to secure a tenant.

You may freely reprint this article provided the author’s biography remains intact:

About The Author

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

Published in: Property | on October 30th, 2008 | Comments Off

Buying a House? How Much Home Can You Afford?

Maybe you’ve heard the expert advice that your debt to income ratio shouldn’t be more than 36 percent of your total income. But do you truly know what that means, and how lenders will look at your financial history in order to decide whether or not to extend you a mortgage? If you need help figuring out your debt to income ratio, simply follow the guidelines below and soon you’ll know whether or not you’re in a position to apply for a mortgage loan.

Your debt to income ratio is the amount of monthly debt you pay out in contrast to how much income you have coming in. Start by figuring the easy partyour income. If you are on a structured paycheck, then it will be easysimply calculate your monthly salary. If you work on a commission or other type of varying income, total your last six month’s earnings and divide by six.

Now you will need to figure your monthly debt. You should total your car payment, credit card payments (use the minimum amount payments for this calculation, even if you pay more), any other monthly debtsuch as child support paymentsalong with the estimated amount of your new mortgage payment.

Now, take the total of your debt payments and divide it by your income and you will have your debt to income ratio. Most lenders will want to see no higher than a 36 percent debt to income ratio, although there are a few exceptions.

If you find that your debt to income ratio is so high that you may not be able to quality for a mortgage, you should try to pay down some of it before applying for your loan. This will not only better your chances for a mortgage loan, but it will also ensure that you quality for one with better interest rates and terms.

To view our recommended sources for home mortgage loans, visit: Recommended Mortgage Lenders Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an
informational website with articles and the latest news about various types of loans.

Published in: Property | on October 29th, 2008 | Comments Off

Do Your Homework - Find the Mortgage That Fits Your Lifestyle and Your Budget

You’ve been looking at houses for months, and finally you’ve found it–the house that’s just right. So now, all you have to do is to purchase your new home, move in, and get settled, right? Not quite. There’s one more big step to go-getting a mortgage loan. You’re going to want to decide on the type of mortgage and payment terms that fit within your budget. And you’re going to have to prepare yourself by doing some research. What follows is valuable information that will be crucial in helping you make loan decisions that will fit your budget and circumstance.

Series: 3 Finding a Perfect Match for your Home Mortgage

Factors That Affect Your Mortgage

Mortgage payments are determined based on the following criteria:

Amount of the loan
Length of the loan
Down payment
Discount points
Closing costs
Credit quality
Income level
Lock in period

Loan Amount: The amount of your loan can increase your interest rate if the amount financed exceeds the conforming loan limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, (private corporations regulated by the federal government) that administer loans. The conforming loan limit changes at the beginning of each year.

Shorter loans, such as a 30 year or 15 year note, can save you thousand of dollars in interest payments over the life of the loan, but your monthly payments will be high. An adjustable rate mortgage may get you started with a lower interest rate than a fixed rate mortgage, but your payments could get higher when the interest rate changes.

Down Payment: A large down payment will give you the best possible rate. If you’ve got the cash now and want to lower your payments, you can pay points on your loan to lower your mortgage rate. The concept is simple: In exchange for more money upfront, lenders are willing to lower their interest rate, cutting the borrower’s payments. Remember to consider upcoming expenses and closing costs in your down payment decision.

Closing costs. In addition to your down payment, you will need to pay closing costs for processing your loan and transferring the property ownership from the seller to you, the buyer. Closing costs can range from 3%-5% of your loan amount, depending on where you live, the loan you choose and your closing date. In some cases, you can finance certain closing costs in your mortgage loan. When you apply for loan, your lender will give you an estimate of closing costs, which usually include:

Origination fees.

Costs of processing your loan (includes property survey and appraisal).
Items paid in advance, such as first-year mortgage insurance premium, first-year hazard insurance premium and first-year flood or earthquake insurance premiums, if required.

Escrow accounts - an account held by the lender into which the homebuyer usually pays for city/county property taxes, mortgage insurance, and hazard insurance, if required.

Title insurance charges.

Recording and transfer charges.

Attorney’s fees.

Credit Score: Your credit and debt-to-income-ratio affect the terms of your loan through your FICO score which is used to determine your credit rating. If you have good credit and your monthly income exceeds your monthly debt obligations, you will get approved at a lower interest rate. However, if your monthly income barely covers your minimum debt obligations, you will not receive the lowest available interest rate even if you have a good credit report.

