Commercial Mortgage Loans – Private (hard Money) Lending Is The Only Game In Town

The banks, Wall Street brokers and Hartford insurance companies have two very serious problems on-their-hands. First, if assets they hold continue to drop in value, they are at risk of becoming statutorily insolvent. And second, there is no viable market for loans they originate. They are in a situation that will not allow them to let a single dime out of the vault; if they can’t recover their capital by selling a loan they simply can’t write the loan. To make a long story short: banks couldn’t lend even if they wanted to.

Where does that leave the commercial real estate investor? Their buildings still need to be refinanced, their projects still need to move forward. Where are they supposed to get the funding they so desperately need?

The trend in commercial real estate finance is towards private, rather than institutional sources of financing. Private commercial mortgage lenders, often called “hard money” lenders, have stepped in and are funding many deals that, due to the credit crunch, the banks and other traditional lenders have turned away. Unlike banks and Wall Street firms, private, hard money lenders tend to hold or “portfolio” the loans they issue. This means that they are not dependant on the secondary mortgage market; they can originate commercial mortgage loans regardless of the current credit situation.

Private lenders are not regulated or controlled by the Government; they are funded by private entities or wealthy individuals. Hedge funds and private equity firms often act as private mortgage bankers, lending money on behalf of their investors. Other hard money firms are funded by large “commercial mortgage pools” that get their capital by pooling contributions of many smaller investors. A private mortgage is generally underwritten based on the equity in a building or development project. They are not usually credit driven like conventional financing is.

Borrowers like the fact that lending decisions and funding can happen very quickly when dealing with a private funding source. Multi-million dollar loans can be arranged and closed in a matter of a few weeks with a minimal amount of documentation. The rates and points that hard money lenders charge are significantly higher than what a bank or institutional lender would charge, but, in today’s economic environment, borrowers and project sponsors are happy to get any loan at all. No one is quibbling over interest rates now-a-days.

We are in strange and confusing times when it comes to financial matters. Banks are flush with cash but refuse to lend it out. The Government is pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into the system but it just doesn’t seem to loosen up. With all the traditional, conventional lenders in crisis, it seems that hard money has become the only game in town. Years ago private lending was considered shady and somewhat suspect, but today hard money is main stream business, private lenders are well funded and highly sophisticated. Private commercial mortgage lending is in-fact, the fastest growing segment of commercial real estate finance. When the history of this period is written many accolades will be given to the private financiers who stepped in and filled the funding void that the credit crisis created.

By: Glenn Fydenkevez - President, MasterPlan Capital LLC

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Tags : Mortgage , Money , Commercial , Hard Money , Mortgage Loans

Choosing the Right Mortgage - Basic Mortgage Terms and Features

Choosing the Right Mortgage – Mortgage Basics

There is an astounding range of commercially available mortgage products, which makes choosing the right mortgage increasingly difficult without a firm grasp of mortgage basics. Here we try to give the consumer struggling to understand the basics of what a mortgage is, how it operates, and what features are right for him or her, the basic terms and distinctions that will allow the consumer facing an all-important mortgage decision – perhaps for the first time – to begin to choose the right mortgage from the thousands of mortgage products available on the market. But a word of caution – there is an incredible range of mortgage products commercially available. Before making a final decision on which mortgage is right for you, it would only be prudent to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable mortgage broker.

What Is a Mortgage?

A mortgage is a loan – but a loan that is secured, in this instance, against a home and/or piece of land. The person who borrows the money to buy a house is the mortgagor and the person, company or bank etc. who lends the money is the mortgagee. In most instances, the person buying the house will be required to pay some amount, perhaps as little as 5 per cent, as a down payment on the house or property. A mortgage from a commercial or private lender is secured to pay the balance of the purchase price. The mortgagee/lender provides the balance of the money to buy the house on the ‘closing date’ (i.e., the day the deal for the house is completed and the property ownership changes) and the mortgagor/purchaser pays back the money borrowed to purchase the house over time, usually over a number of years.

Key Mortgage Terms & Concepts

Amortization Period – A mortgage is written based on an understanding that the mortgagor/borrower will pay back the money borrowed over a number of years, rather than months. When purchasing a home that is typically worth several times what the purchaser earns in a year, it is understood that a the number of years will be needed to fully pay off the mortgage. The ‘amortization period” is the number of years that it will take to pay off the mortgage in full under the terms of the mortgage that is agreed to. The usual amortization period is 25 years, although shorter and longer amortization periods are available.

The amortization period sets out how long it will take to pay off the mortgage in monthly payments. Monthly payments consist of two parts – one part goes towards paying the ‘principal’ (the amount of money borrowed) and other part goes towards paying the ‘interest’ (the fee charged for borrowing the money.) The longer it takes to pay back the principal – i.e., the longer the amortization period – the greater the amount of interest that will be paid over the life of the mortgage.

Term – A mortgage agreement will not typically be for the full length of the amortization period. It is too difficult for either party – mortgagor and mortgagee – to foresee all the changes in financial circumstances over such an extended period. Accordingly, the parties – mortgagor/borrower and mortgagee/lender – will agree to a mortgage covering a specific number of years of the mortgage – e.g., 5 years. When the term of the mortgage expires the mortgagee is paid in full for the money that was borrowed to purchase the home. Typically, since it is anticipated that the mortgage will be paid off over the length of the amortization period, at the end of the term the mortgagor will have to negotiate a new mortgage – either with the initial mortgagee/lender or a new mortgagee. This process of ‘refinancing’ is normal, yet is an excellent way for prudent borrowers to re-examine their financial circumstances – for example, to see if their circumstances have changed so that they can shorten the amortization period and pay their mortgage off more quickly, thereby cutting down on the total interest they will pay in purchasing their home.

Fixed-Rate vs. Variable-Rate Mortgages – In a fixed-rate mortgage, the same interest rate is charged throughout the entire mortgage term. In a variable-rate mortgage the interest rate will change based on changes in interest rates that are being charged in the market.

Since interest rates do change based on the financial markets, risk is being assigned and the mortgage rates for both fixed-rate and variable-rate mortgages will reflect who is taking the risks – the mortgagor/borrower or the mortgagee/lender. When mortgage rates are relatively high it is the borrower who takes the risk that interest rates will not fall lower than the rate he or she agrees to for a fixed-rate mortgage. So when mortgage rates are relatively high, mortgagee/lenders will usually be willing to offer fixed-rate mortgages for a lower interest rate than the current interest rate for a variable-rate mortgage. The opposite is, of course, true. When mortgage rates are relatively low – as they are now – the mortgage/lender assumes the risk that interest rates will not go up. Since there is always the risk that rates will go up, a fixed-rate mortgage will have a slightly higher interest rate than a variable-rate mortgage when interest rates are relatively low. (The advantage of a fixed-rate mortgage is, of course, that the mortgagee will always know the cost of his or her mortgage payments over the term of the mortgage.)

