Refinancing Home LoanInteresting Refinancing Home Loan Articles

The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan recently initiated under the Obama administration will provide millions of people with the opportunity to obtain financing which will allow them to keep their homes. For people currently behind on their mortgage payments, there are provisions in the plan that are designed to help many who are already in or potentially face the threat of foreclosure. However, just applying for a special home loan program doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll automatically be approved.

Regardless of which types of loan programs you may be eligible for, it’s important to know what not to do before beginning the process of applying for a mortgage. In order to significantly increase your chances of qualifying for a lower interest rate and more favorable loan terms, you’ll want to avoid making the following 5 most common blunders:

1.    Running up credit card balances
Having a lot of debt increases your debt to income ratio. This is a key factor that lenders use to determine how much debt you can comfortably manage. Before you apply for a home loan, make sure that your credit card balances are low. Refrain from using your credit to make purchases if you need to acquire a home loan. If your credit card balances are already high, start paying down the balances and keep them low.
 
2.    Financing major purchases before applying for a home loan
Countless people inevitably ‘kill the deal’ by purchasing a car or taking out a big loan from a finance company or their credit union right before they apply for a home loan. Similar to running up credit card debt, this additional debt can make the difference between getting approved or denied. If at all possible, wait until after your home loan has funded before financing other purchases. Believe it or not, many lenders will run your credit again even after they have approved your loan to find out if you have since applied for more credit. If you are purchasing a home, you will want to wait until the day that your loan has actually closed.  If you are refinancing a primary residence, there is a 3-day rescission (cancellation) period, even after you have signed the loan papers before your loan has funded.
 
3.   Waiting until the last minute to obtain financing
Many homeowners with an adjustable rate mortgage start to inquire about refinancing only 2 to 3 months before their initial rate expires, but by then it’s often too late. Because the criteria to qualify for all types of mortgages have become more strict; if you have a loan with a high interest rate or payments that are scheduled to reset in the next 1-3 years, you’ll want to start getting prepared now. Unfortunately, many people who have had their homes foreclosed on or are now facing foreclosure could have qualified for a more stable and affordable loan program had they taken the time to get better prepared ahead of time.
 
4.   Paying off old collections and charge offs
Many people who have re-established their credit often have some old bad debt (2-5 years old) that still shows up on their credit report. In most cases, paying off an old bad debt is a bad idea. It causes the account to reset and become current which more adversely affects your credit score.  For homeowners who obtained a subprime loan, you’ll want to learn how to effectively manage your credit well in advance of applying for a home loan to qualify for financing.  If you’re looking to purchase a home in the future, start educating yourself about what is required to obtain financing at least a year before you need a loan.
 
5.  Signing up with credit counseling agencies
Many debt management services advise people to do just the opposite of what they should do in order to qualify for home financing such as closing out accounts in good standing. But these actions often cause their clients credit scores to decline. Since having a higher credit score is very important, especially in today’s market, you want to make sure not to engage in practices that will bring your score down. Also, many lenders don’t look favorably at borrowers who have signed up with these services. It says that you are having trouble managing your finances which is a red flag to lenders. If you’re tempted to use your credit cards, a better strategy would be to cut them up and pay down your balances so that you incur low or no monthly charges, but keep your accounts open and continue to make timely payments if any.

Keep in mind that some credit card companies are closing out accounts that have been inactive over a long period of time. You can always order a replacement card later after you have secured your home loan and payoff minimal charges that you make in full each month to keep preferred accounts open and active.

(Please note that in certain circumstances, you may be required to register in a HUD-certified consumer debt counseling program in order to qualify for special financing under the Homeowner Stability Initiative), otherwise, steer clear of these types of services  while you are seeking a home loan.
 
Understanding the home financing process and how to manage your credit well before obtaining a mortgage will ensure you get the best and safest terms as well as avoid the common mistakes that can cause your loan to be denied. 

If you are getting yourself a home mortgage loan, you will most likely encounter a phase where you are torn between choosing a fixed rate or an adjustable type of mortgage. No one can really say that one loan is better than the other. The choice you make is dependent on a number of factors which may include your interest rate outlook, your budget, the number of years you intend to stay in your home, and how much risk you can tolerate. Let us look through these two types of mortgage loans so you can determine which among the two is best for you.

A fixed rate home mortgage loan (FRM), as its name itself suggest, involves loans whose interest rates remain the same all throughout the lifetime of the mortgage. They generally cost more to compensate for the lesser risk and the greater comfort involved. If the current interest rates are low, an FRM will prove to be a good choice as you will be assured of locking in at a low interest all throughout your loan term.

On the other hand, an adjustable rate home mortgage loan (ARM) is that whose rate fluctuates as the interest rates in the market rise and fall. ARMs are given initially cheaper than FRMs since they involve greater risk. They are a great option if the current interest rates are high and you foresee them to lower in the coming years. If you know that you will stay in your home for a relatively short period, you can get a good deal with an ARM.

