Thursday, September 27, 2007

Low Rate Home Mortgage Loan: Making Home More Valuable

Our house can serve us in multiple ways besides providing shelter. If you know the value of the house you can execute demands in a single stroke. However, you should opt for the right loan plan named low rate home mortgage loan. This particular loan can arrange you funds against your value of the house. The provisions that Low Rate Home Mortgage Loan is capable of providing is indeed praiseworthy and had left the financial experts speechless. This is a loan that gets you the required amount for your personal and specific purpose. Loan amount of this loan is dependent on the equity of the house prevailed in the market. If your property carry a higher equity then lenders does not hesitate to release more amount. Low rate home mortgage loan is made available even to persons going through the phase of bad credit. Mortgaging home is the most appropriate way of getting a loan because it assures the low rate of interest. In the same manner, low rate home mortgage loan is a loan at economical interest rates. The economical rates are affordable for all and persons having tight budget can also get the loan at ease. Low rate home mortgage loan is for all financial categories of persons. If, you are interested in executing multiple demands at a single loan, then considering low rate home mortgage loan is the right choice. You can fulfill demands like buying an expensive car; meet expenses pertaining to weddings, holidays, higher education, and decoration of house are few among the many. You need have to stand in a queue or visit lender’s desk again, rather use the online and get it approved from home. This is how efficient it can be in getting the loan from home or office. Therefore, low rate home mortgage loan makes you known the value of your house. The borrowers retain the ownership of the house by making regular repayments. If you are regular in the repayments of low rate home mortgage loan, then you can build up a good relationship with the lenders thus favoring for future transaction and financial aid.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Mortgages – How Do you Cope With the Choice?

For some years now, societies emphasis on a person’s right of choice has been a mainstay of both politics and economics, the two often intertwined. A customer, or so it is argued, should be able to make decisions about their children’s schools, even which medical ‘solution’ is most suitable for their needs. Choice is equated with democracy – people’s right to make a decision based on alternative, desirable options. But the downside to all this choice is that it can sometimes take a genius to work out what the best choice might be. This is particularly apparent when you are looking at the housing market, where the competitive nature of the industry has led not only to a proliferation in services, but also to an emphasis on marketing. Before the 1980s it was fairly common practice to approach a bank for banking and loans and a building society for mortgages. These delineated boundaries ensured that lenders were less proactive in encouraging debt and marketing was limited. It is now fairly common for banks to operate in the same way, say, as high street shops. The buying and selling of property has come a long way. Once viewed as simple places to live, the comparatively poor performance of stocks and shares since the mid nineties, have led more people to view bricks and motor as investments. Even allowing for inflation, the value of property has risen almost fivefold from 1957 to 2005. Despite a dip in the mid nineties, the trend, overall, has been positive. Who wouldn’t want this kind of investment?The only problem is that people sometimes enter into the mortgage market with an inaccurate picture of the risks they are taking. Householders may be able to generate money, perhaps by renting a room, but it is more likely that costs like roof repairs will prove a liability. Added to this is the uncertain nature of the UK housing market, where interest rate changes can impact on millions of people. This is before the marketing has kicked in, those slick adverts that promise all kinds of great deals, (like ‘teaser’ interest rates) but should be viewed with caution. Certain fixed rate mortgages which reset in a few years time may leave homeowners paying unexpectedly higher rates later on.However, a fixed rate mortgage, can also protect you from interest rate rises and allow you to calculate exactly how much you owe every year. Whether it is good value or not will depend on interest rate fluctuations after you are locked in to the contract. In contrast, variable rate mortgages follow the official rate set by Bank of England. But these are only a few choices. The best thing for an inexperienced buyer to do is ask mortgage providers for a Key Facts Illustration document. At least this will allow you to compare and contrast different mortgage products – and find out which really represent good value for money.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

What is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage?