Open Mortgages vs. Closed Mortgage – With an open mortgage some or all of the balance of the mortgage can be repaid during the term of the mortgage without a financial penalty. This is particularly advantageous, if the home purchaser has to move for employment or other reasons and if one’s financial circumstances change. Under a closed mortgage, no extra payments or changes in the mortgage can be made before the end of the mortgage term without a penalty being charged. Such penalties can be onerous for the homeowner who is forced by circumstances, such as a change of job, to relocate before the term of the mortgage expires.

Open mortgages can also prove to be very advantageous for the prudent homeowner who is able to make periodic payments directly to the principal owing under the mortgage. Each mortgage payment is split between interest costs and money that goes towards paying off the principal of the loan. If the borrower makes periodic payments over and above the regular mortgage payments that are required (the amounts and timing of which are usually set out in the mortgage itself), these payments directly reduce the amount owing under the mortgage. Doing so effectively reduces the amortization period of the mortgage, since in every subsequent mortgage payment more money will be going to pay off the principal of the mortgage and less money will be going towards the interest costs.

The Importance of Mortgage Advice

While this covers some of the mortgage basics that the consumer will need to choose the right mortgage product, it is important to note that there are quite literally thousands of mortgage products to choose from – each with its own intricacies and detailed terms. Accordingly, the prudent mortgage shopper should consult with someone with advanced expertise in the products and range of choices that are available on the market, given the borrower’s circumstances. An accredited mortgage broker will have the expertise and knowledge to assist the borrower in choosing the right mortgage for his or her situation. Moreover, since an accredited mortgage broker typically receives his or her fee from the lender, a mortgage broker with expertise and knowledge of the thousands of mortgages that are commercially available can assist the borrower in understanding and choosing the right mortgage from the thousands that are available at no cost to the borrower.

Tag : mortgage,mortgage rates,mortgage refinance,mortgage loan,bad credit mortgage

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Confused About Some Mortgage Terms? Don’t Be! Read On To Get Your Mortgage Questions Answered!

When applying for your first mortgage, you are going to hear many terms tossed around that are specific to the real estate and financial industry. These terms are not hard, so don't be concerned. If you are not dealing with financial information and real estate on a daily basis, you may not have learned what all the terms mean. Sure you may have heard them before but were never explained the specifics.

Loan to value ratio- This is a ratio that the lender who is financing your mortgage uses to determine how much he or she can loan you. It is determined by dividing the loan amount by the market value of the home in consideration. The market value is often determined by appraisals that evaluate the property and comparable homes that have sold in the immediate area.

Most lenders will loan up to 80% of the market value of a home. If the lender were to loan more than that, the lender would be risking not being able to recover the loaned funds if the property were to go into foreclosure. However, there are lenders who will loan more than 80% of the market value in exchange for a higher interest rate. You will be paying more in interest in exchange for their increased risk of loaning more money than what would normally be acceptable.

Points - This term refers to interest costs paid to the lender in exchange for a lower interest rate. Points are paid one time and are usually equal to one percent of the loan principal. It is not always a good idea to pay one-time points for a lower interest rate. This is where lenders can make a lot of money, and many times points are not even needed in a deal, and are just a bonus for the lender. Be sure to always do the math for each mortgage option to see what will cost you the least amount of money. Also shop around to see what a comparable contract is so you do not overpay.

Interest rate- The interest rate is a yearly rate that is charged on the principal of the loan amount provided by the lender. The principal accrues interest and you must pay it as an exchange for borrowing the money. Interest rates can be very different depending on the type and terms of a mortgage.

The interest rate charged in exchange for borrowing the money has a base percentage dictated by a national index and then percentages are added to this according to the amount of risk the lender is taking by giving you the money to finance the house. The lender should show you the breakdown of the final interest rate charged so you know why the number is what it is. If the lender does not do that, there could be some shady dealing going on and you should consider going somewhere else. Have all the parts of the interest rate disclosed so you know where your money is going and how you are being charged.

Loan term- This is how long you have to pay back the money borrowed from the lender. Common mortgage terms are 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years. The loan term is always negotiable depending on how much you need to borrow, what monthly payments you can make, and the amount of interest you will have to pay.

Debt service coverage- This is a ratio that a lender uses to see the borrower's (you) ability to pay back the loan in monthly installments. The ratio is found by dividing your net income by debt. Lenders generally look for debt service coverage ratios of 1.2. This ratio compares the amount of debt to your income. The more income you have to cover your total debt, the better. This ratio shows the lender you are capable of paying the mortgage in addition to your other current debt.

Use this information to get educated and make your first time home buying experience a good one! These terms are specific to mortgage characteristics. For more information on other topics regarding first time home buying, check out the resource box where you can find more information that will help you with buying your first home!

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Important Details About An Interest Only Mortgage Loan

An alternative form of mortgage that has been seeing a growing popularity in recent years, the interest only mortgage loan allows a borrower to pay only the interest on the money that they borrow for a specified period of time. Once that time period has expired, the full loan amount is due; this allows many borrowers to save up money for the mortgage payment during the initial payment period without having to struggle to meet a large payment amount every month. These loans can be very useful for those who are on an infrequent or irregular pay schedule, especially when they will be seeing a larger influx of money at a later date from investments or large surges in income. These loans are not for everyone, but provided that you are fully informed about how the loans work you may find that they are exactly what you have been looking for.

Interest only mortgage loans can be very useful when you are trying to purchase a house or other property but will not be able to afford full mortgage payments at this time. Since you are only paying the interest on the principal amount that you borrow instead of making payments for both the interest and the principal, the amount of each payment is going to be significantly lower. When the total amount finally becomes due, you will have to pay only the principal because you have been taking care of the interest as it was accrued. With most interest only mortgage loans, this will give you between five and seven years to save up the money that you need or to make investments that will pay off the principal amount once it becomes due.

This is not to say that paying off your interest only mortgage loan is your only option when the final loan amount becomes due, of course; most lenders will offer you the option to refinance the remainder of your loan for an additional term, in some cases changing both the term and the interest rate on the refinanced loan so that you can get a better deal when repaying the original mortgage amount. Some borrowers will take advantage of this in order to refinance the principal into a more standard mortgage type, using the time that they were paying only the interest on their original loan to save up enough money to be able to better meet the full payments that go with a traditional mortgage.

A number of lenders will allow you to make payments on the principal when it comes due instead of having to pay the entire amount at once, though it is important that this is negotiated beforehand so that you do not expect to be able to make payments when they are not offered. This is not without its drawbacks, of course, since the interest rate that is charged on these payments will generally be higher than what was being charged when you were only paying the interest. Even if the interest rate does not change, you will still have a significantly higher amount to pay each month since you are paying against principal as well as having to keep up with the interest that is being applied to your balance each month.

