July 5, 2010
Home Mortgage Loans For People With Bad Credit – Pro’s And Con’s Of Interest-Only Loans
Buying a home with poor credit is just as easy as buying a home with perfect credit. Years ago, many people with a low credit rating believed homeownership was unattainable. Fortunately,
there are various loan programs designed to help people with low income, bad credit, and no down payment purchase a house. Included among these programs are interest-only loans.
What are Interest-Only Mortgage Loans?
Interest-only mortgage loans became popular in the early 2000’s. The concept of interest-only loans is very unique. Ordinarily, monthly mortgage payments consist of a portion of the payment being applied to the principal balance, and a portion applied to the interest. In order to payoff a mortgage in 15 or 30 years, a specific amount of money must be paid each month.
On the other hand, if you obtain an interest-only mortgage loan, you pay only the interest for the first few years. Interest-only periods vary. Homeowners may opt for a three, five, seven, or ten year interest-only loan. After the interest-only period ends, the homeowner must begin making payments toward the principal and interest.
Why is an Interest-Only Loan Beneficial?
If you live in a booming housing market, an interest-only loan may be your only option for buying a home. Many are attracted to these loans because the initial mortgage payments are low. For example, a 200,000 conventional loan has a monthly payment of about 1200. With an interest-only loan, the mortgage would be about 800 a month. Hence, if you are buying in an overpriced market, affordable living is within reach.
Pitfall of an Interest-Only Loan
Once the interest-only period ends, you still owe the original loan amount. When homeowners begin making payments towards the interest and principal balance, mortgage payments may increase 40%. Most homeowners are unable to afford a mortgage increase. If you plan on living in your home for several years, an interest-only loan may not be a good option. On the other hand, if you earn a sizeable income and can afford a higher mortgage, you may benefit from this type of loan.
Another option involves selling your home before the interest-only period ends. If home values in your area have increased significantly, you may capitalize from the equity. However, if the housing market takes a nosedive and home values decline, you may be unable to sell your home.
June 28, 2010
Home Mortgage Loans For People With Bad Credit – Finding The Best Low Rate
Getting a low rate mortgage with a negative credit rating is challenging. When people finance a home, obtaining a good finance package is a top concern – and for good reason. The mortgage rate received on a loan may significantly increase or decrease a monthly mortgage payment. If you
have good credit, getting the best low rate is simple. However, if you have bad credit, you may have to exert a little energy and search for a good rate.
Compare and Contrast Mortgage Rates and Terms
Smart buyers will stress the importance of shopping around for the best deal. This rule applies to any purchase – cars, clothes, shoes, etc. Homes are our biggest expense. Unfortunately, many home buyers do not devote much time to searching for the best financing package. This is a big mistake. When shopping for a mortgage, it is important to get quotes from several lenders and carefully review their offers. Those who are eager to buy a home make the mistake of accepting the first offer. However, comparing mortgage rates, terms, and services may save you thousands, and in effect lower your mortgage payment.
Apply for Loan with a Sub Prime Lender
Many financial institutions specialize in home mortgage loans. These include banks, mortgage companies, credit unions, etc. If you have good credit, you may be able to obtain a low rate mortgage using these financial institutions. However, if you have bad credit, these lenders may charge you additional fees and an extremely high rate. Because of your bad credit status, you are more likely to default on the mortgage. Thus, lenders increase the interest rate. This allows them to recoup their money sooner.
If you were to acquire a loan using a sub prime lender, your interest rate may be comparable to current market rates. You can expect to pay about one or two points higher than a person with great credit, however, you avoid paying an interest rate three points or more above current rates.
Working with an online mortgage broker is the best way to locate a reputable sub prime lender. Based on information provided on your application, brokers will match you with a lender who specializes in mortgages that fit your circumstances.
June 21, 2010
Home Mortgage Loans For People With Bad Credit – 103% Home Loan Financing
At one point in time, getting a zero down loan or closing cost assistance with poor credit was difficult. To qualify for a mortgage, individuals with poor credit would need a sizeable amount of
money to cover all expenses. Fortunately, numerous home loan programs have been created to assist those with less than perfect credit. Thus, homebuyers with low credit scores are able to obtain mortgages with up to 103% financing.
How Bad Credit Affects Mortgage Loans
Although bad credit will not stop you from getting approved for a mortgage loan, this factor may stand in the way of you getting a low mortgage rate. Still, there are ways to get a comparable low rate mortgage and assistance with closing costs. If your credit score is low, choosing the right lender is critical. Failing to research different lenders and home loan programs may result in accepting a home loan with bad terms. For this matter, it is important to work with a lender that advertises home loans for people with bad credit. These lenders have a range of loans designed especially for those with low credit scores.
What are 103% Home Loans?
When purchasing a new home, homebuyers must be prepared to pay out-of-pocket expenses. Although down payments are not required, closing costs and other fees are unavoidable. As expected, it is difficult for some people to save thousands of pounds to pay for closing fees. Thus, many forgo buying a new home.
In order to make homeownership attainable, many mortgage lenders have begun offering 103% home financing loans. With this type of loan, a homebuyer is approved for more than the home price. The extra money is intended to finance the closing costs and other fees that may arise.
Who Benefits from 103% Mortgage Loans?
These loans are designed to assist homebuyers who have minimum funds. The cost of living is continually rising. Although many are in a position to manage their daily living expenses, few people have disposable cash to save for large purchases. In this situation, 103% home loan financing is advantageous.
Each mortgage lender establishes different criteria on qualifying for 103% financing. Regrettably, many traditional lenders reserve these loans for individuals with excellent credit. On the flip side, several sub prime mortgage lenders offer this type of financing to people with bad credit.