Tips for Getting the Cheapest Mortgage

Buying a new house is filled with difficult decisions that will affect you for years to come, and choosing the right mortgage for you is one of them. While there are many things to consider when choosing a mortgage, usually the price is one of the most important factors that will influence your decision. Banks offer different interest rates and terms depending on your credit history and the deposit you are putting forward, so it's worth thinking about this even before you start looking for a suitable property.

The first thing you need to do when you go mortgage hunting is to take a good look at your credit history. If you don't know anything about your credit rating or credit history you should get a report from one of the national credit rating agencies, as that's exactly what your bank representative will do when negotiating your mortgage. Things that could affect your credit rating negatively are missing payments, however small, on your credit cards or any other debt, so always make at the very least your minimum repayment on each of your accounts. If you ever had a bankruptcy you may find it very difficult to find a lender willing to offer you a cheap mortgage.

Credit ratings are what banks use to decide whether you are to be trusted with paying off your debts on time, so if you have never had a credit card or any sort of credit you may find it negatively affects your mortgage negotiations. So if you are planning to buy a house in the near future, you should get a credit card and pay the balance in full every month for a few months before you start house-hunting. Your employment situation is also something your bank will look at, so it's a bad idea to abandon your permanent, well paid job in order to start a freelance career right before starting house-hunting.

Along with your credit rating, banks will look at the amount of money you want to borrow compared with the value of the house you are buying. This means that with a high enough deposit your chances of getting a cheap mortgage with a low interest rate increase greatly. However, increasing your deposit is often easier said than done, as people often try to buy a house that is as good as they can afford. If your credit rating is bad you will be asked for a higher deposit as well, so keep that in mind when looking for a mortgage. Always shop around and compare mortgages from different providers, as the rates may vary quite a lot.

Lowest Mortgage Refinance Rates Available Online

Low mortgage rate refinance could be accessed on the internet where low mortgage rate refinance lenders are available in plenty. And low refinancing rates could also be obtained by seeking help from an expert who has knowledge. Qualifying for a low interest rate mortgage refinance loans could be extremely difficult especially if your credit rating is bad. This could be despite the fact that rates of interests being provided on home refinancing loans are at record lows.

Remember, the government backed making homes affordable is in action and it has served to stabilize the interest rates in the mortgage market. However, you may be able to take advantage of the lowest mortgage refinance rates if you seek help from experts who could be well versed with the eligibility guidelines and process requirements that apply to bad credit mortgage refinancing. Here is some vital information pertaining to the same which might guide you in your effort to reduce your monthly payments substantially and save money over the long run.

The internet could be the best place to start your search for a refinance mortgage loan rates loan with poor credit. When you go online you could find some lenders that specialize in providing refinance home loans to even those borrowers whose credit history may not be that desirable. And few lenders may not even require applicants to undergo the tedious process of credit verification for offering the benefit of low refinancing rates. It could be easy to qualify for a home refinance loan with such types of lenders and save your home from getting foreclosed. Besides, these days there is assistance available at your disposal and you could get valuable support for enabling you to determine the right home refinancing option for your peculiar financial and credit circumstances. You just need to get it.

Many firms provide free advice to help applicants in deriving low mortgage refinance rates through a procedure which is simple, easy and free of any kind of hassles. Such agencies employ professionals who have knowledge, skills and experience to assist borrowers in getting their mortgage refinancing loan application quickly approved regardless of the status of their credit histories. As a result, when you seek their guidance, you could get in touch with a qualified and experienced mortgage specialist in your local area who would primarily evaluate your financial and debt situation before suggesting you the correct strategy to get of your existing mortgage debts. Additionally, the expert also assists you to compare the free quotes offered by several lenders to help identify the best option for you.

However, in your task of finding low rates refinancing mortgage with bad credit, it could be important for you to make sure that you have chosen a service which is totally reliable and reputable. This could be easily achieved by conducting some online research. Reputed firms enable you to secure solutions that are affordable and favorable to satisfy your unique financial needs and requirements.

18 Ways to Reduce Your Mortgage Loan

1. Skip the introductory rate (Honeymoon)

Beware of lenders bearing gifts! Introductory or honeymoon rates have long been an important marketing tool for lenders. You are initially offered a cheap rate on your loan to get you in the door but once the honeymoon period is over, the lender will switch you to a higher variable rate of interest. An example of this is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM).

There are two problems with this scenario. First, the variable rate is often higher than some of the lower basic loans available so you could end up paying more. Second, you need to clearly understand that a honeymoon rate applies only for the first year or two of the loan and is a minor consideration compared to the actual variable rate that will determine your repayments over the next 20 or so years.

You may also be hit with fairly steep exit penalties if you want to refinance in the first two or three years to a cheaper loan. So make sure you fully understand what you are letting yourself in before setting off on a "honeymoon" with your lender.

2. Pay it off quickly

Time is money. There are all sorts of strategies for paying less interest on your loan, but most of them boil down to one thing: Pay your loan off as fast as you can. For example, if take out a loan of $300,000 at 6.5 per cent for 30 years, your repayment will be about be about $1,896. This equates to a total repayment of $682,632 over the term of your loan.

If you pay the loan out over 15 years rather than 30, your monthly payment will be $2,613 a month (ouch!). But the total amount you will repay over the term of the loan will be only $470,397 - saving you a whopping $212,235

· Make repayments at a higher rate

A good way to get ahead of your mortgage commitments is to pay it off as if you have a higher rate of interest. Get a loan at the lowest interest rate you can and add 2 or 3 points to your repayment amount. So if you have a loan at about 6.5 percent and pay it off at 10 per cent, you won't even notice if rates go up. Best of all, you'll be paying off your loan quicker and saving yourself a packet.

· Make more frequent payments

The simple things in life are often the best. One of the simplest and best strategies for reducing the term and cost of your loan (and thus your exposure should interest rates rise) is to make your repayment on a fortnightly (bi-weekly) rather than monthly basis. How can this make a difference I hear you ask? It works like this:

Split your monthly payment in two and pay every fortnight. You'll hardly feel the difference in terms of your disposable income, but it could make thousands of dollars and years difference over the term of your loan. The reason for this is that there are 26 fortnights in a year, but only 12 months. Paying fortnightly (bi-weekly) means that you will be effectively making 13 monthly payments every year. And this can make a big difference.