Many people who are in the process of advancing in their careers find interest only mortgage loans very appealing, since it lets them save money now while they’re still working their way up the corporate ladder. By the time that the principal amount becomes due or they have to refinance, there is a good chance that these same individuals will be making significantly more money than they were when the loan was first taken out. This can be especially useful if the loan features a fixed interest rate, since that will allow these borrowers to keep the same rate even as they receive cost-of-living increases on top of any raises or other advances that they might receive as they advance their careers. This is a great option since the interest stays at a fixed amount allowing you to pay that first.

Not everyone will see the same benefit from interest only mortgage loans, of course. For those who have steady but moderate incomes, the savings from an interest only mortgage loan may not be enough to cover the full amount of the principal when it becomes due. These individuals may be better served by a more standard mortgage loan, or will need to plan in advance to refinance the loan once the interest only period expires. Should one of these individuals still be interested in an interest only mortgage, their mortgage lender may be willing to work with them to develop a refinancing plan so that they will already have an idea of exactly how they should refinance their loan when that time arrives.

About The Author:
About Author:
Brian Jenkins is a freelance writer who writes about economic issues and financial products pertaining to the mortgage industry such an adjustable rate mortgage or the lowest mortgage rate.

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Reverse Mortgage Loans - Are There Any Dangers?

Recently a large number of retired individuals have started opting for reverse mortgage loans. These loans help them get extra money to meet the increasing prices caused by the inflation. Due to the financial crisis in the country; the inflation has risen to a record high and during these hard times whatever investments these retired people made in the past are not providing enough income that can cover even their necessary expenses. In such conditions, reverse mortgage seem to be a blessing for them. Nevertheless, there are many dangers involved in this kind of loan program that everyone should be aware of.

Reverse mortgage loans are different from other loans. Here the lender doesn't demand monthly payments; instead they lend money to the borrowers on their approved terms so that they can cover up their monthly expenses or get the money in case of an emergency. The basic requirement of this loan program is that the borrower should own a house in which he or she resides and that property should have considerable value. This value can be used by the lender as collateral for the loan. When the owner of the house dies or moves away then the house can be sold to extract the money used by the borrower.

However, in recent years the laws of the reverse mortgage have been changed by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department. Many banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo have stopped offering reverse mortgage loan. Several banks have also changed their lending channels that used to offer these loans. They are doing so because many foreclosures have occurred due to the changed policy and now it has become unacceptable for them as they have to sustain the loss when the borrowers of this loan are unable to pay back the money. In many cases the value of houses has reduced and the owners have taken out more money than the approved value of their home. When they die, sale of their houses do not provide the lenders enough money and they have to cover up the leftover expenses from their accounts.

Therefore, it is professional's advice that the elderly people who want to apply for reverse mortgage must attend the counseling sessions that are offered or they should talk about this loan program with a financial advisor who will guide them appropriately what they should do. Many experts believe that this loan program should be kept as a last resort and other options that are available must be tried first to make lives less complicated.

Tag : mortgage,mortgage loans,reverse mortgage,dangers

Guide To Overpaying Your Mortgage

Mortgage overpayments

If youve got an extra bit of money lying around, the first option that may spring to mind is to overpay your mortgage. By paying more than the required mortgage repayment each month you erode the amount you owe quicker, reducing the interest you pay and potentially knocking years off your mortgage term.

A borrower with a £150,000 tracker mortgage will have seen their monthly repayments drop by nearly £400 since interest rates peaked. If they used this extra money to overpay their mortgage each month, and continued to overpay it by the same amount for the rest of the term, they could repay their loan 11 years early on a 25-year mortgage.

The pros and cons

While being mortgage free 11 years ahead of schedule might sound like a very tempting prospect, there are several things that need to be considered before you go down this route.

1) Does your mortgage lender allow you to make overpayments or will you be penalised for doing so? Theres no point using your spare cash to pay extra off the mortgage each month if doing so will trigger penalty charges.

2) Its worth finding out if you can get your hands on the money again if you need to. Some mortgages enable people to borrow back money theyve overpaid at the same rate. Others allow people to take payment holidays up to the amount theyve overpaid. But on some deals, once the moneys been used to pay down the loan, the borrower cant get it back without remortgaging.

3) People are generally advised to repay debts with the highest interest rates first. So it might not make sense to prioritise making overpayments on your mortgage, if you have outstanding credit card or loan debt on which youre paying double-digit interest.

4) Since the credit crunch first struck, lenders have been increasing the size of the deposits or equity stakes people need in order to qualify for the most competitive mortgage rates. At the same time, house price falls mean people now have significantly less equity in their property than they did a year ago.

Making overpayments might be enough to reduce your loan-to-value ratio sufficiently to put you into a lower mortgage tier, saving a considerable amount on the rate youll pay when you come to remortgage.

By: Kate Tee-11606

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Fixed Rate Mortgage - Past, Present And Current Market Status

Mortgage loans and fixed rate mortgage history:-

The fixed rate mortgage can be understood as a type of mortgage for which the interest rate has been fixed, or made constant, for the entire length of the mortgage term. Simply, it a mortgage loan with a constant interest rate, which does not change over the entire tenure of the loan. Mortgage loans are traditional types of loans, and have been in existence since centuries. In the past, moneylenders and lords (Europe 16th to 18th century) offered low mortgage rate refinance to needy people, often the pheasants and laborers. However, the middle class families too borrowed money to satisfy their financial needs, and later repaid the amount. In such cases, the lender generally decided the final fixed interest mortgage rate to be charged for the credit amount lent. The rate of interest was more or less standard, and did not change, but it was at the discretion of the moneylender to decide and fix the net chargeable home mortgage loan amount, since there was no controlling authority which decided which moneylender should charge what interest rate, and what kind of benefits the debtors should avail from the creditor, apart from the loan facility. So, to summarize the mortgage loans scenario of the past, the loan procedure and working was not standardized or streamlined. There was little or no authority to question the creditor on fair practice or ethical trade related issues. The rule was quite simple. The moneylender was rich and had surplus money, and was ready to offer some amount at a particular rate of interest. It was for the borrower to decide how badly the credit facility was needed, and whether it was possible to accept the terms and conditions. If yes, the lender would give the money, and the borrower repaid the home mortgage refinance amount as per convenience.

Mortgage and fixed rate mortgage status now:-

Things are different now. Democracies and republics play the part of deciding how fixed rate mortgage and credit finances should be lent, and recovered. And since the governments are composed of common people, financial market has been greatly influenced by how creditors should lend their money, and what kind of protection the debtor should have while paying back the money borrowed. There are regulations in place, along with checks and counter checks, which balance the market economy, and ascertain that creditors do not harass their debtors, and also help the lenders to recover their capital in case the debtors fail to redeem. It has to be a two way street, a path which can be used by both the creditor as well as the debtor, in a harmonious manner?

