Archive for the ‘Refinance Rates’ category

Best Refinance Mortgage Rate – Improve Your Odds Of Getting

December 31st, 2010

Best Refinance Mortgage Rate – Improve Your Odds Of Getting A Low Rate

Obtaining a mortgage refinancing has several benefits. However, the only way to realize these benefits is to qualify for a low rate mortgage. Even though refinancing a home is ideal for securing a fixed rate mortgage, without acquiring a lower rate, you may not save on your monthly mortgage payment. If you are hoping to obtain a low rate mortgage, there are steps you should take.

Establish a Good Payment Record with Existing Mortgage Lender

When applying for a refinancing, the mortgage lender will carefully review your credit and assess your payment history with current mortgage lender. Individuals with a good payment record can expect a low rate on their refi especially if their credit score is high. On the other hand, if you have poor credit, and have submitted several late mortgage payments, a refinance lender may consider you a risky applicant.

Risky applicants may have their refinance application denied. If the application is approved, the lender will likely remit an offer with a high interest rate. In this instance, refinancing is not very beneficial. The ultimate goal is to save money. However, if the savings are minimal, it is not worth the costs to refinance.

If you are contemplating a refinancing, attempt to submit all mortgage payments on time. Furthermore, reduce unnecessary debts, which may boost your credit rating. Homeowners with a good credit score have a better chance of securing a low rate refi.

Compare Various Refinance Mortgage Lenders

Making a side-by-side comparison of various mortgage lenders is very effective. After requesting a mortgage quote, lenders assess an applicants situation and make them an offer. Lender offers will vary. By comparing lenders, you have the power to select the loan package with the lowest refi rate. Those who neglect comparing lenders risk accepting a bad refinancing offer.

Refinance When the Time is Right

Because of declining mortgage rates, many homeowners are jumping on the refinance bandwagon. However, now may not be the right time to create a new mortgage. Prior to applying for a new mortgage, you should consider a few factors. How long do you plan on living in the home? Will a refinancing create a noticeable savings? What is your credit standing? Do you have the funds to pay closing costs?

Refinancing while rates are low is great for obtaining a low, fixed rate mortgage or lowering monthly payments. However, if your current rate is comparably low, or you anticipate a move in the near future, refinancing may not be the wisest choice.

Basics Of Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans

December 28th, 2010

Adjustable rate mortgages (ARM), developed when mortgage interest rates were high, can help you finance the purchase of a home with low interest rates. An ideal choice for those expecting an income raise and decide to move in a couple of years, an ARM also increases your risk for higher payments. Fortunately, lenders also offer safeguards to limit some of your risk to excessively high interest rates.

ARM Features

An ARM starts with a low interest rate, up to 3% lower than a fixed rate mortgage. With lower rates, you usually qualify to borrow more than with a fixed rate home loan.

ARMs start with a fixed rate period and end with fluctuating interest rates as the years go by, increasing or decreasing your monthly payment. So a 3:1 ARM means three years of fixed rates with interest rates changing every year after that. Interest rates are based on an economic index, usually the rate on the T-bill or LIBOR, and the margin the lender adds to the index.

In order to protect borrowers from increasing monthly payments, mortgage lenders put in place safeguards. A point cap limits how much interest rates can rise monthly over the life of the loan. There are also maximum limits on how low rates can go to protect the lender.

Another safeguard is the dollar cap on monthly repayments. If for whatever reason, interest rates rise higher than the dollar cap allows, you may end up with a longer loan. Most financing companies also allow you to convert your ARM to a fixed rate mortgage after a predetermined period.

While an ARM has many benefits. For instance, interest rates can rise 4% or more over the course of your home loan. If you decide to stay in your home for several years, a fixed rate may offer lower interest costs in the longer term. ARMs is not predictable, which makes planning long term financing goals difficult.

Before you apply for an ARM, make sure you are comfortable with the level of risk involve. However, if you expect your income to rise or to move, then you may be saving yourself a lot of money in interest payments with an ARM.