Tuesday, February 28, 2006

The Online Mortgage Calculator Top Ten

Author: Kevin Sabol

An online mortgage calculator top ten can solve the sometimes tricky financial aspect of purchasing and owning a home. Fortunately, you can take the confusion in hand and make sense of it by using resources like an online mortgage calculator. Regardless of the what type of information you are seeking, chances are you can find it in these ten assortments of mortgage calculators.

For example, one of the first calculators available in an online mortgage calculator top ten assortment is the monthly mortgage payment calculator. This calculator will help you to determine the amount of your monthly mortgage payment before you buy a home.

The additional mortgage payment calculator will provide information to help you understand how much money you can save by making additional payments on your mortgage.

Not sure how much money you have to make to afford the house of your dreams? Check out one of the most popular calculators in the online mortgage calculator top ten assortment. This calculator will tell you how much you need to earn in order to afford that home you've been eyeing.

Is it possible that you already have too much debt and won't be able to afford the home you want? There's a qualification calculator in the top ten assortments that can help you discover the answer by calculating your monthly debt obligations in comparison to your gross annual income and the specifics of your prospective mortgage loan.

In an alternate version of this same calculator, you can also find out exactly how much house you can afford if you already know how much you can afford to spend per month on a mortgage note. This affordability mortgage calculator tallies the total according to the 28/26 rule; which most lenders use to determine whether they will approve a loan or not.

Basically, the 28/36 rule says that you can spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing expenses and no more than 36% of your gross monthly income on all recurring debt obligations plus housing expenses.

Many homeowners struggle with making the decision of whether they should pay discount points in order to obtain a lower interest rate or not. One of the mortgage calculators in the top ten assortments can help to make that decision a little easier by comparing an interest rate with discount points to an original interest rate.

Refinancing a home can be a good way to obtain funds to pay for a variety of expenses including remodeling as well as college tuition or to take advantage of lower interest rates. The problem for many homeowners; however is in trying to figure out how long it will take them to recoup the cost of refinancing their home loan. This is because you must take into consideration the loan origination fees when you refinance. A refinance mortgage calculator is in the online mortgage calculator top ten assortment can help you to do just that.

One of the biggest advantages of home ownership is being able to deduct all that interest on your taxes. Just how much can you save in taxes? Find out with a special mortgage tax savings calculator available through the mortgage calculator top ten.

Finally, by taking advantage of one of the mortgage calculators available in this assortment you can also discover whether it's feasible for you to actually pay off your home loan early by using a bi-weekly payment technique. This bi-weekly mortgage calculator will tell you how much time and money you'll save.

In addition to these calculators, you can also take advantage of many others that can help you answer a variety of questions, such as the following:

1) How much do you save by paying a little more on your mortgage loan every month? 2) How much can you save every month when you buy a home instead of rent? 3) How much money can you save if you use an interest only payment plan?

This wide variety of online mortgage calculator top ten tools can not only help you sort through the confusion of finances when it comes to purchasing and owning a home, but it will also help you to get your budget on track.

You can find much more about using all these mortgage calculators by visiting http://www.mortgage-calculator-tips.com.

About the author: Kevin Sabol is president of Countywide Mortgage Corporation. The Mortgage Calculator Tips website offers helpful tips on using the variety of online mortgage calculators. More information can be found by visiting http://www.mortgage-calculator-tips.com.

Mortgage Life Insurance & Mortgage Redemption and Cancellation Life Insurance

Author: Donald Lusan

Mortgage life insurance is one of the most important life insurance policies a person who owns a home can buy. Since the ownership of this home is probably the largest investment for most people it is imperative that your investment be protected in the event of premature death. I want to take some time to discuss alternative plans that can be used to do this.

Mortgage Life Insurance

What really is mortgage life insurance. Mortgage life insurance pays off the balance owed to the bank or mortgage company in case of your premature death. Let us assume you have a $100,000 25 year mortgage on your house. Let us also assume that after 5 years you have a balance owed of $95,000. Incidentally that figure is not as impractical as it sounds. Your principal decreases very slowly in the early years. Back to our discussion; You now believe you should take out some mortgage life insurance because you now have a new baby. What you need is a 20 year decreasing term policy which would usually be sufficient if you should die anywhere within the mortgage period. That is what mortgage life insurance is all about.

Some people add the waiver of premium benefit in case they should become disabled for at least 6 months the life insurance company will pay the premium for them. As an alternative to the decreasing term policy some policy owners use a 20 year term policy . If that person should die when there is only $50,000 owed for example, they have a little extra to put in the pockets of the beneficiary. $50,000 to the bank and the other $50,000 to the beneficiary. There is another alternative if you have some cash to play with.

Mortgage Redemption And Cancellation Insurance

Here is how this works. Let us use the above situation as an example. You are at the 5 year point just like in the mortgage life insurance example. What you do is buy a whole life or variable life insurance policy for $95,000, which is the amount owed on the mortgage. You are putting out a lot more premium but if this works right you will be happy about your decision. If you die before the mortgage is paid off the insurance policy will pay it off. Remember your whole life or variable life policy accumulates cash value. There are no guarantees, but at some time between the 5 year point and the 25 year point the cash value of your policy will be equal to the amount owed on the mortgage. You can cash out the policy or take a loan on it and pay off the balance of the mortgage. You would have redeemed your mortgage. You now own your house free and clear. Now is that not a great idea?

Click the link below to learn more about the varying uses of life insurance.

About the author: For more than 40 years Donald has been known for his extensive knowledge of the life insurance business. He has represented some of the largest and best life insurance companies in the United States as well as Canada. His advice is invaluable.

Donald's website is: http://www.lifeinsurancehub.net

Secrets I Probably Shouldn't Reveal:How To Get Other People To Pay Your Home Mortgage

Author: James Wilson

Everyone dreams of becoming a home owner, and when that day finally comes, it may be a little more difficult than expected to stay current on payments and organize household finances.

And, while there are a number of loans and financial provisions that can be made for individuals in a number of different situations, I'd like to share one method I used to get other people to pay my monthly house payment--mortgage sponsorship.

Mortgage sponsorship is the process of soliciting other businesses to cover your mortgage costs, while providing free advertising for the business.

Mortgages are auctioned off, mostly online at eBay, and businesses can bid on the mortgages they are willing to pay in exchange for excessive publicity for a specified amount of time.

This system seems to work pretty well, since businesses are continually looking for more exposure, and a story about an unusual sale on eBay will almost always do the trick.

In my case, the winning bidder's business is spotlighted for six months on my web site, so that both the homeowner and the business can receive the maximum benefits as a result of the deal.

This method has proven to save my family significant amounts of money, and allows us the opportunity to reorganize our finances in order to pay off other debts.

Before selecting a business to sponsor your mortgage, its best to get as much background information as possible about the history of the company, and how many customers that company usually has.

This way, you'll be able to tell just how capable the businesses you choose are of actually helping you with your mortgage payment.

Be sure to set up a definite financial plan with the business you select before making any final decisions, and make sure that you can meet all the advertising requirements for the company.

For more information on how to get your mortgage sponsored and save your family money, visit www.sponsormymortgage.com .

About the author: James Wilson, a marketing strategist and business consultant, will take you by the hand and show you how to uncover hidden assets and overlooked opportunities in your business to boost your bottom-line. He can be reached by visiting www.sponsormymortgage.com

Bugs Finance offers phoenix commercial mortgage loan

Author: srinivas

HI All, With an office in Phoenix, AZ, bugs finance was founded by group of students from Arizona State University. Bugs finance is known as being a leader in the lending industry. Founded in 2002, bugs finance is a subsidiary of D and E financing. Bugs Finance delivers excellent customer service along with the security of being part of one of the best mortgage companies in America. At bugs finance we meet our customer's expectations through our 24 hour/7 days a week full-service organization delivering competitive rates and a hassle-free loan experience.

Bugs Finance offers the consumer a variety of products, including first mortgages, fixed rate second mortgages, variable equity lines of credit and no closing cost option equity seconds. The online capabilities allow the customer to communicate with knowledgeable loan agents from home, work or on the road. arizona mortgage, hipoteca, mortgage phoenix, phoenix arizona home mortgage, arizona home loan, arizona mortgage rate, arizona home equity loan, arizona mortgage broker, home loan phoenix, arizona mortgage lender, mortgage lender phoenix, mortgage broker phoenix, mortgage company phoenix, arizona commercial loan mortgage, phoenix commercial mortgage loan bugsfinance.com

Thanks for your time http://www.bugsfinance.com

http://www.bugsfinance.com

About the author: Bugs Finance offers the consumer a variety of products, including first mortgages, fixed rate second mortgages, variable equity lines of credit and no closing cost option equity seconds. The online capabilities allow the customer to communicate with knowledgeable loan agents from home, work or on the road.

