Finding The Right Mortgage Broker Online – The Facts

The advent of the Internet has really revolutionised the mortgage industry. Now days you do not need to visit your local mortgage broker or bank to arrange a home loan, everything can be done sitting in front of your computer.

Not only does this make the whole process quicker and easier but also means you have much more choice and power. Now you can use a mortgage broker hundreds of miles away if their offerings are better.

More and more mortgage brokers are setting up online in order to generate leads as their traditional marketing methods are no longer that effective. Although the majority of online mortgage brokers are reliable and honest, there are still a number that are dodgy.

To find a good mortgage broker or lender you need to compare rates and do some thorough research to find reputable companies. Mortgage magazines and online reviews can often be a place to start.

Mortgage Broker Services

A mortgage broker will typically work with several lenders to find the best rates and deals. Whether you have a good or bad credit history, a mortgage broker will be able to find you a lower rate than if you went to your local bank. Do make sure that you use a mortgage broker that has access to a wide range of lenders.

Online mortgage broker quotes are very similar to the quotes given by mortgage brokers in the offline environment, except lower. With the reduced cost due to a simplified application process and reduce overhead for office space and personnel, online mortgage brokers can offer loans with small fees and/or lower interest rates.

It is important to remember that brokers are paid by adding on a fee to the loan, so when shopping around find out what fee they charge as well.

Online and traditional mortgage brokers differ in their sales style when relaying quotes to you. A traditional mortgage broker will use sales tactics to pressure you to complete the mortgage application right there. Many people feel the need to make a quick decision rather than taking the time to process the information.

Online mortgage brokers offer a different approach in that they will provide the information and then wait for you to take the next step. After requesting a mortgage quote, you will receive rates either through the web site, email or over the phone that you can then review at your own pace.

You can choose to apply with a specific mortgage lender, or decide that none of them are best for you and approach another broker. You have much more control and power with an online mortgage broker.

Online mortgage brokers have reduced the time it takes to compare lenders by consolidating information about several lenders into one site. Through such mortgage sites, you only enter your information once to receive interest rates from several different mortgage lenders. Just remember that these rates may not be 100% accurate.

Both traditional and online mortgage brokers can give you an instant generic interest rate quote to narrow your choices from a mortgage lender. However, to get a true quote, you will need to provide detailed personal and financial information.

With a traditional mortgage broker, the process can take a couple of days to process the information and meet with the mortgage broker to review rates.

Online mortgage brokers are connected to lender databases that are updated in real time. This allows them to give you a near instant quote and process the application very quickly.

Compare Rates And Fees

While online mortgage brokers make getting quotes easy, it is important to still take the time to compare rates and deals carefully.

Your mortgage rate will be based on current interest rates, the propertys location, your credit score, and employment history. If you receive a rate quote without providing this detailed information, then you will be just getting a rough estimate.

Rough estimates for mortgage rates are still useful, as you can use them to narrow your search down to a handful of lenders. You can then apply for a real mortgage estimate with the most appealing lenders. With these true mortgage quotes, look at both the rates and fees to determine the actual cost of the loan.

Interest rates arent the only factor to consider when comparing mortgage lenders. You should also be comfortable with the lenders reputation. Unfortunately, there is not a list of reputable mortgage lenders, but common sense can protect you from a bad mortgage lender.

Online mortgage brokers have automated much of the mortgage process, reducing overheads and costs. As a way to stay competitive, many of these brokers and lenders have eliminated or reduced their fees.

Fees are the hidden costs of loans. Mortgage brokers are paid a fee from the lender and possibly from you as well. The advantage of a mortgage broker is that they find the best mortgage rates for you. So even with their fee added into the loan, you still can expect to save money.

They will also have access to a number of lenders that are not available to the general public. The only way you have access to such lenders is by using a mortgage broker.

So next time you are in the market for a mortgage be sure to contact a number of mortgage brokers and find out what lenders they have on their panel, their fees, all other fees (such as solicitor, valuation, etc) and turnaround time.

Set aside some time to do this and never rush into signing anything until you know the facts and have had a good shop around.

Be Sure You Have The Right Reason To Get A Home Refinance

“Come into my parlor”, said the spider to the fly. “We’ve got the lowest interest only loan. Just put up your house as equity.” The fly immediately put up his house and went into the parlor, only to be devoured as a savory dinner. Are you that unfortunate fly?

Why are you getting a home refinance?

