After sifting through your monthly bills for the umpteenth time, you crunch all the numbers again. Still, they do not add up! Then, almost like a bad scene from a terrible movie, the past few years flashed through your mind.
You're 28 once more, and you feel on top of the world after you bought your first house. After that initial success, however, you attracted hard times like a magnet. You failed to get the pay increase you were bucking for. Then, inflation went through the roof, making the purchase of even foods challenging. So, here you are at present, 34 years old and struggling to make ends meet. You're not only hard up, you have trouble even putting food on the table. Your only option seems to be refinancing your home mortgage loan. Is the best refinance home mortgage loan rate a way out of your money woes? How do you ensure you get the best refinance home mortgage loan rate in the market?
Mortgage Times Two
A mortgage refinance is the act of taking out another mortgage as a replacement of an existing mortgage on a property. This is done for several reasons.
1. To lower the risks from a changeable rate, by switching to a loan with a fixed rate;
2. To increase the term of the loan and to lower monthly payments;
3. To liquidate equity into cash;
4. To lower interest costs with a mortgage interest rate that is lower.
Refinancing includes many of the same costs as a mortgage, such as loan application fees appraisal. Needing to pay these fees early may seem overbearing, but it is worth it. Learn if you will save money in the long run. Check if the extra fees and penalties' total is lower than the cost of refinancing, to get the best refinance home mortgage loan rate. Keep in mind that online mortgage calculators often fail to consider all mortgage refinancing costs.
Advice Is Advisable
Because of issues such as the variables involving online mortgage calculators, you could get a financial adviser. A financial adviser can help you get the best refinance home mortgage loan rate. Some financial advisers recommend that before home owners refinance, they should find refinancing that reduces the mortgage rate by at least two percentage points, to achieve the best refinance home mortgage loan rate. Advisers should also be considered when liquidating equity for the purposes of debt consolidation, eliminating debt from credit cards, and huge expenses.
Rate Or Points?
A financial adviser can also help you deal with a common dilemma that home owners face when considering refinancing. That is, should you look for the best refinance home mortgage loan rate or for more mortgage points? The answer depends greatly on how long you plan to be the home owner. Learn the length of time needed to earn back the points' original cost. A mortgage point is one percent of the amount of the loan. For instance, a point on a $100,000 mortgage would be equal to $1,000. If you plan on purchasing the home and living there for the entire time of the mortgage, it is wise to pay the point.
The Loan Length
The most important factor in getting the best refinance home mortgage loan rate is how long the loan will be. But keep in mind that if you have a mortgage for over five years, you can then start saving money. But if are not in the house before five years is up, paying the mortgage points is more expensive than using a higher rate to finance. In other words, five years after you took out the mortgage, the interest at 7 percent would be equivalent to the how much you paid in points!
With some analysis, planning, and assistance, getting the best refinance home mortgage loan rate will help solve your money woes. Yes, there is a way to keep yourself off the breadline, and this way could be the best refinance home mortgage loan rate.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Interest Only Refinance Options
Are you one of the many home owners that opted for an adjustable rate mortgage over the last five years? Have you seen your interest rate and your payment increase? Florida mortgage expert Jim Kemish discusses the current market environment and a new option for an affordable refinance.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Popularity
Over the last five years almost forty percent of all home buyers selected adjustable rate mortgages. In early 2004 signs of inflation begin to appear. These indications pressed the Federal Reserve into action. From June 2004 to June of 2006 the Federal Reserve increased the Federal Funds Rate 17 times. The impact of these increases was to push up the short-term mortgages indexes that determine the target or fully indexed rate on these adjustable rate mortgages. Borrowers that enjoyed the benefits of these low payment mortgage products are now finding themselves with considerably higher interest rates as their mortgages adjust.
Short Term Rates Up
This interest rate environment has a silver lining. The intent of the Federal Reserve’s actions during this period of time was to contain inflationary forces that would have resulted in higher long-term interest rates. As of this moment, the Federal Reserve has been successful and long-term mortgage rates have remained near historic lows. The Federal Reserve has been so effective that long term rates such as thirty-year mortgages are now lower than adjustable rate mortgage offerings.
