Because of low interest rates, many homeowners are opting to refinance their homes and cash-out at closing. The refinance process is similar to the procedure of obtaining the original mortgage. Homeowners must be approved by a lender and pay fees associated with acquiring a new loan - closing cost, title search, settlement fee, etc. Yet, there are benefits to refinancing a home. Homeowners may obtain a lower interest rate, which equals lower monthly payments. Moreover, refinancing a home for a shorter term allows the property to build equity quicker.
Benefits of Refinancing with Poor Credit
Refinancing a home with good or fair credit is less complicated. Persons with a good credit rating are qualified candidates, thus some lenders are more willing to compete for their business. Some homeowners with bad credit may hesitate to refinance. However, it is possible to refinance a home with poor credit. In fact, refinancing and receiving a lump sum of money at closing may help improve credit. Once funds are received, the homeowners could use money to pay off high interest credit cards and other consumer debt, which will boost credit ratings.
How to Get Approved?
Getting approved for a refinance with poor credit requires work and patience. There are "high risk" lenders willing to loan money. Nonetheless, before applying for a mortgage, homeowners should try and correct any blemishes on their credit report. This may include paying down the balance on credit cards or maintaining a current account standing with creditors.
Mortgage Brokers: Negotiating the Deal
Submitting a loan application to several different lenders is the key. These include local lenders and online lenders. It is recommended that homeowners receive at least three quotes. Mortgage brokers are highly effective because they have access to various lenders that specialize in granting loans to individuals with a poor credit rating. Brokers negotiate with these lenders to help an applicant obtain a loan that meets their needs. After a loan application is submitted to a mortgage broker, within 24 hours homeowners will receive multiple quotes from several different lenders who offer mortgages for poor credit. Multiple offers afford the opportunity to compare rates, and select the best offer.
About the author:
View our recommended Bad Credit Mortgage Refinance lenders.
Written by: Carrie Reeder
Showing posts with label homeowners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeowners. Show all posts
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Mortgage Refinance Quote Offers Flexibility To Homeowners
Over the past several years, the housing market in the U.S. has boomed. Homeowners have watched their home equity balloon as housing prices have soared. In many areas in the U.S., modest homes purchased as recently as seven years ago have doubled or tripled in value. During that same period, interest rates dipped dramatically, allowing a homeowner to obtain a mortgage refinance quote. In refinancing, homeowners lowered monthly payments and often withdrew a portion of their home equity - via home equity loans and home equity lines of credit - to make purchases or pay down consumer debt with higher interest rates.
In a speech given in October 2004, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said, "Despite average annual mortgage debt growth in excess of 12 percent over the past two years, the financial obligations of homeowners have exhibited little change as a share of their income because mortgage rates have remained at historically low levels. The enormous wave of mortgage refinancing, which ended only in the fall of 2003, allowed homeowners both to take advantage of lower rates to reduce their monthly payments and, in many cases, to extract some of the built-up equity in their homes. In the aggregate, the cash flows associated with these two effects seem to have roughly offset each other, leaving the financial obligations ratio little changed."
Greenspan continued, saying, "Indeed, the surge in cash-out mortgage refinancings likely improved rather than worsened the financial condition of the average homeowner. Some of the equity extracted through mortgage refinancing was used to pay down more-expensive, non-tax-deductible consumer debt or to make purchases that would otherwise have been financed by more-expensive and less tax-favored credit."
According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), historically low mortgage rates caused record numbers of homeowners to obtain a mortgage refinance quote and to sign on the dotted line to refinance their mortgages at lower rates. In a recent report, the FDIC said, "As mortgage rates bottomed out, refinancing volumes peaked in June 2003, but they have fallen sharply since then...Indeed, the Mortgage Bankers Association recently forecast that the dollar volume of refinancings would decline 57 percent in 2004 from a record $2.5 trillion in 2003."
More homeowners are seeking a mortgage refinance quote to obtain a home equity line of credit (HELOC). According to the FDIC, these lines of credit have grown about 30 percent annually. The FDIC report states, "The rationale for homeowners' greater use of HELOCs is straightforward. With consumer spending outpacing income growth in the 2000s, homeowners have turned increasingly to home equity lending as a substitute for consumer credit to finance new consumption, reduce outstanding debt, or purchase a home in a two-loan package deal. The appeal over other more costly credit alternatives derives from the significant advantages of comparatively low interest rates, tax deductibility, and easy availability, since income and cash flow tests matter less for determining credit lines than for credit cards or auto loans. Furthermore, because HELOCs offer the flexibility to draw money only as needed and the convenience of a revolving credit line, borrowers favor HELOCs more and more over closed-end home equity loans. For these reasons, many homeowners are converting the equity in their home into cash through home equity borrowing and making this kind of transaction an increasingly important part of their household finances. With the dramatic decline in mortgage refinancing volumes since mid-2003, a homeowner would more likely choose to tap home equity through a draw on a HELOC rather than extract cash as part of a refinancing."
