Home Loan Rates

Home Loans – Right Approach to Become a Homeowner

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:47:25 +0000

Each one of us wishes to possess a home of our own. With some pounds in your savings accounts, it won’t be possible to purchase a house that requires a big investment. If you dream to own a home, home loans are the best way to finance your dream.

Home loans are offered against the equity in ones home. Equity can be defined as the value of the home after deducting outstanding mortgage amounts and other loans. Lenders take various factors into consideration while calculating the home equity such as location of the home, the structure etc. The loan will be secured on the borrower’s home and the transaction will not impact existing mortgage in any way.

A home loan is basically taken to purchase or to construct a new house. Borrowers can also use it to make home improvements, consolidating their existing debts, to buy a luxurious car or for any other personal purpose.

The loan proceeds of a home loan can supplement both mortgage and secured loans. Homeowners can put their existing house or real estate as a collateral to get finance to purchase a new house. However, if you are a tenant you can put the new house as a collateral to get a home loan.

There are various benefits attached with the home loan. Home loans offer larger amount loan with a longer repayment term. Home loans offer you the opportunity to borrow a loan for any amount ranging from £3000 to £500,000. Home loans can be repaid over a period of 5 to 25 years depending on the amount you borrow.

Home loans cater to UK residents with different loan options, which make it easier for borrowers to repay the interest on the loan in the most comfortable and convenient manner. Annual percentage rate or APR is the term used to denote the rate of interest. Home loans give borrowers the option to pay either fixed interest rate or adjustable rate interest rate on the money borrowed. Fixed interest rate option implies that interest rate will remain the same throughout the life of the loan. While an adjustable interest rate would imply that the rate of interest would change periodically with the corresponding fluctuations in an index, with which it is attached.

This interest rate is also known as variable rate home loan.
A borrower can also opt for interest-only loan option. An interest-only loan gives borrower the opportunity of paying just the interest or the interest and as much principal as he wants in any given month during initial period of loan. If you choose this option, your monthly payment will be lower than in case of an interest and principal repayment option.
There are various loan providers in the finance market. They may devise ways to overcharge borrowers who are not much conversant with the ways of the market. Interest is generally charged on the higher side, and borrowers also have to shell a larger sum as fees for the services of the lender. Thus, a few efforts on your part can save you from paying higher interest or huge fees to lenders.

First of all, find out your credit score. Credit rating agencies such as Equifax, Experian or Transunion can help you get your personal credit report. Knowledge of credit score can help to grab good rates in the market.

Next thing you must do. Search for lenders who provide home loans. You can apply for a home loan online too. Applying for a loan online makes it more convenient to get a fast and cheap home loan. Saving your time and helps you find the best deal at best rates. Most of the lenders provide loan quotes to borrowers, which are free or carry nominal fees. Collect loan quotes from lenders and compare them to find the best home loan.

Dream to own a home can come true with a home loan. Homebuyers are urged to search for home loan providers and gather as much information as possible, so that they can do comparison and shopping with an idea of what they want, can afford, and can qualify for.

Daniel Louis works as a financial expert with Cheapest Home Loans . Having completed his Masters in Financial Economics from Said Business School, he has the necessary credentials to provide expert advice to residents in the UK. To find Cheap Home Loans – Home Equity Loans – Home Improvement Loans, Home Loans [http://www.cheapesthomeloans.co.uk/home_loans.html] that best suits your need visit [http://www.cheapesthomeloans.co.uk/]

Author: Daniel Louis
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Cheap Home Loans are not Available as a Readymade Potion – Need to Work to Make Them Happen

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:47:32 +0000

For most people in the UK, home loans necessarily connote cheap finance. How can they not get cheaper finance when they have offered lien on home to loan provider? Loan providers however devise ways to overcharge borrowers who are not much conversant with the ways of the financial market. Interest is generally charged on the higher side, and borrowers also have to shell a larger sum as fees for the services of the lender.

So, does the concept of cheap home loans not exist? Cheap Home Loans do exist, but not as a rule. Cheap home loans have to be supplemented with sufficient efforts on the part of the borrower to make them possible. Though borrowers may not rest at any stage of the life of the loan and keep an eye on every cost that is added to the loan, efforts will have to be primarily made during the planning and decision making stage. The fate of cheap home loan is largely dependant on the work done during these two stages.

Every borrower need not be well informed about the rules and regulations of the financial market. The advice gained from external sources will be as much helpful as ones personal knowledge or experience. Among external sources, independent financial advisors are the most revered. Independent financial advisors are bound by Financial Services Authority rules to offer genuine expert advice. Because of the professional and independent advice that they offer, it will be difficult to discount their importance.

