Saturday, August 30, 2008

This Program Solves That Problem By Being Flexible

Category: Finance, Mortgages.

Teachers and public service workers can qualify to purchase a home with as little as$ 500 or 1% of the sales price of their own money, whichever is less.



This program is 100% financing of the purchase price under the FNMA s MYCommunityMortgage Program. In addition, they will have less restrictive guidelines than is normally required from borrowers for a mortgage. You can even borrow another 5% with a community loan through a bank. That s a total of 105% . This could pay for your closing costs and property tax and insurance reserves. That means if you qualified, you could buy a home with only$ 500 into the deal.


However, there are a number of areas in the country where 120% is allowed. The program restricts income limitations to 100% of the area s median income. There are even other areas that do not have these income restrictions. The eligible professions are teachers or administrators at the elementary or secondary levels in public or private schools. You can check these areas out for yourself on the web. Public safety employees that are employees of a police department, sheriff s office, hospital, university, airport or port authority that are responsible to the prevention and detection of crime are entitled.


These professions will have more flexible underwriting guidelines. Fire department personnel on the local, state or federal level that are involved in fire suppression, hazardous waste and, emergency medical response response to terrorism fall into the classification. As an example, the debt to income ratio can be as high as 45% . If the borrower has a 12 month rental history with no delinquency, and no delinquencies on anything else that comes up for the past 12 months, that will do for the credit part of it. Another great feature is that for teachers and public service workers who do not have enough established credit to make up an acceptable credit report there is an alternative. The home will have to be for primary residence and not for rental.


Condos are eligible. It will have to be a single- family residence and not a duplex. Manufactured housing is not eligible. All borrowers who are first time homebuyers will have to complete an approved homebuyer education program. The maximum loan is$ 417, 000 in 38 states and$ 650, 500 in Hawaii and Alaska. The lending institution will give you information as to how to go about this. With all of this great news is the only thing holding you back is the lack of$ 500?


The education part should easily be completed by the time the loan is to close. This program solves that problem by being flexible. It even expanded the allowable gift to come from employers, churches or nonprofits. It will allow gifts from relatives, or domestic partners, fianc�s. The home will have to be for primary residence and not for rental. Condos are eligible. It will have to be a single- family residence and not a duplex or above.


Manufactured housing is not eligible. If this sounds terrific for teachers and public safety workers, it is also open to private sector workers as well. The maximum loan is$ 417, 000 in 48 states and$ 650, 500 in Hawaii and Alaska. The difference is more general restrictive underwriting criteria, but the program is the same at 100% financing and only$ 500 into the deal.

Friday, August 29, 2008

What Is An 80/ 20 Mortgage

Category: Finance, Mortgages.

A home justice mortgage refinance may be a remarkable way to go very well now, before go up.



Well, you may also know that the consequence going back up. Over the last few a month of Sundays Dick has heard about support system and family refinancing home mortgage. If you are going to your mortgage, now is the time. A home equity mortgage refinance can lower your mortgage disbursement. By refinancing you can also put yourself in a better financial situation in 3 different ways. A home impartiality mortgage can be used for debt, this will also be tax.


There is truly no down side to a home fair play mortgage refinance as long as you are able to steady a lower notice rate. A home justness mortgage refinance can also be used to remodel your home, or add an appendage. One further opportunity is to use your to shorten the out- and- out term of your payments, perchance sharp 5 off of your term. Generally when you put in for an operational home mortgage you will get the best possible leisure activity rate. An connected home mortgage is most home buyer s best selection. The internet has created a very miniature world for virtual home mortgage.


The home mortgage bazaar has knowledgeable dramatic vicissitudes because of the internet. Shoppers are able to compare rates from numerous lenders in a few hours. Getting a mortgage with good interests is a now, than it has ever been. You only need to know a few inside tips. The skill, is in the hands of the punter for the first time in history. There are 3 gear that every home buyer be duty- bound to do to get a grand mortgage offer.


Here is what you need know about financing your home with an 80/ 20 mortgage loan. If you are a prospective homeowner wanting to dependable financing to buying your home but do not have the 20 down recompense essential by most mortgage lenders, an 80/ 20 mortgage could be your retort. In many parts of the country the average fine for a home has gone up appreciably over the past few centuries. Many of these have to 80/ 20 to self- confident 100 percent of the mortgage financing they need. This makes it difficult for many family to qualify for the financing they need using a conventional mortgage investor. What is an 80/ 20 Mortgage? You will have a first mortgage for 80% of your usefulness and a second mortgage for the outstanding 20% .


