Reasons To Consider Refinancing A Mortgage With Today’s Low Rates
With mortgage rates dropping to all time lows, several homeowners are wondering if refinancing their mortgage is a good idea. Obviously, there are several reasons to consider a home refinance, especially with mortgage loan rates so low. A few reasons to consider a home refinance are reduce monthly payment, lower interest rate, get extra cash, change mortgage term and go from an adjustable rate home loan to a fixed rate mortgage.
Mortgage Rates At All Time Lows
Today's market has caused mortgage loan rates to drop to historic lows making this a great time to think about a home refinance. As long as there is a benefit to the new mortgage, now is a great time to refinance your mortgage. There are several opportunities to save thousands of dollars in today's loan rate environment and mortgage rates will not stay at these levels forever.
Time to refinance and save money has never been better, but remember, it is important that you have a reason to refinance along with a benefit for the new mortgage home loan. Below are a few of the benefits to refinancing a mortgage loan.
Lower Monthly Mortgage Payment
When considering refinancing your home to reduce your monthly payment, you need to take into consideration how much your payment will reduce by. The rule of thumb is that the payment must reduce by at least 5% in order for the refinance to have a benefit.
Reduce Mortgage Rate
Reducing your payment is in large part affected by the interest rate. If you refinance your home and lower the interest rate by at least 1%, then you will see a decrease in payment as well. Most people do not consider refinancing if the rate does not drop by at least 1%. Keep in mind, that even a slight reduction in rate can have a huge impact on the loan.
Cash Out Loan Option
Many consumers will pull out cash during a refinance. The cash out home loans allow homeowners to refinance their current mortgage and get extra cash that can go towards consolidating debt, home improvements or anything else the person may want to use the funds for. Keep in mind that cash out mortgages have a slightly higher rate and that a homeowner needs to take into consideration the overall financial picture. There are times that a cash out refinance loan could have a higher rate than the current mortgage, but the overall benefit for the loan could outweigh the higher rate. For example, if a person has a $200,000 mortgage loan at 5% with a payment at $1400 and has over $10,000 in credit card debt paying $500 per month, by refinancing into a new loan at 5.25% with a payment of $1500 will save this person $400 a month.
Change in Loan Term
Some people refinance their house to change the term of the loan. The most common change is to go from a 30-year note to a 15-year note. The idea is to pay off the home loan faster and save more money over the lifetime of the mortgage loan. The payment could increase, but the benefit to this type of refinance is paying the house off sooner.
ARM to Fixed Rate Mortgage
Finally, another reason to consider refinancing is when you are taking an adjustable rate mortgage and refinancing into a fixed rate note. ARM loans can have a low rate, but the rate is variable and will change throughout the mortgage. ARM loans are configured for homeowners who plan on only keeping the loan for a short amount of time, ordinarily 5-7 years. By refinancing into a fixed rate home loan, you are locking in the rate for the entire mortgage term.
There are some reasons to not refinance. If you are planning on selling your home in the next year or so, refinancing might not be the best option. You will have to consider the amount of money of refinancing and what the overall benefit will be.
With rates at all time lows, it's important to consult with a home loan professional and discuss your loan options to see if there is a benefit to a refinance home loan.
David White specializes in . David is a Senior Mortgage Loan Advisor with over twelve years experience with .
Trying To Understand Mortgage Rates
Where is a good place to check mortgage rates? How many different choices are there? This can be a bit bewildering. Here are some answers to those questions.
Places to find current interest rates
You can go online and type your request into any good search engine. You also might try the websites of banking and lending institutions. They usually have a link to the current rates. When you get there, you will see many different types of loans. Here are some that you will encounter.
Fixed thirty-year rate
If you take this option, your loan will stretch for thirty years. Your rate of interest will not change for the entire life of the loan. These are usually conventional types of loans. They may be harder to meet the requirements for. Sometimes the down payment can be as much as twenty percent of the loan amount.
Adjustable rate mortgages
These loans are also known as ARM loans. You may see an ARM labeled 5-1. That means that the interest will not go up for the first five years. After that, it can only be raised once a year. When current interest rates rise, so will ARM interest rates.
There may be reasons to consider an ARM. You may plan to refinance to a fixed rate after some time. Perhaps your financial future looks bright? These could be good reasons to get an adjustable rate mortgage.
You can choose from several different types of adjustable rate loans. Some adjustable rate loans will convert to a conventional loan after a certain time. The cap on the interest rate can vary also. It is best to talk to someone in the lending business to get your best options.