Mortgage Loans 101: What's a Balloon Loan?

Author: Brandon Cornett

When buying a home and evaluating your mortgage loan options, you'll likely encounter the term ""balloon loan."" This type of loan allows you to make fixed payments for a certain period of time, but then requires you to pay off the remaining balance in one lump-sum payment.

Key Points of the Balloon Loan

* The interest rate on a balloon mortgage loan is almost always lower than the interest rate on a traditional 15- or 30-year mortgage loan. This is the primary benefit offered by this type of loan.

* The result of the lower interest rate, of course, is a lower overall monthly payment.

* Balloon mortgage loans usually have a term of five to seven years. After that, you must pay off the remaining balance in full (either by refinancing or paying out of pocket).

* Some balloon loans can be converted to a fixed-rate mortgage loan at the end of the original term. In such cases, the fixed-rate loan will take on current interest rates at the time of conversion.

* A balloon loan may be a good idea if you only plan to stay in a house for five to seven years. It can save you money each month, and if you sell the house before the term ends, you'll avoid the lump sum payment.

Before deciding whether or not a balloon loan is right for you, you should educate yourself on all of the loan types. It's also a good idea to seek the advice of a qualified, reputable mortgage professional.

Conclusion

If you only plan to stay in a home for a few years, a balloon loan might be a good option for you. In most cases, a balloon loan will offer lower interest rates than a conventional, long-term loan. Educate yourself before choosing a balloon loan, and be sure to have a plan in place for when the loan terms ends. Always seek the advice of a qualified mortgage professional.

* Copyright 2006, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this article in its entirety, provided you keep the byline, author's note and website hyperlink intact.

About the author: Brandon Cornett is the editor of HomeBuyingInstitute.com, one of the Internet's 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

Monday, February 27, 2006

How Can Home Owners Pay Off A Mortgage 10 Years Sooner By, Of All Things,Getting Rid Of Their Checking Account?

Author: Nick Krehnke

How Can Home Owners Pay Off A Mortgage 10 Years Sooner By, Of All Things,Getting Rid Of Their Checking Account?

New Loan Features Can Save Home Owners Hundreds and Thousands of Dollars Without Spending One Penny In Extra Payments

Everyone is always looking to save money one way or another. This is especially true with their biggest bill of all, the house payment.

But is there a way to do this without having to cut back on the things that they really like to do? For some homeowners it is a reality and the savings are, quite frankly, nothing short of amazing. The simplicity of this plan is laughable, and, at the same time, a stroke of genius. Here it is: "Replace The Checking Account with A Home Equity Line Of Credit and It Will Save A Ton of Money."

That is pretty much it, but let?s breaks it down a bit more. A Home Equity Line Of Credit (HELOC) has 2 unique features that no other home loan offers that make this possible. They are:

1. It is a Revolving Account? Just like a checking account or a credit card. That means money can be deposited and withdrawn when needed. That is why the lender issues a debit card and checks when someone opens a HELOC.

2. Interest Compounds Daily Instead Of Monthly? While this may sound like a negative, it is really a benefit. Here is an example: Say you just got paid at work. Go to the bank and deposit the check, but deposit it into the HELOC instead of the checking account. Go to the store to buy some groceries. Pay them with a debit card or checks, but use the one from the HELOC instead of the checking account.

Here is how money is saved with this program:

Remember how the interest compounds daily? Go grab a bank statement from the checking account. See where it says "Average Daily Balance." That means with all of the deposits and withdrawals, this is the average amount in the account.

Put this money into a HELOC it will lower the balance of the loan, thus lowering the payment. Because it compounds daily, it does not matter if deposits and withdrawals happen all of the time. Any amount deposited into the HELOC above the basic interest goes 100% to lowering the principal balance. Let?s work with some hard number and see it in action.

Take a $150,000 HELOC at 8%. This would make the full payment $1,100, with $1,000 of that going toward interest. A whopping $100 goes toward principal. The average daily balance in the checking account is $10,000.

Deposit the $10,000 into a HELOC, making the balance $140,000. That would lower the interest part of the payment from $1,000 to $933, a savings of $67. Of the $1,100 payment, $167 goes toward principal instead of $100. That might not sound like much, unless it is put in these terms:

This will save $132,000 in interest on a $150,000 loan This would shave a full 10 years off the loan. It would be paid off in 20 years instead of 30. That is 120 less payments of $1,100 per month. A lot of savings for the average homeowner.

Conclusion: After reviewing the facts features and claims in regards to this loan program, I can honestly say it is one of the only ways of saving a lot of money without having to scrape money together and go on a stricter budget.

With Over $100,000,000 in Home Loans Funded per Year, Nick Krehnke, is truly an "Expert's Expert" in the area of Home Finance and Investing. He is also the author of "How to Retire Rich with Real Estate, By Owning Just One Home"

Get a Free Custom Report from his website at www.Home-Loans-By-Nick. com

About the author: With Over $100,000,000 in Home Loans Funded per Year, Nick Krehnke, is truly an ""Expert's Expert"" in the area of Home Finance and Investing. He is also the author of ""How to Retire Rich with Real Estate, By Owning Just One Home""

Get a Free Custom Report from his website at www.Home-Loans-By-Nick.c om

Mortgage rates, where they have been and where they are going

Author: Jake Davis

If you are shopping for a home loan, you know that watching the rise and fall of mortgage rates can be a little nerve wracking. One week they seem to be heading up, then next week they head down. Should you lock in a rate now or wait and hope they might fall further? Unfortunately there are no guarantees in the mortgage rate game. All you can do is look at the current trends and hope to make an informed decision.

First we must look at a little history. If you consider the big picture of the last 25 years, things are looking good. The highest average rate of 18.45% in 1981 was enough to make anyone cringe. That was as high as most credit cards' interest rates! In the more recent time span of 1992 to today, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage has stayed within the range of 9.25-5.25%. The lowest rates in recent history were in June of 2003. Since then, rates have followed a zigzag pattern up and down, but generally are trending slightly upwards. But overall, mortgage rates are still near their lowest in recent years.

This year, 30-year mortgage rates started out around 5.7%. After dipping to the yearly low of around 5.2% they have rebounded to the current level of 6%. The question is, will rates hold steady in this range or is this only the start of a longer rise? That is a topic on which whole volumes of books have been written. So now we must make our best estimate based on the current data. If you look at the current Federal Interest rate situation, new housing sales, and resale-housing inventory, most signs point to a rise in mortgage rates in the near term. How high, is speculation for anyone, but a survey of ""industry experts"" show that most expect to see mortgage rates at 6.75% sometime during 2006.

About the author: Jake Davis writes about various financial and consumer issues for a variety of online sources including his website http://www.newloanexpert.com

A Bad Credit Home Mortgage Loan Is Possible!

Author: Paul Heath

Having a previous history of bad credit does not automatically mean you will be denied finance for a bad credit home mortgage loan. Finance is possible but a larger down payment is normally required by most lenders depending on how low your credit score actually is. A five percent down payment would generally be required with a credit score of less than six hundred, and a twenty percent down payment could be required with a credit score of less than five hundred and eighty. However, you should be careful of unscrupulous lenders, because they may well ask for up to a fifty percent down payment on your bad credit home mortgage loan.

On the other hand, a larger down payment on the bad credit home mortgage loan is even beneficial at times. This is because a down payment of 20% or more can help you in avoiding private mortgage insurance, and can save you a lot of cash in terms of the premium costs on a bad credit home mortgage loan.

To get a bad credit mortgage loan, you can easily apply online for the pre-approved loans. By applying for these loans, you will know your budget and you can find out how much you can borrow, instead of focusing on whether the bad credit mortgage loan will be approved or not.

Also, a very important thing to remember while applying for a bad credit mortgage loan is that you should fill out the application form correctly. Before submitting the application, you should make sure that all the information provided by you is accurate and is spelled correctly. If while processing the application, your information cannot be matched, then it may lead to a delay in the approval of the application, or sometimes, and my even lead to rejection of your application for your bad credit home mortgage loan.

About the author: For Uk secured loans Please visit us at http://www.4a-loan.co.uk

Sell Mortgage Note

Author: Raltiff, J

Do you need to Sell a Mortgage Note? We specialize in helping people sell their mortgage note and collect cash now.

To learn more, visit Sell Mortgage Note .

Right now, thousands of people across North America are stuck with investments that they don't want. They would rather have the cash now! Whether it's a real estate note created when selling a property, a business note created when selling a business or even a structured settlement, there are thousands of notes out there that could be turned into cash!

We can help you sell your note!

We work with private individuals to liquidate their cash flows. We have direct contact with note buyers who want to buy your mortgage note! Our Specialties include...

Real Estate Notes Business Notes Structured Settlements Viaticals Bankruptcy Cash Outs Few people know that cash flow notes can be sold TODAY for cash. But it's true. Let us show you how!