Using our example from above, by paying monthly, you will end uprepaying $682,632 over the term of your loan. But, by paying fortnightly (bi-weekly), you will save $87,254 in interest and 5.8 years off the loan. Zero pain to you, major benefit to your pocket.

· Hit the principal early

Over the first few years of your mortgage, it may seem that you are only paying interest and the principal isn't reducing at all. Unfortunately, you're probably right, as this is one of the unfortunate effects of compound interest. So you need to try everything you can to get some of the principal repaid early and you'll notice the difference.

Every dollar you put into your mortgage above your repayment amount attacks the capital, which means down the track you'll be paying interest on a smaller amount. Extra lump sums or regular additional repayments will help you cut many years off the term of your loan.

· Forego those minor luxuries

This is the bit you don't want to read. Once you have a mortgage, your life is likely to be luxury-free (or at least pretty close to it). Think of all the weight you will lose by giving up your favourite indulgent snack. For the sake of your health you should quit smoking and drink less anyway. Take your lunch from home and save on bad fast food. Trust me, your body will thank you for it.

If you're still not convinced consider the following example. A typical day may include a pack of cigarettes ($10), a coffee and donut ($5), lunch ($12) and a couple of beers after work ($8). That's $35 a day or $175 a week or $750 a month or $9,100 a year.

Assuming a mortgage of $300,000 at 6.5 per cent over 30 years, by making $750 in extra repayments each month, you'd save more than $216,000 in interest and be mortgage free in just over 14.5 years.

No one is saying you should live a convict existence but just cutting down a little on your expenses will see you reap huge financial benefits.

3. Get a package

Speak to your lender about the financial packages they have on offer. Common inclusions are discounted home insurance, fee-free credit cards, a free consultation with a financial adviser or even a fee-free transaction account. While these things may seem small beer compared to what you are paying on your home loan, every little bit counts and so you can use the little savings on other financial services to turn them into big savings on your home loan.

There are also "professional" packages on offer for amounts over a certain limit, which can be as little as $150,000. Some lenders offer discounts to specific professional groups or members of professional organizations. Ask your lender if your occupation qualifies you for any discount. You might be pleasantly surprised. There are all sorts of discounts and reductions attached to these packages so make sure you ask your lender about them.

4. Consolidate your debts

One of the best ways of ensuring you continue to pay off your loan quickly is to protect yourself against interest rate rises. If your home loan rate starts to rise, you can be absolutely positive about one thing - your personal loan rate will rise and so will your credit card rate and any hire purchase rate you may happen to have.

This is not a good thing as the interest rates on your credit cards and personal loans are much higher than the interest rate on your home loan. Many lenders will allow you to consolidate - re-finance - all of your debt under the umbrella of your home loan. This means that instead of paying 15 to 20 per cent on your credit card or personal loan, you can transfer these debts to your home loan and pay it off at 7.32 per cent.

As always, any extra repayments or lump sums will benefit you in the long run.

5. Split your loan

Many borrowers worry about interest rates and whether they will go up but don't want to be tied down by a fixed loan. A good compromise is a split loan, or combination loan as they are often known, which allows you to take part of your loan as fixed and part as variable. Essentially this allows you to hedge your bets as to whether interest rates are going to rise and by how much.

If interest rates rise you will have the security of knowing part of your loan is safely fixed and won't move. However, if interest rates don't go up (or if they rise only slightly or slowly) then you can use the flexibility of the variable portion of your loan and pay that part off more quickly.

6. Make your mortgage your key financial product

Mortgage products known as all-in-one loans, revolving line-of-credit or 100 percent offset loans allow you to use your mortgage as your key financial product. This means you have one account into which you can pay all of your income and draw from for your living expenses by using a credit card, EFTPOS or a checkbook, as well as making your mortgage repayments..

These types of accounts can make a huge difference to the speed at which you pay off your loan. Because your whole pay goes into your mortgage account you are reducing the principal on which interest is charged. Sure, you might take a couple of steps back as you withdraw living expenses but careful use of this sort of product can get you thousands of dollars ahead of where you'd be with a "plain vanilla, pay once a month" home loan.

These loans work well when you are able to make additional payments towards the loan. If you are only able to make the equivalent of the minimum repayment on your loan (and not put in any extra) you may be better off with a cheaper standard variable or basic variable loan. However, it's not unusual for dedicated borrowers using these types of loans to cut the term of a 30 year-old loan to less than ten.

7. Use your equity

If you have already paid off some of your home, you are said to have equity. Equity is the difference between the current value of your property and the amount you owe the lender. For example, if you have a property worth $500,000 on which you owe $150,000, you are said to have home equity of $350,000, which you can re-borrow without having to go through the approval process by accessing it through your existing loan.

Many lenders will allow you to borrow using your equity as collateral. Most lenders will allow you to borrow up to about 80 per cent of the loan-to-value ratio (LVR) of your available equity. If you are careful, you can use this equity to your advantage and help to pay off your home loan sooner.

Using an equity loan to improve your property could be a good way to ensure that your home increases in value over time. But larger expenses such as cars and holidays that would have been paid by credit card are more affordable on the lower rate of your home loan.

8. Switch to a lender with a lower rate (But do your sums)

It may sound like a simple idea but switching out of your current loan and taking out a loan at a lower rate can mean the difference of years and thousands of dollars. If you have a loan that is tricked up with all the features, or even if you have a standard variable loan, you might find that you could get a no frills rate that is as much as a percentage point cheaper than your current loan.

However, before you jump the gun, check out what it will cost you to switch loans. For example, there may be exit fees payable on your old loan and establishment fees and stamp duty on your new loan. Work it all out and if it makes sense, go for it.

9. Stay informed - don't forget about your mortgage
Visit Mortgage Loan Hints.com

With any long-term commitment, there is always the temptation to let your mortgage roll along, make your repayments as they fall due and think as little about it as possible. As long as you keep up the repayments, there's not much else you need to do, right?

This attitude can be a big mistake. Keep yourself up to date with what's happening in the marketplace. You might find that there's an opportunity to put yourself well ahead of the game. Rates change, new products and changes in the market itself may allow you to seize an opportunity or negotiate a better deal.

Stay informed and stay ahead of the game.

10. Get a cheap rate and invest the difference

When interest rates are low, like now, it is usually safe to say that inflation is also low. Thus, bricks and mortar may not be the best place to invest. Try getting the cheapest home loan you can find and make the minimum repayment. This allows you to use the extra cash to invest in other, more profitable areas.