Mortgage and fixed rate mortgage current market conditions:-

As far as the current mortgage indices are concerned, mortgage rates are indicating yet another strong move higher this week. This is owing to the focus amongst bond investors, who have strong concerns regarding the budget deficits and inflation. Even with the prevailing market conditions, mortgage rates still remain well below the 6 percent mark. The rates do not pose an impediment to deserving borrowers. The Federal Reserve currently has a $1 trillion deficit in terms of outstanding mortgage payments, and if this deficit is catered to, it is possible to bring the mortgage rates down. No further announcements are likely to take place before June, this year, by the Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Mortgage rates sharply increased last week, indicating that the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate increased up to 5.65 percent. As per the national survey, the average 30-year fixed mortgage is associated with an average of 0.44 discounts, as compared to its origination points. The average 15-year fixed rate mortgage rose to 5.06 percent, and the average jumbo 30-year fixed rate rebounded back to 6.68 percent. As far as the average adjustable rate mortgages are concerned, the rate decreased to 5.01 percent while the 5-year ARM jumped to 5.20 percent. Everything said and done, the mortgage rates still remain significantly lower as compared to what they were a year ago. At this time last year, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was availed at 6.52 percent, indicating that a $200,000 loan would ideally carry a monthly payment of $1,266.77. With the average rate remaining stable at 5.65 percent, the monthly payment for the same loan amount would be $1,154.47, suggesting a savings of $112. 30 per month.

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100% Mortgage Financing – A Way To Avoid Private Mortgage Insurance

Ideally, traditional mortgage lenders want new homebuyers to have a 20% down payment when purchasing a new home. Thus, if purchasing a $200,000 home, you should be prepared to have $40,000 as a down payment.

Unfortunately, many people do not have this kind of money lying around. For this matter, private mortgage insurance (PMI) was created as a way for mortgage companies to recoup their money if a homeowner defaults on the loan. There are various loans available to assist people with down payments. In some instances, homeowners can obtain 100% financing, and avoid PMI

What is Private Mortgage Insurance?

Because Americans are earning less money, and home prices are steadily increasing, the majority of the population is unable to save the recommended down payment of 20%. In order to make owning a home possible, mortgage companies created a particular mortgage insurance, (PMI), for people with less than 20% to put down on a home. This insurance protects the lender if you default on the mortgage.

How to Avoid Paying Private Mortgage Insurance

On average, PMI may increase your mortgage payment by $100 – sometimes less, sometimes more. However, there are ways to avoid paying this additional insurance. The obvious involves having at least 20% as a down payment. If this is not an option, homeowner may agree to a higher interest rate. Another tactic entails getting approved for 100% financing.

How Does 100% Mortgage Financing Work?

100% mortgage financing makes it possible to buy a home with no money down. Also referred to as a piggyback loan or 80/20 mortgage loan, 100% mortgage financing involves obtaining a first mortgage for 80% of the home cost, and a second mortgage, or home equity loan, for 20% of the home cost. Together, the first and second mortgage allows a home purchase with no money down, and no private mortgage insurance.

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Washington Mortgage Lenders: Know The Facts

Most people search the internet for authentic mortgage options. Most first time businessman or a person in a financial crisis looks out for easy mortgage options. Mortgages play an important role in raising the requisite money in the market. It is the source of easy money and credit in the market. Often big business plans or growth is stopped because of financial crisis.

One of the ways to ride over this problem is mortgage. Mortgages work wonderfully when you have a fixed asset. It is vital to possess affixed and valuable asset like estate, properties or houses. In this issue Washington Mortgage lenders can help you. Some people also mortgage their lands deeds and even their company to borrow money. Liquid cash is vital for the running of the market. When there is lack of this liquid money people go for mortgages.

Washington mortgage is actually a type of loan forwarded by an individual or an organization to you. This loan is given for a fixed term. This term given by Washington Mortgage lenders is normally big because it takes many years to repay the loan. There is also a fixed or variable interest charged on the amount given to you. So after the loan expires you will pay back the principal with the interest. The interest is actually the profit of the lender. The principal can be returned after a fixed duration or in installments over a period of time. Most borrowers try to repay the loan as quickly as possible to avoid piling of interest rates. But before the loan amount is written to you the lender normally takes something from you as a guarantee that you will pay back the amount. This is normally a fixed asset like gold or property. Some also take loan on their personal credit (which can be dangerous) and the industry itself.

If you stay in the state of Washington then the process of mortgage is even simpler for you. There are plenty of profitable Washington Mortgage lenders here. You can search the internet for the best Washington mortgage companies in this state. But remember along with the good ones there are also the tricky ones whose main interest is in taking away your asset through heavy rates and hidden costs. There are also some great Washington mortgage lenders who get you the perfect mortgage quickly to you. What you need to do is, first fill out their detailed form provided online. They will then understand your requirements and match it with the long list of Washington based mortgage money lenders. You are introduced with this lender and you can have a free consultation with him. If you are not satisfied with the terms of lending them you can quit or search again for other lending options.

But first try to understand the type of loans that you need. You can go in for ‘First Mortgage’ where the value of the asset is given to you as a loan amount. ‘Refinance’ is actually taking the first loan again on the same asset. Then there are equity loans and credit loans where the business or personal credit is considered as collateral. Before you go in for mortgage loans it is important to know your credit ratings in the market.

By: Bill Schuster

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Reverse Mortgage: Who is Eligible?

If you have ever taken out a loan, you probably know that it can be a stressful undertaking. First, you have to find out if you even qualify to take out a loan. Then you have to decide how much money you want to borrow and if you are eligible to borrow the amount that you need. This process does not have to be so stressful however, especially if you do a little research before you dive into the process of taking out a loan.

If you are looking into your options for borrowing money, you may have heard of a reverse mortgage and are probably wondering not only what this type of mortgage is, but who is eligible to apply for it. If you are a home owner, you have met the first criteria in qualifying for this type of mortgage. The second criterion is a little trickier and involves figuring out how much of the value of your home you own.

Basically, in order to qualify for a reverse mortgage, you must own a portion or all of the value of your home. So, if the majority of the value of your home is still tied up in your traditional mortgage, this reverse type of mortgage may not be the right option for you. However, if you have paid off most or all of your traditional mortgage and own a large portion of the value of your home, you may be a perfect candidate for this reverse type of mortgage.

If you meet the criteria of being a home owner and owning the majority of the value of your home, it is probably a good idea to make your next step to speak with reverse mortgage lenders. These professionals will be able to not only find out if you truly qualify to take out a reverse mortgage, but they can also figure out how much your qualify to borrow on the value of your home.

When you meet with reverse mortgage lenders, it can help to have a list of questions prepared to bring with you to the meeting. Taking out this type of loan is a big decision, so be sure to have all of your questions and concerns addressed before moving forward with your decision. The other good thing about meeting with these lenders is that they will discuss the terms of your reverse mortgage with you. These terms can include such things as when you will be required to begin repaying the money that you borrow and any other special conditions to your loan.

