UKmortgageadvice

Loan Process Steps

The adventure begins. As you enter into a loan process, be diligent in expressing your
concerns with questions you need answers to. Fining out your plans, and the results
you want from refinancing your home is our beginning point.

You went through a long drawn out process of paperwork here – paperwork there in buying your home. In refinancing, its not that drastic because you have established
yourself as a home owner.

Helping you get those results, we discuss your consumer history (credit report). Its
the primary source of direction you go through in the details of your new home
mortgage program. Important items that you provide are used in the pre-qualification
steps as your loan request package is put together.

Your consumer history report shows a lot about how you manage your spending
income. Scores are assigned by the Credit Bureaus based upon their grading
principles from 350 to 800. They receive reports from almost every kind of lender
whether a department store, an auto loan, to a doctor expense. The percentage of
consumers who experience bumps on their credit is very high. Its how you handle
the bumps that counts the most in your score.

Having the report, gathering important documents like pay stubs, W-2s, bank
statements, mortgage statements, home owners insurance policy coverage,
1040 tax returns, and so forth are reviewed for stability, verification, and usage
in the loan obtaining process.

When all the items are in hand, we then discuss your loan request package with
different mortgage lenders who will accept your middle consumer history score,
your income, work history, mortgage history among other items in your request.

We establish the different loan programs available to your qualifications and needs
for a loan period of 2-50 years, loan % rate, loan payment choices, establishing of an
escrow account, return of home equity, consolidation of consumer debts etc.

Keeping in mind, that all of the program characteristics most meet or establish a
financial goal to help you improve your lifestyle. Debts are the down side of having
financial freedom. Helping you understand the importance of having excellent
consumer history and maintaining it is a personal goal of mine.

Lending Company Puts Forth A New Philosophy

An interesting concept is being put forward by a company called Global Equity Lending which,
according to them,is rooted in the fact that building a secure financial future is more difficult than
ever.The rules are changing and perhaps the old practices need to be revamped.GEL calls its new
philosophy, “Harnessing The Power of Your Mortgage”

In 2004,credit card debt accounted for over half of the 2.1 trillion of consumer debt in the U.S.,
quadrupling over the last decade.Today,the average American household has 9,000 of credit card
debt at 16% interest.To pay that average off,at that interest rate would take ten years,totaling over
8,000 in interest when all is said and done.The financial impact of this,which is virtually unrealized
is devastating.GEL claims to have a better way.Their thinking is that since you must borrow money
over the coarse of life,why not borrow it as inexpensively as possible.Credit cards,auto loans,and
personal loans are all high interest and non deductable.So why not harness the power of your
mortgage?

According to GEL,Americans operate under a mindset,when it comes to personal finance,that
has been burned into our country’s psyche from the days of the great depression.That philosophy
is as such:First get the lowest rate mortgage,then,set up a bi-weekly payment plan,and,whenever
possible send in additional payments.This way you pay off your mortgage as soon as possible.
Sound good to me,right?Well,much to my suprise,this company claims that is exactly what we
should NOT be doing!On the contrary,their idea is one which is echoed by New York Times Best
Selling author of “The New Rules Of Money”,Rick Edelman,who says,”You should get a big,30
year mortgage and never pay it off.”Edelman and GEL put rules forth which read like this:

1.Never send extra money to your mortgage
2.Stay away from bi-weekly plans.
3.Make the smallest payment with the biggest tax break.
4.Putting extra money toward your mortgage is like putting it under the matress.

To back up his claim,Edelman offers five distinct reasons why you should carry a long loan:

1.Mortgages don’t lower your homes value.Your home will grow in value whether or not you
have a mortgage.
2.Your mortgage is the cheapest money you’ll ever buy.Why pay credit card at 18%,when
you can borrow at rates under 7%.
3.Your mortgage is the best way to lower your taxes.There aren’t many tax breaks left.
Mortage loans,unlike credit cards and car loans are fully tax deductable.
4.You should get cash out of you house while you still can.You may find it difficult to
get a loan if something like a loss of job comes up.
5.Mortgages become cheaper over time.Most times your payment will stay the same
over the years while your income rises,making it easier to pay over time.