You may find that the return you get on shares or some other type of investment means that you have created a nice little nest egg which you can use to pay off a bigger chunk of your home loan than you might otherwise have been able to do.

But beware - high returns often mean high risks. Before undertaking any investment, invest in a consultation with a qualified financial adviser.

11. Run an offset account

Instead of earning interest, any money you have in your offset account works to offset the interest you are paying on your home loan. For example you may have a mortgage of $300,000 at 6.5 percent and an offset account with $50,000 in it earning 3 percent.

This means that $250,000 of your loan is accruing interest at 6.5 percent but the rest is accruing interest at just over 3.5 percent (6.5 percent on your loan less the 3 percent the $50,000 in your offset account is earning). Imagine how much you can save!

Of course, the best sort of offset account pays the same rate as your loan (100 per cent offset).

12. Pay all your mortgage fees and charges up front

Some lenders allow you to add to the amount you borrow instead of coming up with cash for your upfront costs. While this can seem a blessing try to avoid doing this. Consider the following example:

Borrower A borrows $300,000 over 30 years at 6.5 percent. Her upfront costs are $1,000 but she has enough cash to make sure she can cover these. Her total repayment over 30 years will be $682,632

Borrower B takes out the same loan but doesn't have enough cash to cover the upfront costs. So he borrows $301,000, at the same rate. Her total repayment over 30 years will be $684,907.

Two thousand odd-dollars might not sound like a huge amount but what could you buy with it if it stayed in your pocket?

13. Pay your first instalment before it's due

With most new loans, the first instalment may not become due for a month after settlement. If you can manage it (and your lender will let you), pay the first instalment on the settlement date. If you do this, you will be one step ahead of the lender for the term of your loan. Every little bit counts.

14. Shop around and make sure your lender knows it

One of the most powerful tools you can have in the search for the best home loan is information. Make sure you have rung half a dozen lenders and brokers (as well done some internet research) before you start talking to your preferred lender about getting a new loan or refinancing your existing loan.

Make sure you know what rates and features are offered by each of your lender's competitors on comparable products. Be ready to tell the lender what you are looking for and don't be afraid to ask for extras. If they want your business, and know you know what you are talking about, they may be prepared to work that little bit harder to get your business.

Don't be afraid to walk out if you aren't getting the best possible deal you can.

15. Make sure your loan is portable

If there is any chance that you will move house during the course of your loan (and let's face it, there is a strong chance), make sure that your lender will allow you to transfer your loan to a new property and that it won't charge you the earth for the privilege.

Be careful. If you sell up and buy a new house, you could find yourself down thousands in discharge costs on your old loan and establishment fees on your new one.

16. Avoid bridging finance

Someone once said bridging finance is so called because it allows you to "pylon" the debt. The joke's appalling, but so is bridging finance. Unless you get your timing right you could find yourself with two home loans at the same time - with the bridging finance element costing you an extra couple of percent premium on the standard variable rate.

Consider using a deposit bond or selling before you buy, as it will be much more cost effective for you than another loan.

17. Choose the loan that suits your needs

Choosing a loan is about knowing what you want. Draw up a table of potential home loans and rank them. Make a list of all the features that are important to you and rank them according to importance. Give each feature a score out of 5 - one for unimportant right through to 5 for indispensable.

Use this technique for ranking the loans on offer and pretty soon you'll see the one that's right for you. Remember, different loans have different purposes so you need to match a loan to your need. Taking out an interest only loan suitable for investors if you are planning to live in the house is just foolish.

Ditching the features you don't need can save you up to 1 per cent on the interest rate of your loan. Over 30 years that's a whole lot of money you've just saved yourself.

18. Don't be afraid of smaller lenders with cheap rates

Since the advent of the mortgage managers over the past five or six years there's been a lot of talk about smaller and "non-traditional lenders" and how they have forced interest rates down. With the property boom, plenty of opportunities sprang up for smart lenders with low fees willing to take on traditional lenders and many have done very well indeed.

Some borrowers worry about what might happen if their lender gets into financial trouble. Keep in mind that you've got their money - so don't worry too much. There are some smaller lenders whose names might not be readily familiar but whose rates might be enough reason to get in touch.

Be wary, however. Some of these smaller lenders can have huge hidden fees and charges. It is true that the interest rate might be much lower, but in many cases, they exit (or penalty) fees can be very high if you refinance or pay off your mortgage in the first couple of years. Of course, if you're planning on staying with that lender for some time, then these fees will not impact your pocket at all.

Get a Home Mortgage Loan With Bad Credit Through Understanding the FICO Credit Score

People that want to get a home mortgage loan with bad credit are often at a loss as to where they should begin their search. They have several questions: What other qualifications are necessary in receiving a home loan with bad credit? How big of an impact will a bad credit score have on my ability to receive a home loan? What can I do to improve my chances of qualifying for a mortgage loan?

Bad credit is not as simple as many people seem to think, however. Determining one's eligibility for a home loan is so much more complicated than looking at a credit score. Therefore, knowing the extent to which FICO credit scores impact home loan eligibility is important. This article will review the extent of that impact and fill you in on what you can do to help yourself get a home loan with bad credit today.

Know Your Credit and What It Means

The first step to understanding the process of receiving a home loan with bad credit comes from assessing the real state of your credit score. Basically, you will need to know what your credit score is, numbers-wise, and what that means in reality.

For starters, a FICO is short for the Fair Isaac Corp., the three-number score that it generates is based on a rather complex formula that looks at many different factors concerning your financial life. The most important of these two factors is your asset to debt ratio (or how much you own versus how much you owe) and your payment history on past accounts. Chronic late payments, defaults, bankruptcies, foreclosures, etc. can seriously harm your credit score.

Before you look for a home loan, you need to assess your bad credit score through a review of your full credit report. This document will outline all the elements that the Fair Isaac system uses to determine your score and allow you to check them for discrepancies and misrepresentation.

Why Credit Matters in the home loan Industry

Once you understand the details of your credit score you will see why this number is so important to lenders. When you have a lot of debts, the chances of you being able to afford a home on top of everything else is seriously questionable. A home mortgage is likely the largest loan you will take, so it is clearly important to make sure you can afford it.