Lock-in Rate: When shopping for a loan remember that interest rates change frequently. It is important to ask your mortgage representative if a lock-in rate is possible. This will guarantee you a specific rate, provided the loan is closed, with a set period of time.
Determine How Large a Monthly Mortgage Payment You Can Afford

Your choice of mortgage will be influenced by questions such as
How many years do you expect to live in your new home?
How important is it to be free of mortgage debt before facing your children’s college bills or planning your future retirement?
How comfortable are you with the certainty of a fixed mortgage payment vs. a payment that can change over time?

Your monthly payment will vary depending upon the type and length of the loan and the amount you put down. Most lenders will help you select the loan that’s best suited to your financial situation.

How Low an Interest Rate Can You Expect?

Shorter term loans offer lower interest rates and are divided into two types. A Fixed mortgage means that the rate is locked in for the life of the loan. Adjustable Rate, also called an ARM or variable rate note, is a note that generally offers lower payments for the first year and then changes periodically based on the terms and conditions of your note. Paying discount “points” can lower your interest rate. If your loan requires you to pay points or if you want to buy “down” the interest rate using points, remember that one point equals 1% of the loan amount.

Choosing the Right Mortgage

If you want the stability and predictability of a set rate for the life of your loan, then a fixed rate mortgage may be for you. Usually the longer the term of the mortgage, the more interest you pay over the life of your loan. Though, a longer term means your monthly mortgage payments will be less than they would be with a comparable shorter-term mortgage.

30 year vs. 15 year fixed rate mortgage.

A 30-year mortgage will have a lower monthly payment and a higher interest rate than a 15-year mortgage. You’ll have a smaller monthly obligation but you’ll pay more for your house over time because you’re paying it off with interest for a longer period.
On the other hand, a 15-year mortgage will have a higher monthly payment and a lower interest rate so you’ll pay less for your house because you’re paying it off in a shorter period.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage.

ARMs, are short-term fixed-rate loans: After the fixed rate term is up, the rate adjusts at regular intervals in accordance with current interest rate conditions at that time. A 5/1 ARM, for example, has a fixed rate for five years and then adjusts every year for the next 25 years. (ARMs typically run on a 30-year schedule.)

The length of the fixed-rate term on an ARM typically can range anywhere from one month to 10 years. The longer the rate is fixed, the higher the interest rate you’ll get. But generally speaking — and there have been exceptions in the past — ARMs will cost you less in the short-term. With the ARM, both your monthly payments and interest rates should be lower than either a fixed rate 15-year or 30-year mortgage.

The risk with an ARM is that when interest rates rise, you could end up paying much more than you bargained for. Check to see if your ARM has a cap rate so that if rates increase, your change cannot exceed a certain pre-defined limit.

If you know you’ll be in a home for 12 years or more, a 30-year fixed rate mortgage might work better for you than, say, a 5/1 ARM, where you fix a rate for five years and then it adjusts every year after that. But if you think you won’t be in the home longer than five or six years, a 5/1 ARM might make more sense.

Mortgage Shopping Tips.

Talk to the mortgage specialists at your bank. If you are starting to look for a home they can asses your financial situation and help you determine a purchase price that is within your budget and a mortgage program that suits your lifestyle and income. In many cases your advisor can prepare a pre-approved mortgage before you finalize your purchase.

Ask a mortgage specialist at your bank to help you calculate payments at different interest rates. This will help you determine a monthly payment that can be comfortable integrated into your budget.

Types of Mortgage Programs.

Most lenders are committed to ensuring that your home financing experience is rewarding and effortless. To this end, there are many programs available to suit a variety of situations, lifestyles and your financial profiles. These include:

Fixed-rate loan. If you’ve found a home you plan to live in for 10-30 years, consider a fixed-rate loan. It’s predictable and stable since the interest rate is set for the full length of the loan. Because the monthly payment for the principal and interest stays the same for the life of the loan, it’s easier to plan a budget. Most lenders offer many fixed-rate loans with terms to fit your budget, including loans that require no money down.

Adjustable-rate loan.

If you plan on being in your home for a shorter period of time, or expect your income to increase of the years, an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) may just be the right fit for you. An ARM loan usually starts with a lower initial interest rate than traditional fixed-rate loans. After a set initial payment period (usually one, three, five, seven or ten years), the interest rate may change periodically (usually annually or semiannually) based on market conditions. As the rate changes, your monthly payment changes. ARM loans feature an adjustment “cap” which limits how much the interest rate can go up. This helps protect you from large increases in your monthly payment.

