If you’ve been trying to buy a house you may have noticed there are a lot of numbers to consider: the price of the house, your savings, the amounts of the down payment and monthly payments you can afford, as well as a host of other figures and fees. Trying to find a mortgage that meets your needs is another numbers game, but this one can work in your favor.
You may not realize it, but there is great variety available to home buyers shopping around for a suitable mortgage. Different banks, brokers and other lending institutions all offer their own mix of short-term and long-term mortgages, as well as both fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages.
So how do you know which combination is the best for you? That depends on your circumstances.
Traditional fixed rate mortgages allow you the security and stability of knowing that your mortgage interest rate will not fluctuate with market conditions. This means that if interest rates spike, you will be protected. Conversely, if interest rates drop, you will not be able to take advantage of the potential savings without transferring your mortgage to another institution or making other possibly complicated arrangements.
Adjustable rate mortgages (also known as variable rate mortgages), are different than fixed mortgages in that the interest rate you pay on the outstanding principal of your loan fluctuates according to changes in the posted index rate. There is a certain amount of risk involved with an adjustable rate mortgage in that you may end up paying more money in the long run if interest rates rise and stay high. You also have the potential to take advantage of savings if interest rates fall. An additional bonus to adjustable rate mortgage is the lower initial interest rate. You may be risking higher or unstable payments, but you are rewarded with a lower interest rate when your loan is at its fullest point. Unless interest rates rise dramatically, this advantage is likely to save you more money than if you had chosen a fixed rate mortgage.
There are advantages and disadvantage to securing an adjustable rate mortgage loan. However, you may find an adjustable rate mortgage worthwhile if you intend to pay off a large portion of your outstanding balance early into your loan period. By doing so, you reduce the bulk of your loan while paying the initially lower interest rate. An adjustable rate mortgage may also be the best choice for you if you anticipate greater future income or if you intend to pay off the entire mortgage loan quickly – again due to the lower initial interest rate. Even if rates were to increase early into your mortgage period, the fluctuation would unlikely be so great that it negated the difference in interest rates between a fixed rate plan and a variable rate plan.
You can reduce the financial risks associated with an adjustable rate mortgage by asking your lender about interest rate ceilings or caps that protect mortgage holders from sharp increases in the amount of money they must pay each month (or whatever their payment period is: monthly, weekly, bi-weekly, etc.). The overall ‘ceiling’ restriction is legislated in almost all cases, and it limits the total possible interest rate increases over the period you hold the loan. Periodic caps help control interest rate hikes between adjustment periods.
Your lender may also be willing to consider payment caps, which stabilize your monthly or periodic payments so any interest rate fluctuations are worked into your payment by way of adjusting the ratio of principal to interest each payment covers. This is a great option if you have limited income flexibility, but could result in a negative amortization period over the long haul.
This happens when the balance of your mortgage is actually growing rather than shrinking because your regular payments are not large enough to pay all the interest plus a portion of your outstanding principal.
A final option to consider is arranging to have the ability to convert your adjustable rate mortgage into a fixed rate mortgage at a designated time. You may pay a fee for converting your mortgage, but if you find yourself in a situation where interest rates are rising rapidly, it may be worthwhile to stabilize your payments and balance by switching to a fixed rate plan.
Speak to your financial advisor to find a mortgage plan that fits your budget and your needs.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Monday, November 21, 2005
Fixing Up Your Home To Sell
Fixing up your home to sell is a big responsibility. The way you go about decorating your home can be a big factor in the selling power of the house, adding up to 20 percent to the selling value of your home, although you may not see that much yourself. A lot of newbies to the home selling business can be under the common misconception that making your home as "homey" as possible will make people want to buy your property. Supposedly, seeing a home the way you have it should cause them to wish that they lived in such an environment and this is not the case.
It is strongly recommended that you keep your decorating prowess to a bare minimum when fixing up your home to sell. One's natural impulse is to clean up the entire house, rearranging things and making everything look nice, and that is all well and good. When fixing up your property to sell, put yourself in the shoes of your prospective home buyers, who will be walking around your house and sizing it up for themselves. Most people are looking to purchase a home for themselves, to raise a family in and all that jazz. In that respect, while they may like you and your family just fine, they are not going to want to see your son's cement handprint hanging over the doorway, or your daughter's kindergarten art project framed over the mantel. It is to your benefit, as the seller, to remove as many visible personal items from the home as possible, especially the living room and dining room, or other areas where the prospective buyers, agents, or others may congregate to discuss your property. Take down your wedding pictures, and if you just can't bear to do such a thing make sure they are straight on the wall. Arrange sofa pillows, ottomans, and other objects neatly. Having too much clutter in the home when you are showing it to prospective buyers can hurt your chances of selling the property quickly. When your personal items are in the way, prospective home buyers may sometimes find it hard to envision their own belongings and their own family in the house.
