Sunday, April 30, 2006

First Time Home Owner Mortgage Loans

Author: Carrie Reeder

First time home owners are sometimes surprised at the complexity of the mortgage lending process. If you are searching for a mortgage and you have never owned a home, there a few things you can do to make the mortgage process less confusing. First time home owners should educate themselves on the home-buying experience before contacting mortgage lenders. There are many choices in obtaining a first time home owner mortgage loan. Friendly mortgage professionals are available to assist you in making the right decisions.

Before applying for a first time home owner mortgage loan, shop around and find the lowest interest rates, down payment requirements that fit your budget, and terms that suit your lifestyle. You can choose from 15 up to 30 years and you can choose a fixed or variable interest rate. With so many loan products available, it is hard to know which one is right for you. You must consider your long-term goals, the length of time you plan to own the home, and your current financial situation. Professional, knowledgeable mortgage lenders will be able to advise you as to which choices may be appropriate for you.

Applying for a first time home owner mortgage loan does not have to be a stressful, scary experience. Many first time home owners have found valuable help and advice from mortgage lenders who are eager to approve a first time home owner mortgage loan. Applying for a mortgage does not have to be difficult. Let expert mortgage lenders help you in making the best decisions for your individual situation. You can even apply for a first time home owner mortgage online. The application is fast and simple and you will be well on your way to being approved for your first mortgage.

Owning a home is the dream of millions of people. Your first time home owners mortgage loan can be approved quickly and you can fulfill your dream of home ownership with the help and advice of expert mortgage lenders who are competing for your business. Becoming a first time home owner does not need to be frustrating and stressful. Allow a professional mortgage lender to guide you through the mortgage process painlessly. A first time home owner mortgage loan can be yours in less time than you thought possible.

To view our list of online mortgage lenders, visit this page:

Recommende d Online Mortgage Lenders .

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

Bad Credit Mortgage Lenders - Things You Should Know About Subprime Lenders

Author: Carrie Reeder

Interest rates and fees vary between subprime lenders just like regular mortgage lenders. Just because you have bad credit, that doesn’t mean you should accept the first financing offer from a subprime lender. Take the time to do your research, and you can make sure you are getting the best deal in terms of interest rates and fees.

It’s A Service

Subprime lenders take risks that the average bank refuses, namely loans to people with bad credit. As a result, subprime lenders charge higher interest rates and fees to ensure they make a profit even with the higher rate of loan foreclosures.

Compare Online

The best way to compare interest rates and fees of subprime lenders is to go online. You can get a straight answer on rates and fees from a number of lenders by entering your information online. When you are comparing between lenders, remember to enter the same information for each lender so you are getting a quote for the same risk level.

Rates And Fees Vary

Interest rates and fees can vary as much as 5% between subprime lenders. While a few dollars a month may not seem much, over years this can mean the difference of thousands of dollars. You should also compare closing costs and other fees in the financing package which can also add up to hundreds of dollars.

Apply Online

Once you have compared companies and found the best lender for you, you can finish the process by applying online with the subprime lender. Mortgage lenders will process your information and send out the paperwork for your final approval and signature. The whole process can take a matter of days.

Read Your Paperwork

Whether you are refinancing or buying a home, make sure you know what type of deal you are getting into by reading the paperwork the subprime lender sends. If you have any questions, you can contact the lending company by email or phone. You can also take the paperwork to a lawyer to get their opinion. You should be comfortable with all the terms before you sign.

Online subprime lending companies means people with bad credit can now find reasonable mortgage loans. To view our list of recommended bad credit or subprime mortgage lenders online, visit this page: Re commended Subprime Mortgage Lenders Online .

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

Mortgage Information - Refinancing? Second Mortgage? Home Equity Loan? Understand The Basics

Author: Carrie Reeder

A mortgage is usually the biggest purchase that an individual makes, and because of that, many people tend to get nervous during the process. But wouldn’t it make things easier if you felt that you had a “handle” on the process—or at least the terminology? After all, in order to get the best deal on your mortgage loan, you will need to understand certain things such as points, interest rates and closing costs.

If you feel like you could stand to brush up on your mortgage loan terminology, why not read the following common terms and their definitions?

Points

A point is amount that a borrower will pay in order to reduce the interest rate on their mortgage. One point is generally equal to 1% of the loan amount. For example, if you were taking out a 100,000 mortgage, and wanted lower interest rates, you might have to pay anywhere from 1-3 points (or $1,000-3,000 dollars) to get that rate. It’s important to note that some lenders will advertise very low interest rates, and only when you read the fine print will you learn that you will have to pay points in order to get them.

Interest Rates

When a lender makes a loan, they make money by charging interest on that loan. With a mortgage loan, all of that interest is front-loaded, which means that for the first few years, every payment that you will make will go mostly toward the interest.

When applying for a mortgage, you will have the option of “locking-in,” or “floating” your interest rate. If you choose to lock-in your rate, then you will be assured—for about 60 days—that when you close it will be at that rate. However, if it appears that interest rates will go lower, you can choose to float the interest rate, which means that you can watch the rates carefully, and then lock it in whenever it reaches an amount that you are comfortable with.

Closing Costs

When you go to close on your home at the title company, both the buyer and seller will have to pay a pre-determined amount of closing costs. These are determined by the type of loan you get, and the area where you live. Your lender is required by law to inform you of any closing costs beforehand, so be sure to ask for your truth in lending estimate.

As you can see, mortgage terms aren’t that mysterious! Do some research or read some more articles on this site to become familiar with the lending terms that you need to know.

There are also many mortgage companies online that can help you find direct mortgage lenders and home loan brokers that will best suit your needs. This is a quick way to find a good mortgage loan and compare rates and offers from multiple lenders. When lenders compete for your business, it works to your advantage. To view our list of these recommended online mortgage companies, visit this page: Recommende d Online Home Mortgage Lenders .

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

Refinance Your Second Mortgage

Author: Carrie Reeder

A 2nd mortgage is a secured loan on your property, with your home serving as collateral. Depending on the particular terms of your second mortgage, you could be able to refinance if you wish to reduce your monthly payments or are in need of extra cash. Refinancing a 2nd mortgage can be an option for those who want to pay off their mortgage (excluding any home equity lines of credit), reduce the interest rate they currently pay on their second mortgage, or simply want reduce their monthly payments. Refinancing a 2nd mortgage can also be an option if the homeowner wants to pay off the mortgage, including home equity lines of credit, and receive cash.

You can refinance your second mortgage even if your credit is less than perfect. Second mortgages are an excellent means of reducing monthly payments and getting extra cash for bills, remodeling needs, or any reason the homeowner sees fit. If your interest rate on your 2nd mortgage is substantially above the current interest rates being offered by most lenders, you may be able to refinance your second mortgage. Sub-prime loans are available for second mortgage refinances and even with adverse credit, you may be able to lower the amount of interest you pay on your second mortgage. A poor credit rating is no reason not to explore the possibility of refinancing your 2nd mortgage.

Lenders are standing by to give you a no-obligation quote on refinancing your second mortgage. You can get quotes from several different lenders with one simple application, reducing the number of inquiries on your credit report. Often you can submit your application with no initial credit inquiry at all. Now is the perfect time to think about refinancing your second mortgage. You could be approved in less than twenty-four hours and begin saving money each and every month.

Refinancing your second mortgage is a fast, easy process and with the availability of multiple quotes from one simple application you will be assured you are receiving the lowest rate and best terms possible for your individual situation. If you have poor credit, you may still be able to refinance your 2nd mortgage. Mortgage lenders work with any credit situation and may be able to save you money by refinancing at a much lower interest rate that you currently pay. Get multiple quotes on refinancing your second mortgage from one fast, simple online application. The potential decrease in your interest rate could save you money on your payments each and every month.

To view our list of recommended second mortgage refinance lenders, visit this page: Recommended 2nd Mortgage Refinance Lenders .

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

Refinancing Your Home Mortgage Loan With Bad Credit

Author: Carrie Reeder

There are numerous reasons a person has bad credit. Late or partial payments, missing payments, and too many outstanding debts could all be factors that have left you with a poor credit rating. If you want to refinance your current mortgage but are afraid a poor credit rating will disqualify you, be aware that there are mortgage lenders that can help you qualify for a loan. Refinancing your home with bad credit is not impossible. Mortgage lenders can help you be approved for a home refinancing loan and will offer you advice on how to improve your credit rating.

Bad credit can result from many other factors besides missing or making late payments. Illness, unexpected expenses, and unemployment can affect your credit rating adversely as well. When you refinance your existing mortgage you may even be able to get cash back to help you pay off your debts and restore your credit rating. Regardless of your credit history, you can be approved for a home refinance loan. You could lower your monthly mortgage payments and have the extra cash you need to pay off high interest debts. Refinancing with bad credit is not only possible; you could be approved quickly when you apply for a refinancing loan online. Online lenders can offer you free quotes and great terms, even with bad credit.

