Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Mortgage Fraud Bill Signed, Sealed & Delivered
Two bills designed to address some of the problems resulting from the economic crisis have been signed by President Obama. The first deals with mortgage fraud and the other with helping families who are involved in a foreclosure situation save their homes.
Look out rip-off artists, enforcers of the new mortgage fraud bill means serious business. Almost half a billion federal dollars has been authorized to spend on targeting charges of mortgage fraud. Agencies the likes of the Secret Service, U.S. Postal Service and HUD are all getting additional funding to increase their security measures.
The Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act now sanctions the government to go after companies or individuals currently out of reach. Currently, an incidence of mortgage fraud can result in investigation, prosecution, civil penalties and prison time at a federal level, opposed to the prior gentler state penalties previously enforced. This new Act applies to all types of mortgage fraud, no matter how minor the offence.
In the past, these schemes defrauded home owners, realtors, lenders and builders out of billions of dollars each year. The FBI intends to send a message that mortgage fraud will not be tolerated and it is expected that offenders will receive stiff penalties in order to set an example to others.
The second bill, simply entitled, "Helping Families Save Their Homes Act," is intended to simplify the process for homeowners to receive foreclosure financing and modifications to existing loans. It also makes it easier for the lender to offer these types of options and hopefully prevent an impending foreclosure.
The new law also offers protection for renters who find themselves living in a home whose owners are facing foreclosure. Under the old rules, tenants would have to move immediately following foreclosure, now they have the option to continue renting for a term negotiated with the lender. This makes sense on so many levels. Now hundreds of families who otherwise would have found themselves on the street, still have homes. Lenders no longer have to deal with the problems associated with the upkeep of an empty home. Hopefully this will reduce occurrences of complete neighborhoods of foreclosed houses sitting vacant and facing ill repair and vandalism. In many cases, reliable tenants are happy to stay on and maintain the property.
The law provides additional homeless relief, makes better use of local organizations in this role, and allows them more latitude when allocating federal funds for assistance.
Part of the reason that mortgage fraud became so widespread was attributed to the lack of a single watchdog affiliation to oversee the the sketchy subprime loan offerings, underwriting and lending schemes. Instead there were a number of small agencies, each only seeing part of the problem, but no single unit had the power to actually deal with the issue as a whole. Currently, the Obama administration has a plan in the works to establish a single federal agency designed to watch over everyone involved; from the small brokers to the major lenders.About the Author:
Search Sandy Springs GA condos at TinaFountain.com, the home of Sandy Springs real estate experts.
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Sunday, May 17, 2009
3 Things to Know Before Applying For Mortgage Refinancing
Interest rates affect everyone, but no one feels the affects of interest rates more than a homeowner.
When was the last time you examined your current home mortgage interest rate? If it has been more than 2 years, you will definitely want to consider refinancing. Before you pick up the phone to speak with a lender however, it is a good idea to go through a few simple steps to determine if the call to your local lender will be justified.
Mortgage Rates and Current Length of Loan
The first step in determining the feasibility of refinancing your home mortgage is to locate your current loan documents to determine two things: 1) what is your current interest rate, and 2) how much longer is your current mortgage going to exist.
If your mortgage is an old one and only has few years left, most of your payment is now going towards principal. Refinancing this type of mortgage is not advised because the costs of acquiring the mortgage itself will negate the money saved. Work hard to pay off an old mortgage as quickly as possible. If, on the other hand, your mortgage is less than 10 years old and the interest rate is at least 1% more than the current lending rate, then your home is a prime candidate for refinancing.
Equity, FICO Score and Debt to Income Ratios
The next step is to compile an assessment of your ability to get a new loan on your property. This assessment will include: 1) determining your FICO score, 2) calculating the current equity in the property, and 3) calculating your current debt to income ratio.
Your FICO Score
Today, lenders can quickly determine the credit worthiness of a potential borrower by checking just one number: your FICO score. A FICO score is a number, generally in the range of 500-850 with 850 being the absolute best number. Banks would prefer individuals with pristine credit, but there are many lenders that deal with borrowers in the mid and even low ranges. Remember: interest rates make or break a home mortgage, so the lower your credit score, the more you will pay in interest for your home. Take every step you can to raise your credit score before speaking with a lender.
Calculating Current Home Equity
The next step is to determine if a lender will be willing to take a risk lending money against your home. This involves simple math. Calculate what your home is currently worth in your market and then subtract what you owe. The difference will be your "equity". Banks like to see borrowers with equity simply because if they get stuck with the home due to foreclosure, they will be able to recoup the money they lent on the property. If your equity is less than 10%, you may want to consider waiting for the market to recover thereby raising the value of the home and your equity.
Debt to Income Ratio
The next crucial step you'll need to complete before speaking with a lender is to determine your current debt to income ratio. This percentage is easy to calculate. Simply add up all of your monthly payments for housing, credit cards, student loans and car loans and divide by your total income.
For example, if your take home income is ten thousand dollars per month, and you pay a total of twenty five hundred dollars in monthly debt obligations, your debt to income ratio is 25%. Lenders like to deal with borrowers whose debt to income ratio is low or at least within reason. Anything over 40% is pushing the limits of what most banks (especially these days) will consider as a reasonable risk. If your debt to income ratio is high, begin today to pay off those pesky credit cards and car loans. When you do, you will see your debt to income ratio begin to fall.
Obtaining a new mortgage or refinancing a home does not have to be difficult. Preparation is the key. Follow these three simple steps before speaking with a mortgage broker and you will be much more informed on your chances of obtaining a refinancing mortgage on your home. About the Author:
For more information on refinancing, visit the site that is dedicated to it, http://www.refinance-directory.com
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Thursday, May 7, 2009
Is the Other Shoe About to Drop in the Mortgage Meltdown?
The original mortgage meltdown was laid squarely at the door of the subprime mortgage market. Heavily marketed to anyone and everyone who could not qualify for a home loan with their current credit record and income to debt ratios, these subprime loans took risks that banks and investors would normally stay away from. Fast forwarding to today, banks and investors are either bankrupt or in desperate need as the mortgage meltdown sent all those who applied for and received no money down, interest only adjustable rate mortgages into foreclosures.
There is now talk that a second shoe is about to drop in the mortgage meltdown, and some market insiders claim that this time it will actually be worse than the first time around. The names of the mortgages that are going to add to the foreclosure crisis are those known as Alt-A and Option Arm documents. Alt-A loans are virtually identical to the subprime mortgages, except that they were offered to would be homeowners whose credit did not have blemishes sufficient enough to qualify them for subprime paper. As such, these loans were considered a fair to good credit risk.
Unfortunately, over the last few years the debtors holding these loans have suffered under the recession, and as such these loans, too, are now beginning to default. The other portion of the equation are the Option Arm loans that are somewhat more daring in that they offered the mortgage payer to exercise a certain amount of control over the repayment terms for the mortgage. The philosophy was great: homeowners could choose to repay their loans with principal and interest or simply pay the interest. Of course, while the ARM has been adjusting upward steadily, homeowners have barely hung on and paid the minimum payments.
As a result, these homeowners have next to no equity. Since home prices have dropped significantly from the day the loan was underwritten, homeowners now find themselves seriously upside down in their loans, making it virtually impossible to extricate themselves from the tangled mess. Option Arm increases are estimated to increase average mortgages by $700 to almost $1,000 per month, making it virtually impossible for the homeowner to continue making the payments. Although it is hard to pinpoint when this show of the mortgage meltdown is going to drop, industry insiders suggest that it will be in 2010, when the next wave of foreclosures is going to hit the economy.
