Posts tagged with Mortgage Broker

Tips for Mortgage Refinancing and Debt Consolidation

  • Posted on February 7, 2011 at 11:26 am

Many people discover that their credit card debt is out of control when they get their monthly bank statement. Mortgage payment, everyday spending, services and occasionally getaways or dining out can bring your balance over-the-limit fees. Its time to consider debt consolidation to save your money – credit card balance transfer, home equity loan or mortgage refinancing.

One of the best ways to obtain debt relief is by consolidating your debts with a mortgage refinancing if the timing is right. Refinanced mortgage is a form of debt help for the borrower, who will be able to pay down the old mortgage with the money of a new loan. The benefit of mortgage refinance is based in not only debt consolidation of other debt, but in getting a lower interest rate, lower pay off, and taking cash out of the home equity. Although every borrower may have their particular reason for applying for a new loan, all of them share the desire for debt relief by reducing their mortgages’ interests rates and liquidating cash from their home equity when possible. Mortgage refinancing usually costs a couple of thousand pounds in closing cost besides the time you spend on research, application etc. Debt advice on home mortgage can easily be obtained through the mortgage lender, mortgage broker, financial institutions and Government Consumer Protection Offices.

Because secure loans and mortgages are backed up by collateral property or a guarantee for any other sort of asset, lowering the rates means more savings and debt relief. Mortgage refinancing could quickly reduce your debt if done properly. Mortgage refinancing lets you cash out your equity to be applied for debt relief purposes, and allow you to qualify for lower rates than a home equity loan. A single mortgage is often considered less risky than having two loans.

Taking a shorter term in your mortgage refinancing may further lower the interest rate. For instance, if your original mortgage is a 30-year loan, you may consider a 15-year mortgage while refinancing the loan. The monthly payment of a 15-year loan is about 20-30% higher than the one of a 30-year mortgage, not as high as out intuition tells us.

Genuine debt help comes when you weigh the pros and cons of debt consolidation. Obtaining a mortgage refinance may be the best option for debt relief, remembering that you will have to follow a similar process like the first time application so make sure to keep a good credit history before you apply. Be sure to get mortgage quotes from at least three mortgage lenders before you commit. Weight the pros and cons of your current mortgage, and compare the actual interest rates you are paying off in comparison to those resulting from your new debt management perspective, considering collateral involved in the debt and possible future risks as well. Your financial adviser can offer valuable advice for your debt relief.

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How Lender’s Set Mortgage Rates

  • Posted on October 25, 2010 at 11:26 am

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.

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Getting the Best Mortgage Rates in Florida with a Poor

  • Posted on October 4, 2010 at 11:26 am

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.

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