Long Term Rates Down
The anomaly of long term rates falling below short term rates is referred to by economists as an inverted yield curve. This phenomenon is currently providing the best possible refinance environment for borrowers that have recently experienced an increase in their adjustable mortgage rates. No one has been happy about watching their monthly payment increase. But imagine the alternative scenario where short and long term rates might have moved up together making it impossible for borrowers to refinance into an affordable mortgage.
Option ARM Concerns
One of the most popular mortgage programs of this period of time was the negative amortization loan. This loan type has been branded by many different names including the Option ARM. This loan allows borrowers to make a payment based on an interest rate that is often significantly below the effective, or fully indexed, rate. Borrowers selecting this low payment option find themselves owning more than they originally borrowed. Florida Mortgage brokers originated significant numbers of these mortgages as real estate values soared and buyers were eager to find ways to make their home payments affordable.
The New Fixed Rate Interest Only Mortgage
A new product has emerged that has become a terrifically popular option for borrowers wishing to refinance and to keep their home loan payments at a minimum. This program is the new thirty year fixed rate interest only mortgage. Interest only mortgages allow a borrower to pay only the interest due on a loan thereby minimizing their payments. Until very recently these interest only programs were only available on adjustable rate mortgages. That meant that in a short period of time, ranging from two to five years, the interest only feature would expire and the rate would adjust. This combination of events has the potential of more than doubling a borrower’s monthly payment.
A Caveat
This new breed of fixed rate interest only mortgage combines the security of a fixed rate mortgage with an attractive low interest only payment. Like previous versions of interest only programs the interest only period is for a finite period of time. These new programs have improved on this aspect of the mortgage as well by extending the interest only period to ten years. There is one caveat to be aware of. Although the rate will remain fixed when the loan transitions from an interest only loan to a fully amortized loan at the end of ten years, the amortization period is limited to the remaining twenty years. The change from an interest only payment to a twenty year amortized payment will be noticeable and should be planned for.
Market Factors
Another factor that is driving this move to refinance is the weakened real estate market. As a Florida mortgage broker I have seen a significant increase in the number of borrowers that have decided against selling their homes, opting instead to refinance. Refinancing into an interest only program for many borrowers is the most attractive option. Many of these same people are refinancing out of their negative amortization loans wishing to keep their payment at a minimum and at the same time put an end to the reverse amortization effect of their current mortgages. The weakening real estate market has further underlined the importance of maintaining equity. There is little that we can do about market forces, but we do have control over the mortgage options that we choose.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Popularity
Over the last five years almost forty percent of all home buyers selected adjustable rate mortgages. In early 2004 signs of inflation begin to appear. These indications pressed the Federal Reserve into action. From June 2004 to June of 2006 the Federal Reserve increased the Federal Funds Rate 17 times. The impact of these increases was to push up the short-term mortgages indexes that determine the target or fully indexed rate on these adjustable rate mortgages. Borrowers that enjoyed the benefits of these low payment mortgage products are now finding themselves with considerably higher interest rates as their mortgages adjust.
Short Term Rates Up
This interest rate environment has a silver lining. The intent of the Federal Reserve’s actions during this period of time was to contain inflationary forces that would have resulted in higher long-term interest rates. As of this moment, the Federal Reserve has been successful and long-term mortgage rates have remained near historic lows. The Federal Reserve has been so effective that long term rates such as thirty-year mortgages are now lower than adjustable rate mortgage offerings.
Long Term Rates Down
The anomaly of long term rates falling below short term rates is referred to by economists as an inverted yield curve. This phenomenon is currently providing the best possible refinance environment for borrowers that have recently experienced an increase in their adjustable mortgage rates. No one has been happy about watching their monthly payment increase. But imagine the alternative scenario where short and long term rates might have moved up together making it impossible for borrowers to refinance into an affordable mortgage.
Option ARM Concerns
One of the most popular mortgage programs of this period of time was the negative amortization loan. This loan type has been branded by many different names including the Option ARM. This loan allows borrowers to make a payment based on an interest rate that is often significantly below the effective, or fully indexed, rate. Borrowers selecting this low payment option find themselves owning more than they originally borrowed. Florida Mortgage brokers originated significant numbers of these mortgages as real estate values soared and buyers were eager to find ways to make their home payments affordable.