Similarly, a history of making late payments and loan defaults will also impact the lender's decision. If a lender feels you will not be responsible or make enough money to afford a home loan he is not likely to extend it to you.

Making a Change Is Important

If you are serious about buying a home there are several steps that you can take, starting today, to make that a reality. You need to fix your bad credit score in order to get the best interest rates, which can be done in a number of ways:

Consolidate debt through a personal loan.
Make sure you rebuild your credit history following a bankruptcy or a foreclosure.
Write out and adhere to a budget which takes all of your debts into account and works to pay them off.
Go to a credit counselor.

By working to improve your bad credit, home mortgage loans will be easier to acquire in the future. There are many lenders online who are accustomed to working with borrowers whose credit score is poor. They may be able to find you a home mortgage loan with bad credit or at least direct you on the proper path to get one in the near future.

Reverse Mortgage Calculator: Essential Tools For Future Borrowers

A reverse mortgage calculator is an online tool used to determine the payout one can expect to receive from a reverse mortgage. In addition to payouts, many calculators will also compute a borrower’s expected closing costs, interest rate, and mortgage insurance premiums. These tools are typically used to help borrowers determine whether they would be eligible for a loan, as well as how much they would qualify for should they choose to apply.

How to Use a Reverse Mortgage Calculator

To use a reverse mortgage calculator, borrowers will input their age, the estimated value of their home, zip code, and the remaining balance of their mortgage loan if applicable. The calculator will use this information to determine whether the borrower would qualify for a reverse mortgage loan based on his or her age and amount of equity.

Borrowers who would qualify for a reverse mortgage will be shown a few different options. In many cases, consumers will be shown how much they would qualify for through a fixed-rate HECM Standard, an adjustable-rate HECM Standard, and an HECM Saver. Consumers will also be shown how much they can expect to receive if they choose to accept their money in a lump sum, line of credit, or receive monthly payments.

Many calculators also calculate payouts based on a combination of payment options. For example, a person may want to receive a portion of their cash as a lump sum and the remaining portion as monthly payments. This is a popular option with borrowers who will be repaying their mortgage loan with a portion of their payout.

Consumers might also be able to calculate their expected interest rate, mortgage insurance premiums, closing costs, and loan origination fee. This is done to help consumers compare their estimated payout with the amount of money they can expect to pay for a loan. While fees can be rolled into a reverse mortgage loan, they are still important to consider. Any fees rolled into a loan must be repaid, plus interest, once the home is sold.

What to Remember When Using a Reverse Mortgage Calculator

While using a reverse mortgage calculator, consumers must understand that the calculations they receive are estimates. A reverse mortgage calculator will not be able to tell a consumer whether he or she would definitely qualify for a loan. These calculators are simply offered to give consumers an idea of what they might be able to qualify for.

Mortgage calculators are great tools for potential borrowers to use prior to applying for a loan. At first, reverse mortgages may seem overwhelming. There are not only several different loan and payment types, but borrowers are required to pay certain fees, closing costs, and mortgage insurance premiums. reverse mortgage calculators lay out a consumer’s different options, making them much easier to understand.

The goal of using a calculator is to understand how a reverse mortgage might benefit an individual. After using a reverse mortgage calculator, a borrower should come away with a better understanding of these loans, as well as their possible eligibility.

Are You A First Time Buyer Mortgage In Ireland

The Republic of Ireland is one of the greatest places in the world to live. The scenery is astounding and the people in the Republic are kind and generous. It is an amazing place to buy a home, so many first time buyers are flocking to the area in hopes of gaining their first home. The first time buyer mortgage is a little more cumbersome than the future mortgages will be, but the homeowner mortgage is something that many people desire to have.

It is important to note that most first time buyers do not keep their original mortgage for a long time. Often times the mortgage rates are higher, and most buyers tend to refinance as soon as they can. One must also understand though that this first homeowner mortgage is an essential step in building equity and getting comfortable in the home buying market.

There are different types of loan options that are available for a first time buyer mortgage. The most typical one of these is a 30 year fixed rate. This basically means that you will have the same mortgage payment every month for the next 360 months. This seems like a long time, but this is an expensive investment, so many people need that long to pay off the home. Remember too that refinancing is an option, but the 30 year fixed is the most common mortgage across the globe. Many people may be able to also reduce the number of years that they sign up for with their first mortgage. There are 25, 20, 15, and 10 year mortgages as well. This lowered amount of months means that you will save a lot of money in interest over the life of the loan, but it also means that your monthly payment will be substantially higher. There are many other types of loans available, but the fixed years and rates are usually the main types that first time buyers can receive.

The down payment is another important part of the buying process. It is estimated that buyers put 20 percent down on the cost of the house. This down payment comes off of your mortgage so your rates will be lower each month. This also means that your interest will be lowered, but it does not mean that the interest rate will be lower. The bigger the down payment that you can make; the lower your monthly payments will be. The Republic of Ireland has a ton of great homes to choose from, so start saving up some money for your first home right now.

The first time buyer mortgage is going to give buyers the opportunity to get their feet wet in the housing market. The mortgage will be standard, but remember that you will have to pay for any taxes, closing costs, and any other related fees. These can sometimes be rolled into your overall mortgage cost, but that is not always the case. You will have to talk with your lender to get the specific details. A homeowner mortgage is attainable, but you have to get your finances in order and be prepared for a long process. The Republic of Ireland has homes to buy, so first time home buyers should take the chance to get into this pristine and special area.

Obama Mortgage Plan For First Time Homebuyers And Mortgage Refinancing

First-time homebuyers and current homeowners now have unprecedented access to home purchasing power under the Obama Economic Recovery Act of 2009 to help jumpstart the US housing market and the flagging economy. Because of this recently enacted legislation, potential home buyers and current homeowners now have the opportunity to either receive a one-time home purchasing tax credit or refinance their current mortgages.

These new programs, in addition to existing tax credits and grants, can provide much needed help to those who require it during these trying economic times, regardless of past or current credit situations. The program is meant to help people find homes but to also stay in their current homes and enjoy the security of the biggest, best investment they will make in their lives.

Buying Your First Home under Obama Legislation

Qualified first time homebuyers, under the housing stimulus component of the Obama economic plan can now take advantage of a refundable income tax credit of up to 10% of the total home purchase price, up to $8,500. Once you file your annual income taxes, this credit will be refunded to you. However, if you file before the deadline, you can receive this refund almost instantly once you file an amended tax return for the current tax year.