To further illustrate their beliefs,GEL presentations include a case study called,”The Tale of Two
Brothers”, where they do a financial comparison of two fictional brothers.In the story,Brother A,as
he is called follows the “old” way of thinking,while his brother(yes,you guessed it,brother B)uses
GEL and Edelman’s theory.The results of the study find Brother B with almost a one million pound
advantage over Brother A.The full hypothetical can be viewed on http:yourbighouse.com, but the
jist is that the second brother used the money he saved carrying an interest only loan,or GEL’s
famous “power option”loan to invest in other places.That,combined with the mortgage tax breaks
lead to the million pound separation after 30 years.

So,if you believe in this new way of thinking,and are ready to follow the model(in other words,
REALLY, put that extra money to work for you),then I believe an interest only loan or GEL’s power
option loan is the way to go,but be careful.

For more info on this new philosophy,go to http:YourBigHouse.com

Is Home Mortgage Good?

Basically, a mortgage refers to a long-standing credit that a debtor obtains from a financial institution or from a property seller. If you are in a need of large amount of money to buy a house, a home mortgage is a good alternative for you.

In most cases, the house is the usual collateral for the mortgage, thus the term “home mortgage”. In turn, the mortgage lender will be entitled to some legal rights upon the property as long as the mortgage is in full force or until the debtor pays back the loan.

A home mortgage serves as security for loans, thus giving the lender the power to acquire the property through foreclosure in the event that the borrower fails to pay the loan on time.

Normally, a home mortgage is comprised of a large loan. That’s why in most cases a home mortgage can take 15 to 30 years before the borrower can pay back the due amount. In a home mortgage, the due amount to be paid by the borrower stipulates the principal amount of the mortgage and the interest owed relative to the outstanding balance. The real estate taxes and property insurance are also factored into the total mortgage balance.

Some home owners who find it difficult to make their mortgage payments may opt for refinancing of their mortgage. But for those who wish to pay off a home mortgage quickly, there are things to be considered…

1. Make sure you have a stable source of income. Organize your overall financial assets to ensure that paying off your mortgage will not over-extend your cash flow. There are many such considerations that should be carefully planned and organized before resorting to pay-off your home mortgage.

2. You should have a ready reserve of cash just in case of emergencies. This can be in the form of stocks and bonds, a bank savings account, or any other readily available form of cash.

3. Look at your overall financial status. Paying off your home mortgage can be a rewarding experience, but be sure to consider your overall financial status before making the decision to do so. The wrong decision can put you at great financial risk.

If you have considered above considerations already and you think you ready for it, then go for it. After all, nothing beats a worry-free, mortgage-free financial status.

Interest Only Mortgages FSA Makes Move To Protect Homeowners

Interest Only Mortgages FSA Makes Move To Protect Homeowners

Abbey recently stated that over 25% of homeowners decide to take out an interest-only mortgage. It’s not hard to see why the monthly payments are significantly less, just look at this example based on a 25 year 125,000 mortgage at 5%. The interest only mortgage will cost 525 per month – but the repayment mortgage is 735 per month an additional 210 a month that’s a lot of money!

At the root of the issue are the first time buyers they simply can’t afford the repayment mortgage, so take the interest only option as an easier way out. However, the interest only mortgage must be accompanied by a suitable savings vehicle to cover the outstanding capital at the end of the mortgage term, and it is this that many are failing to do as many as 37% in fact.

Now the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has stepped in, concerned that many homeowners will face a shortfall at the end of their mortgage term. It is now necessary for lenders to see firm evidence from new borrowers that they have set up a savings vehicle to cover the capital. Previously, borrowers just had to state their intention, for example, they would sell the property to raise the capital. However, that will no longer be good enough. The lender will need to see a proper plan set up they are not allowed to set you up on an interest only mortgage without that proof. If they did, they would be going against regulations and would be penalised by the FSA.