Obtaining a mortgage refinance quote is the first step in obtaining a home equity line of credit that homeowners can use for home improvement, debt consolidation, or consumer spending.
About the author:
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Financing\Investi ng Website and Majon's Financi ng\Investing directory.
Written by: Chris Robertson
In a speech given in October 2004, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said, "Despite average annual mortgage debt growth in excess of 12 percent over the past two years, the financial obligations of homeowners have exhibited little change as a share of their income because mortgage rates have remained at historically low levels. The enormous wave of mortgage refinancing, which ended only in the fall of 2003, allowed homeowners both to take advantage of lower rates to reduce their monthly payments and, in many cases, to extract some of the built-up equity in their homes. In the aggregate, the cash flows associated with these two effects seem to have roughly offset each other, leaving the financial obligations ratio little changed."
Greenspan continued, saying, "Indeed, the surge in cash-out mortgage refinancings likely improved rather than worsened the financial condition of the average homeowner. Some of the equity extracted through mortgage refinancing was used to pay down more-expensive, non-tax-deductible consumer debt or to make purchases that would otherwise have been financed by more-expensive and less tax-favored credit."
According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), historically low mortgage rates caused record numbers of homeowners to obtain a mortgage refinance quote and to sign on the dotted line to refinance their mortgages at lower rates. In a recent report, the FDIC said, "As mortgage rates bottomed out, refinancing volumes peaked in June 2003, but they have fallen sharply since then...Indeed, the Mortgage Bankers Association recently forecast that the dollar volume of refinancings would decline 57 percent in 2004 from a record $2.5 trillion in 2003."
More homeowners are seeking a mortgage refinance quote to obtain a home equity line of credit (HELOC). According to the FDIC, these lines of credit have grown about 30 percent annually. The FDIC report states, "The rationale for homeowners' greater use of HELOCs is straightforward. With consumer spending outpacing income growth in the 2000s, homeowners have turned increasingly to home equity lending as a substitute for consumer credit to finance new consumption, reduce outstanding debt, or purchase a home in a two-loan package deal. The appeal over other more costly credit alternatives derives from the significant advantages of comparatively low interest rates, tax deductibility, and easy availability, since income and cash flow tests matter less for determining credit lines than for credit cards or auto loans. Furthermore, because HELOCs offer the flexibility to draw money only as needed and the convenience of a revolving credit line, borrowers favor HELOCs more and more over closed-end home equity loans. For these reasons, many homeowners are converting the equity in their home into cash through home equity borrowing and making this kind of transaction an increasingly important part of their household finances. With the dramatic decline in mortgage refinancing volumes since mid-2003, a homeowner would more likely choose to tap home equity through a draw on a HELOC rather than extract cash as part of a refinancing."
Obtaining a mortgage refinance quote is the first step in obtaining a home equity line of credit that homeowners can use for home improvement, debt consolidation, or consumer spending.
About the author:
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Financing\Investi ng Website and Majon's Financi ng\Investing directory.
Written by: Chris Robertson
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Ask The Expert- When Do I Refinance My Home?
Home refinancing is a wonderful financial tool for homeowners to use for debt management to investments. If the home refinance is used correctly, wisely, and at the right time, the benefits from the refinance can improve the financial picture of the homeowner. There is no cookie cutter approach to refinancing. Each individual or family has their own unique set of circumstances. Here are some common questions homeowners often ask when they are considering refinancing.
What is the most critical question to ask myself when refinancing a home?
Is refinancing going to put you in a better position financially? Will refinancing reduce your monthly expenses, meet a critical family requirement, or improve your investment portfolio? If the answer is yes, it is probably a good time to refinance.
What is a cost benefit analysis?
This is a detailed account of the actual cost of refinancing and helps provide the best financial decision. Cost-benefit analysis analyzes the cost effectiveness of different alternatives in order to see whether the benefits outweigh the costs When you look at the actual costs of refinancing, determine how long it will take to recoup costs. Is it worth it? A qualified mortgage professional should review your alternatives and help you determine if the benefits outweigh the near and long term costs. The rule of thumb regarding the cost vs. benefit of refinancing is that you need a 1- 2% "spread" between your existing interest rate and today's current rates. Refinancing, No Cash-Out option can reduce your monthly mortgage payment or reduce the remaining term of your loan and thus probably save tens of thousands of dollars in interest over the long-run. Cash-Out withdraws cash (reduces equity) for home improvement, educational tuition, debt consolidation or for such purchases as a investment property or second home, auto, or other major purchase.
How often should I refinance?
