A Critical Guide to Home Loans: Your Options and How They Affect Your Future

Understanding Mortgage Loans-An Insiders Guide

There was a time in the not-so-distant past when financing the purchase of a home was relatively uncomplicated. You went to your local savings and loan and signed up for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loan.

Those days are gone, probably forever. Today, you have what seems like an endless array of choices—different rates, terms, down payments, fees, etc. (One lender told me there are literally more than 40,000 available loan options on computer database!) So how do you pick the combination that makes the most sense for you?

More than any other single factor, choosing the right mortgage will influence whether or not your investment is a good one. Let's say you get a great price on a home, but you end up with a mortgage that has high fees and a high interest rate. You could see the money you saved disappear in a very short time.

Keep in mind that a great mortgage for one person may be terrible for you. Each of us has different circumstances that determine whether a particular loan is a good deal or not—whether you're just starting out or nearing retirement, how secure your job is, how long you plan to be in the home, etc. You can be sure that the best loan for a first-time home buyer planning to move up in five years is quite different from the best loan for a couple who's staying for the next 20 years.

First things first—know what you can afford

You can save yourself a lot of time and trouble if you take a few minutes to figure out the loan amount you can afford. The general guidelines are:

•No more than 28 percent of your gross monthly income should be spent on housing expenses (principal, interest, insurance and taxes). This can vary upwards if you have a good credit history, liquid assets, or if you're already spending more than 28 percent on your housing expenses.

•Your total debt (mortgage and consumer debt) shouldn’t exceed 36 percent of gross monthly income. Again, people with good credit and liquid assets can often creep above this line.

As you compare your income to your potential housing expenses, keep in mind that your mortgage principal and interest are not your only costs. You also need to allow for any association fees, property taxes, insurance payments, etc.

Having said this, I should point out that the rules are looser than ever today. The “28 over 36” rule is no longer the ironclad guideline. Both the federal government and mortgage lenders have gotten very creative in their efforts to attract first-time buyers to the market. Today, there’s a loan program out there to put all but the worst-risk people into homes. But for your own safety and confidence down the road, your best bet is to adhere as closely as possible to the above guidelines.

Avoid unpleasant surprises

Talk to your Realtor or loan officer about checking your credit history prior to applying for a mortgage. There's no reason to waste time and money in the application process if you have credit problems that will cause you to be rejected. Once you know about any potential problems, you can work on clearing them up before you apply.

You can save yourself a lot of time and trouble if you take a few minutes to figure out the loan amount you can afford. Once you know about any potential problems, you can work on clearing them up before you apply.

What a Realtor can do for you

If you're using a Realtor to help you find a home, ask to be put in touch with a lender he or she works with on a regular basis. In most cases your Realtor is not a loan officer, but it is his or her job to help people buy and sell homes. A good real estate professional has long-standing relationships with home mortgage professionals and can point you in the right direction to answer any questions you may have. He or she can also share insights into what they've seen work—or not work—for others in situations similar to yours. Something also to remember—a mortgage broker is the legal agent of his or her client and does not work for the lending institution.

Which loan is right for you?

Adjustable. Fixed. Balloon. It's easy to get lost in mortgage verbiage. Here's a rundown of the most common loans.

ADJUSTABLE-RATE MORTGAGES—Your interest rate (and monthly payment) rises and falls with the index to which it’s tied. Because they start out two to three percentage points below fixed-rate mortgages, they’re particularly popular when fixed rates are high. To protect you against interest rate hikes, the best loans put a cap on annual rate increases of two percentage points a year, with a lifetime increase of no more than five percentage points above where you began.

The most popular arm indexes are those linked to three-month, six-month and one-year Treasury Bills, the 11th District Cost of Funds (cofi), the prime rate and the London Interbank Offer Rate (libor).

As a rule, arms make more sense if you don't plan on staying in your home longer than five years at most. Which index is good for you depends on two things: the economic forecast and your personal comfort level.

LIBOR and T-Bill indexes, for example, react more immediately to changes in the economy—a good thing when interest rates go down, not so good when they rise. Whatever happens, you'll see it pretty quickly in your monthly payment.