It is questionable if the market can withstand this kind of disaster in a time when it is barely dealing with the current recession and stemming the hemorrhage of lost jobs, failed businesses, and unrealized revenues. It is furthermore doubtful that administration advisers are looking ahead to the future of the mortgage market and truly understand the sheer volume of Alt-A and Option Arms mortgage loans that are coming home to roost. If alarmists are correct, it is this second shoe dropping that will make the first leg of the mortgage meltdown look like little more than a breeze in the storm of the recession.
In order to compare the best mortgage rates, you can visit our site, www.Lender411.com.
About the Author:Krista Scruggs is an article contributor to Lender411.com. Whether you are looking for fixed mortgage rates, variable adjustable mortgage rates (ARM), jumbo loans,interest only or even specialized mortgages such as bad credit mortgage or reverse mortgages, we will match you with up to 4 qualified lenders with 4 mortgage quotes. and any other unique situation you might be in), we will match you up with the right company.
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Sunday, May 3, 2009
Loan Modification Hate Talk
Why should they have to hang their heads? They are not the one who loosened borrowing requirements, or the one who turned their back when it came time to enforce or change regulations when it became apparent several years ago we were headed down a very slippery slope.
“Yes, there are bad companies out there doing loan modifications, but there are bad companies in every sector of business.” Responded David Wilson of www.U.S.LoanModifier.com and then added, “We use Law Firms to handle every aspect of the negotiations with the lender. Homeowners are too stressed, and have never experienced anything like this, that is why the number of homeowners who go back into default on their loans is so high.”
Legitimate companies are regulated by different government agencies and make changes to stay in compliance as new regulations are passed. Legitimate companies are delighted when rip-off companies get shut down. Mr. Wilson adds, “It’s been what I often refer to as ‘wild and woolly days’ and that needs to stop.”
Homeowners can contact their lender and request a loan modification be done on the homeowner’s behalf. However, one should stop and reason the logic behind going to the same company and trusting that this time … this time, they will keep the homeowner’s need primary.
Most lenders are not required to follow President Obama’s guidelines under Making Home Affordable. Obama admits that if they use government money they would be required to at least try to make the guidelines work, but it is not mandated across the board.
Lenders do not want the government to step in, they lose too much money. The Lenders would rather modify the loan according to guidelines they’ve developed, which in some cases are very reasonable.
Unfortunately many homeowners that go directly to their lender are offered something less than an optimal loan modification and are offered only a forbearance agreement that actually raises the homeowner’s payment. That is why www.USLoanModifier.com has been so successful, they are an Expert Advisor to Law Firms that specialize in loan modification negotiations.
About the Author:David Wilson is directly involved in the loan modification aspect of the real estate industry. He was former Assistant Modification Director for a company that has been doing loan modifications for 15 years and currently founded U.S. Loan Modifier, www.USLoanModifier.com, a company that uses Law Firms to negotiate loan modifications resulting in actively helping people save their homes. For over 12 years Mr. Wilson has been involved in selling real estate with a special interest in mortgage purchase money or refinancing. He knows how the hybrid mortgages and loan modifications work, allowing him to cut through all the hype.
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Saturday, May 2, 2009
Modifying Home Loans the Right Way to Save You Money and Time
There are many ways you can go about modifying home loans making it hard to sit and figure out where to begin. The economy is going through some very difficult times right now causing many homeowners to need to make some modifications to their home loans such as mortgage refinancing or loan modifications.
For more information about home loan modifications, visit the #1 loans modification resource on the net: http://HomeLoanModifications101.com
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Friday, May 1, 2009
Is Now the Right Time to Step On To the Property Ladder
Many of us who are thinking about buying their first home do have a lot of concerns before they take that step on the property ladder. With house prices plummeting over the last year many have seen thousands of pounds come off the value of their home. Unfortunately house prices are still dropping in some areas due to the mortgage market not yet on the road to recovery. That was a rather gloomy look at the housing market. The good news is that while we can think about the unfortunate people who bought their home in the last two years who have lost out and quite possible are one of the many finding themselves in negative equity, things aren’t going to get much worse and a recovery is on the cards. The Bank of England base rate is at a historic low of only half a percent and the experts have said it won’t drop any further as there wouldn’t be any benefit and it is great for encouraging people to save. Many have decided to take the opportunity to buy a home now as although house prices many drop a little further the base rate will likely rise again sometime this year. Fixed rate mortgages are going to rise and the costs for lenders are becoming more expensive so it looks like the advice would be to arrange a mortgage sooner rather than later. The benefit of locking yourself into a fixed term over a couple of years now means when the base rate rises again you will likely more than save in monthly repayments and for those that like the safety of knowing what their monthly payments will be each and every month can have that piece of mind and avoid uncertainty. To get individual tailored advice for you ask an independent body such as government agencies if you want more advice on mortgage products, you can also check out websites which often have helpful communities. Mortgage brokers in your local community are experts in the market you want to buy and overall mortgage brokers will be able to search around to find you the best deals. So whatever you are looking for a mortgage Falkirk in Scotland or London, England, a mortgage broker can be very beneficial.About the Author:
Chris Borthwick writes articles covering a broad range of subjects. His main area of expertise is mortgage advice and writes many articles on mortgages for finance industry, mortgage brokers and for the general public. Most recent articles detailed the benefits of a fee free mortgage broker.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Is Now the Right Time to Step On To the Property Ladder
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Can a Bankruptcy Law Adjustment Stop the Mortgage Meltdown?
With the number of home foreclosures spiraling out of control, Congress is desperate for a means to stop the hemorrhaging of the losses banks and investors undergo. At the same time, the taxpayer underwritten cash infusions are doing precious little to counteract the financial disaster and while it may seem like grasping for straws, lawmakers are now taking a good hard look at current bankruptcy codes. The problem that market watchers and opposed lawmakers see, however, is the law of unintended consequences.
For example, if Congress were to change the rules of the bankruptcy game now, could they actually be borrowing trouble in the years and decades to come which – were the bankruptcy codes untouched – would be little more than a blip on the radar screen. What is more, is there a chance that in the effort to bail out consumer today, Congress might actually set in motion another set of problems that will hit the stock market and the national as well as international economies in years to come.
Banks claim that bankrupt borrowers who cannot afford their mortgage payments any longer will lose their homes to foreclosure, and it is this market safeguard that keep mortgage rates affordable. Thus far there was precious little a bankruptcy judge could do to help a homeowner, other than go by the book and encourage the debtor to see if there was any way of restructuring debt payments that would permit her or him to keep the home. Short of that, the bank would take over the property.
A movement is now underfoot that would actually give bankruptcy judges the ability to order mortgage modifications, and thus would force banks to comply and change the loan terms rather than simply taking back the property in question. Lenders state that this kind of move would have serious ramifications and unintended consequences, leading to a hike in the cost of mortgage loans, and also decreasing the banks’ willingness to underwrite new mortgages even further.
After all, if the investor or the banks are stuck with losses they neither anticipated nor planned for, there is little incentive to write any loans other than to those consumers with stellar credit, more than sufficient debt to income ratios, and of course also shy away from loans that might even give a hint to future troubles. While the arguments on both sides of the aisle sound compelling, there is some evidence that proponents of a change in the bankruptcy laws as well as proponents in the maintenance of current bankruptcy codes do not truly understand the depth of the arguments.