In addition to this home-buying credit, lenders are even advancing qualified homebuyers the value of their credit to put towards the down payment on their new home. Another way first time homebuyers can save is to purchase foreclosed homes through banks that own the properties now and through property auctions. Often, qualified buyers can get historically low interest rates on new mortgages. To avoid a mortgage meltdown, seek out a lender that will offer a fixed rate mortgage instead of an adjustable rate mortgage. This will give you the security of knowing your monthly mortgage payment and the interest will remain the same throughout the life of your mortgage.

Refinancing Your Current mortgage

Existing homeowners also stand to benefit from this portion of President Obama's economic plan with the Home Affordability Program or HAP. Under HAP, current qualified homeowners can refinance their existing mortgages to a historically low rate of 4.5%. This program is a great help to those owners who have seen their property values lose such significant value that they would not otherwise qualify for traditional home mortgage refinancing programs.

Many of these homeowners who are stuck in these underwater mortgages typically had adjustable rate mortgages with balloon payments or monthly payments that doubled or tripled upon the resetting of these mortgages. Often, these new payments, coupled with the unstable housing market, were simply unaffordable for most of these homeowners.

Determining Eligibility

Determining whether you qualify for either the new homeowner tax credit or the Home Affordability Program is as simple as contacting a reputable qualified lender. Your new lender should be able to inform you of any available government grants, programs and also let you know of what your new interest rate and monthly payment will be, in addition to savings over your existing mortgage.

7 Tips to Get the Best Mortgage Deal

Getting a mortgage is a big step in everyone's life where you have the responsibility of a big investment that will stay with you for a long time. To get the most out of this investment, it's important to get the best mortgage deal around. It doesn't matter if you are a young professional looking to get your first property or a long-time investor wanting to add another mortgage to your list, everyone wants the best deal they can get.

In order to get started properly, there has to be a lot of thought and planning done ahead of time. Getting the best mortgage deal isn't something that will come overnight, because random unorganized plans may have you paying high interest rates and a mortgage that will take several decades to pay off.

Avoid the stress and hassle by considering seven simple tips to get yourself the best mortgage deal for a bright financial future.

Assess Yourself

Take a close look and list all of your debts and payments throughout the year. Look at the number of big-ticket items and loans or credit cards that you still have to pay off and how long it will take to do so. By writing out a list of everything you have to make payments on, you will be able to clearly see if a mortgage is realistic in your current situation or not.

If you find that another loan is not something that you would be able to handle at the moment, find out which steps you can take to make your situation better for the mortgage you desire.

Pay Your Bills

One of the biggest problems that many people have is the need to get the best mortgage deal but with a low credit rating. Most people get a low credit rating due to large outstanding payment needs for things like credit cards.Paying off the credit cards first will not only give you a higher credit rating but it will also give you more freedom to save a higher amount for your down payment.

List Your Desires

Make a quick list of the ideal properties that you would like to get. Do some research and see how much those particular properties (on average) are priced at. This is another way to see how realistic your goals are with your current financial standing. If they do not match up well, set your sights on something more affordable or find out how you can improve your standing to get a chance at what you ultimately would love to have.

Get a Low Rate

Getting the lowest rate possible is the main goal for the best mortgage deal. In order to get that low rate, it's important to have a good credit rating. It also doesn't hurt to have a good amount for down payment since that will translate to a lower amount that you will have to borrow.

If you don't have time to raise your credit rating or down payment amount, always remember to shop around. No one should ever go to one bank and accept the rate they offer, especially for such a big investment that will carry on into the future. Go to several different places to see the rates they offer and choose the best mortgage deal for you.

Consider Payment Options

There are different payment options available for mortgages and each one is made to suit one person or another. Look over your options and calculate each one to see which one is best. Some payment plans are made to be convenient and others are more specific to help you pay off your mortgage faster over time.

Although payment convenience will certainly take a load off your mind over the years, choosing the payment option that will help you pay off the debt in a shorter amount of time should be carefully considered.

Read the Fine Print

There are many different clauses and fine print when it comes to serious matters like a new mortgage, so it's very important to read everything thoroughly and understand exactly what you will get and what's expected of you. Knowing the fine print will save you from making an expensive mistake and the stress from unexpected occurrences.

Ask the Experts

If you are unsure about where you should begin or would like to get professional advice for the best mortgage deal that you can get, it's always possible to talk to a mortgage broker. They are experts in the field and know all there is to know about the places to get a good rate, the best plans to make payments and can explain all of the fine print in detail to ensure you understand everything before making that big investment.

Remortgage Quotes - Learn The Methods That Can Help You Decide On The Best Loan For You

Internet shopping is often a fairly easier means to compare remortgage quotes, and all of it can be done at a website, without leaving your home. This website can enable you to evaluate numerous home loans, the different kinds, the disguised costs, and even the rates of interest. They can even help with other aspects to think about while choosing which loan is the top option for you in selecting your remortgage. One incredibly effortless way for finding some great information and check up on what your bank is telling you is by comparing these mortgages through a website. Specialist websites permit you to assemble and then compare and contrast interest rates while simultaneously providing you with crucial information for establishing which is the best remortgage for you.

You need to analyze and examine carefully a whole mortgage agreement so that you can opt for the ideal remortgage loan for you, many times people need to make a decision on whether to stay with your bank or choose a different lender. You can find several varieties of home loans to investigate, but most fall into two categories, a fixed rate versus an adjustable rate loan. The problem of a floating interest rate loan is usually that, after completion of the planned fixed payment period, payments might rise drastically. The major disadvantage of a fixed rate plan is that when the interest rate drops, you are bound to a higher interest rate payment schedule that can only be changed with refinancing.

Typically, a floating interest rate home finance loan goes with a reduced monthly interest rate, yet this differs in numerous conditions. Essentially, you simply won't have the ability to tell specifically what your monthly mortgage payments will be per month. Try to exercise caution since there could be obscure fees within these new loans that may severely raise up the expense. These might differ in their amount and in what will be placed in the loan deal.

Redemption, valuation and arraignment costs are a number of the most typical expense items. However, if you spend some time doing research online to compare and contrast these costs, you could get free or cut-rate fees for these products because of the high levels of competition that are in this niche presently. Naturally, tracking down the ideal remortgage quotes involves a lot more than just looking at the monthly interest payments you will have once you get your mortgage contract. Contemplating the additional charges along with bills that happen to be associated with the latest bank loan is actually integral in evaluating which loan company you will choose to go forward with in the application process.

