Posts tagged with 'Interest Rate'

Using Points To Cut Your Interest Rate

  • Posted on February 14, 2011 at 9:17 am

The general mantra in the real estate world is you want to avoid paying points when obtaining a mortgage. As with most assumptions, this is not always true.

Using Points To Cut Your Interest Rate

When discussing mortgages, it is important to understand what points are. Points are essentially an upfront cost you pay a lender in exchange for getting the loan in question. The better your financial profile credit score, wages, down payment amount the fewer points you have to pay, if any. That being said, you may actually want to demand points in certain situations.

Points and interest rates have a unique relationship in mortgages. Generally, the more points you pay, the lower your interest rate. This is not always the case in bad credit situations, but it is a generally accepted fact for most bowers. You can use this relationship to your advantage.

Regardless of how many points you pay on a loan, the cost will never remotely approach the amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan. If you intend to live in the property in question for a long time, you should make an almighty effort to cut your interest rate as low as possible. This is where you will save the most money. This is also where points come in.

If you are cash rich when you buy the property, you can buy down your interest rate by agreeing to pay the lender a significant number of points. The key is to find out from the lender how much they will reduce the interest rate per point paid. You want this in writing! Once you have it, use a mortgage calculator to see how much money the various lower interest rates will save you over time. Also, see how much you monthly payment is reduced. Once you have the numbers, compare them to the total cost of paying additional points and make your decision.

Contrary to popular opinion and marketing ads, points do not represent the evil side of the mortgage industry. Use them wisely and you can save hundreds of thousands of pounds over the life of a loan.

Using a Second Mortgage for an 80-20 No Money Down

  • Posted on January 31, 2011 at 9:17 am

Using a Second Mortgage for an 80-20 No Money Down Home Purchase Loan

Many renters want to own their own home, but they simply dont have the down payment to make the purchase. If youre able to afford a house payment as much as your monthly rent, an 80-20 no money down loan could get you out of the rent trap. (80% first mortgage – 20% second mortgage) “It allows people to buy without a down payment, or for those people who would prefer not to touch their savings to get into a house,” says mortgage expert. “What we’re seeing is a lot of young professionals,” he adds. “People who have gotten out of college and have good jobs. They have good credit, but they haven’t had the opportunity to accumulate a lot of savings.”

The 80-20 loans are also known as piggyback loans. The buyer takes out a loan for 80% of the cost of the home. Then takes out a second mortgage for 20% of the loan to use as a down payment. The homebuyer has three options for the 20% part of the loan. Most often the 20% loan is secured from a separate lender, but look up for the second loan to have a higher interest rate.

MortgageDaily.Com shows The second lender-the one who is only financing 5% to 20% of the loan-doesn’t see much benefit from lending the money unless he can actualize a high interest return. If the buyer borrows from the same financial institution, they could open a home equity line of credit and withdraw two separate amounts; one amount for 80% of the loan and 20% for the down payment.

The third option is to borrow the 20% part of the loan directly from the seller, also known as a purchase money loan. Kipplinger.com shows there is a down-side to the 80-20 loan. You likely will have to pay a higher interest rate, buy private mortgage insurance (borrowers usually pay 20% of a home’s value to avoid this) and make bigger monthly mortgage payments. Plus, it can be dangerous to be so highly leveraged. But in an expensive housing market, it can be the only way to afford a home.
Doug Duncan, chief economist of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America says, Most banks offer special mortgages to low- and moderate-income borrowers because the Community Reinvestment Act requires financial institutions to provide a certain share of business to these economic groups. But no- and low-down options for jumbo loans (higher than 300,700) are harder to find.