When the bankruptcy codes were last tinkered with in 2005 – at the request of the credit card industry – it was made harder for consumers to get out from unsecured debts and this forced repayment now makes it harder to actually repay the debts and keep a mortgage current. This showcases the shortsightedness of those supporting bankruptcy reforms then. Could that have been a precursor of the current debate?
In order to find the best mortgage rates, you can visit our site, www.Lender411.com.
About the Author:Krista Scruggs is an article contributor to lender411.com Lender411.com connects you with service providers that can help you avoid foreclosure. We have several Loan Modification companies within our network, each with their own strengths and specialties. Depending on your specific situation (the Property State, your mortgage lender, your mortgage history, your hardship, and any other unique situation you might be in), we will match you up with the right company.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Quality Advice For Homeowners
Owning a home is not just a great investment, but also a huge responsibility. You are probably looking for advice for homeowners because you just don’t know how to proceed. You might need advice for homeowners because you have never owned a home before. If you need some good advice for homeowners, there are a lot of great sources. You can speak to someone who has been a successful homeowner for a long time. You can research advice for homeowners on the internet. You can speak to your lender or real estate agent about advice for homeowners.
One of the best pieces of advice for homeowners is to keep up your property. Few things are more infuriating than trying to sell your home and discovering that it has depreciated from your own neglect. This means that you need to make sure that everything is in working order. If necessary, have periodic inspections to make sure that nothing needs to be fixed. If you allow the roof to be damaged and stay damaged, you can end up spending a very large amount of money. Not only will you have to fix the roof, but you will probably have to fix damage inside the home due to weather.
Another piece of advice for homeowners is to make sure that you take care of all important maintenance. Anything that is extremely expensive tor difficult to fix can cause the value of your home to go down. Some of these items can compromise the structural integrity of your home. For example, if you have termites, allowing them to run rampant can truly kill the value of your home. Once you have let these things go unattended, you can find yourself in the unfortunate position of the property being worth more without the house on it. You might have to tear down your home and start anew if you allow too much damage to take place.
If you are looking to keep up your home, another great thing to do is to find small improvements that can increase the value. One of the fastest things you can do to improve the value of your home is to paint. Painting the walls and exterior can give your home a fresh, newer look and raise the value of your house. If you are planning to sell soon, it is wise to go ahead and paint if you haven’t done so recently. If you are careful, this is something you can do yourself to save money. Of course, if you are not careful this can backfire. No one wants to purchase a house with the windows painted shut or the floors covered in paint splatters.
You should also make sure to keep exterior landscaping clean and maintained. When attempting to sell a house, a jungle of weeds will make your house look unlivable, and that is definitely not the look you want. In the end, if you are looking for decent advice for homeowners, there are many people you can talk to in order to help you make the best decisions possible.
About the Author:I am 23 year old student on my last year of study at the University of Sydney (Sydney), majoring in Information technology.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Quality Advice For Homeowners
Monday, April 27, 2009
Finding The Safest And Cheapest Personal Loans Online
When it comes to getting loans online, safety is the most important factor. If you notice a company offering rates that are simply too good to be true, they probably are too good to be true. In this event, you should resort to asking people you know about the companies you have in mind. Find people who have used the service, and look them up on the BBB website. This will ensure that you are not ripped off, and your identity is not stolen.
Before finalizing any deals for a personal loan, make sure you take some safety measures. Know your company. Many physical banks are now offering loan transactions through the internet. This is especially useful for those that do not live near a bank, or very far out of the city limits. Ask people you know about services and banks they may have used in the past, and look the company up on sites such as the BBB.
A cheap personal loan is basically one that has very low interest rates. They are generally designed to be paid off quicker than other loans, and they may or may not require collateral. Some cheap personal loans available online have interest rates as low as 2%.
It may be more convenient for you to get a cheap personal loan online, but online lenders generally work the same as real life and physical lenders. You will be assessed and your credit history will definitely be on the table for them to see. If you have great credit, then your cheap loan will most definitely be cheap. If not, it may not be as cheap as you would like. Regardless of the situation, cheap personal loans are designed to be cheaper than other loans, and you should never be too afraid to inquire about one.
Finding online personal loans that are cheap come with many resources. Websites now have the technology to instantly compare the rates of other online lenders, so that you know you are getting the best deals. While physical locations are a bit more tricky to deal with.
To conclude
Finding safe yet cheap personal loans online can be very fast, easy, and relatively painless on your part. Physical lending companies usually take up an hour or more of your time, where an online personal loan can be much faster.
About the Author
Steve Smith writes for All About Loans where visitors can apply online for the best personal loans. We also specialise in bad credit loans, and cheap consolidation loans.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Trying To Get Foreclosure Loans
Trying To Get Foreclosure Loans
Now that you see that you are starting to have trouble paying your mortgage company their monthly payments, you may be interested in finding some way to get some help. If you are in foreclosure or approaching a foreclosure sale, there may be foreclosure loans out there that can help you get out of the hole that you have found yourself in.
Foreclosure loans should be avoided at all costs as these are generally high with the interest rate. So if there is any way to come up with the money to get yourself out of foreclosure without foreclosure loans, that is going to be the very best option for you.
If you do find that you have to go for the foreclosure loans, it is extremely important that you make sure to pay those loans back right away because they too can now come after your home if you fail to pay them back. Foreclosure loans are allowed to place liens on your property in order to protect the money that they invested into you. This is something that is done everyday, but it is something that is a real risk is you are not always financially stable. You could save your house this month only to find yourself back in foreclosure because of the foreclosure loans in a few months down the road.
Where To Find The Loans
You can always turn to your bank for a loan that can act as foreclosure loans, but your personal bank probably will not want to extend credit to you because of the damage that has been done to your credit already. You are probably going to end up looking elsewhere if you are truly in need of foreclosure loans. You are going to be paying out a lot in interest because foreclosure loans certainly do not come cheap, so be prepared.
Start looking for foreclosure loans on the Internet or ask your friends and family for a referral to a company they may know of that can help you. In order to make sure that you are getting the very best interest rate that your credit will allow for you to have right at the moment, make sure that you are truly shopping around. You will be glad that you took the time to do all of the needed research, especially if you are able to keep things on track.
About the Author
If you are in foreclosure or approaching a foreclosure sale, there may be foreclosure loans out there that can help you get out of the trouble that you have found yourself in. View more articles at www.foreclosures.jsgenterprises.com.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Refinance House Top Strategies You Should Follow
Look For A Suitable Deal
Real estate is not a simple topic and involves a lot of research but it can also prove to be really beneficial once you zero in on a suitable real estate deal. The moment you purchase a house and consider the option of equity, your bad credit would often be treated as a partially secured loan. A refinance house option is often considered beneficial regardless of your bad credit. Hence, the sooner you get in touch with your mortgage broker, the better it would be for you.
Opt For Innovative Finance Options
Refinance house options can often lead you to choose creative financing schemes. If you wish to get your loan accepted, you need to opt for an adjustable rate mortgage, for not only is it suitable for all persons, it is also beneficial in case you are suffering from bad credit. Likewise, you may also like to involve the services of a professional seller as he would be able to contribute in terms of a partial upfront payment on the purchase. You may like to opt for a second mortgage, as not only would you be able to pay back your loan amount at an attractive interest rate, you would also quit worrying about the related pressures. If you use these creative methods effectively, you can hope to get a clearance through the means of an acceptable mortgage deal.