Home loans are offered against the equity in ones home. Equity is the approximate value that a house will fetch if sold. For a more appropriate valuation of equity, all mortgages and loans secured against home are to be deducted. Equity plays a decisive role in lowering cost of home loans. Lenders vie to lend to homeowners with larger home equity because of the potential safety that they allow. The safety will be in terms of the risk that a loan venture poses for the lending agency. As potential risk on home loans can be easily covered through repossession of the home itself, home loans are termed as low risk ventures. Accordingly, home loan borrowers are preferred over borrowers of unsecured loans.

Borrowers need to take maximum benefit of the preference shown by loan providers. Since, the number of loan providers dealing in home loans is very large, borrowers can easily compare and choose lender offering the best package. It is at this stage that the decision making skills of the borrowers are best utilised. Though inexpensiveness of home loans will be preferred, it must not be at the cost of the other virtues. Personal requirements of the borrower need to be held supreme during the search process. Thus, a lender who lends at the lowest APR may not suit the borrower if the amount lent is inadequate.

Borrowers can draw any amount between £1,000 – £500,000 as the home loan. The actual amount lent will depend on several factors like the equity in home, borrowers credit history, etc. The loan proceeds of a cheap home loan can supplement both mortgage and secured loans. For readers who are conversant with the uses of mortgages and secured loans, it will be common knowledge that mortgage proceeds are used for buying or constructing house or property and secured loan proceeds are used for other personal financial needs, like debt consolidation, home improvement, etc. Home loan proceeds can be used for either of the two. The tax benefits available to borrowers on mortgages will continue in cheap home loans too.

Now, we come to interest rates that form the most talked about subject in cheap home loans. Typical APR on cheap home loan is in the range of 5.75% to 10.3% variable. The actual APR pledged to borrower may differ from the APR printed on the lender’s websites. Bank base rate changes and borrower’s individual credit circumstances may lead to differences in interest rate. Negotiations on interest rates are possible. Borrowers, who are desirous of entering into negotiations on interest rate, will have to increase the amount of fees that they are ready to offer. The objective of these negotiations will be to bring the APR to the desired level.

Cheap home loan is a product of several decisions and negotiations. Thanks to the large variety and options available to borrowers, the decisions that borrowers need to make on home loans have risen tremendously. However, the key to cheap home loans will not be in meandering through these decisions, but in making them correct. Consequently, the larger the number of correct decisions, cheaper will the home loan be, and vice-versa. It is now for you to decide where you want to stand- with those who are finding home loans burdensome because of incorrect decisions, or with those who are enjoying home loans at the cheapest of rates.

Daniel Louis works as a financial expert with Cheapest Home Loans . Having completed his Masters in Financial Economics from Said Business School, he has the necessary credentials to provide expert advice to residents in the UK. To find Cheap Home Loans – Home Equity Loans – Home Improvement Loans that best suits your need visit [http://www.cheapesthomeloans.co.uk]

Author: Daniel Louis
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Sub Prime Mortgage Rates

Home Loan Rates — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 03:36:36 +0000

Sub Prime Lending

Sub-prime lending allows lenders to offer certain types of financing and home mortgages with zero down. These types of loans will typically have a higher interest rate (as they are considered riskier investments for the bank). They can alleviate some financial burden on the potential new home buyer, so they can still be considered a viable alternative to a traditional “20% down” home mortgage. In some cases there may not be any PMI (private mortgage insurance) requirements.

Sub Prime Loan Types

There are two main types of 0-down home mortgages available. Each zero-down mortgage option has it’s own specific requirements. A 100% financing loan is, obviously, a complete and total financing of the property that has the mortgage granted. An 80/20 home mortgage is only slightly different and is technically two loans. Sometimes, the lender can carry both loans, but more often the seller or a second lender will be required to carry the smaller (20%) portion of the mortgage.

It is important to be aware that not all lenders will offer a 100% mortgage financing. They are easier to deal with, but they are not always available. The 80/20 Mortgage is more common, but if the seller is required to carry the 20% it can take quite a lot of negotiation to agree to these terms.

Qualifications for

100% Mortgage Financing:

To Qualify for a zero-down mortgage, each lender might have their own criteria to determine who might be eligable for the loan. Many lenders of the sub-prime mortgage will require that any bankruptcies or property foreclosures be atleast a year ago. This is slightly different than a conventional loan (which typically requires that these elements be discharged anywhere 2-4 years ago). It is not necessary to have a flawless credit rating, and typically a credit score of 600 or better is used as a general guideline for pre-qualification, but having a decent amount of cash on hand can also help you qualify. You can have these cash assets in many different forms, such as a savings account, a money market account, or even other liquid assets can help.