The costs of the higher interest rate from the 80-20 mortgage are sometimes off-set because there is no mortgage insurance built into the loan. The State of California only requires mortgage insurance for all home loans exceeding 80% loan to value or LTV. An 80-20 loan allows the home-owner to step aside the insurance requirement, thus having a lower monthly payment.
If your goal of an 80-20 loan is to have a lower monthly mortgage payment, another option is the T.A.M.I. program. The T.A.M.I. program includes mortgage insurance where as the 80-20 program doesnt require mortgage insurance. Robin M. Root; a senior level loan officer says the T.A.M.I. provides lender-based mortgage insurance in exchange for a slightly higher interest rate. Since the IRS, allows a deduction for all interest paid for home loans, the cost of the mortgage insurance is tax deductible. And, unlike the 80-20 loan program, when the buyer has equity built up, the homeowner has the flexibility to open a home-equity loan for home improvements or cash emergencies.

Understanding The Mortgage: Adjustable Or Fixed?

  • Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:17 am

The mortgage is not one simple thing. There are many types of them and they each offer different advantages to those that are looking for one. Purchasing a home is one of the largest investments that you will ever make during your life time. It is ideal to make sure that you make this investment carefully and to the best of your ability. One thing about them that you will want to understand is whether you should go with an adjustable or a fixed type of loan. The differences may seem confusing, but they are very important nonetheless.

When considering a mortgage , you may first want to consider such things as the interest rates and the terms of the loan. Yet, there are other elements to think about as well. Once you find the lender that is offering you the best rates out there, look at what types of rates he may be able to provide you with. Heres a break down.

Fixed Rate

Any mortgage that has a fixed rate is one that has an interest rate that is not going to change. It will remain the same today as it will be down the road and throughout the course of the loan. It can be ideal to use this type of mortgage in most cases. It is especially helpful when interest rates are tending to slide up the scale. If you get a loan that is fixed while rates are climbing, then you will be secured into that low rate throughout the course of your loan, no matter what other rates do. In most cases, the fixed rate will be slightly higher than that of an adjustable but in the long run it may save you money.

Adjustable Rate

There are also many reasons why you may decide that an adjustable will work well for you. Besides being less expensive in the long term, they are also ideal for when interest rates are high and are falling. When interest rates are higher, securing an adjustable rate loan will allow you to take advantage of the slipping that they are doing. These are ever changing rates though, so if the rates tend to climb, you may be in trouble. One thing to note about them, though, is that they are generally not going to move up or down more than 5% and there is a lock of fluctuation per year at 1%. Carefully consider this option in a mortgage.

When considering either of these two options in home loans, carefully look at what the financial market is expected to do. You may even want to talk to your financial advisor about the difference and how likely it is to effect your situation. Remember too that interest rates fluctuate quarterly most of the time. They also vary from one lender to the next. You will want to consider the big picture here so that you can find the most ideal solution for your specific needs. An adjustable rate or a fixed rate mortgage quote can be given to help you to see what the end result for each will be.

Top Ways to Benefit from the Current Mortgage Crisis

  • Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:17 am

The current mortgage crisis might be a nightmare for the people who are directly involved in it. However, with a little bit of smart planning and a lot of hard work you can benefit from this mortgage crisis and come through the other end with flying colors. Remember that not every crisis has to be the end of the world, and if you are considering getting into the housing market you might be able to benefit from the current mortgage crisis in more ways than one.

Stable Interest Rates

The first way that you can benefit from the current mortgage crisis is to take advantage of the now stable interest rates that you can find. Many lenders are aware that people are no longer keen to invest in changing interest rates, and that many of these have led to foreclosures. Therefore, there are beginning to be many lenders that are advertising their own brands of stable interest rates that will not be changing with the market. These rates are something that you should take advantage of, because they will allow you to lock down your rates and your home payments for the life of your loan. If you can budget in this way, you will be able to get the home of your dreams at an interest rate that you can really afford.

Hold On Tight!