There are many reasons to get a home refinance, and 99.9% of these reasons are to pay off debts. Experts would advise to consider carefully your reason to refinance and stake your home.

Another reason to refinance is to get investment money for a business. This sounds good, but the risk is great. Would you dare navigate un-chartered depths at the risk of losing your home?

Perhaps you’ve got this zany idea to earn tax deductions so you took out a home refinance loan. In principle, you are paying a dollar to earn 30 cents, and for this you put your home.

Not all these reasons for home refinance are recommended. Your house is the biggest investment of your lifetime and putting it up for these flimsy reasons is nothing to crow about.

Better reasons to home refinance

Just because everybody has lined up for a home loan does not mean it will work according to your expectations. Loans have to be paid back. To be able to do so on the same amount of cash inflow for a number of years means changing your lifestyles and spending habits. Or like the fly, you will be dinner for the spider.

It is not easy to lose a home. Apart from destroying your credit score, you’ll have to uproot your family from all that is dear. So play smart when you are getting a loan.

A bankable reason to home refinance is to get additional cash flow for your business expansion or fund a wife’s last year in college. Both ways you see an end goal towards increased revenues and income.

How to get a better deal

Depending on your financial motivation like cash flow flexibility, you are looking at more savings in a year’s time from a lowered monthly payments compared to your current mortgage.

Remember that the longer the loan term, the lower the monthly payment. If you add up all your expenses in 30 years time, you’ll have paid more than double the loan amount. So get a lower interest rate and be sure there are no additional or hidden costs.

If you have a $200,000 30-year mortgage loaned on an interest rate of 8%, you’ll have paid $440,400 at $1,468 a month. If you refinance at 6% you will be paying $1,199 a month or a total of $359,700. But wait, there’s more. Depending on the closing costs, it will take months before you can break even.

If you are staying in the house for more than 10 years get the fixed rate but if you are going to sell the house in five year’s time better get the adjustable rate mortgage.

Never rush into a home refinance. Take your time until you have understood all the workings of your target refinance program. Read the contract carefully.

Be ready to pay and change your lifestyle. No matter the advantages of your home refinance, if you fail keeping up with the payments you’ll get the short end of the stick.

4 Killer Tips To Get Low Mortgage Rate Refinance And The Right Mortgage Loan

In this article I give you some light of the things you should go through, when you think to get low mortgage rate refinance, which is very constructive, and to avoid the negative aspects.

1. Home Mortgage Loans With Fixed Interest Rates.

Fixed rate means that the interest rate is the same during the whole mortgage duration, whatever happens in the economy or in your own financial status.This loan type is good for a person, who is looking for the same payment month after month.

There is no surprises and you cannot negotiate about low mortgage rate refinance afterwards.It is clear that if you manage to take the mortgage loan with fixed interest rate in the situation, when the interest rates are on a exceptionally low level, you will benefit a lot.

This means also that the economic trends, i.e. on what phase of the cycle the economy is, has a long term influence on the expenses of your mortgage loan.

2. Home Mortgage Loan With Adjustable Interest Rate.

This loan type starts usually with low interest rate, but the rate can change over time according the future interest rate level. So you in a way take the same risk as the general market or the index to which it is tied to.

These adjustable mortgage rate loans are best for the borrowers, who have an ability to take risks and who follow the economy and the interest rates.

3. Jumbo Mortgage Loans.

When you are in the process to get low mortgage rate refinance, you have to remember that in 2007 came a limit for home mortgage refinance loan, “confirming loan limit” of $ 417.000. So if your mortgage refinance loan goes over that, you will need a jumbo mortgage loan.

These new mortgage loans came from nontraditional lenders, which means higher interest rates. And if you now have a jumbo mortgage loan with a capital less than $ 417.000, you have to negotiate low mortgage rate refinance as soon as possible.

4. You Can Make The Comparisons With Good Faith Estimate.

When you do the refinance research, there is one good tool, which you can use, it is called Good Faith Estimate and you can ask it from every company.

By this simple thing you can compare different companies line by line. It really saves your nerves.

Now the companies must publish their terms in the same form without leaving out something.

It is very important that you do the comparison job carefully, like the whole research, because low mortgage refinance is a big and long term decision.

The comparisons are interesting, but still the most important thing is to set clear, measurable targets for refinancing. All offers are then compared with the targets, i.e, do they bring you the things you want.

