Sunday, October 01, 2006

Mortgage Qualification Problems - Low Appraisals

Author: Dan Lewis

The real estate market in the United States is undeniably hot, hot, hot. This toward pace has resulted in an odd mortgage qualification problem – low appraisals. Here are your options if you get a low appraisal amount.

Appraisals

An appraisal is simply an effort by a qualified person to put a value on a property. The process involves a review of the property, other properties in the area and so on. Mortgage lenders always require appraisals, so you have to deal with appraisal problems if you are going to get the home.

Let’s assume you have perfect credit, make a ton of money and ready to put down a solid down payment. You are happy, the lender is happy and the only thing left to do is get the appraisal. Unfortunately, the appraisal comes in well below the price you have agreed to pay for the home. Now what?

First, you need to take a deep breath. Buying a home is an emotional process. Try to step back from the process and objectively analyze whether you are paying too much for the property. If you still want to proceed, take the appraisal to the seller and see if you can get the price lowered. A solution should be possible, but be prepared to walk away if it isn’t.

Second, perhaps the fair market values of properties in the neighborhood are dropping. We are beginning to see the market cool off, perhaps more so in your particular neighborhood. If this is the case, kiss the appraiser in thanks for keeping you out of a bad deal.

Finally, the appraiser may simply be wrong. Appraisers are human and make mistakes. They may not know the neighborhood well. There are a variety of reasons you can get an appraisal that is “off.” If you suspect this is the case, check to make sure the appraiser is comparing the property to comparable homes in the neighborhood. If all else fails, have your own appraisal done for comparison purposes.

Ultimately, a low appraisal should be viewed as a potential red flag. If nothing else, you should take a closer look to make sure you aren’t getting a bad deal.

About the author: Dan Lewis is a mortgage broker with http://www.gwhomeloans.com - San Diego mortgage brokers providing home loans and refinances.

Mortgage Refinancing For People With Bad Credit - How To Choose A Refi Lender

Author: Carrie Reeder

If you have bad credit, choosing to refinance your home mortgage may help improve your situation. Why? For starters, when most homeowners refinance their loan, they do so to acquire a lower rate, which lowers their monthly mortgage payment. In addition, obtaining a cash-out refinance will provide homeowners with the extra funds to reduce debts and payoff bills.

Benefits of Refinancing with Bad Credit

Refinancing your mortgage with bad credit has several benefits. A huge advantage involves the ability to reduce and eliminate your debts. Bad credit occurs gradually over time. For the most part, consumers receive a bad credit status by paying bills late, having several missed payments, and acquiring too much debt.

A mortgage refinancing can be a solution to credit problems. After you obtain the funds from the refinancing and payoff credit balances, your credit score will begin to show improvements. Of course, the tricky part is getting a mortgage refinance with a good rate.

If you have bad credit, obtaining a low rate loan is challenging. Fortunately, there are various lenders willing to offer comparable rates to you. Because a mortgage refinancing creates an entirely new home loan, and the loan is secured, most lenders are eager to do business with a bad credit applicant. If you default on the mortgage loan, the lender will simply foreclose the property and resell.

How to Choose a Bad Credit Refi Lender?

There are several tips for selecting a refinance lender that offers loans to people with poor credit. In fact, your current lender may specialize in sub prime loans. Thus, it will be to your advantage to contact your lender and request a quote. Because lenders want to keep customers, they may offer you the best rate.

After obtaining a quote from your existing lender, contact an online mortgage broker and complete an application or quote request. Working with brokers is fast, easy, and convenient. Brokers have a database of various prospective lenders. Upon reviewing your information, the broker will match you will suitable lenders. Next, you will receive quotes from at least four lenders.

Lender quotes will include all pertinent information such as rates, terms, services, estimated costs, etc. Once you choose the lender with the best offer, submit an official application. You can expect to close on the loan within 30 days.

About the author: Carrie Reeder offers advice about

Refinancing Mortgage With Bad Credit Companies Online. View our

Recommended Bad Credit Refinance Lenders Online.

Reverse Mortgage Calculator

Author: Troy Shellhammer

Most seniors who are interested in learning more about the Reverse Mortgage process will often use a Reverse Mortgage Calculator. Most online reverse mortgage calculators require the current value of the home in question, the total amount of any liens on the property, the ages of any individuals on the deed and zip code. The Reverse Mortgage Calculator will then immediately give a value that is fairly close to what an actual Reverse Mortgage estimate will show.

Using a Reverse Mortgage Calculator is a great way to get an idea of how much you could receive from a reverse mortgage, but also remember it is just an estimate. All Reverse Mortgage products use a variable interest rate, and some Reverse Mortgage Calculators do not always stay completely accurate with the current interest rate. Also, some Reverse Mortgage Calculators will ask for the age of the individual, and not the exact birth date. This can result in a difference between the estimate that would be provided by a Reverse Mortgage Loan Officer and the estimate prepared by the

Reverse Mortgage Calculator .

A Reverse Mortgage is a loan that allows seniors age 62 and above to utilize the dormant equity in their homes, but different than a standard equity line, in that there are never any payments required with a Reverse Mortgage while the senior lives in the home. The formula uses the value of the property, the age of the individual, and the current interest rate to provide an amount of money that is usually anywhere from 20 to 60 percent of the home's appraised value. The funds many be received in numerous ways, including a lump sum, a monthly ""annuity-like"" payment, or an easily accessible Line of Credit.

For people interested in learning more about the Reverse Mortgage program, a Reverse Mortgage Calculator is a great way to get some initial figures and amounts that can be utilized from the home's equity. After using the Reverse Mortgage Calculator however, every person who is interested in learning more should get a proper estimate from a Reverse Mortgage Loan Officer. There should never be a charge to receive a Reverse Mortgage estimate, and if that is ever the case, please report the individual in violation to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Reverse Mortgage Nation provides an online Reverse Mortgage Calculator and a listing of Reverse Mortgage Loan Officers in your state.

About the author: Troy Shellhammer is a Reverse Mortgage specialist with Next Generation Financial Services, a division of 1st Mariner Bank. He advises seniors on the Reverse Mortgage process and produces Reverse Mortgage loans nationwide. Please visit his website at

http: //www.reversemortgagenation.com/troyshellhammer or call 1-888-9 REVERSE for any questions, information, or an e