In the case of an 80/20 type of loan, if the seller has agreed to the 20% terms, you can potentially qualify with a score as low as 560. You can find some sub-prime lenders for zero-down mortgages, from both conventional to niche sub-prime lenders. Try to get quotes from many different mortgage lenders, as this will help you understand the options available to you. Try to get help from your lender to decide the type of mortgage you would want, because no single mortgage option is right for everybody and many specifics might depend on your unique needs, and only a qualified mortgage expert should answer those types of questions! These adjustable rate mortgage loans are easier to qualify for, and can often have lower rates that could potentially increase over time. A Fixed rate mortgage can offer greater security in certain conditions, because the rate is guaranteed for the life of the loan, provided you hold up your end of the deal and don’t “default”. In some cases though, an ARM can be a better deal (a 5/1 year ARM (adjustable rate mortgage) can be .5-1.0% lower than a 30-year fixed rate mortgage), but there is a “balloon payment” at the end of the life of the loan. This means you must come up with the ENTIRE balance at the time, risk foreclosure, or refinance your mortgage (which is typically what is done). You should use the lower interest rate to your advantage, do your best to pay off any non-secured loans and credit cards, and refinance your mortgage as soon as you have made enough improvement to your credit score to get a conventional mortgage with a low, fixed interest rate.

9 Tips on Applying for a mortgage refinance

Home Loan Rates — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 21:01:21 +0000

There can be many different reasons to consider a second mortgage, home refinance, or home equity loans. You might be considering using a home refinance or second mortgage to pay for debt consolidations, large home remodeling or home improvement projects, or even furthering your education. You should use the equity that you’ve built in your home to work FOR you, and use it for things that will actually benefit you. Any second mortgage, mortgage refinance, or home equity loan or home equity line of credit can potentially add to your debt load. There are different types of home loan that are typically categorized as fixed interest rate installment loans, and adjustable rate mortgage lines of credit (Home Equity Line of Credit, or HELOC). Your choice can depend on your needs, as well as the flexibility that you need from your funds. The application process and approval will be nearly identical for both. These quick tips will help the process go as smooth as possible:

Tips on Mortgage Refinance

9 Useful Tips when Applying for a Mortgage Refinance or Second Mortgage

Be aware of your options. Mortgage refinancing can help lower your rate, as well as give you an opportunity to draw on your equity at the same time. HELOC options can be more flexible, but this means that you are paying for 2 different loans!
Let your potential lender know what you plan to do with the money. The purpose of your loan can help determine your approval.
Make sure you keep an eye on your credit report, verify accuracy of your FICO scores. Your credit eligibility has a huge impact on the approval process, and will be used by your lender to determine your loan rates.
Compare and Save! You should discuss different loan options, home mortgage refinance options, or HELOC with your lender or broker, and try to determine the best plan for your needs. Of course, getting the best rate possible doesn’t hurt either! So you should discuss your options with different lenders, and review what is right for your situation.
Documentation will be required as part of any home loan procedure. Whether you are applying for a HELOC, home mortgage refinance, or second mortgage, there will certainly be a list of required paperwork. You might consider keeping the following handy:
- a copy of your property deed
- Tax Appraisal on the property done recently
- Financial documentation and proof of income for the last two years. This might include W-2′s, tax returns and current pay stubs, any tax return schedules, or your tax returns for the last two years.
- Copies of your bank statements (typically the last 3-6 months is required)
- A list of any open credit acccounts (account, numbers, financial institution(s), and any payment amounts and balance owed)
- Mortgage Statement (current)
- Information about your Homeowners insurance (Agent’s information, phone number, account number, and name on the account, as well as the provider)
When working with the mortgage companies, it can be helpful to use fax as this will help speed up the loan process.
Be very thorough and fill out any applications fully. This might delay closing or even invalidate the application.
Watch out for the bad loans! They are out there. Some lenders might try to get you to falsify your application to satisfy loan requirements (a practice that the FTC has warned about). Unscrupulous lenders can also push you into difficulty payment terms, sign forms that are not completely filled out, or fail to provide you with copies of signed documents. Beware of ANY lender that tries to push you into borrowing more money than you actually need.
And finally, if you are rejected for a home mortgage refinance, second mortgage, or Home Equity Loan or HELOC, ask the lender why it was rejected. In most cases, it may be as simple as trying to pay down other credit cards to increase your credit score! This can help you qualify and give you a better chance at approval for your second mortgage or mortgage refinance.

We hope these tips on mortgage refinance and second mortgages are helpful to you! Best of luck in your search for great mortgage rates!

Home Loans – Online Services And Resources To Help You

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 03:47:17 +0000

Interest rates on home loans are at the lowest they’ve been in many years. Now is a great time to take advantage of home loan financial services and resources available online. With a little education online you can get some of the best loans available on the Internet. It is well worth the time and effort to research loans online to save yourself thousands of dollars.

Online home loan services and resources can help you get linked up to hundreds of home loan lenders. These services and lenders can help find the best home loan for your financial situation. The best home loan can change very quickly, so it is a good idea to find a good licensed home loan broker to help with your needs.

First time home buyers can get help with home loans from FHA in purchasing a new home. You might pay a slightly higher interest rate for the home loan, but you do not have to come up with a large down payment with FHA loans.

Home loan services and resources online can help you decide whether or not to have a long term or short term home loan. You may want a 15 year loan instead of a 30 year loan if you can afford higher loan payments. These services and resources can also provide you with information and ideas on many different options available to you for your financial situation.