Choose the Right Mortgage for yourself

There are hundreds of lenders in the UK with countless mortgage offers and every mortgage lender guarantees low interest rates and excellent customer service. As all mortgage offers can’t be the best, how will you choose a right mortgage for yourself? Before proceeding further let’s first understand what is a mortgage? A mortgage is a loan procured by a buyer from a lender to pay for a house or a piece of a property. As collateral, the lender holds the ownership of the property, until the buyer repays the mortgage. Here are few tips on choosing the right mortgage:-

* Your Mortgage goal: Your mortgage goal will describe the amount of money you need, the monthly payments you can afford to pay, the repayment term and other fees. With multiple mortgage options available, it will also be wise to decide whether your want to go for an adjustable rate mortgage or a fixed rate mortgage.

* Shop around: Talk to multiple lenders specialising in mortgages. You can also choose to take the help of mortgage adviser in getting the right mortgage deal for you. Understand from him the various mortgage options. One renowned company, the Money Ferret can help you to get connected with qualified mortgage advisers to suit your requirements.

* Evaluate and Choose: Evaluate every mortgage option advised by the lender or the mortgage adviser. Is it satisfying your mortgage goal? Is it the right mortgage for you? If yes, then instruct your adviser or contact the lender and complete the formalities.

The Money Ferret aims to save you money by advising you on how to get the right mortgage. Their team of experts has more than 25 years of experience in the personal finance market. With thousands a myriad of mortgage loans from the full range of mortgage lenders, they understand that choosing the right mortgage, one that will best suit your requirements, is very difficult and time consuming. That’s why they help you get a qualified mortgage adviser who can help you find the right mortgage loan for you. The mortgage advisors are qualified to help you get the best deal on all types of mortgages. Whatever be your situation or credit history, they will make their best effort to get you the required mortgage on the best of terms and at lowest possible interest rates.

Is a Capped Rate Mortgage Right for You?

The first two considerations you have when arranging a mortgage are what type of mortgage rate is required along with how the mortgage will be repaid. The following article looks at the different mortgage rate options such as fixed rates, discounted rates, capped, variable and tracker rates, along with the main advantages and disadvantages for each option.

When considering which type of mortgage product is suitable for your needs, it pays to consider your attitude to risk, as those with a cautious attitude to risk may find a fixed or capped rate more appropriate, whereas those with a more adventurous attitude to risk may find a tracker rate that fluctuates up and down more appealing.

Following is a description of the different mortgage rate options along with a summary of the main advantages and disadvantages for each option.

Fixed Rate Mortgages

With a fixed rate mortgage you can lock into a fixed repayment cost that will not fluctuate up or down with movements in the Bank of England base rate, or the lenders Standard Variable Rate. The most popular fixed rate mortgages are 2, 3 and 5 year fixed rates, but fixed rates of between 10 years and 30 years are now more common at reasonable rates. As a general rule of thumb, the longer the fixed rate period the higher the interest rate. This is also applicable when considering the percentage loan to value, where borrowing below 75% of the property value will attract a lower fixed rate in comparison to an 85% or 90% loan to value which will attract a higher fixed rate percentage.

Advantages

Having the peace of mind that your mortgage payment will not rise with increases in the base rate. This makes budgeting easier for the fixed rate period selected, and can be advantageous to first time buyers or those stretching themselves to the maximum affordable payment.

Disadvantages

The monthly repayment will remain the same even when the economic environment sees the Bank of England and lenders reducing their base rates. In these circumstances where the fixed rate ends up costing more, remembering why the initial decision was made to select a fixed rate, can be helpful.

Discount Rate Mortgages

With a discount rate mortgage, you are offered a percentage off of the lenders Standard Variable Rate (SVR). This takes the form of a reduction in the normal variable interest rate by say, 1.5% for a year or two. The common mistake of those considering a discount rate, is to assume the higher the percentage discount offered, the better the deal. The key bit of information missing however, is what the lenders SVR is, as this will dictate the actual pay rate after the discount is applied.

As with a fixed rate, the longer the discount rate period the smaller the discount offered, and the higher the rate. Shorter periods such as 2 years will attract the highest levels of discount. In addition when considering the amount to be borrowed, the increased risk to the lender of providing a 90% loan will be reflected in the pay rate, with lower borrowing amounts attracting more competitive rates.

Advantages

Should the lender reduce their standard variable rate your interest rate and monthly payment will also reduce.

Disadvantages

When the lender or Bank of England increases their base rate, your mortgage payment will also increase. However in some circumstances lenders do not always pass on the full amount of a Bank of England base rate reduction.

