Archive for the ‘Mortgage Borrowers’ Category

When evaluating home loans and mortgages the one thing that strikes everyone is that a fixed mortgage is a relatively painless option where you can fix the amount of monthly instalment and then forget about everything else. The good thing is that the monthly amount that one needs to pay for fixed mortgage does not change.

In most cases the fixed mortgage rate is almost always slightly higher than the variable mortgage rate. This is because the variable mortgage rate changes based on the economic situation and specific financial factors. And therefore those who opt for variable mortgages take the risk of the rate increasing too. A variable rate mortgage is recommended only if you know that the rates are likely to reduce in the near future.

However, there are some situations where the fixed mortgage does not remain as you would have believed it to be. In the fine print of the fixed mortgage you will find a condition where the rate of interest can be increased in case the interest rate increases by a specific proportion. This is a point that many people miss out on and therefore assume that their rate of interest will not change. And given that a mortgage continues for many years it is easy to forget about such aspects once you have given recurring instructions for amount transfers.

So it is advisable to read the fixed mortgage document carefully to know the increase in interest rates that will not affect your payment. Keep an eye on the market rates to know whether you will need to make some changes or not. To apply for a fixed mortgage click here.

shortsalepowerhour.com Mortgage Insurance, no matter what kind it is, is just insurance on a pool of loans. The investor may or may not be responsible for all or part of the loss.

Just like many things in this world, not all mortgage loans are created equal. In fact, there are numerous loan offers that you might find scouring the Internet or by visiting with multiple mortgage loan consultants. The question is: How do you determine which mortgage loans are great mortgages? Well, as the saying goes, great things come in threes…or in this case, in three steps.

The first step to finding a great mortgage loan is to hire a quality mortgage consultant. In the real estate business, that means having a mortgage loan consultant who operates with transparency so you’ll know every fee that you’ll be assessed and the amount of each fee. A transparent mortgage loan consultant will also explain everything—even the things you don’t ask but need to know—in plain language so that you fully understand everything related to obtaining a mortgage.

The second step to finding a great mortgage loan is to find an appropriate mortgage loan. What does “appropriate” mean? It means that the mortgage consultant you’ve chosen to work with has located a mortgage loan that has a feasible interest rate for the payments you can afford; the lower the mortgage rate, the better. There is a catch: Mortgage loan consultants in Florida, California, New York, or anywhere else in the US can only offer you the mortgage loans that you are eligible for, which is based on the current  market rates and your credit score. Therefore, be sure to keep tabs on both.

The third step is to put on a pair of mortgage loan blinders. By that, I mean you need to narrow the scope of the types of loans you’ll entertain; only consider loans that are 100% buyer-friendly. Ideal buyer-friendly loans give you, not the lender or the mortgage broker the advantage. Buyer-friendly loans have flexible loan terms. For instance, the loan may be available as a one to ten year loan; it may be available as an open, closed, variable, or convertible mortgage. Another key sign of a buyer-friendly mortgage loan is that the mortgage allows you to have some control over the interest rate. If a mortgage loan consultant says that “points” is an option, it’s an offer worth considering. Mortgage loan points, in case you don’t know, allow you to decrease the interest rate on a given loan. Though buying points will increase your initial mortgage loan costs, it’ll save you money in the long run. That’s why it’s a great option to have, regardless of whether you utilize it.

If you follow the steps above as you begin hunting for your perfect mortgage loan, you won’t have any problems finding a loan that you can live with. Keep in mind that finding such a loan does take time. Be patient, plan ahead, and most importantly, find the right mortgage consultant or firm to help you along the way first!

This video explains how anyone with an installment loan can save thousands of dollars in interest.

Most of us have encountered the term mortgage. However, only few understand its real meaning. Usually, when we hear the terms, we immediately associate it with debts and real estate acquisition. Although they are somewhat related, mortgage is not a debt. It seems like debt because it involves the pledging of a certain property to ensure that the lender will receive payment.

Mortgage takes several forms. If you are able to find an arrangement that suits you best, you will surely benefit from the transaction. So before you get too excited with the house offered by Gilbert Homes, take time to understand the following types of mortgage:

1. Fixed Rate Mortgage

As the name suggest, the interest rate for this type of mortgage does not change. This means that for the duration of the loan, the rate used is the same. Typically, the amount paid for the ensuing months will be lesser because the balance used to calculate the interest decreases.