Take time to shop online for the best home loan brokers and you can save yourself time and money. They have the skill and experience to get you the best home loan rates available. Home loan brokers have the knowledge required to get you the best rate discounts and incentives for your financial credit rating. With your FICO credit score, they will know which lenders can get you the lowest and best home loan rates in today’s home loan market. It is a good idea to know what your credit is like before shopping for a home loan.

Important Home Loan Definitions

Amortization Period – The number of years it will take to pay back a home loan in full.

Conventional Mortgage – A mortgage home loan that does not exceed 75% of the lesser of the appraised value. A mortgage that exceeds this limit must be insured.

Equity – Home equity is the difference between the price for which a property could be sold and the total debts owed on the property.

Mortgagee – The lender.

Mortgagor – The borrower.

Refinance – To arrange a new mortgage for an increased amount. The old mortgage is paid off from the new home loan.

Term – The duration of a mortgage agreement.

Many Internet resources, tools and information can save yourself valuable time and money on finding a home loan. If you’re looking to buy a new home and getting a home loan, shopping online may be the best way to go. You will know you have made a wise financial decision by educating yourself on the home loan process and options available to you. With a simple Google search you can have instant access to hundreds of home loan lenders that are competing for your business. In the end, this will help you get the best deal by shopping online for a home loan.

Dean Shainin is a consultant specializing in home loans, strategies for loan financing, home equity loans, and consolidation loan information. To see a list of recommended loan companies, tools, resources, free quotes and information, visit this site: Home Loans

Author: Dean Shainin
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Home Loans – Discovering Capital in Your Home

Home Loan Rates — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:09:52 +0000

See what you do when you find the home of your dreams and not the money. You take home loans. Home loans are easily available and very appropriate for someone looking for home loans. Home loans have the most attractive conditions associated with them thus making them a unique way of borrowing money.

With home loans you can borrow over 90% up to 125% of your home value. If you have equity in your home then there is no better way to tap it then by applying for home loans. Home loans are wise financial way especially with low interest rates.

The interest rates on home loans are either fixed rate or adjustable rate. Depending on your inclination you can apply for either. A fixed rate home loan will have the same interest rate for the entire loan term. So if you apply for 15 or a 30 year loan term, the interest rate for home loan will remain unchanged. An adjustable rate home loan keeps fluctuating depending on the changes in the loan market. The adjustable rate home loans start with low interest rates. That is why more and more people opt for it. However, there is an uncertainty as to whether when they can rise.

With Home loans, you can borrow from £3000-£500,000. Depending on the loan amount loan term can be 3-25 years. Home loans are offered to those who own or pay a mortgage on their home, cottage, flat or bungalow. Home loans can be used for any purpose. Home loans can finance some great plans relating to education, debt consolidation, home improvement, car purchase, vacation etc.

Home loans for home improvement purposes can add equity to your home. The best thing with home improvement through home loans is that you are providing yourself with a good living environment and also increasing equity. Think carefully before making home improvement for every home improvement project may or may not add to the resale value.

Home loans for debt consolidation are a financially viable plan. You can eliminate higher interest rate debts with home loans consolidation. High rate credit cards, unsecured loan or any other loan can be consolidated and replace by debt consolidation home loans. With lower interest rates and low monthly payments, you can save thousands of pounds with debt consolidation home loans.

Home loans are an option for you even if you do not fall under the A list for credit score. Home loans are provided to all those who have been suffering from credit problems like arrears, defaults, bankruptcy, discharge, late payments, CCJs etc. All those who are suffering from credit problems are considered as credit risks. Therefore, home loans for bad credit score carry higher interest rates. However, under no circumstances do they deteriorate ones chances of finding home loans.

Research and questioning are all related to the quest of finding a good home loan. The internet is full of options and browsing through them will lead you to a home loan that suits your finances. If you have any related questions don’t be afraid to ask. It is your right and would save a lot of trouble let alone your money. There are hidden costs and fees that might not be clear at the beginning and that can amount to a lot in terms of money. Ask for free quotes from various lenders. Compare and find out which one cost you less. Then make your final decision. Look for comfort level while opting for home loans. You should be able to pay for your monthly payments easily every month. Great rates with no down payment are not possible. Protect yourself from its lure.

Home loans that serve you like your home – is that some kind of an illusion. Is that kind of inaccessible? Is that possible? They are available at the click of the mouse button – they are home loans.