Not long ago there was an ARM problem in the United States. Many lending establishments offered low interest ARM loans. People bought many expensive houses with low payments. As long as times were good, everything was fine. When times changed, many could not afford their higher house payments. Foreclosures were frequent, which caused a chain reaction in the economy. Many people lost their homes and went bankrupt.
15 year fixed interest
This fifteen-year loan has fixed interest. Your rate will never change. Your payment will be much higher, but you will pay it off twice as fast. The interest rate is lower too. However, the higher monthly payment makes it impossible for many people.
A fifteen year fixed offers a huge benefit. It is not just about the payout time. Consider this example.
Tom and Mary were paying $537.00 a month on their $120,000.00 home. They financed $100,000.00 with a thirty year, fixed rate loan. After thirty years, they paid $93,256.00 in interest. June and Harry financed the same amount for their home. However, they went with a fifteen year, fixed rate mortgage. It was harder for them to make the $765.00 house payment, but they managed. After fifteen years their house was paid off. They paid $37,699.00 interest for the same money as Tom and Mary.
Balloon loans
Most balloon loans are from five to seven years. Make your payments and after five or seven years, the remainder is due. There are advantages. You get low interest and low payments for several years. But you have to come up with the balance of the loan in a lump sum. Unless you have a good plan this could be hard. Maybe you can refinance? It is still taking a chance.
Final thoughts
Borrowing money for a house can be a daunting task. Talk to a loan professional so you can be aware of all of your options. Do not be in hurry.
Analysts are expecting the to rise and to drop within the upcoming year. Read more about it on our blog.
Successful Purchases In Real Estate
Today people have opportunities to invest in real estate that has not been available for many years. With the number of foreclosed homes on the market one can often pick up a house or other real estate at a fraction of the original price. Through the years the one thing that has increased in value is property that was purchased at a low price.
With the foreclosure of so many homes and the reluctance of the banks to try to stem the tide there are opportunities for first time buyers to achieve the home of their dreams. They need, however, to be sure the purchase is within their financial budget. Many business people are making purchases for rentals and this is fine as long as a loan payment, if there is one, is not more than the rent.
There are many state, federal and county laws regarding real estate transactions. It is practically impossible for the lay person to read or understand all this legalize. For that reason it is important to consult with professionals who are well acquainted with these rules and regulations.
In dealing with a foreclosure, bid or short sale concerning real estate there are many pits to be avoided. A foreclosure might have hidden liens against the property. Property purchased on bid might have someone living in the property with a lease that can't be broken. Having the experts determine all of this before the final purchase is essential to have a good transaction.
There are excellent opportunities on the market today to make a good investment. Obviously, when one buys low and sells high there is a profit. The major consideration, one who makes a purchase must understand, is that things don't happen overnight. It might take several years before the property can be sold at a profit but usually that profit is better than the stock market and, certainly, more secure.
Before even looking at any real estate a person considering making a purchase should educate themselves regarding such things as short sales, bidding sales and other prospects of this market. This will, at least, give them a basic knowledge of what it is all about. This information will be invaluable in knowing what questions to ask when the time is right.
Careful planning needs to go into the purchasing of property. Sitting down and looking at one's income and outgo on a monthly basis will determine if there is enough money to make a mortgage payment without sacrificing other things. Owning a home requires upkeep that one does not encounter when renting so those things must be taken into consideration also when determining if one's budget can support the purchase.
Some foreclosed and other homes, on the market today, require extensive re-modeling. The seller will usually allow a certain amount of money to cover a few of these repairs but seldom enough to cover the entire cost. If planning on using the purchase for a rental it is important to look at details such as rent collection and lawn maintenance or other things to be done to keep it in first class condition.
The winter olympics brought a lot of attention to the market and is experiencing a bit of a boom now.
Why Are There So Many Different Mortgage Rates?
Looking at mortgage rates can be a bit confusing at times. Where do you look? What options do you have? Here are some answers to consider.
Where to look
You can go to your bank website and search for mortgage interest rates. You can also go to any good Internet search engine. Once there, you may find several types of rates. There are many choices. Here are some of the loans you may encounter.
Thirty Year Fixed
This interest rate is for a thirty-year loan. The interest rate will not change throughout the life of the mortgage. These are usually conventional loans and may require as much as a twenty percent down payment. The down payment amount may fluctuate, depending on the lender. Sometimes it may be more difficult to be eligible for these types of loans.
