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.

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Interest Only Mortgage? Consider A Graduated Payment Mortgage

Graduated payment mortgages (GPM) offer financing solutions for those who expect their income to rise in the future. A hybrid of an adjustable rate mortgage and fixed-rate mortgage, a GPM with its fixed interest rate starts with low payments that increase yearly based on the loan’s terms. If you have considered an interest only mortgage loan in the past, you might want to consider the benefits of a graduated payment mortgage instead.

GPM Features

A GPM offers low monthly payments by increasing payments for the rest of the loan’s term. At the beginning your mortgage will not completely cover your interest charges (negatively amortizing), but larger payments will be made later on to cover both interest and principal.

Generally, a GPM’s beginning payments will be a couple of hundred dollars less than a comparable fixed-rate mortgage. However, in later years you can expect to pay at least a hundred dollars more in monthly payments than a fixed rate mortgage payment.

Lenders also offer several different types of payment plans. The most common is to graduate payments annually for the first seven years, after which payments remain the same. Longer graduated periods or a greater rate of increase can lower your initial payments even more.

GPM Benefits

A GPM allows a borrower to enjoy low monthly payments with the security of a fixed-rate. Most homebuyers expect their income to increase if only due to inflation. A GPM takes advantage of this situation by increase payments as your income should increase.

A GPM also allows you more buying power based on the lower monthly payments and expectation of increased income. With initial reduced payments, you can pay for moving expenses and home furnishings.

GPM Drawbacks

Like with any type of mortgage loan, you need to weigh all the factors before choosing a GPM. One of the risks with a GPM is that you may not be able to afford the higher monthly mortgage payments, which could threaten your financial situation.

You may also find that if you have to move within a couple of years that you may owe on the loan after selling due to negative amortization. Even if you don’t owe interest, you will have very little equity in the home until several years into your mortgage.

Consider your financial goals with different financing packages to find the best fit.

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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 Advice For Frequently Asked Mortgage Questions

As you start your search for a mortgage, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself in order to narrow your search and know what you're looking for. Unfortunately, the answers to those questions aren't always easy. For some honest mortgage advice on the answers to your mortgage questions, keep reading.

Fixed Rate Mortgage or ARM?

If you plan to stay in the house you're planning to purchase for longer than 7 years or simply want stability in your monthly payments, pick the fixed rate mortgage if you can afford it. A fixed rate will allow you consistent payments month-after-month for the duration of the mortgage loan.

Alternatively, an ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) is great for families who know they'll be out of their house in less than 7 years. Before you take on an ARM, ask your lender what your worst case scenario would be based on your annual rate adjustment cap. Make sure you could financially handle a potential sharp spike in your monthly mortgage payments.

How Large Should My Down Payment Be?

Ask yourself how much of an interest rate reduction you'll get with a higher down payment and whether a lower down payment will result in having to pay expensive private mortgage insurance. Mortgage insurance is often required by the lender to cover their risks when the buyer's down payment is too low.

Typically, investing in a larger down payment results in a return on the investment that's equal to the mortgage interest rate. Now, if dropping your down payment puts you in a different category (for example, below 20% or below 5%) that can affect the return significantly.

Do I Want an Interest-Only Mortgage?

An interest only mortgage offers homeowners an option to pay only interest, but for a specified period of time. This results in a lower required monthly payment and the buyer is still free to make payments on the principal.

Interest only mortgages should only be used though by borrowers who actually need them. For example, a good candidate might be a freelancer or contractor who has a fluctuating income and wants the freedom to make extra payments on the principal while still having a smaller monthly commitment.

Other examples include individuals who need the cash flow for high-yielding investments (earning more than 9% over the long term) or families who are expecting to make higher incomes in a few years, at which point they can begin making some significant principal payments.

Should I Accept a Pre-Payment Penalty?

A pre-payment penalty is a clause in your mortgage agreement that says you'll pay a penalty if you pay off the mortgage too early or seek to make extra payments. On the surface, you might assume the lending institution would welcome the faster repayment of its loan. However, doing so actually results in some financial loss through lost interest payments.

Typically, prepayment penalties disappear after a few years. If you opt for a fixed rate mortgage and plan to remain in the house for a long time, you can often exchange a pre-payment penalty for a lower rate!

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Mortgage Rates – Lower The Rates, Better The Mortgage

It is common practice to apply for a mortgage loan when buying a property; in which a lien on the property is given to the lender as collateral for the loan. Though a property with good value can guarantee you a good mortgage loan, the rate (interest rate) applied on the loan is often dependent on various other factors like your credit ratings, personal assurance, etc.

Mortgage rates also vary depending on the type of loan and the duration of the loan. There are basically three types of mortgage rates:

# Adjustable Rate Mortgage
# Fixed Interest Rate
# Variable Interest Rate

Adjustable Rate Mortgage:

On the basis of an index, the mortgage interest rates of an adjustable rate mortgage are adjusted from time to time. When there is a downward fluctuation in the interest rates, it can be beneficial to get adjustable Mortgage rates.