Our network of investors is standing by, waiting to make estimates on notes of all varieties. So whether you need to cash out for legal reasons or you know someone who needs some extra cash up front, we can help.

To learn more, visit Sell Mortgage Note .

About the author: J. Ratliff is an internet writer for several topics.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Online Mortgage Calculators: What Can They Do For You?

Author: Dylan Miles

If you are planning on applying for a mortgage, the very best thing you can do before you do anything else is to locate and use a mortgage calculator. You can find many loan and mortgage calculators online. Simply use your favorite web browser and conduct a quick Internet search for online mortgage calculators. Your search will bring up many websites that offer you the use of their online mortgage calculators for free.

What can an online mortgage calculator do for me?

Online mortgage calculators can help you make informed decisions about the type of mortgage that best suits you. They will also help you gauge the amount of mortgage that you can actually afford to repay. There are so many types of mortgages out there and you need to know all about them, how they compare, and which ones are best for you. There are fixed rate mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages. Online mortgage calculators can calculate payments and determine whether your choice of mortgage is the right one for you.

Online mortgage calculators can help you to:

1. Determine what mortgage amount is affordable depending on your financial situation now and in the near future. 2. Determine other information vital to applying for a mortgage. 3. Determine your monthly payments by calculating loan amount, length of loan, interest rates, and terms. 4. Compare different mortgage products, e.g. fixed rate versus adjustable rates. You can also compare 30 year and 15 year mortgages. 5. Determine how extra payments will help you decrease the number of years of the mortgage payments.

Before you make any decision about the mortgage process, do yourself a favour and use one of the hundreds of online loan and mortgage calculators hosted by various companies, such as Bankrate.com, Calcbuilder.com, Interest.com, HSH.com.

About the author: Dylan Miles, journalist, and publisher, is the owner and co-editor of http://www.coolfreestuff.info on which you will find more a detailed version of this article.

Mortgage Insurance explained

Author: Jason Hulott

Getting a mortgage is bad enough - what with terms like fixed rate, discount, variable etc - so mention mortgage insurance and naturally your eyes will start to glaze over.

However, mortgage insurance is an extremely important insurance to have - in fact, it can the difference between keeping a roof over your head or ending up having your home repossessed.

If you recently took out a mortgage, you may remember the lender asking you whether you wanted mortgage payment protection insurance. It probably sounded expensive and unnecessary. And while, in some cases, there are companies who like to charge you too much for the product, it doesn't have to be that way.

As for it being unnecessary - get the right policy and at the right price and it will be an invaluable safety net for you. So, what is mortgage insurance? It is a product whereby should you be unable to meet your mortgage repayments due to being made involuntarily redundant or due to being able to work because of sickness or maybe an accident - then it will cover your mortgage repayments.

Your mortgage repayments (and sometimes other mortgage related outgoings too) will be covered for up to a set period of time (typically 12 months but this can vary from provider to provider) to give you enough time to find another job, or get well etc.

Many people may think that mortgage payment protection insurance is a waste of money, using the old adage ""It'll never happen to me"". However, this is not true. Being unable to work - and therefore having to struggle on state benefits - due to involuntary redundancy, accident or sickness can happen to anyone. It does not discriminate and can strike anyone at any time.

Therefore, if you are in full time employment for more than 16 hours a week and you have a mortgage, then taking out insurance against the financial ramifications makes sound sense.

Despite what the press says, it doesn't have to be expensive to take out this kind of insurance, and nor do you have to take out a policy with your current mortgage lender. This means you are free to shop around to get a policy that offers you comprehensive protection without a high price tag!

If you are looking for mortgage protection insurance, then do not automatically accept the first quotation you get - premiums can vary wildly, as can the terms of the policy and the benefits.

Do your research - the internet is a quick and easy way to compare policies - and then make a decision from there.

About the author: Jason Hulott is Business Development Director of Protection Insurance. Protection Insurance is an internet based insurance business dedicated to getting consumers the very best insurance rates and the best products. Our product portfolio includes Mortgage Insurance

Second Mortgage Loans

Author: Rebecca Game

Second Mortgage Loans

While business loans may be beneficial for some businesses, there are other options available. If you are a home owner as well as a business owner, and find the need for a loan for business purchases or expansion is in your horizon, consider a second mortgage loan

Advantages of Second Mortgage Loans for Business

- The interest rate on a second mortgage loan may be tax deductible. Often, the interest from a second mortgage loan can be deducted each year through itemization on federal income tax forms, and this may also carry over onto state income taxes, depending on the state in which you reside. Consult with your financial institution and tax preparation person or agency to verify.

- The money may be readily available with a second mortgage loan. Especially if your credit rating is good, and even if it's not, the money is certain to be there to borrow provided you have equity in the home. Since home and property values continue to increase annually, it would be a rare instance for equity not to be available, especially if you have not recently borrowed against the home.

Secured loans, such as a second mortgage loan, are generally easier to obtain than a signature loan or a business loan, both of which can also offer a higher interest rate. Borrowing money against your home assures the financial institution that if the loan is not paid, they will have something to fall back on, namely, your house.

Disadvantages of Second Mortgage Loans for Business

- The interest rate on a second mortgage loan is generally higher than on a first mortgage. Interest rates may vary, so consult with your financial institution to learn about current rates for a second mortgage loan. Rates will also vary according to your credit rating. If credit scores are high, interest rates will be lower. Lower credit scores will mean that a higher interest rate will be effective for your second mortgage loan.

- Closing on a second mortgage loan may be a time-consuming process. It's safe to estimate that obtaining money from a second mortgage loan can take one to two months, even if your credit rating is good. In order to get a second mortgage loan, there are a few steps involved that must be completed before the check can be cut.

First, preapproval must be completed to get a second mortgage loan. A second mortgage loan requires a full home loan application, which is generally several pages long. Upon receiving the second mortgage application, the financial institution will issue preapproval for the second mortgage loan, and will require the home be appraised by a certified home appraiser.

An appointment with an appraiser will be set, and the appraiser will visit your home, take measurements of rooms, the property, and the outside of the home, and may also take photographs. The appraisal may take an estimated five to ten business days to compile, and will include detailed information about the home in an appraisal report. It is then submitted to the financial institution. At that point, the loan can be approved for the amount of equity in the home, or if less money is needed, the loan will be written for the amount you've requested. Loan papers can then be generated, which can take several more days, and closing on the second mortgage loan will be completed when all has been completed.

A second mortgage loan, depending on credit scores, can be written for up to 100 percent of the current value of the home, with consideration for the first mortgage as well. In some instances, a second mortgage loan can be issued for more than 100 percent of the home's value.

The most important thing to remember with a second mortgage loan is to stay current on payments. Like a first mortgage, credit ratings are deeply affected if payments are not made in a timely manner. This can affect your ability to obtain credit in the future, and can jeopardize your home ownership. All factors need to be carefully weighed prior to signing for a second mortgage loan or any other type of loan.

About the author: Rebecca Game is the founder of Digital Women ®, an online community for women in business. A 30 year entrepreneur and dedicated to helping other women. Visit her site: Loans for Women

http://loans.digital-women.com

Mortgage Agreement Participants

Author: Jeremy Maddock

As with any other financial deal, the main participants in a mortgage contract are the two parties that the agreement is between.

In the case of morgages , one party that is always involved is the buyer of a piece of property. This is generally an individual, business, or corporation, which wants to buy a property, but doesn't have the means to completely pay for it right away.

The other major participant is the creditor, or the party who lends money to the property buyer. In most cases, the creditor is a bank or financial institution, although private mortgages certainly aren't unheard of.

Morgage rates must be agreed upon by both the creditor and the debitor (buyer). They can vary on a case-by-case basis, but usually follow a common market average or benchmark.

Other parties in a mortgage contract could include lawyers, mortgage brokers, and financial advisors. These additional parties help to establish morgage quotes prior to the signing of a contract, and then ensure that the entire transaction is handled smoothly and fairly.

About the author: Jeremy Maddock is the webmaster of FinanceFacts.info, a useful source of finance articles .

Pricing Mortgage Leads

Author: Jay Conners

Pricing Mortgage Leads

If you are a loan officer or mortgage broker on the market for internet mortgage leads, than many things will be of importance to you, including the cost of the lead.

When researching mortgage lead companies, a clear indication of the quality of the lead you will be receiving should be in the pricing.

For instance, if you take $100.00 and invest it in a lead company in order to receive 50 leads, you can safely assume that the leads you receive will be very old and recycled time and time again to other lead companies and countless loan officers.

On the other hand, if you take that same $100.00 and invest it in a lead company in order to receive anywhere from three to six leads, you can than safely assume that the quality of these leads are very good. These types of leads are known as ""real time,"" or ""fresh leads.""