More conservative buyers prefer indexes linked to the prime rate or the COFI because they're more stable and move up (and down) more slowly than other indexes. That's good when rates are low and rising, less so when they're high and dropping.

Is an arm a good choice for you? Well, if you need a lower monthly payment to afford the home you want and you're planning to stay there less than three to five years, then yes. But make sure you can handle the higher payments that might come down the road. A prudent approach is to always plan financially for the “worst case” scenario: Assume that your loan will always rise the maximum amount. If you wouldnʼt be able to afford it, then consider another loan. You know your own personal “comfort level.” Use it to make your decision.

Let’s say you’re buying your first home. You have a modest income today but a bright future. Even so, you need to keep your payments low. A long-term arm makes sense even though your interest rate could rise over time. If you move in the next two or three years, you won't be around for any significant rate hikes. If you choose to stay longer, a rise in income will help you keep pace. Or you can always refinance to a fixed-rate mortgage.

FIXED-RATE MORTGAGES—People usually opt for a fixed-rate loan for the security it offers. You know exactly what you’ll be paying each month for the life of the loan. If interest rates fall, you can
A prudent approach is to always plan financially for the “worst case” scenario: Assume that your loan will always rise the maximum amount.

INTERMEDIATE FIXED MORTGAGES—These are a family of 20- or 30-year loans that are fixed for a set amount of time, such as 5 to 7 years, then they readjust once for the remainder of the loan. This readjustment is based on a predetermined index. Some may refer to these as “balloon” mortgages, but this term is falling out of favor because of negative connotations associated with balloon mortgages of the past—which were fixed for 5 to 7 years, at which time the entire balance of the loan became due.
Fixed-rate mortgages make the most sense when interest rates are low and if youʼre planning to stay put for the next seven or more years.

Graduated-payment mortgages are more of a risk. Your early payments are so low that they don't cover the interest due, which results in negative amortization.

Today, they are more commonly known as intermediate fixed loans or extended balloon mortgages. Some of these loans are not for the fainthearted. You enjoy low fixed payments from one to seven years, and then the loan readjusts—as long as certain conditions are met, such as interest rates haven't risen more than five percentage points, you haven't made any late payments in the previous 12 months, etc. If conditions aren't met, there are no guarantees, so beware. It's best to consult your Realtor or loan officer if you have questions regarding these loans.

There are various other loan types—including roll-overs, wraparounds, zero-interest-rate mortgages and buy-downs—but the ones I've listed here are most common. If you decide to opt for something more exotic, discuss it with your Realtor® and loan officer carefully to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into. If you get in over your head and can't meet your obligations, you could end up losing your home and doing serious damage to your credit.

When it's a good time to refinance

Whatever you decide is the best option for you today may change as economic conditions or your personal circumstances change in the future. So how do you know it’s time to refinance?

Whether or not you should refinance usually depends on three things: what you think interest rates will do in the near future, how much monthly savings you’ll enjoy, and how long you expect to be in your home.
Refinancing is not something you consider lightly because it can be expensive. The total cost of your loan can rise as much as five percent when you add in the up-front points, fees and costs.

A good rule of thumb is to start looking into refinancing when interest rates drop 1 to 11⁄2 points below what you’re currently paying. The reason is that some lenders offer loans that cost little or nothing at all. As soon as interest rates drop below your rate, start talking to your agent or loan broker.

Next, figure out what you'll have to pay up front. Then calculate your monthly savings. With these two numbers, you can figure out how long it will take you to cover the cost of the new loan. For example, if
If you're a first-time home buyer who plans to trade up before the loan comes due, you might ask your Realtor® about a balloon mortgage.

Refinancing costs you $5,000 up front and saves you $200 a month in mortgage payments, it will take 25 months to cover your costs. If you're not planning to move for several years, refinancing makes a lot of sense. But if you're going to look for a new home in two years, you wouldn't really be around long enough to reap the benefits. In fact, you'd lose money in this situation.

If you refinance today and rates drop even further in the next few months, you'll miss out on additional savings. If you refinance to save $10 or $20 off your mortgage payment, then you’ll have to stay in your home forever to see it pay off.

WARNING: The math is easy for fixed-rate loans, not so easy when you're talking about arms. If you don't feel comfortable running the numbers yourself, ask your lender or Realtor for help.