Affordability of the mortgage at the end of the discount rate period should be considered at outset. There are no guarantees that follow on rates will be available, and so you should make certain that you are able to afford the monthly payment at the lenders standard variable applicable upon expiry of the discount rate period. Allowing for an increase in interest rates above the SVR would be prudent to avoid a ‘Payment shock’.

Tracker Rate Mortgages

Tracker rate mortgages guarantee to follow the Bank of England base rate when it moves up or down. Tracker rates are expressed as a percentage above or below the Bank of England base rate such at +0.5% over BOE base rate for 2 years.

The most popular tracker rate mortgages have been 2 and 3 year products, but there is now an increasing demand for lifetime tracker rates as borrowers are starting to realise that the Bank of England base rate has been reasonable competitive, and having a mortgage product linked to it could be beneficial in the long term.

Advantages

A tracker rate guarantees to follow the Bank of England base rate for however long the tracker rate is set up for. This means that as soon as the Bank of England cuts rates, a tracker rate mortgage guarantees to reflect the new lower rate and repayment.

The overall cost calculation of a Lifetime tracker rate can be significantly lower than taking shorter term mortgage products with the ongoing costs of remortgaging such as valuation fees, legal fee and lender arrangement fees. Lifetime tracker rates often have no early repayment penalty restrictions.

Disadvantages

The mortgage payment will go up if the Bank of England increases the base rate. Early repayment charges are likely to be applicable during the benefit period, and as with other types of mortgage rate are likely to be 6 months interest or 3% – 5% of the loan.

Variable Rate Mortgages

Variable rate mortgages are more commonly known as the lenders Standard Variable Rate (SVR), and are the rate that you come onto after the expiry of a fixed, discounted, tracker or capped rate mortgage. A variable rate is similar to a tracker rate in as much as the lender will base their SVR on the Bank of England base rate plus a loading of between say 2.5% and 3.5%. That is where the similarity ends however.

Advantages

The main advantage of being on the lenders Standard Variable Rate (SVR) is that there will be no early repayment charge for redeeming the loan in full. This provides a certain amount of flexibility when there is uncertainty in the market about where rates are moving. For those wishing to fix their mortgage rate, an SVR with no early repayment charge can provide the breathing space required to just wait and see before committing.

Whilst not always the case lenders do tend to pass on reductions in the Bank of England base rate through their SVR, and so those on the SVR will benefit from a reduction in the mortgage payment.

Disadvantages

Generally the SVR will be a higher rate of interest and so your mortgage payment will be greater than if you were on a tracker rate, fixed rate or discounted rate mortgage product. In addition, as has been seen in the past, some lenders do not pass on any or all of a reduction in the Bank of England base rate which results in a higher monthly payment in comparison to other mortgage options.

Capped Rate Mortgages

The capped rate is a variable rate mortgage which has a fixed limit to how far the interest rate can increase (the cap), and provides the option to know the maximum level of mortgage payment from outset. Capped rate mortgages offer the best of both worlds for those with a cautious attitude to risk, but who still wish to benefit from interest rate reductions. For example if the cap is set at 6% and the banks rates go below this rate, then your repayments will go down to reflect the reduction, with the guarantee that should rates go above the 6%, your payments will remain based on the maximum 6% because of the cap.

Advantages

If the Bank of England base rate falls resulting in a fall in the lenders standard variable rate below the level of the capped rate, then your monthly repayment will reduce. For many this provides the peace of mind and certainty for ease of budgeting offered by a know maximum monthly payment.

Disadvantages

Because a capped rate offers the best of both worlds to the borrower, the capped rate is usually uncompetitive as lenders need to price in the risk of rate reductions, leaving those such as first time buyers or those stretching their affordability, exposed to a higher rate than would be available with a fixed rate. This means that UK lenders generally don’t offer capped rate mortgages with any sort of competitive rate, preferring to market fixed rates instead.

The Right Way to Refinance Car Loans

Even if your credit isn’t perfect it’s still easy to refinance car loans online. Refinancing your car loan can help you in several ways. Plus, finding an online auto refinancer is so easy thanks to the number of lenders trying to get your business. The downside is that you will need to meet some criteria to refinance car loans.

Benefits to Refinance Car Loans

Car loans can be refinanced for a variety of reasons. Mostly though auto loans are refinanced to save money on the monthly car payments. When you refinance your car loan you can get a better interest rate and you can also lengthen or shorten the term of your loan.