It is also recommended that you bake cookies, a cake, a pie, or even just set potpourri dishes around the house. Aroma does a lot for the senses, and baking in particular brings a homey, personal effect to the property. Furniture placement can mean a lot as well. Less is more! Once again, give your prospective home buyers the opportunity to envision their own belongings in the home. A small sofa, loveseat, and table is more than enough in this case. Of course, if you are still living in the home you must be able to continue doing so, but grandpa's easy chair, the old out-of-tune piano, and the bean bag chair can all be temporarily stored in the basement or attic. Yes, parting with belongings like that, especially if you are a pack rat, can be such sweet sorrow, but it will pay off in the end when you sell your home for your asking price.
Birmingham Real Estate
It is strongly recommended that you keep your decorating prowess to a bare minimum when fixing up your home to sell. One's natural impulse is to clean up the entire house, rearranging things and making everything look nice, and that is all well and good. When fixing up your property to sell, put yourself in the shoes of your prospective home buyers, who will be walking around your house and sizing it up for themselves. Most people are looking to purchase a home for themselves, to raise a family in and all that jazz. In that respect, while they may like you and your family just fine, they are not going to want to see your son's cement handprint hanging over the doorway, or your daughter's kindergarten art project framed over the mantel. It is to your benefit, as the seller, to remove as many visible personal items from the home as possible, especially the living room and dining room, or other areas where the prospective buyers, agents, or others may congregate to discuss your property. Take down your wedding pictures, and if you just can't bear to do such a thing make sure they are straight on the wall. Arrange sofa pillows, ottomans, and other objects neatly. Having too much clutter in the home when you are showing it to prospective buyers can hurt your chances of selling the property quickly. When your personal items are in the way, prospective home buyers may sometimes find it hard to envision their own belongings and their own family in the house.
It is also recommended that you bake cookies, a cake, a pie, or even just set potpourri dishes around the house. Aroma does a lot for the senses, and baking in particular brings a homey, personal effect to the property. Furniture placement can mean a lot as well. Less is more! Once again, give your prospective home buyers the opportunity to envision their own belongings in the home. A small sofa, loveseat, and table is more than enough in this case. Of course, if you are still living in the home you must be able to continue doing so, but grandpa's easy chair, the old out-of-tune piano, and the bean bag chair can all be temporarily stored in the basement or attic. Yes, parting with belongings like that, especially if you are a pack rat, can be such sweet sorrow, but it will pay off in the end when you sell your home for your asking price.
Birmingham Real Estate
Monday, July 11, 2005
How To Build A Lender-Friendly Credit Report
How To Build A Lender-Friendly Credit Report
The most important thing you can do when beginning to build up your good credit is to always pay your bills on time and to never, ever borrow more than you can afford to pay back. It sounds simple, but unfortunately, credit is enticing and it really quiet simple to get in over your head. And those no money down and pre-approved credit card offers can send us straight down the dark credit road! It’s essential when building a healthy credit report that you remember your long term goals, and resist that instant gratification.
Today, having good credit means more than ever. It has always had the ability to affect your ability to get a car, a house, rent an apartment, or be approved for personal loans or credit cards. However, now more employers are looking at credit reports as part of background checks, and insurance companies are considering them when deciding whether or not to extend coverage.
Having good credit means you have established credit, which stated simply means that you have borrowed money or used a credit card and then re-paid it in a timely manner and not extended your credit limits. Additionally, it means not overextending yourself and applying for credit that you won’t be able to pay back. One little tip; don’t “shop” for credit because every time you apply for a credit card it shows the action as an inquiry on your report. Too many of those make you look like a high risk to other lenders!
As a young adult, using a cellular phone and paying your bills on time is a good way to start building a good credit report. In addition, there are many special credit card offers for students and young adults specifically designed to get a credit history started, and using the card and paying it on time is one of the best ways to establish excellent credit. Paying more than the minimum payment, or even paying the full balance, is also a great idea.
An excellent way to further build strong credit is with a car loan. Most cars aren’t cheap, so by having a large balance and then paying it on time every month will do wonders for your credit. You’ll need to establish sufficient credit in order to be able to borrow money and finance the car, but making other payments on time – such as the ones mentioned above – and being sufficiently employed will allow you to do so.
Now that we have you buying things and spending money, it’s time to monitor your credit and make sure all is well. Request a copy of your credit report once a year, from each credit bureau. It’s important to know which of your accounts show up on which reports, and to make sure that they are all accurate. It’s fine to increase spending and credit as long you don’t overextend, and make sure to cancel any card you are not using immediately. If you find mistakes on your credit report, make sure to follow the bureau’s instructions to challenge it, in writing. If you follow these steps, you can get your credit rating up to an AAA status and keep it there.