Some people refinance frequently but a rule of thumb should be that you have held the property for one year. Refinancing allows the homeowner to use the home to conduct transactions that allow opportunities and possibly enhance the homeowner’s asset pool or reduce the financial short-term burden of the homeowner. How the homeowner approaches the refinance is critical to long-term financial net worth. If the homeowner is utilizing the home as a second checking account to payoff consumer debt, financial stability for future years is reduced through ineffective money management by reducing the homeowner’s equity. The ability for the consumer to build equity is in essence a long term subtle retirement plan for the homeowner.
What are some questions I can ask the mortgage company or the bank handling my refinancing?
The scope of financial knowledge a mortgage consultant or loan officer possesses matters in this transaction. This person should have a thorough knowledge of money and how it works. Begin by asking about their professional credentials. The best mortgage professionals will have formal business education, professional experience in the financial industry, and the institutional knowledge to place you in the right product. At Breakwater Mortgage in Virginia Beach, we select our mortgage consultants, loan officers, and loan originators based on strengths in these areas. Often lenders, banks, and other mortgage companies do not conduct a detailed review of potential employees that will handle your most important asset. Ask your mortgage professional why they are recommending a certain loan product to you. You should also feel free to ask personal questions such as: Do you own a home? What type of mortgage do you have? What is your credit score? The answers will reveal information about their money management. If you do not feel comfortable with your mortgage professional, research a qualified individual who will help you based on your needs. It’s worth it to take the time to find the right mortgage professional.
Does location of the home matter when considering refinancing?
Yes, it matters a great deal. Some real estate markets have reached their peak. Do not refinance at the top of the market. Research and see how quickly homes are selling in your area. Contact your local professionals regarding home values in your market. They will be able to give you their opinion, home comps, assessments of home value trends in your area. I recommend you leave 10-15% equity in your home when you refinance. A reputable mortgage broker or lender will recommend that you keep some equity in your home so you can sell your property if situations dictate.
Does the type of mortgage I have affect my refinancing decision?
Absolutely. Talk to a qualified mortgage professional first, before you make your decision. That person will help you compare your current mortgage rate/product to current market rates, available mortgage terms, and types of mortgages available based on your discussions. I look at mortgage products based on an indebt analysis of the clients needs. With that in mind, some general rules apply. If rates are falling, I would advise a homeowner to stay in their current loan until a 2% spread between their current loan and future refinance loan. If a client has a loan product that adjusts downward during a period of decreasing rates, I recommend they stay with that product until a projected rate increase period that will increase over a protracted period. When rates start to increase, and are projected to continue to increase, I would advise a homeowner with a loan product that adjusts, when rates adjust, to move towards a fixed mortgage product (7, 10, 15 or 20 year mortgage depending upon an individual’s situation). If the homeowner is geographically displaced due to employment, say five years or less, a long-term fixed mortgage is not the optimal product. If the homeowner plans to stay in a specific geographical area and in that same home for a long period of time, I’d recommend a long-term fixed rate product and possibly a home owner’s line of credit (HELOC) to supplement the homeowner’s financial decisions. With long-term mortgages a homeowner can still opt to pay more on the principal, reducing the term of the loan and interest costs.
What are economic indicators that bode well for refinancing?
A knowledgeable mortgage professional should understand economic indicators, and will be able to give you an accurate assessment on whether to refinance or not. Are interest rates rising or falling? With refinancing, timing is everything. If rates are falling and they are lower than your mortgage rate (a general rule is 1 – 2 % lower then your current fixed rate), it could be a good time to refinance. If not, it might be a better idea to sit tight and forgo refinancing for now.
About The Author
Jay R. Popejoy's educational background in financial and mortgage lending includes B.S. Degrees (Marketing/Business Education)and a M.B.A. program (current studies). Jay has 19 years of professional experience involving banking and finance, logistics management, civil affairs, and international development. Former and present employers include HSBC and Household/Beneficial Finance. Jay R. Popejoy is currently Managing Director of Breakwater Mortgage Corp. in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg, Virginia, and is a senior staff officer for the US Army (Army Logistics). E-mail jay@breakwatermortgage.com or visit http://www.breakwatermortgage.com for more informaiton.
Written by: Jay Popejoy
Home refinancing is a wonderful financial tool for homeowners to use for debt management to investments. If the home refinance is used correctly, wisely, and at the right time, the benefits from the refinance can improve the financial picture of the homeowner. There is no cookie cutter approach to refinancing. Each individual or family has their own unique set of circumstances. Here are some common questions homeowners often ask when they are considering refinancing.
What is the most critical question to ask myself when refinancing a home?
Is refinancing going to put you in a better position financially? Will refinancing reduce your monthly expenses, meet a critical family requirement, or improve your investment portfolio? If the answer is yes, it is probably a good time to refinance.
What is a cost benefit analysis?