An adjustable rate mortgage (also known as ARM) differs from a fixed rate mortgage in two very important ways, and we will explore those in this article. Adjustable rate mortgages differ from fixed rate mortgages in that the interest rate as well as the monthly payment will move up and down as market interest rates fluctuate. The rate that triggers all of this movement is usually the Fed Prime Rate. Most adjustable rate mortgages have an initial fixed-rate period during which the rate does not change; this is followed by a much longer period during which the rate changes at preset intervals.Home shoppers should understand that, in most cases, adjustable rates start low. In fact, they are often much lower than what is offered through fixed rate programs. This only makes sense because the lenders who offer adjustable rate loans have to have something to entice you into taking the ARM or you would simply go with the fixed rate. This is normal and home shoppers should not be too leery of this tactic, what they should be careful about, however, are the future adjustments to the loan.For many ARM loans, the initial fixed-rate period can be anywhere from six months long to ten years long. The most common, however, is the one-year ARM, which will have the first adjustment after one year. Another popular ARM is called the 5/1 ARM, which has an initial fixed-rate period of five years, and then the interest rate is adjusted yearly after that. Mortgages that combine a lengthy fixed period with an lengthier adjustable period are known as hybrids. Other hybrid ARM's are the 3/1, the 7/1, and the 10/1.Home shoppers must understand that once the fixed-rate time period is over (no matter how long or short it may be) the interest rate on the loan will change. This means that the monthly payments will change as well. In some cases, and depending on the type of loan, the change in monthly payment can be very substantial. Home loan borrowers do have some protection from extreme changes. Adjustable rate mortgages do come with caps. These caps limit the amount by which ARM rates and payments can adjust. This may not be true if you are in sub-prime loan position. Sub-prime lenders can add many different types of fees and can vary their interest rates more than traditional loans are allowed.There are various types of ARM's available to consumers. Some ARM's allow for a conversion that lets consumers switch from the ARM to a fixed rate for a fee. There are others types of ARM loans that allow borrowers to make interest-only payments for a certain length of time. This helps to keep the first payments low. Because there are so many types of ARM's you should spend some time looking into them in order to find the one that best fits your needs. You can also speak with knowledgeable real estate agents and lenders to get answers to those questions you may have about adjustable rate mortgages.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Five Tips to Slash your Mortgage Costs

It’s no wonder that the majority of homeowners dream of one day being able to pay off their mortgage and live a life free from the shackles of interest rates, hime finance and worries about meeting the monthly mortgage payments. The largest expense the majority of us take on in a lifetime is our mortgage and each month our home finance payments take a substantial chunk out of our take home pay.

Just think what you could do with all the extra money you would have spare if you didn’t have to meet your mortgage each month! Interested? Well, here are five steps that you could take today to substantially slash your mortgage repayments and the overall cost of your home loan and even speed up your rate of repayment so that the day when you’ve paid off your home comes that much sooner.

Step One - Demand Better Service.

As a loyal customer of your mortgage lender isn’t it about time you were rewarded for your financial commitment, for making your regular payments and for being a good, long term customer?

Well, you can be certain your mortgage lender will not reward you unless you ask for a better deal on your mortgage!

So get on the phone, call up your lender, ask to speak to someone in customer services or the customer retention department and explain that you’re looking around for a better mortgage deal. Often they will offer you a blended rate for the balance of your term.

We recently had a client who was in a 5 year fixed term at 5.35%. She called her bank and was told that the early withdrawal penalty for her $130,000 was $1700. That’s a lot of money and she was discouraged. However, we ran a rate comparison analysis and found that she would save $3400. by switching her mortgage now. She saved $1700. using only one of our steps.

Did you know, 20% of bank customers will sign their mortgage renewal letter without bothering to check rates? The banks count on this 20% to pad their profits so that they can give discounts to borrowers who ask for it. Often all it takes is one request and you will get a lower rate.

Step Two - Shop Around.

If step one doesn’t get you the deal you deserve, shop around. Check the internet and newspapers for special offers from lenders. Be sure to read the small print! A number of lenders offer 1.99% rates for 3 -6 months but the rate rises for the balance of the term. You will have to add the two rates together and find out what the blended rate will be.

Step Three - Get Help.

Get expert assistance in the form of a licensed and independent mortgage professional. As independent brokers they have access to and understanding of every single mortgage product available and they should be best placed to assist you find a better deal than the one you have now. A deal where your repayments will be less, your interest rate will be lower and the amount you repay over the entire duration of your loan is reduced.

Make sure your broker is fee free and remunerated by any company you decide to take a mortgage out with. More importantly than this, make sure they are regulated and licensed correctly. If possible ask for professional references or testimonials.

Step Four - Cut Out All Extras.

