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Bad Debt Mortgages: What Are Your Options?

Mortgage Maven — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 08:50:08 +0000

If in the past you have had a bad debt or a record of poor credit, then you must be thinking that getting a mortgage with a cheap interest rate or lower quote is simply out of the question. But believe it or not there exists bad debt mortgages out there and all it takes is the right person to talk to and the right place to look into. And in this situation and you need to seek help then it is best to talk to a mortgage consultant.

If you are someone with a bad debt and a poor credit score then chances are you have been rejected multiple times by mortgage lenders. And that is why you need the help of an expert mortgage consultant because basically they are the ones who can help you find a mortgage lender who will be willing to provide you with a loan at a cheaper interest rates. Before applying for the loan though, the applicant may use a mortgage calculator so just to give them an idea on how much they can borrow. Mortgage calculators can be found on the internet and are free to use.

Other options exist such as the no doc mortgage loans. As opposed to typical lenders that requires more documentation when you apply, no documentation loans does not require an employment, income or assets that needs to be declared during your application. No doc lenders also does not verify any more information beyond the applicant’s credit profile. But with today’s economy no doc mortgage loans might be very difficult to encounter.

Having a bad debt or a poor credit score does not mean that the world is going to end for you, financially speaking. Bad debt mortgages are not stuff of dreams, you just have to be determined and look hard enough. Just make sure you to talk to the right people, assess your financial situation properly and do your research. Bad debt mortgages are a great way to bounce back from a financial rut. If your loan is indeed approved, see to it that you will pay it on time so things doesn’t get worse for you.

FHA Mortgage Loans

Mortgage Maven — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:59:04 +0000

In good times and bad, there is always a segment of the population that is in the market to purchase a home. For those starting a family, or simply trying to establish themselves in the world, FHA home loans are a great option.

What is a FHA home loan?

The FHA home loan is a federal-assistance mortgage loan that was first introduced during the Great Depression. It was made to allow lower-income Americans to borrow the necessary funds to be able to purchase a home. It has since developed over time, and now aids people who cannot qualify for private mortgage insurance.

How does it work?

A FHA loan features insurance to lenders that the Federal Housing Administration will pay a borrower’s loan if the borrower defaults. It is this guarantee that makes lenders willing to give mortgage loans to borrowers. The FHA further assists borrowers by asking for just a small down payment of 3.5%. In exchange for this, the FHA charges borrowers a fee, a fee for every monthly payment, and requires the borrower to pay a mortgage insurance premium of 1.5%. It is these collected funds that the FHA uses should the borrower default on the loan.

There are, however, limits on the amount a borrower can get. This used to be a problem in areas such as Southern California, where the amount of a typical San Diego Mortgage was well above the national average. But in the last few years, the limits have been adjusted to reflect the sales prices in any particular region.

Eligibility for FHA loan

In order to be eligible for a FHA loan, the borrower will have to have a reasonable debt to income ratio, along with a decent credit score. Generally, a debt to income ratio of at least 29/41 is required. There is, however, no income limit, so as long as the debt to income ratio is met, almost anyone with an income is eligible to get a loan.

So for people wishing to purchase a home, but who do not have the normal means to do so, the FHA home loan is definitely a good option. Read more about popular loan programs at MySanDiegoMortgage.com.

Refinance Mortgage Loans – Take Advantage of These Money Saving Tips

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:08:07 +0000

It can actually be quite challenging to know when the time is right to refinance mortgage loans. It is a timing thing more than anything else. Get it right and you lock in very favorable interest rates which will save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. Get it wrong and you’re going to pay a lot more money than you need to.

To add to our financial stress we also have to deal with the fact that many lenders have greatly curtailed their activity due to the stressed economy. This is in fact the worst economic crisis we as a nation have faced since the Great Depression ended in the 1930s. Credit lines are much more difficult to come by now as compared to just a few years ago when it seemed as if anyone with a pulse could get a mortgage.

When considering mortgage loans it is vital that you take into account how much longer you plan on owning that property. All loan originations have fees that the lender charges. After all, they are in it to make money. Examples of these fees include attorney fees and appraisal fees. There can be more depending upon the lender.

You may, in fact, be able to obtain a new mortgage with an excellent interest rate that will save you plenty in your monthly mortgage payment. But that savings must be weighed against the cost of the refinancing process. A rule of thumb in the refinancing businesses is that staying in a refinanced home for ten years will make it a worthwhile option.

If however you are planning to own the property for less than 10 years then it may not be worth refinancing. Even though the interest rates will be lower, the fees to get the mortgage will have pretty much negated your savings. That is why it is so important to carefully plan these things out and seek your best options.

Taking these things into consideration when looking into refinancing your mortgage will help you make the best decision for your particular circumstances. You can find a mortgage calculator on line that will help you compare your different options. Using different loan amounts, interest rates and fees will give you some bottom line figures to work with.

There are, of course, two types of mortgages. There is the fixed rate mortgage that locks in your interest rate for the life of the loan which is usually 15 years or 30 years. And there is the adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) that typically begins with a very low interest rate but adjusts as the Federal Reserve Board of the United States resets rates.