2. Adjustable Rate Mortgage

This type of mortgage on the other hand uses interest index to determine the percentage of the interest for a certain period. This means that unlike the fixed rate mortgage, here the interest used changes. Many choose this type of mortgage because its first interest rate is lower than the fixed rate.

3. Balloon Mortgage

This type of mortgage is relatively shorter. The borrower should make full payment by the end of the fifth or the seventh year. This is appealing to many because it uses the calculation for the 30-year fixed rate mortgage. There is so much at stake here though. By the end of the seven-year period, you have to finish the payment. You have the option to refinance it or resell it.

4. Shared Appreciation Mortgage

The interest rate used is lower than that of the market value. The lender sets it at a lower rate in return for an agreement that the lender will benefit from the appreciation of the property in the future.

5. Dual Index Mortgage

Although this type of mortgage does not exist in the US, it is worth mentioning since it is popular in the countries of Latin America. This type of mortgage depends on the interest and wage rates.

6. Blanket Mortgage

This type of mortgage will allow you to create a mortgage for different properties. Instead of borrowing differently for various properties, you can use a blanket mortgage for them.

7. 80/20 Mortgage

Many call this as the piggybank loan. Usually, borrowers will make two loans. First for the 80% of the entire value and the next is for the remaining 20%. People with good credit usually get this type of mortgage.

You can pick from the various forms of mortgages. The next time you check out Gilbert Homes, rest assured that you would find a mortgage that will suit your financial situation. It is always easy to take the type of mortgage offered. However, you will find a more suitable mortgage. Ask about the different types of mortgage available so that you will be able to make the most out of it.

The internet can be very useful for those individuals who are in the market for a mortgage loan, allowing them not only to borrow money from lenders who operate online but also to find more information about potential loans before they actually commit to a specific lender. While not all borrowers take the time to research mortgage rates online, those who do can often find competitive if not superior rates. These rates can be superior when compared to those that would be found after simply visiting a few different mortgage lenders in their local area. If you have been looking to learn how use the internet to help you research mortgage rates before committing to a loan, then this information should assist you in being able to make an informed decision when you borrow.

One of the first things that you should do when researching mortgage rates online is to spend a few minutes finding out what the national average rate is for a mortgage loan. Mortgage rates fall under federal regulation, but they may still vary from one location to another; by discovering the national average you can get a better idea as to whether the rates in your area are above or below the average. This in turn helps you to decide whether you can be better served by using a local mortgage lender or if you would be better off to expand your search to lenders in some other areas (or to focus more on lenders who operate primarily or exclusively online.)

Once you have determined what the national average is for interest rates, take a little bit of time to shop around online for properties in your area. While you may already have a specific property in mind when you start looking for a mortgage loan, this may give you a better idea of how much homes and other property in your area is selling for and may assist you in negotiating a better purchase amount for the property that you buy. Once you know both the average national mortgage rate as well as the average rate of properties in your area, you should be in a much better position to shop around for a good deal on both the property that you buy and the mortgage loan that you use to buy it.

When using the internet to research mortgage rates, do not forget that most if not all of the mortgage lenders that you might be considering should have websites that you can visit. Not only can this help you to find out more about the lenders themselves, but in some cases you may be able to learn things about their lending policies that you might not have known previously. Many of these mortgage lenders may also give you access to valuable tools on their websites, such as mortgage calculators that can help you to develop an estimate of both your likely interest rate and how much you should have to pay each month for your mortgage at that rate.

Some mortgage lenders choose to operate primarily or exclusively online, so when researching mortgage rates online you may find yourself with access to lenders that you would not be able to use otherwise. By requesting loan rate quotes from these online lenders, you should have a chance to expand your search for a good mortgage rate while gaining a better idea of whether the quotes that you have received from local lenders are the best that are available to you. You may find that you have gotten a truly exceptional rate quote from one or more of the lenders that you have already considered, or you might discover that you can find lower rates by shopping elsewhere.

One other important advantage of using the internet to research mortgage rates online is the fact that you can often find out the information that you want quickly. Many online mortgage lenders offer instant quotes that are calculated and sent to you via email, and their rate information is updated daily to stay up-to-date with the latest federal mortgage rates. There may be some discrepancies between what is displayed on the website and what rate is available. This is why is it best to request a quote because mortgage rates can change often. Online lenders and other mortgage information websites are generally able to get you the information that you want quickly and without having to deal with lending officials for every question that you might have. You can even spend your down time at night finding out more information about your mortgage rate options, freeing up your time during the day and not making you have to adjust your schedule just to find out the information from local lenders when they are open.