This is a detailed account of the actual cost of refinancing and helps provide the best financial decision. Cost-benefit analysis analyzes the cost effectiveness of different alternatives in order to see whether the benefits outweigh the costs When you look at the actual costs of refinancing, determine how long it will take to recoup costs. Is it worth it? A qualified mortgage professional should review your alternatives and help you determine if the benefits outweigh the near and long term costs. The rule of thumb regarding the cost vs. benefit of refinancing is that you need a 1- 2% "spread" between your existing interest rate and today's current rates. Refinancing, No Cash-Out option can reduce your monthly mortgage payment or reduce the remaining term of your loan and thus probably save tens of thousands of dollars in interest over the long-run. Cash-Out withdraws cash (reduces equity) for home improvement, educational tuition, debt consolidation or for such purchases as a investment property or second home, auto, or other major purchase.
How often should I refinance?
Some people refinance frequently but a rule of thumb should be that you have held the property for one year. Refinancing allows the homeowner to use the home to conduct transactions that allow opportunities and possibly enhance the homeowner’s asset pool or reduce the financial short-term burden of the homeowner. How the homeowner approaches the refinance is critical to long-term financial net worth. If the homeowner is utilizing the home as a second checking account to payoff consumer debt, financial stability for future years is reduced through ineffective money management by reducing the homeowner’s equity. The ability for the consumer to build equity is in essence a long term subtle retirement plan for the homeowner.
What are some questions I can ask the mortgage company or the bank handling my refinancing?
The scope of financial knowledge a mortgage consultant or loan officer possesses matters in this transaction. This person should have a thorough knowledge of money and how it works. Begin by asking about their professional credentials. The best mortgage professionals will have formal business education, professional experience in the financial industry, and the institutional knowledge to place you in the right product. At Breakwater Mortgage in Virginia Beach, we select our mortgage consultants, loan officers, and loan originators based on strengths in these areas. Often lenders, banks, and other mortgage companies do not conduct a detailed review of potential employees that will handle your most important asset. Ask your mortgage professional why they are recommending a certain loan product to you. You should also feel free to ask personal questions such as: Do you own a home? What type of mortgage do you have? What is your credit score? The answers will reveal information about their money management. If you do not feel comfortable with your mortgage professional, research a qualified individual who will help you based on your needs. It’s worth it to take the time to find the right mortgage professional.
Does location of the home matter when considering refinancing?
Yes, it matters a great deal. Some real estate markets have reached their peak. Do not refinance at the top of the market. Research and see how quickly homes are selling in your area. Contact your local professionals regarding home values in your market. They will be able to give you their opinion, home comps, assessments of home value trends in your area. I recommend you leave 10-15% equity in your home when you refinance. A reputable mortgage broker or lender will recommend that you keep some equity in your home so you can sell your property if situations dictate.
Does the type of mortgage I have affect my refinancing decision?
Absolutely. Talk to a qualified mortgage professional first, before you make your decision. That person will help you compare your current mortgage rate/product to current market rates, available mortgage terms, and types of mortgages available based on your discussions. I look at mortgage products based on an indebt analysis of the clients needs. With that in mind, some general rules apply. If rates are falling, I would advise a homeowner to stay in their current loan until a 2% spread between their current loan and future refinance loan. If a client has a loan product that adjusts downward during a period of decreasing rates, I recommend they stay with that product until a projected rate increase period that will increase over a protracted period. When rates start to increase, and are projected to continue to increase, I would advise a homeowner with a loan product that adjusts, when rates adjust, to move towards a fixed mortgage product (7, 10, 15 or 20 year mortgage depending upon an individual’s situation). If the homeowner is geographically displaced due to employment, say five years or less, a long-term fixed mortgage is not the optimal product. If the homeowner plans to stay in a specific geographical area and in that same home for a long period of time, I’d recommend a long-term fixed rate product and possibly a home owner’s line of credit (HELOC) to supplement the homeowner’s financial decisions. With long-term mortgages a homeowner can still opt to pay more on the principal, reducing the term of the loan and interest costs.
What are economic indicators that bode well for refinancing?
A knowledgeable mortgage professional should understand economic indicators, and will be able to give you an accurate assessment on whether to refinance or not. Are interest rates rising or falling? With refinancing, timing is everything. If rates are falling and they are lower than your mortgage rate (a general rule is 1 – 2 % lower then your current fixed rate), it could be a good time to refinance. If not, it might be a better idea to sit tight and forgo refinancing for now.
About The Author
Jay R. Popejoy's educational background in financial and mortgage lending includes B.S. Degrees (Marketing/Business Education)and a M.B.A. program (current studies). Jay has 19 years of professional experience involving banking and finance, logistics management, civil affairs, and international development. Former and present employers include HSBC and Household/Beneficial Finance. Jay R. Popejoy is currently Managing Director of Breakwater Mortgage Corp. in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg, Virginia, and is a senior staff officer for the US Army (Army Logistics). E-mail jay@breakwatermortgage.com or visit http://www.breakwatermortgage.com for more informaiton.