If you are going to be selling your property in the not too distant future then perhaps an adjustable rate mortgage would be best. I must warn you to be careful. Many people are enticed by the low interest rates at the beginning of an adjustable rate mortgage but soon find that they can no more afford the payments as interest rates move higher.

Weighing all the factors is crucial to refinance mortgage loans to your benefit. Taking the time to evaluate various scenarios and different outcomes will guide your decision making process. You will want to decide whether or not to refinance based on the long term results not just the amount of your immediate monthly mortgage payment. The hidden costs may end up costing you more than you save.

Second Mortgages

admin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:09:04 +0000

A second mortgage is a loan against the equity in your home. It is, in essence, an additional mortgage. Typically, financial institutions will let you borrow up to 80 percent of the appraised value of your home, minus the balance on your original mortgage.

So why are these called second mortgages Because you are adding yet another loan payment that uses your house as collateral and adding another monthly payment. Though it may be tempting, it can cause you a lot of problems in the future.

An open ended home equity loan is a little different. This loan will let you borrow money whenever you have a need for it. The loan lender will set up a line of credit that is pretty much based on all the same factors as the closed end loan.

The difference between a second mortgage and a refinance of your first mortgage is as follows: refinancing means negotiating the existing terms and conditions of your existing mortgage. A second mortgage uses the equity of your existing property youve build op since you bought your home.

The second mortgage is considered to be riskier than the first mortgage. For this reason, they typically charge higher interest rates and points for the transaction. This is because your property already has your first mortgage on it. Second mortgages are different from refinancing initiatives.

It is also possible to get a second mortgage loan for an higher amount of money then your house is worth. For these types of mortgages you will generally need a good credit history and a good financial position so the risks are as minimal as possible.

It is possible to take out third mortgages (and more). However, since interest rates and penalties tend to get steeper as you put more and more stress on your equity and mortgage, most individuals opt for alternative financing plans.

In terms of whether you should take a second mortgage or refinance your first, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Analyze your interest rates, consumer debt, long-term financial picture, and equity savings before going with one or the other.

On The Question of Refinancing A Mortgage On Your House

admin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:07:39 +0000

Refinancing your house means clearing off your existing mortgage and creating a fresh mortgage on it. The two pertinent questions that you face are: Why should one refinance a house? When should one refinance a house? We’ll explain the ins and outs of house refinancing in the following paragraphs, so stay tuned!

There are two common reasons to take a fresh mortgage on your house. Your current mortgage is an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) where the interest you pay varies according to the market rate, and the interest rate on real estate is showing an upward inclination. If this is the case, then you should refinance your house with a fixed rate mortgage where the rate is less than or near about your current rate of interest. The other common reason is that you need a loan real soon. Look to refinance your house with a mortgage that allows you a cash component.

Taking advantage of lower interest rates is good sense. But be warned that the fat savings you anticipate may shrink to Size Zero! Your mortgage company will ask you to pay a penalty (pre-payment penalty) for prematurely terminating the mortgage. Bearing this in mind, re-compute your savings on interest. Maybe refinancing won’t be worthwhile after all!

One situation where refinancing is inadvisable is when you are not sure of staying in that house for the next few years. You will have to pay the pre-payment penalty when you refinance. Given a moderate interest differential, it will take you maybe three years to break even. If you have to move before reaching the break even point, the balance will add to the second pre-payment penalty when you move, and there will be no way of recovering that.

If you want to pay up the mortgage earlier than agreed upon, you have to pay a penalty, often called a pre-payment penalty. The usual amount of the penalty varies from two years’ interest right up to five years’ interest. Factor these figures in when deciding about refinancing your loan. That very profitable proposition may actually turn out to be a losing proposition in the end!

However, if you are going to stay in the same house and you are offered a refinance deal at a lower rate of interest, then take the deal. It doesn’t matter that the difference in rates is marginal. The difference will accumulate to quite an amount in the long run.

“While I’m at it I may as well take a loan for a bit more than that required to clear off the existing mortgage.” That inflated mortgage amount will have to be paid back. That means bigger installments. Once again, run a check yourself or get an accountant friend to do so, to see whether you end up with a net saving in lower interest payments or not. Also see whether you can handle the new installments comfortably or not.

You can earn a hefty saving by refinancing your house provided you time it right, which is when the interest rates are low. Just make sure of two things: that you can handle the payments comfortably, and that the mortgager is trustworthy.

On The Question of Refinancing A Mortgage On Your House

admin — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:44:18 +0000

Planning to move in the near future? Take a three year time horizon for this question. If you are moving, then its best that you shelve the idea of refinancing the mortgage. You’ll have to bear the cost of foreclosing the loan not once, but twice!

The penalty amount is often called a pre-payment penalty. This helps the mortgager to recover some of the costs he’s incurred under the existing mortgage. The lower end of the pre-payment penalty is two years’ interest. The higher end can go up to five years of interest! These are significant amounts we’re talking of here, so be careful that you take them into account when computing your net savings.

If you are not moving and if the interest rate is favorable, then you are better off taking a fresh mortgage on your house. Even a small difference in the interest rates will add up to an appreciable amount at the end of the new refinance term.