Loan borrowing is a highly voluntary act. It is such a significant decision that without proper knowledge and understanding it would not be of much help. Sandra smith is making an honest effort in such a direction so that loan borrowing is comprehensible to lay man and thereby he can make a favourable decision that substantiates his financial status.To find Mortgage,first time buyer mortgage,buy to let mortgage that best suits your needs visit http://www.easymortgageuk.co.uk

Author: Sandra Smith
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

How to Get Cheap Home Loans with a Bad Credit

Home Loan Rates — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:19:13 +0000

It’s been years since you made any major improvements to your home and it’s about time. Your spouse and children are also urging you to give the house a facelift. So, what do you do? Dip into your savings? Great! But that’s only if you’ve enough stashed away in there. Go in for a regular loan? But you can’t, because you’ve a bad credit history, a difficult to prove income and just no down payment capability. And besides, regular loans are only meant for house construction and not for renovations. So what’re you to do?

Those with bad credit understand how difficult it can be to try and get a loan for buying a home or refinancing an existing home mortgage loan. Although, most loan companies may tell you that if they can’t help you, no one can, that is simply not true. People with adverse credit history may need to put in a little more effort to search out the right home loan, especially with a decent interest rate. Every mortgage loan company varies in its offer for a home loan. A program that is impossible for one company can be very much possible for another. Some mortgage loan companies specialize in home loans for people with less than perfect credit and have more lenient qualifications than others. The key to getting approved for a loan with poor or bad credit is persistence!

Defining home loans

Home loans are not much different from the average loans extended by mortgage loan companies. They’ve interest rates, points and fees. They can be compared online, and they’ve seasonal trends. The only real difference is that, as a borrower with a less than stellar credit record, you may have to pay a slightly higher rate for this loan to negate the mortgage loan company’s increased risk.

Some home loans are specifically designed to help you fund essential home improvement projects. By encouraging you to make improvements to your home, the mortgage loan company helps increase the market value of your property. But, how does a mortgage loan company stand to gain by extending such a loan? Simple, it makes money through additional interest that you pay for this loan.

Thus, it is important to prepare yourself with information about home loans and compare the offers of various mortgage loan companies to make sure you get the best deal.

Advantages of mortgage loan companies

There are a few things you need to know about mortgage loan companies. These companies specialize in providing home loans for people like you, who are in less than ideal situations. For this, a mortgage loan company takes risks that the average bank refuses, namely offering home loans to people with bad credit. If you have bad credit or declared bankruptcy, a mortgage loan company takes a big risk by extending this loan. People with bad credit are seven times more likely to default on loans. As a result, these companies make up for this risk by levying higher interest rates and fees and also ensure they make a profit. But the end result is that you get the loan, which you may not have raised from other avenues. However, the smart thing to do is to cast your net wide while short-listing such mortgage loan companies.

Searching the best mortgage loan companies

It’s important to remember that just because you’ve bad credit, doesn’t mean you should accept the first home loan offer that comes your way. Interest rates and fees on a home loan vary from one company to the other, so it pays to shop. The best way to compare a home loan is to go online. While comparing, remember to enter the same information for each mortgage loan company, since different loan amounts, down payments and income levels affect the rates. This also helps to get a quote for the same risk level.

If you’re planning to purchase a home for the first time or refinance an existing mortgage despite an adverse credit history, you may do well to compare the offers of the various mortgage loan companies before you accept a home loan offer. Certain companies specialize in offering home loans to people who have a high-risk credit history in return for charging higher rates and fees. How much is charged on these loans varies and offers can be quite competitive. Therefore, it is best to compare the rates.

There are several ways by which you can discern which home loan will suit your purpose. A few pointers are:

Check online: Web sites of mortgage loan companies offer a convenient way to gather home loan quotes. Since mortgage loan companies are in competition with each other, they offer their best quotes. In addition, they also extend facilities like online applications and the like. So, spend some time on the net to get the best quotes, it would be time well spent.

Compare rates: The interest rates charged by a mortgage loan company on a home loan are bound to be higher than any other type of home loan, where credit, income and down payment are all optimal. And they can vary greatly. There’re some mortgage loan companies that, for the same set of qualifications, offer an interest rate of 7 percent, which is a bit over the bar, and then there are others who may quote 9 to 12 percent or more. Now, if this is all for the same qualifications, you could be shelling out hundreds of extra dollars a month in payments, just because you didn’t search properly. Make sure not let the mortgage loan companies take advantage of your situation.

Look at the fees: When a mortgage loan company offers you a home loan, be sure to add up the fees from each financing package and compare those with the interest rates. You should also compare closing costs and other fees in the financing package, which at times does add up to hundreds of dollars. Although, adverse credit is likely to result in some fees, it should not be excessive. As a general rule, fees should be included in the price of the home loan. You should expect to pay up to five points for most home loans. There are always exceptions to this, but comparison-shopping should give you an idea of what is reasonable. It is good to remember that fees and terms can be better for borrowers during the off-season.

Cater for down payment: No mortgage loan company will offer a home loan to a person with a bad credit record without a down payment. The larger the down payment, the easier it is for you to secure a home loan. A down payment for a home loan between 5 percent and 20 percent is usually required for people with a credit score of less than 600. A down payment of 20 percent or more will save you from the expense of PMI.