Written by: Jay Popejoy
What is the most critical question to ask myself when refinancing a home?
Is refinancing going to put you in a better position financially? Will refinancing reduce your monthly expenses, meet a critical family requirement, or improve your investment portfolio? If the answer is yes, it is probably a good time to refinance.
What is a cost benefit analysis?
This is a detailed account of the actual cost of refinancing and helps provide the best financial decision. Cost-benefit analysis analyzes the cost effectiveness of different alternatives in order to see whether the benefits outweigh the costs When you look at the actual costs of refinancing, determine how long it will take to recoup costs. Is it worth it? A qualified mortgage professional should review your alternatives and help you determine if the benefits outweigh the near and long term costs. The rule of thumb regarding the cost vs. benefit of refinancing is that you need a 1- 2% "spread" between your existing interest rate and today's current rates. Refinancing, No Cash-Out option can reduce your monthly mortgage payment or reduce the remaining term of your loan and thus probably save tens of thousands of dollars in interest over the long-run. Cash-Out withdraws cash (reduces equity) for home improvement, educational tuition, debt consolidation or for such purchases as a investment property or second home, auto, or other major purchase.
How often should I refinance?
Some people refinance frequently but a rule of thumb should be that you have held the property for one year. Refinancing allows the homeowner to use the home to conduct transactions that allow opportunities and possibly enhance the homeowner’s asset pool or reduce the financial short-term burden of the homeowner. How the homeowner approaches the refinance is critical to long-term financial net worth. If the homeowner is utilizing the home as a second checking account to payoff consumer debt, financial stability for future years is reduced through ineffective money management by reducing the homeowner’s equity. The ability for the consumer to build equity is in essence a long term subtle retirement plan for the homeowner.
What are some questions I can ask the mortgage company or the bank handling my refinancing?
The scope of financial knowledge a mortgage consultant or loan officer possesses matters in this transaction. This person should have a thorough knowledge of money and how it works. Begin by asking about their professional credentials. The best mortgage professionals will have formal business education, professional experience in the financial industry, and the institutional knowledge to place you in the right product. At Breakwater Mortgage in Virginia Beach, we select our mortgage consultants, loan officers, and loan originators based on strengths in these areas. Often lenders, banks, and other mortgage companies do not conduct a detailed review of potential employees that will handle your most important asset. Ask your mortgage professional why they are recommending a certain loan product to you. You should also feel free to ask personal questions such as: Do you own a home? What type of mortgage do you have? What is your credit score? The answers will reveal information about their money management. If you do not feel comfortable with your mortgage professional, research a qualified individual who will help you based on your needs. It’s worth it to take the time to find the right mortgage professional.
Does location of the home matter when considering refinancing?
Yes, it matters a great deal. Some real estate markets have reached their peak. Do not refinance at the top of the market. Research and see how quickly homes are selling in your area. Contact your local professionals regarding home values in your market. They will be able to give you their opinion, home comps, assessments of home value trends in your area. I recommend you leave 10-15% equity in your home when you refinance. A reputable mortgage broker or lender will recommend that you keep some equity in your home so you can sell your property if situations dictate.
Does the type of mortgage I have affect my refinancing decision?
Absolutely. Talk to a qualified mortgage professional first, before you make your decision. That person will help you compare your current mortgage rate/product to current market rates, available mortgage terms, and types of mortgages available based on your discussions. I look at mortgage products based on an indebt analysis of the clients needs. With that in mind, some general rules apply. If rates are falling, I would advise a homeowner to stay in their current loan until a 2% spread between their current loan and future refinance loan. If a client has a loan product that adjusts downward during a period of decreasing rates, I recommend they stay with that product until a projected rate increase period that will increase over a protracted period. When rates start to increase, and are projected to continue to increase, I would advise a homeowner with a loan product that adjusts, when rates adjust, to move towards a fixed mortgage product (7, 10, 15 or 20 year mortgage depending upon an individual’s situation). If the homeowner is geographically displaced due to employment, say five years or less, a long-term fixed mortgage is not the optimal product. If the homeowner plans to stay in a specific geographical area and in that same home for a long period of time, I’d recommend a long-term fixed rate product and possibly a home owner’s line of credit (HELOC) to supplement the homeowner’s financial decisions. With long-term mortgages a homeowner can still opt to pay more on the principal, reducing the term of the loan and interest costs.
What are economic indicators that bode well for refinancing?