An 80/ 20 mortgage is in fact two loans. By this 80/ 20 mortgage you will avert Private Mortgage Insurance which can add of to your recurrent mortgage fee. This allows you to finance your winding up costs and minimizes the cash you will need out of portable to close on your home. In addendum to your 80/ 20 mortgage some offer financing for 103% of the face value on your home. How to Get an 80/ 20 MortgageA good corner to jolt weekly shop for an 80/ 20 mortgage is a mortgage broker. If you use a mortgage broker be sure to shop from a collection of offers and read all of the little imitation. Mortgage brokers have admittance to a make of avant- garde mortgage and to help get relatives qualified to foothold their homes.


You will need to do your lesson to pass up for your mortgage.

Read more...

People Wonder About The Conditions That Are Likely To Be Related To This Type Of Loan - Bridget Vespa's Finance and Mortgages blog:

People wonder about the conditions that are likely to be related to this type of loan.

There Are Reverse Mortgages And There Is One Annuity Reverse Mortgage - Nadine Salguero about Finance and Mortgages:

There are reverse mortgages and there is one annuity reverse mortgage.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

One Friend Of Mine Was Doing Very Well In His Own Business As A Mortgage Broker

Category: Finance, Mortgages.

Seven years ago I finally gave in to the real estate frenzy and signed up for a class to obtain my real estate license.



If you don t know, you are probably not from this planet. I don t have to tell you about the huge amount of business being done in all areas of the real estate market for the past eight to ten years or so. One friend of mine was doing very well in his own business as a mortgage broker. I had little trouble making that decision knowing just how much money his office was generating. In fact, it was he that encouraged me to come to work for him. Besides, I could work part time and continue to work my first job.


There were huge gains in the appreciation of home values and many homeowners wanted to access their new found wealth. My new job description was contacting homeowners and offering them the" opportunity" to refinance their existing mortgage to obtain a better rate while paying off high interest consumer debt, or take a vacation, etc, buy an automobile. When I started in the business I knew nothing of mortgages, but I picked up on it quickly and had many opportunities available to me in learning about the industry. To receive your interest in the beginning of the terms is a nice deal. When I came to understand how mortgages were structured, I was shocked at how heavily a mortgage agreement weighed in the banks favor. It will take the average home owner, with a thirty year mortgage, twenty years of payments before they reach the halfway point. When you consider the average American home owner stays in their home only seven years, well that is a real nice deal for the banks.


That is to say, half of their payment applied to interest and the other half to principle. Just Google" mortgage calculator" and enter your numbers to take a look at how your term is amortized and what portion of your payment is going to interest. You are not prevented from paying ahead of your agreed upon amortized schedule. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. When you pay ahead of schedule you are canceling portions of interest. In his best selling book" Own Your Home Years Sooner" , Harj Gill explains how home owners can cut the terms of their mortgage significantly and save many thousands in interest charges by doing so.


You are probably wondering why I am repeating things you already know. "Sure, I can cancel interest but where is the extra money going to come from? " This question has been answered by an ingenious individual from Australia named Harj Gill. This is done without having to refinance your existing mortgage, and without any change to your monthly budget. It is worrisome to see some homeowners who have been paying for many years on a mortgage, only to refinance and be right back where they started from. This is simply a powerful new approach in handling money to gain greater flexibility and economic freedom. We can not expect our home values to rise any longer. It is time to take a sober look at what we can be doing better. In fact, the opposite is now taking place for many homeowners across America.

Read more...

What Is A Home Equity Line Of Credit - Frankie Jurkiewicz about Finance and Mortgages:

Since your home is the most important investment in most people s lives, it s essential that you do everything you can to protect it.

What You Save Depends To A Great Extent On The Way You Negotiate With Lenders For The Online Mortgage Quote - Finance and Mortgages Blog:

While shopping online for online mortgage quote can save time and convenience, but it won t necessarily get you the best deals available.