Questions to ask while shopping for your loan

Before you can effectively compare mortgages, there are a number of questions you'll need to ask the loan officer.

Some are obvious, others are not. Be sure to ask them all.

KINDS OF FINANCING—Fixed? Adjustable? What about government-backed programs? Any special deals you should be aware of? Make sure you’ve got a complete picture of the product menu.

INTEREST RATES—Rates differ not only between different types of loans. The same loan at three different lenders could have three different rates!

TERMS—There are options beyond 15- and 30-year terms. Find out how different terms affect interest rates and how they impact the final cost of your home. This is especially important if you plan to be in the home for a long time.

DOWN PAYMENT—What's the minimum required for different loans? Today’s down payment can range from as high as the old standard 20 percent to nothing at all in certain targeted programs.

LOAN LIMITS—Many lenders set limits based on a loan-to-value ratio. For example, with an 80 percent loan-to-value ratio (LTV) you can only borrow $80,000 on a $100,000 home.

LOAN QUALIFICATION—Different lenders may qualify you using different formulas. Make sure you understand how you’re being evaluated.

POINTS—Think of these as prepaid interest charged by the lender. One point equals 1 percent of the face amount of your loan. In some cases points are paid up front; in others, they're bundled into the loan.

A good rule of thumb is to start looking into refinancing when interest rates drop even one point below what you're currently paying because there are some loans that cost little or nothing at all.

The latter saves you money up front but costs you more over the life of the loan. No-point loans also save you money up front, but lenders usually charge one-quarter to one-half point more than in the case of loans with points. Be sure to look at what your total costs will be over the life of the loan.

PREPAYMENT PENALTY—If you decide to pay off your mortgage before the term is up, or refinance when interest rates go down, you may have to pay a prepayment penalty.

SPECIAL DEALS—Some lenders reduce interest rates for customers who avail themselves of other services offered. For example, your bank might take a quarter of a percentage point off if you agree to automatic prepayment from your checking account.

TIME TO APPROVAL—Find out how long it will be before you'll have a decision on whether or not your loan application has been approved by the lender. A week or two is pretty normal.

LOAN COMMITMENT PERIOD—Make sure you know how long your lender's commitment is good for. The last thing you need is to decide on a loan amount at a certain rate, find the right home and discover your interest rate went up in the meantime.

Many lenders now offer lock-in programs. This means that the lender will guarantee in writing your loan at a certain rate for a certain period of time. Common lock-ins are for 10-, 12-, 21-, 30-, 45- and 60-day periods. The longer the lock-in, the more time you have to shop and iron out hitches in the loan process. But a lender might charge you more in points for longer periods. Then again, a short lock-in period can be next to useless given the amount of time the loan process can take. The lesson here is to be very clear of what a lock-in offers—and doesn’t offer.

Once you have this and other information on various loan programs from different sources, you can make an informed decision as to where to shop for the best mortgage.

Don't get stung by unexpected fees

One of the most common errors I've seen borrowers make is in not considering the various fees they will end up paying in figuring out the final cost of a home. Let’s take a look at what you can expect.

LOAN APPLICATION FEE—This is what the lender charges you for applying. It isn't refundable, even if you're refused.

APPRAISAL FEE—This flat fee is usually charged by the prospective lender to pay an independent appraiser

Think of these as prepaid interest charged by the lender. One point equals 1 percent of the face amount of your loan.

The longer the lock-in, the more time you have to shop and iron out hitches in the loan process. But a lender might charge you more in points for longer periods.

LOAN ORIGINATION FEE—This charge, which covers the lender's administration costs, can either be a flat amount or a percentage of the loan amount. It's paid in cash at closing.

Tips for the best deals

Now that you know a little more about mortgages and where they come from, I’ll share with you my tips for getting the best deal and saving yourself a lot of headaches in the process.

PREQUALIFY BEFORE YOU SHOP FOR A HOME—Smart buyers make sure to know exactly how much they can afford to borrow before beginning to look at homes. You can bet that the seller’s agent will ask if you’ve been prequalified; if you haven’t, they may decide you’re not a serious buyer. Having a deal in your pocket is always good ammunition in negotiations. (However, I generally have my buyers “preapprove” before they start looking at homes. This is a much more savvy way—you have it in writing, providing you even more leverage when making offers and during negotiations.)