The lender will now need to see proof of a personal equity plan (PEP), an Individual Savings Account (ISA), or evidence that 25% tax-free cash from a personal pension plan (PPP) will ultimately cover the outstanding capital. It will no longer be good enough to say that you will set it up you must show that you have already sorted it out!

In the short time that the new regulations have been in force, individual lenders are already making their own interpretations of the rules. The Nationwide Building Society is not allowing borrowers to use a future inheritance, or future pay rises as a basis on which to set up an interest only mortgage. Similarly, expected bonuses will not be good enough either, not unless you can prove that you will definitely be receiving them. Bonuses based on performance can’t be guaranteed, so would not count.

People that already have their own home will not be subjected to the same rigorous checks however. As long as you are borrowing less than two thirds of the new property’s value, and you have 150,000 of net equity in your current home, then Nationwide will accept you as a customer.

On the whole, mortgage advisers will not recommend interest only mortgages, agreeing that they represent too much risk. Repayment mortgages guarantee that all monies owed are paid at the end of the term, but a separate savings vehicle could fail to live up to expectations, and you could end up with a shortfall. Most mortgage advisers will recommend a repayment mortgage to bypass that risk.

On the other hand, the interest only mortgage is a useful short term solution, and if you can assure your mortgage adviser that you intend to switch over to a repayment mortgage as soon as you can afford to, they may well support your decision. Even in this case however, you will still need to provide the same details as if you were intending to stick with it for the full term. You simply won’t be able to get an interest only mortgage without providing the right paperwork.

The best all round solution is to get an interest only mortgage that allows you to overpay. So if you find that you have some extra capital, you can put it onto your mortgage, and reduce the capital. These types of mortgage are widely available, and many allow you to repay 10% or more in a single year. Of course, if you can’t afford it, then you don’t have to at least you have the choice. Just make sure, before signing up, that you can overpay without penalty.

How To Select The Home Mortgage That Is Right For

How To Select The Home Mortgage That Is Right For You

If you are seeking to finance the cost of a new home, then you may be faced with more than one home mortgage loan option, including those with various interest rates, payment terms and length.

In order to select the right loan for you, you will first want to choose how many years you plan to live in the home that you intend to purchase. A conventional fixed rate home mortgage is typically designed for someone who intends to live in that home for at least 10 years. The fixed rate home mortgage loan is the most popular of the home mortgage loan programs. With this style of loan, the interest rate remains the same for the entire life of the loan.

Another style of loan is the adjustable rate home mortgage, which is also known as an ARM loan. This one allows the interest to adjust based on current market rates, which means one year the interest may be low and the next may be unimaginably high. Interest only home mortgages, on the other hand, is a type of loan that is defined as when the homeowner is permitted to make payments on the interest alone for a specified amount of time. After that time concludes, the payments are applied toward the principal balance of the loan. Balloon home mortgages offer smaller payments in the beginning, but come with a large payment due at the end of the loan.

If you are planning to refinance your existing home or apply for a home mortgage loan, lending companies will help you to select the best loan for your individual situation. Through their pre-qualification and process, the applicant will learn just how much of a home mortgage they can afford. Before applying for any type of loan, it is important that you understand your credit report and the contents inside. In order to receive the best interest rates, you will have to have a good credit history and no previous bankruptcy listed in your credit file. This does not, however, mean that there are no loan options for individuals with less than perfect credit. With that being said, there are loan programs designed especially for individuals who have previous credit problems, including bankruptcy, or are simply first time home buyers with little or no preexisting credit. FHA loans, for example, provide flexible loan programs that may have lending options for situations where a conventional lender may not be able to approve a loan.

How to Qualify for a Reverse Mortgage

To qualify for a reverse mortgage, you must be at least 62 and have paid off all or most of your home mortgage. Income is generally not a factor, and no medical tests or medical histories are required. If you seek an HECM, you also must undergo free mortgage counseling from an independent government-approved “housing agency.” Financial institutions offering proprietary reverse mortgages may require similar counseling or homeowner education.