If you do have a home and are fighting with the market, the best thing that you can do is to buckle down and hold on tight. If you can keep your home through this crisis, it will end up being much better for you in the end. Remember that many lenders who put out adjustable rate mortgages are now allowing people to change to a fixed rate mortgage. If you can talk to your lenders and go through this process before you have to deal with foreclosure, you will be able to get an interest rate that you can afford, and a locked down home payment that you will be able to take care of each month. If you haven’t fixed your rate or you cannot do it, hold on to your home as long as you can. Are there other things to sell or other ways to get the money for your home payment? If you can hold onto your home through the mortgage crisis, you will find home payments dropping again and will soon have more money than you do now.

Remember that you should also avoid the temptation to get out while property values are so low. Even if it seems like it is a better idea to get out before values dip any lower, you will actually lose money if you sell in the middle of the current mortgage crisis. Therefore, if you can hold onto your property until the values go back up again, you will be able to make your money back, or even make more money. Remember that this crisis cannot last forever, so if you can ride it out in whatever way you can you will benefit in the end. Remember that often patience is the best key that you might have to riding out the current crisis.

Invest (if possible)

One of the biggest ways that you can benefit from the current mortgage crisis is to invest if you can. If you are able to buy or invest in property that has been foreclosed upon, you will find that you can get this property at a much cheaper rate because of the foreclosure. This is something that will allow you to gain property and to gain money as well. The best thing to do when you invest is to buy a property and then sit tight on it until property values go back up again. They will eventually rise once more, and you will find that at that time you can resell your property and find yourself with quite a profit. If you are able to buy property at this time, you will surely be one of the people who benefit the most from it in the end.

No crisis can last forever, and that includes the current mortgage one. If you are able to hold on to what you have, invest in what you can afford, and lock down good interest rates, you will find that the market will eventually turn and you will again be able to prosper. You can take advantage of all of the other things that the market has to offer, and this crisis will pass you by without even a mark.

Reverse Mortgages For Seniors

  • Posted on November 8, 2010 at 9:17 am

Reverse mortgage has become popular in America these days, these are special type of mortgage that helps an homeowner to convert his home equity into cash, this boost up the American older financial security by helping them to meet unexpected medical expenses, home improvement and many more.

The homeowners should be 62 years and older who has already settled any mortgage they have already got it or has remaining small amount of mortgage balance are the eligible people to take up this Reverse mortgage by HUDs.

Homeowners would be able to receive the payment in a lump sum or can receive on monthly basis for a fixed period of time or as long as they live in the house, this mortgage can be changed according to the circumstances of the homeowners, unlike other mortgages the HUDs reverse mortgage for seniors do not require repayments from the borrowers as long as they live in that home, the lender will recover the principal amount along with the interest at the time of the house being sold out, and the balance amount will be paid to the house owner or her or his survivors, incase the amount received by selling the house is not sufficient to pay the amount that has been borrowed , HUD will take up the responsibility to pay the shortage amount to the lender. The Federal Housing Administrations that is a part of HUD is responsible to collect the insurance premium from the borrowers for providing the coverage.

The amount of reverse mortgage for seniors will be decided based on the age, interest rate and the value of the house of the borrower, in this type of mortgage the older the borrower the greater the amount that is lent. For instance based on todays rate of interest 9% approximately a 65 yrs old person can borrow 26% of the value of his home and 75 yrs old person could get 39% of the value of the home and 85 yrs old man get 56% of the value of the home.

To get this reverse mortgage from the HUD you need not present any income proof or show any kind of asset, and there is also no limitation for the value of the homes that is being qualified under HUDs reverse mortgage. The home owners are charged 2% of the value of the home as up front fees plus one half percent of the balance loan amount every year and this amount can be usually paid by the lender and further charged in the principal amount borrowed by the home owner.

Reverse Mortgages A Tax Free Income For Senior Citizens

  • Posted on October 4, 2010 at 9:17 am

Reverse Mortgages A Tax Free Income For Senior Citizens

I fully realize if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is and There Aint No Such Thing As A Free Lunch (TANSTAAFL) immediately jumped into your head when you read the title of this article. However, if you are 62 or over, you may have just found the goose that laid the golden egg.