There are many things to take into consideration when you are thinking about borrowing money. You will first need to decide which type of loan is right for you and then make the important decision of how much money you need to borrow. It is also very important to take into consideratio

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Applying For a Home Mortgage Refinance Loan

Have you been thinking about applying for a home mortgage refinance loan?

Perhaps you are in an adjustable rate mortgage, looking to consolidate debt, or even just lower your rate to a lower, fixed monthly payment. No matter what goal you are seeking to obtain at closing, one thing that you should stay focused on is how to save time and money when applying for a refinance of your home. However, all too often, many home owners make the common mistake of not being fully prepared.

Being prepared, what does that mean?

When applying for a refinance loan, you will want to be able to lock in your interest rate as quickly as possible when you see a low rate you want. Unfortunately, many homeowners lack the organization of the required documents and end up fumbling for them when they see a low rate, only to miss their chance to lock it in before the market changes, and even delay the closing of their loan which costs even more time, money, and heartache. Here's how to avoid losing your precious time and money:

Gather Your Employment and Income Information

Always have one month of your pay stubs and spouse on hand, and if you are self-employed you will need to have your tax returns for the past two years. You should also have your W-2's from your employers for the past two years also. If you haven't been working at the same place of employment for at least two years consistently, have your work history and employer contact information along with payment history available as well. This will allow you and the lender to quickly and accurately calculate a monthly average of income.

Obtain Most Recent Bank Statements and Other Asset Statements

Typically most homeowners will only need to show two months worth of statements from your bank accounts, IRA's, 401k, and any other investment accounts when applying for your home mortgage refinance. Documenting assets is a vital part of loan application which can also position you to get the lowest rate possible. Your lender will typically ask for the last 3 months of these statements to evaluate.

Get Your Homeowner Documents Organized

In many cases your lender will ask for the title insurance and home owner's insurance policy and may even inquire about the property taxes you pay on the home. In some instances they may also ask for to see the note to your home if you have an adjustable rate mortgage or prepayment clause. Also be prepared to show the lender the most recent appraisal and survey of your home in case they ask. One other important document to have on hand is also the most recent mortgage statement that shows the balance and monthly payments of any and all loans on your home.

You've got everything Together, Now What?

Good! Now that you've got all the necessary paperwork together, you're going to find that when you're applying for your home mortgage refinance, you're going to feel very confident and in control. You'll notice that nearly every possible question on the loan application will be easily answered because you are prepared with the necessary information and you're lender will be happy too! So get started and apply for your loan today knowing that you just saved yourself a great deal of headache, time, and especially money by simply getting organized!

About The Author:
An author on refinancing. For additional articles and an extensive resource for everything about mortgage refinance rates and bad credit mortgage refinance . Please visit us for more info.

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Perils Of Purchasing A Property Subject To The Current Mortgage

It is possible, though not common, to close a deal on a property by taking the place of the previous owner on the mortgage loan. There are however, some safety measures you need to take in order to avoid the perils that this kind of transactions implies. The assistance of an attorney is suggested on these deals due to the complexity of the resulting contract.

There are several issues to consider: Who is the proprietor of the house, who is obliged to repay the loan, what are the legal rights of the previous owner, what are the legal rights of the new owner and finally what are the legal rights of the bank or lending institution. As you can see, it is a complex matter because there are actually two separate contracts: The loan contract that obliges the lender and the taker and the property transfer contract which obliges the new owner and the previous one.

Purchases Without Cancellation Of The Outstanding Mortgage

A mortgage ties the property to the loan and not the proprietor. Though the borrower is legally obligated to repay the mortgage loan, the debt will follow the property regardless of who the owner is until it is fully paid off. This is an important fact because the consequences of this will have many implications on the outstanding relations between the owner, the debtor and the lender.

If there is a purchase without the cancellation of the outstanding mortgage, the debtor keeps owing the remaining of the mortgage balance to the lender and the property keeps being tied as collateral of the loan. The owner has then an asset affected as security of a loan taken by a third party.

Up to this point the situation is probably clear but you may wonder why on earth would someone want to do such a thing. The reason is quite simple: If someone no longer wishes to reside in a property but cannot sell it normally for a fair price and thus cancel the loan or if he cannot afford the payments of the mortgage loan any longer, it is possible to reach an agreement with a buyer who wants to purchase the house and that can take care of the payments to keep the lender from repossessing the property.

Contracts And Perils

Who runs the greater risk? This question is not simple to answer as it depends on how payments are handled. If the one paying the loan is the actual borrower (with the money handed by the new owner), the later one risks repossession of the property in the even that the payments are not made. If the new owner does not provide the money for making the payments or agrees to take care of the payments and does not make them, then the borrower who is the one that legally owes the money will be affected by the consequences of lack of payment on his credit score and history. If the lender takes the debt to legal grounds he may also have to answer with his assets if the money obtained from the sell of the property is not enough to cover the debt.

The only solution to avoid these problems is to get a couple of lawyers to outline a comprehensive contract with stipulations protecting both parties. And, on our humble opinion, it is preferable to obtain a new mortgage loan and cancel the previous one. There are plenty of lenders willing to provide financing if collateral is provided (even with bad credit).

About the Author

Devora Witts is a certified loan consultant who instructs people regarding Quick Unsecured Loans and Guaranteed Debt Consolidation. To get aid with your financial situation you can visit her at http://www.badcreditloanservices.com

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What Do Lenders Consider During The Home Mortgage Approval Process?

This article will give you a perspective through the eyes of a bank or financial institution so that you can know what they are looking for when it comes to deciding whether or not somebody is considered a trustworthy borrower, and what goes into the mortgage preapproval process.

The Difference Between Prequalified and Preapproved

While people will sometimes use the words prequalification and preapproval interchangeably, these two words do not mean the same thing and it is important to understand the difference.

Prequalification means that you have met with someone at a financial institution and discussed the particular issues of your personal finances such as your income, assets, commissions, and debts, and from that discussion the lender has offered an educated opinion as to how much money you are qualified to borrow.

Preapproval is a much more in-depth evaluation where the financial advisor will actually go over your paperwork such as past paychecks and pay stubs, tax forms such as W2's and 1099's, bank statements, credit reports, and any assets that are owned. After this evaluation you will receive a letter from the lender that specifies how much money you are allowed to borrow pending a good review of the property to be purchased.

What Type of Paperwork Does The Lender Look For?

One important thing that your financial institution will look for when deciding whether they should or shouldn't give you a loan is your credit score and past credit history. If you have a good history of paying back you credit cards on time, especially if you can spend $10,000 or more in a month and then pay it off rapidly, this is a good signal of financial competence.

So what to do if you have a low credit score or an unattractive credit history? Start by not charging anything more, and then pay off all your credit card balances down to zero. From then on, only charge on your credit cards what you have the money in the bank to pay off immediately.