The amount you can borrow depends on your age, the equity in your home, the value of your home, and the interest rate. If it’s an HECM, federal law limits the maximum amount that can be paid out.You can be paid in a lump sum, in monthly advances, through a line of credit, or a combination of all three.

Common Features
Reverse mortgages offer special appeal to older adults because the loan advances, which are not taxable, generally do not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits. Depending on the plan, reverse mortgages generally allow homeowners to retain title to their homes until they permanently move, sell their home, die, or reach the end of a pre-selected loan term. Generally, a move is considered permanent when the homeowner has not lived in the home for 12 consecutive months. So, for example, a person could live in a nursing home or other medical facility for up to 12 months before the reverse mortgage would be due.

However, be aware that:

Reverse mortgages tend to be more costly than traditional loans because they are rising-debt loans. The interest is added to the principal loan balance each month. So, the total amount of interest owed increases significantly with time as the interest compounds.

Reverse mortgages use up all or some of the equity in a home. That leaves fewer assets for the homeowner and his or her heirs.

Lenders generally charge origination fees and closing costs; some charge servicing fees. How much is up to the lender.

Interest on reverse mortgages is not deductible on income tax returns until the loan is paid off in part or whole.

Because homeowners retain title to their home, they remain responsible for taxes, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and other housing expenses.

How To Get A Home Mortgage

Securing the right home mortgage is the most important thing for you to do when considering this large purchase. You should carefully find the right choice for you after comparing all of your options. Yet, when it comes down to it, it can seem like a very difficult thing to actually do. The fact is that many individuals do not know what the right way to get their loan is. Often, they think that their local banker is the only choice, when in fact this is likely to be the most expensive and non-forgiving of all financial lenders for loans on a house. Instead, turn your attention to the web.

Online, you will find a wider range of financial options to carefully consider. For one, you are likely to get a better amount of options in financing such as lower interest rates, better terms and even low cost or no cost on loan fees. These things really can add up to save you money. There is enough competition online that lenders are looking for you, trying to lure you in with these things. But, you are a smart buyer and you know that there is a lot to think about in the home mortgage .

For one, you will want to use a tool called the loan calculator to help you to compare the loans that are available. This tool will allow you to easily look at how much one loan will cost as compared to another one. It will tell you the total cost of the loan as well as the monthly payment. Compare various rates, terms, loan types, virtually anything that is being offered to you. These are free tools, offered on many of the financial experts websites and they are easy to use. They come with no obligation to work with that lender either. In fact, you will not supply it with any information about you specifically. This can help you to find the best home mortgage out there fast.

You can even get a free, no obligation online loan quote. By simply putting in your information, it will produce for you a quote. This is usually more accurate as it will figure in the cost of your credit as well as the cost of your specific loan needs. Then, you can take this quote and compare it to other quotes that are available to find the best rate for your needs. A home mortgage quote like this should never cost you a thing and it should come with no obligation either.

Securing the loan that is ideal for your specific needs can be done much easier on the web. There are just that many more options out there for you to consider and to take in. In the long run, financing your purchase can be much more financially sound when you use the tools that are available to you on the web. Instead of dealing with face to face rejection and disappointment from your banker, just head onto the web to get the answers that you need about your home mortgage purchase.

How to Buy Property Using Hard Money Loans!

