Mortgage Basics for First Time Home Buyers

Anyone planning to take out a mortgage for the first time will most likely find the job a little daunting, not least because the financial jargon can often be very difficult to make sense of. As with any major financial decision, it is essential to fully understand every aspect of a mortgage plan before making a commitment. It's also vital to simply do the math, to calculate exactly how much each type of mortgage will cost for the overall life of the loan, how long it will take to repay, and what the monthly repayments will be. Buyers would be wise to make the financial calculations before choosing a home, to get a clear picture of exactly how much home they can really afford to buy. More information is available at http://www.money-smash.com

One of the most important decisions to make is choosing the term of the mortgage. Most fixed term mortgage plans work on either a 15 or a 30 year period. Generally speaking, a 15 year plan means the monthly repayments will be higher, but less interest is paid over the long term, so often the mortgage will work out cheaper over the life of the loan. A 30 year plan will normally mean more interest in the long term, but the monthly repayments will be lower, which may mean the borrower can afford to buy a more expensive home.

Another important choice to make is between a fixed and an adjustable rate mortgage. The terminology is as simple as it sounds, although making the choice between the two types of plan may be a lot more complex. Fixed rate mortgage means the interest rate is set at the time the loan is made, and remains the same throughout the life of the loan. With an adjustable rate mortgage, the interest rate is set for the first few years, then after that, it is determined by various external economic factors which are outside the control of the lender and the borrower. Usually there will be some kind of cap to protect borrowers from excessive interest rate rises. A fixed rate plan is the less risky option, but an adjustable rate plan generally offers lower rates initially, and should interest rates fall in future, borrowers can take advantage the lower rates immediately, without having to refinance.

David Cannell is a freelance writer and university educator. He is also the owner of

http://www.money-smash.com

Online Mortgages in 5 Easy Steps!

We're all entitled to the opportunities and benefits of home ownership. But because most of us aren't loaded with cash, we must find banks and lenders to assist us with finance. No matter what your credit history is, or what your circumstances are, the internet has now made this process a billion times easier. This article will outline a 5 point plan, to assist you in your pursuit of financing online:

Step 1: Don't be afraid to go shopping.

Discussing personal mistakes in life can paralyze us with fear, namely, getting into the "bad credit" issues.

The good news is that for the most part, getting into this "stuff' is completely unnecessary in the preliminary phase of shopping for a loan, beyond the basic information provided in an online short-form.

In other words, you don't really have to talk about the nitty-gritty details, until after a loan offer has been presented to you. We'll get into that later?

But since we're on the subject, if you are a consumer with credit history issues, let me briefly take this opportunity to state the obvious:

You're no different then anyone else. We all live imperfect lives.

Credit problems do not make you a bad person, they are simply reference points.

There are loan products designed for you.

There are lending institutions that are interested in earning your business.

There is nothing wrong with you, or your credit, or your situation. You are who you are, and that's just fine!

You need to first get into the right frame of mind. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and don't be intimidated by your credit history. Be honest. Give truthful information. But don't feel shame or regret for your past or present personal circumstance. They make you who you are, and that earns you respect! So with that said, put on your confidence, and let's GO!

Step 2: What's the going rate?

Information is free, so why not be informed? Many resources are available on the internet to get current interest rates, including a rate-watch at our website:

So to start with, take a look at two pieces of information:

Current Interest Rate, 30 year fixed

6 month trend graph

A little exercise: Do you see the current rate? What about the 6 month graph. Are rates going up, down, or staying about the same? Is the current rate higher than it was 6 months ago? Lower then 6 months ago?

Now don't feel the need to analyze this information too much. Relax. For now, just look at it, and perhaps, check it several times a week to stay informed.

If you do this, you're already 10 steps ahead of the game!

You are now an informed shopper. When an offer is presented to you in the near future, you'll be able to ascertain how good an offer it actually is by knowing how it compares to the "going rate". (sidenote: Don't forget to check terms, fees aka: "points", and conditions relating to your loan offer. Often times you will see higher points or less favorable terms, in exchange for a lower rate.)

In addition, you'll be able to assess if you think rates are declining or on the rise, which may help you to decide if "NOW" is the right time.

Step 3 - Obtain several offers, and SHOP RATE!

When you buy a car, do you seek out the best deal? When you go grocery shopping, do you consider which store offers the best prices?