Fixed Mortgage Rates:

In the case of 'fixed mortgage rates', the monthly payments and the principal as well as the interest rate do not change throughout the entire tenure of the loan. As long as the borrower is in a fixed rate mortgage, the interest rate remains the same. The advantages of this type of mortgage rate are that a record of the exact amount of payments can be kept by the borrower; and an increase in market interest rates will not affect the borrower’s payments.

Variable Interest Rates:

Being better for higher risk threshold customers, mortgage hunters have been showing a higher interest in this type of mortgage. This type of mortgage requires the bank rate to be stable and when you have this mortgage, you have to hope that it remains stable. Variable rate mortgages can save you a lot in interest, but your payments would vary according to the market.

Factors affecting mortgage rates

Major factors affecting mortgage rates include:
• Income of mortgage borrower
• Credit scores
• Total mortgage loan amount versus value of home
• Consideration of closing costs
• Whether or not the mortgage rate is adjustable
• Amount of down payment on mortgage
• Life of mortgage loan

You need to know the mortgage type that fits your lifestyle and your financial needs the best. By choosing the right kind of mortgage loan, you can actually save thousands.

By: Dimitri Angelakopoulos

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When to Choose an Interest-Only Mortgage

An interest-only mortgage is just what the name suggests. It is a loan in which you are only paying the interest amount and not the principal. However, most interest-only mortgages only allow you to pay just the interest amount for the first five or ten years of the loan term. After that period you would then have to pay the full monthly amount, based on the total amount of the loan.

Interest-only mortgages are sometimes perceived as risky or gimmicky, although for many buyers they do offer flexibility and the chance to buy a home with lower monthly payments. Interest only mortgages aren’t exactly a particularly new concept, they were actually popular back in the 1920’s until the depression came along. In the last few years they have become increasingly popular as several large respected lenders have offered them; in some more expensive areas of the US, interest-only mortgages have accounted for around 50% of all new mortgage loans.

Suppose you buy a $200,000 home and take out a 30 year mortgage with an interest rate of 6.5%. For the first five years of the loan, you pay just the interest amount, which is going to be around $1080 per month. The majority of your monthly payment during the first few years is the interest, rather than the principal. After five years, the loan balance remains the same, but the monthly payments are recalculated to what would be the amortized amount, making the monthly payment more like $1260. During those first five years, your monthly payments are almost $200 lower, a big difference. If you buy a more expensive home, the savings are even greater.

You may want to choose an interest-only mortgage if you are a first time homebuyer and not used to making monthly payments that are probably higher than you were paying in rent. If your income fluctuates, you work freelance or on commission, it gives you the option to perhaps buy a more expensive home but to still have more affordable payments. An interest-only mortgage is often seen as an effective way to buy a more expensive home than you might otherwise be able to afford. This shouldn’t be your only reason for taking this option.

An interest-only mortgage is also an ideal option for those who know that they will have more income in the next few years, perhaps with a pay raise. Then they know they will be able to afford higher monthly payments. And if you are fairly sure that you will be refinancing your loan sometime in the next few years, an interest-only mortgage may be an ideal option for you. If you feel you can pay more in a particular month, there is usually no prepayment penalty on the loan. This type of loan is very flexible; it also offers options for different terms, usually five, ten or fifteen years.

One of the big advantages of an interest-only mortgage is that you have the option of paying towards the principal if you want to. You aren’t required to pay extra; but it is an option if you can afford it. An interest-only mortgage allows you to not only buy a more expensive home with a smaller monthly payment; it also allows you to free up money that you may need for other things, such as home improvements, college tuition for your children or a retirement fund. Arguably, this type of mortgage also makes it easier to budget for those other important things, especially for a homebuyer who is just starting out.

Just as with a more conventional mortgage, an interest-only mortgage can come with a fixed rate or an adjustable rate. A fixed rate mortgage has the big advantage of stability. Meaning that the interest rate on your loan won’t change, regardless of the economy and regardless of whether interest rates go up or down. An adjustable rate mortgage can go up or down, as the rate is set against the overall interest rate at the time. Although if you’re monthly payments are much less anyway, a small increase in your monthly payment amount may not affect you too much. However, even with a fixed rate interest-only loan, the rate may change at the end of the interest-only loan period.

An interest-only mortgage is absolutely not for everyone. Whether or not it can work for you; depends on your short term goals, your financial situation and your capacity for risk. As with any type of loan, there are drawbacks. The biggest one being the higher monthly payment that takes effect after the interest-only period has elapsed. Always consult with your financial advisor before making the decision to apply for an interest-only mortgage. There will be certain people pointing you in different directions, but in the end the choice is yours.