Lenders will also consider your income over the past months and years by reviewing your paychecks and pay stubs, and they will also look for your tax forms to verify your income. They will want to see the paperwork for your other bank accounts or investment accounts so that they can verify your current assets and work that number into the total evaluation.

Also important is your current outstanding liabilities such as credit card debt or other loans. With all of this information, plus any other information deemed appropriate to your personal financial picture, your bank will decide how much money they would be willing to lend you for a home loan.

About the Author

Nathan Navachi is an expert in the mortgage industry and specializes in mortgage refinancing information. You can read more of his expert advice at http://MortgageRefinancingSolution.com

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Save Money On Your Home Mortgage With Mortgage Cycling

Imagine that you have $40,000 in cash to finally remodel your old kitchen into that beautiful chef style kitchen you have always wanted. One with granite counter tops, and beautiful stainless steel appliances. There are actually methods that enables you to do this. One of them is called Mortgage Cycling and more than likely, you will have built enough equity with this plan to remodel more than just your kitchen. Perhaps the entire house needs a facelift or the the kids, and you, would love to add a swimming pool.

The possibilities with that extra money are endless and the best part is, not only does this make your home more attractive and comfortable, it also increases your homes overall value. Imagine that you have those extra thousand dollars to put down on a second home or an investment property. With a mortgage cycling plan you will be able to own multiple properties in a shorter period of time. You can combine the power of Mortgage Cycling with real estate investing and you could easily provide yourself with a very successful living..

We all know that investing in real estates have been great investments over the last century.

There is also the option of using the equity to provide a solid education for your children by sending them to the best schools. If you have ever wanted to send your children to exclusive, private school or college but could not afford it, then this plan gives you that opportunity. You can also be able to boost your retirement plan by tens of thousands of dollars and you could either retire years earlier or have that much more money to retire on.

If you have the chance to pay off your mortgage in a few short years would you take that chance? At the same time you could free up a huge chunk of cash every single month. The money that used to be an expense every month can then be part of your income. Some people make an extra $800 per month in their pocket, for others it is an extra $1,800 per month.

A biweekly mortgage can be good but it can only cut 8-10 years from your mortgage. Now you do not even have to hassle with a biweekly mortgage. With mortgage cycling you will pay off your mortgage in 10 years or less. Can anyone turn down an alternative like that?

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Adjustable Rate Mortgages and Its Features

An adjustable rate mortgage, or ARM as it is popularly known as, is a mortgage loan[1] in which the interest rate on the note[2] is periodically adjusted based on a variety of indices[3]. Different lenders use different indices to calculate their interest rates, or their adjustable rates. Some of the commonly used indices are the 1-year constant-maturity Treasury (CMT) securities, the Cost of Funds Index (COFI), and the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). However, a few lenders prefer to use their personal or own indices to determine the rates. Lenders may choose to do this to avail a steady margin from the borrower, and their own cost of funding is related to the index. As a result, the payments made by the borrower may also change over time in accordance to the fluctuations in the resultant interest rates. Typically, the adjustable rate mortgages are characterized by their index and their limitations on charges or caps[4]. In many countries, the adjustable rate mortgages are the standard means of availing finance by offering the homes as securities, and in such cases, the credit facility is simply referred to as a mortgage.

Basic features of ARM or adjustable mortgage
The main features of ARM are:

1. The initial interest rate
   It is the rate of interest associated with the ARM at the time of conception of the loan facility. The initial ARM rate is generally well below the existing current ARM market rates charged during subsequent years.
2. The adjustment period
   This is the actual length of time, of the total loan period of the ARM, which is scheduled to remain constant or unchanged. The interest rate is reset at the end of the adjustment period, and the monthly loan repayment options are recalculated.
3. Index rate
   Majority of the lenders prefer to associate the ARM mortgage interest rates changes with changes occurring in a particular index. As stated previously, lenders generally set the ARM rates on a variety of indices. The most common index rate used is one, three, or five years treasury securities index. Another commonly used index is the national or regional average cost of funds to savings and loan associations index.
4. The profit margin
   The profit is calculated by adding a certain percentage of the loan amount to the amount of the base index rate. The difference of the net payable loan amount minus the base index amount is the actual profit enjoyed by the lender in an ARM.
5. Adjustments and interest rates
   ARMs provide a unique adjustment period for borrowers during the inception of the loan facilities. The rate structure can change at the end of the adjustment period. However, several lenders provide more than one adjustment periods. It is possible for the borrowers to change certain aspects of the net payable interest rates with each new adjustment period. So there is an advantage to avail different interest rates with individual adjustment periods. If the borrower is market savvy, he or she can select different indices or interest rates and save money, provided the lender agrees to the rates and indices.
6. Initial discounts
   Initial discounts are interest rate concessions, and are very commonly used as promotional aids to attract customers for ARMs. Such discounts are only offered during the first year of the ARM loan. The discounts help to reduce the interest rate below the prevailing rate for a certain duration of time so the borrower can save some money through temporary reduced rates.
7. Negative amortization[5]
   Ideally, the net chargeable interest rate decreases with a regular payment of monthly dues against any credit borrowings. In case of mortgages the rates decrease over a period as loan pay offs occur. However, in case of ARMs, the reverse happens, and the mortgage balance actually increases whenever the ARM base index rates climb up. As the ARM base index increases in magnitude, its associated interest amount and repayment cap also increases, and the borrower ends up paying a greater amount to redeem the loan. This is a negative feature of ARMs and the borrower may suffer a certain loss over the loan tenure until redemption occurs.
8. Conversion to a different loan format
   ARMs have an agreement according to which the borrower can convert the ARM to a fixed-rate mortgage at designated times. This is often a fall back facility in case the ARM does not work in the borrowers favor and the buyer wants to revert to a safe option of a steady rate of interest.
9. Loan prepayment
   In majority of loans and credit facilities, lenders prefer the borrower redeem their dues as soon as possible, to recover the original lending amount. However, in case of ARMs a prepayment can result into a potential loss for the lender in the long run. So lenders generally include a clause in the ARM agreement which may force the buyer to pay special fees or penalties in case the borrower decides to pay off early. ARM prepayment terms are usually negotiated in the beginning before the credit facility is availed.

Summary
Even though ARMs have a low starting interest rate, there is no indication that the future cost of borrowings will be maintained at the same rate, since the base index rate is likely to change. If the indices rise, the net ARM cost will also be higher, and the borrower will have to pay a higher loan amount. So there is an inherent risk involved with ARMs. Certain studies indicate that on average, the majority of borrowers opting for adjustable rate mortgages save money in the long term.

Legend
[1] A mortgage loan is a specific type of loan, which is secured by some property or a fixed asset value having a certain financial value through a lien, or a legal written commitment empowering the creditor to sell the security offered in order to recover the outstanding dues, in case the creditor is unable to pay or redeem the borrowed amount. The word mortgage when used alone, in day-to-day life, is often used to convey a mortgage loan.