A knowledgeable mortgage professional should understand economic indicators, and will be able to give you an accurate assessment on whether to refinance or not. Are interest rates rising or falling? With refinancing, timing is everything. If rates are falling and they are lower than your mortgage rate (a general rule is 1 – 2 % lower then your current fixed rate), it could be a good time to refinance. If not, it might be a better idea to sit tight and forgo refinancing for now.
About The Author
Jay R. Popejoy's educational background in financial and mortgage lending includes B.S. Degrees (Marketing/Business Education)and a M.B.A. program (current studies). Jay has 19 years of professional experience involving banking and finance, logistics management, civil affairs, and international development. Former and present employers include HSBC and Household/Beneficial Finance. Jay R. Popejoy is currently Managing Director of Breakwater Mortgage Corp. in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg, Virginia, and is a senior staff officer for the US Army (Army Logistics). E-mail jay@breakwatermortgage.com or visit http://www.breakwatermortgage.com for more informaiton.
Written by: Jay Popejoy
Home refinancing is a wonderful financial tool for homeowners to use for debt management to investments. If the home refinance is used correctly, wisely, and at the right time, the benefits from the refinance can improve the financial picture of the homeowner. There is no cookie cutter approach to refinancing. Each individual or family has their own unique set of circumstances. Here are some common questions homeowners often ask when they are considering refinancing.
What is the most critical question to ask myself when refinancing a home?
Is refinancing going to put you in a better position financially? Will refinancing reduce your monthly expenses, meet a critical family requirement, or improve your investment portfolio? If the answer is yes, it is probably a good time to refinance.
What is a cost benefit analysis?
This is a detailed account of the actual cost of refinancing and helps provide the best financial decision. Cost-benefit analysis analyzes the cost effectiveness of different alternatives in order to see whether the benefits outweigh the costs When you look at the actual costs of refinancing, determine how long it will take to recoup costs. Is it worth it? A qualified mortgage professional should review your alternatives and help you determine if the benefits outweigh the near and long term costs. The rule of thumb regarding the cost vs. benefit of refinancing is that you need a 1- 2% "spread" between your existing interest rate and today's current rates. Refinancing, No Cash-Out option can reduce your monthly mortgage payment or reduce the remaining term of your loan and thus probably save tens of thousands of dollars in interest over the long-run. Cash-Out withdraws cash (reduces equity) for home improvement, educational tuition, debt consolidation or for such purchases as a investment property or second home, auto, or other major purchase.
How often should I refinance?
Some people refinance frequently but a rule of thumb should be that you have held the property for one year. Refinancing allows the homeowner to use the home to conduct transactions that allow opportunities and possibly enhance the homeowner’s asset pool or reduce the financial short-term burden of the homeowner. How the homeowner approaches the refinance is critical to long-term financial net worth. If the homeowner is utilizing the home as a second checking account to payoff consumer debt, financial stability for future years is reduced through ineffective money management by reducing the homeowner’s equity. The ability for the consumer to build equity is in essence a long term subtle retirement plan for the homeowner.
What are some questions I can ask the mortgage company or the bank handling my refinancing?
The scope of financial knowledge a mortgage consultant or loan officer possesses matters in this transaction. This person should have a thorough knowledge of money and how it works. Begin by asking about their professional credentials. The best mortgage professionals will have formal business education, professional experience in the financial industry, and the institutional knowledge to place you in the right product. At Breakwater Mortgage in Virginia Beach, we select our mortgage consultants, loan officers, and loan originators based on strengths in these areas. Often lenders, banks, and other mortgage companies do not conduct a detailed review of potential employees that will handle your most important asset. Ask your mortgage professional why they are recommending a certain loan product to you. You should also feel free to ask personal questions such as: Do you own a home? What type of mortgage do you have? What is your credit score? The answers will reveal information about their money management. If you do not feel comfortable with your mortgage professional, research a qualified individual who will help you based on your needs. It’s worth it to take the time to find the right mortgage professional.
Does location of the home matter when considering refinancing?
Yes, it matters a great deal. Some real estate markets have reached their peak. Do not refinance at the top of the market. Research and see how quickly homes are selling in your area. Contact your local professionals regarding home values in your market. They will be able to give you their opinion, home comps, assessments of home value trends in your area. I recommend you leave 10-15% equity in your home when you refinance. A reputable mortgage broker or lender will recommend that you keep some equity in your home so you can sell your property if situations dictate.
Does the type of mortgage I have affect my refinancing decision?