About the Author

Shawn Thomas is a freelance writer who writes about topics and financial products pertaining to the mortgage industry such an adjustable rate mortgage available from a mortgage lender

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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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Balloon Payment Mortgage

A balloon payment mortgage is a fixed-rate non amortized mortgage with a large final payment. Typically, the mortgage matures from five to seven year term. At the end of the term, the borrower pays final payment which is much larger than the regular mortgage payment. Hence, the final payment represents the balloon.
Most balloon payment mortgages are interest only mortgage. The borrower only pays the interest on periodically. So, the principal remains the same. At the end, the borrower pays the substantial principal.
For example, the monthly mortgage payment comes to $3,333.333 on a $200,000 mortgage with 20% annual percentage rate. First, you calculate the total interest which comes to $40,000 ($200,000 x 20%). Then, you divide the total interest with the number of payments on a year. Thus, the monthly mortgage payment comes to $3,333.33 ($40,000 / 12 monthly payments).
The mortgage payments on balloon payment mortgage are commonly based on a thirty year mortgage with a term of five to seven years. It is also easier to qualify for this mortgage. And, the interest rates are much lower than traditional mortgage.
The borrower usually sells the property before the mortgage matures to avoid the final payment. At the end of the term, the borrower needs to pay the final payment. The borrower must sell the property, refinance the mortgage, or convert the mortgage before the end of term.
The borrower can convert balloon payment mortgage into traditional amortized mortgage. In an amortized mortgage, the mortgage payment pays off the principal on each periodic payment.

Dennis Estrada is a webmaster of mortgage calculators, Balloon Payment Mortgage, and mortgage dictionary website that gives access to many resources, and calculators for mortgage.

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Tags : Mortgage , Ballon Payment Mortgage , Mortgage Calculators

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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Types Of Mortgages Available In Canada

In Canada there are two types of mortgages available to residential borrowers, one being a conventional mortgage and the other is a high-ratio mortgage. Within both types of mortgages there are two sub-types, which are either open or closed mortgages.

To clarify the various options one can be presented with when shopping for a mortgage this article is divided into two parts;

Part one deals with the difference between a conventional mortgage and a high-ratio mortgage and part two deals with the different sub-types of mortgages available within the two types. However, these are fairly generic explanations - just as there are many different lending institutions, so there are almost as many different varieties of mortgages available. This is another good reason to consult a mortgage broker. Depending on your situation, one type of mortgage may be better for your circumstance than another.

CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE:

If you have at least 20% of the purchase price (or appraised value if this is lower than the purchase price) as a down payment, you can apply for a conventional mortgage.
Some lenders may require either CMHC, Genworth or AIG insurance as well because of the property's location or type, even though you have 20% or more equity.

LOAN TO LENDING:

to 65% 0.50%

65.1 to 75% 0.65%

75.1 to 80% 1.00%

80.1 to 85% 1.75%

85.1 to 90% 2.00%

90.1 to 95% 2.90%

95.1 to 100% 3.10%

Please note: Insurance premiums are higher when the amortization is greater than 25 years or if there is more than one advance. This usually happens if you are building your house or having it built for you. Check with your Mortgage Broker to learn what the applicable premiums will be.

The insurance premium is calculated by multiplying the mortgage amount needed by the applicable percentage.

For example:

If the purchase price is $112,000 and the required mortgage is $100,000. You divide 100,000 by 112,000. This equals 89.29%.

Looking at the above chart - the premium is 2.00% when the lending ratio is 89.29%.
The next step is to multiply the mortgage amount by the insurance premium. Using our example this means $100,000 X 2.00% = $2,000. Your actual mortgage loan will therefore be $102,000.

CMHC's 5% DOWNPAYMENT PROGRAM was originally for first-time homeowners, but was expanded in May 1998 and is now available to all purchasers (principal residence only) who meet the normal requirements. Furthermore, borrowers can now even borrow up to 100% of their purchase price under new CMHC's Flex Down Insurance Program.

CMHC may set maximum purchase prices under these programs depending on the city so check with your Mortgage Broker to learn what the price limits are in your area.

If the property is a duplex (and you are buying both sides), with one side being owner occupied, the minimum down payment is 5.0%.

Mortgage brokers and lenders must verify that the borrower has the 5% down payment and 1.5% of the purchase price to cover closing costs. The only exception to the 1.5% is when the purchaser qualifies for an exemption of the Land Transfer Tax (Ont.) or Property Transfer Tax (B.C.), or similar provincial tax exemption. In these cases the mortgage broker or lender must ensure that there are sufficient funds available to cover all remaining closing costs.

OPEN MORTGAGES:

An open mortgage allows you to pay off part or the entire mortgage at any time without penalties. Open mortgages usually have short terms of six months or one year. The interest rates are higher than those for closed mortgages with similar terms.

VARIABLE RATE MORTGAGES / ARM (ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES):

At the start of a variable rate mortgage, the lender will calculate a mortgage payment that includes principal & interest. For the term of the mortgage your payments usually do not change. However, as the prime rate changes so will your mortgage rate.

If interest rates are dropping, less of each payment will go toward interest and more will go toward principal. If interest rates rise, more of your payment will be interest and less money will be reducing your principal.

Some of these mortgages are completely open (you can pay off all or part of your mortgage at any time without penalties). Others that offer a 'prime minus' interest rate (e.g. prime - 0.375%) may charge a penalty.

The interest rate on most variable rate mortgages is compounded monthly.

CAPPED RATE MORTGAGES:

These are variable rate mortgages that the lending institution has rate 'capped'. In other words, the rate will fluctuate with prime, but the institution guarantees that you will not pay more than a certain interest rate, set by them.