A reverse mortgage is exactly what the name implies. Rather than you paying a monthly sum of money to a mortgage company, a mortgage company pays you. There are three types of reverse mortgages and all have the same eligibility requirements.

You must be at least 62, live in, and own, your home and sign a contract. You must also have equity in your home and the inherent interest rate is based on what the lender is currently charging (more about this later) on non-reverse mortgages. The lender, by the way, will also have your property appraised for which you may or may not be charged.

There are no income restrictions such as those imposed by Social Security and most are tax free since they do not involve additional features such as an attached annuity. They also do not affect your social security benefits nor your Medicare entitlements.

This article discusses only those mortgages without additional features. Should you wish to know more about reverse mortgages with additional features, consult with a competent tax professional to reduce the chances of running afoul of tax laws.

The FTCs website, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/online/pubs/homes/rms.htm has an excellent article on reverse mortgages but it also does not discuss mortgages with additional features. Another reason to consult with a tax professional.

This tool called reverse mortgage is actually a loan, hence an interest rate, which allows senior citizens, or as some say, the elderly, to convert part of their equity into cash without having to sell their home. Because it is a loan in reverse you are receiving a monthly sum and not paying a monthly amount while you live in your home.

However, this loan must be repaid and repaid with interest should you sell, die, no longer live their as your principal residence or reach the end of the pre-selected loan period. You remain responsible to pay real estate taxes, insurance and all attendant maintenance expenses which, of course, you would have to pay with, or without, a reverse mortgage.

With this explanation, the picture becomes more focused, right? You enjoy a monthly sum, tax free and non-repayable until a date sometime in the future, while remaining in your home. As close to a win-win situation as one can get in this day and age.

It doesnt take a rocket scientist to realize anyone who is cash poor but house rich should at least investigate this tool. However, like any other instrument involving your signature on the dotted line involving financial obligation, you must have some preliminary information.

I mentioned there are three types of reverse mortgages. The first is the single purpose reverse mortgage. These are offered by some sate and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

They may not be available in your area. Call your countys Department of Senior Services. Their phone number is in the white pages under the listing for your county.

Single purpose means exactly that. The proceeds may be used for only the purpose specified by the lender and generally are only made to people with low or moderate incomes. If you call your county, be sure to ask if their reverse mortgage is a single purpose and what are the limits.

The second type of reverse mortgage is called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). The federal government insures these mortgages and they are backed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The up front costs are generally high especially if you plan on staying in your home for a short period of time but they carry no income or medical restrictions and can be used for any purpose.

HECMs also require all applicants to meet with a counselor from an independent government approved housing counseling agency. The FTC says, The counselor must explain the loans costs, financial implications, and alternatives. For example, counselors should tell you about government or nonprofit programs for which you may qualify, and any single-purpose or proprietary reverse mortgages available in your area.

An additional benefit of an HECM mortgage is the nursing home clause. Should a borrower have to move out of her home and into a nursing home or other medical facility, she has up to 12 months before the loan becomes due. This enhances financial planning.

The third type is called a proprietary reverse mortgage. These are private loans backed by the companies offering them. In other words, they are NOT government insured. Like HECMs, the upfront cost could be high for a proprietary reverse mortgage.

A reverse mortgage, cost wise, is like a non-reverse mortgage. The lender usually charges loan origination fees, closing costs, insurance premiums (for insured loans) and service fees which are all set by the lender.

Fortunately, like non-reverse mortgages, the federal Truth In Lending Act (TILA) applies to reverse mortgages. This means the lender MUST disclose the costs and terms of the reverse mortgage you are considering.

The annual percentage rate (APR) and payment terms must be prominently displayed and not in the fine print. If you choose a credit line as your loan, lenders must tell you the charges related to not only opening but using this credit account.