If you have bad credit, contact a lender who specializes in sub prime refinancing loans. The application is fast and easy. You could be approved for a home refinancing loan in just hours and the low rates you'll receive will save you money each month, allowing you to pay off your debts and begin rebuilding your credit. Mortgage lenders can help you with refinancing your home even if your credit history is less than perfect. A mortgage loan is secured by your home, so the risks for the lender are much less than with a non-secured loan. Bad credit will not prevent you from refinancing your mortgage and may even put you on the path to freedom from debt entirely.

Apply to refinance your mortgage today and you could be saving money on your monthly mortgage payments in a very short time. No matter what your credit history, lenders are anxious to approve your loan today. Complete an application now to see the great interest rates and low monthly payments that are available to you.

To view our list of recommended bad credit mortgage lenders, visit this page: Re commended Bad Credit Mortgage Lenders .

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

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Mortgage sales hit problems

Author: Richard Green

The housing market has been buoyant over the past few years, but mortgage providers and first-time buyers are both now facing a tough time. Following announcements from the Bank of England that there has been an overall decline in the total number of UK home-buyers, and a declaration from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) that the number of disputes concerning mis-sold mortgage endowments has now hit record levels, it seems that mortgage lenders are facing a bleak time. Add to this the results of a new survey, by the Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre, which shows potential first-time buyers fear that they may never get onto the property market, and you start to see a worrying picture of the housing market emerge.

The problem with the mis-selling of endowment mortgage products has recently made the headlines in the world of personal finance. The FOS admitted receiving 70,000 new complaints about endowment mortgages, the equivalent of 1,300 a week, compared to just 300 a week three years ago.

The main grounds for complaint revolve around people who believe that mis-selling had occurred regarding policies. Many consumers feel that the endowment product sold to them was unsuitable either because it would lead to financial short-falls, or because the level of risk involved had not been adequately explained to them prior to the policy commencing.

The sheer scale and number of complaints has lead to changes in regulations and the imposition of deadlines for lodging complaints.

""The number [of complaints] we can expect to receive in the current year will largely be determined by how financial services firms meet the new regulatory requirements on so-called re-projection letters. Most of these letters will warn of likely mortgage shortfalls and many will give, for the first time, an explicit deadline by which any complaint must be lodged."", Walter Merricks, chief ombudsman. The situation is no better for first-time buyers either. Forming a significantly important sector of the house buying market, a recently published study from GMAC, the financial subsidiary of General Motors, carried out by Professor David Miles, who was originally commissioned to investigate the mortgage market by Chancellor Gordon Brown, has found that dramatically fewer first-time buyers than ever before are currently entering into the housing market. A report from mortgage lender, Abbey, highlighted that the main concern for first-time buyers is not a lack of desire to buy their own house, but rather a fear over whether they feel they can afford to do so. Just over a third of the potential first-time buyers in the survey, indicated that they wanted to buy a home within the next year, however only 5% were confident that they would actually be able to. These figures are disappointing when viewed against the backdrop of the initiatives by Gordon Brown to help first-time buyers, through the increase in the zero rate stamp duty threshold announced during the budget, and the introduction of shared ownership schemes with purchasers owning between 50% and 75% of their home and paying rent on the remainder. Recent reductions in the cost of loans for first-time buyers has also occurred, and many experts believe that the base rate may fall further, creating a spark for further reductions in the cost of monthly mortgage payments. These should all be seen as good news, but new buyers still do not appear to be convinced that now is the right time to buy. “There are other important influences affecting this group other than the straight affordability issue”, GMAC’s, executive chairman, Stephen Knight, reported, “Buying property is seen as ‘settling down’ among 71% of those questioned….More than half of the people studied felt comfortable with delaying buying a property until they are over 30. This matches with the current average age of a first-time buyer, 34.” Stephen Knight also stated that an increasing problem for those who go on to higher education is that, “many graduates, especially those who leave college with large student debts, are unwilling to take on additional financial commitments.”

According to research from Moneynet, first time buyers during May were looking for an average mortgage amount of £135,966 for an average property value of £205,284 on an average salary of £39,027. With the average single UK salary around £24-25k, current house purchases are therefore generally requiring the combined funds available from dual incomes, combined with many young families being worried about job security, Stephen Knight believes there are clearly social and financial issues that need to be addressed.

The greatest worry for a quarter of would-be buyers according to the Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre is that they feel that if they don’t get on to the property ladder soon, they never will.

References: Mo neynet Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre GMAC Sunday Herald

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About the author: Bigmouthmedia is the European leader in search engine marketing. The Edinburgh based company has offices in London and Madrid. E-mail: info@bigmouthmedia.com Telephone: 0845 130 0022 Website: Bigmouthmedia

Bad Credit Mortgage Refinancing - Refinance High Interest Mortgage With Poor Credit

Author: Carrie Reeder

With bad credit, you can't afford not to refinance a high interest mortgage. Working with the right lender, you can trim your loan costs and help your monthly budget. You even have the option to cash out part or all of your equity to pay off high interest credit card debt. Subprime lenders can help you secure financing and reestablish your credit.

Ways To Reduce Your Rates

Even with poor credit, you can lower rates on a future refi loan. Adjustable rate mortgages offer lower initial rates than fixed rate mortgages. Often for two to seven years, rates can be guaranteed. After that, rates are based on an index fund, so they may increase. But with most lenders you can either lock in rates earlier or refinance.

Some lenders will also further reduce your rates if you opt for automatic payment. Your monthly mortgage payment is deducted from your checking account, so you don't worry about getting a payment in the mail.

The surest way to find low rates is to compare loan quotes. Each lender will offer you a different loan package with varying rates and fees. Base your loan decision on who can offer you the best overall financing. If you plan to keep your loan for seven years or more, consider paying a point or more to reduce your rate even more.

Kinds Of Rates To Expect

The best credit scores, 650 or higher, are eligible for market loan rates. Every 50 point drop, on average, adds a point or two to that loan rate. Closing fees are comparable to a conventional rate mortgage. A bonus with subprime lending is that you don't have to pay for private mortgage insurance.

Where To Find Subprime Lenders

Most financing companies now offer subprime financing to those with adverse credit. You can start your loan search with a mortgage broker. Simply mark that you have poor credit on your loan estimate form, and they will connect you to several competitive lenders.

Another option is to go directly to the lender sites. Either check their market rates on the homepage or request a quote. Make sure that you also note closing costs and fees. You don't want to get caught on early payment fees either.

About the author: View our recommended

Bad Credit Mortgage Refinance lenders or view all of our

Recommended Refinance Lenders .

Mortgage Terminology for the First Time Home Buyer

Author: Dale Ronewicz

Buying a Home for the first time can be a little “nerve racking”. Mortgage terminology that brokers use everyday can leave you scratching your head or shaking your head pretending that you know what they’re talking about. Here are some mortgage terms and definitions that you”ll be hearing when shopping for a first time home buyer loan:

Adjustable-rate loans, also known as variable-rate loans, usually offer a lower initial interest rate than fixed-rate loans. The interest rate fluctuates over the life of the loan based on market conditions, but the loan agreement generally sets maximum and minimum rates. When interest rates rise, generally so do your loan payments; and when interest rates fall, your monthly payments may be lowered.

Annual percentage rate (APR) is the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate. The APR includes the interest rate, points, broker fees, and certain other credit charges that the borrower is required to pay.

Conventional loans are mortgage loans other than those insured or guaranteed by a government agency such as the FHA (Federal Housing Administration), the VA (Veterans Administration), or the Rural Development Services (formerly know as Farmers Home Administration, or FmHA).

Escrow is the holding of money or documents by a neutral third party prior to closing. It can also be an account held by the lender (or servicer) into which a homeowner pays money for taxes and insurance.

Fixed-rate loans generally have repayment terms of 15, 20, or 30 years. Both the interest rate and the monthly payments (for principal and interest) stay the same during the life of the loan.

The interest rate is the cost of borrowing money expressed as a percentage rate. Interest rates can change because of market conditions. Loan origination fees are fees charged by the lender for processing the loan and are often expressed as a percentage of the loan amount.

Lock-in refers to a written agreement guaranteeing a home buyer a specific interest rate on a home loan provided that the loan is closed within a certain period of time, such as 60 or 90 days. Often the agreement also specifies the number of points to be paid at closing.

A mortgage is a document signed by a borrower when a home loan is made that gives the lender a right to take possession of the property if the borrower fails to pay off the loan.

Overages are the difference between the lowest available price and any higher price that the home buyer agrees to pay for the loan. Loan officers and brokers are often allowed to keep some or all of this difference as extra compensation.