Loans for first-time homebuyers.

Most banks offer affordable loans to make it easier for first-time homebuyers with limited savings to qualify for a home loan. Specifically, FHA and VA government loans are available to qualified buyers, based on income or property location. These affordable financing programs can help make it easier to buy a home since they require little or no money down and also offer flexible credit and income guidelines.

Repayment schedule.

Also consider how quickly you’d like to repay your loan - within 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, 30 years? Do you want to make biweekly mortgage payments? Typically, the sooner you repay the loan, the more you’ll save in interest payments. However, the longer you extend the term of your financing, the lower your monthly payments maybe. So when choosing a loan term, consider your budget, your long-term spending patterns, your income over the life of the loan and how long you plan to stay in your home.

Which loan is right for me?

The lifestyle situations below can help you decide which loan you might want to consider.

“Getting the lowest monthly payment is most important to me, and I’ll be in my home for less than five years.”
An intermediate ARM (five years or longer) if your income is fixed or expected to decline.
A short-term ARM (three years or less) if you expect your income to increase.

“Getting the lowest monthly payment is most important to me, and I’ll be in my home for more than five years.”
A fixed-term mortgage (for example, 30-year fixed).
An intermediate ARM if you expect your income to keep increasing.

“I have little money saved for a down payment.”
AN FHA loan.
A VA loan, if you are a veteran.

“I have no traditional credit references (for example, car loan or credit cards) but I pay my rent and other bills on time.”
An FHA loan.
A VA loan, if you are a veteran.

“Paying off my mortgage faster and saving money by paying less interest long-term is what’s most important to me.”
A shorter-term mortgage, such as 15- or 20-year fixed-rate loan.
A biweekly 30-year mortgage accelerates the reduction in principal by applying more than one extra payment a year, reducing the total interest and term of the loan

Borrowers Protection Plan

Borrowers Protection Plan is an optional feature of your loan that can provide peace of mind during difficult times - like an unexpected job loss or disability. Borrowers Protection Plan will cancel your monthly principal and interest payment should you lose your job or are unable to work due to illness or injury. Borrowers Protection Plan may cancel a total of up to 12 months, depending upon the protection option and benefit period selected. And if you should die in an accident your entire loan balance will be canceled.

Benefits of protection.

Affordable. Decide what you and your family need and we’ll help make it affordable.

Easy to obtain. There are no health requirements or medical exams and any size loan qualifies.

Supplemental benefits. Your monthly benefits will not be reduced because of other state unemployment benefits or disability income you may receive.
Protection options available prior to loan closing include involuntary unemployment and disability and can be purchased individually, or as a combination. These options also include accidental death protection and are available on a single or joint basis.

Fast answers and streamlined processing. The approval process should be fast and simple. Many homebuyers who have excellent credit history can be approved for a mortgage at the time of the application and with very little documentation.

Hassle-free mortgages with 80% less paperwork.

Use a proprietary process to determine if you qualify for this streamlined loan feature. This means less digging, sorting and collecting paperwork for you.

Your qualification for reduced paperwork depends on a number of factors:
Strong credit doesn’t have to be perfect
Type of mortgage you choose many mortgage types and loan amounts up to $750,000 are eligible
Even if you don’t qualify for the 80% less paperwork mortgage feature, your mortgage request can still be approved.

Buying a home is one of the most important events in your life. So talk to the mortgage professionals, do your homework and select a loan that fits your lifestyle and your budget. And enjoy the satisfaction of owning your own home.

EzineArticles Expert Author Bill Tannebring

Bill Tanebring is a Southern California based writer. His web address is http://www.billtannebring.net

Published in: Property | on October 28th, 2008 | Comments Off

Home Equity Loans 101

A secured home loan differs from an unsecured loan in that
the secured loan borrows against one’s home as collateral,
thereby reducing the risk to the lender.

As such, secured home loans often offer better interest
rates than unsecured loans, but offer higher risk to the
borrower, as defaulting on these loans can have greater
consequences, such as fines, or even possible repossession
of the home originally put up as the secured collateral
(subject to the amount of the loan, of course).

As the interest rates for secured home loans are usually
significantly lower than unsecured loans, more of the
monthly payment goes towards paying off the capital, rather
than paying the accrued interest.

