Feb
28
What is a second mortgage loan?
Filed Under Mortgage Loans | Leave a Comment
A second mortgage loan is based primarily upon these two conditions. A mortgage loan can be broadly understood as a kind of contract or a legal agreement, in which the borrower’s property is pledged as a security or collateral guarantee, and the borrowed amount or credit is generally repaid in small packets of predefined amount, which are also referred to as installments. As per the contract or the agreement, the buyer promises to repay the principal amount or the actual loan amount, and its interest, over a fixed period, also known as loan tenure in a regular and orderly manner. A lien is understood as a legal right or a claim imposed by the creditor or lender upon the property, against which the credit is taken or borrowed. In a simple language a lien means the creditor has a legal right to dispose off the debtor’s property, in case of defaults or the debtor’s inability to pay the loan installments.
A second mortgage is an additional mortgage loan, which is added to your first or original mortgage loan. Since the new mortgage loan is attached in conjunction to the first or original mortgage, it’s generally referred to as a second mortgage loan – second because it falls at number two position in relation to the main mortgage loan. This second mortgage loan has all the characteristics of its original or main loan. In short, you’ve a condition in which two mortgage loans remain side-by-side, each loan with its unique set or terms and conditions.
Why avail a second mortgage loan?
Now, if two loans are to share the same mortgage, i.e. the same security or collateral guarantee, what’s the need of going in for a second mortgage? The answer’s quite simple. When people go in for a mortgage loan, they understand the significance and the importance of a lien. Debtors know for sure, if they default, or end up with unforeseen circumstances and are unable to pay off their dues, the creditor holds a legal right to sell of the house offered as security and recover the dues. So individuals are very cautious about secured loans, and generally avail just enough credit to satisfy their requirements. As a result, the full potential of the lien is not utilized. It means if the property is worth $1,00,000/- a mortgage facility of $40,000/- or $50,000/- is generally availed against the security. The remaining potential is left unused. That’s where a second mortgage comes in. If the borrower desires additional cash, or has a need to finance some requirement, the unused potential left over from the first mortgage activity can be used for the additional mortgage. Due to this, the second mortgage is also referred to as a home equity loan. The two terminologies can be used in lieu of each other.
Advantages of a second mortgage loan
•The homeowners have to pay a smaller down payment, and in some cases, the down payment is totally avoided, to avail the additional credit. During the transaction, the homeowner has the option to break up the total loan amount into two separate loans referred to as a combo loan. The encumbrance or the risk factor is distributed between the two loans, allowing higher combined loan-to-values and a much lower blended interest rates.
•The additional funds can provide a homeowner with much needed cash to improve the quality of their home or pay off high-interest loans. The biggest advantage is it’s possible to avoid a refinance of the existing first mortgage.
•Second mortgage helps homeowners to avoid paying PMI, or private mortgage insurance. The resultant savings can be substantial depending upon the loan break down, and often saves the homeowner hundreds of dollars a month, in terms of additional expenses. If the first loan is kept at or below 80% loan-to-value, the additional PMI is not required to be paid.
•The monthly payments on the second mortgages are ideally low as compared to its first mortgage. The homeowners end up with a substantial amount of liquidity, which can be used to pay of existing loans or even finance a commercial project.
•The second mortgage is offered for both adjustable and fixed-rate options, so many options are available to choose from and to find the exact credit facility to fulfill your needs.
Aug
31
Refinancing a mortgage is in some ways similar to getting your first mortgage, with a few important differences. Since you already own the home, you don’t have to go through a pre-approvals process or find a realtor and a home to buy. Unfortunately, you’ll still have a lot of paperwork to do, but savings thousands of dollars over the life of the loan is worth it.
There are very specific steps you should take to have a successful mortgage refinance
Step 1: Determine if Refinancing is Right for You
There are tools like mortgage calculators to determine whether a mortgage refinance loan will save you money. Factor in your current interest rate, future interest rate if you have an adjustable loan, and closing costs. If you want to take cash out, include that amount in your new mortgage balance for the calculations.
Remember, refinancing creates a new loan, usually with a full loan term. If possible, you can make extra payments to finish the loan at the same time as your original loan, and that will save you more money than the calculator predicts. For the calculation, assume you’ll only be able to pay the amount due.
Step 2: Check Your Credit Reports and Scores
Even if you already own a home, your lender will still use your credit scores and credit reports to determine which rate you qualify for. Order scores and reports for each spouse if both of you will be on the mortgage. You want to get best rate possible. Ideally your scores should be above 720 to get the absolute best rate, but 680-700 will get you a good rate. You can still refinance if your scores are low, but it might cost you more, especially if your scores were high when you got the first mortgage. Carefully review your credit reports for errors. 80% of all reports have errors. Common errors include listing accounts that don’t belong to you, late payments that weren’t really late, and items that were supposed to be removed. Follow the instructions at each credit agency to correct the errors.
Next, do what you can to fix black marks like recent defaulted loans, recent collections, and high credit card balances. You may have to spend a little more money to accomplish this, but it’s worth it if it saves interest on your mortgage, which will ultimately cost you more over 30 years.