If you bought a car when you had bad credit or even if you had good credit and your credit has since improved you can get a better interest rate by refinancing the car loan now. A better credit score justifies a better credit rate. A reduction of several percent can save you significantly on your monthly auto loan payments.

Requirements to Refinance Car Loans

Now the bad news. You will have some requirements to meet in order to refinance your car loan. First of all the cars value must be greater than the the amount you currently owe on the car loan. If you owe more than the car is worth this is called an upside down loan and you won’t be able to refinance the auto loan.

If you can, reduce the amount you still owe and then try refinancing the car loan. This will mean either increasing your monthly payments temporarily or making a lump sum payment. Two other requirements you’ll need are that the car must be less than 5 years old and the total amount still owed on the car loan must be at least $7500 although you may find some online lenders who are willing to drop this requirement.

How Does the Car Refinancing Process Work?

It’s simple to refinance car loans. First you’ll need to get the remaining loan balance from your current lender. Then, go online and find and auto refinance company and complete their online application. You’ll be asked about the make and model of your car, the model year, any options like power brakes, CD players, alarm systems, etc. You may also be required to supply the VIN on the application. The really nice thing is that online auto refinance approvals are instant.

Selecting an Auto Loan Refinance Lender

While selecting the right refinancing lender is important, it is an easy part of the process. This is because there are so many lenders online competing for your business that you can get several quotes from different lenders in a short period of time and compare the offers. Then simply accept the best one. Online lenders mean that when you refinance car loans you can now pick and choose the loan that will save you the most money.

Choosing the Right Mortgage – Basic Mortgage Terms and Features

Choosing the Right Mortgage – Mortgage Basics

There is an astounding range of commercially available mortgage products, which makes choosing the right mortgage increasingly difficult without a firm grasp of mortgage basics. Here we try to give the consumer struggling to understand the basics of what a mortgage is, how it operates, and what features are right for him or her, the basic terms and distinctions that will allow the consumer facing an all-important mortgage decision – perhaps for the first time – to begin to choose the right mortgage from the thousands of mortgage products available on the market. But a word of caution – there is an incredible range of mortgage products commercially available. Before making a final decision on which mortgage is right for you, it would only be prudent to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable mortgage broker.

What Is a Mortgage?

A mortgage is a loan – but a loan that is secured, in this instance, against a home and/or piece of land. The person who borrows the money to buy a house is the mortgagor and the person, company or bank etc. who lends the money is the mortgagee. In most instances, the person buying the house will be required to pay some amount, perhaps as little as 5 per cent, as a down payment on the house or property. A mortgage from a commercial or private lender is secured to pay the balance of the purchase price. The mortgagee/lender provides the balance of the money to buy the house on the ‘closing date’ (i.e., the day the deal for the house is completed and the property ownership changes) and the mortgagor/purchaser pays back the money borrowed to purchase the house over time, usually over a number of years.

Key Mortgage Terms & Concepts

Amortization Period – A mortgage is written based on an understanding that the mortgagor/borrower will pay back the money borrowed over a number of years, rather than months. When purchasing a home that is typically worth several times what the purchaser earns in a year, it is understood that a the number of years will be needed to fully pay off the mortgage. The ‘amortization period” is the number of years that it will take to pay off the mortgage in full under the terms of the mortgage that is agreed to. The usual amortization period is 25 years, although shorter and longer amortization periods are available.

The amortization period sets out how long it will take to pay off the mortgage in monthly payments. Monthly payments consist of two parts – one part goes towards paying the ‘principal’ (the amount of money borrowed) and other part goes towards paying the ‘interest’ (the fee charged for borrowing the money.) The longer it takes to pay back the principal – i.e., the longer the amortization period – the greater the amount of interest that will be paid over the life of the mortgage.

Term – A mortgage agreement will not typically be for the full length of the amortization period. It is too difficult for either party – mortgagor and mortgagee – to foresee all the changes in financial circumstances over such an extended period. Accordingly, the parties – mortgagor/borrower and mortgagee/lender – will agree to a mortgage covering a specific number of years of the mortgage – e.g., 5 years. When the term of the mortgage expires the mortgagee is paid in full for the money that was borrowed to purchase the home. Typically, since it is anticipated that the mortgage will be paid off over the length of the amortization period, at the end of the term the mortgagor will have to negotiate a new mortgage – either with the initial mortgagee/lender or a new mortgagee. This process of ‘refinancing’ is normal, yet is an excellent way for prudent borrowers to re-examine their financial circumstances – for example, to see if their circumstances have changed so that they can shorten the amortization period and pay their mortgage off more quickly, thereby cutting down on the total interest they will pay in purchasing their home.

