Archive for December, 2009
Reverse Mortgages: Frequently Asked Questions
Posted by: | Comments1. Am I eligible for a Reverse Mortgage?
• To qualify for a reverse mortgage, you must:
• Be at least 62 years old. In the case of a couple or co-owners, both must be 62 if they want their names to be on title of the home.
• Be a homeowner with enough equity in the home.
• Seniors may qualify even if they have an outstanding balance on a mortgage.
• Single-family homes and qualified condominiums, townhouses, manufactured homes, and 2 to 4-family owner occupied residences are eligible.
• Reverse mortgages are available only for homes occupied by owners as a principal residence.
• Can own up to 4 dwellings.
2. Are Reverse Mortgages legitimate?
Yes. Reverse Mortgages are federally regulated and insured and are safer than most traditional mortgages.
3. If I get a Reverse Mortgage that means the government holds title to my home?
False. Title does not get transferred into the governments name. Throughout the life of the loan, you own your home.
4. If I decide to sell my home, will the lender make me pay back the loan and will they collect a portion of the appreciation?
False. The lender will only collect the amount that is due to them. If the loan balance is larger than the home value, the lender will only collect the proceeds from the sale. You can never owe more than what your home is worth.
5. What do I have to pay to get a Reverse Mortgage?
In most cases there are no out of pocket costs to get a Reverse Mortgage. All costs deferred and only due when the homeowner moves out permanently, sells the home or passes away.
6. What are my payment options?
You decide how to receive the money generated by a Reverse Mortgage. In general, your payment options are:
• An upfront lump sum payment.
• Line of credit.
• Fixed monthly payments for as long as you remain in your home (or a predetermined, shorter period).
• A combination of lump sum, monthly income and line of credit.
7. Are Reverse Mortgages only for desperate seniors, or for the “House Rich, Cash Poor?”
False. The Reverse Mortgage is an excellent financial planning tool that has been used by homeowners from all walks of life to enhance their retirement years. While some have needed the cash from a reverse mortgage more than others, the growing popularity of this product is evidence of its benefit in a wide array of financial circumstances.
8. Am I required to pay anything during the course of the Reverse Mortgage loan?
No. The flow of payments is reversed during the term of the Reverse Mortgage – the lending institution pays you. However, you are responsible for keeping up payments for your homeowner’s insurance and property taxes, and to maintain the condition of your home.
9. What happens when my house gets passed to my heirs?
Once your home is passed to your heirs, the Reverse Mortgage comes due. Your heirs may either pay the balance due on the reverse mortgage and keep the home, or sell the home and use the proceeds to pay off the reverse mortgage. If they sell the home, they get to keep any excess sale proceeds.
10. Can I do a Reverse Mortgage if there already is a conventional mortgage on the home?
Yes. Existing mortgages must be paid off at closing. The proceeds from the Reverse Mortgage may be used for that purpose. This will eliminate any monthly mortgage payments.
11. Can a Reverse Mortgage be closed in a living trust?
Yes. Generally this is acceptable. The complete trust documents will need to be copied and put in as part of the file.
12. Will a Reverse Mortgage affect my Social Security, Medicare or pension benefits?
No. Proceeds from a Reverse Mortgage do not affect these benefits.
13. Can I get a Reverse Mortgage from anyone?
No. Only federally approved lenders may offer HUD insured reverse mortgages. Rob Jones will close your Reverse Mortgages up to three times faster than the competition. Why not use a pioneer in the reverse mortgage profession, Sun American has over 20 years of Reverse Mortgage experience.
14. How do I get started?
Call Rob Jones at Sun American Mortgage. He will need your birth date, approximate value of your home and the amount of money remaining on your mortgage, if any.
Second Mortgage Industry in Australia
Posted by: | CommentsThese are tough times if you need a loan but don’t have sufficient or unencumbered property to offer as a collateral to the Bank or other financial institution. Cash is King and if you need more liquidity fast but your first mortgage lender will not advance any more or cannot act quickly, you might be in unforeseen trouble. A Second mortgage might be the best possible option at this difficult time.
Like many other countries of the world, the mortgage market in Australia has tightened considerably and extensions or increases to existing facilities that might have been offered 12 months ago are simply not available today. Many people in Australia, especially those in small business have been able to overcome short-term financial hazards or “cash crisis” and improve their position through a short-term second mortgage.
