Mar
8
2010
Online Mortgage Brokers – What You Might Not Know About Home Loans & The Internet
You may think that applying online for a mortgage is the same as applying with a broker in the ‘real world’, only more convenient.
While applying for a mortgage online is much more convenient, and sure to help you get a lower rate because of the amount of competition online, there is another benefit to using the internet when applying for a loan.
Sometimes when you meet a broker and heshe takes a look at your financial qualifications, they might say, we can get you this rate. And that’s it. That is your loan option with that broker. Most brokers have the mentality of wanting to process as many mortgage loans as quickly as possible, which is understandable. Well, one thing that you might want to know to help yourself out is that there are literally hundreds of different mortgage programs available. Most brokers and lenders will not explain to you the mortgage options you do have. They usually have a few favorite programs and will just use those over and over since they know them.
A great way to help yourself is to research loan programs online. One benefit of the interne is that there are many informative articles and information to help you understand the pro’s and cons of every kind of loan program, FHA loans, balloon mortgages, VA loans, graduated payment mortgages, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans.
Once I started doing my research online and reading through the mortgage company websites online, I was amazed to discover that there are mortgage loans online that I would have liked to had when I first bought my house, but I didn’t even know they existed and they were never offered to me by my broker. I would have saved myself a lot of money had I done my research online first.
To view our list of recommended mortgage lenders online, visit this page: http:www.abcloanguide.commortgageloans.shtml.
Tags: Balloon Mortgages, Company Websites, Fannie Mae, Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac, Fha Loans, Financial Qualifications, Freddie Mac, Heshe, Home Loans, Informative Articles, Loan Option, Loan Program, Loan Programs, Mortgage Brokers, Mortgage Company, Mortgage Lenders, Mortgage Loans, Mortgage Options, Mortgage Programs, Payment Mortgages | 
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Comments (0) Mar
1
2010
Offset mortgages represent one of the biggest mortgage innovations seen in recent years. Six years ago there was hardly an offset mortgage to be seen. Now they and the current account mortgage, to which they are closely related, account for £10 out of every £100 of new lending.
What’s more, one of the UK ’s large lenders believes that 25% of existing mortgage holders would be better off with an offset mortgage. So if you’re in the market for a mortgage you need to know what they’re all about. Otherwise you could be missing out.
Firstly, how does an offset mortgage work?
The basic idea is that besides borrowing money from the mortgage lender, you also run savings or deposit accounts with them. Then you are charged interest not simply on what you have borrowed but on what you have borrowed less the balance in your savings and deposit accounts. So, if you had an offset mortgage of £100,000 and had £20,000 in their savings account you would only be charged interest on the difference, £80,000. In these circumstances, no interest is paid on your savings the interest is offset.
It doesn’t sound like a ground breaking idea where’s the benefit?
Quite simple. Whilst the full benefit of your savings is reflected in a lower interest charge on your mortgage account, legally you have not received any interest. If you have not received interest you can’t be charged tax on the interest. Step away Mr Taxman!
This means that offset mortgages are especially attractive for higher rate taxpayers who would otherwise pay-away 40% of the interest they receive in tax.
Consider some figures. If you had a £100,000 mortgage paying a competitive rate of 4.69% plus £20,000 on deposit, how would the figures work out? Well over a typical 25 year mortgage, without offset you would pay £85,351 in interest but with offset you would pay just £41,998 that’s a saving of £43,353. What’s more you would repay the mortgage five years and eight months early. That’s because the monthly repayments are based on the full mortgage debt before offsetting is taken into account so borrowers are effectively overpaying their debt each month.
And doesn’t Mr Taxman look sorry! In theory, a standard tax payer saved £9,538 in tax and a higher rate taxpayer a whopping £17,341 in tax.
Flexibility can also be a major advantage. You can typically pay off capital without penalty, underpay and take payment holidays so long as you’ve made sufficient overpayments throughout the years.
Too good to be true where’s the catch?
Historically borrowers have had to pay a higher interest rate for the benefit of an offset mortgage. But the good news is that with banks and building societies fighting for a bigger share of the offset market, offset interest rates are falling.