Fixed-Rate vs. Variable-Rate Mortgages – In a fixed-rate mortgage, the same interest rate is charged throughout the entire mortgage term. In a variable-rate mortgage the interest rate will change based on changes in interest rates that are being charged in the market.

Since interest rates do change based on the financial markets, risk is being assigned and the mortgage rates for both fixed-rate and variable-rate mortgages will reflect who is taking the risks – the mortgagor/borrower or the mortgagee/lender. When mortgage rates are relatively high it is the borrower who takes the risk that interest rates will not fall lower than the rate he or she agrees to for a fixed-rate mortgage. So when mortgage rates are relatively high, mortgagee/lenders will usually be willing to offer fixed-rate mortgages for a lower interest rate than the current interest rate for a variable-rate mortgage. The opposite is, of course, true. When mortgage rates are relatively low – as they are now – the mortgage/lender assumes the risk that interest rates will not go up. Since there is always the risk that rates will go up, a fixed-rate mortgage will have a slightly higher interest rate than a variable-rate mortgage when interest rates are relatively low. (The advantage of a fixed-rate mortgage is, of course, that the mortgagee will always know the cost of his or her mortgage payments over the term of the mortgage.)

Open Mortgages vs. Closed Mortgage – With an open mortgage some or all of the balance of the mortgage can be repaid during the term of the mortgage without a financial penalty. This is particularly advantageous, if the home purchaser has to move for employment or other reasons and if one’s financial circumstances change. Under a closed mortgage, no extra payments or changes in the mortgage can be made before the end of the mortgage term without a penalty being charged. Such penalties can be onerous for the homeowner who is forced by circumstances, such as a change of job, to relocate before the term of the mortgage expires.

Open mortgages can also prove to be very advantageous for the prudent homeowner who is able to make periodic payments directly to the principal owing under the mortgage. Each mortgage payment is split between interest costs and money that goes towards paying off the principal of the loan. If the borrower makes periodic payments over and above the regular mortgage payments that are required (the amounts and timing of which are usually set out in the mortgage itself), these payments directly reduce the amount owing under the mortgage. Doing so effectively reduces the amortization period of the mortgage, since in every subsequent mortgage payment more money will be going to pay off the principal of the mortgage and less money will be going towards the interest costs.

The Importance of Mortgage Advice

While this covers some of the mortgage basics that the consumer will need to choose the right mortgage product, it is important to note that there are quite literally thousands of mortgage products to choose from – each with its own intricacies and detailed terms. Accordingly, the prudent mortgage shopper should consult with someone with advanced expertise in the products and range of choices that are available on the market, given the borrower’s circumstances. An accredited mortgage broker will have the expertise and knowledge to assist the borrower in choosing the right mortgage for his or her situation. Moreover, since an accredited mortgage broker typically receives his or her fee from the lender, a mortgage broker with expertise and knowledge of the thousands of mortgages that are commercially available can assist the borrower in understanding and choosing the right mortgage from the thousands that are available at no cost to the borrower.

Home Loan Refinance Offers Advantages When Timed Right

If it has been at least a year since you purchased and financed your home, it could be a good idea to consider refinancing your home. A home loan refinance offers great financial advantages under the right circumstances. In order to make sure you get the most benefits of refinancing; however, it is important to make sure you consider whether now could be right time to refinance your mortgage.

At one time, financial experts recommended that you only refinance your home if interest rates had dropped at least two points below the interest rate you obtained on your mortgage at the time you purchased your home. Today, that rule is no longer applicable. Even if the prevailing interest rate has not yet reached the benchmark of being two points lower than your mortgage interest, you can still take advantage of lower payments and interest savings.

The key to taking advantage of these benefits; however, is in balancing the cost of your home loan refinance with the amount of money that you will save. Certain costs are associated with refinancing, including application fees, credit reports and a possible title search.

Generally, it is a good idea to go ahead and refinance when you think you will be in the home long enough to offset the cost of the refinance with the amount of money you will save each month over the long run. For most homeowners this is about two years; however, that time frame could be largely dependent on exactly how much money you are able to save every month with a home loan refinance and how much it costs you to refinance. If you find that you are able to save more money when you refinance your mortgage, it will not take you very long to recoup the cost of the refinance through your savings.

