Helen Hecker asked:


You don’t want to jump into anything blindly or sign a real estate contract or home mortgage loan contract or any type of contract without giving it some serious thought. Watch out for anything that appears to be vague. You want to keep in mind when financing real estate that lenders will be able to tell you only what you might be able to afford based on your current not future salary and level of debt including your credit card debt. First of all you’ll need to find a lender for your real estate financing and potential residential, home or other type of investment.

The real estate financing situation for each buyer is going to be different of course. A 20-year fixed rate mortgage term will mean higher payments, when compared to a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. The advantages of a fixed-rate mortgage include consistent principal and interest payments, which will make this loan stable - your rate won’t change; a good choice if you’re likely to stay in the house for a long time.

And if you have less-than-perfect credit or a ‘bad credit’ credit report don’t be too concerned about it. The disadvantages of an adjustable rate mortgage include the possibility of increasing monthly payments if interest rates go up and over the years this has happened many times and people have lost their homes. If you’ve applied to several lenders, when you finally do select a good lender you may have to explain why there are other inquiries from lending institutions on your credit report.

The disadvantages of a fixed-rate mortgage include the possibly higher cost. These loans are usually priced higher than an adjustable-rate mortgage. With adjustable rate mortgages the initial interest rate is usually lower than with a fixed-rate mortgage so the monthly payment would also be lower. An adjustable rate mortgage could be a good choice because on the average, most people move or refinance within seven years, but be aware of the fluctuating interest rate.

If the rates in the current market are high, you’ll probably get a better price with an adjustable-rate loan. Any money you receive from a lending institution will show up on your credit report and your payments will factor into your debt-to-income ratio. And a good or bad FICO credit score is not a requirement for most conventional or government loans like FHA loans or VA loans.

Reminder - an adjustable-rate mortgage (called ARM) means that the interest rate changes over the life of the loan, according to the terms specified ahead of time. Your income and debts will typically play the biggest roles in determining what price range you can afford when buying a house. Insiders know that the advertised mortgage rates you find are not always what you’ll get from the lender - it could be fluctuations in the market, good or bad economic news, any other of a dozen reasons, but interest rates can change even throughout the day.

A range of mortgage options are always available and some loans require little money down. And if you’re on a fixed income, an adjustable rate mortgage, especially a short-term ARM, may not be your best choice.

Keep in mind that low credit scores do not mean you cannot buy a home or other real property; continue to explore the options and you’ll come up with the best real estate financing. Ask other homeowners what real estate and mortgage problems they’ve encountered - everyone has stories to tell. Rates can change fast, one way or another, day by day; this is true for residential, commercial and investment real estate financing. Always get the most current interest rate quotes. The rate won’t last long.



Jill

Ben Franklin asked:


When you’re in the market for a new home, one of the biggest concerns on your mind likely will be the financing. For the new homeowner, the knee-jerk reaction might be to accept the first mortgage offer that comes their way, but that’s not always the best move. To get the best home mortgage rate, it’s important to shop around, look at all the options and be picky about what you agree to.

The best home mortgage rate will be impacted by a number of things. It’s important to remember, too, that the best mortgage rate for one person will likely not be the best for another. Rates that are offered by banks and other lenders are determined by a number of different factors, so the best rate for one person might be very different than another is offered.

As you shop around for the best mortgage rate for your situation, you’ll find the rates offered are dependent on a number of different things. These include:

* Credit score. This is one of the biggest factors potential lenders look at when they offer you what they can give you. The better your score, the more likely you will be offered a rate that’s reasonable. Banks have to make money, too.

* Income to debt ratio. Even if you have perfect credit, if you don’t have the income a bank would like to see, it’s possible you won’t see the best mortgage rate for your home. If you have more debt than lenders want to see, consider paying some of it off before shopping around. You might even need to close a few accounts and wait a brief while after doing so to make sure your credit score improves.

* Income. Banks will want to see what your income level is and be able to verify it before they make you an offer.

* The current home mortgage rate. Almost every mortgage loan going will have rates that are dependent on the “prime rate.” The higher the going rate, the higher the rates you’ll be provided by banks no mater how good your credit is.

* Value of the home. Interest rates are sometimes dependent on the value of the home a buyer wants to purchase. The more equity you can get right off the bat, the more likely you are to get the best rates available.