Points are fees paid to the lender for the loan. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount. Points are usually paid in cash at closing. In some cases, the money needed to pay points can be borrowed, but doing so will increase the loan amount and the total costs.

Thrift institution is a general term for savings banks and savings and loan associations.

Transaction, settlement, or closing costs may include application fees; title examination, abstract of title, title insurance, and property survey fees; fees for preparing deeds, mortgages, and settlement documents; attorneys’ fees; recording fees; and notary, appraisal, and credit report fees. Under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the borrower receives a good faith estimate of closing costs at the time of application or within three days of application. The good faith estimate lists each expected cost either as an amount or a range

When shopping for a first time home buyer loan make sure you shop around and find a broker or a loan officer that’s responsive to your needs. And don’t be afraid to ask question. Remember, it’s the questions you don’t ask that could keep you from saving money.

About the author: Mortgage Terminology for the First Time Home Buyer was written by Dale Ronewicz (American-Lenders.org). For more on First Time Home Buyer Loans please visit: http://www.american-lenders.org/firsttime_home_buyer_loans

Subprime Mortgage Lenders - Helpful Tips When Getting A Subprime Mortgage Loan

Author: Carrie Reeder

If you have bad credit history, no down payment or difficult to prove income and are looking to get approved for a home mortgage loan, you will probably need to look at subprime mortgage lenders to help you. To see a list of our recommended subprime mortgage lenders you can click on the link below.

There are a few things to know about subprime mortgages lenders. They specialize in providing mortgage loans for people with less than ideal situations, whether it be difficult to prove income, low or poor credit scores (most often the case with subprime mortgages), or no down payment (this factor alone will not necessarily put you in the subprime loan category).

The interest rate on a subprime mortgage loans will be higher than any other type of mortgage loan where credit, income and down payment are all optimal. However, with subprime mortgage loans, as a borrower, you need to be careful about a few things when dealing with subprime mortgage lenders.

The interest rate with subprime mortgages can vary greatly. There are some subprime mortgage lenders that, for the same set of qualifications, can offer an interest rate of say, 7%, which is a little above average, and then there will be others who will quote 9-12% or more. Now, if this is all for the same qualifications, you could be talking about hundreds of dollars a month extra in payments just because you are not getting a fair interest rate for your qualification. This is where the borrower needs to be careful. Make sure you are getting the best interest rate possible with your subprime lender. Some subprime lenders take advantage of borrowers with bad credit or hard to approve situations, and they charge much more in interest than what is fair for to the borrower.

Another way subprime mortgage lenders can take advantage of unsuspecting borrowers is by the lender having a pre-payment penalty on the loan that is unreasonable and not fair to the borrower, based on their qualifications. A typical subprime mortgage loan will have a 6 month to a 2 year pre-payment penalty. However, sometimes a subprime lender will offer a loan with a 3 year or higher pre-payment penalty. That is too high, I think a 2 year pre-payment penalty is high, but any higher than that, and you should probably keep looking for a new lender.

Other than a couple of things to be careful of when dealing with subprime lenders, getting approved, even with a slightly higher interest rate, can be a really great thing for you to buy the home you want.

About the author: To see a list of recommended subprime mortgage companies online, visit this page: ww w.abcloanguide.com/lessthanperfectcredit.shtml . Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website with articles and more about various types of loans.

Bad Credit Home Financing - Get The Mortgage Loan You Want Even With Poor Credit

Author: Carrie Reeder

Having poor credit alone cannot hold you back from getting the home loan you want. Buying a home that is everything you want in a home, is a very exciting experience. The blemishes on your credit history will not alone keep you from getting the home you want and the home you deserve.

Here are some things to keep in mind when moving forward in the application process to get your home loan:

Contact or apply to many different lenders or brokers – Online you can fill out many mortgage applications where the lender or mortgage service company does not pull your credit history. If they don't ask for your social security number, they usually cannot pull your credit. Brokers usually use the initial application or inquiry form and what you tell them about your credit to make a decision about whether they should pursue the application and pull your credit or not. Many lenders will tell you that you are not going to get approved anywhere and that if they can’t help you, no one can. That is not true. All mortgage brokers have access to very different mortgage programs and some brokers are more creative in their financing techniques than others.

Fill out your application or inquiry as accurately as possible – Inflating your income on your application or inquiry form, to be higher than you know you can verify your income to be, will only delay the process of getting pre-approved. The broker will work the fastest for you if he/she is working with the exact information he/she needs to be able to verify. That’s the best way to get approved and through the pre-approval process smoothly.

Be persistent – This is the key when seeking a mortgage loan pre-approval with poor credit, be optimistic. Look for creative ways to get financing and contact as many brokers as possible. There is one or more out there that can help you. The key is to find them.

Start house hunting - Sometimes the key to getting into a house is finding the right one and a seller that is flexible enough to help you do some creative financing work. For example: the seller carrying back a small percentage of the loan, the seller paying your closing costs or you being able to purchase the house for significantly lower than market value.

About the author: To see a list of recommended bad credit mortgage loan companies online, visit this page: ww w.abcloanguide.com/lessthanperfectcredit.shtml . Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide. It is an informational loan website, with informative articles and the latest finance news.

Friday, April 28, 2006

Adverse Credit Mortgage Loan - Persistence Is The Key To Getting Approved

Author: Carrie Reeder

People with bad credit that are looking to get a home mortgage loan or to refinance their existing home mortgage loan, know how difficult of a job it can be to try and get approved. Adverse credit history can mean a little more legwork to get an approval for a mortgage loan, and especially to get a decent interest rate.

Most mortgage brokers will tell you that if they can’t help you, no one can. That is simply not true. Every mortgage broker or mortgage lender has access to very different lending programs. A program that may be impossible for one broker can be very possible for another broker. Some mortgage brokers have access to lending companies that specialize in home mortgage loans for people with less than perfect credit that have more lenient qualifications than other sub-prime lenders do.

The key to getting approved for a home mortgage loan with poor or bad credit is persistence.

Apply with online mortgage brokers that will submit your application to multiple lenders, so that you will receive at least 4 lender offers from each application that you submit. These companies will submit your application to usually hundreds of mortgage lenders that can help you with a refinance, purchase, second mortgage or home equity loan and then remit the 4 best offers available to you. These online mortgage broker services can help people in almost every state from Florida to California.

The best thing about this process is that most of these mortgage brokers won’t even pull your credit when you apply. That means that there is no risk to you for trying it out. Usually when you have started to work with a specific mortgage lender, that is when they will ask if they can pull your credit report. You may already know that multiple inquiries on your credit report can drop your credit score slightly, and if you have bad credit to begin with, you are going to want that score to be as high as possible.

Talk with many different mortgage loan brokers, if you can, have one mortgage loan broker pull your credit and then ask him/her what your credit score is. Then, go to all the other lenders you want to apply with and tell them your situation, with your credit score, income and down payment information. Have them give you some estimates of what they can do before they ever pull your credit.

There are many things you can do to boost your credit score, but before you let your bad credit keep you from getting into a home, be persistent and make sure you have applied with or talked with as many different mortgage lenders or mortgage service companies as you can. If you can apply online, that is a fast, easy way to apply with many mortgage lenders and get responses quickly.

About the author: To view Carrie Reeder's list of most recommended bad credit mortgage loan companies, visit this page: ww w.abcloanguide.com/lessthanperfectcredit.shtml . Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide. It is an informational loan website, with informative articles and the latest finance news.

Applying For A Home Mortgage Loan Online - The Pros And Cons

Author: Carrie Reeder

If you have considered applying for a home loan mortgage online, there are a few pros and cons to think about with getting a home mortgage loan online:

Pros:

1. The process of applying for an online home mortgage loan is very simple, unlike some lenders who operate in the ‘real’ world and ask for heaps of information.

2. The fees, when applying for a home mortgage loan online, can be considerably cheaper than the mortgages in the ‘real’ world.

3. Online home loan mortgages tend to offer a great variety of mortgage loan programs, including more flexible repayment terms and lower rates of interest.

4. Online mortgages are usually easier for borrowers who have bad credit history to obtain. Also, online mortgage loan websites do tend to offer more alternatives to those with a bad credit history.

5. Normally you find out faster if your home loan mortgage application has been pre–approved if you apply online. This means you can move on and apply with other lenders faster, if you don’t get approved the first time.

Cons:

1. Not all online home loan mortgage lenders have representation in all 50 states – so if you do apply for a mortgage loan online, make sure they’re represented in your home state.

2. Accountability can be a problem – you really need to stay on top of things, which can be troublesome if you don’t know what you’re doing.

3. You may be getting the deal that best suits their needs, not yours.

4. Sometimes you have to pay an application fee even before you know if your application has been successful – something that is not always the case in the ‘real’ world.

5. If things go wrong, and your online home loan mortgage provider doesn’t come through, there’s no formal organization you can complain to.