You Also Need To Explain Why You Want The Fast Remortgage - Finance and Mortgages:

Generally the issue of a fast remortgage comes into play when youve missed mortgage payments and perhaps are threatened with foreclosure. The number one place to start your hunt for a fast remortgage is the Internet, where you will find several firms who can not only offer a remortgage fast, but directories who can let you do some comparison shopping for the best deal in a fast remortgage.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

One Alternative To Consider Is That Of A Reverse Mortgage

Category: Finance, Mortgages.

Isn t it a delight that potential problems are preceded by potential solutions? . There are many financial challenges that one faces, but luckily there are solutions to that problem.



Somehow modern financial thought is likewise. Borrowing too much can be a common example. Not a pretty way out, but a way out nonetheless. That is where bankruptcy proceedings can be the way out. Then again there might be need to temporarily spend more money than you have. Sure there is more than one way to go, but I found a rather interesting opportunity. Lines of credit, personal loans, credit cards, and payday loans might be the solution.


For older people, who have built up a home in their lifetime, but now need money for their daily or special expenses, where would they turn to? One alternative to consider is that of a reverse mortgage. Luckily eastern philosophy or not, there seems to be a solution nonetheless. The striking feature of this is that there is no need to repay this mortgage. Well kind of. Could that actually be right? If senior citizens have built up equity in their homes, borrow a lump, they can actually sum or a stream of money against that equity.


This is because the requirement to repay the borrowing is triggered by specific situations. Unlike regular mortgages, they do not have to make periodic payments. One case that will certainly trigger a repayment call is if the home is sold. Another common event is the demise of the old person who borrowed the money. In most such cases, the reverse mortgager would have first right to the money, or second in case the original mortgage was still running. In this case too the lender takes possession of the property and disposes it off. This could be because, she or he probably moves into an old age home or something similar.


Finally, if the retirees move, then too they have to repay the borrowing. It is not so much the amazing financial engineering that I marvel in a reverse mortgage. This peace of mind is driven by the fact that there are no periodic payments to take care of. More than that I am happy with its use as a tool for peace of mind. Common sense dictates that there have to be rules and regulations governing this kind of arrangement. In some other territories, there is a provision that allows a borrower to actually avail of sequential multiple borrowings of this nature, assuming that the equity or value of the underlying property is escalating.


In many territories, there is a minimum age set for an issuer to write such an arrangement. Despite the fact that this introductory article probably explained the basic idea to you, there is a lot more to learn about it before you can get a grasp of how to compute the mortgage rate. The equity built into the property. Factors considered include, the overall interest rates prevalent in the economy. The market value of the asset. Mode of funding- lump sum vs. line of credit. The age of the borrower.


This is just the beginning.

Read more...

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What is a bigger stress inducer than a mother- in- law?

When You Own Your Home, You Re Truly In Charge - Finance and Mortgages Articles:

If you re thinking about buying a home, it s important to weigh the pros and cons.

Buying A Property In Foreclosure Involves Approaching The Borrower/ Owner And Offering To Buy The Property Outright - Finance and Mortgages Articles:

If you are in the market for a new home or property and are finding it difficult to gain the financing or achieve the credit necessary to purchase one there are options now that make such first time purchases easier.

Friday, August 22, 2008

What Is An 80/ 20 Mortgage

Category: Finance, Mortgages.

A home evenhandedness mortgage may be a inordinate way to go proper now, before go up. Well, you may also know that the profit rates going back up.



Over the last few an age one and all has heard about helpers and private refinancing their home mortgage. If you are going to your mortgage, now is the time. A home justness mortgage refinance can lower your mortgage recompense. By refinancing you can also put yourself in a better financial situation in 3 different ways. A home fairness mortgage refinance can be used for consolidating debt, this will also be tax deductible. There is in fact no down side to a home equity mortgage as long as you are able to dependable a lower pursuit rate. A home impartiality mortgage can also be used to remodel your home, or add an totaling.


One more choice is to use your refinance to shorten the unmitigated term of your payments, conceivably hurtful 5 a month of Sundays off of your term. Generally when you put into operation for an working home mortgage you will get the best possible attentiveness rate. An on home mortgage is most home buyer s best selection. The internet has created a very minute world for connected home mortgage lenders. The home mortgage souk has proficient dramatic changes because of the internet. Shoppers are able to compare from numerous in a few. Getting a mortgage with good interests is a easier now, than it has ever been.


