December 27, 2010
Did you know if you borrow 100,000 for a mortgage loan, you may pay back as much as 300,000? Yes, its true, and you may pay more than that depending on the interest rate and the number of years it takes you to repay the loan. The amount is even higher if the terms of your loan require mortgage insurance.
There is a solution if you are able to pay something extra each month even if it is a small amount. Lets say you borrowed 100,000 and for your first payment, you paid the regular monthly payment of principal and interest in the amount of 825.00. As a reasonable example early in the term of the loan, 800 may be applied to interest and 25.00 is applied as principal. Your outstanding balance is now reduced to 99,975.00 and the interest for the next payment is calculated on that amount. If you had paid an extra 50.00 with the payment, the 50.00 would have paid two more scheduled principal payments and you would have saved two interest payments. Using the above figures as an example you would have saved approximately 1,600.00. Thats right – 1,600 in interest that you would never have to pay. In addition the interest amount due next month would be calculated on a lower balance.
The terms of the mortgage require a monthly payment of the full amount due for the monthly principal and interest payment. Most mortgage documents allow additional principal payments (also known as curtailments) without penalty; however, you should verify this with the lender or review the loan documents. If there are no penalties, you can save several thousand pounds over the term of the loan plus you dont have to spend thirty years paying off your loan. As we saw with the example above, a payment of an extra 50.00 resulted in savings in the interest. (The actual amount will vary depending on the loan amount and interest rate.)
The earlier you start paying additional sums during the life of the loan, the better. In the early years, the largest portion of your payment is applied as interest with a small amount going to the principal balance. Those small amounts will be easier to pay as additional principal payments and you will see substantial savings in the interest payments that you will never have to pay. As the balance is reduced the scheduled interest payments will be lower as the interest payment is calculated on the outstanding principal balance.
The principal balance will slowly start decreasing and before you know it, you will see a substantial reduction. It would be a good idea to ask your Lender to send you an amortization schedule so you can track your savings. This schedule shows the breakdown of the amount due for principal and the amount due for interest each month.
By reducing your principal balance faster than scheduled you will be able to request cancellation of your mortgage insurance, (MI or PMI) if your loan has insurance. Lenders require this insurance on loans with a loan to value ratio (LTV) of 80% or more. As your principal balance declines, the LTV will decline quickly as well. The Lender should be contacted for more information on canceling mortgage insurance as early cancellation could save you a substantial sum. This is in addition to the interest savings.
So remember, if you want to save money on your mortgage loan, check your loan documents for any restrictions, request an amortization schedule, and ask about the requirements for cancellation of mortgage insurance.
Enjoy Your Savings
December 20, 2010
Refinancing your home can be a huge decision, especially if you have been invested in that home for a long time. Unfortunately there are times when it becomes necessary to refinance your home and it is during those times that you want to make sure that you are getting the best deal possible. Todays homeowners who are looking to refinance have a tool that many didnt have ten years ago, the internet.
Applying for a refinance mortgage online can offer some great benefits. The one thing that the internet has provided for instance is anonymity. You can ask questions for as long as you want without committing to telling a mortgage broker or a lender your name. Everyone knows that often when you give up your personal information to a potential lender they are likely to continue contacting you until you are frustrated. Being able to do your initial research online eliminates this
.
Another plus to being able to seek out refinancing online is that you can do it from the comfort of your own home. One can survey interest rates, compare companies and seek out the best deal all the while being comfortable in their own home. This allows the homeowner to take time with their research and thus hopefully finding an even better deal.
It is the opinion of many experts in the area of refinancing online that the fact that this can be done also offers the homeowner the chance to control more of the process. Too often one of the main complaints the homeowner has on the other end of the process is that they didnt have all of their questions answered. Being able to conduct your own research online will allow the homeowner to be in total control of the process of researching and if they have a question they can find the answer instead of trusting that a mortgage broker will do it for them.