Read the terms: Once you have finalized a home loan offer, make sure you know what type of deal you are getting into. So, be clear about the terms and conditions by reading the fine print. Some mortgage loan companies charge high fees for late or missed payments. While late fees are common, they should not be extreme. You can also get the documents vetted by a lawyer. The point is that you should be comfortable with all the terms before you sign. If you’ve any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the mortgage loan company for clarifications.

Applying for a home loan

The best way to apply for a home loan is through mortgage loan company services. These services can be accessed online. What they do is to take your application and resubmit it to multiple mortgage loan companies. Each application is usually sent to hundreds of such companies asking for the desired home loan. The response varies, but at least four home loan offers are assured for each application. These online mortgage loan company services can help people in almost every state from Florida to California.

The advantage of this process is that most of these mortgage loan companies won’t even pull your credit when you apply for a home loan, which is good since multiple inquiries on your credit report can drop your credit score a bit, and if you have bad credit to begin with, you certainly need to score as high as possible.

Once a mortgage loan company processes your information and finds everything in place, it will forward the documents for your final approval and signature. The whole process is completed in a matter of days.

If you are patient and persistent, you can hope for a home loan from a mortgage loan company that has the least interest, even if you score low on credit.

Author: Arvind Mathur
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Home Equity Loan – Why Are So Many Home Owners Taking Advantage?

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:13:00 +0000

To define a few terms, equity is the difference between your home’s appraised – or fair market – value and your outstanding mortgage balance. A loan refers to the amount of money you borrowed from a lender providing you with the mortgage. So basically, the idea with home equity loans is to borrow against your home’s equity as a very effective way to get some things you need at a good price.

Homeowners, mostly the elderly, and people with low incomes or with poor credit must be very careful and wary when borrowing or having a loan based on their home equity. This is because there are some lenders who target these borrowers and exploit those who innocently may be placing their house at great risk. Take note of this factor and be sure to educate yourself about home equity loans.

Why Have Home Equity Loans Become So Popular?

Borrowing against the value of a home has become increasingly popular. There are two key reasons for this surge. People are taking advantage of low interest rates and tax deductibility.

The tax changes that occurred in 1986 have eliminated deductions for most consumer purchases. As a way to get around these changes in tax, consumers began borrowing up on their home value in order to make purchases. Home equity loans thus became a method adopted by homeowners to buy goods and still get a deduction.

Here is an example of how home equity loans are being used today.

Let’s say that you bought your home for $95,000 and made a 20 percent down payment of $19,000. To pay the remaining $76,000, you then took a first mortgage. On the day you closed on your home, you automatically had 20 percent equity. As you pay off the principal, you gain equity and your home grows in value.

Now, let’s say that you have paid $12,000 toward the principal and your property. Remember that you property was valued at $95,000 when you bought it. Now, since you have made the payment on your principal, your $95,000-home is now worth $115,000. Your beginning equity ($19,000), plus the principal you have paid ($12,000) and the increase in your property value ($20,000) gives you $51,000 in equity.

Banks and borrowers both benefit from home equity loans. For that reason, interest rates for home equity loans are lower than for other loans.

Like most things, home equity loans also have their downsides. The disadvantage to home equity loans is that if you default on the loan, the lender could foreclose on your home. For this reason, home equity loans are statistically most suited to stable, middle-aged borrowers.

Home Equity Loan – Beware Of Scams

A home equity loan permits one to borrow a certain amount of money, using the equity of your home as collateral.

Homeowners, mostly the elderly, and people with low incomes or with poor credit must be very careful and wary when borrowing or having a loan based on their home equity.

4 Home Equity Loan Factors To Watch Out For

1. Equity stripping. Careful! This home equity loan lender has the possibility of stealing the equity that you have built up.

2. Balloon payment (hidden terms) with home equity loans. Examine meticulously the terms of the loan. Your monthly payments can be lowered, as the lender is offering, that you pay back only the interest. You will be facing foreclosure if you can not pay the principal with this type of home equity loan.

3. Loan Flipping. This is when the lender inspires you to repetitively refinance your loan and to borrow more and more money. A certain lender offers you refinancing, and uses the availability of extra money, declares that it’s due time that the equity you built starts “working” well for you. After a few payments, the lender then offers you a larger loan for a family vacation. You accepted the offer and the lender then refinances your original loan and gives you the additional cash.

4. Credit insurance packing. In this case, the lender will add credit insurance to your home equity loan that you do not necessarily need.

Author: Dean Shainin
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Home Equity Loans – Basics

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 04:03:26 +0000

Home equity loans have become increasingly popular in the past few years. With property values rising, more people have realized the benefits. They allow you to borrow a certain amount of money, using your home’s equity as collateral. Collateral is property offered to a lender as security for the loan. It gives the lender a guarantee that you will repay the debt, because if you did not, the lender could sell your property to get the money they lent you back. Equity is the difference between how much the home is currently worth and how much is owed on your mortgage. Home equity loans may seem complicated but they are actually quite simple. You just need to understand a few terms and concepts.