You only need to know a few inside tips. The faculty, is in the hands of the consumer for the first time in history. There are 3 kit that every home buyer had better do to get a prodigious mortgage offer. Here is what you need know about financing your home with an 80/ 20 mortgage loan. If you are a prospective homeowner wanting to closed financing to goods your home but do not have the 20 down sum necessary by most mortgage lenders, an 80/ 20 mortgage could be your response. In many of the country the average penalty for a home has gone up considerably over the past few. Many of individuals have turned to 80/ 20 mortgages to safe and sound 100 percent of the mortgage financing they need.


This it difficult for many community to qualify for the financing they need using a accepted mortgage creditor. What is an 80/ 20 Mortgage? You will have a first mortgage for 80% of your use and a second mortgage for the lingering 20% . An 80/ 20 mortgage is really two loans. By this 80/ 20 mortgage you will dodge paying Private Mortgage Insurance which can add of to your prearranged mortgage compensation. This allows you to finance your terminating costs and minimizes the cash you will need out of small to close on your home.


In addendum to your 80/ 20 mortgage some offer financing for 103% of the asking value on your home. How to Get an 80/ 20 MortgageA good locality to jump supermarket run for an 80/ 20 mortgage is a mortgage broker. If you use a mortgage broker be sure to shop from a multiplicity of offers and read all of the trivial facsimile. Mortgage brokers have access to a type of quirky mortgage and programs to help get relations qualified to obtaining homes. You will need to do your reading up to escape for your mortgage.

Read more...

Hybrid Mortgage Loan - Finance and Mortgages Articles:

Are you looking for a new home but confused about the mortgage loan and its types? If yes, then do not give up on your dream of purchasing a home just because of lack of the knowledge of mortgage loans.

Whenever A House Over �124, Stamp Duty Is, 999 Is Bought Paid To The Chancellor Of The Exchequer - Finance and Mortgages Articles:

So you have decided to get a mortgage- which is probably the biggest financial commitment you will ever make. First of all, you need to work out how much can you borrow.

Why Location Matters So Much - Sherri Silvey's Finance and Mortgages blog:

Whether you re looking to sell or you re looking to buy, you ve probably heard the phrase" Location, location, location" when it comes to real estate. The location you choose for your next piece of real estate, as well as the location of your current home matters when it comes to maintaining and increasing the value of your investment.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

If All Else Fails You May Be Able To Get Your Payments Forgiven Or Lessened While Trying To Sell Your House

Category: Finance, Mortgages.

Financial difficulties can happen to even the most responsible and disciplined people.



Therefore if you run into money troubles that interfere with your ability to make your mortgage payments, the first thing that you need to do is to call your lending institution and tell them about your situation. This is just a fact of life and nothing to be embarrassed about. Contrary to what many people think, mortgage lenders don t benefit by foreclosing on your house and taking it away from you. Also, lenders are required to work with borrowers in order to find ways to work around financial difficulties and provide a solution to financial troubles. Doing so actually costs them more money than they can make off of an auction and is a far worse proposition for them then letting you pay off your loan if you are at all able. The reason why calling your lending institution is the first thing that you should do when you run into financial difficulty is because the earlier you seek help the options you ll have that may save your house. A counselor from one of these outfits will help you stand up for your right and negotiate with your lender on your behalf for a viable solution to your problem, at little or no fee to you.


After you ve contacted the lender, it s a good idea to contact a housing counseling agency. The options that a counselor might be able to come up with when talking to your lender depend on the nature of your financial difficulties. For example, if you got into an accident and can t work for a few months while you heal, your troubles could be considered temporary. Particularly whether the source of the problem is temporary or something that s likely to be a permanent problem. But if the accident left you disabled, then a long term solution would be in order. Another, is a suspension, forebearance of payments with the understanding that you ll be able to catch up on the payments later.


