How Get the Go Signal for Mortgage Refinancing

July 3rd, 2009

You hear all the talk about mortgage refinancing. You hear about people who

have done it, then you get to hear from people you actually know who have

done it. It seems to be the boom nowadays and you ask, why wouldn’t it work

for you?

You start to wonder if it could help in your present financial worries. You

ask questions, you research and you compare rates. You go to your mortgage

company, consult a lender and wait for his appraisal.

Then you hear advice: it’s not for you.

Well, what do you do? How can you be eligible for mortgage refinancing? The

truth is there are some simple steps can raise your chances of getting a

good mortgage refinancing deal. Your lender may not discuss it with you,

but come back to him after doing a couple of these steps and the story may

be different.

These points tell you what to do so that you can turn it around. These

steps will make you ready for refinancing.

Raise your equity to at least 10%
It is essential that you have enough home equity in order to be approved

for mortgage refinancing. Build at least 10% in home equity. If your home

equity is low, few, will approve you for refinancing. In some cases, you

may even have to pay set amount of money in order to reach a favorable

threshold, giving you the go signal to refinance.

Get a 2% interest rate.
Home refinance will work if you can get an interest rate that is 2% lower

than the interest of your current loan.

There is a good reason behind this rule: the savings on this interest will

help you cover the up front costs you will eventually have to shell out in

getting a new loan. The up front costs are usually high in getting a new

loan with lower rates and longer term, so they should be in your

calculations.

Check your plans for the future and see if you will break even with the

costs in the duration of the term.  If you find that you will be staying

with your current mortgage much longer, then so much the better.

Settle late payments now.
Most lenders out there have a 12-month rule: they are more likely to

approve your application for mortgage refinancing if you have no late

payments for the past 12 months. They do this to assess your credibility

and commitment as a borrower.

So check out your payment status now. You might discover that you are only

a few payments off from being approved.

Improve your credit score
Study your credit reports for any negative items like wrong details and

late payments. Dispute what you can and get your credit report up. You will

be surprised what checking your reports and talking to your credit

companies can do.

You will not get that low rate if you have not paid off any of that debt.

Some may offer you a refinancing deal regardless of your bad credit

standing, but it’s possible that they will charge you higher fees and

interests.

Only when you have done these steps should you reconsider mortgage

refinancing. They may be small steps, but you will be surprised with the

improvement they would do for you in getting a good rate from lenders.

mortgage refinancing

Home Mortgage Refinancing: The Ups And Downs Of Having A Bad Credit Score

June 30th, 2009

Refinancing your mortgage is really simple for people who have good credit

scores. On the other hand, those folks who suffer from less desirable or

bad credit score face all the hard challenge. Their credit history remains

to be an obstacle when they apply for any refinancing loans. They find it

difficult to qualify for any of the loans because of their stained credit

reputation.

Why consider refinancing?

There are several reasons on why people decide to refinance. One is to

obtain a lower interest rate compared to the previous one. The next one is

to shorten the duration of the loan. The last one is of course to be able

to boost the home’s equity.

Why is it a bit difficult for those with bad credit score?

Who doesn’t want to get the best deals in mortgage refinancing? The only

hindrance to your opportunity is the fact that yours is not a flawless

credit history. Home refinancing for people with bad credit score is tough

and full of hassles. Even finding the right and just lender is challenging.

Generally, lenders are unable to give you the best deals. Add to it the

fact that they normally seek some collateral and assign higher interest

rates.

What are the pros of home mortgage refinancing with bad credit history?

You don’t have to lose hope because even when your credit history is not

that spotless, you can still opt to refinance. Refinancing your existing

mortgage allows you to “cash out” the equity of your home at closing. The

funds which you may claim may be used to pay off your current debt, pay for

any home improvement plans, spend on your dream vacation, or even save them

up for your retirement.

The main reason that leaves a person with a bad credit score is his

inability to pay off any debts. Thus, by refinancing, you will gain the

funds that you may use to lessen your debt in terms of loans and even

credit cards. Your credit score is sure to improve if you begin to pay off

any of your current mortgage loan amount. Likewise, your relationship with

your creditors will be enhanced.
What are the cons of refinancing with a bad credit score?