Basic Mortgage Comparison Tips And Tricks

Assuming the day has finally arrived and you want buy your dream home. The odds are quite high that you do not have the whole amount required to finance the purchase in full. Rather, just like purchasing an auto mobile, you would probably opt to put up a small percentage down, and then make monthly payments towards the remaining amount. This is what is known as a mortgage loan .

Just like with any other purchase, comparison shopping is the key when it comes to financing your dream home. The wide gamut of terms and conditions associated with different categories of mortgage plans can be very nerve-racking, a situation that may leave most home buyers unsure of how to approach the process.

In order to get the best possible loan, you will need to use a comparison strategy that addresses key points including the interest rate, the tenure, the terms and conditions, and any other applicable fees,

The interest rate is the first point of comparison. Always get a rate that would be in your best interest. Mortgage loans could have variable or fixed rates that are subject to changes over the loan tenure. By projecting the course in which the economy is likely to take over the tenure, you can be able to decide on the best type of interest rate. A fixed rate is one that remains 'fixed' till the loan comes to maturity while a variable or adjustable rate is one which fluctuates with the changing economic times.

The loan term is the other aspect of the comparison process you should focus on. You should identify the most preferred term of your loan. mortgages typically come written for tenures of 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. The best tenure will always be determined by your income level, and the amount of interest that each offer attracts.

As is therefore expected, a 30-year credit will attract lower payments than its 15-year counterpart, but the buyer will not experience much savings as they would have with the 15-year credit. The idea here therefore is to ensure that the monthly payments you make are reasonable enough in comparison to your net income. This way, you will see to it that the balance left will be able to cater to other financial obligations without affecting your payment schedule.

It could be tempting to stop your comparison shopping the moment you find the ideal rate and term, but it is advisable you delve deeper into what the contract of the loan provides and consider other equally important things such as applicable fees. For instance, should you opt for bi-weekly or weekly payments; you may incur processing fees which may negate the gains you make from the low interest rate.

The idea here is to account for all applicable fees and have a rough estimate of just how much you will end up paying once the deal is done. In some situations, you may discover that opting for an arrangement that otherwise seems to carry a somewhat higher rate but has no applicable fees could actually be much cheaper in the long run.

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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.

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5 Important Steps to Uncovering Mortgage Fraud

There are numerous con artists and scammers that prey upon homeowners who are having a hard time making payments on their mortgages, promising to save their homes and get rid of their debts.

These deceiving alleged foreclosure or mortgage consultants often use lists purchased from private businesses to target troubled borrowers. They may also offer to easily stop foreclosure or save hopeless homeowners from foreclosure through e-mail, phone calls, advertising, or in person.

If one suspects they're dealing with foreclosure fraud or wrongful foreclosure look for these types of common foreclosure fraud scams:

• Scam artists may "guarantee" to save one's home from foreclosure. They will tell someone to make his mortgage payments directly to them so they can forward payments to his lender when really they may pocket his money and leave him in worse shape on his loan.

• Scam artists create Web sites that resemble federal Web sites and use business names similar to those used by government agencies. These scammers use this scheme to fool someone into thinking they are approved by, or associated with, the federal government.

• Many con artists will persuade someone to transfer the title of their home to them with promises of new and better financing. They may say to him that he can rent his home and eventually buy it back. But, if he does not comply with the terms of the rent-to-buy agreement, he can very likely lose his money and home. These con artists have no intention of ever selling one's home back and they don't care that this is considered illegal wrongful foreclosure.

• Some scam artists may claim bankruptcy will solve one's problems. But in actuality filing for bankruptcy is rarely a permanent solution to prevent foreclosure. Filing for bankruptcy stops any collection and foreclosure action while the bankruptcy court administers the case. Eventually, one must make payments on his mortgage, or the lender has the right to foreclose.

• Several con artists use wrongful foreclosure legal arguments to persuade someone that they can "eliminate" one's debt and that he is not obligated to pay back his mortgage. They make inaccurate claims about applicable laws and finance, such as nonexistent laws that allow one to erase his debts or that imply that banks do not have the authority to lend money.

Tag : mortgage,mortgage fraud,uncovering,fraud

Considerations of a Florida Mortgage Refinance for Investors and Property Owners

Florida mortgage refinance can be beneficial for property owners within the Sunshine State. This state has witnessed a high level of foreclosure rates which resulted in plummeting property values and left many borrowers owing more than their home is worth.

Entering into Florida mortgage refinance can help homeowners reduce monthly loan installments through the reduction of assessed interest. This can be particularly helpful to investors offering rental properties.

Many investors can no longer charge the high rental rates often associated with vacation rentals and beachfront property because of economic conditions. A large percentage of investors are now charging less than their mortgage payment in attempt to generate cash flow through investment properties.

A recent report published by industry expert, Zillow, states of the 13,000 plus homes for sale in Florida nearly one-quarter are bank owned properties. Once banks regain ownership of foreclosure real estate they often list houses for sale below market value to recover losses incurred by the repossession process.

Due to the abundance of discounted properties many Florida homeowners and investors are holding onto properties because they cannot obtain fair market value. Combined with fewer buyers and tightened lending criteria those who are buying houses often turn to bank foreclosures as a way to save money.

Refinancing real estate loans lets mortgagors obtain reduced payments so they can keep their property until market conditions improve. Reduced payments also let investors' lower rental rates without incurring a financial loss.

Multiple factors should be considered before applying for Florida refi. The first consideration is to determine current rate of interest vs. reduced rate of interest. Borrowers should be able to reduce interest by at least 1.5- to 2-percent for this to be a viable option.

Another critical element is determining if the current loan includes a prepayment penalty. This information is provided in the Truth in Lending (TIL) statement attached to loan documents. Mortgage lenders often assess penalties when borrowers' payoff loans early. This can amount to several thousand dollars.

Prepayment clauses vary by lender. Some are in place during the first 5 years. Others reduce the rate of penalty over the course of the loan. Florida property owners who obtained financing through chartered credit unions or hold VA or FHA loans are exempt from prepayment penalties.

A third consideration is the amount of refinance rates. In Florida, the average cost of mortgage refinance ranges between $2500 and $6000. This includes the cost of loan application, loan origination, real estate appraisals and inspections, legal fees, and various closing costs.