Temporary solutions to an inability to make your mortgage payments include reinstatement which is an agreement between you and the lender to pay back whatever you haven t been able to pay at some point in the future. A repayment plan is often used with these solutions so that you can pay your back payments over an extended period of time with slightly larger monthly payments when they start up again. This can be done by lowering your interest rate, extending the term of your mortgage, and in rare cases even forgiving some portion of your debt. Solutions to longer term financial problems include modifying the mortgage agreement to make the monthly payments lower. Another popular option is refinancing the mortgage so that another institution takes over your mortgage on terms that are better for you and then pays off the debt to the original lender. One thing that should be emphasized is that lenders will be more likely to work with you if you re making a real effort to come up with the money for payments. If all else fails you may be able to get your payments forgiven or lessened while trying to sell your house.


Even if you can t scrape together enough money to actually make payments, you can earn credibility with lenders by eliminating unnecessary expenses and selling off assets. Assets that can be sold include extra cars and boats, and jewelry. Examples of unnecessary expenses include cable TV, and the expenses, eating out associated with a second car. With patience, and foresight you, discipline should be able to avoid the gut wrenching experience of losing your home in even if you fall on hard times.

Read more...

The Programs May Differ, But They Share A Common Goal: To Stop Foreclosure - Finance and Mortgages Blog:

It is an unfortunate reality that thousands of people are currently facing the possibility of losing their homes to lender foreclosure.

What You Can Do If You Already Have An ARM Is To Convert It To A Hybrid ARM Loan - Finance and Mortgages Articles:

When you re first getting into the process of buying a house, the legalities and the processes can seem daunting. And while it may seem like everything is made to be complicated, there are ways to make sure that you re the winner in this financial decision.

Potential First- Time Buyers Are Taking An Increasing Number Of Financial Risks In An Attempt To Get On To The Property Ladder - Finance and Mortgages Articles:

Potential first- time buyers are taking an increasing number of financial risks in an attempt to get on to the property ladder. Young buyers readiness to" borrow big" was again highlighted as five per cent of the under- 35s are said to be prepared to opt for a deal worth more than five times their annual earnings.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Although, A Bankruptcy Does Not Automatically Hurt Credit Score

Category: Finance, Mortgages.

That really depends if you have a joint account or not.



But if you have a joint account. If the mortgage you have is under one persons name then only that persons credit will be affected. For example both your names show up on the statement then it will be on both of your credit reports. Avoid late payments, collection or bankruptcy. If you are looking for a good way to build a great credit score and to be able to get you in your house here is a good way to do it. So if you re late on your payments your creditors don t really care they will still send you a bill in the mail every month. Yes just one 30 day late payment on your report can take your credit score down 50 points.


One thing to realize that just one 30 day late payment on your record can take your credit score from a respectable 720 down to 680! If you try to avoid paying your bills and they send you to collection and you think it is erased off of your credit report because it has been years since that went on you credit well think again. Now bankruptcy will hit you harder then anything else on your credit report, taking hundreds of points off your credit score and it will stay with you for a long time even up to ten years on the report. It will still be there listed on your credit report and you will try to get a mortgage loan and the mortgage lender has the ability to make you go and settle with your creditors before he will approve anything for you. Although, a bankruptcy does not automatically hurt credit score. People who establish new credit after a bankruptcy and maintain an excellent credit history with their creditors afterward for at least two to three years can often get acceptable credit scores. Mortgage lenders report many instances of borrowers with bankruptcies in their past on their credit report earning better credit scores than people without one.


Another credit scoring factor is a persons debt against available credit limits. The meaning for lenders is that a person at maximum credit limits has no room to handle any emergencies if they happen. A person with$ 9, 995 borrowed on credit cards with$ 10, 000 in credit limits will be severely penalized by all credit scoring systems even with a good payment history. The only problem with this theory is that a person may have$ 100, 000 in a bank account to handle problems that arise but credit scoring does not take this into account. The applicants with credit scores over 660 will have acceptable credit. Since all studies appear to show that the credit scoring systems accurately predict whether a person should be approved for a mortgage loan or not, both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have made credit scoring guidelines for lenders who sell loans to these agencies.


Those between 620 and 660 will most likely be approved but will have to work harder for their approval by showing positive factors to support their application.

Read more...

The Variable Rate Changes According The Standard Interest Rate - Ericka Bardo's Finance and Mortgages blog:

If you already have a mortgage than you surely know the basic and the" tricks" for obtaining a great deal. Of course in any case professional advice should be taken before signing any mortgage.