LOCK IN A RATE (OR NOT)—In the time it takes you to find a home and close your mortgage, the interest rate on your loan could fluctuate upward. If it looks like rates are heading up, lock it in. If rates appear to be falling, let it float. If your lender agrees to a lock, make sure you get it in writing. (Get the advice of your Realtor® or your mortgage broker. Their knowledge and experience can really help you in this decision.)

NEGOTIATE THE POINTS—If you're considering a large mortgage, your lender may be willing to lower the points charged to get your business. You lose nothing by negotiating. If you’re planning to stay in your home for less than five years, lower your points paid by accepting a higher interest rate. If you’re sticking around longer, consider more points against a lower mortgage rate. You pay higher costs up front but can save money in the long run. Just remember there are three components to your mortgage loan: the interest rate, the points and the lender's charges.

WATCH OUT FOR PREPAYMENT PENALTIES—Make sure you won't be penalized for paying off your mortgage ahead of schedule if you choose to do so. (When making an additional payment above
The smart buyer makes sure to know exactly how much he or she can afford to borrow before beginning to look at homes.

PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE (PMI)—Private mortgage insurance is required by the lender on loans with down payments of 10 percent or less. The cost can run from one-third of a percent to 1 percent monthly. Once your equity reaches 20 to 25 percent, you may be able to cancel your insurance. While some look at this required insurance as a nuisance, without it, there wouldn’t be loan options with only 3% down or 5% down—all loans would probably require the more restrictive 20% down.

The affordable lending boom

In the past few years, lenders have come to realize that they can safely make loans to people who previously didn't believe they could qualify for a home mortgage.

A recent national study by the Consumer Bankers Association showed that 96 percent of the 130 institutions surveyed have cut their down payment requirement—the single biggest obstacle to home ownership for many Americans. Where once a 20 percent down payment was the standard, today 5-, 3- and even zero-percent downs have become commonplace. Loans up to 90, 95 and even 97 percent of the purchase price are quite common today.

Accelerating your monthly payments won't save much if you're in your home for only a few years, but for longer-term situations it makes a lot of sense.

Make sure you won't be penalized for paying off your mortgage ahead of schedule if you choose to do so.

Lenders have also adopted much more lenient standards in terms of debt-to-income ratios. The standard 28 percent has moved up to 33 percent, and even as high as 38 percent in some programs. In addition, lenders are more flexible in their assessments of creditworthiness, employment histories and other factors that used to result in rejection for many. The point is simple—there’s never been an easier time to qualify for a mortgage.

There's enough information out there on mortgage loans to fill several books. But I hope this provides you with a good general overview of what to look for and what to expect as you shop for the best home loan.
Please feel free to call me or visit me on the web if you would like further explanation on any of these topics, or if you have any questions at all regarding real estate. I simply see my mission as striving to be as helpful as possible to home buyers and sellers.

Sean L. Spencer
On the Web: http://www.SeanLSpencer.com
(866) 383-0707

Sean is always striving to be at the top of his game, whether he’s playing golf, being a caring husband and father or especially in his role as a leading real estate professional in the Orlando area. In fact, helping people with one of life’s biggest investments is something Sean loves more than anything. He understands how much is riding on his clients’ investments. That’s why he focuses 100 percent of his attention and expertise on your transaction, never resting until he helps you reach your specific goals. That’s the dedication that has become Sean’s trademark, and the reason more and more clients are referring him to their friends and neighbors. Passion. Focus. Dedication.

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10 Things You Shouldn't Do When You're Buying a Home

Home Buying Don'ts...

Your home buying process is well underway. The sellers accepted your offer to purchase. The home is officially under contract and you're counting down the days to closing. The lender pre-approved you, so buying the house is a sure thing, right?

Not quite. Nothing is certain until the keys are in your hands. There are still major hurdles to get past before you close, and your actions between now and closing can create headaches, slowdowns, and even stop the transaction.