This means that you need to look carefully to ensure that the apparent tax savings you could make are not eliminated by the slightly higher interest charge. Quite honestly this is not an easy calculation so it’s best left to your professional mortgage adviser.
But as a guide, a standard taxpayer needs around £20,000 in savings behind a £100,000 mortgage to make the offset deal better value than a traditional mortgage. For a higher rate taxpayer the savings requirement drops to around £10,000. (These figures are based on a typical 4.69% fixed offset rate, compared with a typical 4.49% rate for a tracker.) These figures will change as interest rates vary and, in all probability, as the cost differential between an offset and a traditional mortgage closes.
Not all Offset Mortgages are the same!
As you would expect, with the offset lenders fighting for your business lots have added bell and whistles to the basic concept. Free property valuations and free legal work are relatively common. Then some banks will include your current account in the offset calculation, some lenders enable two nominated savings accounts to be offset, some will even agree an additional borrowing facility with a cheque book that can be used at any time.
On the interest rate front you’re bound to be offered a low starting rate fixed for six or twelve months. You might also be offered a tracker which is below the Bank of England base rate for six months and which only rises above after six months or a tracker which exactly tracks base rate plus a tiny premium for a few years. There are lots of variations.
The interest rate can also depend on what percentage of the house valuation you want to borrow. For example, one lender is currently offering 5.6% if you are borrowing less than 50% rising to 6.45% for up to 99%.
Like so many things, whilst the basic concept is simple, it then gets complicated! This clearly underlines the need to talk things through with an independent mortgage adviser. It’s their job to ensure you get the right type of mortgage and the best deal.
If you have savings, there’s a big chance they’ll recommend an offset mortgage.
*Indicative figures correct as at November 2005
Michael Challiner has 15 years experience in financial services marketing at senior level.
Feb
22
2010
Do you need extra money? If so, you may be a good candidate for a no faxing payday loan. Payday or cash advance loans are convenient, and the perfect solution when you need extra cash. While some people are hesitant to obtain a quick personal loan, there is no reason to be ashamed. We all experience financial slumps.
Why Payday Cash Advances are Beneficial?
Again, payday cash advance loans are beneficial for getting a quick loan for a few hundred pounds. In most cases, you may obtain a loan for up to 1000. Some companies offer loans up to 500. No faxing personal loans are more convenient than receiving a loan through a financial institution such as a bank. For starters, the bank loan process is lengthy. Besides, banks are required to review your credit. Moreover, you need collateral to get a personal loan. With payday cash advance loans, the loans are unsecured and require no credit check.
The Process of Getting a Personal Loan
Getting a no faxing cash advance online is becoming popular. Various reputable cash advance lenders operate online. To begin the loan process, you simply submit an online application for review. Answer all required questions, and include pertinent information such as employment, income, bank account information, etc.
Some online cash advance companies require you to fax in documents. These may include a copy of your driver’s license, pay stubs, etc. With a faxless personal loan, no faxing is required. However, the company will verify all information. When your application is approved, the cash advance company will direct deposit the funds into your bank account.
Requirements for Getting a Payday Cash Advance
Although no faxing payday loans involve no credit checks, you must meet certain criteria’s. For example, you must have a current job, verifiable checking account, and be at least 18. Furthermore, some companies require a monthly income of at least 1000. Before signing and agreeing to a personal loan, read the document carefully. Understand the interest rate, fees, and due date. Moreover, do not default on the loan. Consequences consist of gained interests and late fees.
Tags: Advance Company, Bank Loan, Cash Advance Loans, Credit Checks, Employment Income, Faxing Payday Loans, Getting A Personal Loan, Loan Basics, Loan Process, No Faxing Cash Advance, No Faxing Payday Loan, No Faxing Payday Loans, No Faxing Personal Loans, Online Cash Advance, Pay Stubs, Payday Cash Advance, Payday Cash Advance Loans, Payday Cash Advances, Perfect Solution, Slumps |
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Comments (0) Feb
15
2010
Monetary policy of every individual works though different channels. Financial conditions are fluctuating always making way for loopholes in your particular economy. Being a homeowner equips you with the ability to take on mortgages for sustained economic expansion. You have already completed the first major task for getting mortgages, i.e. buying a home. Now, we can safely move on the other part of the process.