Five year adjustable
This can be a thirty or fifteen year mortgage. It is also known as ARM. The interest will stay the same for five years. Then the will reflect inflation. In good times, your rate and payment will be low. In bad times, your payment can rise considerably. If you do not allow for the bad times, it can mean disaster.
Why would someone want an adjustable rate mortgage? Maybe you expect good economic conditions in the future. You might have to consider your short-term needs. Maybe you can refinance in five years. It depends on your situation.
There are so many choices to consider with adjustable rate mortgages. Most people should talk to a loan professional to understand what is available. You might be able to get an ARM that will convert to a conventional loan. Caps can vary from loan to loan. There can be a cap on how much the interest can rise.
The recent rash of foreclosures was due in part, to these types of loans. Many people flocked to lenders to receive very low loan payments. A great deal of those people made substantial home purchases. The economy changed and their mortgage payments went up hundreds of dollars. They could not continue to make the payments.
Fifteen year fixed
This refers to a fifteen-year loan. The interest will stay the same during the life of the loan. You can usually get a lower interest rate with the fifteen-year mortgage. You will have a much higher payment. Most people consider the higher payment not within their budget.
However, there is a huge advantage to the fifteen-year loan. The first and obvious, is half the payout time. Look at an example of total cost.
A couple finances a $100,000.00 home. Their interest rate is five percent for thirty years. Their payment would be $537.00 a month. They would pay $93,256.00 interest after thirty years. Suppose they get a fifteen year loan at four and one half percent. Their monthly payment would be $765.00. Their total interest would be $37,699.00. That is almost one third of the thirty-year interest amount. If the couple could afford the extra $228.00, they could save a great deal of time and money.
Balloon mortgages
Most balloon mortgages are for five to seven years. You get a very low payment and interest rate for that time. After that, the entire amount is due at once. People that plan a few years ahead may consider this. For example, you may be expecting a financial windfall in the future. Maybe you will have a better job. Perhaps you will refinance when the balloon payment is due?
Summary
Sifting through the maze of mortgage information can be quite a task. Take some time to do it. Explore all of the many options. Decide what is best for your situation. Talk to loan professionals to help you make your decision.
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Things To Consider When Looking At Mortgage Rates
A mortgage is the biggest loan that a person can take. You are being loaned thousands of dollars because you do not have the money to pay it all yourself. But you have to pay interest, and this will increase the cost to purchase a property. This interest adds up over the years, so it is crucial to consider different mortgage rates before committing to one.
A fixed rate means that the rate of interest stays the same throughout the period of the mortgage. So if the interest rate is five percent, you will be paying five percent throughout, and so your payments will be the same throughout the term. This offers the advantage of stability, since you know how much you will be paying for your house on a monthly basis, and need not be surprised by sudden increases.
A variable interest rate means that the will fluctuate depending on the rates of the central bank. The fact that this varies means that your payments can go up or down for each payment. You might end up paying less than you would for a fixed rate mortgage if the interest rates are low, but if they rise then you have to pay more. This kind of mortgage should not be taken by those who are on a tight budget and cannot tolerate increases.
An excellent credit history is important to secure the best rate that you can. Lenders will check your financial background, and if it is sound you will have more people willing to lend you the money, and therefore more choice. If your credit is bad, then the few institutions willing to lend you money will charge you more interest since you are seen as a risk and might default on your loan.
If one goes to a bank for a mortgage, one should not settle for the posted rate that they offer, but try to bring it down as much as possible by negotiating with the mortgage officer.
Mortgage brokers are individuals who are loaned money in bulk from many different institutions at lower rates. They make their profits by providing loans to individuals at slightly higher interest rates than what they paid. Sometimes these rates are better that those that banks offer, so they are worth investigating. Brokers who have good reputations will have accreditation and be members of a professional organization that oversees them.
When arranging the loan, there are many payment options to choose from. Making more regular payments will allow you to pay less. So making bi-weekly payments to your mortgage is better than making monthly payments, even though the amount you are paying is the same, because you are paying off the interest more quickly. You can also choose from different terms. Five years is the standard, but you can choose to renew it in as little as a year, or for as long as ten years.
When it comes to mortgage rates, there are all kinds of terms and conditions that should be considered. Because you are dealing with such a large sum of money, the smallest difference could mean thousands of dollars.