When it comes to pricing and quality of leads, make sure you do your research. Be sure to speak with someone in the customer service department and find out the details of the type of leads they sell, and where they are obtaining these leads from.

If you decide to buy your leads in real time, and you are paying a good price for them, there really should be no reason as to why the lead would be any older than one day. In fact, if the lead is more than an hour old, it cannot be considered real time.

Remember, you work hard for your money, so the lead company you invest in should be delivering good quality leads if that is what they are claiming to sell.

If you choose to buy your leads cheap and in bulk, than you can expect the quality of the lead to be poor. You can also count on hearing things such as ""I did that weeks ago,"" or ""I just closed on that loan last week.""

Keep in mind, when researching lead companies, do your home work, speak with someone in the customer service department. If the answers to your questions don't meet your satisfaction, than the response to any future issues you may have, such as a refund, may not live up to your expectations either, so be careful.

Jay Conners has more than fifteen years of experience in the banking and Mortgage Industry, He is the owner of http://www.jconners.com, a mortgage resource site, he is also the owner of http://www.callprospect.com, a mortgage lead company.

About the author: If you are a loan officer or mortgage broker on the market for internet mortgage leads, than many things will be of importance to you, including the cost of the lead.

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Mortgage lead generation

Author: Jay Conners

If you are a loan officer or a mortgage broker looking for a good lead source, one of the first things you will want to do when considering a mortgage lead company is find out how they go about generating their leads.

How a mortgage lead company generates their leads is very important because it has a lot to do with the quality of the leads you will be receiving.

If a lead company is buying their leads from another source, than what they are doing is recycling leads. And who knows how many times that third party company has sold the leads to other companies.

Your chances of closing a loan on a lead that has gone through the hands of fifteen other loan officers before it reached your desk are slim to none. So steer clear of recycled leads.

Some lead companies have one data base with thousands of leads that they continue to sell over and over again. They will sell them cheap, but most times you are required to buy in bulk. These leads are usually six months to a year old and sometimes more. This is also known as recycling. An even better way to describe this is ""selling junk.""

Look for the lead companies that obtain their leads from web sites that they own and operate them selves. These types of companies receive fresh leads on a daily basis and will sell them in ""real time."" So, by the time you receive the lead, it is only a few seconds old.

The best way for you to determine where a mortgage lead company generates their leads is to call and speak with someone in customer service.

Ask them the direct question, ""how do you obtain your leads?"" If you are not satisfied with the answer they give you, than chances are, you will not be happy with the leads they send you.

About the author: Jay Conners has more than fifteen years of experience in the banking and Mortgage Industry, He is the owner of http://www.jconners.com, a mortgage resource site, he is also the owner of http://www.callprospect.com, a mortgage lead company.

Mobile Home Mortgage Loans

Author: Al Falaq Arsendatama

A large number of prospective homeowners are interested in acquiring mobile or manufactured homes. Should these homeowners require financial assistance, they will need to take the assistance of approved lenders who make the money available from their own resources as FHA does not lend money for this purpose.

Since these loans are not government funded, they are not low interest loans. The interest rate is fixed based on prevailing market rates. However, since the loan is privately funded, you can take this to mean that mobile home loans are also available to persons with poor credit, albeit at a higher interest rate to compensate for the greater risk involved.

Regardless of the source of funding, lending institutions place certain conditions on the loan advanced for mobile homes. The home being financed has to be used as the principal residence by the person taking the loan. The maximum loan amount and tenure depend on the location and can vary with in designated high cost areas. Tenures vary between 15 to 25 years.

Manufactured or mobile homes are usually sold through dealers or retailers. These dealers themselves can give you names of lenders who specialize in financing these types of homes. They will have the necessary certification to prove that the home in question complies with the construction and safety standards. They will also help you to complete the documentation required to complete your loan application.

Essentially, the prospective homeowner needs to demonstrate that he has the financial stability to service the loan, he should be able to pay 5% down payment at the very least and have a suitable site - leased or owned where the home can be placed. The home itself must meet the required safety criteria and standards and carry a one year warranty. It must be erected on a site that meets the standards for sewage disposal and supply of water, electricity etc.

The law also prohibits the use of the loan to purchase furniture etc. However, it can be used to finance anything that is built in to the house. This could include various appliances such as air conditioners and wall to wall carpeting.

It is amply evident therefore that the mere fact that you have chosen a mobile home or a manufactured home is no excuse for a lender not to lend you money- so far as the home meets the required criteria in terms of site, manufacturing standards and owners contribution. In fact, the 'Fair Housing Act' gives you specific protection to ensure that you are not forced to accept higher interest rates etc simply because you are from a minority community etc.

Please visit our site to find more useful articles on mortgage: http://www.mortgage-lounge.com/tricks-lower-mortgage-interest.htm l and credit card: http://www.creditcardlounge.com

About the author: Al Falaq Arsendatama has written a number of useful articles on home loan and credit card. Visit our site http://www.mortgage-lounge.com for more information.

Balloon Or Reset Mortgage Loans - Understanding The Basics

Author: Carrie Reeder

A balloon mortgage, also called a reset mortgage, offers lower interest rates with the option in 5 or 7 years to pay off the balance or resent the loan. Considered more risky than an ARM since interest rates can jump significantly, it is a valid option for those expecting to move or interest rates to drop.

Balloon Mortgage Features

Balloon mortgages are based on a 30 year amortization schedule, but you only pay those payments for 5 or 7 years depending on your loan's terms. At the end of that period, you are required to make a balloon payment for the rest of the principal or resent the mortgage at current interest rates. Some financing companies also offer the option of refinancing the home loan.

With its unique interest rate structure, you can qualify to borrow more than a with a fixed rate mortgage. Balloon mortgages also have interest rates lower than a traditional home loan.

Balloon Mortgage Numbers

Balloon mortgages, like ARMs, use numbers to describe terms. The first number is the number of years until you reset the loan or make the balloon payment. The second number equals the rest of the loan term. Together both numbers equal the loan's amortization schedule.

So a 7/23 mortgage means that you have 7 years until the balloon payment is due, 23 year's worth of principal. Adding the two numbers together, your loan is amortized for 30 years.

Reset Requirements

In order to reset your loan, you have to qualify by still occupying the home, having no liens against the property, and having made on time monthly payments for the last year. If you don't qualify to reset the mortgage, you may be able to still refinance the loan.

Balloon Mortgage Considerations

Balloon mortgages don't have the fluctuating interest rates of an ARM, but they don't have the caps to safeguard against extremely high future rates. You may also find that due to a reverse in your financial situation you many not qualify to reset or refinance your home, and have to sell it to meet the balloon payment. In the end you are trading security of a fixed rate for lower interest payments.

About the author: See my recommended Home Mortgage Lenders online. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help finding the best home mortgage loans .

Repaying a Mortgage

Author: Jeremy Maddock

The process of repaying a morgage is usually quite a long-term affair, often taking several decades, but its terms are tentatively decided from the time that the initial agreement is signed.

Of course, most morgages do offer some flexibility. Morgage rates do gradually change over time, and rates that might seem fair at one time could be utterly ridiculous a decade later.

This is why the whole concept of morgage refinancing came about. This makes it possible for debitors to get new morgage quotes, and establish new terms every few years, if they so desire.

About the author: Jeremy Maddock is the webmaster of FinanceFacts.info, a useful source of finance articles .

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans - Understanding The Basics

Author: Carrie Reeder

Adjustable rate mortgages (ARM), developed when mortgage interest rates were high, can help you finance the purchase of a home with low interest rates. An ideal choice for those who expect their income to rise or move in a couple of years, an ARM also increases your risk for higher payments. Fortunately, lenders also offer safeguards to limit some of your risk to excessively high interest rates.

ARM Features

An ARM starts with a low interest rate, up to 3% lower than a fixed rate mortgage. With lower rates, you usually qualify to borrow more than with a fixed rate home loan.

ARMs usually start with a fixed rate period and end with fluctuating yearly interest rates, increasing or decreasing your monthly payment. So a 3/1 ARM means 3 years of fixed rates with interest rates changing every year after that. Interest rates are based on an index, usually the rate on the T-bill or LIBOR, and the margin the lender adds to the index.

ARM Safeguards

In order to protect borrowers from sky-rocketing monthly payments, mortgage lenders put in place safeguards. For example, a point cap limits how much interest rates can rise monthly and over the life of the loan. There are also ceiling limits on how low rates can go, protecting the lender.

Another safeguard is a dollar cap on monthly payments. However, if interest rates rise higher than the dollar cap allows, you may end up with a longer loan. Many financing companies also allow you to convert your ARM to a fixed rate mortgage after a predetermined period.

ARM Considerations

While an ARM has many benefits, there are other considerations to look at. For instance, interest rates can rise 4% or more over the course of your home loan. If you plan to stay in your home for several years, a fixed rate may offer lower interest costs in the long term. ARMs are also unpredictable, which makes planning long term financing goals difficult.