Second Mortgage
You may or may not have heard about second mortgages. In simple terms, a second mortgage is made against the same property, which is offered as a collateral in the first mortgage but usually to a different lender. Hence, it is considered subordinate to the first mortgage and ranks behind the first mortgage in terms of security.
The interest rate of second mortgage is higher than the first mortgage. This is because, in case of default, the first mortgage is paid out first then the second mortgage is satisfied from the remaining equity.
Usability of Second Mortgage
In a nutshell, a second mortgage is most beneficial when the borrower needs finance for a specific purpose for a short period of time and they can see how the second mortgage finance can be repaid in the short term. It is a good source of finance for opportunistic investments, or to satisfy an urgent unexpected expense. It is often used as a short-term cure for a business cash crunch or even to take advantage of a business opportunity that presents itself where the business operator can see that he or she can make money, IF they have some money NOW!
Other reasons for a short-term second mortgage might include the need of improvement of existing homes prior to sale, or bridging finance for the purchase of a new property prior to the sale of an existing property.
Overview of mortgage market in Australia
The Australian mortgage market witnessed a tremendous boom during 2003 and 2004. However, earlier this year the market observed a sharp decline in its rate of growth with 12% growth being recorded in contrast to 22 % in 2004.
An analysis conducted by InfoChoice and The Sheet estimates that the Australian mortgage market presently stands at $922 billion. It has been observed that this estimate is around three times greater than the report of Reserve of Australia. It is noteworthy that this study is also 12% bigger than the all-banks estimate in the mortgage industry of Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.
As a rule all big banks play a major role in the market, but usually only provide loans against first mortgage security and do not operate in the second mortgage space. Finance and mortgage brokers originate an increasing share of this Australian mortgage market and these brokers can usually source either first or second mortgages from a wide range of lenders.
Rise of Second Mortgage in Australia
As traditional lenders become more reluctant to lend to existing customers due to tighter credit requirement and liquidity limitations continue in the banking system, more and more borrowers with a need for a short term remedy are turning to a second mortgage lenders to solve their temporary or short term liquidity problem to take advantage of opportunities or to solve their short terms problems.
To be eligible for a second mortgage, you must have surplus equity in your current property. This means that you must owe less with your current mortgage than the value of the property. The second mortgage lender will need to be comfortable that there is a good commercial reason for the loan and that there is an “exit strategy” for the loan. This means that the second mortgage lender can see how the loan is coming to be repaid through some event or process that will satisfy the advance and the charges for the loan.
How a Fixed Rate Mortgage Can be Beneficial When Buying a Home
Posted by: | CommentsIf you are just about to buy a house, one of your most important decisions, almost as important as which home you buy, is what type of mortgage to take out. You basically have two choices; a fixed rate mortgage (FRM) or an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) Choosing a mortgage that best fits your specific needs can potentially either save or cost you a great deal of money over the term of the mortgage.
Around 70% of homebuyers today choose a fixed rate mortgage, rather than an adjustable rate mortgage. A fixed rate mortgage is exactly what it sounds like. The interest rate on the loan doesn’t change, regardless of whether interest rates in general go up or down. An adjustable rate mortgage may go up or down, depending on the interest rate at the time. Your decision may be influenced by your overall financial situation, the present state of the economy and the cost of your house.
The overall amount that you end up paying for your home can be greatly influenced by even a small change in the interest rate. A lowering of the interest rate by just one point can mean that a homeowner with a 30 year mortgage can enjoy average savings of around $50,000 over the term of their mortgage. An increase in the interest rate of just one or two percent can mean monthly payments that are between $50 and $250 higher, depending on how much you paid for your home. Whether you are taking out a 15 or 30 year mortgage may also influence your decision to take out an adjustable rate or fixed rate mortgage.
The biggest benefit of a fixed rate mortgage is the peace of mind that comes with knowing that regardless of how bad the economy is the rate on your mortgage loan won’t increase; neither will your monthly payment amounts. In fact, the terms and conditions of a fixed rate mortgage are protected by law. A fixed rate mortgage is an ideal option for those buyers who just don’t want to take a risk, or consider themselves the cautious type when it comes to finances.