[2] A written promise to repay or redeem a specified borrowed sum of money, along with its interest at a predefined rate and length of time.

[3] An index rate is a widely used rate of interest generally used by lenders to set the interest rate on loans and credit cards.

[4] Loan capital or amount.

[5] Amortization is a gradual reduction in the value of an asset or liability by some predetermined process. In case of loans, it means a gradual or specific decrease in the magnitude of the net payable interest amount over a period, until the entire loan amount becomes void and is deemed as paid.

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Million Pound Mortgages On The High Street - Maximum Mortgage Limits

Finding and arranging a large mortgage used to be easy. Lenders used to fall over themselves to arrange a million pound plus mortgage and many had specialist high value departments who offered a premium application service to their well healed prospects.

Falling house prices, funding issues, bank closures and mergers and the FSA’s proposed guidelines on income requirements and interest only mortgages have left a gap in this market and many people looking for a large mortgage come up against barriers which can turn even the most simple application into a major challenge.

Over the next few weeks, Enness Private Clients will explore each of the issues and give some useful guidance along the way. Topics will include income requirements and self certification, interest only mortgages, property types, buy to let mortgages and offset mortgages

We will however start with:

Maximum Loan Amounts

Funding constraints caused by the drying up of the wholesale credit market and increased capital requirements have left lenders short of money to lend. This has been well documented and government intervention was required to (some say not fully) improve the situation.

As a result, many high street lenders imposed limits on the maximum mortgage they will grant, instead focusing on a higher number of individual mortgages which both spreads risk and improves profitability (Ten £100k mortgages will generate 10 arrangement fees, One £1m mortgage will only generate one arrangement fee. The margin on the loan will be the same).

A quick survey of the high street lenders and their published products shows the limits - Nationwide £1m, Santander £1m, Woolwich £1m, Coventry £1m, Birmingham Midshires £1m. Some of these lenders will exceed their published maximums in some circumstances, but the application will have to be strong, the loan to value below 70% and occasionally there will need to be an existing relationship between the clients and the bank.

A one million pound mortgage is a lot of money and will require an annual family income in excess of £200k - so this is not a problem which affects or is an issue to very many people. There are however more than 132000 properties valued at more than £1m in the UK, an increase of 393% in the last decade (The Independent, 11 July 2001). There is therefore a solid market for these mortgages

So where are these lucky individuals getting their mortgages? This has been a major shift in the market and is the Private Bank who has stepped in to help.

Private banks work on a case by case basis and mortgages over £1m are not an issue if the application supports it. These lenders assess on a case by case basis and the application is often more detailed than a similar one on the high street so the decision to lend is justified. Private Banks are delighted to be collecting so many high valued clients in so much as we have been approached by more than 5 new lenders in the last month who have requested we offer their products to our clients.

The problem for the borrower is that these lenders very rarely advertise (you will never see Coutts at the top of the best buy table in the money section for example!) so access can be difficult. The banks often have minimum entry requirements (such as a minimum asset level) and their criteria is very seldom listed on their website so finding the right one may involve a round of interviews before the client can find one suitable. As a result, the client will almost certainly require the help of a Large Mortgage Broker.

Tag : mortgage,mortgage calculator,mortgage rates,mortgage refinace

Steps to Consider when Looking for a Mortgage

The process of applying for a mortgage can be long and complicated, especially if you are a first time buyer, have poor credit, or have special mortgage requirements. Whether you’re a first time buyer or a seasoned pro, it’s good to refresh yourself on the important steps you should consider when you’re shopping for a new mortgage.

Step One: Your Finances

Regardless of any other circumstances, the first step in applying for a mortgage (or any other large loan, for that matter) should always be a thorough investigation of your finances, including your credit rating. This is an important first step, even though your lender will eventually want to examine your finances more thoroughly. Having a rough idea of your financial situation, and the amount of money you can afford to borrow, is going to be important when it comes time to choose a mortgage type and speak with potential lenders.

To examine your finances, look at your total monthly income, and total monthly debts, to find out how much you can afford in the way of mortgage repayments each month. In addition, check out your credit score. If your credit rating is over 700, good news, you should not have any trouble getting a mortgage. Under 700, you’ll probably be looking at a higher interest rate on your loan. To get a handle on fixing your credit, make sure you pay bills on time, and check your credit report for any obsolete information or errors.

Step Two: What Kind of Mortgage?

Generally you’ll be deciding between a fixed rate mortgage or an adjustable rate mortgage. If you plan to move or refinance within five years or so, a balloon mortgage may also be a viable option.

In most cases the main point to consider, apart from your finances, is how long you plan to stay in the home. A fixed rate mortgage gives you long-term peace of mind, in knowing that your mortgage repayments will never increase, so it’s a good option when you know you’ll be living in the home long term. The lower initial repayments of an adjustable interest rate or a balloon mortgage, on the other hand, can be useful if you know you will sell the home within a few years.

Step Three: Comparing Mortgage Quotes and Choosing a Lender

Once you’ve decided on the type of loan you want, it’s time to start getting quotes from lenders. Doing this before you start house-hunting can be very useful. Getting pre-approval gives you leverage when you make an offer on the property, and it saves time at closing too.

Try to get all your quotes within the same 14 day period, to make sure your credit rating isn’t affected by your credit inquiries. Getting all your quotes within a short space of time will also make comparing those quotes more accurate.

The problem is, it’s not always easy to get reliable quotes. Unscrupulous lenders often advertise very low rates to attract potential customers, but aren’t able to deliver on the advertised rates. Tell prospective lenders you can apply for a mortgage immediately, and most will be more likely to quote accurate rates they can deliver on.

Narrow down your list of lenders, and ask questions to help make your final decision. Ask about points and interest rates, closing costs, private mortgage insurance, pre-payment penalties, and anything else that’s important to you.

Once you’ve chosen your lender and applied for the mortgage, you should receive an Annual Percentage Rate and a Good Faith Estimate within three days. The GFE is required by law but lenders aren’t required to guarantee the estimate, so if a lender is willing to supply a written guarantee, consider that a good sign.

Step Four: Interest Rates and Points

Another important part of the application process is buying points, and locking in your interest rate. By purchasing points, you can buy down your interest rate, potentially saving thousands of dollars over the term of the mortgage. However points must be paid in cash when you close on the house, so if your cash flow is tight, it may not be an option. Also check out whether buying points will actually save money, as sometimes the money you spend on points may turn out to be more than the amount you save over the mortgage term.

Finally, a note on locking in your interest rate: It’s tempting to try and ride the market for as long as possible, hoping to lock in a low rate, but this requires some very careful attention to detail. Waiting even one day too long could leave you locked into a rate you can’t afford in the long term.

