Monday, 26. April 2010
If you’re in the market to refinance your mortgage you’ll find several national banks and mortgage companies bragging about their “no cost” mortgage loans. Are these loans truly “no cost” or are there really no free lunches when it comes to mortgage loans? Here are several tips to help you avoid overpaying when refinancing your home loan.
What does “no cost” mortgage refinancing really mean? Banks and mortgage companies never waive their fees; they simply offset them by marking up the interest rate. This is true of flat fee mortgages and the supposed no-fee refinancing offers you see on television. Advertisements promising a flat $395 fee or zero cost loans are never telling the whole truth about the loans. These offers are simply gimmicks used to trick homeowners into accepting loans with hyper-inflated interest rates.
Most mortgage companies and brokers slip .5% – .75% markup of your mortgage rate for their commission; however, these “no cost” loans typically and another .5% to this unnecessary markup known as Yield Spread Premium. This hyper-inflated mortgage rate means that you’ll pay more every month you keep the loan than if you had simply paid your closing costs. Depending on the amount of your loan this could add up to thousands of dollars every month!
This deceptive marketing is practiced by nearly every bank, Mortgage Company, and mortgage broker in the United States. When it comes to refinancing your mortgage there are truly no free lunches when it comes to flat-fee and no cost mortgage loans. You can learn more about your mortgage refinancing options including costly pitfalls to avoid with a free mortgage toolkit.
By: Louie Latour
Monday, 26. April 2010
Is your home loan interest rate higher than the national average? Is your home in need of some much-needed repairs or are you in need of some extra money to pay off credit cards or other bills? A mortgage refinance loan may be exactly what you need to take care of these needs and any others that you might think of.
If your interest rate is higher than normal, it is a good idea to refinance your loan. A lower interest rate can make your monthly payment lower and easier to manage. If you are having financial difficulties, this can be especially helpful. If your finances are pretty steady, then you may be able to get a shorter-term loan when you refinance so your loan will be paid off much sooner. This is great if you are planning to stay in your home for the rest of your life or for longer than the length of the loan. If you are planning to move within ten years, then a shorter-term loan will most likely not be as important to you as a lower payment would be.
If you are in need of some money to pay off credit cards, make needed home repairs, or even to take a vacation, then you might want to consider refinancing your home. You first need to find out if you have any equity built up in your home. Equity is the value of your home versus the amount that you own on your house. Let us say that your home is now worth $125,000 ten years after you purchased it and you owe your lender $95,000. The equity that you have is $30,000. You can borrow up to $125,000 against your home and can use the $30,000 equity for repairs, bills, or anything else. You need to decide if your intended use is worth you refinancing your loan for 15 years or more. The good thing about home loans is that they are tax-deductible in most cases, so this may be a good benefit for you.
Refinancing will mean that in most cases you are starting your payment term all over again. This is something that you need to keep in mind before signing on the dotted line. You need to know all of your options before you decide that this is your only option. Home loan refinancing is a big business and many companies will offer you the moon to get you to refinance. You need to take into account the closing costs and fees of the loan to ensure that it is a right choice for you.
If you do all of your research and come to the conclusion that refinancing is right for you then you need to find a lender that you are comfortable with. Check around to several different lenders to find the best interest rate for your loan to ensure that you are getting the best deal. Then you are sure to find a mortgage refinance loan that you are satisfied and happy with!
By: Paul Heath
Friday, 5. March 2010
Should you refinance your home mortgage or not? In this article, I will give you some tips to help you consider whether a home mortgage refinance is the right option for you or not. The fact is, all of us want to save money if it is possible, and paying more for something you already have is doesn’t always make good financial sense.
Depending upon your situation, refinancing your home loan may or may not be the best option for you. With that in mind, let’s discuss some indicators to help you decide whether or not this is a smart choice.
First, consider the points. Lowering the rate will almost certainly mean paying more points up front. On the other hand, higher rates will mean that you end up spending more in the long run. It really depends on how long you plan on living in your home. If it is less than 5 years, you may want to reconsider a refinance. Calculate your estimated amount of interest you will pay versus the need to have cash on hand in the short run. Do you really need the money now so badly that you’re willing to repay it with more money in the future?
Second, don’t enter into any deal until you have all the necessary information. When it comes to refinancing, many institutions have their own sneaky tricks to lock you in to the loan. They may offer you a 0% APR to entice you to sign up. However, you may soon find that after the six month grace period your rate is now so high that you can barely make ends meet.
Hidden fees are something you have to watch for. The rule of thumb is that if the loan sounds too good to be true then it may just be that. Read everything with a magnifying glass and make sure that there are no hidden fees involved.
Third, it is your legal right to get a good-faith estimate. This estimate should be sought after before any deal is made for a home refinance. Here you can analyze your situation in a more sober light to make a logical decision instead of an emotional one.
Fourth, consider other options. A home mortgage refinance is only one way to save money or to get a boost in cash flow. There are other things that you can do as well. Make sure to pursue all relevant options before committing to any one of them.
By: Terry Edwards