Another benefit of a fixed rate mortgage is that it makes it easier for the homeowner to budget the expense. Your mortgage payment is probably your single biggest expense and you always know exactly how much the monthly payment will be. Some buyers believe that this makes it a little bit easier to plan and budget for some of life’s other big expenses. Certain things like college funds and retirement for example. With a fixed rate mortgage, the amount of the monthly payment will only increase if there is an increase in the amount of insurance rates or property taxes.
A fixed rate mortgage is not affected by inflation or the cost of living. Supposing you have a monthly mortgage payment of $700; this amount will still be the same after five, ten, and twenty years have gone by. Even though everything else has increased in cost, your mortgage payment will stay the same. One way to offset this is to consider the possibilities in the future. Chances are you could have a more disposable income as time passes. You could be earning a higher salary, but still paying the same every month for your home.
If you prefer the safer option of the fixed rate mortgage, one solution would be to take out a fixed rate mortgage and then refinance your loan if and when interest rates are lowered. This approach keeps your options open. If interest rates go down sufficiently to justify the cost of refinancing, you can do just that; if rates stay where they are or go up you will be glad you have the fixed rate mortgage. Some financial experts advise that it is only worth refinancing if the interest rate will be at least 2% lower than your current rate, although that decision entirely is up to you.
Another strategy that can be applied towards either a fixed rate or adjustable mortgage is to pay an extra amount each month towards the principal. By doing this regularly, you can potentially save a large amount in interest charges. It can also make the term of the mortgage shorter and you may be able to own your home sooner. Make sure that you specify that any extra amount that you pay is going towards the principal and not the interest. By doing this, if you have a fixed rate mortgage and the rate is not as low as it could be, you are getting ahead a little bit.
Ultimately the decision of whether to take a fixed rate mortgage or an adjustable rate mortgage is yours. Although several factors may influence your decision, one of the biggest questions to ask yourself is how much of a risk you want to take.
Main Benefits Of Refinancing Your Mortgage
Posted by: | CommentsSimply put, refinancing your mortgage means that you are converting your current mortgage into a new mortgage which is usually at a lower interest rate. Not surprisingly, most homeowners will refinance at least once during their lives. In fact, statistics show that the average homeowner refinances their mortgage once every four years. And even someone with poor credit can sometimes find it easier to refinance because they already have approval for the original loan.
The biggest advantage to refinancing your mortgage in the short term, as your monthly payments will be lower; and in the long term, as you may not pay as much in interest. The market value of your house and the amount of mortgage financed can also make a big difference. If your current mortgage is for several hundred thousand dollars, even a slight reduction in the interest rate will mean much lower monthly payments. An interest rate of just one point less can potentially save you around $5,000 on the average 15 year mortgage. Some financial experts advise that it is only worth refinancing if the interest rate on your new mortgage will be at least 2% lower than your current rate. This is only a generalization and ultimately the decision whether to refinance or not is up to you.
Apart from saving money, the other main benefit of refinancing a mortgage loan is to lower the term, or length, of the mortgage. If you have a 30 year mortgage and refinance to take advantage of lower interest rates, you may also be able to shorten the term of the mortgage at the same time. This will make it possible to own your home outright in less time. The monthly payments on a 15 or 20 year mortgage will surely be higher, but if you can afford to pay the extra amount, it’s an effective way to achieve home ownership more quickly. If you don’t want to refinance your mortgage, or you think you won’t really benefit from it, consider paying an extra amount towards the principal each month, a strategy that will also lower the length of your mortgage.
Refinancing also allows a homeowner who has an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) to switch to a fixed rate mortgage, (FRM) not only saving money, but offering peace of mind as well. If mortgage rates are on the way up, it may be a good idea to refinance at a lower fixed rate; if you have a fixed rate mortgage at a rate that is on the high side, it may benefit you to refinance to an adjustable rate mortgage. Whether you go with the fixed rate or the adjustable rate ultimately depends on your finances, your short term goals and the general state of the economy. The terms and conditions of a fixed rate mortgage are also protected by law.
One of the benefits of refinancing is to use some of the equity in your home for other expenses. You don’t have to be nervous about doing some much needed home improvements, sending your child to college, or debt consolidation. Using the equity to improve your home will increase the value of your home even further. If you refinance with a larger principal amount in order to receive some cash back, it is known as cash out refinancing. A loan that is secured on your home usually, but not always, has a lower interest rate than various other types of loans, such as an unsecured loan and most credit cards. This method also allows you the convenience of extra cash without having to take out a second mortgage.