Mortgage lenders are notorious for offering mortgage, income disruption and life insurance at high rates. The lenders make huge margins on these products. While they are of value, couldn’t you find them at a cheaper rate elsewhere? Ask your mortgage broker for a financial advisor who could offer you insurance at a better rate. You could literally save yourself thousands of dollars each year in insurance premiums!

Step Five - Pay It Down.

So, you’ve cut your interest rate down to size, reduced your monthly payments, and saved yourself thousands on insurance products - now turn all those savings back into your mortgage and repay early. Leave your monthly payments at the amount you paid before and you can shave years off your mortgage. Make sure that your new lender offers pre-payments without penalties. Many of the lenders allow you to increase your payments by 15% per month and to pay up to 15% of the original mortgage amount. Some lenders will let you double up your payment amounts.

If you follow the 5 steps above you will be able to achieve your financial goals faster and easier than you thought possible.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

The Time is Right for Investment Property Mortgage Refinance

If you own investment properties, then you may want to consider refinancing them and get a lower interest rate. This may lower your payments, which can mean more money in your pocket. Even though the housing market may be in a slump right now, it is still a good time to refinance while interest rates are still low. Read on to discover how to get the most from your investment property mortgage refinance.The first thing you should do is to shop around for a good mortgage broker. They are the professionals when it comes to financing matters. A good mortgage broker can hook you up with the right lender to help you get the best loan for your circumstances.A very important point to remember is to do your research before you do anything. Learn everything that you can about the loan refinance process and interest rates. Make sure that you check out the mortgage broker thoroughly before committing to anything. Most are honest, but as with any business, there can be a few unsavory characters out there.If you go into this venture knowledgeable and fully prepared, the process will go a lot smoother and you have less of a chance of being taken advantage of. The goal is to get the best interest rate that you possibly can. Make sure that you are keeping current on the changing interests rates.Another good idea is to buy down. What this means is that, if the current interest rate on your mortgage is 7%, you could pay a few thousand at closing and end up with a 6.5% interest rate. This is sometimes known as paying points. It is a good way to save thousands of dollars over the term of your loan and end up with a lower monthly payment to boot.Never be afraid to walk away from a deal if you can't get the interest rate that you want. If you have studied the market and you know what the current rates are, then you have the ammunition that you need to negotiate a great deal.There is nothing that says you can't use more than one mortgage broker or more than one lending service. Don't be shy about using them against each other for competition. If ABC mortgage broker says he can give you a 7% interest rate, call up XYZ mortgage broker and ask them if they can beat it. You may be surprised at the results.The bottom line is to never go into any type of business deal blind. Research, research, and then research some more. Become familiar with the investment property mortgage refinancing business. Then, negotiate for the best interest rates. Pay down your points and come out a winner!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Should I Use an Independent Financial Adviser

In recent times, Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) have been used by many people as an alternative to mortgage brokers. The main reason for this is that there is a crossover between the services that IFAs and mortgage brokers offer.IFAs and mortgage brokers usually receive their qualifications from the same few training institutions. When a person receives their qualification in one of these fields they only need to complete a reduced number of exams to receive the other qualification.This is one indication that mortgage brokers and IFAs undertake similar activities.Because mortgage costs account for the largest expense in a normal household, having the right mortgage is seen as a necessary element to prudent financial planning.It is for this reason, more than anything else, that people have been turning to their financial advisor to source the right mortgage deal for their needs. Many IFAs will have completed the qualifications and training necessary to become a mortgage broker and will be able to assist their clients in obtaining a mortgage with ease.Mortgages are also interlinked with insurance. Interest only mortgages will usually require some sort of mortgage protection insurance to cover the event of the mortgagor being unable to meet their obligations due to accident, sickness, or unemployment.IFAs have an in-depth understanding of the insurance market and can therefore offer advice in such matters when a client applies for a mortgage with them. Many mortgage brokers also offer insurance products to their clients as an additional service.Even if your IFA does not offer a mortgage broking service, it is likely that they will be able to refer you to someone who they regularly put their clients’ mortgage business through.However they quite often do offer both services so if you already have an IFA and are looking for mortgage advice, it may not be necessary to seek out the services of a separate mortgage broker.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Refinance Home Mortgage