These mortgages often have a penalty for early 'payment in full' and are often not portable.

CLOSED MORTGAGES / FIXED RATE MORTGAGES:

The expression 'closed mortgage' originates from the 1980's when this type of mortgage was literally 'closed'. You contracted to the lender to make your payments for the term chosen, you could not pay anything additional, nor could you pay off the entire amount for any reason except the sale of your property.

These days, there are many ways to pay down your mortgage principal quicker, though the name 'closed' mortgage still remains. See pre-payment options for ways to pay off your mortgage quicker.

Fixed rate mortgages are the most popular type of mortgage. You benefit from the security of locking in your mortgage interest rate, for lengths of time ranging from 3 months up to 25 years. The rates are slightly lower than for an open mortgage for the same term.

If you think interest rates could rise, you may want to choose a longer term, such as a 5 or 10 year term. If you think that rates are going lower, you may want to gamble on a shorter length of time. Discuss this with your Mortgage Broker.

The major lending institutions have different pre-payment options allowed under their contracts. These options allow you to pay off your mortgage faster. It is also possible to pay off most closed mortgages prior to the end of the term or pay down a portion of the balance owing. However, lenders charge penalties for doing so.

Please note that some lending institutions will not give any pre-payment options. It is wise to find out what options are available before entering into any mortgage contract.

CONVERTIBLE MORTGAGE:

These are fixed rate mortgages for terms of 6 months or 1 year. Not all lending institutions offer convertible mortgages. With a convertible rate mortgage you can lock into a longer term during the current term of your mortgage without penalty - but only with the same lender. For example, if after a couple of months you hear that interest rates are going to increase, you may change to a longer term mortgage such as the 5 year term.

REVERSE MORTGAGE:

CHIP - Canadian Home Income Plan is the name of the company providing reverse mortgages in Canada.

A reverse mortgage allows homeowners to convert equity in their homes into cash, without selling the property or having to make monthly payments.

To qualify, homeowners must be at least 62 years old, have significant equity in their property and live in B.C. or Ontario.

The amount that can be borrowed depends on the homeowner's age. Reverse mortgages are for between 10% and 40% of the appraised value of the home. The older the homeowners, the more they can borrow.

The homeowner retains ownership and possession of the house. The lending company registers a reverse mortgage against the property. At death, or when the house is sold, the loan and the accrued interest must be repaid.

The biggest disadvantage to reverse mortgages, is that the interest keeps building on the amount of money borrowed (hence the maximum 40% loan). This means that if you borrow $50,000 this year and your interest bill is $5,000, next year your interest will be charged on $55,000 and so on. The longer the loan is in place, the greater the interest bill that has to be paid.

It is possible that when the house is sold, 100% of the proceeds from the sale may be required to pay off a loan.

If the homeowner dies the estate will have to pay off the loan and the accrued interest. This may wipe out any inheritance for the homeowner's heirs.

An alternative is to establish an equity credit line. This allows you to take funds only as you need them, thereby owing the least interest possible, with no surprises.

Consult with a financial advisor for more alternatives.

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

Government Helps Homeowners With New Mortgage Support | Mortgage News

Latest forecast by the British Chamber of Commerce suggests that unemployment figures could rise to ten percent or around 3.1 million people during this year 2009. According to Credit Action personal debt in Britain today stands at almost £1.5 trillion in November and the amount of debt has surged ahead of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year 2008. The Council of Mortgage Lenders had forecasted up to 75,000 homes could be repossessed in 2009 if something was not done by the government to help.

With the above in mind it is little wonder that government help is urgently required. That’s why during the last Pre-Budget report on the 2nd September, Alistair Darling announced that his Government would be providing a package to help homeowners who found themselves unemployed and struggling to pay their mortgage. He said that he was determined to support people during these difficult economic times.

The package Alistair Darling was referring to was the extension to the Support Mortgage Interest which came into effect today the 5th January 2009. This included shortening the waiting time for Support Mortgage Interest (SMI) from 39 weeks to 13 weeks and increasing the capital limit to £200,000. Today the Government is announcing that this new rule will also apply to people who are waiting now.

According to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mr. James Purnell the government has decided that they do not want a person who is unemployed through redundancy to worry about paying their mortgage. They want people who have already served 13 weeks or more of their waiting period by today the 5th January 2009 to be entitled to claim Support Mortgage Interest.

So what does all this actually mean to you and me? Well if you are unemployed through redundancy then instead of waiting 39 weeks for the government to pay just the interest on your monthly mortgage payment you would now only have to wait 13 weeks for Support Mortgage Interest to be paid by the government.

Previously Support Mortgage Interest would only have covered up to £100,000 and then on the 2nd September 2008 the government increased it to £175,000. Now under the new instructions issued by Alistair Darling at his pre-budget report he increased it to cover your mortgage up to £200,000. The standard rate of interest which is used as the basis to calculate Support Mortgage Interest has been frozen at 6.08% for the next six months.