Every field has different terminologies for certain concepts and principles, and the home mortgage industry is no different. Looking at home mortgage rates can easily confuse the beginner to home buying. But, it doesn’t have to stop you from getting the best deal. As you read every word of this article, you will cut through the confusion.

Most people when hearing about mortgages, home mortgage rates, and the different terminology, frequently get confused. The truth is there is no need to get confused on the matter.

With research, it is possible to uncover the truth about the mortgage lenders packages on offer. This is important, as we can often neglect to see the important parts of the mortgage. And considering that the home mortgage you take out likely will last more than a decade.

The biggest point to realize about home mortgage rates is the actual rate. The home mortgage rate is essential because it is generally a small number. We are talking about only 3 digits. When you apply this to your home mortgage loan, you can see how hundreds of thousands of dollars any difference will be a big difference!

Ultimately you want to get the lowest rate. However, the lowest rate does not mean that you will get the best mortgage. The truth is that lenders have hidden terms and conditions, extra fees, and these if you don’t know about could make the best mortgage to be the worst. This is why the research factor becomes so important.

A mortgage is more complicated than a loan, even a home loan. You are liable for more things. And all the paperwork for a mortgage is usually on file at the local courthouse. Be sure you know what you are getting a home mortgage or a home loan. Often they will carry different rates.

Something to keep in mind is that home mortgage rates change, and they change very often. Home mortgage lenders do give you the option to ‘lock in’ a certain interest rate while you are getting approved for a mortgage, which can take weeks. The rates might not be so good then.

Another point you will find with home mortgages is that of a choice between fixed rate mortgage packages and adjustable rate mortgage packages or ARM for short. Your choice will come down to your own expectations of what will happen with interest rates, and also your own needs.

A fixed rate mortgage will be a set home mortgage rate, which stays the same, throughout the term of the mortgage. The alternative ARM, and it has advantages and disadvantages. Often the payments for the first year or so are small, and then explode according to the current home mortgage rates and the stock market.

Using a home purchase to illustrate assets, liabilities and owner’s equity.

A new Reverse Mortgage Limit (FHA/HECM) has been announced. This new limit, a part of the FHA Modernization Act (which was part of the overall Housing & Foreclosure Rescue Bill) will be a nationwide limit – not the old county by county limit. It has been raised to $417,000.

By making the reverse mortgage one national lending amount, it will simplify things considerably for both the lender and the borrower.  This is welcome news as it brings the lending limit more in line with current housing prices (in spite of the downturn of the last couple of years).

A reverse mortgage is for seniors who are 62+, own their home (with or without a mortgage), and use it as their principal residence.  There are no mortgage payments; no credit, income or asset qualifying; it does not affect Social Security or Medicare; the funds are non-taxable. 

Seniors may take the funds (after paying off any current mortgage) as lifetime monthly payments, a lump sum or as a credit line, or any combination.  If they wish to makepayments, that is OK, too. 

The mortgage is good for as long as any of the borrowers  live in the property.  In addition it is a non-recourse loan, meaning that the lender cannot attach other assets if the loan ever exceeds the value of the home. 

If that happens, then when the house is sold FHA pays the difference to the lender.  Most of the time, the loan does not reach the value of the home, and when it is sold, the seniors, or their heirs receive the difference.

Starting in April, 2007, certain members of Congress, FHA and NRMLA (National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association)  and AARP started working together to make the Reverse Mortgage loan amounts catch up to the real market prices, lower fees, enable it to be used for purchases (instead of only refinances), and to include Co-Ops in the program. Now, finally, some of these goals are in effect. 

BACKGROUND OF THE REVERSE MORTGAGE

Over the years, since 1987, when President Reagan signed FHA Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) bill into law, FHA and others such as Congress, AARP, and NRMLA have worked to improve this financing instrument.  For those who need to use part of the equity in their homes to get cash to cover rising living and medical costs, and, yet, have no mortgage payment, it has been a valuable program.

 It was part of the overall program called “Aging in Place” because studies and polls had shown that over 85% of seniors wanted to live in their homes, and neighborhoods.  Many were “house rich, but cash poor”, yet wanted to stay where their friends and relatives were, and where they had raised their children. 

Due to the rise in home prices, even downsizing was often over their financial means since their home price, less their mortgage didn’t leave enough to buy smaller place close to the old neighborhood, and smaller incomes did not allow them to qualify for a regular mortgage to make up the difference.