Before you apply for an ARM, make sure you are comfortable with the level of risk involve. However, if you expect your income to rise in the future or to move, then you may be saving yourself a lot of money in interest payments with an ARM.

About the author: See my recommended Home Mortgage Lenders online. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help finding the best home mortgage loans .

Friday, February 24, 2006

How do you Find the Best Home Mortgage Loan?

Author: Derek Gardner

Take a good look first. When it comes to finding a home mortgage for your first home, your second home or maybe you are just looking to refinance. Whatever the cause may be, it is important to shop around first, before you decide on a specific home mortgage.

Which company to choose? Luckily home mortgage companies are very competitive, and they want to do business with you and they do not mind competing for it, let them. On the internet there is a lot of companies represented, and it is fairly easy to track down a home mortgage.

No down payment for your home mortgage? If you are on the market looking for a new home, you might want to consider buying a home with no down payment, known as 100% financing. The advantage of purchasing a home with no down payment is that you will be able to use the cash you usually would use for a down payment for other things. For example: closing costs, a kitchen, furniture's or anything else you like.

How about my credit and home mortgage? One of the requests for purchasing a home with no down payment is having superb credit, or at least, next to superb credit. When borrowing up to 100% of the value of a house, the lender may charge a higher interest rate. The lender does this because they are taking on more of a risk.

Can anyone help you with a home mortgage? Mortgage brokers are not real lenders. Their job is to shop around, finding a home mortgage for you. A mortgage broker has access to hundreds of wholesale lenders who lend to people with credit issues or a unique situation. So if your consider yourself to be in that category, a broker may be perfect for you. Allow for up to four brokers or loan officers to consider your situation, and then wait for them to come back to you with an offer. The broker that finds you the most excellent deal within reason should be the one you give most of your attention.

Final word about home mortgage. With a bit of effort you will find the home mortgage that is just right for you; with or without a mortgage broker to help you.

About the author: Huge amount of Home Mortgage information on this website. Go visit. http://www.homemortgage.infostairs.com

Refinance Your Fha Home Mortgage Loan - Refinancing With The Streamline Process

Author: Carrie Reeder

You can now refinance your FHA loan with their streamlined process. With reduced paperwork, your lender can process your mortgage much quicker. There are some unique requirements to refinance your FHA loan, but you continued to be backed by the FHA through this process.

Basic Requirements

In addition to having a good credit record to refinance your home, the FHA also requires you to already be FHA insured and be current on your mortgage. Refinancing also has to lower the borrower's monthly payment, and no equity can be withdrawn.

Refinancing Packages

Financing companies offer a couple of different refinancing packages for FHA mortgages. A common package offers no up front payment to refinance. Often these types of mortgages are touted as ""no cost"", but you pay higher interest rates for this option.

Another type of refinancing package allows closing costs to be included as part of the mortgage amount. This option is only available if there is enough equity in the property, which is determined by a FHA appraiser.

You can also choose a traditional refinancing package where you pay loan fees and points up front. This option will give you the best rates.

Mortgage Terms

In addition to low interest rates, you can save money and build up your equity faster by choosing a short term loan rate. By converting from a 30 to 15 year mortgage, you qualify for a lower rate and reduce you overall interest payments by at least half.

If you have an adjustable rate mortgage, you can also save on interest rates in the long term by locking into a fixed rate mortgage. However, if you think interest rates will fall in the future, stick with an ARM.

FHA Lenders

Only HUD approved lenders can refinance FHA loans. Fortunately, most lending companies are HUD approved. You should also compare rates and fees of these lenders to be sure that you find the lowest rates and fees.

To save time, use an online mortgage broker to request quotes. Within a matter minutes you can have a list of lenders with their rates to compare. From this list you can request more information from lenders or apply online for speedy processing. Online lenders will also offer discounts since they have less overhead costs than traditional financing companies.

About the author: See my recommended Home Mortgage Refinance Lenders for the lowest rates online. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help finding low rate home mortgage loans .

Refinancing Your Home Mortgage Loan - Refinance Your Adjustable Rate Mortgage

Author: Carrie Reeder

Refinancing an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) is a common practice for borrowers. However, it may not always be the best option. Depending on how high interest rates climb, there are cases when you could end up spending more on converting your mortgage than you would save with a locked in interest rate.

Adding Up Costs

Before you jump on a refinancing offer, consider the upfront costs. To refinance a $100,000 loan, you can expect loan fees to range from $1000 to $3000. That is not including points for lower rates.

In order to recoup these origination costs, you need to be planning to spend several years in your home. Also, if you only have a couple of years left on your mortgage, you may be better off with your original mortgage.

Benefits Of Refinancing

Locking in a low rate is the most common benefit to refinancing an ARM. By converting to a fixed rate mortgage, you are guaranteed a low interest without worrying about yearly interest rate fluxes.

You can also build up your equity sooner by converting to a biweekly mortgage or short term loan. With larger monthly payments, you can potentially save thousands on interest payments.

When Not To Refinance

With an ARM there is always some risk involved, but there are cases when keeping your ARM makes financial sense. For instance, unless interest rates will rise more than a couple of percentage points over the course of your loan, you will probably pay more in loan fees than you will save. You should also keep your ARM if current rates are only 1% or lower than your ARM's rate.

You may also want to keep your ARM if you are planning to move soon. With homeowners moving within seven years of buying a home, it doesn't make sense to refinance when you won't recoup the costs.

Picking A Lender

Just like with any mortgage, you want to be sure that you have researched several lenders before choosing one. Request quotes on both rates and fees. You will need to add up total costs to find the best financing package. You can also use the internet to find online mortgage lenders. Many times these lenders will offer lower interest rates or low closing costs to remain competitive.

About the author: See my recommended Home Mortgage Refinance Lenders for the lowest rates online. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help finding low rate home mortgage loans .

Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans - Understanding The Basics

Author: Carrie Reeder

Fixed rate mortgages are the most common type of mortgage loan for home buyers. With predictable payments, long term homeowners can plan their budgets and guard against rising interest rates. But a fixed rate mortgage is not for everyone with its higher interest rates and a reduction in your buying power.

Fixed Rate Mortgage Features

A fixed rate mortgage features set rates, long term low monthly payments, and low risk. Interest rates are determined during your loan application process. Rates are set by the market. You can also lower your interest rate by paying points up front. This option only makes sense if you stay in your home for several years.

Long term low monthly payments are another benefit of this type of home loan. Over time, inflation will raise the price of everything except your mortgage payment. As your salary increases, your mortgage costs will also take a smaller percent of your income.

The low risk of fixed interest rates also appeals to borrowers. You don't have to worry about rising interest rates or a balloon payment. You can also repay your loan early, saving money on interest payments.

Mortgage Terms

Traditionally, fixed rate mortgages were 30 or 15 year terms. Now lenders offer a couple of additional options. 30 year loans are still the most popular with their low monthly payments. A 30 year loan also enables you to qualify for more than shorter loans.

15, 20, and 40 year mortgages are also options. 15 and 20 year loans qualify for lower interest rates, but you will have higher monthly payments between 10% and 15% compared to a 30 year mortgage. Shorter loans also save you interest costs, appealing to those who want their loan paid off before retirement or their children go to college. 40 year mortgages are less common, but offer low monthly payments with higher interest costs.

Biweekly mortgage, as the name implies, requires half your mortgage payment every other week. At the end of the year, you have made an extra mortgage payment. You can have your mortgage repaid in 18 to 19 years. Most lenders also allow you to roll over to a 30 year term with no penalties.

Fixed Rate Drawbacks

Even with their benefits, fixed rate mortgages aren't for everyone. Alternative mortgages enable you to borrow more than with a fixed rate mortgage. If you move in less than 7 years, you will also probably pay more in interest payments than if you went with an adjustable rate mortgage. Most homeowners move within the fist 7 years of living in a house. You are also locked into an interest rate that could drop in the future.

About the author: See my recommended Home Mortgage Lenders online. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help finding the best home mortgage loans .

What One Needs to Plan on Buy to Let Mortgage

Author: Agnes Powel

Property acquisition plans can go haywire if buy to let mortgage is not planned well. Buy to let mortgage, unlike other forms of property investments, contribute a major share towards the acquisition. The desire to have easy money in the form of house rentals may lead many people to take the dip. However, how many of them achieve the desired goals through the mortgage is debatable. Buy to let mortgage will be used to acquire second homes for being let on hire. The process of collecting rentals is time and again a long-drawn process. Often the projected rentals cannot be collected. Repayment of buy to let mortgage becomes difficult in such situations.