Go For A Down Payment
Refinance house option can prove to be effective if you manage to make a down payment. If you wish to avail decreased interest rates on home loans, you need to try and make a down payment which is in between 2% to 5% of the total loan amount. As most home loans are based on a thirty year period, even a single percent reduction on the total loan amount can prove to be beneficial. To save an added expense, you may like to wait for a few months and save enough money for the required down payment.
Look For Yourself
The benefit of refinance house is that you have a choice to shop around on your own and while most mortgage brokers would like you to believe that they are the best in the business and you cannot do without them, truth is somewhat different. Rather than depending blindly on a broker, it is best to shop on the internet and try to locate a suitable broker who is willing to work with you. Internet lenders are definitely more experienced when it comes to handling refinance options and hence it often pays to choose an online mortgage option.
Improve Your Credit Score
Another tip to refinance house is to ensure that you have good credit ratings. Well, credit scores can be boosted in a short time if you are willing to pay your pending bills. You can also get in touch with various credit agencies for the same.
About the Author:To avail the benefits of Refinance House, you may like to visit http://www.homemortgageloan-refinance.com/Bad-Credit-Home-Loan-Refinance.php. Here, you would be able to get the best solution for your ongoing problems.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Refinance House Top Strategies You Should Follow
Friday, April 24, 2009
Non-Homeowner Loan - What Is It And What Does It Entail?
Non-Homeowner Loan - What Is It And What Does It Entail?
It is a common belief that non-homeowner loans are the same thing as unsecured personal loans. This common belief is as common as it is untrue. There are secured non-homeowner loans and most importantly, a home can be used to secure a non-homeowner loan. Read on if you want to understand what non-homeowner loans really are.
Before explaining what non-homeowners loans are not and what types of non-homeowner loans are out there, lets begin by explaining the meaning of the expression non-homeowner. The concept implies that the main applicant does not possess any real estate which can be used as collateral for securing a loan. If you are clever enough you may have noticed that the main applicant is the one who is not a homeowner and that the asset has to be a real estate (house, apartment, etc.)
No, No And No
Are all non-homeowner loans unsecured? NO, there are car loans for non-homeowners which are secured with the car. You can also use a van, a yacht, stocks, and many other possessions as collateral thus obtaining a secured loan that is still a loan for non-homeowners. But wait, there is even more…
Are all non-homeowner loans secured by assets that are not real estate? NO, not only there are unsecured non-homeowner loans and secured non homeowner loans guaranteed with assets other than real estate, but as long as the applicant is not a homeowner, nothing prevents the co-signer from being a home-owner and even offering a house as collateral. The loan will still be a non-homeowner loan because the main debtor is a non-homeowner.
Then, What Is A Non-Homeowner Loan?
Let’s narrow the concept a bit. First of all, we are talking about a personal loan. We will leave aside those loans used for purchasing real estate where the applicant is not yet a home-owner because even though it would be fair enough to talk about loans for non-homeowners, they have a more specific name: Loans for First-time home buyers.
Then, excluding loans for First-time home buyers, we are left only with personal loans. The uses of these loans are diverse though. There are car loans (and other vehicle-loans), student loans, cash advance loans and many more. Besides that specific uses a non-homeowner loan can be used for whatever personal purpose you can think of.
Nevertheless, it is true that non-homeowner loans are mainly (but not only) unsecured personal loans that provide finance to those who have no means of getting approved for other type of loans on better terms by providing collateral themselves. Nothing prevents a co-signer though, from guaranteeing the loan with a specific asset that can be an immovable property or not.
These loans have less credit requirements and though they come with higher interest rates, the difference is not that significant. And, since they are probably the only source of finance for many people, the interest rate is justified. It is always better to use these loans than to finance yourself with credit cards or payday loans.
About the Author
Melissa Kellett is an expert loan consultant who has worked for twenty years in the financial industry and helps people to repair their credit and get approved for home loans, unsecured personal loans, student loans, consolidation loans, car loans and many other types of loans and financial products. If you want to learn more about Tenant Loans and Bad Credit Loans you can visit her site http://www.speedybadcreditloans.com/
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Time to Refinance Your Mortgage
There are signs the recession is ebbing and recovery is on the way. The $787 billion stimulus package aimed at injecting cash to the economy plus the conglomeration of smart and immediate government actions such as maintaining the Fed Funds rate between 0 and 0.25 percent.. The stock market is on the rise and is now over the 8,000 mark, the housing industry is also on the upward trend with the construction of homes and apartments jumped by 22.2 percent in February and the general consumer index is going positive.
With all these economic indicators pointing upward there is one question that any homeowner must answer. Is it time to refinance my mortgage? The housing industry after all is pinpointed by financial experts as the root cause of the current economic woes. Mortgage rates have all suddenly become unaffordable to a majority of homeowners and a large number of them are currently threatened by foreclosures. Refinancing can cancel the foreclosure notice and can give you thousands in savings with the lower mortgage rates currently being offered by lenders.
However with the election of President Barack Obama the government has made a lot of economically sensible decisions which lead to one of the lowest mortgage rates in US history. According to Freddie Mac, their weekly survey showed that the average rate on a 30 year mortgage increase to 4.87 percent from an all time low of 4.78 percent. Mean while Mortgage Bankers Association also revealed a similar trend by reporting
that a 30 year fixed mortgage had increased to 4.73 percent from 4.61 percent.
Although the mortgage rate has increased it is still below 5 percent and most financial experts predict it will stay at this level. This low mortgage rate is attributed to a series of government actions such as buying back trillions of mortgage back securities and treasuries, providing $5 billion as incentives to mortgage industry who can modify their loans to lower rates and providing an $8,000 credit for first time home buyers as part of the stimulus package.
The low mortgage rates have enticed a lot of homeowners to apply for refinancing. In fact the Mortgage Bankers Association’s index for refinance increased by 3.2 percent and Fannie Mae declared that it refinanced $77 billion worth of loans last month March. So the answer to the question of whether it is time to refinance or not is “now” is the time. With the mortgage rate hitting low and appears to be on the upward trend, the current rate seems to be a very good reason to refinance. Even President Barack Obama himself indicated that this is a good time to do so by declaring "we are at a time where people can really take advantage of this". This is in reference to an estimated 9 million homeowners out of which 12 percent are due to foreclosure and haven’t availed of refinancing yet.
So there you go, even the US president himself is prodding you, now is the time. The waiting is over and now is the time to start doing your share of uplifting the economy by refinancing your mortgage now if it’s makes financial sense for you to do so.
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By Frank Elliot
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Selecting a Home Mortgage in Today's Market
Even in a normal economic environment, getting a mortgage loan can prove to be very taxing on one’s nerves and time. First of all you have to find a house, then you need to fill out a huge loan application, you gather up all the required paperwork, you talk to your loan consultant several times during the process to assure that everything is going ok and the loan may still not be approved.
And that happens when everything is going fine with the economy, not like what’s happening nowadays. Due to the economic crisis mortgage lenders are becoming increasingly restrictive when it comes to doing what they do, the biggest reason being that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac require governmental financial assistance to stay afloat.
When the largest companies in the field require bailouts this start a trickle-down effect, meaning that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be more restrictive with the mortgages that they purchase and as a result the companies that sell their loans to Fannie and Freddie become more restrictive with their clients.
The government is highly invested in keeping Fannie and Freddie working because if these two companies go down, then the entire mortgage industry breaks down, hence the bailout which ensures that there will still be money available to those who want to purchase a home or refinance their existing loan.