* Your down payment. Since your down payment will help determine how much equity you’ll have in the home going into the deal, it’s important to make sure you have a good one. Even if it takes a few years of saving, coming into a deal with a good down payment sitting in the bank can really help net you the best home mortgage rates.

Buying a home is not like buying a pair of shoes. It’s a huge investment in you and your future. The more work you do on the front end to fix credit issues and ensure you’re a good candidate for a loan the better. The more you do to help yourself, the more likely you are to get offered the best home mortgage rate going or close to it.



Claudia

Andrew Bicknell asked:


When you refinance your home mortgage you are essentially replacing your existing loan with a loan of either the same amount or more, but with a lower interest rate. It is important to remember that refinancing your current loan is best considered when the current rates are at least 2% less then the interest rates you are currently paying.

There are several benefits to refinancing your existing home loan: First, refinancing allows a home owner to lower his or her existing monthly mortgage payments. Second, refinancing is also a great way for a home owner to consolidate their debt so as to save valuable money in the long term. Finally, home owners can also benefit from a lower refinancing rate by freeing up cash that can be used on much needed expenditures. In most cases, a lower interest rate is a good reason to refinance a home especially when the home is still quite new, for example the homeowners have been paying on it for only a few years.

In most cases, a lower interest rate is a good reason to refinance a home especially when the home is still quite new, for example the homeowners have been paying on it for only a few years. Many homeowners refinance to free up funds for other things like pay off credits cards more quickly, buying a car, another home or growing the family business. To do this type of loan, a cash out loan, they rely on the equity in the home to get the loan amount they need.

Probably the best way to go about doing a home mortgage refinance is to get multiple quotes from multiple lenders. You can compare quotes and decide whether you would like to accept of the refinance home mortgage quotes offered. There are a lot of lenders that would love to assist your with your refinance home mortgage, but you need to find the one that will best meet your needs. Using an online mortgage loan broker to explore several options for your refinance mortgage is a guaranteed way to save money. Not only will these sites be able to give you rates and quotes, but they will often allow you to find out more information on lenders so that you can make the best choice for your situation. And the best part is there is no obligation when you get a free online quote.

No matter what the reasons for doing a home mortgage refinance be sure to be clear as to exactly why you need to do this in the first place. Is it to save money on interest or to tap into the equity into your home for a large purchase? Be sure to do your research and get the best deal both in terms of interest rates and payment options that best fits into your financial needs.



Ron

T J Madigan asked:


Youre already paying tens of thousands of dollars on a home; undoubtedly, you dont want to spend several additional thousands on closing costs, interest rates, and other hidden costs. Ways to save on your home mortgage arent immediately obvious, especially when you arent familiar with all the ways lenders tack costs into the total amount of the mortgage. Use these tips for ways to save money on your home mortgage.

Make sure you are choosing the right type of home mortgage. When it comes to the total cost over the duration of the loan, the 30-year fixed-rate home mortgage is the most expensive, with one exception. If you plan to live in your home for the length of the loan, it is the best home mortgage. As you shop for mortgages, take into account how long you plan to be in your home. Let that length of time determine the type of mortgage you get. For shorter periods of time, choose an adjustable rate mortgage, longer ones choose a fixed rate.

Negotiate with your lender. Theres nothing wrong with asking your lender for a better interest rate or to eliminate some of the fees associated with the home mortgage. Consider the fees for which the lender make no money: appraisal, inspection fees, processing fee, title fees, private mortgage insurance, and credit report fees. Anything outside of these fees is fair game to be negotiated with the lender. Dont hesitate to ask your lender to take away some of the unnecessary fees.

Make payments more frequently. If you get paid on a bi-weekly basis, consider making bi-weekly home mortgage payments. Each time you make an extra payment, even if its just one, it shortens the life of your loan. By making two payments a month instead of one, it takes you a little over 23 years to repay a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

Make extra payments. Any extra payments you make toward your home mortgage go toward the principal of the loan. So, the balance of the principal, rather than the interest, is reduced by any extra money you pay. When you do this, you can reduce your home mortgage payment dramatically. Before you make extra payments, make sure your agreement did not include a cost for early repayment.