The market for Mortgages is huge and there is an exhaustive list of types of mortgages available. Therefore, it is important to realize which mortgages type you need and how much you can afford. Mortgages are secured loans. For the entire mortgages term which can range form 25-30 years the lending institution or the bank will hold the title to your loan. In case of non repayment your home will be on risk of repossession.
It is crucial to shop for mortgage loan and rates. Often borrowers neglect the importance of shopping around in their enthusiasm of finding the good rates. The effort that you will put in as researching for mortgages will bring great returns as better interest rates and repayment alternatives.
While searching for mortgages you must be looking at interest rates. Lenders who provide mortgages are part of a profit making process. They would charge interest rates with the idea of making profit but will avoid charging more for they might loose a customer to a competitor. For that reason shopping around becomes essential. While shopping for mortgage you will be looking for APR. It is the actual amount of interest rate that is charged for the entire term of loan. Though it is vital factor but that should not be the sole criteria for applying for mortgages.
Loan term is basic to mortgages. The most common type of fixed rate mortgages is 15-year mortgages and 30-year mortgages. The monthly repayments of 30 year mortgages will be lower than 15 year mortgages. However, your will be paying more interest rates in a 30 year mortgage. With 30 year mortgage you will get a tax right-off which can be sizeable. With 15 year mortgage you will just be paying taxes without any savings.
Two basic types of mortgages are fixed and adjustable rate. With fixed rate mortgage you owe certain percentage of loan amount as interest rate. Interest rate remains fixed for entire loan term which can be 15 or 30 year mortgages. The disadvantage with this mortgage type is inability to make use of drop in interest rates.
Other major type is adjustable rate mortgages (ARM). The interest rates changes according to the interest rates in the mortgage market. The first year interest rates are generally lower than market rates. There is an upward limit above which the interest rates cant go. However there is always the disadvantage of not being able to make use of drop in the interest rates.
There is also something called two-step mortgages. They combine characteristics of fixed and variable rate mortgages and have names like 228, 525 or 723. A 228 will have two years of fixed payment, an adjustment and then remaining term with fixed payment. Similar pattern will follow for other mortgages. Bi weekly mortgages enable you to make payment bi weekly instead of monthly. This mortgage is used to shorter the term of 30-year-old mortgages. Bi weekly mortgages are a great tool for budgeting but wont be of good help when faced with emergency money requirements.
There is not a mortgage that refuses to solve your financial dilemma. Interest rates have fallen, equity prices have raised this is the best time to apply for mortgages. If you have plans in the pipeline there is not better way to get them materialized than acquiring mortgages.
Tags: 30 Year Mortgages, Borrowers, Buying A Home, Competitor, Economic Expansion, Economic Growth, Fixed Rate Mortgages, Individual Works, Interest Rate, Interest Rates, Lending Institution, Loan Term, Loopholes, Monetary Policy, Mortgage Loan, Mortgages Loans, Repayments, Repossession, Sole Criteria, Types Of Mortgages |
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Comments (0) Feb
8
2010
Mortgages Points and Interest Rates Go Hand in Hand
When it comes to mortgages, many people tend to look at points and interest rates as to separate issues. In fact, they can almost always be used as leverage against each other.
Points and Interest Rates
Two critical components of a home loan are the interest rate and points charged at the outset. The interest rate is simply the cost of borrowing the money and applies to the total amount borrowed, to wit, six percent for example. The points on a home loan are an up-front fee that equates to a percentage of the loan. For instance, one point equates to an up-front fee equal to one percent of the total loan value. Paying one point on a 300,000 loan would equate to a fee of 3,000.
Many people jump to the conclusion that points are bad and should be avoided at all costs. While this may seem like common sense, it is not true in all situations. From the lenders view point, points and interest rates work hand in hand. If you have a unique cash situation, you may be able to save a ton of interest over the life of a loan by paying increased points at the outset of the loan. Generally, the more you pay in points, the lower the interest rate on the loan.