You may have your own reasons for wanting to refinance home mortgage such as to get a lower interest rate, to consolidate some household bills while refinancing, to get a different length of mortgage, to get a different type of mortgage, or to just plain have extra cash on hand (don't shorten the term or increase the loan balance or this will not be the case) for investing purposes. No matter what the reason, they are all worthwhile reasons.You could end up replacing a fixed, high rate mortgage for a shorter termed lower rate home mortgage which would save you hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dollars over the remaining years of the term. By reducing your interest rate, you can virtually repay that mortgage off much faster. If you can save as much as 1% on your mortgage, the incentive is there and at 1.5% or 2.0% then for sure you are ahead. 1% of 250,000 is over $208.00 per month so think of what 1% of a much larger mortgage could save you per month!Reducing the interest rate you are paying not only helps you because of a lower monthly payment but, if you did not wish to take a lower monthly payment, you can pay it off the mortgage that much faster and increase the home equity as well. Refinancing, though, does come with a fee and those who are considering a refinancing of an existing mortgage should weigh all the costs and cons against the savings and pros, before making up their minds. There will be an appraisal fee, and legal fees, just like when you purchased your home in the first place. This time around, there may even be an inspection required, which perhaps was not needed the first time.Also be aware of balloon financing whereby the interest rates are very low, but when the term is up, the entire balance is due to the lender. If you can include closing costs in your loan balance, that helps to keep some of your hard earned cash in your pocket for now, too, although financing closing costs (just like appliances) is not usually a good idea.Research is quite easy on the internet these days, so do your homework and you will not be disappointed. Get the best deal you can on a home equity refinance, and rest easy at night. If you feel comfortable using a mortgage broker, then your workload is cut in half, perhaps a quarter, but check to ensure what their fees are, if any. Some brokers only collect fees from the mortgage provider and not from the homeowner.Check out our webpage and use the handy calculator to see if refinancing would be in your best interests.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

The Best Mortgage Rates

There are going to be many factors which affect your mortgage rate, some of which are under your control and others which you can do nothing about. You should be aware of all of the factors which might affect your mortgage rate and take them into consideration before applying for a mortgage loan. You can take steps to improve some of the factors which affect your mortgage rate and make decisions about when is best to apply based on basic knowledge about your mortgage.

What is a mortgage?

Most people understand the basic definition that the mortgage is a loan which is used to purchase a home. There is slightly more to the mortgage than this. The mortgage is a loan which uses the property itself as collateral. If you fail to make the payments on your mortgage, the property may be taken over by the lending institution who has given you the mortgage.

You want the best mortgage rates

The mortgage is a long-life loan meaning that it is not going to be fully repaid for many, many years. A standard home mortgage is often a fifteen or twenty year loan. This means that you want the best mortgage rate possible because you are going to be needing to pay this rate for a long, long time.

Factors affecting mortgage rates

Major factors affecting mortgage rates include:
• Amount of down payment on mortgage
• Consideration of closing costs
• Income of mortgage borrower
• Life of mortgage loan
• Life of mortgage rate
• Total mortgage loan amount
• Whether or not the mortgage rate is adjustable

Factors making up a desirable mortgage rate

The basic premise of the desirable mortgage rate is that it is within your budget, has a low interest rate and is paid back as quickly as possible. How all of this plays out in terms of each individual mortgage depends upon the independent factors of each borrower. For example, you might prefer a fifteen-year mortgage loan to one that is paid over thirty years. This will allow you to save money over time because you pay less in interest. However, if you can not afford the higher monthly payments and you default on the mortgage loan, you have not helped yourself out any.

Negotiating a desirable mortgage rate

The simplest method of achieving a desirable mortgage rate is to work with a mortgage broker. You will have to pay up front fees to the mortgage broker, usually at the time when all of the closing costs are paid on the home purchase, but you will save money and time in the long run. The mortgage broker plays the role of assessing your personal financial situation and working with lending institutions to negotiate the best possible mortgage rate for your situation. The mortgage broker has experience with all of the factors and terms used in the mortgage loan negotiation and can use this expertise to your benefit.

Repayment of the mortgage loan

When you are working out a plan of repayment for the mortgage loan, you should look at the amount of money available for down payment, the amount you can reasonably pay on the loan each month, the grace period of any adjustable mortgage loan interest rates and any fees owed for early repayment of the mortgage. Working with the mortgage broker, you should be able to develop a repayment plan for your mortgage which allows you to purchase and remain in your home through the life of the loan.