If you find yourself in the market for a loan in Denver or any other city in the U.S., the first thing that you need to do is, even in this current economic troubles, shop around however not the sort of shopping around that you used to do. It used to be that shopping around for a loan meant that you were looking for a low
rate, but now you’re in fact looking for a mortgage company that will approve your loan application. By doing this you’ll become more knowledgeable about the local market and be able to determine what the average rate and closing costs should be for the loan that you’re looking for, and also this will mean that you’ll have a good stock of lenders to apply to if your chosen company doesn’t approve your application.
You should also consider local credit unions and banks, while it is true that they used to have higher rates than most specialized credit companies, the economic downturn has made them lower their rates and offer competitive prices. Even so you’ll still need to qualify for the loan and it may be under stricter guidelines, but going this route may also offer lower fees on your contract, as well as offer you lower fees on savings and checking accounts that you keep with them.
The government wants to ensure, through the bailouts, that Freddie and Fannie are capable of purchasing mortgage loans from mortgage lenders, and even though the mortgage economy is a small fraction of the overall wealth of the United States it is a very important one, this means that there will be more regulation and increased scrutiny all across the board. You’ll still be able to get loans but the important thing that you need to do is to shop around and look at all the alternative ways of financing your home so that you can be sure that your loan will close.
Regardless of what your goal is, whether you’re thinking of buying a home or you want to refinance your current loan, by doing a little bit of research and looking into your local market you’ll get important and maybe even crucial insight into what your choices are, and what you can do with them, so take your time and make the right choice. By Bill Marinelli
Bill marinelli is the owner and operator of Denver's Paramount Home Loans.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Home Mortgages 101: A Must-Read for First-Time Home Buyers!
One of the most important parts of manifest destiny and the American dream is home ownership. Owning your own home can be a very smart investment decision since prices tend to increase faster than the inflation rate, and now, with the recession dropping home prices and interest rates to their lowest in the last decade, there isn't a better time to buy! Because of the current market timing and the fact that it's a widely known as a smart investment, now is the time to start considering the idea. Before you rush out, call a realtor and start looking for a house, you should start by seeking out the perfect mortgage for your budget.
All potential homeowners should take some time to research home loans before calling their local Realtor. There are a dazzling array of choices available when it comes to home loans, and finding the right mortgage for your needs can be difficult. Approach your upcoming home purchase with the same seriousness you apply to other major purchases. Your home will most likely be the biggest single investment you ever make. Take the time at the beginning to educate yourself about home loans. It will be time well spent.
To begin your home mortgage search, talk to credit unions, banks, and brokers in your area. You're looking for someone to hold your hand through the process, but you also want a decent rate with low fees, so make sure to shop around.
When you're looking at rates, you will be shown two different types - variable/adjustable rate (ARM) and fixed rate. The ARM rate is usually shown as a promotion at a cheap rate, sometimes called a "teaser." After the fixed period of the ARM is up, you can expect rates to rise significantly if you get into one of these adjustable rate mortgages.
ARMs have two specific things you look for to use in your analysis - when the rate adjusts (anywhere between one month to 10 years) and what the cap on the interest rate is. Usually, the rate will adjust to whatever the prime rate (the federal government chooses this number) is at the time of the adjustment, plus a certain percentage of 'mark-up' that pays the bank. When you discover the rate cap, use a mortgage payment calculator to find out how much your maximum monthly payment is, worst case. That's not to say your mortgage will actually adjust to that rate, but it's a prudent idea to plan for different scenarios - including worst case.
Variable rate home loans can be a good choice if you believe interest rates are likely to fall. In an environment where interest rates are steady or rising, they may not be so good a choice. You may also want to consider a variable rate mortgage if you do not plan to stay in your home more than five years. For instance, if your job transfers you every couple of years, you could probably get away with a variable rate mortgage and take advantage of the lower interest rate. When you move and sell your home, you will probably realize a gain due to rising home prices.
On the other hand, fixed rate home loans have a set interest rate for a set period of time, generally either 15 or 30 years. The interest rate does not change, therefore you will always know what your monthly mortgage payment will be. You are protected from rising interest rates with a fixed rate mortgage. If rates fall significantly, you can always refinance your mortgage loan to take advantage of the lower rates.
Your mortgage term, or length, is another deciding factor of how much interest you'll end up paying. With a longer term, you'll pay more interest since your loan is amortized over more years - creating more compound interest. If you need the flexibility to make smaller payments by taking on a longer mortgage term, you can always pay more toward your principal at any time to help reduce the length of the loan. Just by paying a few extra principal payments/year can save you tens of thousands of dollars in interest!
Whatever type of home loan you decide on, the most important thing is to take that step which transforms you from a mere renter to a home owner and builder of equity. There are a great many home loans out there, but once you find the right one, you will find the rewards of home ownership well worth the time and effort put forth.
About the Author
Robert Laughlin has been working with the Sacramento home mortgage and real estate fields for over 20 years. For Robert's other resources about home mortgages, check out his home mortgage website,where you can download the free guide: the 8 Essential Home Mortgage Tips.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Getting an FHA Mortgage Loan Rate
by Josh Spaulding
First time homebuyers should do their due diligence with programs that promise them great rates for their first home. But one program that they don't have to worry about scamming them is FHA loans. Getting an FHA Loan Mortgage Rate is simple for first time homebuyers. It allows them to get into a home without worrying about credit problems.
Despite recent rises in interest rates, FHA loan mortgage rates are still low. The sub prime mortgage financing deals may be gone, but FHA loans allow people to break into the housing market. There are some common misconceptions about FHA loans that prevent a lot of people from trying to own a home. It's a pleasant surprise to many that they can still buy a home in today’s market.
FHA loans don't take any longer to get approved than any other type of loan. There are just a few more documents to fill out than a standard loan, but your loan officer can help you with those. The extra documents are just there to protect you and your assets during the financing process. The extra paperwork really isn't a hassle when you compare it to the opportunity that you're receiving.
There's also a misconception that FHA loan mortgage rates are higher than conventional loans. Be assured that FHA rates are based on the exact same market factors as conventional rates. Depending on your specific circumstances, FHA loans may even be less expensive than a conventional loan for a first time homebuyer. If you've had credit problems in the past, then you are definitely getting a better rate with an FHA loan than you would otherwise.
The thing that confuses a lot of first time borrowers is the FHA required mortgage insurance. If your mortgage covers above 80% of the property that you are financing, then you'll need mortgage insurance. This insurance will pay off a portion of your loan if you default on it. FHA's mortgage insurance program requires that you put down a 1.5% upfront mortgage insurance payment, which will automatically be added to your loan. You'll also be paying .50% per year, which is also divided up and added to your loan amount. When you compare this to conventional loans that have up to 3% per year in mortgage insurance expenses, the FHA loans are definitely the better deal.
FHA loan mortgage rates are worth looking into if you are a first time homebuyer. There are some restrictions on income, but they are a lot higher than people think. FHA loans are a great option if you meet their qualifications.
To learn exactly how to get home mortgage loan rates that are affordable, including FHA Mortgage Loans Rates, visit http://www.gethomemortgageloan.com/ where you'll find everything you need to know about FHA Mortgage Loan Quotes.