Let us consider an example. Suppose you have a fixed rate mortgage for $150,000. Your current interest rate is 7%; however, you are able to achieve a 5.5% interest rate with a home loan refinance. On the original mortgage you would be paying $998 per month on a 30 year loan. At the new interest rate for the same length of time your payment would drop to $851 per month; amounting to a savings of $147 per month. If; however, your original interest rate was higher at 7.5% then you would save almost $200 per month. With an average closing cost of $3,000 on your home loan refinance, it will take just 15 months to recoup the costs of refinancing your home. After that time has elapsed, you can begin really enjoying the savings offered by refinancing your home. If you plan to be in your home for a long period of time, this provides you with the opportunity to take advantage of substantial savings.

In some cases; however, it can still be advantageous to refinance your home even if you think you will be selling in the short-term. For example, if you believe that your home has appreciated in sufficient value so that you will make enough profit on the sale of your home, it could very well be worth it to go ahead and consider refinancing to take advantage of the monthly savings in the interim.

Is an Fha Loan Refinance Right for You

Are you ready to refinance? An FHA loan refinance may be just the ticket.

If you are a homeowner, you have already experienced applying for a mortgage. According to FHA, refinancing with this insured mortgage is the same as applying for any other home loan but in addition qualifying standards are easier and protections better.

The following six pointers from the Federal Housing Administration will help you decide whether an FHA loan refinance is worth pursuing.

1. Do you currently finance with an FHA home loan?

If you do, there are a few more options available to you such as an FHA streamline refinance. Call the toll free number of your lender to ask what type of program finances your home if you aren’t sure. Either way you can still take advantage of an FHA loan refinance.

2. Why are you refinancing?

Perhaps you intend to take advantage of the current interest rate environment. Consider combining high interest debt into your mortgage. If you intend to make some home improvements, you may be contemplating the option of taking out cash from a portion of your equity.

Whatever your home loan refinance goals are, knowing your primary purpose to refinance will help determine if there is an applicable FHA refinance mortgage for you.

3. How much can you afford?

Most people let their lender tell them what they can afford but there is a fundamental difference between affordability and qualification.

I looked up afford in Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary. Afford means manage or bear without serious detriment.

But no lender can tell you what you can manage without detriment to your financial affairs. Only you can decide that. So before you contact an approved FHA lender, give some serious thought to how much you can afford in a home loan.

4. Shop for an FHA approved lender.

Contact several lenders. Prepare a cheat sheet telling why you are in the market for a refinance and that you are considering FHA home loans. Not all lenders are approved by the Federal Housing Administration so ask upfront if they have approval.

Compare mortgage closing costs and interest rates between lenders. Ask for a preliminary Good Faith Estimate detailing fees, loan amounts, interest rate, loan program and monthly payments. Then simply compare the information.

Also ask when you can lock in your interest rate, for how long, and if there are charges for locking, upfront or included in the loan. Find out the policy if interest rates were to drop during the FHA loan refinance process. Request and review a written rate lock agreement before making application.

5. Ask to be prequalified upfront.

Prequalification works well for refinancing because it is not as in depth as mortgage preapproval. Because prequalification is informal, you don’t need to provide social security numbers. This eliminates multiple credit inquiries.

Getting prequalified by a lender helps to estimate the amount you will be qualified to borrow. The amount will be based on simple criteria, for example salary, debt ratios, and whether you’ve had a foreclosure or bankruptcy in the past.

Most mortgage brokers will do this over the phone or in person if you prefer.

6. Now it is time to apply for the FHA refinance mortgage.

Your lender will order your credit report and give you a checklist of documentation they require to process your FHA loan refinance.

No need to put off refinancing when FHA could be your open door.

Is an FHA Home loan Mortgage Right for You? ((97%w 550 FICO))

Is an FHA Home loan Mortgage Right for You?

The days of putting just  little money down to buy a home are not over

After many years of risky home loans backed up by small down payments, most lenders aren’t underwriting mortgages without a large sum money for a  down payment and a high credit score. But a loophole can still put home buyers in a Florida home for little or no money down. FHA Mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) allow Florida mortgage applicants  to get approved with a low down?payment as small as 3.5% of the purchase price and you  don’t require a high credit score.

Florida home buyers should know the many advantages of the FHA mortgage loan programs. FHA loans were created to help increase home ownership. For the Florida home buyer the FHA program can simplify the purchase of a home, making financing easier and less expensive than a conventional mortgage loan product. Some highlights of the Florida FHA loan program include:

Minimal Down Payment and Closing costs.