Shopping for a mortgage should not be seen any differently, and the best way to do this is to obtain several preliminary loan offers online.

Preliminary loan offers are simple, painless, and easy to get.

They contain the terms, rates, and pertinent information you need to assess the lenders.

They will take all the guesswork out of where you stand.

Get 3 or 4 offers, and compare them. How do they compete against each-other? How do they compare to the going interest rates (see step 2 above).

Our website has compiled an index of hundreds of lenders and institutions that provide these preliminary services. This information is free, and available for you to peruse at your leisure.

Many of these companies' conduct searches of thousands of lenders, a lot of them in your local area, and they provide you with 4 loan offers almost instantly.

Take advantage of this! These are no obligation services, and for the most part, the online application forms are simple, fast, and easy. They literally can take no more then a couple minutes to complete.

In addition, you don't need to be burdened with going through your credit history at this phase. Completing the simple form is all it takes. If you qualify, and a lender is located that wants to do business with you, then you'll go to the next step which is to discuss this possible opportunity over the phone.

But isn't it nice to know that by that point, the lender has basically, already approved your loan?

Step 4: A couple things to keep in mind

Lenders should never ask you for personal or private information during this preliminary phase. Of course they'll need to know some basic information about you and your situation, but never give out information you feel uncomfortable disclosing (such as your social security number), and look for a "privacy policy" on their website.

Remember that these are "preliminary" loan offers, which means no immediate commitment on your part. You complete a simple, on-line short-form, and then you get several offers in return. The lenders that made the offers may wish to talk with you over the phone, but that's where the preliminary process ends. The ball is in your court to choose a product that meets your needs, or to keep shopping.

These services are offered for "FREE" and you should not be asked for any service charges at any time, ever!

Step 5: Understanding your Options

Let's put this all together.

If you've followed this simple plan, you will discover that there are indeed consumer loan products tailor made to meet everyone's needs. Remember to examine the terms and rates, obtain several loan offers, and then talk to the lenders over the phone. Find out who they are, and whether or not you'd like to do business with them. Throughout this process, stay informed by checking interest rates.

We've enjoyed providing this information to you, and we wish you the best of luck in your pursuits. Remember to always seek out good advice from those you trust, but never turn your back on your own common sense.

Sincerely, Webmaster Tom Levine

Copyright 2004, by LoanResources.Net

This article may be freely distributed so long as the copyright, author's information and an active link (where possible) are included.

About The Author

Tom Levine is the webmaster of http://loanresources.net/, and he can be reached at info@loanresources.net

For more information about mortgages, debt consolidation, credit repair, and all other forms of consumer loan, credit, and debt products, please visit our website.

The Top 5 Things You Must Know Before Applying for a Mortgage

You've been thinking about buying your own home for quite a long time, and now you're ready to take the plunge. You've been saving money for a down payment, and you know the next step is preparing to apply for a mortgage.
But where do you start?
Here are the top 5 things you need to know before approaching a mortgage lender.

1. Understand Your Options
All mortgages are not created equal. There are several different types, which vary based on interest rates and payment terms.
For example:
- With a fixed-rate mortgage, your monthly payments remain the same during the entire length of the mortgage. There will be no variations in monthly payments, regardless of changes in interest rates and inflation.
- With an adjustable-rate mortgage, you will often receive a lower initial interest rate, but your monthly payment amount can rise and fall as interest rates fluctuate (within certain caps or limits).
- With a balloon or reset mortgage, you once again may be offered a low interest rate, but it will hold for a limited time. After that, the balance of the mortgage will be due, or you will need to refinance.

2. Become a Rate Watcher
The state of the economy influences interest rates, which ebb and flow on a regular basis.
Your daily newspaper tracks these rates, so stay current by watching whether rates are rising, falling or remaining stable.
It behooves you to become as educated as possible about how these rates will affect your mortgage-and to see if you want to postpone applying for one until rates drop.

3. Get Pre-Approved
Consider getting pre-approved for a mortgage, says Frank Nothaft, PhD, vice president and chief economist for Freddie Mac, the stockholder-owned corporation established by the United States Congress in 1970 to create a continuous flow of funds to mortgage lenders in support of homeownership and rental housing.
"A benefit of being pre-approved for a mortgage loan is that it gives the prospective homebuyer additional bargaining leverage when competing with other prospective buyers for a home," he says. "A home seller may be more likely to accept an offer from a pre-approved borrower-because the seller knows the buyer can get a loan-than from another bidder, who may be exactly the same in financial qualifications and offer, except that he lacks the pre-approval."