The above scheme works well as long as your mortgage is less than £200,000 and your wife does not work or you are single. But what if you are a couple where the main bread winner has been made redundant and their partner continues to work and you still cannot afford your mortgage payments? Also how would this ruling affect a couple who had a mortgage and a secured loan under £200,000? Previously, you would not have qualified for Support Mortgage Interest; it might be possible to apply for the Gordon Browns other government incentive below.

Let’s not forget Gordon Brown recently announcement for “middle income households” that his government would underwrite a £1 billion scheme which he had agreed with eight of the largest mortgage lenders. This scheme will be available to anyone who loses their job or suffers from a loss of income. For example: a couple where the main bread winner has been made redundant and their partner continues to work, but they are struggling to pay the mortgage.

Under this scheme any household with a mortgage of up to £400,000 will be able to defer some or all of their interest only payments on their mortgage for a period of no more than two years. To further qualify for this scheme you should have less than £16,000 in savings. The terms of suspension of mortgage payments will need to be agreed between the mortgage borrowers and their mortgage company or bank. More information and details are required and the devil may well be in the detail. Your thoughts, experiences and comments are welcome.

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Mortgage Modification | Adjustable Rate Mortgage | Fixed Rate Mor

The loan structure is one of the first decisions you’ll have to make when taking out a mortgage. The two main types of mortgages are fixed-rate and adjustable rate, the main difference being the way your interest is calculated. Each structure has its own pros and cons, and it’s important to know which one best suits your situation. This article lists some of the basic differences between the two.

Fixed-rate Mortgages
A fixed-rate mortgage, as the name suggests, uses a single interest rate for the life of the loan. The main advantage of this loan is stability: because the rate never changes, your monthly payments remain the same regardless of the market situation. Fixed-rate mortgages are typically offered in 10-year, 20-year, and 30-year plans. Some loans also have a bi-weekly option, which allows you to make extra payments and pay off your loan sooner.

On many fixed rate mortgages, you start off paying more interest than principal in your early payments. But since your principal gets smaller each year, the situation eventually reverses and more of your payments are counted against the actual cost of the loan.

The fixed rate doesn’t apply to property taxes and insurance premiums—these are controlled by the government and your insurance provider respectively. But since your monthly payments are mostly made up of principal and interest, you can expect fairly stable payments with only minimal changes.

Adjustable Rate Mortgages
An ARM bases its interest on a third-party index that determines the market interest rate. This means that your interest rates can change from time to time, depending on current market indicators. Some of the commonly used references are the Certificate of Deposit Rate (CD), the Treasury Security Rate, and the Cost of Funds Index (COFI) of the Federal Home Loan Bank.

To protect borrowers from drastic increase, most ARMs impose a cap on either the payment itself or the change in interest rate. For example, a mortgage may allow a maximum increase of 2% each year, no matter what the current rate is. Others may cap the actual amount your payments can go up. Ideally, this will be a “lifetime cap”; that is, the cap applies throughout the life of the loan.

ARMs typically have an introductory period where you pay a fixed or low interest rate for the first few years. This scheme is designed to attract more borrowers, especially in the sub-prime market. Many people take advantage of this structure by enjoying the introductory rate, and then selling or refinancing the home when the rates shift back to normal.

If you are in an adjustable rate mortgage that you cannot afford you may qualify for a loan modification. Mortgage Loan Modification allows you to work out better terms with your lender, and pause the foreclosure process while negotiations are under way. This is especially ideal for people in adjustable-rate sub-prime loans, which have reverted to higher rates in recent years. To know more about mortgage loan modification consult your mortgage loan modification attorney.

About the Author

The Loan Modification Department is composed of a team of Mortgage Loan ModificationAttorneys, Mortgage Professionals, and Hardship Analysts. Lead by Expert Mortgage Loan Modification Attorney, Marc R. Tow, Loan Modification Department has helped thousands of American Home Owners save their Homes and decrease their loan payments. For more information Just Call 800-738-1170 or Visit our website http://www.cdloanmod

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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.

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Mortgage Lending

Mortgage lending has become a thriving business with more and more mortgage borrowers relying on mortgage lending institutions to get loans. The Internet has made comparing and studying different lending institutions easier for the mortgage seekers. Mortgage lending companies can now get in touch with the potential buyers right away. All in all, mortgage lending has become fast-paced. The term ‘mortgage lead’ often appears while discussing mortgage lending. Mortgage lending firms act on the basis of mortgage leads. Mortgage leads are basically mortgaging applications redirected to the mortgage lending companies through mortgage lead generation companies.

If you are a mortgage seeker, all you need to do is check out some leading mortgage lead generation companies on the web and fill out an online application form to let them know the type of mortgage loans you need. After verifying your application, they will send your application to mortgage lending companies. The lending companies will treat your application as a mortgage lead. They will in turn contact you with loan offers. You can then compare all the loan offers to go for the most suitable one. The role of mortgage lending companies assumes greater significance, as they have to come up with customized loan plans to suit the borrowers’ requirements.