1. Don't Make a Major Purchase

You've just found out your credit is A+. That's great news, because a new car would look fantastic in the driveway of your new home. But hang on--if you are depending on a mortgage to move in, you'd best wait until after closing to buy the car.

An increase in your debt to income ratio reduces the amount of monthly income available for your mortgage payment.

If you tack on a higher car payment, the bank might decide you cannot afford the home. Using cash to purchase the car could also create a problem, since banks consider cash reserves when approving your mortgage. If you must make a major purchase before closing, talk to your loan officer before you do it.

2. Don't Change Jobs Unless It's Necessary

Home Lenders like to see a consistent job history. They aren't usually as nervous if you change jobs within the same field, but it's better to stay put until the keys to the house are in your hand.

3. Don't Give an Earnest Money Deposit Directly to a For Sale By Owner Seller

Your good faith deposit should go into a trust account. Some for sale by owner sellers don't understand that funds are to be applied to your expenses at closing.

I've heard many stories about sellers who spent the deposit money prior to closing. When the transactions didn't take place for valid reasons--such as financing or repair issues, the buyers had to fight for a refund.

Find an attorney or other neutral party who will hold the deposit for you until closing day and make sure your contract dictates what happens to the funds if the transaction doesn't close.

4. Don't Let Your Emotions Take Over

Keep a cool head during the entire home buying process, especially during and after an inspection. Be realistic. No home is perfect, especially older homes. It's not unusual for new owners to take care of some repairs themselves. Don't let the seller's refusal to do a small repair kill the deal on a home you truly love.

On the other hand, don't fall so much in love with the house that you'll buy it no matter what needs to be done--unless you're absolutely sure you can handle it emotionally and financially. Decide what type of repairs you can realistically tackle, then stick with the decision.

5. Don't Forget to Switch Utilities

That sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many people forget to apply for utility service at their new home. Call the utility companies as soon as you have a contract. Find out how many days lead time they need to switch the service, then get back with them when you have a firm closing date.

Don't forget to discontinue services at your old home.

6. Line Up Your Hazard Insurance

A no-brainer, right? But it's another often-forgotten task that buyers scramble to take care of at the last minute. Before closing, your lender will want to see an insurance binder showing you have coverage for the new home. Get it as early as possible so that closing isn't delayed.

In some locations, additional types of insurance coverage might be necessary. Talk to your lender about insurance requirements well before the closing date.

7. Don't Become Best Friends with the Seller

I'll get some flack on this one. It's great to be friendly, but don't get into too many long discussions with the sellers, because personality conflicts often cloud judgments.

Remember, this is their home. You're no doubt excited about moving in, and if you didn't like the house you wouldn't have offered to buy it. But you'll make changes--everyone does. A casual statement about "ripping up that ugly carpet" might be hurtful enough to keep the seller from negotiating with you about repairs or other issues that crop up.

8. Don't Panic if the Appraisal Comes in Low

At least not at first. There are some things you (and your agent) can do to correct the problem. Study your options.

9. Don't Go It Alone

If you're working with an agent, it's the agent's duty to track many of the day to day details that involve the lender, the seller, or the seller's agent.

10. Don't Ignore Home Lender Requirements

Know what is expected of you and take care of it. For instance, a Certificate of Eligibility is required to move forward on a VA loan. That's something you must handle yourself. Answer lender questions and provide required paperwork as quickly as possible--your closing depends on it.

Special Loans (http://www.special-loans.com) specialises in providing secured finance where banks will not. If you have credit problems, are fully employed or self-employed, have income issues or employment issues, we have the best solution for you! We provide Non-conforming home loans offering wholesale home loan rates as well as Standard Home Loans, unsecured personal loans, refinance products.

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Things To Do When Considering a Home Loan

Making the decision to become a homeowner is one of life's biggest decisions. Planning and preparation is the key to achieving the goal within the desired time frame. Being an active participant in the home loan process will make it easier for your dream to become a reality. Here are a few tips:

1. Educate yourself about the home loan process. Get an understanding of the role of each party involved. Explore your loan term options. Learn about the approval process. Find out about the time frame from start to finish and what could cause delays. Banks, brokers, and Realtors often host homebuyer’s seminars and workshops to educate prospective buyers. Make arrangements to attend one.