==> The Rigor Group -Real Estate Lending Telecom
The most important thing you can do when beginning to build up your good credit is to always pay your bills on time and to never, ever borrow more than you can afford to pay back. It sounds simple, but unfortunately, credit is enticing and it really quiet simple to get in over your head. And those no money down and pre-approved credit card offers can send us straight down the dark credit road! It’s essential when building a healthy credit report that you remember your long term goals, and resist that instant gratification.
Today, having good credit means more than ever. It has always had the ability to affect your ability to get a car, a house, rent an apartment, or be approved for personal loans or credit cards. However, now more employers are looking at credit reports as part of background checks, and insurance companies are considering them when deciding whether or not to extend coverage.
Having good credit means you have established credit, which stated simply means that you have borrowed money or used a credit card and then re-paid it in a timely manner and not extended your credit limits. Additionally, it means not overextending yourself and applying for credit that you won’t be able to pay back. One little tip; don’t “shop” for credit because every time you apply for a credit card it shows the action as an inquiry on your report. Too many of those make you look like a high risk to other lenders!
As a young adult, using a cellular phone and paying your bills on time is a good way to start building a good credit report. In addition, there are many special credit card offers for students and young adults specifically designed to get a credit history started, and using the card and paying it on time is one of the best ways to establish excellent credit. Paying more than the minimum payment, or even paying the full balance, is also a great idea.
An excellent way to further build strong credit is with a car loan. Most cars aren’t cheap, so by having a large balance and then paying it on time every month will do wonders for your credit. You’ll need to establish sufficient credit in order to be able to borrow money and finance the car, but making other payments on time – such as the ones mentioned above – and being sufficiently employed will allow you to do so.
Now that we have you buying things and spending money, it’s time to monitor your credit and make sure all is well. Request a copy of your credit report once a year, from each credit bureau. It’s important to know which of your accounts show up on which reports, and to make sure that they are all accurate. It’s fine to increase spending and credit as long you don’t overextend, and make sure to cancel any card you are not using immediately. If you find mistakes on your credit report, make sure to follow the bureau’s instructions to challenge it, in writing. If you follow these steps, you can get your credit rating up to an AAA status and keep it there.
==> The Rigor Group -Real Estate Lending Telecom
Friday, July 08, 2005
Home Buyers - Facts You Need To Know
If you are considering buying a home or have spent many years saving in preparation of buying a home, the questions and process involved in buying a home can be extremely stressful. As exciting as it is to begin looking for your new home, there are many unexpected costs and details to be considered before contacting a real estate agent. Home buyers should be aware of every aspect involved in purchasing a home before they take that big step towards home ownership.
You will want to get the most value possible for your money. You should be aware of every detail in regard to the home you wish to purchase. Home inspections can reveal many hidden flaws and problems that could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. Be aware of your right to a home inspection and contact a professional, licensed home inspector.
Compare the mortgage terms and interest rates offered by various mortgage lenders. Even a slight difference in your interest rate can add up to thousands of dollars over the length of your mortgage. A pre-approval from the lender of your choice will not only give you added confidence when shopping for a new home, but could give you added leverage when bargaining with the seller. A pre-approval will let you know the exact amount you are approved for and will save you time after your offer has been accepted by the seller.
Using a buyer agent is an excellent way to help protect your interests when shopping for a home. A buyer agent will be responsible for helping you get the best deal possible on your new home. While shopping for a home, be aware that certain features can adversely affect the resale value of the home. Detached garages and swimming pools can actually lessen the value of the property. Protect your investment by educating yourself on the home buying process and the way property is appraised.
You can make the home buying process fast and painless if you take some precautions along the way. Choose your lender carefully. Interest rates and closing costs vary from lender to lender and the difference could mean thousands of dollars over time. There are numerous flexible loan programs available. Finding the loan that will best suit your long term needs will be of great value to you when it is time to sell the home. Just a half point difference in your interest rate will translate into a lot of money over the years.
Keep in mind that there are additional costs involved in purchasing a home. Homeowners association fees, furniture, annual heating and cooling costs, and homeowners insurance need to be considered when planning to purchase a new home. Buying a new home does not have to be stressful and frustrating. Make sure you know the facts and your home buying experience will be quick and painless.
You will want to get the most value possible for your money. You should be aware of every detail in regard to the home you wish to purchase. Home inspections can reveal many hidden flaws and problems that could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. Be aware of your right to a home inspection and contact a professional, licensed home inspector.