So, while applying for a home loan mortgage online may be a good idea, to keep your options open you may also want to talk with a real estate broker in the 'real world' about applying for your home loan mortgage. That way you can make your final decision of who to go with when you are closer to locking in the loan.

About the author: To see a list of recommended mortgage loan companies online, visit this page: www.abcloa nguide.com/mortgageloans.shtml . Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide. It is an informational loan website, with informative articles and the latest finance news.

Apply For Home Mortgage Loan Online With Bad Credit - Things To Consider

Author: Carrie Reeder

So, you’ve found the perfect home. You’ve already decided where to place each piece of your furniture inside the home, and in your mind, all of your family photographs are hanging alongside the stairwell. But wait—do you know that even if you believe that your credit report is spotless, it could negatively affect your chances of getting that home mortgage approval?

The credit bureaus handle hundreds of thousands of credit reports, and it’s only logical that they will make mistakes. In fact, studies show us that there are some types of errors on at least 50 percent of all credit reports.

Could an error be lurking on your report?

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to ensure that your credit report reflects exactly what it should.

Step One: Avoid a Bad Credit Report by Requesting a Copy of It

Under the law, you are entitled to a copy of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies. You should simply submit a request in writing or visit their web sites and request a copy.

Step Two: Check the Personal Information

Maybe your name is Jane Smith, but the agencies have you listed as Jayne Smith. If you don’t think that it matters, you’d better think again. If the agencies have a miss-spelling in your name, the wrong address, reversed digits on your social security number, or even wrong employer information, it could mean bad news for your report. If the person who they have you confused with makes a late payment, then it will appear on your report. What’s worse, if they file for bankruptcy or default on a car loan, it will take some time to sort out the erroneous information once it’s found its way onto your report. Avoid all of this, and report any bad information now.

Step Three: The Credit Information

It may be too late, and you may find that there are loans or other items on your report that you’ve never taken out. In addition, you may find that late payments are on your credit report when you’re sure that you made them on time. If you find such erroneous information, then you’ll need to send the credit reporting agencies a letter explaining the error, along with any proof or documents that you have that will back up your claim. They are required to investigate your complaint and report back to you with their findings.

It’s important to do all of this before you apply for a home mortgage. It will not only reduce the amount of time that it takes to get an approval, but it could positively affect the interest rate that you end up with.

About the author: To see a list of recommended bad credit mortgage loan companies, visit this page: ww w.abcloanguide.com/lessthanperfectcredit.shtml . Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide. It is an informational loan website, with informative articles and the latest finance news.

Bad Credit Mortgage Lenders - Things You Should Know About Subprime Lenders

Author: Carrie Reeder

Interest rates and fees vary between subprime lenders just like regular mortgage lenders. Just because you have bad credit, that doesn’t mean you should accept the first financing offer from a subprime lender. Take the time to do your research, and you can make sure you are getting the best deal in terms of interest rates and fees.

It’s A Service

Subprime lenders take risks that the average bank refuses, namely loans to people with bad credit. As a result, subprime lenders charge higher interest rates and fees to ensure they make a profit even with the higher rate of loan foreclosures.

Compare Online

The best way to compare interest rates and fees of subprime lenders is to go online. You can get a straight answer on rates and fees from a number of lenders by entering your information online. When you are comparing between lenders, remember to enter the same information for each lender so you are getting a quote for the same risk level.

Rates And Fees Vary

Interest rates and fees can vary as much as 5% between subprime lenders. While a few dollars a month may not seem much, over years this can mean the difference of thousands of dollars. You should also compare closing costs and other fees in the financing package which can also add up to hundreds of dollars.

Apply Online

Once you have compared companies and found the best lender for you, you can finish the process by applying online with the subprime lender. Mortgage lenders will process your information and send out the paperwork for your final approval and signature. The whole process can take a matter of days.

Read Your Paperwork

Whether you are refinancing or buying a home, make sure you know what type of deal you are getting into by reading the paperwork the subprime lender sends. If you have any questions, you can contact the lending company by email or phone. You can also take the paperwork to a lawyer to get their opinion. You should be comfortable with all the terms before you sign.

About the author: To see a list of recommended bad credit mortgage loan companies online, visit this page: ww w.abcloanguide.com/lessthanperfectcredit.shtml . Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide. It is an informational loan website, with informative articles and the latest finance news.

Bad Credit Mortgage Loans - How To Get Approved

Author: Carrie Reeder

Persistence is the key working toward getting approved for a bad credit mortgage loan. There are many factors that you, as a borrower have control over that can help you get approved faster and easier. There are guidelines that most sub-prime lenders go by that, if you know them, can help you move through the process without getting stuck, unable to get financing.

If you have a bankruptcy or foreclosure, even if they are recent, do not despair. Many sub-prime or bad credit mortgage lenders have what’s called, guidelines for bankruptcy or foreclosure seasoning. That means that they have a set amount of time that must go by from the time of a bankruptcy or foreclosure before they will lend to a borrower. Usually this time is 2-3 years, but many sub-prime lenders have no seasoning time, which means, if your credit score is above a certain point, you could get approved the day after your bankruptcy discharge. Other sub-prime lenders have bankruptcy or foreclosure seasoning of 6 months or a year. The biggest factor here will be your credit score.

Sub-prime or bad credit mortgage lenders will look closely at your credit score. In order to get 100% financing with bad credit, lenders will usually need to see you have a credit score of at least 600 or higher. There are quite a few things you can do to raise your credit score to be above this 600 mark. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Check your credit report for inaccuracies. Make sure all accounts included in bankruptcies and foreclosures are reporting accurately. If they show up as an open collection or unpaid account, charge-off or something else, this could be unnecessarily hurting your credit score. It will look like another, separate credit blemish instead of just the one. Make sure the bankruptcies and foreclosures are reporting accurately. Make sure accounts that are paid off, show up as being paid off, or accounts that are closed, show up as being closed.

2. Pay-off any small collection accounts or past due accounts that you can. Every account that you pay off will help boost your score. Once you have done this, get a letter of notification that the account is paid off and talk to your lender. Most lenders have programs where they can, for a $75 fee per item, provide proof to the credit bureaus that an account has been paid off and have your credit and credit score appropriately adjusted within a day or two. This program is sometimes called a “wrap it up” service. If you are in a hurry to get financed, this may be worth it to you.

3. Pay down open credit line balances. If you can even pay down the balances on any open lines of credit, this will boost your credit score. Your credit score is lowered when lines of credit are maxed out. You can make good use of your money by paying down credit card balances to boost your score.

Once you have used some of these techniques to boost your credit score, be persistent about contacting and applying with many different bad credit mortgage lenders. Many bad credit mortgage loan brokers claim that if they can’t do the loan, then no one can. That is simply not true. All mortgage loan brokers have connections with many different lenders and loan programs. What may be impossible with one, can be very possible with another broker.

If your score is around 600 or slightly higher, you will probably have a pre-payment penalty. Pretty much all bad credit mortgage loans will come with a pre-payment penalty. Talk to your lender about the details of the pre-payment penalty. Find out how long the penalty will last and exactly how much money the penalty is. How much is the fine for pre-payment on the loan? This is an important factor to consider when comparing lenders.

To get a approved for a bad credit mortgage loan, be persistent, work on your credit score as much as you can to get it above that 600 mark and apply with or contact many lenders to compare mortgage loan programs.

About the author: To see a list of recommended bad credit mortgage loan companies online, visit this page: ww w.abcloanguide.com/lessthanperfectcredit.shtml . Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide. It is an informational loan website, with informative articles and the latest finance news.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Adjustable Rate Mortgages - Understand The Benefits Compared To A Fixed Rate Mortgage

Author: Carrie Reeder

Adjustable rate mortgages can be very tempting to home buyers, yet they carry a great deal of uncertainty. Fixed rate mortgages offer rate and payment security, but they are more expensive. It is important to weigh the pros and cons of ARMs and fixed rate mortgages before you decide which is right for you.

There are many benefits with an adjustable rate mortgage - One benefit is that they usually feature lower rates and payments early on in the loan term. Lenders can use the lower payment when qualifying borrowers, therefore borrowers can purchase larger homes than they could otherwise afford. ARM’s allow borrowers to take advantage of falling rates without refinancing. Instead of having to pay closing costs and fees, borrowers can just sit back and watch their rates fall without worrying about these extra costs. Adjustable rate mortgages can help borrowers save and invest more money. Someone who has a payment that is say $200 less with an ARM than with a fixed-rate mortgage for a couple of years can save that money and earn more off it in a higher yielding investment. This type of mortgage also offers a cheap way for borrowers who don’t plan on living in one place very long to buy a house.