Lastly, Florida property owners must determine if they hold sufficient home equity to qualify for refinancing. Within the Sunshine State, lenders require a minimum of 5-percent accrued equity before even considering review of loan applications.

One program that can be helpful to borrowers owing more than their property is worth, but need refinancing help to reduce loan installments, is Making Home Affordable. This program is sponsored by the U.S. government and offered to mortgagors with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans. Program details are provided at MakingHomeAffordable.gov.

It is always best to consult with a tax accountant or mortgage consultant to determine if Florida mortgage refinance is a financially-sound decision. Take time to calculate the true cost of refinancing to prevent placing personal finances and property at risk.

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STAR Servicer - Total Achievement and Rewards Program for Mortgage Servicers

As the fall out continues with the countrywide 50 state investigations, lending servicers who are responsible for bill collection of mortgage payments and other aspects of mortgage servicing for investors, it has come to the attention of the government how badly these companies are run. Fourteen companies have been under review and all of them have been found to violate foreclosure laws. Fannie Mae and other government agencies have been discussing how to best improve our mortgage servicing and lending here in the United States. Fannie Mae has come up with a performance program to help assist mortgage servicers' to get it right and to stay within the boundaries of the law. This ultimately will help ensure the health of our housing economy and help support the housing recovery.

Not only will servicers be facing no procedures, they will also be facing harsh fines as a group entity. These fees could total over 20 million; however, this is just an estimation of what they could be paying for violating foreclosure laws.

Fannie Mae on Wednesday announced the STAR (Servicer Total Achievement and Rewards); the program is designed to better assist and will help examine how the servicers help homeowners avoid foreclosure. The goal of this new program is to set clear expectations and specific measurements to help Fannie Mae and servicers increase focus on avoiding foreclosure.

As more and more news comes out about how servicers' have violated foreclosure laws, this program is an ongoing effort to hold servicers accountable. So how will this work? Each servicer will be given a servicer performance scorecard, which in turn will provide feedback on a monthly basis. With this program it should help servicers see where they need improvement and overall performance. Top ranking servicer's will become eligible to receive monthly incentive awards and recognition. Also, top ranking servicer's performance will be made public in an annual scorecard. Many believe this program will help gear better customer service to home owners, help with the housing recovery, and keep the servicers on the right track.

This will also help the federal government to set guidelines and regulations in place for the mortgage servicing industry. As the mortgage industry and bank industry is reviewed by the government to find a solution and to prevent another financial crises,it seems many changes are going to happen over the next few months and years. As we wait and see if the HAMP program and other federal programs will stick around, it is good to know servicers will now be regulated better in hopes of making the homeowner ship experience safer for everyone.

Tag : mortgage,mortgage servicers,star servicer

The 1% Rule of Mortgage Refinance

Is the 1% Rule the best way to decide whether to refinance? In other words, if I can reduce my interest rate by 1% should I refinance?

Some people think so. Let's look at a few ideas and then you tell me if it is the best way for you to decide. What are you trying to accomplish? Are you trying to reduce your interest rate which will lower your monthly payment, or are you trying to reduce your total cost of the loan (current interest obligations vs. interest obligations of new loan plus refinancing costs)? Interest obligations of new loan don't only reflect the interest rate though. The length of the mortgage has a lot to do with it too. Are you going back to 30 years, or will you go to a lesser term (15, 20 or 25 years)? This impacts on your total cost too.

Maybe what you want or need is a lower monthly payment. You have to consider just reducing your monthly payment on the mortgage alone vs. reducing your total monthly payments by including your credit cards too. Are you afraid you won't be able to keep up your current payments and you stand to lose your good credit rating or even your home?

Lowering your monthly payment on your mortgage alone while going back out to 30 years may or may not result in a total savings over the life of the loan. When you include your credit cards and their higher interest rates in the equation, your chances for saving on a mortgage refinance increases.

How long do you plan to live in your present home? It takes time to recoup the cost of refinancing. The longer you plan on staying put, the greater your chance of generating savings by refinancing your mortgage.

You can see how this is different than just lowering your interest rate. The 1% Rule doesn't always work so well. Decide what you need or want before moving on to whether you should refinance. Then, a mortgage professional can run some numbers and help you decide.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Godin

How to Apply for a Bad Credit Mortgage

Applying for a bad credit mortgage can be difficult, but there are some steps to making it easier. Banks usually require that a borrower has a low debt ratio, good credit history, and a stable income. If a borrower is lacking one of these factors it may be more difficult to get a loan. Listed below are some helpful tips you should consider when applying for a bad credot mortgage.

To qualify for a home loan, the lenders will often look at your credit rating and history. Credit can become bad for a number of reasons but no matter what the cause, bad credit will create problems if you want a new mortgage on your house. You should start by getting a full credit report and assessment on your financial situation. This will help you to find out your credit score and how difficult it will be to get a bad credit mortgage.

Even if a bad credit is inevitable, try to improve your score as much as possible. This will greatly increase your qualifying chances and lower the interest rates for your loan. If there are any inaccuracies with your financial history, contact your bank and try to get them resolved.

A bad credit mortgage status is usually the result of a maxed out credit account or late payments on your previous financial loans. This can make it difficult or even impossible to get accepted for a mortgage with standard rates. You may get accepted but the interest rates will be much higher. If you want to save money, try waiting until your score improves before reapplying.

FHA mortgages are the best deals for people who have bad loan histories. This deal does not require the applicant to have an excellent credit record to get a low interest rate since it is a government program. Home loans can be made with a low down payment, which creates a lot more opportunities for people do not have a lot of money available.

To qualify for the FHA mortgage, borrowers will need to prove that their income is enough to make the payments every month. For this deal, the house value and size of the loan are very important factors for qualify. Not every area has government bad credit mortgage loans, so check where you are to see if there are any available. The FHA loan is limited to the county where the house is located. This type of bad credit mortgage loan should be on the top of your list, but keep other options available in case there is a better deal elsewhere.

Tag : mortgage,mortgage rates,bad credit mortgage,best mortgage

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Leadbetter

Use A Mortgage Calculator To Secure The Best Rate

This article explains a few things about free mortgage calculators, and if you're interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don't know.