For Many People, The Process Of Loan Modification Never Comes To Mind - Finance and Mortgages Articles:

There are many reasons that you may want to look into loan modification.

Overall, Last Month S Lending Was Up On April Figures By Some 12 Per Cent - Reba Seabaugh's Finance and Mortgages blog:

The proportion of money issued via mortgage lending reached a record height last month, new figures indicate.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

They Re Only Responsible For Making Mortgage Loans

Category: Finance, Mortgages.

Interest only mortgage companies are a very different breed than the banking industry.



They aren t bound by the same laws as your bank, but some of the regulations are consistent with those of a bank. These businesses are in the business for the sole purpose of making mortgages. The mortgage company isn t a federal deposit location. They greatest concern they have, is that the property they make a loan for is worth the loan amount, excluding the closing costs and appraisal, if that is not part of the closing costs. They re only responsible for making mortgage loans. Quite often, a mortgage company will require you to pay for the appraisal up front, or directly to the appraising company.


Mortgage companies were some of the first guys on the band wagon of support for the interest only loans. You would think that the mortgage companies would be reluctant to make loans that are interest only loans, but that s just the opposite of the truth. Why would this be? The mortgage company pays their loan originators as they are called, not loan officers mind you, a commission on the loans they originate. I believe I can tell you why. They are not paid a straight salary or hourly rate. What does this spell for the originators?


They re paid according to the number of loans they originate. Big money if they can produce on their end. The closing costs, or loan origination fees, as they re called by the mortgage company, are often quite high because the originator is making somewhere around 3 to 5% of the loan amount as a fee for his or her services. So, mortgage companies have worked with every consumer in every way possible to provide them with a loan product that they can be approved for, because this is a paycheck for the originator. You won t be told this upfront, but when you receive your paperwork, if you ll read carefully it will be itemized. Everybody wins, in the beginning. The interest only loan allows the originator to fund larger loans, get approvals for larger loans, and receive larger commissions.


The consumer loses on the back end, when he needs to have equity established, and there is none, thanks to the mortgage company and the interest only loan.

Read more...

They Promote Loans With A Pre- Payment Penalty - Finance and Mortgages Articles:

The" Run, Don t Walk" Checklist.

The Variable Rate Changes According The Standard Interest Rate - Finance and Mortgages Blog:

If you already have a mortgage than you surely know the basic and the" tricks" for obtaining a great deal. Of course in any case professional advice should be taken before signing any mortgage.

No News In The Housing Market, The Weakness Is Continuing And The Sales On Available Residences Are Down Over 8% - Finance and Mortgages Articles:

In the end of 1999 there were discussions that this was the new economy where recessions were something for the history books.

Monday, August 18, 2008

So What Is A Balloon Mortgage And How Does It Work

Category: Finance, Mortgages.

There are a lot of home mortgage options available today, and it is important to be aware of them all in order to choose the one most suitable for you and to be sure that you are doing the best thing possible.



So what is a balloon mortgage and how does it work? One of the available options is the so- called" balloon mortgage" , and in this article we shall discuss this one in terms of its main concepts and possible cons and pros of choosing it among the other options available. A balloon mortgage has a lot in common with a fixed rate mortgage. But here comes the principal difference: after a certain period, which will normally be 5- 7 years, you ll have to repay the whole outstanding balance at once. The principles of calculating monthly payments are actually the same: monthly payment will be calculated as the amount required to repay the whole loan over a period of 30 years. This is called" a balloon payment" , or simply" a balloon" , and this is what the term" balloon mortgage" originates from.


It is very unlikely that a borrower will have enough money to repay that huge amount of outstanding balance at once and at that exact moment, and that may cause serious problems, if the borrower will still be living in the house by the moment a balloon becomes due for payment. At first sight this scheme seems totally inconvenient. In fact, the solution here is refinancing, which will allow you to get the current market rate. Now let s look a bit deeper into the matter and try to compare a balloon mortgage with an ARM. Some people say that in this regard the balloon payment is in a way similar to an adjustable rate mortgage( ARM) - that is because you get a set period of paying a fixed rate and after that a period when the rate can be adjusted. In case of a balloon mortgage you need to repay the entire loan after 7 years, which is normally done by means of refinancing, after which you get a different rate for the new loan that will be adjusted.