Article Source:
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Refinance your existing mortgage to meet your financial needs
* Mortgage interest fall
* When your financial situation is not good
* When you want to improve your cash flow
* To consolidate debt when interest rate is high
Third point “improve cash flow” is something everyone looks forward to and yes with refinancing your mortgage; you do get some extra benefit. But for this you need to carefully evaluate your needs. With the help of a Mortgage Loan Relief consultant things will become much easier. If you live in United States, then you can take the help of one of the loan companies in your area. May be you can also take the help of good Loan Refinancing Services Florida, and Palm Beach mortgage service to get immediate refinance mortgage approvals. But before that be sure of what your needs are.
Usually people tap into the equity they have built for home and do “cash out refinancing”. This way you can refinance for a higher amount than your current principal balance and get some extra money as cash. The money you receive is a lump sum amount and can be used for anything.
You can use this extra money for meeting your existing needs. Some of the major expenditures like emergency expenses, purchase of new vehicle, remodeling your home, paying your phone bills, electricity bills, water bills, debt consolidation, kids school fees, etc. , can be met easily.
About the Author:Mortgage Modification Company in Florida serving its clients with mortgage loan refinancing services, Florida mortgage modification services, mortgage refinancing services Florida, loan refinancing services, Florida mortgage modification and refinance mortgage loans Florida.
Article Source:
Friday, April 17, 2009
There is a Way to Solve Your Credit Woes
Right now, credit problems are plaguing a lot of people because the economy isn’t exactly in the greatest of condition. Because of lost jobs, hours being cut, and issues with the housing market, many individuals have not been able to preserve their credit. They have tried, but they have been unable to.
As for what this means for you, it means you’re not alone. You have nothing to be ashamed of.
So now that you’re not ashamed, what you need to do is look into fixing your credit issues. Although the times are tough, you still have to be proactive in your efforts for the fact that you’ll come out on top when things start to improve.
Here are some options for you:
Credit repair services – Credit repair services can help you do what you need to do to improve your credit score. They will pull your credit scores from all three credit bureaus and will tell you what you need to do. It is important that you do it so that you can improve your score. The credit repair service will monitor your reports for you.
Secured credit cards – Secured credit cards present a great credit rebuilding situation. You secure the card with a deposit. This enables you to be responsible with your card so that you don’t get into any messes that you might have a hard time getting out of. These cards will report to the credit bureaus and help you improve your score.
Trying to do it on your own – This is probably the worst option for the fact that you are more or less blind. You have the bills in front of you and you’re paying, but that’s about it. You’re doing something you always do and having no clue what sort of difference you’re making.
These are great options, aside from simply trying to go about things all on your own without any vehicle to improve your credit and any way of knowing what is going on your credit report. However, you can acquire free copies of all three of your credit reports, which is very important. You can get such things as unlimited access to your credit report so that you can monitor your report and also receive automatic notifications when changes are reported.
There are so many tools available to you so that you can improve your credit. It is very important that you do so that you can do such things as acquire financing when you need it. There are also times in which your credit report may be checked to acquire new employment. You want to make sure that everything is sound so that you can get the things in life that you need. We live in a credit-dependent society, which is why it is important that the credit gears keep turning for the economy and that they keep turning for you. When they keep turning for you, you can even battle a bad economy if you need to.
About the Author:I'm Trevor Poulson, owner of T.K. Financial Group, LLC. a real estate investment firm. I’ve spent 15 years in the legal profession as a trial preparation manager in personal injury, and real estate law. Then opened up my own company in 2006. My experience in real estate and finance has helped me to understand the credit/debt situation in this country. We are now branching out into online marketing with our site http://www.creditcardissuer.us I also write a bi-weekly blog under http://credithelper.wordpress.com
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Thursday, April 16, 2009
Shopping Home Equity Loan Rates
If you have been in your home for a number of years and you have established some equity, you may be considering liquidating some of that equity. A great way to do this would be to go with a Home Equity Loan.
A home equity loan allows for you to borrow off of the equity you have established in your home through appreciation and monthly mortgage payments without having to touch your first mortgage.
This is why a home equity loan can also be known as a second mortgage. But before you go and start signing applications, shop around so you can find the best home equity loan rate out there.
There are two types of home equity loans on the market that you have to choose from. The first one is your standard home equity loan with a fixed rate, which of course, is based on prime. This loan you receive in a lump sum and begin to make monthly payments upon it immediately.
The second type of loan is the home equity credit line. This one, as its name implies comes in the form of a line of credit. The home equity line of credit has a rate that is variable, which means it will fluctuate with the prime rate. Many of them come with introductory rates for the first five or six months.
Once approved for a home equity line of credit, you will not receive it in the form of a lump sum. Instead you will receive it in the form of a check book giving you easy access to draw upon it in the amount you would like at your convenience. Once you do draw upon it, you will have to begin paying it back on a monthly basis. Normally in the form of interest only for the first ten years.
Suppose you were to receive a home equity line of credit in the amount of $25,000.00. If you only wanted to borrow $6000.00, than all you would have to do is write out one of the check's the lender sent you and deposit it into your checking account. Your payment would than be based on the $6000.00 you borrowed from your line.
Keep in mind, home equity credit lines do come with a rate that is variable, and that rate is based on prime. So, if the prime rate goes up, the rate on your home equity credit line will go up as well.
On the other hand, if the prime rate goes down, than the rate on your home equity credit line will go down.
Mortgage companies are very competitive, so whichever home equity loan you decide to go with, it would be in your best interest to shop around so that you may compare rates.
After allowing for a few loan officers to assess your situation and offer you a rate and product, base your decision on the rate and product that best fits your needs and budget.
Author Bio
Jennifer Hershey has more than twenty years of experience in the Mortgage Industry as a loan officer. She is the owner of a mortgage resource site devoted to making mortgage terms and products easy to understand.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Four Great Tips To Secure A Home Equity Mortgage
Here are 4 easy tips to help you secure this kind of mortgage. All you have to do is implement the same. Reading through these tips will certainly make things a lot simpler and easy to understand.
Look For Lower Rates
While looking for a home equity mortgage, it is highly recommended that you choose a time when the rates of interests are at their lowest. Although the rates have a mind of their own and you may never know when the rates are at their best, it is advisable that you opt for a home equity mortgage when the rates seem to take a drastic dip. It is basic common sense that when the rate of interest is low, you would be required to pay a lower rate of interest than as compared to the times when the rates are fairly normal. Therefore, a home equity loan option is best suited and completely dependent on an ideal time. Likewise, contrary to the belief, if you wish to benefit through the means of lowered rates, you may do so by surfing the net on a regular basis and locating sites which would help you achieve your objective.
Look For Lesser Housing Prices
There are times, when owing to various circumstances; the average prices of homes take a drastic dip. Well, in such a scenario, when home prices are at all time low, it is advisable that you go in for a home equity mortgage. I believe the current market scenario which is propelled by the global meltdown, can well be considered ideal for choosing a home equity loan. Small dips in the market would actually help you in save a lot of money while opting to pay up your home equity loan. Hence, you need to keep a sharp lookout for such options. As of now, the current market trend in terms of housing prices is fairly low, therefore, it would be ideal to try and capitalize from this situation.
Time To Make A Change
It has often been noted that people from all walks of life prefer to opt for a better home which is not only spacious but also better placed in terms of locality. You may also try and make use of your home equity by simply trying to improvise your current house and executing the necessary renovations. Home equity mortgage is therefore considered best when you need to make a transition. In order to get back the cash value of your equity, you need to be fairly careful. Likewise, even if you do not profit from the deal, you would never loose out as well.