If you are taking a top-up mortgage, that is taking a fresh mortgage to clear off the current one plus a cash component over and above that, you must expect to pay a bigger installment. Check what this is going to be and make sure that you can handle the payments comfortably.

Refinancing your home at the right time will give you a positive cash advantage. At the wrong time, you’ll be at a loss. Consult a mortgage expert familiar with your locality to get the proper bottom line on refinancing. If you see an advantage in getting your house refinanced then do so, but just make sure the lender is reputable.

Poor Credit Home Loans

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:37:44 +0000

Lenders assign you a credit score any time you apply for credit. This is there way of them determining whether you are a likely candidate to give credit to, or not.

The credit score is a 3 digit number, typically in the range of 300 to 850. At the low end 300 means you have very bad credit and would be unlikely to receive a loan, and on the other end of the scale a credit score of 850 would have the lender salivating at the opportunity to loan you a heap of money.

Although there is no hard and fast rule about the way the credit score is calculated (and indeed many institutions have their own formula’s which are adapted from the standard way of calculating) here is a general guide to how it is determined (these figures are approximate).

35% of your score will be based on how on time your payments are (or how late they are/have been).

30% of your score will be based on the total amount of debt you currently have versus how much available credit you have. You would add up the total balances of all your debt to get the first figure, and then add up the total credit limits of your cards, and other loans to get the second figure.

15% of your score will be based on the amount of credit history on file.

10% of your score will be based on the type of credit (this area is a little vague and can be adapted by each lender).

10% of your score will be based on the amount of credit recently obtained and/or the number of recent applications for credit.

Again, these figures are only a rough guide and there would be numerous overrides built into the systems by each lender. For example if you had a number of very overdue payments this could drop your score well over 35%. Also things like bankruptcy, foreclosures, and judgments would dramatically decrease your score.

There would normally be a process where the lender would enter your details into their computer system and if the score came out lower than the minimal they have decided on for a particular loan, your application would get rejected.

When considering poor credit home loans ; we suggest you do some diligent research first. So what can you do to improve a bad credit rating?

1. If not already doing so, ensure you are making all payments on time, or even a little early. Paying a little extra can also help in some cases.

2. If you have any judgments on your credit report for unpaid accounts, get them sorted out. Either pay the account, which will in some cases get the item removed from your credit report (if it is not removed, at least the lender will see that it has been paid), or double check it is correct (sometimes incorrect information gets put onto your report). Sometimes using a credit repair company it is possible to get your credit repaired. But be sure to do your research to find reputable companies.

3. Limit the amount of applications you are making for credit.

4. Consolidate your debts. For example if you have three items of credit, get rid of two of them, and just use one.

Or get the credit limits reduced on your credit cards. Sometimes a lender will look at the total amount of credit you have available and decide not to loan you money because that number is too high! Reducing your credit limits on each card, and / or reducing the number of cards would assist here. Unfortunately this can sometimes work against you as well, if the lender believes you have done this purely to obtain the loan.

5. Savings – Sometimes, showing a decent amount of money you have saved over a period of time will give the lender confidence in your ability to manage money.

6. If you have overdue accounts now, get them current now, and contact your creditors immediately to discuss – Don’t wait till the situation gets worse.

The problem of a bad credit rating does not go away quickly of it’s own account (generally an item on your credit report can last up to seven years), so prevention i.e. without a doubt paying your accounts on time is the best cure.

If you are stuck with a bad credit rating now and need a loan, there are bad credit lenders who specialize in lending funds to people in your situation. You will usually have to pay a higher interest rate but this can generally be a good way to start getting your credit score improved.

How to Refi your Mortgage

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:03:47 +0000

Mortgage refi is the transaction where you refinance your mortgage. You get rid of an old loan and replace it with a new one. You can save money in the process but there are some risks involved as well. In short, people refi their mortgage to get a better deal. You can get a lower interest rate or a safer long term loan.

Step one is to compare your current loan with the new one. Refi does cost money. If you can get a better deal on paper, be sure to ask for costs that are associated with getting a refi. No cost mortgage refinance does not exist. Be sure to read the fine prints on your current bad loan and identify any penalties for opting out of the mortgage early.

If you are planning on doing a refi, make sure you are going to spend the extra money on important things, and not on materialistic items. It is not safe to spend money on things that you don’t necessarily need like a new ride or clothes. Think twice before engaging in this activity.

There are tons of available options for refi in the market. It is wise to shop around. Try to conduct a cost assessment to help identify key benefits of your refi. A financial professional can help guide you in the right direction.

Again, before signing any deals, please read all of the fine print. You much gov over the contract very carefully and not sign the deal in a hurry. There should be no pressure to sign. And remember, since you are the customer, you’ll have to know everything about your refi before you are required to sign on the dotted line.

Don’t just blow your money if your refi results in lower monthly payments. Always assume that the long-term goals are far more important. Don’t just think short-term. Material things can be left alone if you are considering saving money.

These are the ways on how you refi your mortgage. Hopefully when you follow these steps you come out with the best deal in town.