2. Order a three bureau (Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax) credit report. Check for incorrect items, duplicate entries, previous addresses, employment information, and inquiries. A report may be obtained free annually or for a nominal fee with a credit report provider.

3. Resolve any credit issues that are currently outstanding. Make payment arrangements for delinquent accounts and/or collections. Your lender may require you to document the status (i.e., proof of keeping arrangements) as well as provide a written credit explanation. Send letters with supporting documentation to the credit bureau to have corrections made. If issues are resolved, be sure to document when and how it was resolved. If there are no credit issues, then you’re one step ahead.

4. Plan for cash needed to cover down payment and closing costs. Set a realistic budget for your new purchase. Analyze your spending and cut back where possible. You will need to document the source of your down payment and closing costs funds. Inability to do so may result in the denial of your loan. In most cases, cash on hand is not acceptable. Lenders may also require that funds be seasoned (on deposit) for a specified period of time (i.e., 30, 60, or 90 days).

5. Be prepared to provide a lot of paperwork to document the information that appears on your loan application. It will be necessary to document your income, your assets, items that affect your credit rating, and other circumstances such as divorce or bankruptcy. Your loan officer will provide you with a checklist that lists the items that will initially be required for your loan file.

6. Be prepared to be actively involved in the process. Help your loan officer by providing as much information as possible about your situation. Withholding information could adversely affect your chances of approval. You may also be required to provide items that you must obtain from a third party. Make your best effort at providing the additional documentation in a timely fashion. Extended delays may cause your loan approval to expire. A new approval could result in less desirable loan terms (i.e., a higher interest rate or lower loan amount).

7. Don’t make any significant purchases before or during your loan application submission. This could adversely affect your debt ratios and/or deplete the necessary cash reserves.

8. Stay positive. The process can be challenging but the reward is great. The better the pre-application preparation is, the easier (and shorter) the process will be for you.

Stephanie Graham is a mortgage professional with more than two decades of experience in both retail and wholesale lending. Stephanie has excelled in a number of positions including CRA officer, corporate trainer, consultant, and as an executive of Complete Mortgage Processing. 

More tips and techniques for mortgage processing and origination can be found at http://www.completemortgageprocessing.com

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125% Home Equity Loans - Are These Loans Beneficial or Risky?

Home equity loans are beneficial for numerous reasons. If you own a
home, and need extra cash, obtaining a home equity loan will put cash in
your pocket. The money received can be used for any purpose. Because
home equity loans are dispersed as a lump sum, homeowners usually apply
for these loans to pay for a huge expense.

No-Equity Home Equity Loan Basics

For the most part, the amount received for a home equity loan is according to your home’s equity. Lenders are reluctant to approve homeowner for loans that exceed the equity value. However, you may find a lender willing to offer a no-equity home loan. Also referred to as 125% home equity loans, these loans are both secured and unsecured. Lenders that offer these loans will grant you a home equity loan up to 25% more than your home’s value.

Why Get a No-Equity Home Loan?

125% home equity loans were extremely popular in the 1990’s. In more recent years, the amount of people applying for these loans has dwindled.

Those who apply for these sorts of loans generally require a large sum of money, and do not have sufficient equity in their homes. However, because of rising home values, few people are taking advantage of
no-equity home equity loans.

Dangers of No-Equity Home Equity Loans

While obtaining more than your home’s value may appear to be a solution to extreme money woes, no equity home loans are very dangerous. Today, the housing market is strong. Most cities throughout the country show a 22% increase in home values annually.

However, if the housing market was to slow down, and home values began to fall, those who obtain a 125% home equity loan would likely be unable to sell their homes. For example, if your first and 125% second mortgage amounts to $200,000, and you can only sell your home for $150,000, you are responsible for paying the lender the addition $50,000.

Furthermore, some homeowners are unable to afford the extra monthly payment of a high second mortgage. If you default on a home equity loan for three consecutive months, the lender may foreclose. While these loans are ideal for paying off bills and debt consolidation, some homeowners fail to close paid off accounts, which results in acquiring more credit card debt after the accounts are paid. Here are our recommended Home Equity Loan Companies online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website about various types of loans.

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