Mortgage & Refinancing Information

Know Your Mortgage Options


While trying to find the lowest rates, many homeowners fail to examine the type of mortgage, and which type of mortgage is best suited to their needs. Whether you are buying a new home or refinancing, it is important to understand the different mortgage types, and evaluate which one best meets your needs.

The most important decision is that between fixes rate mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages (or ARMs).

Fixed rate mortgages have interest rates set at the time of purchase, and these interest rates remain fixed. By getting a fixed rate mortgage, the borrower can "lock in" the rate. This is a low risk strategy for those who are comfortable with the existing interest rate. However, if interest rates fall, fixed rate mortgages will still have to pay the higher interest rates.

Adjustable rate mortgages are generally cheaper than fixed rate mortgages in order to entice borrowers. But these lower rates are not guaranteed, and the rates will go up corresponding to an increase in interest rates. But the rates can also go down, and these mortgages are becoming far more popular with the consistently low interest rates of recent years.

The decision between fixes rate mortgages vs. adjustable rate mortgages will come down to financial expectations, and the ability to tolerate risk. Those who are confident their earning power will increase might be more comfortable with an adjustable rate mortgage that has lower payments now, but risks higher payments in the future. On the other hand, those who are satisfied with existing interest rates, and feel that the rates are likely to rise will want to lock in these rates for the long term.

In either case, mortgages can be refinanced, but refinancing a loan costs money, and the best savings will be available to those who don't need to refinance often.

Another type of loan that has become popular in recent years is the interest only loan. In fact, an interest only loan is not a type of mortgage; it is just an option that can be applied to a mortgage. With an interest only loan, the borrower is free to pay only the interest, but not make any payments towards the principal. This lowers payments, although the loan is not actually getting paid off. This type of loan may be attractive to those who believe leverage in their home's value is more important than actual ownership since their house value will increase. It is a speculative position.

Balloon loans are similar in many ways to the interest only option on mortgages. The balloon loan allows the borrower to pay off the principal at a later date, and pay interest only up front at set rates. In the ultimate derivation of a balloon, or interest only loan, a homeowner owes the entire sum of the original loan amount after 30 years of paying interest.

Two step loans are another option, where a fixed rate is settled for a number of years, and then a new fixed rate is set up after 5 or 7 years with a one year adjustable for the remainder of the loan.

Choosing the right type of mortgage for your financial situation is an important decision that could save many thousands of dollars over the long run. There is no one correct answer for all people in all financial situations, but it is important to understand the types of loans, and how the match with your personal financial expectations.

Rex Ryan maintains the website:

http://www.cheapmortgaeglenders.info


MORE RESOURCES:

Wachovia Posts Loss, Exits Wholesale Origination Business
Mortgageorb, CT - Jul 22, 2008
By MortgageOrb.com on Tuesday 22 July 2008 Consistent with previously announced expectations, Charlotte, NC-based Wachovia Corp. has reported a net loss in ...


ARM resets to hit peak this summer
Chicago Tribune, United States - Jul 13, 2008
By Renae Merle | The Washington Post The number of homeowners facing an increase in their subprime adjustable-rate mortgage payments will peak this summer, ...


DEBT ADVISOR
Columbia Daily Tribune, MO - Jul 21, 2008
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ABC News

Money Managing Matters: Three Dos, Don'ts
ABC News - Jul 17, 2008
If you have an adjustable rate mortgage, refinance into a fixed rate one. Interest rates on adjustable rate mortgages are only going to go up, ...


Market rescue, round two
Livemint, India - Jul 14, 2008
The stocks of the two mortgage refinance institutions fell to levels last seen 15 years ago on concerns about their bearing the brunt of the exposure to ...


Tips on obtaining money through refinancing
Fall River Herald News,  USA - Jul 3, 2008
Here are a couple of pointers for those considering mortgage refinance to take cash out of their home: The traditional way of judging the market value of a ...


Reuters

Foreclosure-rescue legislation benefits both borrowers, lenders
Arizona Republic, AZ - Jul 12, 2008
by Julie Hirschfeld Davis - Jul. 13, 2008 12:00 AM AP The foreclosure-rescue legislation moving through Congress would let financially strapped homeowners ...
US housing agency expands mortgage aid program Reuters
all 81 news articles


Mortgage Rates Fall
HULIQ (press release), NC - Jul 16, 2008
Mortgage refinance applications also picked up over the week as homeowners take advantage of falling mortgage rates. The 30 year fixed mortgage rate ...


HUD Bolsters Foreclosure Prevention in Detroit Area, Announces ...
DSNews.com, TX - Jul 10, 2008
Preston's Detroit announcement comes on the heels of a Tuesday conference call, where HUD announced the expansion of its FHASecure mortgage refinance ...


Refinance.com Expands National Footprint
Business Wire (press release), CA - Jul 7, 2008
... mortgage applications in Arkansas, New Hampshire and New Mexico, further expanding its national footprint as a leading mortgage refinance lender. ...

Mortgage-Refinance - Google News

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