Mortgage lending has opened up an opportunity for the loan seekers to go for the best mortgage loan. Builders, real estate professionals and individual homebuyers can utilize the mortgage lending service to realize their dream. As a borrower you can always consult mortgage-lending experts to get better ideas on the recent trend. You should always go for those mortgage-lending institutions that have got the experience and expertise to offer you some fabulous mortgage deals. Mortgage lending requires a focused approach to recognize what borrowers actually want. Mortgage lending companies always look for better lending opportunities.

Mortgage Lending provides detailed information on Mortgage Lending, Commercial Mortgage Lending, Online Mortgage Lending, Mortgage And Lending Companies and more. Mortgage Lending is affiliated with Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments.

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3 Benefits Of A Fixed-Rate Mortgage You Won't Like To Pass Up On

Will you be purchasing a home very soon? There are a variety of other ways to finance it in today's market. Most people would probably choose to buy their houses with cash, since it's one of the simplest ways to purchase a house, but this often isn't a realistic option. Mortgages are much more realistic, though. They come in so many different forms that today's home buyer is certain to find one which suits their requirements.

You can consider a fixed-rate mortgage, since it's one of the most popular options from which to choose. This is a mortgage where monthly payments stay static over time. A certain period that generally ranges from 10 to 50 years is how long this mortgage can be repaid. A 30 year amortization period is the most common option.

You will find that among the main advantages to choosing a fixed-rate mortgage is how secure it is. You will find that, as opposed to alternatives such as adjustable-rate mortgage, a fixed-rate mortgage will allow you to pay the same fee each month throughout the loan's term. One of the other alternatives, known as an adjustable-rate mortgage, usually allows for reduced monthly payments at the start that will end up ballooning over time. Ultimately the interest rate will increase, possibly to an amount which is infeasible for the buyer, in spite of the initial payments being lower on adjustable-rate mortgages. Those who choose fixed-rate mortgages will never have to stress about this.

Next, fixed-rate mortgage offer security. Even if the interest rate in the current market rises, the amount you will have to pay from month-to-month on your mortgage will stay the same. You may also make the choice to refinance with a lower interest rate at any time if the interest rate decreases. As a buyer, this ensures that you get the best of all possible circumstances. Other mortgage alternatives will not provide this much security.

Lastly, the flexibility of a fixed-rate mortgage is incomparable. While additional principal payments are never required, buyers can choose to pay extra to reduce the total duration of their loan. Adding only one extra monthly payment a year adjusts a 30 year amortization period down to about 26 years, saving you 4 years off your entire loan. The amortization period decreases to approximately 22 years if you are going to pay half your monthly mortgage bi-weekly.

Fixed-rate mortgages are therefore a safe and sensible option for several house buyers. If you're searching for a mortgage that continues to be secure all through its entire term and offers a considerable amount of guarantee and flexibility a fixed-rate mortgage might just be your best bet.

Tag : mortgage,mortgage rates,mortgage loans

Home Mortgage Loan Refinance - Refinancing A Fixed Rate Mortgage

Refinancing a fixed rate mortgage is usually only suggested when interest rates fall, but you can also save money by changing your loan terms. You can also pull out part of your equity to pay bills or renovate.

Lower Interest Rates

In general when interest rates are at least 1% lower than your current mortgage rate, it pays to refinance. But you need to consider other factors, such as the length of your mortgage, loan costs, and how long you plan to stay in your home.

An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) should also be considered if you plan to move soon. With rates lower than a fixed, you will see lower monthly payments. But you have the risk that your rates and payments will increase over time.

To help decide if refinancing makes sense for you, calculate the difference in interest payments over the course of your loan. Online mortgage calculators can help you find both total interest costs and monthly payments.

Better Loan Terms

Besides lower interest rates, you can save money by converting to a better loan term. A shorter loan, such as a 15 year term, can save you thousands on interest payments, even if you don’t have a lower interest rate. However, your monthly payments will be 10% to 15% higher.

You can also reduce your monthly payments by refinancing for a longer term. You trade lower payments for higher interest costs.

Access Your Equity

Whether you want to pay off credit cards or pay for your child’s education, you can pull out your equity by refinancing. One of the advantages of using your equity is that your interest is tax deductible.

However, if you just want to tap into your equity, a better option is a home equity loan. You can pull out your equity, write off your interest on your taxes, and avoid loan fees.

Online Lenders

Online financing companies allow you to research terms and fees from your home. You can receive quotes within minutes online, so you can compare finance packages. You can also apply online and qualify for discounts on closing cost with some lenders.

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Tags : Rate Mortgage , Mortgage , Fixed Rate , Refinance , Home Mortgage , Home , Loan

Mortgage Life Insurance Protection

Mortgage life insurance is an insurance policy taken out on the life of the homeowner who has obtained the mortgage. This mortgage life insurance policy is aimed at paying any outstanding mortgage debt upon the death of the insured. To protect their investments, many companies provide mortgage life insurance in association with an insurance company. This mortgage life insurance ensures that the balance mortgage is comes from the insurance company in the event of death of the borrower.