Planning involves the borrower asking himself questions on several issues related to buy to let mortgage. The very first question that the borrower needs to ask himself is the purpose for which the mortgage is intended. It is true that the buy to let mortgage will be employed in the purchase or construction of a second house. However, 'is the borrower prepared to let the house on rent' will be important to decide. An answer in positive will be a direction to move ahead on the mortgage proposal. If not, then the idea of financing new home may better be shelved. Otherwise, alternative methods of financing new home need to be searched.

Buy to let mortgage comes in a variety of forms in the UK. Depending on the features that they let borrowers enjoy, they may take up different names. Fixed rate, discounted rate, and base rate trackers are just a few of the mortgages available. Mortgage decision includes the type of mortgage that will best suffice ones needs. Borrowers need to make the product decision on the basis of their individual priorities. Fixed rate buy to let mortgages, for instance, keep the rate percentage stable at a certain point for a period or the entire term. This will suit borrowers who want to escape the vicissitudes in interest rate.

No mortgage decision is taken in individuality. Every decision influences directly or indirectly, certain other decisions. The decision to fix rate of interest on buy to let mortgage, for instance, results in an increase in fees. Normally, loan providers will charge 2% as brokerage fees. This is the compensation for the service that they are providing, i.e. searching best deal buy to let mortgages. The brokerage fees may go upwards if clauses such as fixed rate are included. The astuteness of the decision to fix rate of interest will be judged by the times it outweighs an increase in brokerage fees.

Lender decision constitutes an important part of the planning process. The most appropriate lender chosen need to possess the following three essentials. Firstly, the lender must be reputable and have contacts with other prominent banks and financial institutions. Secondly, the lender must be capable of satisfying demands of diverse groups of mortgagors. Finally, the quality of deals available with the lender must be incontestable. It will be unwise to compromise on any of these essentials during search for appropriate lender. Reputation of the lender influences the quality of deals offered. Lenders who have associated with several banks and financial institutions will be able to arrange best deals. The larger the variety of deals available with lender, greater are the chances of drawing deals that fully satisfy the desired purpose.

Borrowing amount needs to be decided in close conjunction with the amount of rental that one hopes to collect. Rent has a very important role in the buy to let mortgage. It is through the rent received that the borrower repays the mortgage. Rentals differ by place, type of building and the house itself. Survey of the area and checking with brokers based in the area will give important information about the rental in the area. Borrowers will get to know about ways in which the house be designed, and areas where property be purchased to optimise the rental.

Normally, 85% of the house value will be cleared as buy to let mortgage. The remaining 15% need to be introduced by the borrower himself as deposit. Mortgage amount increases in direct proportion to the amount of deposit offered. Deposit demonstrates the borrower's commitment towards the housing project.

Borrowers who cannot afford to lose on work will find online applications very helpful. Powered by the technological innovations in communication, borrowers can now submit their personal as well as mortgage details through online application. Online application contributes largely towards transferring borrower details immediately and thus resulting into a fast buy to let mortgage approval.

While the process of application has been made convenient, planning still needs borrowers to themselves conduct calculations and comparison. Borrower may opt for advice through experts. However, the final decision on buy to let mortgage will be theirs, because they are the ones who best know their finance.

About the author: Agnes Powel is a financial analyst by profession. The academic qualification of MBA (Finance) from University of Central England matches his credentials. Years of experience in has given the field of lending him an insight into the various intricacies of the loans market. Through his articles, he tries to share this knowledge with the prospective borrowers.To find Mortgage,first time buyer mortgage,but to let mortgage that best suits your

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Mortgage loan with PMI or a piggyback loan

Author: Lance Williams

Private mortgage insurance is required when you purchase a home with a down payment of less than 20% of the sale price or the appraised home value, whichever is less. Your lender in this case will expect you to purchase a private mortgage insurance policy so that even if you default, he can compensate for the loss. So when you make low down payment on your home purchase, you pay for the insurance premiums on a monthly basis till you can build up sufficient equity in your home. You can avoid PMI premiums if you are approved for a piggyback mortgage loan. These loans involve 2 mortgages combined in the ratio of 80/20, 80/15/5 or 80/10/10. This implies that you take a first mortgage against 80% of your home value and second mortgage against the remaining 20% the property value.

Otherwise, you can opt for a first mortgage against 80% of the property value with a second mortgage worth 15% and make a down payment of 5% on the sale price. The third option is that you make a 10% down payment on the sale price and then go for a first mortgage of 80% along with a second mortgage loan against 10% property value.

But the question remains as to which is the best option - whether you go for a home loan with a PMI or you look for a piggyback mortgage.

With a mortgage loan requiring PMI premiums, you don't get the advantage of tax deduction, as these premiums are not deductible. But for a piggyback loan, the interest payments on both the mortgages are tax deductible. Thus, you get the opportunity to make savings. But then with this kind of a mortgage, you are required to pay off the second loan at a higher rate of interest compared to the first. This is because if you default, the second mortgage has to be paid back after you repay the first. So lenders consider it a big risk to offer a second mortgage in such situations.

But in case you go for a mortgage with a PMI and home values go higher, you can build up equity faster and this will help you to get rid off insurance premiums in a shorter time than when the home prices are stable. Moreover, the monthly premiums decline when you are closer to building up 80% of your home equity. Even if these do not work in your favor, you can go for a lender-paid mortgage insurance or LPMI policy which allows for a rollover of the PMI costs into the mortgage itself. But most experts don't approve of this policy as the payments are amortized throughout the loan term .

On the other hand, if you go for piggyback mortgage, it will help you to avail a larger loan amount and at the same time give you the opportunity to keep the primary mortgage below the conforming loan limit. You can avail the difference in the loan amount and the conforming limit from the second mortgage and this will prevent you from paying higher interest on the primary mortgage which is well below the conforming limit.

Apart from this, you can avail the second mortgage as a home equity line of credit. Once you pay off the line of credit, you can again withdraw cash from it till the loan period is over. But after taking 2 mortgages, most lenders will not approve you for an additional loan against your home equity. In addition, it is easier to qualify for a traditional mortgage with a PMI rather than with a piggyback loan. Lenders often demand a FICO score of 680 for the second loan and about 620 for the first mortgage and most borrowers fail to build up such scores.

Furthermore, some lenders may accept interest only payments on the second loan for a period of 10 to 15 years and then require you to pay the dues with balloon payments. Borrowers accepting such options often fail to make huge payments and end up refinancing the second loan, that too when market rates are high. But a loan with a PMI can help avoid such situations.

Considering the pros and cons of a piggyback mortgage, it is advisable that you choose a traditional mortgage loan along with the payments for private mortgage insurance. The premiums may not be tax deductible but it is better to pay those premiums rather than make interest payments on 2 mortgages and that too when the rate charged on the second loan is quite higher. The second loan in a piggyback mortgage is usually a variable rate loan; so in order to avoid higher interest rates, borrowers should preferably opt for a mortgage loan that requires PMI instead of a piggyback loan.

About the author: About The Author:

Lance Williams is an accomplished writer specializing in mortgage and real estate field and currently contributing for: http://www.mortgagefit.com

The Facts About Getting A Bad Credit Second Mortgage!

Author: Elizabeth Grant

A bad credit second mortgage is a specialist area and it pays to know the facts before you begin looking for advice.

What is a Bad Credit Second Mortgage?

A bad credit second mortgage, also known as an adverse second mortgage, is a loan that is taken out on a property you already have a mortgage on. The reason for undertaking a second mortgage is usually to release some of the equity, in order to help pay other debts, or to raise finance for a particular project. An bad credit second mortgage is the name given to a second mortgage product that is specifically designed for people with an adverse credit history.

Is an adverse credit second mortgage my only choice?

Your choice of finance will depend on your current circumstances and what you need to achieve. If you have a property with an existing mortgage and you only need to raise a certain amount of capital, then you should consider a second mortgage. You can specify the amount you would like the mortgage to be for; it doesn't have to be for the full value of your property. If you have applied for other loans or mortgages and been rejected because of your credit history, then you should investigate an adverse credit second mortgage to see if it meets your needs.

How will I know if I have an adverse credit history?

The first sign of an adverse credit history is when your application for a loan, credit card, store card or mortgage is rejected. This is usually because the lender has checked your credit rating and decided you are a bad risk for their standard products. If this is the case, you should check your credit report to see if it is accurate and so that you know exactly what position you are in. If you run several credit and store cards and have defaulted on any loan or other payments, then your credit history and rating could be affected. If this is the case, you will need to use specialist products such as a bad credit second mortgage to help resolve your financial problems.

Will it increase my debt?

A bad credit second mortgage should help you to manage your debt, provided you use the loan money to reduce your existing debts and you meet the repayment requirements on your other debts, such as your existing mortgage and your new second mortgage. This loan requires a proportion of your home as security, so it is important that you make the payments.

How can I find out more about adverse credit second mortgages?