Absolutely. Talk to a qualified mortgage professional first, before you make your decision. That person will help you compare your current mortgage rate/product to current market rates, available mortgage terms, and types of mortgages available based on your discussions. I look at mortgage products based on an indebt analysis of the clients needs. With that in mind, some general rules apply. If rates are falling, I would advise a homeowner to stay in their current loan until a 2% spread between their current loan and future refinance loan. If a client has a loan product that adjusts downward during a period of decreasing rates, I recommend they stay with that product until a projected rate increase period that will increase over a protracted period. When rates start to increase, and are projected to continue to increase, I would advise a homeowner with a loan product that adjusts, when rates adjust, to move towards a fixed mortgage product (7, 10, 15 or 20 year mortgage depending upon an individual’s situation). If the homeowner is geographically displaced due to employment, say five years or less, a long-term fixed mortgage is not the optimal product. If the homeowner plans to stay in a specific geographical area and in that same home for a long period of time, I’d recommend a long-term fixed rate product and possibly a home owner’s line of credit (HELOC) to supplement the homeowner’s financial decisions. With long-term mortgages a homeowner can still opt to pay more on the principal, reducing the term of the loan and interest costs.
What are economic indicators that bode well for refinancing?
A knowledgeable mortgage professional should understand economic indicators, and will be able to give you an accurate assessment on whether to refinance or not. Are interest rates rising or falling? With refinancing, timing is everything. If rates are falling and they are lower than your mortgage rate (a general rule is 1 – 2 % lower then your current fixed rate), it could be a good time to refinance. If not, it might be a better idea to sit tight and forgo refinancing for now.
About The Author
Jay R. Popejoy's educational background in financial and mortgage lending includes B.S. Degrees (Marketing/Business Education)and a M.B.A. program (current studies). Jay has 19 years of professional experience involving banking and finance, logistics management, civil affairs, and international development. Former and present employers include HSBC and Household/Beneficial Finance. Jay R. Popejoy is currently Managing Director of Breakwater Mortgage Corp. in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg, Virginia, and is a senior staff officer for the US Army (Army Logistics). E-mail jay@breakwatermortgage.com or visit http://www.breakwatermortgage.com for more informaiton.
Written by: Jay Popejoy
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Are you desperate for a homeloan that you are stretching your finance too far?
Once you get a quote for a home loan don’t be tempted to take the entire amount if it looks like you overqualified. Most consumers fill out an application for a home loan and hope they can get enough money to buy their dream house.
A nice chunk of those consumers also overqualify for their home loans. If go to your local bank, credit union or mortgage broker and you are approved for a $500,000 home loan, they payments might be a bit more than you realistically afford.
Use a mortgage calculator to see your real monthly expenses
If you are not good with your money or would prefer to not stretch your finances to the limit to get a home, get your hands on a good mortgage calculator as soon as you get the figures on your home loan. You might think all will be fine as long as you can own your own property.
However, you must take into account all of the things that come along with owning a home. Sometimes you can get so caught up with the actual dollar amount of your home loan that you forget the other pieces of your budget.
Do you still have cash for entertainment and personal use?
Check your budget to see if you still have money to enjoy things like going out, purchasing new furniture, a family vacation once per year and regular manicures and pedicures. Then add in your student loans, car payments, credit card bills, lunches at work and tickets to take your family to baseball games a couple of times every season.
You also need money for home maintenance and repairs
There are also the home maintenance issues that are not included when you qualify for a home loan. If you live in a part of the country that’s particularly hot or cold, your heating and air conditioning bill could easily add up to a couple of hundred dollars per month.
Your home loan package does not include budgeting for lawnmowers, landscaping and fixing broken windows. Some of these expenses can be put off until a later day, but some of them will require your immediate attention once you move into your home.
Know your spending habits to gauge how much debt you can carry
If you are used to living paycheck to paycheck and generally not taking care of your budget as a renter, you will probably carry over some of the same habits to your new home.
The best way to avoid a financial disaster is to make your home loan a part of your financial life instead of the centerpiece of your financial life. If you are stressed out about money issues from the very first move in, it is unlikely that you will enjoy your new home or anything else in your life for a long time.
About the Author
This article may be freely distributed as long as there's an active link to http://www.rapidlingo.com
Syd Johnson
Editor
Written by: Syd Johnson
A nice chunk of those consumers also overqualify for their home loans. If go to your local bank, credit union or mortgage broker and you are approved for a $500,000 home loan, they payments might be a bit more than you realistically afford.
Use a mortgage calculator to see your real monthly expenses
If you are not good with your money or would prefer to not stretch your finances to the limit to get a home, get your hands on a good mortgage calculator as soon as you get the figures on your home loan. You might think all will be fine as long as you can own your own property.
However, you must take into account all of the things that come along with owning a home. Sometimes you can get so caught up with the actual dollar amount of your home loan that you forget the other pieces of your budget.
Do you still have cash for entertainment and personal use?
Check your budget to see if you still have money to enjoy things like going out, purchasing new furniture, a family vacation once per year and regular manicures and pedicures. Then add in your student loans, car payments, credit card bills, lunches at work and tickets to take your family to baseball games a couple of times every season.