The New Fixed Rate Interest Only Mortgage
A new product has emerged that has become a terrifically popular option for borrowers wishing to refinance and to keep their home loan payments at a minimum. This program is the new thirty year fixed rate interest only mortgage. Interest only mortgages allow a borrower to pay only the interest due on a loan thereby minimizing their payments. Until very recently these interest only programs were only available on adjustable rate mortgages. That meant that in a short period of time, ranging from two to five years, the interest only feature would expire and the rate would adjust. This combination of events has the potential of more than doubling a borrower’s monthly payment.
A Caveat
This new breed of fixed rate interest only mortgage combines the security of a fixed rate mortgage with an attractive low interest only payment. Like previous versions of interest only programs the interest only period is for a finite period of time. These new programs have improved on this aspect of the mortgage as well by extending the interest only period to ten years. There is one caveat to be aware of. Although the rate will remain fixed when the loan transitions from an interest only loan to a fully amortized loan at the end of ten years, the amortization period is limited to the remaining twenty years. The change from an interest only payment to a twenty year amortized payment will be noticeable and should be planned for.
Market Factors
Another factor that is driving this move to refinance is the weakened real estate market. As a Florida mortgage broker I have seen a significant increase in the number of borrowers that have decided against selling their homes, opting instead to refinance. Refinancing into an interest only program for many borrowers is the most attractive option. Many of these same people are refinancing out of their negative amortization loans wishing to keep their payment at a minimum and at the same time put an end to the reverse amortization effect of their current mortgages. The weakening real estate market has further underlined the importance of maintaining equity. There is little that we can do about market forces, but we do have control over the mortgage options that we choose.
Five Tips to Slash Your Home Finance Cost
It’s no wonder that the majority of home owners dream of one day being able to pay off their home loan and live a life free from the shackles of interest rates, home finance and worries about meeting the monthly mortgage payments because the largest expense the majority of us take on in a lifetime is our mortgage and each month our home finance payments take a substantial chunk out of our take home pay.
Just think what you could do with all the extra money you would have spare if you didn't have to meet your mortgage each month! Interested? Well, here are five steps that you could take today to substantially slash your mortgage repayments and the overall cost of your home loan and even speed up your rate of repayment so that the day when you've paid off your home finance and are free to live the life you want comes that much sooner.
Step One – Demand Better Service!
As a loyal customer of your mortgage lender isn't it about time you were rewarded for your financial commitment, for making your regular payments and for being a good, long term customer?
Well, you can rest assured your mortgage lender will not reward you unless you ask for a better deal on your mortgage!
So get on the phone, call up your lender, ask to speak to someone in customer services or the customer retention department and explain that you’re looking around for a better mortgage deal. Ask them for an evaluation of how much you have left to pay so that you can give it to any one of the hundreds of other mortgage lenders out there all willing to give you a better deal.
If you are indeed a valued customer you should receive favourable feedback to your demands and receive details of better offers currently available to you from your current lender.
Remember, if you don’t ask you don’t get and be adamant about what you want!
Step Two – Shop Around.
If step one doesn't get you the deal you deserve, shop around. There really are well in excess of a hundred lenders out there all seeking new customers who will offer you incentives to take up their mortgage product.
Use the internet to get an idea of rates being offered and special deals available to you. Do remember that lenders will do everything they can to make their deal seem like the most attractive one available and do everything within their power to attract new customers so you need to be shrewd.
Look for any hidden charges or tie in clauses and make sure you evaluate products offered on a like for like basis taking into account all the features of the mortgage offers available.
Step Three – Call in the Cavalry.
Well, not the cavalry exactly but expert assistance in the form of a licensed and regulated fee free independent mortgage broker. In the UK these guys are now regulated by the Financial Services Authority and in the US they should come under the scope of The Responsible Lending Act.
As independent brokers they have access to and understanding of every single mortgage product available and they should be best placed to assist you find a better deal than the one you have now where your repayments will be less, your interest rate will be lower and the amount you repay over the entire duration of your loan is reduced.
