October 2010 Archives
Ever wonder how lender’s come up with the rates they do? You can stop wondering, cause I’m going to tell you how. We all answer to a higher mortgage rate power, namely the secondary market. The secondary market is where Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and other mortgage lenders ply their trade. These government founded agencies purchase the loans that lenders make, then either hold them in their portfolios, or bundle them with other loans into mortgage-backed securities. Those securities are then sold to mutual funds, Wall Street firms, and other financial investors who trade them the same way they trade other securities and bonds.
As a result investors, rather than mortgage brokers and bankers, are in control of the rates. When economic news suggests the economy is heating up, investors demand higher yields from the lenders. This happens because they don’t want to buy low yield bonds now, in case the Fed raises rates to cool the economy, which would mean they will make higher yield bonds later. The only way that lenders can get their loans sold in this situation is to raise the yields they offer investors. In turn, this drives the rates higher for consumers.
The same thing happens in reverse when it looks like the economy is cooling. Investors start clamoring for bonds, because they figure the Fed will have to cut interest rates in the future in order to get the economy going moving along again. If the investors wait, they’ll end up with lower yielding bonds. Since investor demands are so strong, lenders who control loan supply can offer lower yields. The result is a lower rate for consumers.
To get the best rates out there, consumers really need to pay attention to financial news. Consulting with a mortgage lender or broker can also be very helpful. In most cases, the mortgage broker will be very knowledgeable and up to date on the economy.
Continue reading How Lender’s Set Mortgage Rates
Honey, I Eliminated The Mortgage Interest Deduction Plan 2
A bipartisan committee has made two recommendations to President Bush regarding tax reform. In this article, we take a look at the second option.
Tax Reform
A year ago or so, President Bush decided to spend his political capitol on tax reform and fixing social security. Social security reform went down in flames, so now it is time to see if tax reform is an option.
In an effort to eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax, the committee was charged with coming up with alternative revenue sources. The biggest deduction on the books is the mortgage interest deduction and the committee has offered two plans. The first puts a cap on the deduction and would be a disaster. The second option, however, is very interesting.
The committee on tax reform has recommended a unique approach to eliminating the mortgage interest deduction entirely. Before you go ballistic, consider what they are replacing it with.
In this second option, a homeowner would be unable to deduct any mortgage interest. They would, however, be able to claim a tax credit equal to fifteen percent of the interest paid up to an undefined mortgage cap. While that is a lot of jargon, the key is the difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit.
A tax deduction is reduced from your overall income. If you earn $80,000 and pay $10,000 in interest, your taxable income will be reduced to $60,000. It looks good, but it doesnt make as big a difference in the actual tax you pay. A tax credit, however, is a different story.
A tax credit is an amount deducted from the actual amount of tax you have to pay each year. Assume you whip together your taxes and owe $10,000 to the IRS after claiming all your deductions and checking the tax owed chart. Under the tax reform plan, you would total the interest paid for the year and then reduce your tax owed by 15 percent. If you paid $10,000 in interest during the year, you would take a tax credit of $1,500 against the tax owed. In short, this would reduce the check you have to send in from $10,000 to $8,500.
The tax credit plan offered by the tax reform committee is very interesting. It could be windfall for some people. Apply the numbers to your 2004 taxes and see how you come out.
Continue reading Honey, I Eliminated The Mortgage Interest Deduction Plan 2
Home Mortgage Loans After Bankruptcy – Financing A Home After Bankruptcy
Financing a home after a bankruptcy doesnt have to be an ordeal. When you find the right lender, you can secure reasonable rates on your mortgage loan. You can improve your loan application with time and some cash leverage. Depending on your financial situation, it is possible to get conventional rates with a bankruptcy on your credit file.
Lenders Who Deal With Past Bankruptcies
With a recent bankruptcy, you can turn to sub prime lenders to obtain financing for your home. As soon as your bankruptcy has been finalized by the court, you can apply for a home loan. Your rates, however, will be about 12% higher than conventional rates unless you have significant cash assets.
After two years, conventional lenders will consider your loan application. Even though your bankruptcy will remain on your file for several years, lenders will be more interested in your current payment history and debt-to-income ratio.
Tips To Improve Your Loan Application
While you cant erase your bankruptcy, you can improve your loan application to qualify for better rates. Down payments of 20% to 50% are the easiest way to become eligible for lower rates. Having cash reserves for two months or more will also help.
When it comes to terms, selecting an adjustable rate mortgage will help you qualify for more and at temporarily lower rates. Selecting a shorter loan period also lowers your rates. Furthermore you have the option of buying down your rate with points. But you may be better served by increasing your down payment and refinancing in a couple of years when your credit improves.
Research Lenders Before You Buy
Take some time to research loan estimates before you select a lender. It is the easiest way to save thousands on your future home loan. Make sure that you use the same numbers and terms when you request loan quotes from different financing companies. That way you will have precise numbers to base your decision on.
Once you have picked a lender, the hardest part of the process is over. In ten minutes or less, you can complete your loan application online. Your loan contract will be delivered in a couple of days for your final review with funds soon to follow.
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Getting the Best Mortgage Rates in Florida with a Poor Credit History
Florida is a lovely place to have a house in; unfortunately the real estate prices are rather forbidding for most. And for someone with a bad credit past, it gets tougher. However, if Florida real estate has is in your dreams, you can still get a mortgage loan, even with a bad credit if you know how to look for it.
Before we get into shopping for the best mortgage rates, let us understand how the credit score of a borrower determines the scope of his search. Most lenders will willingly lend to a person with A credit score but someone with a C or a D grade wont get so lucky.
Fortunately, recent entries into the Florida lending industry have led the industry into being more liberal when approving loans. For instance, if there are more than 4 late mortgage payments in a period of 12 months, it calls for a B score, however if these delays have a plausible explanation the lender may excuse the default and consider a score of A.
There are companies who specialize in giving loans to high-risk borrowers and they are known as Sub-Prime lenders. Even though loans from the Sub-Prime source continue to dominate the high-risk borrowers segment, the government-sponsored agency, Fannie Mae too is beginning to acknowledge the potential in this category. With the availability of more options, a borrower with bad credit can afford to get choosy and not jump at the first approval he gets for the fear of not getting another chance.
The Internet is a good place to look for multiple mortgage options and even for specifically Florida Mortgage Loans, without the borrower having to reveal his credit status. One may even go to a mortgage broker in order to locate the best quotes, but they can be expensive. Ask for reference from friends and colleagues for a good mortgage lender, since a recommendation is always assuring.
Once you narrow down your choice, here is a checklist that you must go through.
1.First analyze your financial status, if you find you have come out of your past credit blues and can commit more you can consider an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). An ARM allows for a lower rate of interest in the initial years with an option to refinance at a lower, fixed rate after the first couple of years. However, if you find yourself financially burdened, a fixed rate payment would be more appropriate. Search, negotiate and settle for a rate of interest and for terms and conditions that suit your financial status.
2.Find out how much penalties are imposed for pre-payment. Heavy penalties will take away the advantage of any timely payments that you may be able to make and that may get you a refinance on better terms in the next few months.
3.Most Sub-Prime lenders exploit the vulnerability of high-risk borrowers and slap on high closing costs at the end of the loan. There are more lenders out there willing to do business than one would have you believe and a little negotiation can always add to some cost shaving.
4.Avoid paying any upfront or processing fees; the only fee acceptable should the one you pay for your credit application.
5.Ensure that everything goes on paper in writing, from the rate of interest, to the closing costs to the pre-payment penalties and that nothing comes as a surprise after you have signed the contract.
Continue reading Getting the Best Mortgage Rates in Florida with a Poor