The monthly payments are often more flexible in secured
loans, affording the borrower more leeway in working out a
payment plan that fits his or her needs. However, care
must be taken not to use this as justification for taking
out such a loan, as it is a financial contract between
lender and borrower.

There can be a number of reasons for taking out a secured
loan, such as debt consolidation of high-interest loans,
financing for remodeling, or repayment of college or car
loans. Most lenders offering these types of loans
recommend loan repayment insurance, to guard against an
inability to pay on the loan for a time due to factors such
as illness, losing a job or other unexpected occurrences.

Before taking on a substantial loan such as a secured home
loan, a careful analysis of personal finances is in order.
Having a friend or an accountant or finance officer assist
in this process can save trouble and headaches later, as
they may bring up issues and/or expenditures unthought-of,
issues such as examining how much is spent on morning
mochas at a favorite coffee shop? An outside perspective
can often help clarify these matters so a better-informed
decision can be made.

If proper planning and care is taken, a secured home loan
can be a valuable tool for managing personal debt. Talking
to a loan officer or financial advisor at a major lending
institution can help make these possibilities a reality,
and can be a step towards the realization of financial
freedom.

Frank Kelly is a freelance writer. Years ago he was an
employee who regularly used payday loans to get thro the
month. Then he disocvered the better alternative of a home
equity loan.

Discover useful advice and information about home equity
loans. Website contains articles and advice about home
equity loans. http://www.homeequityloans-cheap.com/

Published in: Property | on October 25th, 2008 | Comments Off

Mortgage Loan Most Bankers Won’t Give May Be Exactly What You Need to Buy or Refinance Your Home

A few years ago, a loan officer who worked for me was having a problem helping a customer. He was new to the business and had very little patience for problems (as you might have already guessed, he didn’t last very long). He told me the customer was a doctor, who had left a hospital job to open his own practice. He was trying to refinance a $300,000 home, but he could not show any current income. After the loan officer and I discussed the options, he walked away from the loan, completely frustrated. So, I asked him if I could work on it. He agreed, saying he didn’t wanted to be bothered with it any longer. So, I did what all good mortgage professionals do, and I picked up the telephone and began calling lenders and telling them the problems with the customer.

After a couple of hours of examining the gentleman’s loan papers and talking to him and several lender representatives, I found the solution - a Stated Income program. You see, this customer, in most conventional bankers’ eyes was not “bankable,” because he really did not have any income. He would have plenty of income in a few short months, but banks don’t loan on what you may have. Wholesale mortgage lenders are different.
When I reached the branch manager of one of top lenders in the country, I explained the situation to him. Most importantly, I told him that my customer had nearly perfect credit, and he could show 18 straight months of W-2 income of well over $200,000. Furthermore, he had plenty of equity in his house and maintained over $100,000 in liquid assets (stocks, bonds and savings).

“This is no problem,” the branch manager said. “Simply write the amount he needs to make on the application. With everything else this guy has going for him, I’ll sign off on this loan tomorrow.” And that was all there was to it - we just had to put the right numbers on the paper.
Once again, you need a mortgage professional for this special program. Not many banks offer stated programs. Many people who need stated programs get turned down by not only banks but by inexperienced mortgage brokers who don’t understand the breadth of the programs at their fingertips. So, you may have to enlighten them with your own insight by telling them this is the program you need.

Stated programs are for people who may not qualify for a conventional loan, because they do not meet income requirements a lender has, like the gentleman in the previous example. Another example is someone who does not show all of her income on a W-2 tax return, for one reason or another. This person may make enough money to cover the mortgage payment, but she can’t prove she makes it on paper. Lenders like to see two years of W-2 income. This proves to them that you consistently make enough money to pay back the loan. Now, it’s important to note that this is a good credit program, and a lender will want someone with at least A-minus credit for approval.

All the loan requires is all standard documents, except income verification. In other words, the loan officer is going to state your income on the application, and no proof is required. Please note that this program is not intended for someone who works at McDonalds to try to state that he makes $200,000 yearly, so he can get approved for a $400,000 loan. It is intended for people, like salesmen, whose incomes fluctuate or for businessmen, who work on bonuses, which they may not receive until the next year. As long as the income is reasonable for the profession, no underwriter will ever question it.

So, if you needed to make 60,000 yearly for approval, but you only show $54,000 on last year’s W-2, your broker can get you a stated program, and he will simply write $60,000 on the application. Don’t worry, the lender won’t ask for pay stubs or tax returns.