There are different standards and strategies that real estate investors use when evaluating properties. In order for us to get involved with a property, the following standards are judged for the worthiness of any rehab project:
“You should look for the worst house on a decent block”
1) Whether your strategy is to “flip” properties, or to hold them for their rental cash flow, it’s important to be able to draw potential buyers, or strong potential tenants, as quickly as possible. With this in mind, you should look at properties on streets that are maintained properly. This does not limit you to higher end homes. There are many “blue collar” areas that properly maintain the condition of their homes and yards. However, a street that has poorly maintained properties or many vacancies do not lend themselves to fast turn around sales or well suited tenants.
Always remember that this is an investment. You take on a large risk, and a lot of work as a rehabber. No matter how much loving care you put into your property, you can do nothing about the condition of your neighbor’s property.
2) Make certain that there is no structural damage to the property. This could be a fatal blow to your investment!
“You make your money when you buy a property, not when you sell it!”
Purchasing Formula
There are many formulas used for the successful purchase of a rehab project. It’s important to use one. There must always be a comfortable cushion between the purchase price and the selling price of investment property. This cushion price will help you achieve a successful investment, even if you have repair cost over-runs, or hold on to the property longer than you had anticipated. Remember, every day that the property is not sold or rented comes right off your bottom line. The interest, taxes, insurance, and utility bills compound each day. Buying the property at the right price will protect you from Murphy’s Law.
Our Funding formula:
1) Establish an after repair value for your property.
(Get “area comps” and view each one. Pick out the property that has a street that is most similar to your house’s street, and a structure that is closest to your house’s structure, and then compare the square footage, amount of bedrooms and bathrooms that are all listed on the “comps.” This will help establish a real fair market value for your property).

2) Multiply the ARV x .65 (After Repair Value)
(This will give you 65% of the ARV).
3) Establish a comprehensive and accurate list of repairs that you plan to do to the property, and estimate the costs for each repair.
(This is important. If you are knowledgeable and experienced in doing repair work, you may not need help. If you are not experienced or skilled in this, find someone who is and have them draw up a plan. Even if it costs you a little money to get them out there, this could save you thousands of pounds).
4) Subtract the cost of repairs from the 65% value of the ARV. (After Repair Value) This should be the maximum price that you pay for the property! This is a conservative formula, and it usually works well. Remember, anyone can buy a property at close to fair market value, but with your costs and risks, you must do better!
Written by Jim Olivero

How Much Should You Borrow?

There’s little doubt that we’re borrowing more and there’s also little doubt that credit is one of the great conveniences of modern life. That said, like Goldilocks you want to borrow the amount that’s just right — and no more.

So what’s the right level of debt?

The loan qualification standards used by mortgage lenders are an important guideline. You can typically get that old standby — the fixed-rate, 30 year mortgage — if no more than 28 percent of your gross monthly income goes for mortgage principal and interest, property taxes and property insurance (PITI). In addition, as much as 36 percent of your gross monthly income can go to regular monthly costs — PITI plus car payments, credit card debt, school costs, etc. In addition, because they have more liberal qualification standards, you can often borrow more with other loan programs such as FHA, VA and adjustable-rate financing.

But no matter what type of mortgage financing you consider, the real question should be not how much can you borrow, but rather how much can you borrow comfortably. In other words, financial sanity counts.

Unfortunately the term “financial sanity” is an expression without a definition. The economics that work for the Webbers plainly may not work for the Johnsons. We each have different incomes as well as different interests, expenses and preferences. Given this background one might ask: What makes financial sense for me?

The answer looks like this: If you’re living from paycheck to paycheck, if monthly costs are a burden, if savings are small or non-existent, if you do not have health insurance then it’s time to re-think debt burdens.

The richest person I ever met, someone who started with nothing and created jobs for more than 50,000 people, once offered this advice: “The key to financial success is saving, and nothing is harder than saving that first 10,000. After that, it’s easy.”

In other words, it’s entirely possible to have a substantial salary and to fail the financial sanity test. The waiting rooms in every bankruptcy court are filled with people who once had big incomes and bigger debts. One day the numbers didn’t work and away went the trophy houses and the big cars.

So how do you begin the savings process?

The first step, literally, is to open a savings account. The very nice people who provide checking accounts and credit cards will also be happy to hold your savings.

The second step is to go after every nickel and dime you can find.

The economics of savings resemble gravity: Little pieces brought together in one place produce big results. Here’s an example: Imagine that you usually spend 2.50 per day on little things — coffee, candy or whatever. Instead, you set the money aside in an account that pays 6 percent interest. The result? After 30 years there’s almost 77,000 in your account.