There are also a few drawbacks with Adjustable rate mortgages - One drawback is that rates and payments can rise significantly over the loan period. For instance, a 6% ARM can end up at 11% in just three years if rates rise in the overall economy. A borrower’s initial low rate will adjust to a level higher than the going fixed rate level in almost every case because ARMs have initial fixed rates that are set artificially low. The first adjustment can be hard hitting because some annual caps don’t apply to the initial change. Someone with an annual cap of 2% and a lifetime cap of 6% could potentially see the rate shoot from 6% to 12% in 12 months after closing rates in the economy skyrocket. Adjustable rate mortgages can be difficult to understand.

Lenders have much more flexibility when determining margins, caps, adjustment indices and other things, so new borrowers can easily get confused or trapped by less than honest mortgage companies. One last drawback to adjustable rate mortgages is that on certain mortgages called negative amortization loans, borrowers can end up owing more money than they did at closing. This is because the payments on these loans are set so low they only cover part of the interest due. Any additional amount will get added into the principal balance.

As you can see there are many pros and cons to adjustable-rate mortgages. You must carefully consider your options before choosing a mortgage that is right for you. Stay informed of all of your mortgage options.

About the author: To view Carrie Reeder's list of most recommended mortgage lenders, visit this page: ww w.abcloanguide.com/lessthanperfectcredit.shtml . Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide. It is an informational loan website, with informative articles and the latest finance news.

Buying A Home After Bankruptcy - Get A Mortgage Loan After Bankruptcy

Author: Carrie Reeder

If you have a recent bankruptcy on your credit and are looking to get financing for a home, there is hope. Buying a home with bad credit will just put more emphasis on the other two factors needed to get a mortgage loan, which are; income verification and a down payment.

After bankruptcy most lenders want you to wait at least 2 years from the time of the bankruptcy discharge before they will consider you for a mortgage loan. After the two year waiting period is over, you should be able to get financing easily. You should also be able to get 100% financing as well. You can usually achieve this as long as at least most of your payments have been reported to the credit bureau as having been paid on time since the discharge of your bankruptcy.

If you are looking to get a mortgage loan after bankruptcy sooner than the 2 years from the time of discharge, you will need to have almost flawless payment history since your bankruptcy discharge. Also, you may need to have a down payment. If you have even 3-5% to use as a down payment, that may be enough to help you get approved.

There are ways to get a down payment for your mortgage besides having the money saved in the bank. Here are some ideas of ways to do that:

1. Borrow or ask for a gift from relatives. After you have financed the house, you can usually go and take out a 2nd or 3rd mortgage up to the full value of your house, and then you could repay the relatives. Keep in mind that if you intend the money to be as a loan only from the relatives, you would need to disclose that to the lender before you close. Lenders usually have regulations about where the down payment is coming from and if you are not honest, it could be considered defrauding a lender.

2. There are down payment assistance programs like Neighborhood Gold or the Nehemiah program. These programs basically aid the seller in helping you with a down payment. Receiving a down payment from the seller of the property is illegal, but through these programs, it is legal. There are also other down payment assistance programs which are grants and do not need to be repaid or paid for by anyone. To find out about these, do a search on “down payment assistance” with your favorite search engine.

3. You could cash out a 401K or another investment and like in the first example, repay yourself with a 2nd or 3rd mortgage after the loan has closed.

About the author: To see a list of recommended bad credit mortgage loan companies online, visit this page: ww w.abcloanguide.com/lessthanperfectcredit.shtml . Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide. It is an informational loan website, with informative articles and the latest finance news.

Mortgage Leads - The ROI

Author: Jayson Brock

Mortgage Leads - Are they a good mortgage marketing tool?

Mortgage Leads are and will always be key in any mortgage marketing plan. The biggest issue with buying mortgage leads is that the buyer (Mortgage Brokers and Loan Officers) will spend $100.00 and expect a deal and no time in working that deal or leads. You have to expect the following when buying mortgage leads:

1. You will not reach the borrower by phone if you only call 1-3 times. If the borrower does not call back you should not consider this to be a bad lead.

2. Expect to always get 3 bad leads out of every 10 mortgage leads - as long as your mortgage lead company has a solid return policy you have only lost time - and I can assure you every person values time, but not as much as money.

3. The potential borrower has spoken to other mortgage companies, probably a few before even submitting information online for a Free Quote. So when you call a borrower and they say ""I have been contacted by several people"" - then that is your chance to sell - not say ok let me get off the phone and request a refund for this lead.

Research shows that online users submit their information to 2 or 3 mortgage websites when shopping for a quote online. Combined with shopping in their local market the person will always exaggerate with the common, ""I have been called by 20 people"", when it is really been FIVE.

Number of Leads Purchased: 50 Cost Per Lead Purchased: 15.00 Total Lead Investment: $750

Estimate Percentage of Leads Closed: 5% Average Amount of Mortgage Closed: $185000 Number of Loans Closed: 2.5 Total Amount of Mortgages Closed: $462500

Fee's Collected: 2% Commisions Earned: $9250 Return on Investment: 1133.33%

Taking all this in consideration you truly have to have patience and be willing to spend more than the $100.00 you thought was a major investment. A 5% closing on 50 leads is realistic and not fluffed like most mortgage lead websites.

Good Lead Sources that drive up ROI are.

http://www.LeadsExpo.com http://www.LeadBull.com http://www.LeadOrder.com

Check them out our research showed a ROI above 15% and quality customer service.

About the author: Jayson Brock - BrokerTrends.com research team.

Home Loan Lenders - Finding The Best Home Mortgage Lender

Author: Carrie Reeder

The process of obtaining a mortgage or home loan can be very stressful and quite time consuming. Finding the best lender for your situation requires research and comparisons between lenders and loan packages. You may be searching for a first time home loan or to refinance your existing mortgage. Compare lenders carefully and find the best possible terms available to you.

If you have poor credit, you will pay a higher rate of interest than those with good credit. The amount of your down payment will also affect the interest rate you receive. The larger the down payment, the lower the interest rate. A small down payment will mean you pay more interest and your payments will be higher. You can get either a variable interest rate that changes over the length of your mortgage, or a fixed rate that never changes. Do not hesitate to ask questions of your lender and make certain you clearly understand the terms offered to you.

The amount of interest you will pay on your home loan not only depends on your credit score, but your debt-to-income ratio as well. This is the amount of money you make each month as compared to the amount of your monthly debt. Car payments, student loans, and credit card balances are all considered in determining your debt-to-income ratio. If your monthly income barely pays your monthly expenses, you will pay a higher interest rate than someone who's income surpasses their monthly obligations. Mortgage lending is a highly competitive industry and lenders are offering a variety of loan packages to fit almost any income level and credit rating.

You may want to consider choosing a home loan provider before you start shopping for a home. This will allow you to determine in advance how much you can spend on your new home. Pre-qualifying for a home loan can save you time and trouble while you go through the process of buying a home. A pre-approval is an excellent tool when making an offer to buy a home. Sellers like the security of knowing your mortgage is already approved and will often negotiate with a pre-approved buyer more readily than with a buyer who must search for a lender after making an offer to purchase the home.

Compare mortgage lenders and lending practices to find the best possible home loan for you and your family. The interest rate you receive will directly affect the amount of your monthly mortgage payments. A little research can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage.

About the author: To see a list of recommended home equity loan companies online, visit this page: http://www. abcloanguide.com/homeequityloan.shtml - Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website with articles and more about various types of loans.

Reverse Mortgage Providing Peace of Mind Without Sacrificing Safety or Security

Author: Barry Scoles

For many seniors one of their greatest sources of security is their home. It not only provides a comfortable and familiar environment, but it provides a sense of independence and a source of many fond memories. The equity in that home represents a financial nest egg and a legacy for them to pass on to their family. With the ever-increasing cost of maintaining a home, along with the overall rise in the cost of healthcare, finding the resources to live out ones life at home is becoming a growing challenge.

What is a Reverse Mortgage? A reverse mortgage, also known as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), is a government insured loan program that allows senior homeowners, age 62 and older, to convert the equity in their home into usable cash. Unlike a conventional mortgage however, qualification is not based on credit, employment, income, or assets, and there are no monthly payments. The homeowner never forfeits title, and as long as they pay the property taxes and homeowners insurance, no repayment is required until the senior no longer occupies the home due to their sale of the property or their passing.

Are Reverse Mortgages Safe? Absolutely! Reverse Mortgages are FHA insured or backed by Fannie Mae. And as long as you continue to live in the house as your primary residence, keep the real-estate taxes and insurance(s) current, and comply with the terms of the loan, you do not have to repay the loan.