This seems fraudulent, you might say. It isn’t, as long as you follow the guidelines set forth by the lender. Remember, they created this program, so they could loan more money. You’ll pay, of course, because the lender will hit you with a premium on your rate, because the loan is more of a risk. So, instead of getting a 6% rate, you might get as high as 6.75%, but at least you’ll get your loan.

EzineArticles Expert Author Mark Barnes

Mark Barnes is the author of the new novel, The League, the first work of fiction, based on fantasy football. He is also an investment real estate and home loan finance expert. Learn more about his suspense thriller at http://www.sportsnovels.com Get his free mortgage finance course at http://www.winningthemortgagegame.com

Published in: Property | on October 24th, 2008 | Comments Off

Alternative Options For Rising Interest Rates

As interest rates have risen in the last six weeks from record lows, homeowners are once again face with finding viable options to reduce the amount of interest paid on their home loans. The rush to refinance provided borrowers with good to excellent credit the opportunity to take advantage of low interest rates, that helped to reduce their monthly mortgage payments, which was the only benefit provided by the lowered rates.

The one option that still eludes most homeowners, and is recognized and supported by financial and government organizations including Fannie Mae, is Biweekly Equity Acceleration. This industry has made great strides to become a viable tool to help homeowners reduce their mortgages, while building equity in their homes up to three times faster. Biweeklies provide another important benefit versus refinancing; it allows the loan to be paid off sooner than the original stated term.

A mortgage company will not accept a half payment except by special arrangement, and this sort of arrangement is rare. To begin a Biweekly Equity Acceleration Program the homeowner deals with a service provider like Consumer Mortgage Reduction Service, or another company. There are about 30 companies in the United States that specialize in biweekly equity acceleration, and they provide mortgage reduction services directly to the homeowner.

These programs are easy to initiate and do not require refinancing, just complete a few short sign-up forms, and the biweekly company takes over from that point. The process does not change your current mortgage arrangements, just the way your payments are made, instead of one monthly payment the mortgage is paid one half every two weeks. These biweekly payments are automatically deducted from the clients checking or savings account, and applied to the loan in a way that reduces the principle amount owed every six months.

Today’s consumers are more than ever trying to reduce the amount of debt they have, and this is evident by the rapid rise of Debt-Consolidation companies, but the largest debt a consumer has is, the home mortgage. The majority of homeowners overlook this fact when planning to reduce their dept, yet the use of biweeklies can decrease their mortgage substantially, in a shorter period of time, usually cutting the term by six to ten years.

And, with the rising interest rates, trying to reduce their debt load including the mortgage will become a bit more difficult without taking advantage of biweekly programs. A 30-year fixed rate mortgage for $150,000 at 6% interest would be paid off 6 years earlier, and would save the homeowner up to $30,000 in excess interest payments. The amount of time and interest saved depends upon the amount of the loan, and the interest rate.

“Biweekly Equity Acceleration has been in existence for over 20 years, and has allowed millions of homeowners to pay off their mortgage in less time, while building substantial equity faster,” said Thad Collins owner of Consumer Mortgage Reduction Service whose website is located at; http://www.consumermortgagereduction.com “While saving the homeowner up to $60,000 in needless interest payments, without refinancing, and this is accomplished regardless of the current interest rates,” he continued.

Interest Rates have become a great concern for homeowners, and those who may be contemplating purchasing a new home, but with alternatives to rising rates like biweekly equity acceleration programs, these concerns can be eased. If the average homeowner can save money per year in any interest rate environment, then the use of biweeklies provides a solid foundation to the purchase of a new home.

About The Author

Thad Collins is the owner of CMRS which provides biweekly equity acceleration programs to entrepreneurs looking to start a new business venture, for more information visit http://www.consumermortgagereduction.com

Published in: Property | on October 20th, 2008 | Comments Off

Obtaining a Home Equity Loan Online

Private lenders, banks, and mortgage companies are all setting up shop on the internet, and all make it possible to obtain a home equity loan online. Competition between lenders is stiff, so be sure to check a few companies that offer applications about their rates, products, and customer service.

A mortgage site that provides a home equity loans will also give more detailed information for the typical uses of a home equity loan. Many people choose to get a home equity loan in order to consolidate existing debts- such as credit cards, loans, educational expenses, and car payments. Home equity loans are also used in order to finance home improvements that you’d like to make but don’t have the cash on hand to pay for them, since the loans tend to be more economical than some of the other options for obtaining financing.