Mortgage brokers are blossoming in the current environment and are gaining an increasing share of the mortgage market. This is great news because you should consult with a mortgage professional when you're making one of the most important financial decisions of your life. Mortgage brokers had to be able to sell their mortgages to someone. They could only produce what those above them in the distribution chain wanted to buy. Mortgage companies and homeowners alike are eagerly anticipating its arrival.

Mortgage markets in the United States in recent decades have done a remarkable job of intermediation between those different needs. Mortgage servicers are middlemen who process the mortgage payments from homeowners and direct the money to the banks or investors who hold the loans. With the current problems in the mortgage market, banks and the federal governments have reached consensus to help homeowners, but often the mortgage servicers, having the ultimate power to modify a mortgage, refuse to "play ball."

Now that we've covered those aspects of free mortgage calculators, let's turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.

Mortgage arrears, County Court Judgments (CCJs), defaults or bankruptcy are all troubling points, and so, prior to making their decision, the lenders will consider these also. This information is held by credit reference agencies, and can take up to six years to clear. Mortgage bankers may also service mortgage loans (maintain the loan accounts and collect mortgage payments). Some mortgage bankers may also broker the loans of other companies.

Mortgage brokers do not work for one particular lending institution while loan officers generally do, there are other differences that may affect the type of loan that you will be offered. The easiest and simplest way to understand the difference between a mortgage broker and a loan officer is that a loan office works for you bank and will help you secure a loan from that lending institution and a mortgage broker will search through many institutions to find a loan that works best for your situation.

Mortgage debtors can be included in the aid program from January 1 of this year, until the end of 2010. The program itself will exceed this period. Mortgage rates thus, it will ensure a sound completion of the mortgage process and leave you at peace for the rest of your life.

It never hurts to be well-informed with the latest on free mortgage calculators. Compare what you've learned here to future articles so that you can stay alert to changes in the area of UK mortgages.

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Deciding Between A 15 Or 30 Year Mortgage

It is not complicated to understand that the difference between a 15 and 30 year mortgage is that the payments on the fifteen year loan are designed to pay the loan off faster. Since it is less time, the payments on a 15 year loan will be more than on a 30 year loan.

A 15 year loan will build equity in your home more quickly, because you will be paying the same principle off in a shorter time. Of course, after the 15 year term has ended (or less if you move or refinance in the interim), you have to get a new mortgage and decide once again which is the best choice.

It is a question of individual needs and preferences; some would prefer to keep mortgage payments as low as they can, some would like to build equity as quickly as possible. If it is not a question of what you can afford to pay; is the 15 year mortgage automatically a better idea, or could you do something different with the money? If you chose a 30 year home loan, you certainly have the option to pay additional payments and lower the principal more quickly. You won't get the same benefits as you would if you chose the shorter term in the beginning but you do pay your mortgage down more quickly to build wealth. This is an interesting alternative to many of those who like to maintain the flexibility of lower payments at certain times, or paying more when they can afford to.

If you can afford the higher mortgage, however, you may think other investments may be a better alternative. For example, if you are offered a 30 year home loan at 7% for $100,000 ($665 per month) but the rate on a 15 year mortgage is 6.75%, since the longer mortgage will have a bigger risk premium ($885 per month). You theoretically need to pick an alternative investment for the difference of $220. You can build equity with the shorter term mortgage, however. There are some who believe putting the additional $220 into some stocks would yield a better return, or perhaps an investment in a child's 529 education plan is a more important need. You be the judge.

Many people simply prefer the flexibility given by the 30 year loan over the 15 year loan. If you are disciplined enough to put the funds that are saved into another investment vehicle that makes more sense in your portfolio or your time of life, it may be the right choice. Too many people, however, do not possess this kind of discipline, and the money would be wasted; these kinds of people are better off being forced to build equity by the use of a shorter term loan.

Tag : mortgage,mortgage calculator,mortgage rates,mortgage refinance

Remortgage Watch October 2010

What is the Current Base Rate Outlook?

With the news from over the pond that the Federal Reserve will again look to return to quantitative easing to stimulate their economy, and also recent comments from Adam Posen (MPC member) that he believed the UK needed to engage in Q.E. to avoid a prolonged slump, it seems ever more likely that Bank of England will follow suit.

The anticipation seems to be for this to happen in the first quarter of next year. As a result the markets have pushed their base rate increase forecasts back further still, unto the 3rd or 4th quarter of 2011. It seems the belief is that the actions of our American cousins combined with the upcoming fiscal squeeze from our very own Chancellor next month (with some £83 bn worth of cuts on the agenda), that rates need to stay lower for longer.

What Should You Do Now?

For those with mortgages this is of course good news as we should see rates, and therefore payments to continue to remain low for the foreseeable future. However, it cannot last forever so there needs to be a number of considerations before identifying the right time to re-mortgage. Generally speaking the mortgage market moves 6 months before the base rate moves so the following should be contemplated;

• First house prices have eased off in the last 3 months. Some analysts are predicting further drops so if you are on the cusp of a notable loan-to-value tier (60%, 70% and 75%), be aware that rates move up at each level, but significantly so above 75%. If you have concerns over your house price and the base rate then be aware of these tolerances.

• Second the validity of re-mortgage offers will differ from lender to lender but there are lenders that will keep the offer open for up to 6 months. Given that we can drag the application period for a month or more if necessary, you can secure an offer 6-8 months before you think rates will move.

• If you plan to hold off for a while make sure your credit is AAA. Any small misdemeanor at the moment can mean the best rates aren’t available to you.

• If the economy goes back into recession is your job secure – could you be subject to a pay cut or part time hours, therefore making it more difficult to re-mortgage due to a drop in income? If you have any concerns or work in the public sector, again considering your options now might be frugal.
Where Are Mortgage Interest Rates Going?

Speaking to a number of internal treasury departments within the major banks, the message seems to be that they believe tracker rates are currently as low as they will ever be, and fixed rates aren’t far off with perhaps one more drop of circa 10-20 points. However, there has been a lot of press in the last couple of days that lending will become more difficult again in the next few months due to lender’s fears over a double-dip recession and the ensuing unemployment that that could bring.

With rates starting from 1.99% for 2 year trackers and 2.99% for 2 year fixed rates for those who have at least 25% equity in their homes, it certainly isn’t a bad time to consider your options, especially as most lenders SVR (standard variable rate) are higher. There are also re-mortgage and purchase products available for those with 40% equity in their homes to be had at 2.19%.

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