There are any number of strategies to save money, but let me suggest a practical approach. Look at your debts. Pick the one with the lowest balance, say a small credit card that requires monthly payments of 25. Save and pay it off. Then identify the next remaining debt with the smallest balance. You now have 25 a month extra that can be applied to the second obligation. Save and pay off the second debt. Maybe with the second obligation you can save 50 a month. After the second debt is repaid, you have an additional 75 a month to attack the third debt.

During this process there are other steps to take. Bring lunch to work. Have one car (hard in some areas, but not impossible). Collect change at the end of the day and deposit rolls of coins every month or so. Eat out — but not often. Stay away from credit cards. Avoid late fees and maintain good credit by paying bills in full and on time.

As this process continues you’ll notice several interesting results.

First, borrowing for real estate becomes easy as debts decline and qualification scores rise.

Second, better credit results in reduced interest rates that can save you big money. Save a half percent as a result of good credit on a 300,000 mortgage and you’ll cut costs in the first year of the loan by nearly 1,500.

Third, there’s no tax on “savings.”

If you have 1,000 in credit card debt and auto costs each month, that money is available only after taxes are paid. To get that 1,000 in cash you may have to earn 1,300 or 1,400, depending on your tax bracket and location. If you pay off your bills and don’t have to pay that 1,000 a month, Uncle Sam does not raise your taxes and you gain the equivalent of a huge raise.

When you speak with lenders about your ability to borrow, consider that with good credit you likely can borrow as much as you need if not more. But also consider that as a matter of financial sanity you have a personal obligation to save. If you can buy a home, pay general expenses and still save 5 or 10 percent of your gross monthly income, the odds are overwhelming that borrowing will not be an undue burden now or in the future.

How can I avoid mortgage foreclosure?

Mortgage foreclosure can occur if homeowners, who have taken a VA, conventional loan, or an FHA insured loan, default on the mortgage payments. Foreclosure can lead to the lender gaining possession of a borrowers home. If the value of the home is less than the mortgage amount, the homeowner may have to pay the balance amount to the lender under a deficiency judgment. Foreclosures have a negative impact on the credit score of a home owner.

In order to avoid foreclosure, there are several things that a homeowner can do. These include communicating to the lender ones inability in making payments as soon as possible and requesting assistance. If necessary, homeowners should back their communication with relevant financial figures such as expenses and income from various sources. They should not abandon their premises or they may not qualify for the assistance.

There are several housing counseling agencies approved by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development; they offer up-to-date information on the various programs initiated by government and private organizations that are designed to help homeowners facing the prospects of foreclosure. Housing counseling agencies, which also provide credit counseling services, provide their services at no cost.

In order to avoid forbearance, homeowners can try and apply for Special Forbearance. This may lead to a revision of the repayment schedule and in some cases the payment may either be revised or suspended. A rise in expenditure and a fall in the monthly income may enable homeowners to qualify for a new monthly plan. Similarly, mortgage modification may result in extension of the period of repayment and may open up refinancing options. Homeowners who have undergone a financial crisis stand to benefit from mortgage modification as they can chart out a more manageable repayment plan.

Homeowners can also take recourse to a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. This entails voluntarily handing over the property to the lender. Such a deed does not hurt a homeowners credit rating as much as a foreclosure. A homeowner, who is a defaulter on payments, and does not qualify for other alternatives, has not been able to sell the house, and is not in default with respect to other mortgages, qualifies for a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.

A homeowners qualification for any of the above mentioned alternatives is determined by the lender. However, homeowners should be aware of solutions that are not genuine. It is highly advisable to take the help of housing counseling agencies in such matters. Homeowners in financial difficulties are liable to fall prey to scams such as equity skimming in which a homeowner is tricked into signing the deed of the property to another person. There are several counseling agencies that are not genuine and often charge homeowners for services that can be done for free. It is imperative that homeowners check the background of the counseling agency before deciding to go with a particular firm.