Should You Choose to Refinance?
Refinancing has become a valid option for many individuals with high interest rates on their mortgage. Refinancing is essentially a replacement loan, with a different lender and (hopefully) a lower interest rate. So why would you choose to refinance? - You may be able to take advantage of lower interest rates.
- You may also be able to extend the repayment period of your mortgage. While you will end up paying more in interest charges for this, this will reduce your monthly outgoings.
- You may be able to switch from a variable rate to a fixed rate mortgage, giving you greater security in the future from potential rate increases.
- You may also be able to increase the amount of your mortgage, to pay off other, higher interest rate liabilities such as credit card debt, cell phone debt and personal loan debt. This will enable you to save money on interest rate charges
Why would you avoid refinance? If you decide to borrow more than your existing mortgage, you need to be wary of your budget. If you default on your payments you run the risk of losing your house. If you do not calculate the costs involved with refinancing correctly, you could end up paying more in interest charges. Thoroughly review the contract of your existing loan, an early pay out could involve a penalty that would negate the benefits of refinancing. What will it cost me? Refinancing does carry some costs that you need to be made aware. - Valuation Fee ? This is the fee for a professional appraisal of the value of your house.
- Credit Report ? An assessment of your credit health
- Escrow ? Fee for money transferred by a third party.
- Lender Fees ? Any other fees that are incurred by using a particular lender
Am I eligible? Applying for mortgage refinance is just like applying for another loan. There is a set criteria for acceptance. Every missed mortgage payment will count against you in the application, either resulting in a greater interest rate or a refused application. Should I choose refinancing? You will need to assess your current mortgage and the changeover costs and savings to ascertain whether it will be of benefit to you. There are specific refinancing calculators that can help you determine the net gain. The best one that I have found is here http://www.calcbuilder.com/cgi-bin/calcs/HOM12.cgi/ As a rule of thumb many lenders advocate that a 1% gap between your current interest rate and a refinance rate makes refinance a worthwhile option. Always make sure to speak to a financial professional before deciding to refinance your mortgage. About The Author Brad Slade More information on mortgage refinance available at http://members.optusnet.com.au/~mortgagearticles/
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Reverse Mortgage ? Be Sure You Need It Before Applying For One
Reverse mortgages used to be considered the last resort of desperate retirees who needed to borrow against their home equity in order to pay for medical expenses. With home prices across the country rising at astonishing rates, more and more retirees, aged 62 and over, are taking out reverse mortgages to fund better retirement living. A reverse mortgage works more or less the opposite way from a conventional mortgage; the borrower receives payments from the lender in the form of a lump sum, a line of credit, or monthly payments. The amount borrowed constitutes a lien against the home must be repaid upon the death of the borrower, or when the home is resold. There are costs associated with a reverse mortgage, however, and potential borrowers should be aware of these when considering taking out such a loan, particularly if the borrower takes out a line of credit.All loans have fees associated with them. There are home appraisals, paperwork fees, mortgage insurance fees, and additional "points" added to the cost of the loan. In general, the costs of taking out a reverse mortgage are higher than those associated with a traditional mortgage. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that the time period for receiving repayment of the loan is indefinite, typically depending on how long the borrower lives. This uncertainty is added into the loan in the form of additional fees.Most people who take out a reverse mortgage opt to take their funds in the form of a line of credit, rather than a lump sum or monthly payments. There are advantages to a line of credit, which allows the borrower to use the funds by simply writing checks against the loan. The primary advantage is that the borrower only uses the funds when he or she needs them. Because of this, interest only accrues on the money if the borrower actually writes checks. Borrowers should be aware, however, that the costs of the loan, which can be substantial, apply even if the borrower doesn't write any checks against the loan. If the homeowner takes out a line of credit and decides to sell the home shortly thereafter without ever having written a check against the loan, the borrower will not owe the lender any interest or principal, but the borrower will lose the money paid for the cost of the loan, which is not refundable. If the borrower rolled the costs into the loan itself, they could owe payments even if they never wrote a check.In short, borrowers considering taking out a reverse mortgage should make sure that they plan to stay in their home for quite some time and that they actually need the money from such a loan. A reverse mortgage is a great idea for those who have a specific purpose or use in mind, but as an emergency source of "rainy day" funds, it can be an expensive choice.
Poor Credit Home Equity Loan Tips
A home equity loan can help repair your poor credit history. Begin by finding a competitive financing lender with affordable rates and terms. Next, work toward establishing a solid credit history, enabling you to lower your interest rates on future loans.