Finally, homeowners can do all of their paperwork online. This is a very convenient point on the list of reasons why being able to refinance online is a great new tool. Many people today just dont have time to stop and go to the bank or lender and sit for hours on end until the process is through. Being able to apply online affords homeowners the opportunity to do the paperwork from home, send it in and then waiting until the final part of the process to actually visit the lender in person. In some cases everything can be done over the internet so that the homeowner doesnt have to visit a lender at all. This, in fact, is becoming more of the norm for those who turn to the internet for refinancing.
So if you are looking to refinance your home, consider taking on the process online, it may save you time and money.
December 13, 2010
Refinance Home Mortgage Loans With Poor Credit – Reduce Monthly Bills With A Refi Loan
Reducing consumer debts will ease anxiety and open the door for better rates on a home loan or mortgage. Unfortunately, becoming debt-free is a long process, and it may take several years to achieve this goal. If you own a home, refinancing your existing mortgage even with poor credit may present extra cash to payoff high interest credit cards.
What Does it Mean to Refinance a Home Mortgage?
Refinancing a home loan is an everyday practice. There are several reasons to contemplate a refinancing. For starters, if you attain a cash-out refinancing, the mortgage company will hand over a lump sum of money at closing. Prior to this, homeowners apply for a new home loan, which replaces the old. In addition to creating a new mortgage, homeowners also borrow money from their home’s equity. For example, refinancing an existing 125,000 mortgage, and borrowing 25,000 of the home’s equity will produce a new mortgage of 150,000.
Advantages of Refinancing an Existing Mortgage
If your intent is to become debt-free in the shortest amount of time, refinancing your home is a great alternative. High interest credit cards are difficult to eliminate. Unless you are able to make large payments, it may take ten to twenty years to payoff a 2,000 credit card balance. Moreover, a new mortgage is great for acquiring funds to make home improvements, build a savings account, or plan for retirement. Homeowners with poor credit may increase their credit rating upon reducing or eliminating consumer debts.
When is the Best Time to Refinance?
For many homeowners, now is a good time to refinance their current mortgage. Individuals who obtained home mortgages before rates began to decline are likely paying two or three percentage points above the current average. Refinancing for a lower rate may decrease your mortgage payment. Moreover, refinancing may eliminate private mortgage insurance.
With low mortgage rates, refinancing for a fixed rate or interest-only option may be favorable. Before refinancing, count the costs. Remember, refinancing will entail paying closing costs. If the monthly savings are insignificant, or you plan on moving in less than five years, you will not benefit from a refi loan.
December 6, 2010
Refinance your home mortgage online to get the best rates. With increased competition, lending companies offer better rates online than in their offices. You can also get near instant loan quotes to make refi shopping easy. In a few minutes you can save yourself thousands of pounds, all from the comfort of your home.
Why Online Refinancing Is Better
Refinancing online gives you access to thousands of lenders from across the nation. With so many financing companies seeking out your business, companies have lowered their rates and fees. In some cases there are even additional rate drops for applying online.
Online mortgage brokers also make refi shopping a snap. By giving quotes from multiple companies, you save time. You can also sometimes get a better deal by working with a broker.
How To Get The Best Rates
To get the best rates on your refinancing, select optimal terms. A 15 year mortgage is almost a point less than a 30 year loan. Adjustable rate mortgages also have lower initial rates.
But by far, the greatest savings come from comparing loan estimates. Ask each lender for a quote on the refinance amount and terms you want. Keep the information the same when you request loan quotes from each lender so you have comparable numbers.
Remember too that if you decide you want different terms, you will need to ask for new quotes. One lender may have the best rates for a fixed rate 100,000 mortgage, but a different company has the best rates for an adjustable 50,000 mortgage.
Two Weeks To Refinance
From start to finish, it takes about two weeks to refinance your mortgage online. Submitting your information over a secure server means you can get your loan contract in a day or two. Once your final paperwork has been notarized and received by your lender, the funds transfer is completed.
Paperwork is kept to a minimum with an online application. You can also get a notary to meet you at home, work, or any place. With a cash out, your funds are wired to your account for convenience. All the while, you can rest easy knowing you got the best deal on your refi.