4. Consider Making a Higher Down Payment
Making a higher down payment on a home will reduce your mortgage, but there are definite pros and cons, according to Dr. Nothaft.
"The pro of putting down more money is that you can often obtain lower-cost financing," he says. "High down-payment loans-that is, low loan-to-value ratio-represent less default risk to a lender, and are safer. That may translate into a lower interest rate or obviate the need for mortgage loan insurance.
"The con," he continues, "is that it may result in the borrower having to delay a home purchase, because the borrower does not have enough liquid assets to make a larger down payment. Low down-payment loans are especially important for first-time home buyers, who typically do not have the financial wherewithal to make a large down payment."

5. Select Your Lender Carefully
As in any industry, there are "bad apples" who ruin the reputations of respectable professionals. In the mortgage business, these folks are known as "predatory lenders"-individuals who take advantage of vulnerable consumers. Those most prone to becoming victims include the ill-informed, the elderly, women, minorities, low-income buyers and consumers with bad credit.
To avoid becoming "prey," select a lender with solid credentials. You can secure a referral from your bank or credit union, real estate agent, government housing agency, or friends and relatives who have successfully purchased homes.

Never trust a mortgage offer that arrives via email, as it likely originated from a spammer.
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Mortgage Relief specializes in assisting Australian families with mortgages by making their monthly repayments more manageable and decreasing their overall debt and total interest paid over the life of their mortgage. Mortgage Relief is a mortgage refinance provider that it part of Australia's largest Debt Relief? organization. Visit Mortgage Relief on the web at http://www.mortgagerelief.com.au/ or contact them directly on 1300 789 014.

How To Get a Mortgage If You are Self-Employed

If you are self-employed, work on a contract basis, or have an income that is irregular or comes from multiple sources, it will generally be harder for you to get a mortgage than it is for someone who is an employee and can easily prove their income.

A self-employed person is someone who runs their own business and works for themselves without an employer. Directors of small limited companies, although technically employed on a PAYE basis, will generally be classed as self employed when it comes to applying for a mortgage or remortgage.

With over three million self-employed individuals in the UK, the attitude of many mortgage lenders towards the self-employed population is a problem that can affect a large number of people, even though many self-employed people often earn more than a lot of salaried workers.

The problem stems from the fact that the majority of mainstream mortgage lenders require proof of income when assessing a mortgage or remortgage application. Employed people can use their payslips and P60 as proof of salary, but there is no such straightforward equivalent if you are self-employed.

In place of payslips, self-employed workers may be asked to provide audited accounts that show their income over the last three years. However, in many cases, these accounts will not give an accurate reflection of how much money a self-employed person is making. This is because if the accountant who prepared the accounts is doing his job properly, he will have offset as many allowable expenses as possible against tax. This has the effect of reducing the self-employed person's net profit, upon which the lender will base the size of mortgage or remortgage they are prepared to offer.

The situation is even worse for the newly self-employed, as they may not yet have been trading long enough to have had three years' worth of accounts prepared.

This is where mortgage lenders who specialise in self-certification mortgages and self-employed mortgages come into their own. These types of lenders appreciate the different and complex working patterns of the self-employed, contract workers, and people whose jobs are seasonal. They are prepared to look at each case individually and assess each mortgage application on its own merits, rather than just applying a series of one-size-fits-all income tests. In many cases, self-certification means that you do not need to supply any proof of income - you just declare what your income is without having to provide any supporting documentation.

In addition, specialist self-employed and self-certification lenders are more likely to offer flexible mortgage products that allow overpayments and underpayments. This is ideal for people whose income can fluctuate throughout the year, as it means you can overpay when times are good and underpay if you're business is going through a quiet period.

Copyright 2004 David Miles. You are welcome to reproduce this article on your website, so long as it is published "as is" (unedited) and with the author's bio paragraph (resource box) and copyright information included. In addition, all links to external websites must be left in place.
David Miles is the editor of a number of mortgage websites including UK Mortgages & Remortgages where you can find further advice on mortgages or request a personalised mortgage quote or illustration.