Posts Tagged ‘mortgage loan’
In the past, the average consumer took out a new mortgage loan about every 7 years. Today, times have changed. As we approach some of the lowest rates in recorded history, borrowers are trying to lock in on even better rates. One of the fastest ways to reduce your monthly payment is to refinance.
There are guidelines restricting the number of times you can actually refinance during a given time period. These restrictions are primarily based on the type of refinance you are trying to do and the type of property in question. There are 2 types of refinances, no cash out & cash out. No cash out means that you are only refinancing the existing mortgage and the associated closing costs. On the other hand, a cash out refinance is done when you are looking to borrow additional money beyond your existing loan balance.
When doing a no cash out refinance, the minimum waiting time is usually 6 months between new applications. If you try to refinance sooner you run the risk of a denial because of a “seasoning” concern. Without being too technical, Freddie Mac and FNMA want to ensure that your current mortgage is established and stable before they give you the green light to refinance again.
When attempting a cash out refinance the guidelines are more strict. You must wait a minimum of one year before attempting a new mortgage application. This is due to the fact that cash out refinances pose a larger risk for the lender because the new loan is larger.
The better question would be “does it really make sense to refinance again”?” Refinancing is not free. Your new mortgage balance will increase if you are financing closing costs and your loan-term will start over again. This should not scare you from making the decision, but it should be a consideration.
If you were planning to stay in your home at least for another seven years and prevailing interest rates are approximately 2% below your current rate, then it might make sense to refinance. Although there are other factors involved in making this decision, this is generally a good guideline to follow. For example if you could save $100 per month and the cost of the refinance is $5,000, it would make sense if you plan on living in the home at least five years ($100 x 60 months=$6,000)
Chances are if you have taken out of mortgage at least 2 years ago, current rates are probably considerably less than what you have right now. A refinance may be just the thing you are looking for to reduce your payments further. The best way to learn if refinancing is the right decision is to research the costs vs the financial benefit. A mortgage guide book can assist you in making this decision.
Almost everyone will need a mortgage loan when buying a house. For first time buyers, choosing the right loan is a big challenge. So you have to know the difference between fixed rate mortgages and variable mortgages.
So which type of mortgage is best for you? You have to understand that the difference between these two mortgages is huge. So it is very important to understand fixed and adjustable mortgage loans so you can determine which one is a better deal for you.
Fixed Interest Mortgage Loans
Repayments for fixed interest mortgage loans are usually set for at least 15 years to a maximum of 30 years. As the name implies, the interest rate that you have to pay will never change throughout the lifetime of your loan. So if your loan stipulates that you will have to pay seven percent interest, this rate will remain constant until your final payment.
Most people are comfortable with a fixed interest rate loan because they are shielded from rate fluctuations. However, risks are also present if you take this type of mortgage. What if the rates suddenly decreased a month after you take out a fixed interest mortgage? Obviously, you will lose a lot if you experience this situation. If you waited a little longer, you could have enjoyed a much lower interest rate.
Your solution is to refinance your original mortgage. This is the best option but it may not work at all times. Your application for refinancing can be declined by the lenders due to several reasons. Furthermore, applying for a mortgage refinance is time consuming and tedious. Refinancing is not an easy process.
Adjustable Rate Mortgages
ARM or adjustable rate mortgages have interest rates that change over a period of time. In some cases, your rates could change annually or from month to month depending on existing market conditions. However, adjustable rate mortgage can offer many benefits but it is also a risky deal.
For one thing, you can save a lot if you have adjustable rate mortgage. Normally, the rates are lower for the first few years of your loan. This will give you the opportunity to save more money. If you take out an adjustable rate mortgage, you will enjoy initial lower payments compared to those who opted for fixed rate mortgage loans.
After the initial period, your interest rate will now depend on market trends. If the market rates go down, then your monthly payments will also go down. Unfortunately, you will pay more if the interest rates go up. Based on industry studies, experts found that a slight decrease in interest rates can benefit the homeowners. Unfortunately, the rates are not always low. There are times when the interest rates will be adjusted by at least 1 to 2 percentage points upwards. If this happens, then you have to pay more for the loan.
A mortgage loan must be repaid for 15 to 30 years. It means you have a long term obligation to pay what you owe to the lender. Before you apply for any type of mortgage loan, make sure that you have evaluated your options thoroughly.
If you are having trouble paying your current mortgage, or you think that you are not receiving the best deal you possibly can, then perhaps it is time to think about a remortgage. However, many people are unsure about the relative benefits and problems of a remortgage. Here are some useful tips to help you decide if remortgaging is right for you:
What is a remortgage?
A remortgage is when you replace your existing mortgage loan with a new one from either the same lender or a new lending company. This is usually done to reduce monthly payments or to release home equity. Remortgaging is usually carried out through a remortgage broker.
Remortgaging for lower payments
One of the most common reasons to remortgage is to get lower monthly payments than you do now. If you are struggling right now to pay off your monthly payments, then you need to look for a better deal. If you can find one, then ask your current mortgage lender if they can match this, as they would prefer to keep you as a customer at a lower rate than lose you altogether. If they cannot match the rate, then you should look at remortgaging at the better rate.
Remortgaging to release equity
Another reason why people remortgage is to get hold of some extra money by releasing the equity they have built up in their property. This means that you borrow more than your current mortgage debt to release the money you have already paid into the property. This is especially useful if your property has gone up in price or if you have paid off a large percentage of your mortgage. It is like getting out a loan, but the rates are low as they are part of the remortgage.
Benefits
Of course, the main advantage of getting a remortgage is that you can reduce your monthly payments. This might help you be more financially stable and secure, as you don?t have to struggle to meet the payments. Remortgaging can also free up money through releasing equity, which could help you to make home improvements or to clear other debts.
Pitfalls
One thing that you should look at before remortgaging is whether or not it is really right for you. There are a number of costs involved, such as legal fees and penalties for changing mortgages. These fees can add up and might be more than you can afford. Also, if you borrow more money or you get lower monthly payments, it most likely means you will be paying the money back for a longer period of time. Although it may seem helpful now, you will probably end up paying more long-term, and if you are still paying the money back when you retired you might be left unable to make the payments.
Remortgaging can help you if you are struggling with payments or you need to free up some money. However, you should think carefully about whether or not remortgaging will be beneficial to you in the long-term.