For an increasing number of seniors, age 62 or older, a reverse mortgage has provided great peace of mind. They are provided the tax-free cash to meet these financial demands without giving up title to their home. They have no monthly payment or deadline as to when they must move or pay off the loan. Although the program is viewed by seniors as a possible solution to there financial needs, they are concerned about putting themselves, their home or their family at risk. Following are a few of the safeguards that HUD and Fannie Mae have provided:

1.Loan amounts, interest rates, and loan terms are set by HUD and Fannie Mae and can never vary from one lender to another. 2.HUD and Fannie Mae have established what fees can be charged and has set caps on them all. 3.All programs have lifetime interest rate caps 4.The term of the loan is 150 years beyond the birth date of the youngest homeowner (i.e. date of birth April 1940, loan expiration April 2090) 5.If a spouse passes, none of the terms of the loan change, and the remaining spouse may stay in the home for as long as they wish 6.If you are receiving monthly draws from your reverse mortgage, and your check is late for any reason, the lender is required by federal statute to pay the homeowner a 10% late fee. 7.Funds from a reverse mortgage are not considered income and therefore are not taxable and have no affect on ones Social Security or Medicare 8.If a homeowner’s health required extended hospitalization or assisted living care outside the home, as long as the homeowner returns to their home within 12 months there is no interruption in the loan 9.Lenders are not permitted to take any steps in processing a reverse mortgage for any homeowner until the senior has received independent counseling from a certified reverse mortgage counselor. 10.Following the closing of the reverse mortgage the homeowner has a three-day period to reconsider the loan and cancel the transaction without any cost or obligation.

Reverse mortgages provide a safe secure solution for seniors to live out their life in the comfort of their own home with the dignity they deserve.

About the author: Barry Scoles is a leading expert in the Reverse Mortgage industry. For more information please contact him at 1st Reverse Mortgage USA 877-217-0166 or bscoles@1streversemortgageusa.com

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Home Equity Line Of Credit Or Second Mortgage Loan Online - Things To Do With Your Homes Equity

Author: Carrie Reeder

If you are wanting to get a home equity loan, rates are still low enough that you may want to make use of that equity in your home. Do you need some ideas on what you could do to multiply your equity or make some extra money off of the capital that could be available to you?

Here are some suggestions of ways to put the equity to good use when you go to take out a home equity or cash out refinance loan.

1. Do a home improvement that will increase the equity in your home more than the cost of doing the improvement. As an example, I have heard rumors that adding a deck to a home, because of the amount it increases the homes resale value, can add up to 4 times the cost of actually installing the deck.

2. If you have a low interest rate on your home, invest your equity in a low risk investment that has a much higher return on your money.

3. Buy an existing business or start a new business with the equity capital in your home. If you can start a low risk business, take the opportunity to let your equity work for you.

4. Use the equity as a down payment on an investment property or a rental.

5. Use it to consolidate high interest debt and possibly save yourself hundreds of dollars a month to put toward something else.

6. Use it to finance your education and increase your earning power.

7. If you live in an area zoned for this, you could finish a basement or area of the house to rent out. You could create a separate living space or apartment on your property.

Just be careful to not do anything risky with the equity in your home. If you can get a low enough rate, it may be worth taking that money and investing it somewhere else.

About the author: To see a list of recommended home equity loan companies online, visit this page: http://www. abcloanguide.com/homeequityloan.shtml - Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website with articles and more about various types of loans.

Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans - Understand The Pros And Cons Of The Fixed Rate Mortgage

Author: Carrie Reeder

There are many benefits and drawbacks to consider when deciding if a fixed rate mortgage is right for you. It is important to look at all options when it comes to something as important as getting a mortgage for your new home.

There are a few benefits to fixed rate mortgages. One benefit is that the rates and payments remain constant. There won’t be any surprises even if inflation surges out of control and mortgage rates head to 20%. This kind of stability makes budgeting easier. People can manage their money with more certainty because their housing expenses won’t change. Fixed rate mortgages are simple to understand making them appealing and good for first time buyers. Also longer term fixed rate mortgages are very affordable.

There are also a few drawbacks to fixed rate mortgages. To take advantage of falling rates, mortgage holders would have to refinance. That can mean a few thousand dollars in closing costs, another trip to the title company’s office and several hours spent digging up tax forms, bank statements etc. Fixed rate mortgages can be too expensive for some borrowers, especially in high rate environments, because there is no early on payment and rate break like there is with adjustable rate mortgages. Fixed rate mortgages are practically identical from lender to lender. While lenders keep many adjustable rate mortgages on their books, most financial institutions sell their fixed rate mortgages.

There are a few other important questions you should make sure you have answers to when deciding which type of mortgage is better for you. How long do you plan on staying in the home? How frequently does the adjustable rate mortgage adjust, and when is the adjustment made? What’s the interest rate environment like? Could you still afford your monthly payment if interest rates rise significantly? Do you know the main pros and cons for each type of loan?

Generally, fixed-rate mortgages are a safer way for first time home buyers to get a mortgage. There is greater stability and less risk involved. It is easy to budget and regulate your expenses when you know exactly what your interest rate will be.

About the author: To see a list of recommended mortgage loan companies online, visit this page: www.abcloa nguide.com/mortgageloans.shtml - Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website with articles and more about various types of loans.

Home Mortgage Loan Information - Which Type Of Home Loan Is Best For You?

Author: Carrie Reeder

If you are considering buying a home, then you may be more than a little confused by all of the terms you hear about home loans. After all, lenders throw around words like fixed rate, balloon mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages without a thought. But if you aren’t at least familiar with the basics—those terms can be pretty confusing!

Here’s a basic guide to the three most common types of home loans. Study it, and determine which one is right for you.

Fixed Rate Home Loan

If you are thinking about buying a home and staying in it until you pay it off, then you will probably want a fixed rate home loan. With this type of loan, you will be assigned a fixed interest rate, and then that rate will not change for the life of the loan. If interest rates skyrocket, yours will remain the same. On the other hand, if they plummet, you will likely be paying a higher rate. (You can always refinance in order to get a lower rate.)

Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)

The interest rate with this type of loan goes up and down with the market. In other words, if the interest rate is low, the rate on your home mortgage will be low, but if it’s high, your loan interest rate will reflect it. And because the interest rate on a home mortgage loan affects the payments, you will never know from reporting period to reporting period what your monthly mortgage payments will be. This type of loan obviously isn’t for everyone.

So, who might use an ARM? For starters, if you are purchasing a house for investment purposes and plan to sell it quickly, you might take advantage of low interest rates by getting this type of loan—particularly if it looks as if they may go lower. Another reason to use an ARM as a home loan is if you are buying a home in a time when interest rates are on the decline. You can take out an ARM, and then change it to a fixed loan once the interest rates bottom out.

Balloon Mortgage

With this type of loan, you will make monthly payments for a fixed amount of time, with a fixed interest rate. The difference is that at the end of the payment schedule, you will owe the unpaid balance in one lump sum. If you use a balloon mortgage, you will find that the interest rates are much lower than either a fixed rate mortgage or an ARM.

The obvious negative to this type of loan is that huge payment due at the end, but if you are planning to hold the house for a short period of time, then this might be the loan for you.

By understanding the various types of home loans that are available to you, you will be better prepared to make a decision that is just right for you and your family.

About the author: To see a list of recommended mortgage loan companies online, visit this page: http://www.a bcloanguide.com/mortgageloans.shtml - Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website with articles and more about various types of loans.

California Bad Credit Mortgage

Author: Carrie Reeder

California is a beautiful place to live There is no doubt about that. But, to live in California you must pay the price, which is sky high real estate prices. Renting, as opposed to buying in California, can save a little bit of money. However, renting has the disadvantage of not building any equity. As home prices in California continue to rise, you may want to be a homeowner and take advantage of the home appreciation factor. If you're going to be paying a lot of money to live in California anyway, you might as well be making some money on top of it too, right?

Now, if you have bad credit and are trying to get a home loan for California home prices, this may seem like an impossible situation. Home prices are high and if you already have poor credit, the fact that you need to be approved for such a high loan amount can be an added difficulty when trying to get a home loan.

However, there is hope. There are so many programs available today to help people with recent bankruptcys, collections and even foreclosures, obtain mortgage financing. There are nationwide mortgage service companies that can either approve you directly or get you in touch with a lender who can approve you.

Here are some suggestions of things you can do to aggressively help yourself get qualified for a mortgage loan in California, with a bad credit history:

1. Pull your credit and review it - Pulling your own credit will not negatively affect your credit score like having someone else pull it will. For a list of the links to the three major credit bureaus, visit this page: www.abcloanguid e.com/credithelp.com . Look over your credit history and make sure that everything is reporting accurately. Sometimes, something as small as an account being reported as currently being due as opposed to being included in a past bankruptcy can be the difference of 10-15 or more added points to your credit score.

Make sure every account that is closed is reported as being closed. Make sure that every account that was reported in a bankruptcy is reported that way, and not being reported as money still owed. If you have small collection accounts, try to pay them off and then fax confirmation that the account was paid off to the major credit bureaus so that they can adjust your credit report right away. Editing this information on your credit report is easier than ever today because all three major credit bureaus now make it possible to dispute and inaccuracies online. You could pull all three reports, dispute all inaccuracies and be done in less than an hour now. Just a few years ago, it used to take hours or days to fill out all the necessary paperwork.