Make sure your broker is fee free and remunerated by any company you decide to take a mortgage out with. More importantly than this, make sure they are regulated and licensed correctly and if possible ask for professional references or testimonials.
Step Four – Cut Out All Extras
Mortgage lenders are notorious for selling overpriced add-ons such as life insurance, home insurance, contents insurance, income protection cover…all these insurances have their value of course – but you can bet your bottom dollar that you can every last one of them for a fraction of the price by going directly to an independent insurance house or even seeking the services of an independent financial adviser to find you the best deal available.
You could literally save yourself thousands each year in insurance premiums!
Step Five – Throw Some Money at It
So, you've cut your interest rate down to size, reduced your monthly repayments, maybe received a cash lump sum from a new lender and saved yourself thousands on insurance products – now turn all those savings back into your mortgage and repay early.
Make sure you have it negotiated into your new mortgage contract that you can make early repayment or lump sum annual top ups and get rid of the millstone round your neck, free yourself from your largest financial commitment as soon as possible and save thousands in interest payments and enjoy freedom of life once again!
Just think what you could do with all the extra money you would have spare if you didn't have to meet your mortgage each month! Interested? Well, here are five steps that you could take today to substantially slash your mortgage repayments and the overall cost of your home loan and even speed up your rate of repayment so that the day when you've paid off your home finance and are free to live the life you want comes that much sooner.
Step One – Demand Better Service!
As a loyal customer of your mortgage lender isn't it about time you were rewarded for your financial commitment, for making your regular payments and for being a good, long term customer?
Well, you can rest assured your mortgage lender will not reward you unless you ask for a better deal on your mortgage!
So get on the phone, call up your lender, ask to speak to someone in customer services or the customer retention department and explain that you’re looking around for a better mortgage deal. Ask them for an evaluation of how much you have left to pay so that you can give it to any one of the hundreds of other mortgage lenders out there all willing to give you a better deal.
If you are indeed a valued customer you should receive favourable feedback to your demands and receive details of better offers currently available to you from your current lender.
Remember, if you don’t ask you don’t get and be adamant about what you want!
Step Two – Shop Around.
If step one doesn't get you the deal you deserve, shop around. There really are well in excess of a hundred lenders out there all seeking new customers who will offer you incentives to take up their mortgage product.
Use the internet to get an idea of rates being offered and special deals available to you. Do remember that lenders will do everything they can to make their deal seem like the most attractive one available and do everything within their power to attract new customers so you need to be shrewd.
Look for any hidden charges or tie in clauses and make sure you evaluate products offered on a like for like basis taking into account all the features of the mortgage offers available.
Step Three – Call in the Cavalry.
Well, not the cavalry exactly but expert assistance in the form of a licensed and regulated fee free independent mortgage broker. In the UK these guys are now regulated by the Financial Services Authority and in the US they should come under the scope of The Responsible Lending Act.
As independent brokers they have access to and understanding of every single mortgage product available and they should be best placed to assist you find a better deal than the one you have now where your repayments will be less, your interest rate will be lower and the amount you repay over the entire duration of your loan is reduced.
Make sure your broker is fee free and remunerated by any company you decide to take a mortgage out with. More importantly than this, make sure they are regulated and licensed correctly and if possible ask for professional references or testimonials.
Step Four – Cut Out All Extras
Mortgage lenders are notorious for selling overpriced add-ons such as life insurance, home insurance, contents insurance, income protection cover…all these insurances have their value of course – but you can bet your bottom dollar that you can every last one of them for a fraction of the price by going directly to an independent insurance house or even seeking the services of an independent financial adviser to find you the best deal available.
You could literally save yourself thousands each year in insurance premiums!
Step Five – Throw Some Money at It
So, you've cut your interest rate down to size, reduced your monthly repayments, maybe received a cash lump sum from a new lender and saved yourself thousands on insurance products – now turn all those savings back into your mortgage and repay early.
Make sure you have it negotiated into your new mortgage contract that you can make early repayment or lump sum annual top ups and get rid of the millstone round your neck, free yourself from your largest financial commitment as soon as possible and save thousands in interest payments and enjoy freedom of life once again!
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