They also desired to retain as much of their independence for as long as possible.   When they got sick, they wanted to invite home-care workers in, rather than going to an assisted living facility or other care facility.  Sociological studies have shown the health of the elderly and the quality of neighborhoods is enhanced by keeping people of all ages in a neighborhood.

Prior to the government getting involved in the reverse mortgage program, some unscrupulous brokers had taken advantage of seniors by going on title and sharing in the homes’ appreciation, or steering seniors with new cash from their reverse mortgages into unsafe, irresponsible investments that made the broker more money – but punished the seniors. 

Often, seniors, especially those who were older did not understand, nor have the details of the reverse mortgage explained to them. Some even lost their homes.   And, today, while these practices are minimal, the rumors persist.

Those old practices have been curtailed by requiring mandatory counseling by HUD approved counselors, and required disclosure forms in the loan package – and by constant encouragement by professional lenders to have the seniors bring a relative, advisor, attorney or trusted friend with them when applying and closing a reverse mortgage.

 Now, new laws and enforcement have all but stopped these practices – and further new laws passed to close any loopholes. 

From time to FHA reviews the program.  For instance, when the program first started, only detached, single family homes were included, but over the year’s owner-occupied 2-4 unit buildings, condominiums and even some modular-type homes were added to the program.

 WHAT DO THE NEW FHA MODERNIZATION ACT CHANGES MEAN? 

It means that for certain seniors who have wanted to get a reverse mortgage to pay off their older, higher loan-to-value mortgages, but were a bit short of the equity to qualify (or would have to have come to the settlement table with cash), this problem may now be solved.  Also, people with higher value homes will receive larger loans, or credit lines.  In addition, the lender origination fee has been reduced and is also effective now.

There had been hope that there would be a limit of $625,000 for high-cost areas, but according to sources involved in the negotiations, just how that would be done created very complicated and uneven solutions.

So, the $417,000 was settled on as the final number.

Several other changes mandated by Congress for changes in the Reverse Mortgage are still forthcoming – such as being able to use the Reverse Mortgage for purchases, instead of only refinances; and including Co-op’s in the program.

These changes will be announced when details have been worked out. Will there ever be a differing high-cost area limit? That remains to be seen over time.

To begin with it depends on where you live. Here in Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. the old county FHA HECM (Reverse Mortgage) limits ranged from a high of $362,790 down to a low of $264,100.

Below are a few examples; they are based on a couple aged 70, who own a $450,000 home with interest rates between 4.5% and 5.5%. These are examples only, and to see what you would might qualify for:

1. If you have been living in a county (D.C., Arlington, Fairfax) where the lending limit was $362,790, you would have received $208,000-$218,000 in net proceeds (after costs, but prior to paying off your current loan, and depending on which HECM you chose). Under the new program your net proceeds would be about $281,800, giving you approximately $62,000-$69,000 more.

2. If you have been living in a county (Frederick) where the lending limit was $361,000, you would have received $206,000-$216,000 in net proceeds (after costs, but prior to paying off your current loan, and depending on which HECM you chose). Under the new program your net proceeds would be about $281,800, giving you approximately $76,000-$86,000 more.

3. If you have been living in a county where the lending limit was $290,319, (Culpeper) you would have received $165,000-$175,000 in net proceeds (after costs, but prior to paying off your current loan, and depending on which HECM you chose). Under the new program your net proceeds would be about $281,800, giving you approximately $109,000-$117,000 more.

4. If you have been living in a county (Prince George) where the lending limit was $264,100, you would have received $149,500 – $156,700 in net proceeds (after costs, but prior to paying off your current loan, and depending on which HECM you chose). Under the new program your net proceeds would be about $281,800, giving you approximately $126,000-$133,000 more.

The new limit of $417,000 is targeted to be effective on November 1, 2008. Taking a Reverse Mortgage application, doing the mandatory counseling, getting an FHA approved appraisal and setting up settlement takes about 30-45 days. So, if you have been waiting for this limit increase, or feel the reverse mortgage would be even more beneficial to you now, it’s not too early to get started.

 Also if you currently have a reverse mortgage and want to se if it makes sense to refinance it and ge more of our equity in cash, or to put in a credit line, or have lifetime monthly payments, please see a reputable lender.  If you refinance a reverse mortgage, the cost of the FHA Mortgage Insurance is lower, too.

If you are interested in the way a Reverse Mortgage works, please come to my blog at http://reversemortgagesnow.blogspot.com  and look in the left column.  Under the title Reverse Mortgage Basics you will find pages that explain how the reverse mortgage works, FAQ’s, who uses reverse mortgages, and more.