What is a Home Equity Loan?

A home equity loan is a second loan on your property that gives you money based on the amount of equity in your property. You can spend it on anything you want. Most people use it for home improvements, debt consolidation, college educations, vacations or car purchases. The interest that you pay on your home equity loan is typically tax deductible-and that is a huge benefit to this loan. Consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of home equity loan interest.

What’s the difference between Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit?

There are two ways a lender can loan you money based on your home’s equity. First is a home equity loan which is based on a set loan amount, and second is a home equity line of credit, also known as a HELOC, which is a revolving line of credit. Both are referred to as second mortgages, because they are secured by your property, behind your first mortgage. With home equity loans, you apply for a set loan amount and pay it down based on a fixed interest rate. The maximum amount of money that can be borrowed is determined by several variables such as your credit history (FICO score), income, first mortgage and the recent appraised value of the collateral property.

How much can they loan to me?

The relationship between your loan amount and your home’s appraised value is called the “loan-to-value” ratio, or “LTV”. As LTVs increase, the interest rate of the loan in question usually increases as well. (“Home Equity FAQs”). The maximum amount the lender loans is partially determined by this ratio. The maximum LTV varies per lender. Note that if the LTV is too high, it could affect your approval, interest rate or conditions due to the increased risk for the lender.

Can I get an equity loan on my rental property?

Home equity loans can be taken out on primary residences, second homes, investment properties and vacation homes. However, each property has individual conditions for approval. It is also more difficult to qualify. This is due to the increased likelihood of defaulting. Underwriters prefer applicants with better credit and more assets than they do with applicants purchasing their primary residence.

What if my income is too difficult to determine?

If you have difficulty providing all the income documents necessary for the loan, you can apply under special loan programs such as stated income, “no doc” or “low-doc.” Applicants who are self-employed or commission-based use them often. People who do not want to share their financial history and complicated tax returns with a lender fall into this category as well.

Can you refinance your mortgage with a home equity loan?

If the interest rate or mortgage payment on any property is too high, a home equity loan is also a good way to refinance your existing mortgage loan, take some additional cash and make one easy monthly payment (“Home Equity FAQs”). Refinancing is the process of adding a new first mortgage to replace an existing first mortgage and any other liens you may have. There are two ways to refinance: no cash-out and cash back. No Cash-Out refinancing reduces your monthly mortgage payment and the remaining term of your loan. It can help you save thousands of dollars in interest. Cash back refinancing allows you to borrow money in excess of what you currently owed on your mortgage. You still reduce your interest rate and term, but you also get a hold of the money you earned when your property’s value increased. Cash back refinancing is a smart decision if you have future expenses that will need financing. If you need a new car, you could take an additional $30,000 and add that amount to your loan. The interest rates will likely be lower than your credit cards or car loan, and again, the interest you pay can be tax-deductible.

Refinancing with a home equity loan is similar to refinancing with a traditional mortgage. The main difference is that equity loans are typically repaid in a shorter time than first mortgages. Traditional mortgages are usually repaid over 30 years. Equity loans often have a 15-year repayment period, although it might be as short as five or as long as 30 years (“Home Equity Credit Lines”).

Now that you are familiar with some basic home equity loan terms and concepts, the process should seem straightforward. When you need money, obtaining a home equity loan not only simplifies your life, it also saves you money. It gives you piece of mind through the fixed low interest rate and low monthly payments. The process only takes several days and the funds are transferred into your bank account upon the loan’s closing. It is as easy as pie.

Mona is a respected free-lance writer who enjoys creating helpful articles about mortgage loans. To learn more about cash out 2nd mortgage loans, or to get a free Home Equity Rate Quote please visit the loan resources online at BD Nationwide Mortgage.com.

If you need more expert advice from a loan professional, go to Second Mortgage Advice.

Author: M. Loring
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Home Equity Line of Credit – Helpful Home Equity Loan Tips

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 03:57:39 +0000

We’ve all been there: life deals you a bad hand, and unexpectedly you need money you don’t have. At times like this, it’s important to remember the best asset you have: your home. You might consider refinancing as a way to help you through the tough times.

One option you have is a home equity loan. Home equity lines provide homeowners with quick access to extra cash in times of need.

What is a Home Equity Loan?

A home equity line of credit allows you to borrow against the value of your house. The cap on the loan is usually determined by estimating a percentage of the value of your house – 75% or 85% of the house’s value, if your credit is good – and subtracting what you still owe on the first mortgage. Home equity lines usually allow you to draw from the account using special checks or credit cards. The terms of the specific loan will determine the length of the loan, the length of the “draw period” (the period of time during which you can withdraw money on the loan), the interest rates, the minimum and maximum amount that you can withdraw at any one time, and the method and payments with which the loan will be repaid.