Avoid paying private mortgage insurance. You are required to pay PMI when you make a down payment less than 20 percent of the amount of the loan. The amount you pay in PMI could be used to make extra home mortgage payments or invested in a high yield investment account. If you are already paying PMI, watch your equity closely and drop the insurance once you have 20 percent equity in your home.

Theres no sense in paying extra money in interest and other home mortgage costs unless you absolutely must. By using just one or two of these methods you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the total cost of your mortgage. When you take steps to reduce your costs, make sure you arent decreasing one cost and increasing another simultaneously.



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Helen Hecker asked:


As the nation’s real estate market continues to grow and new technology gains more ground, many widely accepted beliefs that were true just a few years ago may not be true today. Before you go after a home mortgage or home loan or any real estate financing, if you have a lot of bad credit because of consumer debt such as credit card or personal loans, try to eliminate or reduce this debt as soon as possible because it’ll affect your ability to qualify for a home mortgage and the estimated monthly payment.

Some tips to know: whether you’re financing or refinancing. most people move or refinance within a seven year period. And loan programs for down payments of 20% or less require you to purchase Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).

If you’re going to buy a second home or second property, you’ll need to identify the source or sources of your down payment, since you won’t be selling your current house and using the proceeds, and you’ll need to expect a larger monthly payment for housing and other related expenses too.

If you have a problem getting a home mortgage and the seller still owes money on the home you can check with your lender and see if you can get a wraparound mortgage. Although it’s not legal in all states, it will allow you to pay the monthly payment on the existing mortgage and an additional payment to pay the difference; make sure that a wraparound mortgage will not trigger a due-on-sale clause ask the lender in advance.

Many people are not aware that they may be able to customize the length of their loans. Ask the mortgage broker or lender you’re working with. Although lenders usually advertise 15-year loans and 30-year fixed rate mortgages, applicants can ask for 20 years, 25 years or any other number of years that would work better. This may allow borrowers to build up their equity faster and keep their monthly payments in a range they can afford. Some lenders may impose strict limits on how much of the down payment can come from borrowing from other sources.

Some of the advantages of adjustable rate mortgages that are touted include: lower costs - because they are usually priced lower than fixed-rate mortgages so you can increase your buying power and lower your initial monthly payments then if the interest rates go down, you’ll have lower payments. However in all the years I was in the real estate business I never advised anyone to get this type of loan. With the changing market trends one can find themselves in a heap of trouble just like that. This would be a last resort loan and one would have to be sure they were not going to be unemployed in the next few years.

If you’re working with a local builder within a sub-division or housing development and you’re just making carpeting, lighting and appliance selections for a brand new home, you’ll likely be able to get a standard mortgage loan. But if you’re planning to hire the contractors, electricians, plumbers, and painters, you’ll probably need a construction loan, which provides the funds to pay the subcontractors as the work goes along.

You will want to work with your mortgage broker or lender closely to develop an individual home loan or home mortgage program based on your credit worthiness. If you have or think you have a less-than-perfect or ‘bad credit’ credit report don’t worry too much about it. When financing real estate it’s important to know that a low FICO credit score doesn’t mean you won’t qualify for a home loan or home mortgage. There is much ado about the FICO score these days but there are many instances in which it isn’t going to interfere with getting a home loan or mortgage.

If you do borrow money for a down payment it must be disclosed to the lender or if any of the money for your down payment was a gift, be ready to provide proof of it.

The 20-year fixed-rate mortgages allow you to make a consistent higher monthly payment throughout all of the 20 years you have the mortgage; the shorter term means you pay the loan off quicker and therefore pay less interest and importantly, build equity faster than you would with a 30 year loan. You’ll also need to take into consideration what the closing costs will be. Ask about the escrow account for taxes and insurance.

Make sure to ask other homeowners how they’re doing and what real estate financing and home mortgage or loan pitfalls to avoid. And whatever you do don’t get yourself into a situation where you are unable to make the mortgage payments; make sure to think far ahead. Try not to get too overwhelmed with all the different home loan and mortgage choices available.

Make a list of questions and get the answers from any real estate agents, real estate brokers, mortgage lenders and any other real estate professionals you know or meet. Ask them about real estate financing, home mortgages, home loans, refinancing and current mortgage rates. Go online and get home mortgage quotes. Online quotes can often be cheaper because of the elimination of middlemen for example. And compare the quotes with other quotes you get locally to find the best rates for you.



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