There are a few different versions of home equity loans that you can apply for and receive, and when you apply for a home equity loan online you’ll make a decision as to whether or not you need a line of credit, a fixed loan, or what is called a 125% loan. The line of credit is a good choice if you want to have money available to borrow at any time, such as for home improvements or sending children to college. A fixed loan option is perfect for individuals who know exactly how much money is needed and only want to borrow once, while a 125% loan is useful for people who want to consolidate debts but do not have much equity in their home yet. The 125% loan allows the borrowers to borrow up to 125% of the property value and usually offers a fixed interest rate.

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Brad Triggs provides more information and
free mortgage quotes at his website:
e-Loans-Now.com - Home Equity Loans Online
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Published in: Property | on October 20th, 2008 | Comments Off

Internet & Mortgage Calculations

“You’ve been approved!” The words you have always wanted to hear when you filled out the home loan application. It swirls through your mind the opportunities and memories you will cherish in your new home. Before you even start shopping for a home it is best to understand in real terms what you can afford. Your income level may make it tight for you every month to make the mortgage payment if you purchase too much home.

You may wish to know how much the home may cost you before you sign your contract. So you will need to be a financial calculator to figure out the monthly paper in real-terms. There is an easier way. The Internet has become the best place for mathematical equations and there are some great websites that will do the figures for you should you know the absolute basics of the transaction. Here are some of the factors that can help you determine what your monthly interest rate will be:

  • Amount of home

  • Percentage of interest

  • Duration of loan (5, 15 or 30 years)

  • Down payment

  • Insurance (percentage of loan)

  • Start date of the loan

Sites like bankrate.com and countrywide.com provide free online calculators. Save yourself time and frustration trying to determine the monthly payment when these programs offered free work well. Some of the calculators can also factor in extra payments to your schedule and will show the end result savings. An amortization schedule is also provided to show you how your payments over the thirty years reduce your liability and increase your equity in the property.

Most mortgage lenders will give you a maximum you can afford and should be within a few dollars of the actual dollar amount should you ask them for the monthly payment calculated. Your being comfortable with the mortgage payment will help you recognize your monthly commitment to the property. There is a lot more involved than just making the payment to the mortgage, utilities, upgrades and other expenses come into play when factoring in all your overall commitment.

About The Author

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.cashbazar.com. Visit his website for the latest on personal finance, debt elimination, budgeting, credit cards and real estate.

Published in: Property | on October 19th, 2008 | Comments Off

Finding a Mortgage Refinance Advisor

Finding a Mortgage Refinance Advisor

If you are looking to refinance your home for a lower rate, or you are interested in a refinance with cash out to do some home repairs, buy a new car, etc., you may want to consider finding a mortgage refinance advisor.

There are actually two ways you can go about refinancing your home. The first would be to do the shopping around for a refinance on your own. The second way would be to locate a mortgage refinance advisor.

A mortgage refinance advisor. Otherwise, known as a mortgage loan officer or mortgage broker are not at all hard to find.

The internet is perhaps the best resource for tracking down a mortgage refinance advisor. There are literally hundreds of them right in your own back yard, and the internet would be by far the best way to begin your search.

Once you have found a mortgage refinance advisor, don’t stop there, shop around. By shopping around with a few different loan officers and brokers, you will give yourself the ability to compare rates and prices.

Think of it the same way you would go about purchasing a new car. Shop around, test drive a few by going to different dealerships. Once you have test driven a few cars and compared pricing, base your decision on the best and most reasonable deal.

By shopping around as opposed to committing to the first mortgage refinance advisor you come across could mean the difference of thousands of dollars in closing costs and interest fees’ over the life of the loan.

By allowing no more than four loan officers or mortgage brokers to assess your situation, you are putting yourself in a much more ideal situation. Especially if your credit is challenged or your situation is unique, not only will the mortgage refinance advisors’ expertise come into play, you will be in a position to compare rates and pricing.

Remember, the majority of mortgage refinance advisors are paid on commission, so it is just as important to them as it is to you to get to the closing table. Good luck.

Jennifer Hershey has more than twenty years of experience in the Mortgage Industry as a loan officer. She is the owner of www.explainingmortgages.com/, a mortgage resource site devoted to making mortgage terms and products easy to understand.

Published in: Property | on October 17th, 2008 | Comments Off