About the Author

Rachel Jackson is a freelance writer who writes about topics and pertaining to the mortgage industry such as how to refinance home mortgage

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3 Great Reasons Why You Need A Mortgage Broker For Your Home Mortgage

Buying a home is never easy and often involves many complex transactions, but that is exactly why you really need a mortgage broker way before you even find a home to buy!

Even though there are plenty of great homes on the market, buying a home can be an exercise in frustration if you are not equipped with some very important tools. And one of the most important of these tools is a qualified, professional mortgage broker - preferably a local person in the city in which you are planning to buy. He or she is the "money person" you will need if you are taking out a mortgage on the property. And, when you do find that perfect home, you want to be ready to make a solid offer and to be able to close quickly.

Here are three reasons why I think you need a professional for your home mortgage..

Your Mortgage Broker will Save You Money

Your professional loan broker will shop around to find you the absolutely best combination of interest rates and closing expenses, based on your qualifications and needs. He or she has access to literally hundreds of mortgage companies who will quote rates and expenses for your home loan. Then your broker will choose the loan package that best suits you and your needs. Your broker will be able to get pricing from far more sources than you can working alone - practically guaranteeing that you'll save money.

Your Mortgage Broker will Save You Time

If your life isn't busy enough already, how about adding the process of finding, securing, qualifying for a mortgage - by yourself - to your long list of tasks? If you're like most folks, merely the thought of yet another task just may bring tears to your eyes.

Your local mortgage professional is efficient and does this for a living - let him or her take those chores from you. You will thank me for this alone!

Your Mortgage Broker is Looking Out For You

Sure, it's true - your local broker will earn a fee once your loan has closed. But, you do not pay that fee - the lender pays it and it is definitely earned. There is something else that many overlook - the fact that your mortgage broker is looking out for you. It's his or her job to steer you into an appropriate loan for your needs and your ability to afford. He will not suggest loan packages that are inappropriate for you, nor ones that you cannot afford.

Pay Off Mortgage Early

Any extra or additional payments on mortgage pay off mortgage early. There are three avenues to pay off mortgage early without paying a penalty. The borrower can use bi-weekly mortgage payment, lump sum mortgage payment, or additional mortgage payment.

The terms and conditions of your mortgage tell how much you can pay extra or additional without paying penalty. The mortgagor or borrower pays penalty when the extra or additional payment exceeds the limitations. Mortgage is an asset to mortgage lender. Since mortgage lender losses interest as you pay extra or additional over the limitations, the mortgage lender charges penalty to the mortgagor or borrower.

In bi-weekly mortgage payment, the borrower pays off the mortgage every two weeks. This option is the most affordable and convenient way to pay off mortgage sooner from the three options to pay off mortgage early. For the annual lump sum and additional mortgage payment, the borrower needs to come up with larger funds. The borrower makes twelve payments on regular monthly mortgage payment, while the borrower makes twenty six payments on bi-weekly mortgage payment. Since the borrower makes more payment, the borrower put more money to reduce the mortgage. To calculate the bi-weekly mortgage payment, you simply divide the mortgage monthly payment by two. For example, the borrower pays $1,000 monthly mortgage payment. The borrower pays $500 ($1,000 monthly mortgage payment / 2) in bi-weekly mortgage payment. Another example, the borrower took $100,000 principal, 6.5% interest rate, and 30 year mortgage. The borrower pays $316 bi-weekly mortgage payment ($632 monthly mortgage payment / 2) to pay off mortgage early. The borrower saves 5 years and 11 months.

The annual lump sum mortgage payment is one big extra or additional mortgage payment every year. Mortgage lender usually allow up to fifteen percent of the principal amount which is the outstanding balance of the mortgage. For example, the borrower took $100,000 principal, 6.5% interest rate, and 30 year mortgage. The borrower pays $632 monthly mortgage payment. At the anniversary date of the following year, the borrower pays an extra payment of $15,000 ($100,000 x 15%) to pay off mortgage early. The borrower saves 5 years and 7 months.

The additional mortgage payments act like annual lump sum payment. The only difference is the borrower pays additional sum of money on top of regular mortgage payment on regular basis. For example, the borrower took $100,000 principal, 6.5% interest rate, and 30 year mortgage. The borrower pays $632 monthly mortgage payment. At the anniversary date of the following year, the borrower pays an extra payment of $500 on top of $632 monthly mortgage payment for 12 months. So, the borrower pays $1,132 per month. The borrower saves 10 years and 11 months.

Most borrower dreams to fully own the property by paying off mortgage. Without mortgage, the borrower gets personal peace and financial freedom. And, it allows the borrower to save for their retirement. The money goes to savings, or investments instead of mortgage interest.

Dennis Estrada is a webmaster of mortgage calculators website which calculate the monthly payment, bi-weekly payment, affordability, refinance, annual percentage rate, discount points, and more. Visit our website for more information on bi-weekly mortgage payment, and additional mortgage payment.

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Mortgage Loans - Mortgage Loan Tips For Borrowers Already in Default

Who says owning a house is easy? Tell that to thousands of people who are on the verge of loosing their house because of a default mortgage. So many people have already lost their job and now they’re going to lose their house too. That would be too much for a person whose only fault is getting a mortgage at the wrong time. Well, good news for people like them, the bank is willing to adjust their interest rate or payment terms provided they go through the proper process. The process is called mortgage modification. It is offered to people whose payments are behind by a couple of months who wants their mortgage loans modified to make it more affordable.

Mortgage loans modification works well with people who can work out a plan to pay their mortgage if the monthly payment is lower. The lender may come up with a lower monthly payment by reducing the interest rate and stretching the loan term. This can be availed by the borrower by submitting an application to the lender together with an explanation why the modification is needed. The borrower should be able to present to the lender that he has the capacity to pay the mortgage. It would be much better if an expert is consulted before submitting an application for modification. They may be able to give advice on what information are needed to make the application more appealing to the lender.

The objective of applying for a mortgage loans modification is to prevent foreclosure. Foreclosure usually happens when the borrowers don’t show any effort to save their homes. Lenders won’t start the foreclosure process if the debtors would show willingness to save their homes. Lenders don’t want the debtor’s house. They only want the money they could get after the house is sold as a payment for the money they lend. If the debtor can pay the money otherwise, the lender would forego the foreclosure and accept the new payment plan.

For some people, selling the property to institutions that are willing to buy homes with default mortgages would be a better alternative. This is especially applicable to houses with a market value greater than the value of the loan. Once the property is sold the borrower will not only be freed from the obligation he can also get what is left of the proceeds. This option is only good for you if you are willing to lose your home. People who are willing to do this are those who have multiple properties and are willing to let go of the property in default.

Mortgage loans that are in default will soon face foreclosure. Once the foreclosure process is on the way, any efforts to save the home may be too late. It would be all for the good if the borrower act as soon as possible regarding the default mortgage loans to avoid any eventualities that would produce unpleasant effect. Losing the house or keeping it is a personal discretion of the homeowner. But he needs to decide soon.

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