Since you already have a history of being unable to pay your debts on time,

it will be hard on the part of the lenders to trust you once more. Take

note that they work under a strict business principle so they can’t afford

to take a risk. With your past credit history, the lenders are likely to

give you higher interest rates. At times, they may even be a lot higher

compared to your previous payment terms. Also, they will require for the

collateral so that they can be secured if ever you are unable to settle

your loan again.

What should you do?

It is important that you search for the best and reliable mortgage lenders

in your locale. You should inquire for all the possibilities that envelope

the offers of your lender. It also follows that you weigh the advantages

and disadvantages of a home mortgage refinance loan. See to it that you can

save more money as you go for this option.

Overall, if you think that the savings that you may earn are simply

marginal, better think twice and look for another option.

mortgage refinancing

Four Questions To Protect You From A Mortgage Refinancing Mistake

June 27th, 2009

Either you need money now or there wouldn’t be much of it flowing in the

near future. The answer we hear is mortgage refinancing. What questions

should you be thinking?

The reasons for it these days can be summed up in these two situations. But

before you go through with it, these 4 important questions should be the

cornerstones of your decision. Ask yourself.

Will you save up?
Okay, the real deal about the boom in mortgage refinancing today is about

realistically meeting up with your obligations. This is by getting a lower

interest in the new mortgage term and/or reducing the periods where you

have to pay.

However, look out for closing and transaction fees that usually come with

mortgage refinancing. Make sure that these fees are less than the savings

you ought to get with refinancing the loan.

Are we staying?
The obvious question is: are you moving out in the near future or planning

to stay a lot longer? Better get a fixed rate if you are planning to stay

5, 10, 15 years.

Also, choose the shorter length of the fixed rate you can find. You may

yield a lot more savings that way because interests are of course, lesser

than that of the longer-term rates.

Your current debt and cash flow should also be included in your plans. Work

the calculations up with a partner and do not be afraid to ask the lender

questions. It is your money after all.

Do I have the best rate?
Shop around, know what is out there. Study the available rates that work in

accord to with your plans. Many fail to consider the different options that

could have very well worked for them. Be picky. You’re entitled to it.

Get this: some refinanced loans have a higher up front cost, so your plan

should be able to make room for that. The rule of thumb is that if you can

afford the cash right now, go for it. Remember to never roll your up front

fees to your debts. If your closing fees can be recovered in 12 to 16 days,

then consider the move brilliant.

Loans with lower initial payments on the other hand, and like those with

unfixed rates, may give you a bigger total interest cost over the life of

the loan. If you are planning to stay just for a year or two, then varying

rates will not affect you as much.

Compare rates and calculate expenses, or you may be exposed to more risks

than you what you are trying to reduce. If the closing rate is not what you

have calculated it to be, then better think twice.

Should I really take out that equity?
Credibility. Mortgage refinancing long-term with a fixed rate improves your

image and standing as a borrower, not to mention the difficulty you might

encounter with varying rates down the road.

The other side of the coin is credit rating. Paying it back in the shortest

duration of time earns you a higher credit rating, which can help you in

the future.

Also remember that taking out home equity and using that to pay for

unsecured debt almost always paints a bad picture. It makes much more sense

to take out a loan rather than put your home at risk. If you can’t pay the

mortgage, they can take your home; if you can’t pay the credit card

companies, you still have it.

If you have satisfactory answers to these four important questions, then

you might very well be supported in your plan of mortgage refinancing.

Guarding yourself from risk and mistakes through research now will pay off

beautifully in the long run.

mortgage refinancing

FAQs On Home Mortgage Refinancing

June 24th, 2009

Are you now feeling the heavy financial burden on your shoulder? Getting a

home is not that easy. Yes, your mortgage lender may have promised you an

easy payment scheme several years ago but some problems twisted your fate.

This leaves you with no choice but to come up with a solid solution on how

you can pay back your existing loan.

Millions of homeowners are actually faced with the same dilemma. Don’t wait

for the time that you will run out of options. Before you take any further

actions, you must pay attention and be directed into the following

frequently asked questions on home mortgage refinancing.

1.) Should I refinance my home?

It is quite burdensome to pay for one mortgage payment for your first loan

and then settle another payment for your second loan. You will have to

shoulder quite a high interest rate if you will settle for such option.

Maybe you want to pay for only one mortgage and then reduce the

skyrocketing interest rates into an adjustable or fixed rate.