Even if interest rates have not changed, it may make sense to refinance if you didn’t have the best credit score when you originally applied for your loan. Lenders tend to offer lower rates and better terms to those borrowers with better credit. So if several years have gone by, you have paid all your bills on time and built up some credit, check to see if it’s worth your while to refinance your home. Your credit score can make a huge difference. A credit score that is below 630 can mean that your monthly payments are anywhere between $50 and $250 higher.
There are various costs and fees involved with refinancing your mortgage and you should consider carefully whether this option is right for you. Generally speaking, if you are going to save money, it probably makes sense to refinance. However, it also depends on your overall financial situation and whether you intend to stay in the house for more than a few years. If you live in a one bedroom condo with just your spouse and you are thinking about starting a family, it probably doesn’t make any sense to refinance. You should always consult your tax advisor and a mortgage broker to make sure that it’s the right decision for you.
Signing on the Dotted Line: Educate yourself About the Mortgage Process
Posted by: | CommentsTaking out a mortgage loan is a major responsibility, and it is not one that should be entered into lightly. It is important that you take the time before you take out a mortgage to educate yourself about both your specific mortgage and about mortgage loans in general; this will help to make sure that you get the best deal that you can on the loan that you take out and will also ensure that you are going to be able to make your mortgage payments without any problem. While educating yourself about mortgage loans is not as simple as simply looking at interest rates, learning more about your mortgage before you take it out does not have to be difficult or complicated.
The first thing that you should do in order to learn more about the mortgage process is to take the time to learn a few basic definitions. The most important of these are terms such as principal (the amount that you have actually borrowed), APR (annual percentage rate, or the amount of interest that is being charged on your principal), and PITI (the components that are combined to determine your monthly mortgage payment: Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance.)
Other common terms that you may want to know include balloon and interest-only mortgages (two mortgage types where you make smaller payments for five years or less, then pay the outstanding balance due on your mortgage as a single payment) as well as some of the additional costs that may be associated with taking out a mortgage loan. Such fees include application costs, closing costs, and brokerage fees, and in most cases they have to be paid out-of-pocket instead of being included in your monthly mortgage payment. Not every bank or lender charges all of the same fees so be sure to do some comparison shopping.
Once you have a grasp of some of the more common mortgage terminology, you should take the time to read as much as you can about how the mortgage process works in general. There are a number of books and websites that you can use to educate yourself about the mortgage process, detailing how it works from preapproval to making your final mortgage payment. Consulting multiple sources will help to make sure that you do not miss any important details that may be overlooked by a single source, and will also help to eliminate any bias that may be held by one source.
In general, the mortgage process begins with preapproval so that you will know how much you can borrow (which in most cases will only be a portion of the total value of the property being purchased) and will continue through the loan origination, credit checks, closing, and purchase. The property that is purchased will be used as collateral to guarantee the mortgage loan and ensure that the lender gets all of their money, and the lender will have a legal claim to the property (known as a lien) until the mortgage has been repaid in full. Once you have paid all of the money that is owed to the lender, the lien will be released and you will own the purchased property outright.
After learning about mortgage loans in general, it is time to start shopping around for a lender so that you can find the mortgage that will best meet your specific needs. Talk to various banks, mortgage brokers, and other mortgage lenders in your area, discussing the advantages of the loans that each offers and requesting quotes for the interest rates that they will likely charge you. This will give you an idea of how much you are going to have to pay every month on the loan that you eventually take out, and will also help you to get a feel for the various lenders in your area so that you will know which ones will give you the best deal. It is important to educate yourself about the mortgage process in general before you start shopping around for quotes so that you can ask questions about any loan terms that do not seem right as well as explore options that you might not have known were available otherwise.
When you have narrowed down your options to one or two potential lenders take the time to discuss your loan with each in depth so that you can get an idea of exactly what your final mortgage loan will be like. There is a required form called the Good Faith Estimate that your lender is required to provide; this form discloses all the fees and helps to determine both the cash required for closing as well as your final monthly payment. This will let you learn more about the specifics of each lender’s loan products and will help you to choose the mortgage loan that is best for you and your property.
