Rates May Be Rising: Mortgage And Refinancing Preparation Made Simple For You


Buying a home is probably the single largest investment most people make in a lifetime. By preparing yourself and your credit before a home purchase or refinance, you can ensure a smooth finance process and can potentially save thousands on your loan. Improve your financial profile now so you can take advantage of the low interest rates before they disappear.

Start by checking your credit

  • To get the best possible mortgage rate, make sure your credit history is healthy and accurate. Aim to raise your credit score above 650 in order to qualify for most prime loans.

  • If your credit score is not quite 650, focus your efforts on paying bills on time, reducing your debt balances, avoiding new inquiries and clearing negative inaccuracies from your credit report.

  • Make sure the information on your report is correct and fix any problems you discover. Give yourself 30-90 days for correcting inaccuracies. You can learn more online in the Credit Learning Center http://www.legalhelper.ws/credit-reports-online.aspx.

  • Found an error while reviewing your credit with the lender? Ask about the "rapid rescoring" process where you can submit a dispute and potentially improve your credit in 72 hours.

Figure out how much you can afford

  • The rule of thumb is that most borrowers can afford a home that runs about two-and-one-half times their annual salary.

  • Calculate your loan-to-value ratio to see how much you can afford to borrow by dividing the loan amount by the property's value. If your loan-to-value ratio is above 80 percent your rates may increase significantly. Find a less expensive home or save up for a down payment to lower this percentage.

  • Calculate your debt-to-income ratio by adding up your monthly debts and dividing by your monthly income. A debt-to-income ratio under 20-39 percent is usually considered good and will help you be perceived as financially stable.

  • Don't be afraid to start small. Just because you may qualify for a large loan doesn't mean that it is a smart financial decision to buy as large a home as possible. Take a careful look at your family budget and your housing needs before you decide how much you can really afford.

Be a smart borrower this summer and save thousands by preparing your credit before you apply for a loan. Find out the loan rate you deserve at http://www.legalhelper.ws/credit-reports-online-service7.aspx.

About The Author

Jeffrey Broobin is a financial security specialist that helps people to solve their financial issues and be happy and successful within their life.

Website - www.legalhelper.ws

Email: jeffreyb@legalhelper.ws







Related News



McCain campaign outlines mortgage-rescue plan - San Francisco Chronicle

New York Magazine

McCain campaign outlines mortgage-rescue plan
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA -Oct 9, 2008
Barack Obama, McCain's Democratic rival, has proposed helping troubled homeowners refinance their mortgages, but his campaign attacked McCain's proposal for ...
Video: Obama: 'Taxpayers Shouldn't Pick Up Tab'AssociatedPress
Taxpayers, Not Lenders, Would Bear Costs of McCain’s Mortgage ProposalNew York Times
Principal is key to housing solutionWinston-Salem Journal
Wall Street Journal Blogs - Newsday
all 874 news articles

FreeHomeRefi.com - Mortgage Refinancing Resources - Killer Startups

Killer Startups

FreeHomeRefi.com - Mortgage Refinancing Resources
Killer Startups, FL -Oct 10, 2008
It is a handful resource for people who want to have their mortgage refinancing done in a simple way. “Free Home Refi is committed to providing consumers ...

Freeport family battered by struggling economy - Newsday

Freeport family battered by struggling economy
Newsday, NY -23 minutes ago
Joan Fennell said her mortgage broker "promised" verbally she could refinance again within the year into a fixed-rate loan and she assumed she'd earn enough ...

The Truth About Mortgage Refinancing Revealed By Oregon Mortgage ... - SBWire (press release)

The Truth About Mortgage Refinancing Revealed By Oregon Mortgage...
SBWire (press release), WI -Oct 8, 2008
The site is designed to give Oregon residents all the facts about mortgage refinancing so they can make an educated decision when obtaining a mortgage. ...

Reps Blunt And Frank Criticize McCain Mortgage Plan - ABC News

Reps Blunt And Frank Criticize McCain Mortgage Plan
ABC News -15 hours ago
John McCain's proposal to refinance distressed mortgages. "Not at face value, we're not going to buy up the mortgages at face value, because the people who ...
CQ Transcript: James Baker, Lawrence Summer, Rep. Barney Frank ...CQPolitics.com
all 3 news articles

ARM Holders Would Do Well to Shop Around Now - Washington Post

USA Today

ARM Holders Would Do Well to Shop Around Now
Washington Post, United States -Oct 12, 2008
When Torres refinanced his Georgetown home in 2005, he got a five-year, adjustable-rate jumbo mortgage. (It's a jumbo because it's above $417000. ...
EDITORIAL: Let Bailout Money Trickle Up, Not DownistockAnalyst.com (press release)
Letter: Economic trauma can't be excusedThe Delaware County Times
Bush: Don't Panic! At Least Not This Week, AnywayReason Online
VDARE.com - SouthCoastToday.com
all 238 news articles

Mortgage crisis has turned homeownership upside down Homeowners ... - Chicago Tribune

Mortgage crisis has turned homeownership upside down Homeowners ...
Chicago Tribune, United States -50 minutes ago
"If you have some kind of disruption to your income and you can't make your mortgage payment, it's going to be very hard for you to refinance or anything ...

Avon Jittery As It Prepares To Refinance Debt - Hartford Courant

Avon Jittery As It Prepares To Refinance Debt
Hartford Courant, United States -Oct 12, 2008
... been struggling to process just $1 billion a week, a victim of the same credit strangulation that has stalled the mortgage and commercial paper markets. ...

Majority backs McCain’s $300B mortgage plan - Bizjournals.com

Seattle Post Intelligencer

Majority backs McCain’s $300B mortgage plan
Bizjournals.com, NC -Oct 10, 2008
John McCain, R-Ariz., that would have the federal government buy distressed and upside down mortgages and refinance them so homeowners can avoid ...
The Filter: Oct. 9, 2008Newsweek
McCain says he, not Obama, knows workers' woesToledo Blade
all 1,886 news articles


Mortgage refinancing wave seen silver lining to market woe - Reuters

Christian Science Monitor

Mortgage refinancing wave seen silver lining to market woe
Reuters -Sep 15, 2008
Yields on mortgage-backed securities that also dictate rates lenders can offer also fell, albeit to a lesser degree. The 30-year fixed rate on Monday ...
Applications to refinance mortgages surge as rates drop below 6%USA Today
Fickle Mortgage Market Demands Quick DecisionsWashington Post
Lenders' woes could aid borrowersBoston Globe
Newsday - Wall Street Journal
all 221 news articles