There are two types of mortgage life insurances that borrowers can opt for, namely decreasing term insurance and level term insurance. Borrowers can choose among these on the basis of the kind of mortgage they have obtained that may be a repayment mortgage or an interest only mortgage. Decreasing term insurance is exclusively created for the borrowers who have taken a mortgage. This is preferred by mortgage borrowers because as the balance on the mortgage decreases, the coverage also decreases. This makes sure that at any given time, there are sufficient funds to pay off the balance in case the borrower dies. Level term insurance is for borrowers who have an interest only mortgage. The sum of the coverage remains the same, as the principal never reduces.

Terminal illness benefits are included in both the types of mortgage life insurance to protect the borrowers against having to repay the mortgage in case of any terminal illness. Critical illness coverage is an option that can be added as an additional coverage along with the policy or even as a stand-alone coverage. This allows the borrowers to receive payments in case they are diagnosed with a critical illness. Mortgage life insurance offers protection against the survivors of the borrowers losing their homes, if they are unable to make the monthly payments.

Mortgage Life Insurance provides detailed information on Mortgage Life Insurance, Mortgage Life Insurance Leads, Mortgage Life Insurance Quotes, Mortgage Life Insurance Rates and more. Mortgage Life Insurance is affiliated with Mortgage Insurance Leads.

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

Do You Pass The Mortgage Lender Analysis? Understanding The Home Loan Application And Mortgage Approval

When a mortgage lender reviews a real estate loan application, the primary concern for both home loan applicant and the mortgage lender is to approve loan requests that show high probability of being repaid in full and on time, and to disapprove requests that are likely to result in default and eventual foreclose. How is the mortgage lenders decision made?

The mortgage lender begins the loan analysis procedure by looking at the property and the proposed financing. Using the property address and legal description, an appraiser is assigned to prepare an appraisal of the property and a title search is ordered. These steps are taken to determine the fair market value of the property and the condition of title. In the event of default, this is the collateral the lender must fall back upon to recover the loan. If the loan request is in connection with a purchase, rather than the refinancing of an existing property, the mortgage lender will know the purchase price. As a rule, home loans are made on the basis of the appraised value or purchase price, whichever is lower. If the appraised value is lower than the purchase price, the usual procedure is to require the buyer to make a larger cash down payment. The mortgage lender does not want to over-loan simply because the buyer overpaid for the property.

The year the home was built is useful in setting the loan's maturity date. The idea is that the length of the home loan should not outlast the remaining economic life of the structure serving as collateral. Note however, chronological age is only part of this decision because age must be considered in light of the upkeep and repair of the structure and its construction quality.

Loan-to-Value Ratios

The mortgage lender next looks at the amount of down payment the borrower proposes to make, the size of the loan being requested and the amount of other financing the borrower plans to use. This information is then converted into loan-to-value ratios. As a rule, the more money the borrower places into the deal, the safer the loan is for the mortgage lender. On an uninsured home loan, the ideal loan-to-value ratio for a lender on owner-occupied residential property is 70% or less. This means the value of the property would have to fall more than 30% before the debt owed would exceed the property's value, thus encouraging the borrower to stop making mortgage loan payments. Because of the nearly constant inflation in housing prices since the 40s, very few residential properties have fallen 30% or more in value.

Loan-to-value ratios from 70% through 80% are considered acceptable but do expose the mortgage lender to more risk. Lenders sometimes compensate by charging slightly higher interest rates. Loan-to-value ratios above 80% present even more risk of default to the lender, and the lender will either increase the interest rate charged on these home loans or require that an outside insurer, such as FHA or a private mortgage insurer, be supplied by the borrower.

Mortgage Closing Settlement Funds

The lender then wants to know if the borrower has adequate funds for settlement (the closing). Are these funds presently in a checking or savings account, or are they coming from the sale of the borrower's present real estate property? In the latter case, the mortgage lender knows the present loan is contingent on another closing. If the down payment and settlement funds are to be borrowed, then the lender will want to be extra cautious as experience has shown that the less of his own money a borrower puts into a purchase, the higher the probability of default and foreclosure.

Purpose Of Mortgage Loan

The lender is also interested in the proposed use of the property. Mortgage lenders feel most comfortable when a home loan is for the purchase or improvement of a property the loan applicant will actually occupy. This is because owner-occupants usually have pride-of-ownership in maintaining their property and even during bad economic conditions will continue to make the monthly payments. An owner-occupant also realizes that if he/she stops paying, they will have to vacate and pay for shelter elsewhere.

If the home loan applicant intends to purchase a dwelling to rent out as an investment, the lender will be more cautious. This is because during periods of high vacancy, the property may not generate enough income to meet the loan payments. At that point, a strapped-for-cash borrower is likely to default. Note too, that lenders generally avoid loans secured by purely speculative real estate. If the value of the property drops below the amount owed, the borrower may see no further logic in making the loan payments.

Lastly the mortgage lender assesses the borrower's attitude toward the proposed loan. A casual attitude, such as "I'm buying because real estate always goes up," or an applicant who does not appear to understand the obligation he is undertaking would bring low rating here. Much more welcome is the home loan applicant who shows a mature attitude and understanding of the mortgage loan obligation and who exhibits a strong and logical desire for ownership.