On the other hand, an ARM is often a done deal, which makes things easier, because you are locked into a contract. ARM may be a bit more difficult to handle, because the rate adjustment is provided for in the contract. With a balloon mortgage you get additional refinancing costs, which is surely a negative factor for the borrower. But the main factor is that with ARM you get protection against interest explosions, which is not the case for a refinanced balloon mortgage- if the refinancing time falls on a period of a high rate rise, you are left totally unprotected against it. Besides, the rate you get after refinancing often hurts your credit a little. For justice sake, it should be, though noted that this is a very rare case. A balloon mortgage can be a great option if you do not plan to live in the house for long, i. e. for more than 5- 7 years, because in this case you get a price advantage with a balloon mortgage.


All in all you should do decide for yourself, which option suits your needs best. But in case you are unsure about where you will be living in 7 years, it would be wise to abstain from the balloon mortgage option to avoid the risk of ending up with a huge balloon payment and costs of refinancing.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

By Taking These Steps, You Can Ensure That Your Credit Remains Intact

Category: Finance, Mortgages.

Unfortunately, the experience is, for many the exact opposite.



Depending upon how finances are structured, it can sometimes have a negative impact on both parties. Unfulfilled promises to pay bills, the maxing out of credit cards, and a total breakdown in communication frequently lead to the annihilation of at least one spouse's credit. The good news is it doesn' t have to be this way. The first step for anyone going through a divorce is to obtain copies of your credit report from the 3 major agencies: Equifax, Experian� , and TransUnion� . By taking a proactive approach and creating a specific plan to maintain one's credit status, anyone can ensure that" starting over" doesn' t have to mean rebuilding credit. It's impossible to formulate a plan without having a complete understanding of the situation. (Once a year, you may obtain a free credit report by visiting www.


Create a spreadsheet, and list all of the accounts that are currently open. AnnualCreditReport. com. ) Once you' ve gathered the facts, you can begin to address what's most important. For each entry, fill in columns with the following information: creditor name, the account number, contact number, type of account( e. g. credit card, etc, car loan. ), account status( e. g. current, past due) , account balance, minimum monthly payment amount, and who is vested in the account( joint/ individual/ authorized signer) . There are two types of credit accounts, and each is handled differently during a divorce. Now that you have this information at your fingertips, it's time to make a plan. The first type is a secured account, meaning it's attached to an asset. The second type is an unsecured account.


The most common secured. accounts are car loans and home mortgages. These accounts are typically credit cards and charge cards, and they have no assets attached. This way the loan is paid off and your name is no longer attached. When it comes to a secured account, your best option is to sell the asset. The next best option is to refinance the loan. This only works, if the purchasing, however spouse can qualify for a loan by themselves and can assume payments on their own. In other words, one spouse buys out the other.


Your last option is to keep your name on the loan. If you decide to keep your name on the loan, make sure your name is also kept on the title. This is the most risky option because if you' re not the one making the payment, your credit is truly vulnerable. The worst case scenario is being stuck paying for something that you do not legally own. This individual will review your existing home loan along with the equity you' ve built up and help you to determine the best course of action. In the case of a mortgage, enlisting the aid of a qualified mortgage professional is extremely important.


When it comes to unsecured accounts, you will need to act quickly. If you are merely a signer on the account, have your name removed immediately. It's important to know which spouse( if not both) is vested. If you are the vested party and your spouse is a signer, have their name removed. If there are jointly vested accounts which carry a balance, your best option is to have them frozen. Any joint accounts( both parties vested) that do not carry a balance should be closed immediately.


This will ensure that no future charges can be made to the accounts. If you do not have any credit cards in your name, it is recommended you obtain one before freezing all of your jointly vested accounts. When an account is frozen, it is frozen, however for both parties. By having a card in your own name, you now have the option of transferring any joint balances into your account, guaranteeing they' ll get paid. Keep in mind that one 30- day late payment can drop your credit score as much as 75 points. Ensuring payment on a debt which carries your name is paramount when it comes to preserving credit. It is also important to know that a divorce decree does not override any agreement you have with a creditor.


The message here is to not only eliminate all joint accounts, but to do it quickly. So, regardless of which spouse is ordered to pay by the judge, not doing so will affect the credit score of both parties. Divorce is difficult for everyone involved. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your credit remains intact.