If you intend to hold onto your property for a long time, paying maximum points on the mortgage makes sense if you have the cash. The reason for this is the money spent on the points will be easily recovered if you can reduce the interest rate by a full percentage point or more. Saving even one percent on an interest rate will save you tens of thousands of pounds in interest payments on a thirty year loan. In such a situation, it makes sense to pay 6,000 or so in point to save 30,000 or 40,000 in future interest payments. Of course, you have to have the cash available to do it.
If you intend to hold onto a home for a short period of time, the same issues need to be considered. In this case, however, you will not have time to recover any money paid in points because you intend to sell in a few years. As a result, you want to shop for a loan that requires no points be paid. Yes, you will have to accept a higher interest rate on the loan, but this should be somewhat immaterial if you are only buying for the short term.
The bigger point is points and interest rates should be viewed as connected parts of a mortgage. As a borrower, you can negotiate with lenders to raise or lower either one by tweaking the other.
Feb
1
2010
With the housing market is now showing marked signs of recovery, especially in the South and London, the number of homeowners mortgaging for more than 500,00 is increasing. (Also see Latest Market Facts at the end of this article.)
Previously, prospective borrowers for these mega mortgages have experienced a mixed reception from the lenders sometimes the lenders would provide the facility but viewed them as higher risk. For that reason lenders typically charged a premium rate of interest. But no longer. The tide has turned.
Mega mortgages have well and truly joined the mainstream and lenders are now competing hard for the business. Instead of facing a premium, borrowers are being offered around a quarter of a percent less than comparable deals for more normal sized mortgages. This is because lenders are increasingly basing their lending decisions on the borrowers ability to afford the mortgage with lesser emphasis being placed on the security provided by the property. It also helps that interest rates remain low.
If youre a potential mega mortgage borrower, youll find that the banks will generally be the most welcoming. Compared to building societies and other mortgage lenders, banks tend to set higher lending limits. Some smaller lenders still set a cap at 500,000 whilst others restrict the amount theyll lend against an individual property. But perhaps the best way of finding a really competitive mega mortgage is to go through a specialist mortgage broker. In the current market, any broker worth their salt will be able to source a great deal on six and seven figure mortgages.
For example, the Halifax will lend up to 90% on a 4.49% fixed rate for a two years on mortgages up to 2 million. And the arrangement fee is just 499. If youve got a larger deposit, at least 25%, then there are several other deals around at 3.99% – again for a two year fix usually with a fee of just a quarter of a percent.
Latest House Market Facts
In March, the average achieved sales price was 94% of the asking price.
The average number of viewings to sales was 11.
During March house prices in England and Wales rose by 0.5% driven by buoyant London market. London prices grew by 1.1%.
This is the fourth month in succession of house price growth. Its also the highest monthly rise since the summer 2004.
Over the last 12 months house prices rose by 0.1%.
The performance of the London market results from of a number of factors:
A shortage of new housing coming onto the market
London has underperformed in terms of house price growth over the last few years. This in turn has meant that incomes and house prices in the capital are more closely aligned than in other regions.
In other parts of England and Wales, levels of affordability remain stretched.
At a local level away from London, prices have picked up mainly in cities in the South of England. Berkshire (0.7%) and East Sussex (0.6%) performed well.
Cities in the North saw slower price growth, with Newcastle, Liverpool, and Manchester all reporting growth of just 0.1%.
The under-performing counties were Derbyshire (-0.1%) and the Isle of Wight (-0.1%).
The areas reporting the highest rises in March were all across London: Central London & City (1.9%), East London (1.4%), North London (1.2%), West London (1.2%), South-West London (1.0%) and South-East London (0.8%).
In March the national average house price stood at 162,500.
Tags: Achie, Building Societies, Current Market, Decisions, Fixed Rate, Halifax, Housing Market, Interest Rates, Mainstream, Mortgage Banks, Mortgage Borrower, Mortgage Broker, Mortgage Lenders, Mortgage Market, Mortgages, Premium Rate, Prospective Borrowers, Rate Of Interest, Specialist Mortgage, Tide |
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