2. Find a seller who is motivated to pay closing costs or carryback a percentage of the loan - If you find a seller who is really motivated to work with you, that may help you get approved with a lender. If the seller can pay your closing costs, this can free up that money so that you may have a small down payment. If the seller is willing to carryback a percentage of the loan then the loan-to-value may be low enough that the lender may consider that as good as a down payment. If the seller is motivated to work with you, they may be willing to work through a down payment assistance program to help you make a down payment. It is illegal for a seller to give you the down payment for their house, but through down payment assistance programs like Neighborhood Gold and the Nehemiah program, it is totally legal.

3. Borrow or ask for a gift from relatives toward a down payment - After you have financed the house, you can usually take out a 2nd or 3rd mortgage up to the full value of your house, and then you would be able to repay the relatives. Keep in mind that if you intend the money to be as a loan only from the relatives, you would need to disclose that to the lender before you close. Lenders usually have regulations about where the down payment is coming from and if you are not honest, it could be considered defrauding a lender.

About the author: To see a list of recommended mortgage loan companies online who service California, visit this page: www.abcloa nguide.com/mortgageloans.shtml - Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide. It is an informational loan website, with informative articles and the latest finance news.

First Time Home Owner Mortgage Loans

Author: Carrie Reeder

First time home owners are sometimes surprised at the complexity of the mortgage lending process. If you are searching for a mortgage and you have never owned a home, there a few things you can do to make the mortgage process less confusing. First time home owners should educate themselves on the home-buying experience before contacting mortgage lenders. There are many choices in obtaining a first time home owner mortgage loan. Friendly mortgage professionals are available to assist you in making the right decisions.

Before applying for a first time home owner mortgage loan, shop around and find the lowest interest rates, down payment requirements that fit your budget, and terms that suit your lifestyle. You can choose from 15 up to 30 years and you can choose a fixed or variable interest rate. With so many loan products available, it is hard to know which one is right for you. You must consider your long-term goals, the length of time you plan to own the home, and your current financial situation. Professional, knowledgeable mortgage lenders will be able to advise you as to which choices may be appropriate for you.

Applying for a first time home owner mortgage loan does not have to be a stressful, scary experience. Many first time home owners have found valuable help and advice from mortgage lenders who are eager to approve a first time home owner mortgage loan. Applying for a mortgage does not have to be difficult. Let expert mortgage lenders help you in making the best decisions for your individual situation. You can even apply for a first time home owner mortgage online. The application is fast and simple and you will be well on your way to being approved for your first mortgage.

Owning a home is the dream of millions of people. Your first time home owners mortgage loan can be approved quickly and you can fulfill your dream of home ownership with the help and advice of expert mortgage lenders who are competing for your business. Becoming a first time home owner does not need to be frustrating and stressful. Allow a professional mortgage lender to guide you through the mortgage process painlessly. A first time home owner mortgage loan can be yours in less time than you thought possible.

About the author: To see a list of recommended mortgage loan companies online, visit this page: http://www.a bcloanguide.com/mortgageloans.shtml - Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website with articles and more about various types of loans.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Bad Credit? First Time Buyer? You Can Still Get Approved For A Home Mortgage Loan

Author: Carrie Reeder

Do you have bad credit that you worry will stop you from being able to apply for a home mortgage loan? Have you given up on the dream of being a home owner? Well don’t. Take comfort in the fact that there are special home mortgage loans that you can apply for, that will make sure your dreams of becoming a home owner are fulfilled!

Home Loans Are Flexible - The first thing you need to keep-in-mind is that home loan mortgages are very flexible – they can be adjusted to meet the needs of any borrower. So, if you have a bad credit history, but circumstances have changed in your life and now you are looking to become a home owner then all you need to do is to find a lender who is willing to lend.

First Look at Companies That Specialize in Bad Credit Mortgages - Bad credit mortgage lenders or otherwise called, subprime lenders, are always the best place to look first. Bad credit mortgage companies specialize in lending to people with less than perfect credit to very bad credit, even if they are first-time buyers. The may charge you extra over the life of the home loan mortgage than would have otherwise been the case had you not had the bad credit history, but that’s why they’re in the business!

Look Online – Check the Internet - The Internet is the wonder of the modern age and with it comes all sorts of answers to previously unanswerable questions. In the case of the Internet, many companies are advertising that they are willing to lend to first-time buyers who have a bad credit history. All you need do is look for them.

Consider an Interest Only Mortgage to Compensate For the Higher Payment - Many home mortgage lenders offer loans to applicants with poor or bad credit history for interest only home loan mortgages. With an interest only home loan, the borrower is only required to pay the interest part of the home loan mortgage. The principal amount is due years later, depending on which type of loan you get. This kind of loan can give you the time to fix your credit and qualify for a better interest rate.

You can be approved for a home loan even with adverse credit problems like bankruptcy, foreclosure and other problems that cause your credit score to be low.

About the author: To see a list of recommended bad credit mortgage loan companies online, visit this page: ww w.abcloanguide.com/lessthanperfectcredit.shtml . Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide. It is an informational loan website, with informative articles and the latest finance news.

Cash Out Refinance Mortgage Loans - Home Equity, 2nd Mortgage Or Cash Out Refinance Loan

Author: Carrie Reeder

There are some definite benefits to doing a cash out refinance. Just make sure that overall you are not going to be spending more money in fees and interest doing a cash out refinance as opposed to a home equity loan. When you do a cash out refinance, you are refinancing your entire loan. Let's say you owe $300,000 on your home and you want to get $10,000 in cash out. If in refinancing your rate will be the same or higher, then you will be losing an extraordinary amount of money in fees just to get a $10,000 loan. In a case like that, you would definitely want to go with a home equity loan.

Home equity loans are better if:

1. You have a large home loan yet only need to cash out of a small amount of equity

2. You need to borrow up to 100% of the equity in your home

3. You want a revolving credit line

4. You want a payoff sooner, or longer than the term of the rest of your mortgage loan

On the other hand if you are:

1. Going to refinance anyway

2. Wanting to borrow a large percentage of your home’s equity

3. Refinancing for a much lower rate

Then, a cash out refinance loan may be best for you. Of course, the best way to tell is to actually sit down and do the math. These are just guidelines; the real test is in the math. You can consult a refinance calculator and a home equity loan calculator and figure out which one will save you the most money in the long run. Compare the total amounts you will spend in interest and fees. If you are planning on a cash out refinance, make sure that you are refinancing with a low enough rate to justify the fees to refinance. Your loan specialist should be able to help you figure out which one is best for your needs.

About the author: To see a list of recommended mortgage loan companies who can offer cash out options online, visit this page: www.abcloa nguide.com/mortgageloans.shtml - Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide. It is an informational loan website, with informative articles and the latest finance news.

Why Are Mortgage Notes Discounted Anyway?

Author: Frederick B Webb Jr.

When real estate note brokers purchase partially paid notes, they pay the note holder a discounted price after factoring in the time value of money, the payer history, and property condition.

If  there is still a significant period of time left for the payer to make payments, the future payments are not worth the same amount in current dollars.

Calculations are made to equate all the payments into current value, which is how the discount is determined.

After purchasing notes at a discounted price, note brokers try to restructure the loan and increase its value.

Increasing the value of the loan requires the payer to refinance or increase payments, which requires a new contract.

Factoring the same concept of time value of money, we can understand how increasing payments now creates more value. The note can then be sold for a higher price.

Discounts must be taken from the loan amount due to inflation and the time value of money.

There may still be years left on the loan repayment, but the payments far in the future are not worth the same amount in dollars today.

Calculations are made using special formulas to equate the future payment amounts into today's prices, making today's price discounted significantly.

On the other side of the coin, notes that are well seasoned can fetch near remaining balance face value.

***Additional Major Reason Notes Are Discounted***

Although I am a broker myself, I put this site here because I want to bring you a clear understanding (from an insider's perspective) of the nuts and bolts mechanics of how the secondary market mortgage note industry works.

A major reason many people are turned off from selling their real estate notes is because of the discount factor......

but what you probably don't understand is that when you use a broker, like myself or any other broker anywhere, you pay additional fees that further drive down the amount of money you walk away from the table with.

Significantly.

Let me give you an example:

You have a $50,000 note you need to sell. Although you could sell only a few payments or the whole note, for this example, let's say you wish to sell the whole note.

You do a search on the internet and find a long list of brokers hawking phrases at you like, We can get you top dollar for your note..."" and the like.

So you choose one and give them basic information about your note so that they can give you a quote on what you could expect to receive for your note.