Ideal For Home Movers
A home equity mortgage is often considered a suitable proposition when the owners of the house are on a move. If you can find a home that has a large amount of equity, you can actually benefit by avoiding an outside loan as the cash from the existing equity would be sufficient to meet your requirements. If you are interested in credit leasing, you may try and adopt measures which would enable an additional living space or add the missing furnishings into your personal domains. Hence, this option is best suited for people who are on a constant move.
About the Author:
If you are hoping to have the most comprehensive information regarding your Home Equity Mortgage, you may like to visit http://www.homemortgageloan-refinance.com/Home-Equity-Loan-Best-Deals.php. and get the best deal for yourself today.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Best Loan Option That You've Never Heard Of
There is a loan option that a lot of people may not be familiar with. This loan option is called a signature loan. This is a loan that is secured only by your signature. It is sometimes referred to as an unsecured loan.
There are small, medium, and large sized signature loans. In fact, depending on your credit score, you can probably obtain a signature loan for almost any amount. There are small loans available for under $1,000; mid-sized loans up to $10,000; and for those with excellent credit scores, there may be signature loans available for up to $25,000 or more.
Signature loans do not have any collateral attached to them. If you are unable to make your payments, the loan will be in default, but the lenders will not come after your personal assets.
Signature loans are available to everyone, regardless of their credit history. People who have a strong credit history will be able to obtain much better lending terms than someone who has a poor credit history. However, those people who have a poor credit history might still be able to obtain a signature loan. However, the interest rate and other terms that they would get on their signature loan might not be as favorable.
How do you find one of these lending institutions? The best way to find such a loan is by searching on the Internet. Enter the phrase signature loans into your search engine of choice and you will find many different lenders who you can contact to see if they would be willing to offer you such a loan. There are websites that allow you to compare different lenders to make sure that you are getting the best terms that you can. The most important terms are the interest rate that you need to pay, and how long you have to pay back your loan. Usually you can immediately apply on line and have the money in your bank account on the very next business day.
Naturally, the better your credit score is, the better terms that you will be able to obtain on your signature loan. Even if you have a bad credit score, you can probably still obtain a signature loan. The catch will be that your interest rate will be higher than someone who has a good credit history. If you are in dire need of the money, you may need to pay a high interest rate just so that you can get the money that you so desperately need.
The money that you receive from your signature loan may be used in any way that you want to. Some people use these loans as debt consolidation loans. You can pay off other debts and just have one, hopefully, manageable loan to pay off. Other people might use these loans to handle their timing issues. Perhaps your rent is due on the first of the month and you are not going to receive your paycheck until the tenth of the month. A signature can help you through these short-term problems.
Nearly everybody can secure a signature loan. This type of loan is widely available, but not widely known. Search the Internet and find the loan that you need.
About the Author
Garrison Galbraithe, who has been writing about loand and other financial matters for more almost twenty-five years, has created a guide to securing signature loans for bad credit individuals and businesses. He offers a wealth of information about signature loans and other financial matters at his site.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
How To Find Loans When You're A Veteran
Veterans of the armed forces of the United States of America are given a few nice financial benefits. One of them is help in getting a home loan. In fact the government has made an entire type of home loan just for veterans and an even better deal for veterans that saw wartime service.
President Franklin D Roosevelt signed a law in nineteen forty four called the veterans home loan program. The bill gives veterans of our armed forces a loan guarantee program. Initially it was for returning World War Two veterans and then they realized how good a program it really is.
Today there are more than twenty five million veterans currently living in the United States of America. If any of them want to buy a house they should read on and learn about the veteran's loan program. If you saw combat you may qualify for even more programs so tall to your benefit admin to see if you qualify for any of them.
The way the veterans loan works is that the government makes it so that you do not need a down payment on a house. The government will guarantee to the lender the first twenty fiver percent of the loan. If you are smart and have money you will also put in a down payment so that it only takes a few years to pay off your home. The guarantee is good for the first one hundred and four thousand dollars so your house has to be under four hundred twenty thousand dollars.
In most cases you will be getting your veterans loan from a regular mortgage provider such as a bank or mortgage broker. What the government will do is vouch for you saying that they guarantee twenty five percent of your loan. This saves you on a down payment as well as on the interest rate.
In addition there are other requirements. If you served after 1981 you had to serve for at least two years to be eligible. If you were in the National Guard or a Reservist you had to be enlisted to six years or longer. If you served during wartime the requirement as of this writing is only 90 days of wartime service.
Remember that if you are not able to pay the government has guaranteed the first twenty five percent. This is why you can get a lower interest rate and do not need a down payment.
America is proud of its war veterans and those that put themselves in harms way. Take advantage of the programs that the government has so that you can get into your house.
About the Author
You can learn about home loans bad credit, personal loans for poor credit, and other types of bad credit loans by reading Gary's work.
Friday, April 10, 2009
FHA Loans Can Help Buy Your First Home Even During Tough Times
The Federal Housing Administration or FHA is a federal agency established as part of the National Housing Act of 1934. Its goal is to improve the housing standards and conditions of every Americans. FHA provides a sufficient home financing system. The agency does this by insuring mortgage loans to help stabilize the mortgage market.
In short, the FHA is your key to homeownership. You can get different types of mortgage loans offered by the Federal Housing Administration. They are the following:
Fixed-Rate mortgages Adjustable-Rate mortgages Energy Efficient mortgages Graduated Payment mortgages Growing Equity mortgages
You need to meet certain requirements such as employment and credit scores to qualify for any of these mortgages. There are limits imposed on FHA loans offered to homebuyers. These limits will help you purchase a home during tough economic times and strict lending standards prevent you from qualifying for conventional loans.
Last year, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 signed by President Bush made some changes to FHA loan limits to help more homebuyers qualify. For example, FHA loan limits on single-family home mortgages will be raised to $271,050 in low-cost areas and $625,500 in high-cost areas. The previous FHA loan limit was $362,790.
The new limits, according to the Housing and Urban Development secretary, is targeted at assisting neophyte homebuyers and those struggling with money to refinance to government-backed loans such as FHA loans. One of the most beneficial things FHA does is that it allows you to refinance or buy a home with a low down payment. This spells great for first-time homebuyers and those who dont have much money for initial payment. Other than that, FHA-insured loans have more benefits than the conventional loan. They have lower down payment, which is at 3 percent. In addition, it can come anybody"family members or organizations as a gift.
About the Author
Greg Shuey helps families with utah mortgage loans. Together with Chase Gunderson, we specialize in FHA home loans and FHA Streamline loans. We are here to educate and help you along the way when researching and obtaining a Utah FHA Streamline refinance.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
How to Get Instant Unsecured Personal Loans
It's human nature to want instant gratification in everything we do - and our financial situation is no exception. Whether it's earning money, spending money, or even borrowing money we want it right now. That's why instant unsecured personal loans are starting to become more popular.
It's probably worthwhile to clarify what I mean by personal loans in the first place - there was a time that I wondered if personal loans meant the lending of money by one individual to another (like a family member or a friend), but that's not really it at all. A personal loan is usually defined as a short-term cash loan meant to help people get though the week to their next paycheck. Many people just call them payday loans.
Unsecured personal loans refer to loans where the bank or lender isn't requiring any type of collateral to secure the debt. This is a riskier situation for the lender, which means they need to cover their assets in other ways - like with high interest rates and up front fees.