For instance, some home equity loans may credit payments only against the interest due on the loan, leaving the borrowed amount to be paid in full at the end of the loan period. Other loans may simply have a larger-than-usual payment, called a balloon payment, as the last payment. However, it may be helpful to note that the interest you pay is usually tax-deductible, meaning that you will get it back on your tax returns; if managed correctly, this “bonus” money can balance the impact of a large final payment on the loan.

In contrast, taking out a second mortgage on your house will give you the borrowed money all at once. Mortgages usually have fixed interest rates, which might be set slightly higher than the introductory rates on a home equity loan. On the bright side, though, the rates and payments on a second mortgage won’t change, whereas the variable interest rates of a home equity loan may mean a payment that increases steadily over the years.

Shopping for a Home Equity Loan

Shopping for a home equity line of credit is like shopping for almost anything else: lots of different lenders provide lots of different choices. In order to make the choice that will best serve your needs, you should be prepared to obtain and compare quotes from many different lenders.

Most home equity loans have variable interest rates, which are determined by an index. When comparing home equity loans, you should know the index that each loan uses to determine your interest rate. Variable interest rates also have a couple of caps that are important for you to know, as they limit how far and how fast the interest rate can rise. The periodic cap limits how much the rate can change at one point in time, and the lifetime cap limits how much the rate can change over the life of the loan. It’s also important to know whether the rate you’ve been quoted is a discounted introductory rate; if so, make sure you know how long the introductory period is, and what the rate will go up to when it’s over.

If you are comparing a home equity line of credit to a second mortgage, understand the differences between them. Primarily, when comparing the costs of both, realize that the APR quoted to you on the second mortgage will be the only cost of the loan, whereas home equity loans also have account fees and other charges that are not built into the APR.

Costs to Consider

“For a true comparison of credit costs, compare other charges, such as points and closing costs, which will add to the cost of your home equity loan,” the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises in their document, “Home Equity Credit Lines.” The Truth in Lending Act requires lenders to be open about the terms and costs of a loan, but you may need to ask for this information up front if you are comparison-shopping before committing to any one lender.

o Application fee – In order to qualify for credit, you will have to submit an application to the lender. This application will allow the lender to check your credit score and your debt-to-income ratio, two important factors in determining your credit worthiness. Be aware that your application fee probably won’t be returned to you if you fail to qualify for the loan.

o Appraisal fee – The lender will want to first appraise your house in order to determine the value of the property. From that appraised value, they will determine your line of credit. Appraisal fees can be considerable, and should be compared between lenders as one of the costs of the loan.

o Up-front charges – The lender may assess charges for setting up your account. These charges may vary considerably between lenders, so it’s wise to compare these charges when deciding between multiple home equity loans.

o Closing costs – Just like when you bought your house, you may have to pay closing costs when you get a home equity loan. “These expenses can add substantially to the cost of your loan, especially if you ultimately borrow little from your credit line,” the FTC states. Different lenders feature different closing costs, so any comparison of home equity loans should take these costs into consideration.

o Interest rates – Interest rates determine how much interest you will have to pay over the life of the loan. In order to compare multiple loans, you’ll need to be able to see the “full picture” of what the loan will cost you, which includes the interest rates as well as the other fees and charges the loan will accrue.

o Account fees – Home equity lines often have continuing fees associated with the account, such as transaction fees, maintenance fees, or an annual membership fee. These fees will also vary between lenders, and should be compared as one of the costs of the loan.

Keep in mind that a home equity loan with low interest rates may make up the difference in other costs. For that reason, when shopping for the best deal it’s a good idea to assess all costs associated with each loan.

Using Your Home Equity Line of Credit Wisely

“Because the home is likely to be a consumer’s largest asset, many homeowners use their credit lines only for major items such as education, home improvements, or medical bills and not for day-to-day expenses.” This statement, made by the Federal Reserve Board in their document, “When Your Home is on the Line: What You Should Know About Home Equity Lines of Credit,” reminds us that home equity loans should not be taken lightly. After all, if something goes wrong and you cannot repay the loan according to your terms, you risk losing your most important possession of all: your home.

The FTC notes, “Because home equity loans give you relatively easy access to cash, you might find you borrow money more freely.” The temptation to spend freely will be there, so it will be up to you to remind yourself that you risk losing your home if you let your spending get out of control. Borrow only what you need, and what you know that you can repay according to the terms of your loan. The equity on your home can provide relief in times of difficulty, but if you abuse that privilege, you risk losing the most valuable asset you have.

Katharine is an experienced free-lance writer who focuses on home equity related articles for residential properties. You can read more refinance related loan articles at American Home Equity Loans and get more information about home equity loans and mortgage refinancing.

Additional Sources for home equity loan programs go to Home Equity Lines of Credit.

[http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/HomeLine] “When Your Home is on the Line: What You Should Know About Home Equity Lines of Credit,” published by the Federal Reserve Board

Author: Katharine Swan Leppert
Article Source: EzineArticles.com