You also need money for home maintenance and repairs
There are also the home maintenance issues that are not included when you qualify for a home loan. If you live in a part of the country that’s particularly hot or cold, your heating and air conditioning bill could easily add up to a couple of hundred dollars per month.
Your home loan package does not include budgeting for lawnmowers, landscaping and fixing broken windows. Some of these expenses can be put off until a later day, but some of them will require your immediate attention once you move into your home.
Know your spending habits to gauge how much debt you can carry
If you are used to living paycheck to paycheck and generally not taking care of your budget as a renter, you will probably carry over some of the same habits to your new home.
The best way to avoid a financial disaster is to make your home loan a part of your financial life instead of the centerpiece of your financial life. If you are stressed out about money issues from the very first move in, it is unlikely that you will enjoy your new home or anything else in your life for a long time.
About the Author
This article may be freely distributed as long as there's an active link to http://www.rapidlingo.com
Syd Johnson
Editor
Written by: Syd Johnson
1st and 2nd Mortgage Refinance Loan-Why Refinance Both Loans?
The hassle of making two monthly mortgage payments has prompted many homeowners to consider refinancing their 1st and 2nd mortgages into one loan. While combining both loans into one mortgage is convenient, and may save you money, homeowners should carefully weigh the risks and advantages before choosing to refinance their mortgages.
Benefits Associated with Combining 1st and 2nd Mortgages
Aside from consolidating your mortgages and making one monthly payment, a mortgage consolidation may lower your monthly payments to mortgage lenders. If you acquired your 1st or 2nd mortgage before home loan rates began to decline, you are likely paying an interest rate that is at least two points above current market rates. If so, a refinancing will greatly benefit you. By refinancing both mortgages with a low interest rate, you may save hundreds on your monthly mortgage payment.
Furthermore, if you accepted a 1st and 2nd mortgage with an adjustable mortgage rate, refinancing both loans at a fixed rate may benefit you in the long run. Even if your current rates are low, these rates are not guaranteed to remain low. As market trends fluctuated, your adjustable rate mortgages are free to rise. Higher mortgage rates will cause your mortgage payment to climb considerably. Refinancing both mortgages with a fixed rate will ensure that your mortgage remains predictable.
Disadvantages to Refinancing 1st and 2nd Mortgage
Before choosing to refinance your mortgages, it is imperative to consider the drawbacks of combining both mortgages. To begin, refinancing a mortgage involves the same procedures as applying for the initial mortgage. Thus, you are required to pay closing costs and fees. In this case, refinancing is best for those who plan to live in their homes for a long time.
If your credit score has dropped considerably within recent years, lenders may not approve you for a low rate refinancing. By refinancing and consolidating both mortgages, be prepared to pay a higher interest rate. Before accepting an offer, carefully compare the savings.
Moreover, refinancing your two mortgages may result in you paying private mortgage insurance (PMI). PMI is required for home loans with less than 20% equity. To avoid paying private mortgage insurance, homeowners may consider refinancing both mortgages separately, as opposed to consolidating both mortgage loans.
Benefits Associated with Combining 1st and 2nd Mortgages
Aside from consolidating your mortgages and making one monthly payment, a mortgage consolidation may lower your monthly payments to mortgage lenders. If you acquired your 1st or 2nd mortgage before home loan rates began to decline, you are likely paying an interest rate that is at least two points above current market rates. If so, a refinancing will greatly benefit you. By refinancing both mortgages with a low interest rate, you may save hundreds on your monthly mortgage payment.
Furthermore, if you accepted a 1st and 2nd mortgage with an adjustable mortgage rate, refinancing both loans at a fixed rate may benefit you in the long run. Even if your current rates are low, these rates are not guaranteed to remain low. As market trends fluctuated, your adjustable rate mortgages are free to rise. Higher mortgage rates will cause your mortgage payment to climb considerably. Refinancing both mortgages with a fixed rate will ensure that your mortgage remains predictable.
Disadvantages to Refinancing 1st and 2nd Mortgage
Before choosing to refinance your mortgages, it is imperative to consider the drawbacks of combining both mortgages. To begin, refinancing a mortgage involves the same procedures as applying for the initial mortgage. Thus, you are required to pay closing costs and fees. In this case, refinancing is best for those who plan to live in their homes for a long time.
If your credit score has dropped considerably within recent years, lenders may not approve you for a low rate refinancing. By refinancing and consolidating both mortgages, be prepared to pay a higher interest rate. Before accepting an offer, carefully compare the savings.
Moreover, refinancing your two mortgages may result in you paying private mortgage insurance (PMI). PMI is required for home loans with less than 20% equity. To avoid paying private mortgage insurance, homeowners may consider refinancing both mortgages separately, as opposed to consolidating both mortgage loans.
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