Down payment less than 3% of Sales Price Gifts are allowed Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards closing and prepaid costs. 100% Financing available No reserves required. FHA regulated closing costs.

Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines such as:

  No minimum FICO score or credit score requirements. FHA will allow a home purchase 1 year after a Bankruptcy. FHA will allow a home purchase2 years after a Foreclosure.

To take advantage of the FHA program in Florida, give us a call 1-954-667-9110 or use our quick application to find out more about the many FL mortgage programs we can make available. Or Apply now for a FL FHA home loan.

www.FHAmortgageFHAloan.com

As millions of Florida homebuyers have come to realize, getting into a Florida home for little money down has its disadvantages. Borrowers who’ve invested little money down on their home are often more willing to walk away from it during tough times rather than struggle with tough payments; this risk is further elevated when Florida home values are declining and troubled Florida mortgage applicants are unable to refinance or sell their Florida  home at a price that covers their losses.

Still, FHA home loans are far less risky than a subprime?or hard money loan that lenders originated before the housing bubble. FHA-insured mortgage loans require documentation and verifiable proof that the borrower is capable of making their mortgage payments. (In the past lenders didn’t require such proof.)

The looser terms of FHA home loans have helped make them more for Florida homebuyers. Today, FHA home loans  make up about 30% of the mortgage Florida mortgage market, up from 5% in 2005, The FHA commissioner David Stevens said in a speech earlier this month. In June, of  FHA insured over 200,000 FHA home loans – the highest monthly total in the agency’s history, according to Stevens. For fiscal year 2009, the dollar amount of FHA home loans  are likely to reach 30% of mortgage originations, up from around 5% in 2005 and 2006, says Stu Feldstein, the president of SMR Research, a mortgage-data tracking firm.

“FHA-insured?home loans  are one of the only games in town, especially if you can’t qualify for a traditional Florida mortgage,” says Thomas Martin, the chairman of the which trains and certifies mortgage lenders and brokers. “Now that the subprime market is gone, the FHA home loan is filling the void.

Here’s how to determine if an FHA-insured mortgage is right for you.

Do you meet the FHA home loan qualifications?

Most Florida mortgage applicants of FHA-insured mortgages have stable predicable income likely to continue with their credit history and debt load than a conventional mortgage loan might allow,

“When analyzing an FHA mortgage applicants  credit, we expect FHA mortgage lenders to examine the overall pattern of credit behavior rather than isolated occurrences of poor performance or relying solely on a credit score, This includes a borrower’s rental or mortgage payment history, debts, collections, previous foreclosures and bankruptcies. Borrowers with a credit score less than 500 must make a 10% down payment to  qualify.

Today, over 80% of FHA-insured purchase-mortgages belong to first-time Florida home buyers, thanks to looser requirements and the comparatively small 3.5% down payment, (Another perk is that borrowers are permitted gift assistance for the down payment from their friends, a family, employer or a government entity, but not the seller.)

Can you afford the costs?

Now, FHA mortgage  interest rates  and non-FHA mortgages aren’t much different. A 30-year fixed-rate FHA-insured mortgage had an average rate of 5.25% for the week ending Aug. 20, compared to an average rate of 5.44% for a 30-year fixed rate non-FHA mortgage,

However, there are unique fees that accompany an FHA mortgage. A mortgage applicant is required to pay 1.75% of the loan amount upfront, or that fee can be financed into the mortgage. FHA-insured mortgages also require a 0.55% annual premium based on the outstanding FHA  loan balance and financed into the mortgage. These fees pay for the FHA insurance that makes the loan possible,

A borrower who has a high credit score – typically a minimum of 720 – and a 20% down payment is often better off with a traditional non-FHA mortgage, which includes fewer fees. However, the math gets tricky when a borrower has a high credit score but a down payment less than 20%; in those cases, the borrower will have to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI). Depending on your situation, PMI can cost less, the same or more than FHA mortgage fees.

What protections are in place for the FHA mortgage lender?

FHA mortgage Lenders are comfortable providing FHA mortgages because they don’t bear the loss if a mortgage applicant defaults on their payments and goes into foreclosure – the FHA does.

In such a scenario, the FHA pays the lender an insurance claim equal to the sum of the unpaid principal balance of the loan, foregone interest and a portion of the foreclosure expenses, The FHA pays for these losses by dipping into its insurance fund, which holds the insurance fees borrowers pay.