Home mortgage rates are in a period of flux during the credit crisis going on at this time in the United States. You will still be able to find decent rates for a home mortgage, but you will need to work a little harder than you would have a few months ago. It is important to determine which if any of the mortgage types and rates are appropriate for your particular home mortgage situation. Information is available on line, or you can visit with a local lender in order to determine the best route for you to follow. Panic buying is never the answer, so you should take time to research your path in advance. Fixed Mortgage Perhaps the most typical of the home mortgage rates and packages until fairly recently, chronologically speaking, is that of the fixed mortgage. If you hold a mortgage with an eight percent rate and a thirty year term with twenty percent down, it probably is an older mortgage. Today, the fixed mortgages still are often 30 year mortgages, but they may also be 12 years terms, 15 year terms, 20 year terms, or other negotiated packages. The rate of interest will vary according to the term and the credit worthiness, but it does not change over the term of the loan. Variable Mortgage In recent years, as more people in this country wanted to participate in the American dream and own their own home, more and more borrowers took out the mortgage packages with home mortgage rates known as a variable mortgage. A variable mortgage has a set term which usually consists of a low introductory rate and a second phase in which the mortgage varies according to some preset index. An example is tying the mortgage rate to prime rate. The original period may be fairly short followed by a balloon payment. Balloon A balloon payment is another way to finance and maintain low home mortgage rates in order to ‘sell’ the mortgage to the lenders. The borrower agrees to have low or zero mortgage rate for a very short time with the expectation that the income will be increasing before the balloon payment comes due. This can be a risky type of home mortgage, but it also works well for people who are in certain types of financial situations. You are the best judge of whether or not to use the balloon mortgage type of loan arrangement. Reverse Mortgage A special type of home mortgage rates is one known as a reverse mortgage. This is often taken out by a senior citizen who owns their own home. It can be a way to fund health care. It taps the equity in the house and pays the owner over the life of the person taking out the mortgage. This type of mortgage is probably one of the least understood of all the mortgage types. This should not be entered into lightly. Find out exactly what the long term effects will be in your own situation.

You are probably well aware that unless you provide a down payment for your mortgage loan of at least 20% of the property’s value, you will have to pay each month PRI which stands for Private Mortgage Insurance. This means that anything above 80% of financing will cost you significantly more. However, with 80/20 mortgage loans you can save on mortgage insurance.

80/20 mortgage loans are actually two loans in one. The first one being the actual mortgage loan that will finance the 80% of the property’s value thus not requiring private mortgage insurance and the other one will provide funds equivalent to 20% of the property’s value in the form of a second mortgage or home equity loan.

Avoiding Payment Of Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

These loans or combination of loans solve a problem that turned 100% financing mortgage loans into a really heavy burden. Any loan that finances above 80% of the value of a property needs to include private mortgage insurance in order to cover for the repayment of the loan if anything happens. Thus, this combination of loans provides 100% financing without the need of Private Mortgage Insurance.

Private mortgage insurance is not required because the actual mortgage only finances 80% of the value of the property. The rest of the asset’s value is financed with a second mortgage or home equity loan that cover’s for the remaining 20% without the need of Private mortgage insurance either.

Private Mortgage Insurance

Private mortgage insurance protects the lender against any loss in the event of default on the mortgage loan. The insurance is similar to government agencies insurances like FHA with the sole difference that it is meant for private mortgages only. The premium is paid by the borrower and is usually included on the mortgage’s monthly payments.

Usually this extra charge can be bypassed by offering a substantial down payment and thus not requiring more than 80% of the funds needed to purchase the property that is used as collateral for the loan. That is why most applicants try to raise at least 20% of the value of the property in order to avoid having to pay the private mortgage insurance premium that is rather expensive.

A Matter Of Costs

Nothing comes for free and obtaining the additional financing through 80/20 mortgage loans is not the exception. The home equity loan that grants the funds needed for the 20% down payment comes with higher interest rates, a shorter repayment program and generally less advantageous terms than the home loan. This is due to the fact that even that home equity loans are secured loans, there is a greater risk of defaulting on a home equity loan than on a home loan.

However, when comparing the costs of private mortgage insurance and the additional amount that you will have to pay for the home equity loan, you will understand why these loans are becoming so popular. Even with the additional costs that they represent, you will still save a lot of money by not having to pay the private mortgage insurance premiums every month through the whole life of the loan.

Mortgages don’t have to be as expensive as you might think. With some research, a shrewd outlook and patience, you can usually find a cheap mortgage that suits your personal circumstances, without spending a long time trawling through mortgage quotes. Here are some top tips on how to spot a great deal on a mortgage.