Step 3: Research Rates, Fees, and Lenders
Before you contact any lenders, research current interest rates and fees for the type of loan you’re interested in. Comparison shop to see which banks is offering the best rates. Note the terms, closing costs, and whether or not the rates are fixed or adjustable.
In addition to rates and fees, check reviews of the lender online and at the Better Business Bureau. If the lender has a history of making late property tax or insurance payments or providing poor customer service, find a different lender.
Step 4: Contact Your Current Mortgage Servicer
Your current lender wants to keep you as a customer. If they still own the loan, they may be able to modify your current loan to a lower rate with just a little paperwork and a low fee. Unfortunately, most lenders sell their loans to larger mortgage servicers, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to take advantage of this. If you want to pull cash out, refinancing is the only option.
If you can’t modify your loan, your lender or mortgage servicer may offer a streamlined refinance. You’ll get a new loan at a better rate, but with fewer fees and a little less paperwork. It may also take less time to close. Of course, you may not want to accept their offer if the rate is higher than what you found at other lenders. Consider the closing costs when deciding which mortgage refinance loan will save you more money. Using your current lender could save on closing costs, but a higher rate could cancel out the savings. If you found a better rate elsewhere, ask your current lender to match it. If they want to keep you, they might do it.
Step 5: Contact Other Lenders
If your current lender can’t get you the best refinance rate, contact other lenders about refinancing with them. Your goal is to find the best rates with the lowest fees and closing costs (without adding those fees to your loan balance). Some lenders now offer refinance loans with 25 and 20-year terms so your new loan will end at the same time as your original loan. If it will save you money and you can afford the payments, consider the offer.
Refinancing to a lower rate can save you a lot of money over the life of the loan. A mortgage refinance loan can also help you get much-needed cash to remodel your home or pay down credit card debt. It’s not hassle-free, but saving money is worth the effort.
For more articles on mortgage refinance visit http://www.bills.com/mortgage-refinance-loan/
Aug
26
The Truth About Mortgage Rates
Filed Under Mortgage Rates | Leave a Comment
The best rumors have the longest staying power, and the untruths about the connection between Bank of Canada interest rate cuts and mortgage rates is a prime example. Why? Well, though Bank of Canada interest rate cuts do affect the financial industry, they do not affect every segment of the financial sector; some segments are directly affected, others are only indirectly effected, and then there are segments that are directly or indirectly effected depending on the financial product. The mortgage industry falls into that third category.
Shocked? Well, you’re probably not alone. The idea that Bank of Canada discount rate changes cause mortgage rates to change is a common misconception that’s been perpetuated for years. So, let’s set the record straight!
TRUTH: When the Bank of Canada adjusts interest rates, it does affect interest rates of financial products. However, only interest rates for short-term financial products—things like car loans, credit cards, etc.—are directly affected by Bank of Canada interest rate cuts or hikes. Meanwhile, 10, 15, 30, and 40-year fixed mortgage loans are considered long-term financial products. As such, the Bank of Canada’s decisions do not directly influence fixed mortgage rates.
TRUTH: Though Bank of Canada rate cuts have no direct influence on fixed mortgage rates, the Bank of Canada’s decisions do directly sway one type of mortgage loan: Adjustable rate mortgages (ARM), which are also sometimes referred to as variable rate mortgages, IF the ARM is specifically stipulated as being tied to the prime rate.
TRUTH: Fixed mortgage rates are based on mortgage bonds (sometimes called mortgage securities), NOT the 10-year T-bill. Therefore, what actually has a direct effect on a mortgage rate increase or decrease is the buying and selling of mortgage bonds.
TRUTH: Though Bank of Canada rate changes do not have directly influence fixed mortgage rates, they can have a Domino Effect on fixed mortgage rates. How so? Well, the purpose of the Bank of Canada’s rate adjustments is often to increase or decrease consumer spending. For instance, when interest rates are cut, the goal is to increase consumer spending. As a result, investors speculating that the Bank of Canada’s tactic will work pull their money out of the bond markets (which are less volatile, low return investments) and put their money into stocks because they believe they can make greater profits from their investment. When this happens, that can cause mortgage rates to fluctuate. Remember: Mortgage bonds / mortgage securities affect mortgage rates. If money is cashed out from mortgage bonds, rates will increase. Conversely, if the monies are withdrawn from other types of bonds, mortgage rates may dip or they may remain unchanged.
So, what does all of that mean if you’re looking to modify or refinance your mortgage, or if you’re waiting for mortgage rates to change before you apply for a mortgage loan? First, it means that you should keep an ear out for what the Bank of Canada is doing regarding interest rate cuts and spikes ONLY if you’re interested in a variable rate mortgage—which would not be ideal for most consumers in the current economy. However, if you prefer a fixed rate mortgage, it means you can (and should) stop wasting your time tracking the 10-year T-bill and keeping tabs on the Bank of Canada. Instead, keep watch on what’s happening with mortgage bonds so you’ll know when mortgage rates are where you want them!