So, the broker calls you back after speaking with an ""actual investor"" about your note. The investor has told the broker that he'll pay, say $41,000 for your note.

Your broker says to you, ""We can pay you $37,500 for your note.

He explains the whole reason notes are discounted but never mentions that other $3,500 discount you had to take because of his broker fee.

So, without ever discussing fees, you just paid $3,500 to have a guy make a phone call on your behalf to an ""actual note buyer/investor.

***A Smarter Way To Sell Your Note***

What I am about to reveal to you is the subject of many nasty emails I get from other brokers....angry brokers.

Angry because what I am about to tell you takes money out of their pockets and puts it back into yours.

All brokers are in possession of a ""little black book"" of the ""real note buyers and investors"".

Private individuals mostly but it also includes institutional note buyers.

Check it out yourself. It's called the $67 Solution! You can find and use it risk-free by going to: www.mortgagenotecash.com/directaccess.htm

About the author: Frederick Webb is a Certified Cash Flow Consultant and resident of Webb Funding Group, a small debt brokerage agency he runs with his wife, Kashita Webb.

For more information, visit: www.mortgagenotecash.com

Mortgage Leads generated with PPC

Author: Jayson Brock

Using PPC Search Engines To Generate Mortgage Leads

The fastest and most effective way to start getting quality website traffic to your website is by using Pay Per Click Ads. Two of the most popular PPC (Pay Per Click) search engines are Google Ad words http://www.google.com which are featured on many websites including the monster of all search engines GOOGLE and Overture http://www.overture.com which shows your listings on sites like Yahoo, AltaVista, MSN, and more!

PPC advertising offers you the best bang for your buck. Here is how it works:

You bid on specific keywords or key-phrases to have your ad come up when people search for that specific keyword. For example, when a person searches for ""Refinance"". If the person sees your ad and is interested and they click on it and you simply pay your bid amount.

You may bid $1 to get listed at the top of the search result, but your competitor could then bid 1.05 and outbid and move ahead of you. This does happen unless you are able to bid on less popular search terms that your competitors do not and still many people use.

Bids for the top positions vary from pennies to a few dollars, but most PPC search engines have keyword suggestion tools to help you find keywords and their search results to suit your budget. You may bid on as many keywords as your budget can handle. A general rule of thumb would be to aim for one of the top two positions for keywords with low bid searches and aim for top 5 for keywords with higher volume searches.

You must be careful though to bid within your means! PPC's are all about conversion rates. For example, if you bid $2.00 per click and get 10 clicks and one mortgage lead from those 10 clicks, this means you paid $20.00 for that lead and have a 10% conversion. This is something you must figure out on your own if you are using PPC's for the first time in order to be successful. If you were to sell that lead on refinancing their home and that lead was $20.00 you and I both know you made a killing! You have to spend money to make money. This is also is true with search engine placement.

Be sure that if you are licensed in only certain states that you bid on state specific keywords. Example. ""Florida Home Loans"" instead of ""Home Loans"". If not you will get tons of clicks for leads you can not use.

Finally, your ad should follow certain guidelines. You want to describe your product or service in your ad as precise as possible. Remember you are not looking for ""random visitors"" because you are paying for their click whether they become a lead/sale or not! Try to include the keywords in the subject that not only brings in good prospects for you but also use keywords and descriptions that will thwart ""curiosity seekers"" from clicking on your PPC ad.

You may reproduce or reprint this article if you include the following:

This article is provided by http://www.TheMortgageWire.com - Mortgage Industry News and Marketing Portal.

About the author: None

Self Employed Mortgage Loan - Getting A Mortgage When You're Self Employed

Author: Carrie Reeder

Being self employed has many benefits. When you are self-employed, you can write off all of your deductions on your taxes. You have the potential to make more income than someone who is employed by someone else. You have the freedom to be your own boss. One of the few times when being self employed has some drawbacks is when you go to get financing for a home or a major purchase. But, here are some things to know that can help you make the mortgage loan process run smoothly when you are self employed.

When verifying income - In general, lenders want to see at least 2 years of self employment history, sometimes they want to see 3 years. They will want to see this history verified in tax returns, usually. Sometimes the lenders will figure your income as being the average income you claimed on your income taxes as profit, not your gross business income. Sometimes the lender will figure your income as the lowest of the two years and sometimes as the highest of the two years. Talk to your mortgage broker or lender and find out which way they verify. Sometimes lenders will figure a portion of your write-offs or deductions back into your income. There are ideas of other ways that a lender may be able to verify your income and if you are self employed it will help you to be able to show a more of your income.

A. Use bank statements as proof of income – Find a lender who will accept 1-2 years of bank statements as proof of income. It is becoming more common nowadays for lenders to verify your income this way. This way usually works better in proving income than going off of your tax returns, because you can usually prove a lot more cash flow than tax returns will show. On your tax returns you usually subtract each and every business expense before you claim any profit. When using bank statements, you are still proving income, this does not put as much emphasis on your credit score or down payment as the stated income or no doc loan will.

B. Do a stated income or no doc loan – These types of loans are done all of the time, where you need no proof of income, you only state on a form what your income is, and you do not need to verify it. This can help if you are self employed and want to state your income as it is and not worry about having the lender average out your income from the last two years instead. Make sure you are accurate in stating your income, because the lender may be able to obtain past taxes from the IRS to confirm it. When you do a stated income loan, this will put more emphasis on your down payment or credit score. So, you will usually need one of these factors to be strong if you want to go this route. Most of the time when you do a stated income or no doc loan, you will be charged a slightly higher interest rate because of the extra risk the lenders carries.

C. Put together a profit & loss statement stating accurately stating your profits and expenses from the last two years. This can be a time consuming project, but it can sometimes be used as income verification for a lender. It is more usable if you have had it signed or verified by your accountant.

There are many ways that lenders can work with you if you are self employed. There are many programs available to help you and if you have a down payment or decent credit, you are almost guaranteed to be able to get approved somewhere.

About the author: To see a list of recommended mortgage loan companies online, visit this page: www.abcloa nguide.com/mortgageloans.shtml - Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website with articles and more about various types of loans.

Monday, April 24, 2006

Home Mortgage Loans For People With Bad Credit

Author: Carrie Reeder

Getting a home loan with bad credit has actually never been easier than it is today. Here are some tips to help improve your chances of success:

Find A Good Real Estate Deal – If you can find a property that has some equity in it when you purchase it, you may have an easier time getting financing on that property. To the lender it may be almost as good as if you had some kind of down payment on the property. Some lenders will consider the properties loan to value ratio when they consider the loan. Talk to your mortgage broker and see if this factor could help you get qualified.

Try Creative Financing – See if the seller would be willing to carry back a second mortgage on the home. This is where you set up a contract or agreement with the seller that you will pay them monthly payments, including interest of, let’s say, $150/mo on $10,000 dollars of the price of the property, as a second mortgage. Then, to make it nice for the seller, perhaps put in the agreement that the entire amount is due in full within 2 years or something. That should give you plenty of time to refinance and then the seller doesn’t feel permanently locked into the contract.

Save For A Down Payment – There are lenders who may be able to qualify you for 100% financing, even with low credit scores, but your interest rate will be much lower if you can put even 3-5% down. If possible, try to save as much as possible for a down payment. Sometimes it may be better to wait about 3-6 months to get into a new home loan if it means the difference of having a down payment. The interest rate could be quite a bit better because of that factor. However, if you don’t want to have a down payment, you can always refinance later for a lower interest rate.

Shop Around – There are some mortgage brokers out there that you will talk to who will say, “I can’t help you, and if I can’t help you, no one can help you.” But, if you persist in talking with other brokers, 10 minutes later you could be talking to someone who knows a way to help you, no problem. Most brokers feel that if they can’t help you, no one can. However, the ironic thing is that each broker is varied in the types of loans they can do. Some brokers have relationships with flexible mortgage lenders and others do not. I recommend applying online to mortgage services that will submit your application to multiple lenders. That way, your credit is only pulled once, and you can analyze offers from multiple lenders.

Improve Your Credit Score – There are some really simple ways to improve your credit score without spending too much time at it. All 3 major credit bureaus now have areas on their websites where you can dispute incorrect items on your credit. The process is very quick and easy. Make your current payments on time to help your score. Keep your number of credit inquiries down. Too many inquiries can hurt your credit score. If you want to buy a house, don’t apply for any credit cards, auto loans or any other type of loan if you can avoid it.

If you really do want to get into a home, don’t let bad credit stop you. There are lenders out there who can help you, it just takes some persistence. Apply with multiple lenders. Like I said, apply with mortgage services that specialize in bad credit mortgage loans and will submit your application to multiple lenders with only having one credit inquiry.

About the author: To see a list of recommended bad credit mortgage loan companies online, visit this page: ww w.abcloanguide.com/lessthanperfectcredit.shtml - Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website with articles and more about various types of loans.