Taking out an adverse credit second mortgage is something you should do when you have serious debt problems. For this reason, it is important that you talk to an independent professional adviser, such as a mortgage broker. With expertise in the market, they will be able to assess your current circumstances and recommend a product that will help you to manage your current finances whilst keeping monthly payments to a minimum. They will impress upon you the need to be sensible about your debts and serious about clearing them, but will also be able to help you plan properly so that you can use the capital raised by the bad credit second mortgage to improve your chances of eliminating your adverse history.

About the author: Elizabeth Grant writes exclusively for The Mortgage Broker specialist websites. To read more of Elizabeth's articles on Adverse Credit Mortgages please visit the Adverse Mortgage Centre .

The Cost Of Refinancing - What Costs To Expect When You Refinance Your Home Mortgage Loan

Author: Carrie Reeder

Refinancing can save you thousands, especially if you have several years left on your mortgage. However, you can also choose to refinance simply to tap into your home's equity or reduce your monthly payments.

""How much will it cost?"" is a common question for homeowners considering refinancing their mortgage. While costs vary between lenders and loan amounts, the following will give you some guidelines to help you compare financing companies and their offers.

New Home Loan Fees

When you refinance, you are getting a new loan and paying for all those fees again. Fees, including application fee, appraisal fee, survey costs, attorney review fee, title search, and home inspection, will usually add up to around $1000 and $2000. That is in addition to the loan origination fee, usually 1%, and any additional points.

Some lenders offer zero point loans and low refinancing costs but with higher interest rates. These types of financing packages make sense if you are concerned about initial costs and are willing to spend more over the course of your loan.

Loan Points

Each point equals 1% of the loan, which is due at the loan's signing. So a point on a $100,000 loan would be $1,000. Besides the loan's origination fee of 1% or more, you can also purchase lower interest rates with points. If you plan to stay in your home for over seven years, then you can probably save money with lower interest payments.

Locate Lower Costs

You can also sometimes locate a lower cost for your mortgage by comparing companies. The easiest way to do this is to request quotes online to compare interest rates and fees.

You can also sometimes negotiate a lower interest rate or closing cost with your original mortgage company. It helps if you can tell them that you have found a better offer with another lender. But sometimes other lenders will have the better deal.

Different Loan Terms

A shorter loan term or a fixed rate mortgage can also save on long term interest costs. By picking a 15 year term loan, you can nearly cut your interest costs in half. You can also protect yourself from rising interest rates with an adjustable rate mortgage by converting to a fixed rate mortgage.

About the author: See my recommended Home Mortgage Refinance Lenders for the lowest rates online. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help finding low rate home mortgage loans .

Home Mortgage Loan Refinance - Refinancing A Fixed Rate Mortgage

Author: Carrie Reeder

Refinancing a fixed rate mortgage is usually only suggested when interest rates fall, but you can also save money by changing your loan terms. You can also pull out part of your equity to pay bills or renovate.

Lower Interest Rates

In general when interest rates are at least 1% lower than your current mortgage rate, it pays to refinance. But you need to consider other factors, such as the length of your mortgage, loan costs, and how long you plan to stay in your home.

An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) should also be considered if you plan to move soon. With rates lower than a fixed, you will see lower monthly payments. But you have the risk that your rates and payments will increase over time.

To help decide if refinancing makes sense for you, calculate the difference in interest payments over the course of your loan. Online mortgage calculators can help you find both total interest costs and monthly payments.

Better Loan Terms

Besides lower interest rates, you can save money by converting to a better loan term. A shorter loan, such as a 15 year term, can save you thousands on interest payments, even if you don't have a lower interest rate. However, your monthly payments will be 10% to 15% higher.

You can also reduce your monthly payments by refinancing for a longer term. You trade lower payments for higher interest costs.

Access Your Equity

Whether you want to pay off credit cards or pay for your child's education, you can pull out your equity by refinancing. One of the advantages of using your equity is that your interest is tax deductible.

However, if you just want to tap into your equity, a better option is a home equity loan. You can pull out your equity, write off your interest on your taxes, and avoid loan fees.

Online Lenders

Online financing companies allow you to research terms and fees from your home. You can receive quotes within minutes online, so you can compare finance packages. You can also apply online and qualify for discounts on closing cost with some lenders.

About the author: See my recommended Home Mortgage Refinance Lenders for the lowest rates online. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help finding low rate home mortgage loans .

Exclusive Mortgage Leads

Author: Jay Conners

If you are a loan officer or mortgage broker on the market for exclusive mortgage leads, how do you know if that lead is really exclusive or not?

The true definition of an exclusive mortgage lead is defined as one that is sold in real time and sold to you only.

This sounds really good, but there is a small problem with that. Who is to say that this potential customer hasn't taken it upon themselves to contact other loan officers.

Unfortunately, this is the chance you take when you buy leads exclusively.

Typically, a potential customer who fills out an on-line form over the internet is using the internet to find a mortgage and a loan officer because they feel as though they have no other place to go, and the internet is their best resource to find their product and someone to help them with it

Also, it is against the norm to jump from web site to web site filling out on-line forms. The majority of consumers like to keep their personal information very limited on the internet, so the chances of them filling out many forms is highly unlikely.

So your chances of receiving the lead exclusively may be better than you think.

Another problem, how can you be sure that the lead company selling you the exclusive mortgage lead is doing just that?

The best defense against receiving anything less than exclusive mortgage leads is to research the company you are considering investing in.

Call the company, speak with someone in customer service, find out how they obtain their leads and what exactly makes them exclusive.

Remember, you buy your exclusive mortgage leads with money that you have worked hard for, so if you can't get answers to your questions, move onto the next lead company.

Customer service, as in any industry, is very important in the lead industry. The way you are treated when researching lead companies should be an indication as to how you will be treated when something goes wrong, or if you think you should get your money back. Best of luck.

About the author: Jay Conners has more than fifteen years of experience in the banking and Mortgage Industry, He is the owner of http://www.jconners.com, a mortgage resource site, he is also the owner of http://www.callprospect.com, a mortgage lead company.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Good Mortgage Broker vs. Bad Mortgage Broker

Author: Brian Daniel

According to the NAMB (National Association of Mortgage Brokers), two out of three Americans work with a mortgage broker to purchase a home because of the broker's expertise and wide selection of loan products and lenders. However, with so many so called ""experts"" out there, how does one separate the wheat from the chaff? How do you know if a broker is honest? And how do you know they're an ""expert"" or not?

The NAMB says that over 70 percent of brokers are legitimate, that is they have safeguards and policies in place to make sure that they stay on the straight and narrow. So what about the other 30 percent? Well, the whole 30 percent isn't bad, but just as in any classroom, you're going to have those at the top, some in the middle, a few at the bottom, and others who simply don't show for class. Obviously, those at the bottom and the no shows would not be your first choice if you were going into surgery and they were holding the scapel, nor should they be handling your loan when you purchase a home or refinance.

Because of the surge in numbers of mortgage brokers in the past few years, there are plenty of incompetent and dishonest brokers out there. In order to avoid the 30 percentile, I offer the following tips to help you find a mortgage broker that is not only an expert but honest and reputable as well:

Don't believe everything you hear. Asking friends or family to recommend a mortgage professional is usually the first place people start. However, how do they know the broker is reputable and trustworthy? Check with your state regulatory offices and licensing bureau once you have some referrals. Better to be safe than sorry.

Use an NAMB certified mortgage broker. Brokers certified by the NAMB practice the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry. There is a ""Find a Broker"" link on the NAMB's website at www.namb.org.

Use an Upfront Mortgage Broker (UMB). These brokers disclose their fees to customers in writing in advance at the customer's request. They also disclose the wholesale prices they receive from lenders. For a list of UMBs visit www.mtgprofessor.com.

Honesty is the best policy. If a mortgage broker suggests that you lie on your loan application in any way, he/she is most likely in the 30 percentile. Walk away.

They need to show you the money. If a mortgage broker doesn't disclose your closing costs in three business days, it's probably best to take your business elsewhere.

If you're not bleeding, they shouldn't be applying pressure. A mortgage broker who pressures you into anything you are not comfortable with probably failed ethics. No reputable broker will pressure you into anything you don't feel comfortable with.

There are no stupid questions. Does the mortgage broker answer all your questions to your satisfaction? Are his/her answers straightforward, honest, and respectful?

Do you have a reservation? If you feel comfortable with whom you're working with and feel like they have answered all your questions and put all your reservations to ease, you've probably found a good mortgage broker.

About the author: Brian Daniel is a loan officer for Bend Mortgage Group Ltd. a mortgage company in Bend, Oregon. He is also the company's marketing coordinator. For more information or help with an Oregon home loan visit

www.bendmortgagegroup.com .