The Borrower Analysis

The next step is the mortgage lender to begin an analysis of the borrower, and if there is one, the co-borrower. At one time, age, sex and marital status played an important role in the lender's decision to lend or not to lend. Often the young and the old had trouble getting home loans, as did women and persons who were single, divorced, or widowed. Today, the Federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits discrimination based on age, sex, race and marital status. Mortgage lenders are no longer permitted to discount income earned by women even if it is from part-time jobs or because the woman is of child-bearing age. Of the home applicant chooses to disclose it, alimony, separate maintenance, and child support must be counted in full. Young adults and single persons cannot be turned down because the lender feels they have not "put down roots." Seniors cannot be turned down as long as life expectancy exceeds the early risk period of the loan and collateral is adequate. In other words, the emphasis in borrower analysis is now focused on job stability, income adequacy, net worth and credit rating.

Mortgage lenders will ask questions directed at how long the applicants have held their present jobs and the stability of those jobs themselves. The lender recognizes that loan repayment will be a regular monthly requirement and wishes to make certain the applicants have a regular monthly inflow of cash in a large enough quantity to meet the mortgage loan payment as well as their other living expenses. Thus, an applicant who possesses marketable job skills and has been regularly employed with a stable employer is considered the ideal risk. Persons whose income can rise and fall erratically, such as commissioned salespersons, present greater risk. Persons whose skills (or lack of skills) or lack of job seniority result in frequent unemployment are more likely to have difficulty repaying a home loan. The mortgage lender also inquires as to the number of dependents the applicant must support out of his or her income. This information provides some insight as to how much will be left for monthly house payments.

Home Loan Applicants' Monthly Income

The lender looks at the amount and sources of the applicants' income. Sheer quantity alone is not enough for home loan approval; the income sources must be stable too. Thus a lender will look carefully at overtime, bonus and commission income in order to estimate the levels at which these may reasonably be expected to continue. Interest, dividend and rental income would be considered in light of the stability of their sources also. Under the "other income" category, income from alimony, child support, social security, retirement pensions, public assistance, etc. is entered and added to the totals for the applicants.

The lender then compares what the applicants have been paying for housing with what they will be paying if the loan is approved. Included in the proposed housing expense total are principal, interes

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What are Mortgage Rates Like in Colorado? are They Different?

Colorado mortgage shopper may wonder, while they are shopping around for a loan, if there are different mortgage rates in the state? —? higher or lower than the rest of the nation. The basic answer is no, when you compare rates for mortgages in Colorado to elsewhere.

Mortgage rates in Colorado and other states are based on federal standards. But there will be the perception that the rates are higher in areas where the cost of living is higher. For Colorado mortgage rates, this is often the case.

Impact of Jumbo Mortgages on Mortgage Rates in Colorado

Why are there higher mortgage rates in Colorado? Mostly because of the jumbo mortgage. Mortgages in Colorado very often go over the threshold of $417,000 that qualifies ‘conforming’ Colorado mortgage loans. Any Colorado mortgage above $417,000 is considered a jumbo mortgage loan. This is because there are such great homes and properties in Colorado. Better homes mean higher mortgages in Colorado, often necessitating a jumbo mortgage.

Jumbo mortgage rates are above those of standard mortgage rates in Colorado by about a quarter to a half of a percentage. Why? Because there is a higher risk because of a lack of federal backing and the investment’s large size. But this is true not just in Colorado, but of all jumbo mortgages.

The bottom line is that the mortgage rates in Colorado are not higher than normal, but it is the mortgages in Colorado that are higher, because there are more jumbo mortgages in the state, which pairs more Colorado mortgages into slightly higher interest rates.

Impact of Jumbo Mortgages on the Mortgage Buyers in Colorado

For mortgage buyers in Colorado, this means that finding a good Colorado mortgage broker is crucial when you search for a deal.

No matter the size or the classification of the loan, rates will differ between Colorado mortgage brokers. You may be able to obtain a loan from an out-of-state lender instead of an in-state Colorado mortgage broker, but that may be a mistake.

Consider this: Who knows more about Colorado home financing than an in-state Colorado mortgage broker? A broker in another place in the nation will not be as informed about the unique housing market. A Colorado mortgage broker understands the different types of properties and mortgage loans in Colorado. A Colorado mortgage broker offer many types of loans for many different types of homes, from small family homes to large homes requiring a jumbo mortgage, and property uses from investment, vacation, luxury or permanent homes.

Smart shopping is key in the search for a qualified and helpful Colorado mortgage broker. The small differences in loan fees and mortgage rates in Colorado can mean big differences in payments and interest paid during the term of the loan. Choosing a broker for the mortgage in Colorado, though, is not just about rate. Fees and closing costs should be a big factor when deciding on a loan product. An informed borrower ought to have all of this knowledge in their mind when they find a honest and trusted Colorado mortgage broker who can explain to a borrower the different parts of the process, from rates to fees to other options. It’s best that a borrower chooses a Colorado mortgage broker that is the best fits for their finances.

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