Subprime Mortgage Loans Online - What To Expect
Applying for a subprime mortgage loan online can seem intimidating at first. With so many lenders to choose from, it can appear difficult to find the best mortgage loan. However, online subprime lenders allow you to search for rates, compare financing options, and avoid falling prey to predatory lenders.
Real Estate Tip: Escrow Accounts -- Do You Really Need Them?
If you have a mortgage on your property, whether it's for your personal residence or a real estate investment, chances are you have an escrow account. But if you are working on building wealth through real estate, you may want to take a hard look at your escrow account (or accounts, if you own more than one piece of real estate) and decide if you really need it.
Ending Your Private Mortgage Insurance Early
Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is the safety net of the lender. PMI benefits lenders because it guarantees payment on the balance of loans not covered by the sale of foreclosed properties.
Online Mortgage Brokers - What You Might Not Know About Home Loans & The Internet
You may think that applying online for a mortgage is the same as applying with a broker in the 'real world', only more convenient.
Save Money on Your Mortgage
You should say goodbye to PMI. You may not notice it in the crush of your monthly mortgage statement, but many Americans pay for a line item called PMI. PMI stands for "personal mortgage insurance," and lenders impose it on customers who have less than twenty percent equity in their homes.
A Qualified Mortgage Consultant Can Help Boost Credit Scores
Consumers interested in purchasing or refinancing a home will pay an interest rate based on current market conditions and their ability to pay back the loan. The borrower's income and debt ratios are taken into consideration by the lender, as well as the predictability factor provided by credit scoring. It's important to have a mortgage professional in your corner that has a keen eye for solutions to improving credit scores in an effort to get the best interest rate possible.
A Guide to Selecting a Mortgage Broker in Australia
Once you have made the decision to buy a home you will need to obtain mortgage financing for your purchase. Until about fifteen years ago buyers had to go directly to banks to obtain loans and shopping around for the right fit was a long process. Mortgage Brokers are experts in home loans who will consider your financial situation and financing requirements and then shop around for various lenders to find the best possible deal on financing for your purchase.
Unlock your Home Loan Piggy Bank
With the recent sharp increase in property values your current home could be a pot of gold.
Online Mortgage Loan Companies Are Convenient
There are many reasons to use the internet to take care of your mortgage loan needs. Online mortgage companies can give you quick answers to your mortgage application and can often times give you an answer of whether or not you have been pre-approved within 24-48 hours after you submit your mortgage application.
Kingsland Georgia Mortgage Company Information For Homebuyers Transferring to Kings Bay
If you are transferring to the Kings Bay Georgia Naval Submarine base, more than likely you will need a lender to buy a home.
What is a Remortgage?
A remortgage is changing your mortgage without moving your home. Remortgaging is the process of switching your mortgage to another lender that is offering a better deal than your current lender thereby saving money. A remortgage can also be used to raise additional finances by releasing equity in your property.
Advantages Of Mortgage Pre-Approval
There are several advantages to getting mortgage pre-approval before looking for a home.
Secured Homeowners Loans ? In Case You Thought a Home is Worth Few Dollars
Money is like music, if managed well, produces a good symphony. One wrong note ? one wrong decision ? it produces a jarring sound. A homeowner knows what an important investment home is. And he or she can't probably go wrong with this kind of investment. If you are intending to draw money on this investment, it better be a good decision. And it would be called ? secured loans for homeowners.
Thinking About Re-mortaging? Read These Tips First
More and more of use are signing up for limited time low interest rate mortgages
and then switching to a different mortgage when the low interest period expires.
How to Get the Best Mortgage
This is a guide on how to get the best mortgage deal. Do not rush into the first offer that is made to you even if you are in a hurry for a mortgage. Take your time, check out what is on offer from local banks, building societies and mortgage brokers. The more time you spend doing this will equate to greater savings on your mortgage. Remember for most people it is something that they will only do once, so do it right!
Home Owner Loans Explained
How To Release Equity Locked Up In Your Home For Immediate Use.
How to Find the Best Home Improvement Loan
If you're looking for the best home improvement loan for your money it can sometimes seem like an uphill climb. You may not know whether the offer that you've received is the best that you can get, or if you should try to find a better offer elsewhere? but you shouldn't let finding the best home improvement loan stress you out so badly.
First Time Home Owner Mortgage Loans
First time home owners are sometimes surprised at the complexity of the mortgage lending process. If you are searching for a mortgage and you have never owned a home, there a few things you can do to make the mortgage process less confusing. First time home owners should educate themselves on the home-buying experience before contacting mortgage lenders. There are many choices in obtaining a first time home owner mortgage loan. Friendly mortgage professionals are available to assist you in making the right decisions.
|