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Mortgage Rate Predictions For The Next Few Years
In recent years, the housing market has been on a very bumpy financial ride. Due to the sub-prime mortgage crisis which resulted in millions of homeowners losing their homes due to the inability to pay their monthly mortgage payments, President Obama's mortgage refinance stimulus plan was implemented to help people stay in their homes and encourage people to buy a home. The plan included lowering interest rates so that people could take advantage of the savings. Now that the economy has shown signs of improving, many people are wondering how long mortgage rates will stay low or if there is going to be an increase in the coming months and next few years.
In this current economic environment where improvement in the economy is not happening as fast as we would like, as well as the continued Government and Federal Reserve support, most experts agree that for the next few months, there should not be much of a change in mortgage rates. Currently 30 Year Fixed have been hovering just under 5%. It is expected that 2010 will see rates rises to just over 5%. This is mainly due to the economy not getting worse and there are some signs that the economy will get better. However, many economists predict that low mortgage rates will be here for a little while, but not for long.
Economists suggest that as the economy grows and banks begin to increase their lending, mortgage interest rates will steadily increase to rates preceding the housing market crisis. In the next few years, many predict the pre sub prime mortgage crisis rates will return. This may be a good time for prospective homeowners to consider buying a home as the rates will not be making any further dramatic reductions, and over time they will begin to rise. Locking into a low rate now will definitely save homeowners money in the future as the rates start to rise. As well, by the first half of 2010, the Federal Reserve's Housing Recovery Plan of buying as much as $500 billion of securities backed by Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae, will be coming to an end, so mortgage rates are expected to rise. Many experts believe rates will rise to over 5%.
Another consideration many housing market forecasters are worried about is inflation. Concerns about inflation could send Treasury yields higher which would cause an increase in mortgage rates. So, the mortgage rate prediction by many economic experts is that for the next few months, rates will stay about the same, and then they will begin to slowly rise in the next few years, depending on the state of the economy and the recovery progress of the housing market. But do not expect a continued decrease and the rates will eventually go up.
If you are considering refinancing or planning to purchase a home in 2010, this may be a great time to lock into a low interest rate mortgage. If not, you may miss out on a great deal if you wait too long.
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What Is A Construction Mortgage?
In order to save money and design the home of their dreams, many people choose to build their home from the ground up. When building a home, one has to consider how they will finance the big project. One loan option many people choose is the Construction Mortgage.
A Construction Mortgage is a loan that is used to finance the building of a home. The money is normally given to the borrower in set amounts as each stage of the construction process is completed. Most construction mortgages involve paying the interest only during the construction period with full repayment required after the owner obtains a certificate of occupancy.
Before a lender approves a construction mortgage, they have to know all that will be involved in building the home. This includes the blueprint, materials, labor, other costs associated with the construction, and the time it will take to completely build the home. Construction mortgages are normally variable-rate loans which are priced at according to the prime rate. The homebuilder, lender, and contractor will set the schedule for withdrawal of funds for each stage of the construction process. Interest is applied on the amount of money withdrawn. Having the money released before each stage is complete is often seen as economically beneficial and helps prevent future funding problems.
Many homeowners will often choose to acquire a construction-to-permanent financing plan where the construction loan is switched to a mortgage loan after the certificate of occupancy is given out. You can often get a higher construction loan rate and then get better when you switch to traditional mortgage financing. It is important to remember that with a variable rate, repayments can fluctuate each month. Generally, construction mortgage rates are quoted on a prime plus basis. Also consider the varied in your financial planning.
Like a traditional mortgage, how much you can borrow will depend on your financial status such as your credit rating and income. Lending can often range from 75 - 95 percent of the building cost. Some lenders provide a separate loan for the land. Funding for building costs is released when the home building plan has been approved. The best benefit of a construction mortgage is that it is usually cheaper than getting a mortgage for an existing home. The cost of building your own home is much less than buying a new house. As well, new self-built homes are worth more the day the home is finished so it makes for a good investment. When considering a construction mortgage, it is important to comparison shop from a number of different lenders. Many experts recommend consulting with a construction mortgage specialist.
From the size of the rooms and where the rooms are located, building your own home provides you with many more choices than if you were going to buy an existing home. A construction mortgage may be the perfect solution if you are looking to build your dream home at a much less expensive cost. When considering this type of mortgage, it is important to understand how it works, the cost to build, and the repayment terms and conditions. With the right knowledge, it will not be long before you will be living in your dream home.
Obtaining the best can be an important competitive advantage in the housing market. Another important factor to consider is finding the best , which may help you in securing a stronger purchase or sale of your home.