It's also possible to get an instant unsecured personal loan, but it won't come cheap. Often times the lending institution will mandate that you pay 8% to 12% of the loan amount as an up front fee, and on top of that you're probably going to be paying 20% to 25% interest on the loans. That's why you should think long and hard before going into this type of debt.
The amounts of these loans can vary - sometimes you will only be able to borrow a couple of hundred dollars and other times the lender may be willing to give up to $1500. As with any type of personal financing, you'd be wise to borrow no more than you absolutely need to float to your next pay day.
Of course, we wouldn't want to end this article without addressing the fact that you needed an instant unsecured personal loan in the first place. More likely than not you're in this bind because you haven't been a diligent budgeter or saver in the past. Decide today that you're going to set aside at least $50 from every paycheck in an emergency fund so you don't have to borrow these high interest loans in the future.
About the Author
Rick knows that people with damaged credit still might need some quick cash, and he's an expert on unsecured personal loans for bad credit. He can show you how to qualify fast for instant online personal loan approval to get the money you need.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tips To Avoid Loan Modification Scams
When the banking companies started to sink, many homeowners needed to find an alternative to foreclosure. This alternative is loan modification.. A loan modification basically means asking the lender to change the terms of your mortgage for good. Many times, this means lowering the interest rate. Because of interest lowering, the length of the mortgage is often increased.
Because of the latest boom in foreclosures and people needing loan modification, there are a lot of con artists around. The scams usually involve a company giving you all sorts of guarantees in exchange for an upfront payment for their 'services' . You will have to learn how to avoid these scams.
Most of the times, when you apply for loan modification, you want quick results. Some businesses will guarantee you certain results with their service. Don't do it, because the results are always dependent upon the lender.
Don't believe the hype of getting your mortgage loan modification approved within a week or two weeks. It usually takes lenders thirty days minimum to consider a loan modification application. Because they have no intention of making good on their promises, the fraudulent loan modification companies will say anything to get your signature. Because they just want the upfront payments, they will agree to anything you want.
Don't be lazy in finding out facts about the company you want to deal with when doing mortgage loan modification. Don't be pressured into signing with some money hungry company when it doesn't feel right. There are enough of those around, and you need to be careful who you give your money.
About the Author
Rick writes about financial subjects. He also writes about snel geld lenen bkr and heb snel geld nodig in Dutch.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Finding a Mortgage Refinance Advisor
By: Jennifer Hershey
If you are looking to refinance your home for a lower rate, or you are interested in a refinance with cash out to do some home repairs, buy a new car, etc., you may want to consider finding a mortgage refinance advisor.
There are actually two ways you can go about refinancing your home. The first would be to do the shopping around for a refinance on your own. The second way would be to locate a mortgage refinance advisor.
A mortgage refinance advisor. Otherwise, known as a mortgage loan officer or mortgage broker are not at all hard to find.
The internet is perhaps the best resource for tracking down a mortgage refinance advisor. There are literally hundreds of them right in your own back yard, and the internet would be by far the best way to begin your search.
Once you have found a mortgage refinance advisor, don't stop there, shop around. By shopping around with a few different loan officers and brokers, you will give yourself the ability to compare rates and prices.
Think of it the same way you would go about purchasing a new car. Shop around, test drive a few by going to different dealerships. Once you have test driven a few cars and compared pricing, base your decision on the best and most reasonable deal.
By shopping around as opposed to committing to the first mortgage refinance advisor you come across could mean the difference of thousands of dollars in closing costs and interest fees' over the life of the loan.
By allowing no more than four loan officers or mortgage brokers to assess your situation, you are putting yourself in a much more ideal situation. Especially if your credit is challenged or your situation is unique, not only will the mortgage refinance advisors' expertise come into play, you will be in a position to compare rates and pricing.
Remember, the majority of mortgage refinance advisors are paid on commission, so it is just as important to them as it is to you to get to the closing table. Good luck.
Author Bio
Jennifer Hershey has more than twenty years of experience in the Mortgage Industry as a loan officer. She is the owner of a mortgage resource site devoted to making mortgage terms and products easy to understand.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Mortgage Refinancing
If you are interested in Mortgage Refinancing, it is normally for one of two reasons. Either to get a lower interest rate to save money in interest payments over the life of the loan. Or, you are interested in refinancing with cash out.
Mortgage refinancing can be done in a number of ways. The two most common are going to your local bank or using the internet.
The internet is becoming a more and more popular method of mortgage refinancing by the day.
Some of the reasons are obvious, mortgage refinancing over the internet is very simple, and the information you can find on the mortgage industry is limitless.
The mortgage industry is a very competitive one, so using the internet to shop around for mortgage refinancing is very smart. As opposed to using your local bank that normally has one product for you to choose from.
Finding someone to do your mortgage refinancing by way of the internet may be easier than you think. These loan officers are hungry for your business, and by putting only limited information on a secure mortgage web site, you will have at least four mortgage loan officers calling to compete for your business within twenty-four hours.
There is also no need to hide the fact that you are shopping around, this only forces loan officers to come back at you with the best rate they can possibly find in order to keep you from doing business with someone else.
The best part is, you are not committed to anything by shopping around, and this is a great way to educate yourself about the programs that are available, and to get a feel for how mortgage refinancing works.
In the end, the choice is yours. But remember, take your time and gather as much information on the mortgage industry as possible. It will help you make much wiser choices, which will pay off in the end.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Reverse Mortgage
Reverse Mortgage is something, which can enable an individual to withdraw the money from the bank in lump sum. There are several banks out there where one can apply for the same. But before jumping into any decision about the Mortgage one should make sure that the place is safe and reputed.
To apply for Reverse Mortgage one must fulfill certain conditions. One needs to fill in an application form with information like age of the borrower, interest rate, and loan fees etc. People can apply for the same not only by visiting the banks, one can also log on to online sites and apply for the same.
This type of Mortgage is lucrative and will not affect the borrower's ability to collect social security and pension benefits. People can take Reverse Mortgage loans to pay for home repairs, taxes, insurance payments, medical bills etc. this Mortgage is of different types.
Before applying one needs to do a lot of home work i.e. research work, that can include talking to a financial experts, going through bank literatures etc. One needs to be careful and clear about the terms and conditions involved in Reverse Mortgage as any kind of carelessness can lead to problem.
Reverse Mortgage loan enables the people to take loan from lenders in lump sum without much difficulty. The good thing about this mortgage is that the borrower still remains the owner of the house just like he was when he had a forward mortgage. Before making any decisions one should always do proper research work about the bank, the loan types, rate of Interest
Before making any decision about Reverse Mortgage it is very important on the part of the borrower to be well aware of his ability to pay back the amount he has borrowed. People can apply for the same for education, home, car and other purposes. Loan is something which people have to payback that too within fixed period of time.
People should always apply for the Reverse Mortgage loans from good and safe banks! Thus one should always browse around to find the best place. One can find out about such financial programs not only by visiting various banks, but also by taking the help of Internet. Apart from one can also take the help of Mortgage lenders or even the Brokers as they can provide details about such financial programs!
People with bad financial history may not be eligible for getting Reverse Mortgage loan however good places can be an exception. After choosing the right bank and the loan one needs fill in the registration form offered by the banks. People need to show documents and papers, and fulfill certain criteria to borrow the money. One could payback the amount either together or in installments. Good places do not want your home but need the repayment!
Author Bio
Jim is writer of many mortgage and loan related topics. This article of www.greatmortgageservices.com has been written by Jim.Great Mortgage Services
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