Or perhaps you want to change the current adjustable rate into a fixed

rate. Then, refinancing must be your option. Refinancing your mortgage will

save you from the private mortgage insurance or PMI especially if you

already enjoy 20% equity in your current home.

2.) How will my monthly mortgage responsibility be determined?

The payment that you have to settle on a monthly basis is determined by

computing the total amount that you have loaned, the interest rate scheme

that you have agreed to, and the number of years that you have specified to

pay it back. If you want the adjusted rate mortgage or ARM, it means that

you will pay a fluctuating monthly interest rate. Sometimes it will be too

much while at times it will be lesser.

3.) Should I decide for home mortgage refinance now?

Your decision to refinance your mortgage should depend on the interest rate

at which you can refinance. Take at look at home much you can save on a

monthly basis. If by refinancing you can reduce the interest charges that

you have to pay for, then, now is the best time. Also, count the number of

years left to finish your first mortgage. If you have only five years left

to pay it off, then it is not wise to consider this option now.

4.) Can I refinance with only a very minimal cost?

Yes. There are several loan programs available that offer lower cost on

refinance mortgage. By availing one of those programs, you save yourself

from pulling out the money left in your bank account or from sacrificing

the equity of your home.

5.) What other pertinent details should I know?

Before you avail of any refinancing program, it is best to consult several

mortgage lenders. Know what they have to offer and how beneficial it can be

to you. Be aware of the assessed value of your property. You may ask for

your copy from the local tax assessor’s office. Also, it will be of help to

know the current trend in the housing market. These details are important

and must be weighed when considering refinancing.

In reality, home mortgage refinance is the best way to save you more money

on a monthly basis, avoid any foreclosure notices, and lose the home that

you have long dreamed of.

mortgage refinancing

5 Costly Mortgage Refinancing Mistakes to Avoid

June 21st, 2009

Mortgage refinancing has several great benefits if used properly. But if you made just a lapse of judgement, you might be in for a costly mistake and may place your entire house at risk. Here are 5 costly mortgage refinancing mistakes you must avoid.

Mistake #1: Not locking in your rate

Rates are very erratic. It can change while your loan is being processed. So if you did not lock your interest rate in, you might be given a different rate from what you’ve expected. Ask your lender to lock in the rate you are satisfied with, place it into writing and confirm it when the processing of your loan is done. Take note: lenders will not lock in your rate without your request.

Mistake #2: Not shopping around

There are hundreds of mortgage companies out there. Each may provide the same service but they are unique from one another. This is why you have to shop around to get the best rates. It may sound like comparing apples to apples but the truth is, even apples are different from one another. Spend some time comparing different companies. Do not hesitate to ask for the best rates. And if you feel you are not getting what you deserve, then move on and go to another company.

Mistake #3: Refinancing too often

While refinancing is a good way to take advantage of lower rate and thus save money on monthly fees, it is not good to take it every time the rate falls down a notch. Remember that terminating your existing loan and buying a new one involve fees. Closing costs will pile up which really defeat the purpose of refinancing.

Mistake #4: Not computing your break-even point

Again, there is a price to pay to terminate your existing loan and getting a new one, but far too many occasions where homeowners fail to recognize this.

Computing your break even point is simple. For example, your monthly savings for refinancing your mortgage is $200 and your closing cost is $2000. Divide the closing cost by monthly savings and you will get the break even point ($2000/$200). In this example, it will take you 10 months to recoup the cost of refinancing. In other words, you have to wait 10 month before realizing the savings. This is also connected to #3.

Before ‘re-refinancing’ your mortgage, you should know first if you have recoup the cost of your previous loan. Determining your break-even point will also determine how long you will have to stay in your home before starting to get savings.

Mistake #5: Refinancing just for the heck of it

Many homeowners believe that when the rate is low, it is time to refinance. This is wrong! There are other conditions to determine if it is the right time to refinance your home and not just by looking that the prevailing rate. Never refinance if you don’t plan to stay at your home after a year or two or before you reach the break-even point.

Never refinance if you have been paying for your current loan for several years or if you have only a few years left to pay for your home. Never refinance if you have a bad credit score or if the current market value of your home is low. And never refinance if you have already used up all the equity of your home.

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June 13th, 2009

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