Compare the mortgage terms and interest rates offered by various mortgage lenders. Even a slight difference in your interest rate can add up to thousands of dollars over the length of your mortgage. A pre-approval from the lender of your choice will not only give you added confidence when shopping for a new home, but could give you added leverage when bargaining with the seller. A pre-approval will let you know the exact amount you are approved for and will save you time after your offer has been accepted by the seller.
Using a buyer agent is an excellent way to help protect your interests when shopping for a home. A buyer agent will be responsible for helping you get the best deal possible on your new home. While shopping for a home, be aware that certain features can adversely affect the resale value of the home. Detached garages and swimming pools can actually lessen the value of the property. Protect your investment by educating yourself on the home buying process and the way property is appraised.
You can make the home buying process fast and painless if you take some precautions along the way. Choose your lender carefully. Interest rates and closing costs vary from lender to lender and the difference could mean thousands of dollars over time. There are numerous flexible loan programs available. Finding the loan that will best suit your long term needs will be of great value to you when it is time to sell the home. Just a half point difference in your interest rate will translate into a lot of money over the years.
Keep in mind that there are additional costs involved in purchasing a home. Homeowners association fees, furniture, annual heating and cooling costs, and homeowners insurance need to be considered when planning to purchase a new home. Buying a new home does not have to be stressful and frustrating. Make sure you know the facts and your home buying experience will be quick and painless.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
5 Common First Time Homebuyer Mistakes
1. They don’t ask enough questions of their lender and miss out on the best deal.
2. They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.
3. They don’t find the right real estate professional who is willing to help you through the homebuying process.
4. They don’t do enough to make their offer look good to a seller.
5. They don’t think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years.
Read more at Complete Real Estate.
2. They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.
3. They don’t find the right real estate professional who is willing to help you through the homebuying process.
4. They don’t do enough to make their offer look good to a seller.
5. They don’t think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years.
Read more at Complete Real Estate.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
7 Reasons To Own Your Own Home
1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, property taxes you pay, and some of the costs involved in buying your home.
2. Gains. Between 1998 and 2002, national home prices increased at an average of 5.4 percent annually. And while there’s no guarantee of appreciation, a 2001 study by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS found that a typical homeowner has approximately $50,000 of unrealized gain in a home.
3. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.
4. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.
5. Predictability. Unlike rent, your mortgage payments don’t go up over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will rise.
6. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and be able to benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.
7. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.
http://therigorgroup.com
2. Gains. Between 1998 and 2002, national home prices increased at an average of 5.4 percent annually. And while there’s no guarantee of appreciation, a 2001 study by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS found that a typical homeowner has approximately $50,000 of unrealized gain in a home.
3. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.
4. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.
5. Predictability. Unlike rent, your mortgage payments don’t go up over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will rise.
6. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and be able to benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.
7. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.
http://therigorgroup.com
Friday, March 11, 2005
10 Tips for First Time Homebuyers
1. Be picky, but don’t be unrealistic. There is no perfect home.
2. Do your homework before you start looking. Decide specifically what features you want in a home and which are most important to you.
3. Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your downpayment and your closing costs.
4. Don’t wait to get a loan. Talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage before you start looking.
5. Don’t ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion.
6. Decide when you could move. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area?
7. Think long-term. Are you looking for a starter house with the idea of moving up in a few years or do you hope to stay in this home longer? This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that suit you best.
8. Don’t let yourself be “house poor”. If you max yourself out to buy the biggest home you can afford, you’ll have no money left for maintenance or decoration or to save money for other financial goals.
9. Don’t be naïve. Insist on a home inspection and, if possible, get a warranty from the seller to cover defects within one year.
10. Get help. Consider hiring a REALTOR as a buyer’s representative. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer’s representative is working only for you. And often, buyer’s reps are paid out of the seller’s commission payment.
Get free homebuyer software at Mortgage Solutions - download it today!
2. Do your homework before you start looking. Decide specifically what features you want in a home and which are most important to you.
3. Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your downpayment and your closing costs.
4. Don’t wait to get a loan. Talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage before you start looking.
5. Don’t ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion.
6. Decide when you could move. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area?
7. Think long-term. Are you looking for a starter house with the idea of moving up in a few years or do you hope to stay in this home longer? This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that suit you best.
8. Don’t let yourself be “house poor”. If you max yourself out to buy the biggest home you can afford, you’ll have no money left for maintenance or decoration or to save money for other financial goals.
9. Don’t be naïve. Insist on a home inspection and, if possible, get a warranty from the seller to cover defects within one year.
10. Get help. Consider hiring a REALTOR as a buyer’s representative. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer’s representative is working only for you. And often, buyer’s reps are paid out of the seller’s commission payment.
Get free homebuyer software at Mortgage Solutions - download it today!
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