The downside of getting an adjustable home mortgage loan is that you can run a real risk of having to pay more if interest rates rise sharply. This means that you will need to pay more in monthly payments. The rate of your ARM loan varies depending on your loan agreement terms. Some rates change as frequently as three months, while others change once a year or every three years. ARMs generally come with a rate cap, which limits the amount by which the lender can raise their rate. The cap is usually set to 2% meaning that the rate increase should only be a maximum of two percent for a given adjustment period.

Because of its stability and lesser risk, FRMs are understandably more popular. Even if they come more expensive, getting a fixed rate home mortgage loan will enable you to easily manage your monthly budget so you can have better control of your finances. It is also less risky since you always have the option to refinance in case interest rates drop uncontrollably. Conversely, although ARMs can be risky and confusing, there are good deals provided by many lenders which are actually better than FRMs.

The type of home mortgage loan you should choose depends on various factors. It all boils down to how open you are with taking risks. To help you figure out which one is best, you can try to imagine your worst and best case scenarios. You can calculate and compare your options and determine which one can give you the best deal possible.

Banks can tailor loans to any borrower’s current situation. The loan appropriate for one borrower is not the right one for another. The important question is not whether a given type of loan is good or bad, but whether it fits your needs.

A balloon home loan is a type of short term loan set at a low, fixed interest rate. After the period of the loan, usually about ten years, the loan matures. The borrower must then pay the principal of the loan in a single lump sum. Balloon home loans are very short term home loans ending in a large lump sum payment. These types of loans of necessity involve some calculated risks.

Balloon home loans may not benefit the vast majority of borrowers. Because of their calculated risks, they are ideal for only a few. At the end of the loan period, any money not yet repaid must either by paid out all at once, or the loan must be refinanced. Some can benefit from this type of loan. Those who flip, or buy and resell homes, often do not intend to keep the homes as long as the term of the loan. They also often receive large amounts of money at once when their property sells. Since the fixed interest rates for balloon loans are very low, this kind of buyer can benefit greatly.

If you intend to keep your property for a long time, you will not benefit as much from a balloon home loan. The short term of the loan is often not enough time to repay the full sum of the loan, and if refinancing or the lump sum are not available at the end of the term, you run the risk of losing your home. If there is an increase in interest rates, borrowers using balloon loans who cannot pay them off at the end of the term also run the risk of a hike in their payments.

To determine the utility of a balloon home loan for your needs, you must consider what you intend to use it for. Also, you should examine how long you are intending to keep the home. If you are considering the use of a balloon home loan for the short term, with plans to later refinance, you must be aware that there are some risks involved. There is some possibility that you would not be able to refinance, thus losing your home.

No loan is good or bad. Different loans are simply built for different borrowers and different lending situations. Most people looking for a short term solution to their mortgage difficulties will be able to benefit from a balloon home loan. Those seeking a more stable solution will find that the risks of a balloon home loan outweigh the benefits.

Once you’ve made the decision to refinance home loan on your property, there are still some things that you should be aware of before signing on the dotted line.  These simple steps can help save hundreds or even thousands on the final house refinancing loan that you obtain.  Most of these tips are common sense ideas that apply to many financial transactions, but extra caution is appropriate when you are dealing with what too many borrowers may be one of the largest financial deals of the lifetime. The refinance in some instances is larger than the original mortgage loan on the home.

Do: Read the fine print

When you want to refinance home loan, just as with any loan, you should make certain that you read and understand the impact of the fine print in the loan documents. If you didn’t realize that you have agreed that the lender can adjust the mortgage upward after two years to match the price index, you could lose your home.  If you are agreeing to a balloon payment and refinance yet again in 3 years, make certain that you know about it up front, not after the papers are signed or worse yet, when the balloon payment is due.

Do: Shop for the best rates

When you are looking to house refinancing loan, don’t assume that every lender will have the same rates and costs associated with those rates.  It is important to look at the entire package.  One lender may have lower rates, but require a balloon payment in six months or two years.  Another lender may charge points or added closing costs to obtain the loan.  You may not qualify for some programs when you apply at a lender.  It is important though, that you don’t apply at numerous lenders at the same time, as this can work against you with bad marks on your credit score.

Don’t: Borrow more than you can afford

Especially in times of uncertain economy, getting a loan with variable or adjustable rates because you want a larger house or a better location is not a smart move. The same thing is true when you refinance home loan.  Don’t borrow extra money, just because you can, thinking you will put it back for an emergency.  Borrow only what you need with a goal of paying off debt rather than incurring new debt especially if you have nothing to show for the loan later.

Don’t:  ignore the fees and closing costs

To refinance home loan can be a daunting process.  It is important that you understand your obligations and benefits at each step of the process.  Many borrowers are surprised when they find out how much obtaining the housing refinancing loan is costing them and that is before considering the cost of interest on the loan. Fees such as title insurance, document preparation, points, loan origination fees and other costs will inflate the cost of the loan significantly. Don’t spend the proceeds of cash out on your home loan until you have determined without a doubt what the proceeds will be.