Another word about the interest rate since it too mirrors the non-reverse mortgage. Just as with a non-reverse mortgage, an interest rate can be fixed or variable with variable rates tied to a financial index. This means the rate will change as the index changes.

TILA forces the lender to disclose this information. TILA does not force the lender to tell you the reverse mortgage may, or may not, use up all of your equity. If a non-recourse clause is included in the contract, and most have them, you must be told you will not owe more than the value of your home when the loan is repaid. This is a good thing.

Of the three, the HECM is the most flexible. It lets you select the way you receive your money. For example, you can receive fixed monthly cash advances for a specified period or for as long as you live in your home. Or, if you choose, you can receive a line of credit.

A line of credit allows you to draw on the loan proceeds when you want and how much you want. The HECM allows a combination of the two choices. You can receive a monthly payment plus a line of credit.

The key is to read and understand every clause in the contract before signing and do not be afraid to ask questions about what you dont understand. Dont let a huge monthly payment cloud your judgment and decision making ability.

Both HUD and the FTC have toll free numbers and websites to help you in making an informed decision. HUD can be called at 1-888-466-3487 with their web address at:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hecm/rmtopen.cfm while the FTC can be called at 1-877-382-4357 with their web address at: http://www.ftc.gov/credit

After reading the above information you may have decided the goose with the golden eggs is really a vulture waiting to pounce on your carcass. Or, you may have decided the gooses eggs are worth your time and attention. Either way, you are now a more informed consumer.

———————————————————–

4 Major Disadvantages Of Reverse Mortgages

  • Posted on March 15, 2010 at 9:17 am

A reverse mortgage can be an attractive option for many home-owning seniors that are having a hard time making ends meet. With a reverse mortgage, a senior homeowner will receive money for their home equity from a lender without having to make repayments for as long as they live in their home. So with the right reverse mortgage a senior homeowner can maintain their standard of living while retaining ownership of their home.

There are many differences that have to be understood between reverse mortgage’s and traditional mortgage loans because if no effort is done , they can cause financial problems for reverse mortgage borrowers.

Disadvantage No.1 – The relative cost of a reverse mortgage. Reverse mortgages tend to be costlier than a conventional mortgage. This is due to the rising-debt nature of reverse mortgages. A typical reverse mortgage may provide a homeowner with a 300 per month payment with a yearly interest rate of 12 percent compounded monthly. Over the course of ten years, the homeowner will rec
eive 36,000 in payments, but will owe almost 70,000-almosttwice as much as received.

Disadvantage No.2 – The complex and confusing contracts of reverse mortgages, that can have a tremendous impact on the overall cost of a reverse mortgage to the borrower. Due to the complexities in the written contract, this often allow lenders and third parties involved in arranging reverse mortgages to not fully disclose the loan’s terms or fees.

These numerous other front-end and/or back-end fees can also quickly drive up the cost of a reverse mortgage. These fees include origination fees, points, servicing fees, mortgage insurance premiums, closing costs, shared equity and shared appreciation fees.

Out of all these fees, the shared equity and appreciation fees should be avoided, it can raise the cost of the mortgage without providing any benefit to the borrowers. As an example, a shared appreciation fee can give a lender an automatic 50% interest in the difference between the current value of the home when the loan is signed and the appreciated value of the home when the loan is terminated. What makes the fees unfair is the fees have no relation to the amount that is borrowed.

Disadvantage No.3 – The reverse mortgage payments can affect eligibility for supplemental Social Security income, old age pensions or Medicaid

Senior’s may not even realize this problem until after they already have their reverse mortgage, and only then do they find out that this can have the opposite affect on a seniors finances then what they were trying to accomplish in the first place by taking out the reverse mortgage.

Disadvantage No.4 – The fact that reverse mortgages reduce the value of a senior’s assets and estate. This will largely affect the amount that will be given to the borrower’s heirs when they depart.

Top

Copyright © Mortgageclassic