Interest Only Mortgage? Consider A Graduated Payment Mortgage

Author: Carrie Reeder

Graduated payment mortgages (GPM) offer financing solutions for those who expect their income to rise in the future. A hybrid of an adjustable rate mortgage and fixed-rate mortgage, a GPM with its fixed interest rate starts with low payments that increase yearly based on the loan's terms. If you have considered an interest only mortgage loan in the past, you might want to consider the benefits of a graduated payment mortgage instead.

GPM Features

A GPM offers low monthly payments by increasing payments for the rest of the loan's term. At the beginning your mortgage will not completely cover your interest charges (negatively amortizing), but larger payments will be made later on to cover both interest and principal.

Generally, a GPM's beginning payments will be a couple of hundred dollars less than a comparable fixed-rate mortgage. However, in later years you can expect to pay at least a hundred dollars more in monthly payments than a fixed rate mortgage payment.

Lenders also offer several different types of payment plans. The most common is to graduate payments annually for the first seven years, after which payments remain the same. Longer graduated periods or a greater rate of increase can lower your initial payments even more.

GPM Benefits

A GPM allows a borrower to enjoy low monthly payments with the security of a fixed-rate. Most homebuyers expect their income to increase if only due to inflation. A GPM takes advantage of this situation by increase payments as your income should increase.

A GPM also allows you more buying power based on the lower monthly payments and expectation of increased income. With initial reduced payments, you can pay for moving expenses and home furnishings.

GPM Drawbacks

Like with any type of mortgage loan, you need to weigh all the factors before choosing a GPM. One of the risks with a GPM is that you may not be able to afford the higher monthly mortgage payments, which could threaten your financial situation.

You may also find that if you have to move within a couple of years that you may owe on the loan after selling due to negative amortization. Even if you don't owe interest, you will have very little equity in the home until several years into your mortgage.

Consider your financial goals with different financing packages to find the best fit.

About the author: See my recommended Home Mortgage Lenders online for the lowest rates possible. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help finding the best home mortgage loans .

Reverse Annuity Mortgage - Tapping Into Your Equity

Author: Carrie Reeder

Reverse annuity mortgages (RAM) were created to allow older Americans to tap into the equity of their paid for or nearly paid for home. Homeowners receive a tax-free payment each month, and the mortgage is paid when the home is sold. Before you choose a RAM, make sure you have evaluated the risks since this option can limit future housing plans.

Types Of Reverse Mortgages

One of the first RAM programs was developed by HUD and is still in existence. To qualify you must be 62 or older, live in the home, and have paid off your mortgage. The government will then insure your mortgage.

You can also work directly with private lenders. You will want to review their terms carefully to be sure that you are getting the full value of your home and not paying thousands in fees.

With both types of RAM you will never owe more than what your home is worth. When you decide to move, the loan's principal, interest, and fees will be due. Any equity remaining from the sale of your home will be yours or can be based onto heirs.

Difference Between A Reverse Mortgage and A Home Equity Loan

The major difference between a RAM and a home equity loan is when the loan balance is due. With a RAM, the mortgage balance is due when you stop living in the residence. You don't have the monthly payments of an equity loan. With a RAM it is easier to qualify for the mortgage since you don't have to have income to make monthly payments.

Payouts Options

There are several payout options that you can choose from. A tenure policy provides equal monthly payments as long as the borrower lives on the property. A term policy gives equal monthly payments for a fixed period of months. With a line of credit the borrower to withdrawal funds when needed. A modified tenure combines a line of credit with life long monthly payments. And finally, a modified term provides a line of credit with fixed monthly payments.

Beware Of Scams

There are several scams related to reverse mortgages that you should be aware of. You should not pay thousands for information about a RAM. This information is available freely through HUD and legitimate mortgage lenders. You should also avoid any terms that require payments before you sell or that sell your house within so many years. To avoid scammers, research terms and rates with several lenders and ask questions.

About the author: See my recommended Home Mortgage Lenders online for the lowest rates possible. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help finding the best home mortgage loans .

Buy More House With A Buy Down Mortgage

Author: Carrie Reeder

A buy down mortgage allows you to buy more house with your income and enjoy low monthly payments for a couple of years. With reduced payments, you can pay for move in costs and furnishings. You also qualify for a larger mortgage due to lower monthly payments.

Buy Down Mortgage Terms

Buy Down mortgages come in three packages. A temporary buydown loan, the most common, starts with a discounted interest rate for one to three years that increases to a fixed rate in yearly increments. You pay the difference in interest payment in an initial payout to the lender at the start of your home loan. Some lenders will pay this lump sum, but then charge a higher interest rate for the loan.

For example, you can have a mortgage with a 6% interest rate that is reduced to 4% the first year, then raised to 5% the second year, and finally reach 6% on the third year. The difference in the mortgage payments for the first two years will need to be paid to the lender at the time of settlement.

A compressed buydown mortgage works like a temporary buy down loan, but interest rates rise every six months. A permanent buydown loan has a low interest rate for the life of the loan, but that difference still has to be prepaid to the financing company.

Buy Down Mortgage Benefits

The chief benefit of a buydown mortgage is that you can qualify for a larger loan amount based on your income. This can be especially helpful if you expect your income to increase in the near future.

In addition, initial low monthly payments allow you to pay for the many expenses associated with buying a home. The cost of moving expenses, home furnishings, and landscaping can quickly add up those first couple of years.

Buy Down Mortgage Considerations

Buy Down mortgages should be considered along with other types of mortgages. In some cases if the large initial payment was used as part of a down payment, you may find better terms with a fixed rate or ARM. You may also find that if you are planning to move within seven years, an ARM can give you the same low monthly payments without the upfront cost.

No matter what type of home loan you choose, research lenders and loan terms beforehand. Compare interest payments and base your decisions on your financial goals.

About the author: See my recommended Home Mortgage Lenders online for the lowest rates possible. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help finding the best home mortgage loans .

Ameriquest Mortgage Company Tips, Tricks, And Offers For Refinancing Loans For Your Home

Author: Christopher M. Luck

Ameriquest's loans are easy to qualify for, and they are willing to work with you to custom design a loan that fits your needs. An Ameriquest mortgage can mean that you can lower your current monthly payments, have cash back, and take a thirty day break from all of your current payments. A refinancing package from Ameriquest could be just what might help you out for several reasons.

Ameriquest offers loans that can help you consolidate high interest debt like credit cards. The balance on your credit cards can take you years to pay off. As a result, plodding along making minimum monthly payments can be costing you a fortune. Obtaining a loan from Ameriquest can pay off those high interest debts and save your hundreds of dollars in minimum payments every month. With credit card monthly minimum payments set to increase because of the passage of a new law, you could be in real financial trouble if you don't consolidate your debt today.

Though the company specializes in Ameriquest mortgages, it also offers loans to give you the extra cash you need for any purpose. Perhaps you have always dreamed of owning your own business. Maybe junior is getting ready to head off to college. Maybe you have several upcoming expenses you know you will not have the cash for. Whatever the purpose, Ameriquest can help with a cash-out refinancing plan.

More than just cash for any purpose, Ameriquest can offer you cash for home improvement projects. Every home has a few things the home owner would like to improve upon. Ameriquest is here to help homeowners by financing those projects that you are ready to tackle. Whether you need a new roof, new siding, new windows, or you really want to add a playroom for junior and a sun room for yourself, Ameriquest Mortgage Company can help you with all of your home improvement needs.

Not only does Ameriquest provide the best cash loans for you, they also have a host of customer service options that most mortgage companies simply cannot provide. When you apply for an Ameriquest mortgage, you get a personal home loan specialist to walk you through every step of the process. Ameriquest understands that a home loan can be a challenge. That's why they give you someone to hold your hand through each step. Your personal mortgage specialist is on call for you. That means that whenever you have a question about any step in the process, he or she will be available to answer it in a timely manner. Ameriquest also offers the speed that most lending institutions cannot. Ameriquest Mortgage Company close most of their loans in a matter of days. Other banks take months to finalize loans like this. Moreover, they will let you know if you qualify for a loan within twenty-four hours, which means you will no longer have to spend weeks wondering if this is even the lending institution you should be dealing with.

Ameriquest mortgage has over one hundred and fifty locations staffed with more than three thousand mortgage specialists to take care of your loan needs. That means there is probably an Ameriquest loan specialist right in your neighborhood. A loan with Ameriquest also means that you get to take thirty days off from those payments. Thirty days without credit card bills, home loan bills, or your bill from Ameriquest

http://www.aemriquestmortgageloans.info/amerique st_mortgage_baker_nevada.htm . That kind of extra cash can mean a lot to families who need a little something extra in their budget. Because your Ameriquest mortgage payments will not start for thirty days after you have signed your loan paperwork, you could be spending extra paychecks you've never had on things you would not ordinarily be able to buy without the help of Ameriquest.

About the author: I have an extensive background of dealing with Mortgage Loans and am now offering my free professional fre e mortgage advice to the public.