Firstly, it is important to remember that you are a customer when it comes to mortgages, exactly as you are when buying any other products. This means that you have consumer choice; you do not have to stick with the mortgage deal you originally took out, or stay with one particular mortgage lender. If you are remortgaging, asking your current lender for a more competitive quote is a good start, but you could and should shop around for a cheap mortgage.

Shopping around means that it is a good idea to do your research in order to compare mortgage prices properly. So, the first thing to remember about comparing mortgage quotes is to look beyond the interest rate. A low interest rate, however tempting, may not lead to a cheap mortgage, once all of the other costs involved have been taken into account. Comparing Annual Percentage Rates (APRs), however, takes into account all of the fees you will have to pay, such as application fees, mortgage lenders valuations and so on. By looking at APRs you will get a better picture of how much a mortgage costs overall, thus providing you with a better way to compare mortgage quotes.

Mortgage deals: tied-in means tied down

Next, it may be advisable for you to look for “tie-ins” when searching for a cheap mortgage. Tie-ins are terms and conditions designed to keep you with a particular mortgage lender, even after the favourable interest rates have been increased.

Typical ways in which lenders tie in customers include charging fees if you switch to another lender within a certain period, or making customers buy insurance policies in order to qualify for lower interest rates. Comparing these conditions, whilst at the same time looking at APRs, will make your mortgage comparison much more accurate.

You can speed up the process of finding a cheap mortgage by using a mortgage broker. Mortgage brokers will search the market for you, and bring you mortgage quotes to consider. Due to their expertise and contacts, mortgage brokers can find you better deals than you might have been able to yourself. There are a few things to consider when using a mortgage broker, however.

Some mortgage brokers charge for their services, so you can either find one that does not, or build their fees into your plans to make sure that you do save money on your mortgage after all. Also, some mortgage brokers are not “whole of market”, meaning that they only compare mortgages from a restricted panel of lenders from whom they receive a commission. Essentially, mortgage brokers can be useful, as long as you know you are using the right one for you.

Getting a cheap mortgage may seem like a daunting prospect. The process of getting a mortgage can be long, complicated and confusing, and the idea of taking on such a big financial commitment could deter you from engaging in the process with much enthusiasm. It is possible, however, to find a great deal on a cheap mortgage, without the headaches. Below is a quick guide to finding the best deal for you, with minimum stress.

Firstly, it is important to know exactly what kind of mortgage will work out to be the most cost effective for your situation. You may be interested in a repayment mortgage, where you pay back money on both the capital borrowed and the interest. Alternatively, you may wish to get an interest-only mortgage, which can free up cash for you now with lower monthly payments. Then there are interest rates; you can go for fixed or variable rates. Maybe, you are looking to let out your property once you have bought it; in this case, a buy to let mortgage is for you. You can save a great deal of time and money by making sure you understand all of these types of mortgage products before you start applying for quotes.

Cheap mortgages: search and compare

Then, it’s time to search the market for a cheap mortgage deal that suits you. There are so many providers out there, offering so many different mortgage products, that it can be difficult to even know where to start looking. In order to navigate the mortgage market more effectively, you may wish to employ a mortgage broker. Mortgage brokers use their skills, expertise and contacts to find mortgages on your behalf; essentially, you simply tell them what you want, and they find it for you.

There are two things to remember with mortgage brokers, however; firstly, some of them charge for their services, so it might be a good idea to find this out before you start, and ensure that a mortgage broker fee does not outweigh the money you might save on a cheaper mortgage. The second important point to remember is that the best mortgage brokers to use are those who are “whole market”; in other words, who compare mortgage products from all lenders, and not just a panel of those who they receive commissions from. This way, you won’t miss any great deals from smaller, less well-known lenders.

If a mortgage broker does not sound like the best option for you, you can use online mortgage comparison to find your perfect mortgage deal. Using online comparison can take the stress out of finding mortgage quotes. You simply enter your details online, stating what kind of mortgage you are looking for, and have a list of quotes for cheap mortgages, all with the click of a mouse and from the comfort of your own home.

To summarise, finding a cheap mortgage does not have to be confusing, expensive or risky; just remember to do your homework first, and let a mortgage broker or an online mortgage comparison service do the hard work so you don’t have to.

In Part 1 a general understanding of mortgages was explored. Part 2 investigates the many different types of mortgages which can generally be classified into two groups: changeable and static. Static allows you to budget more effectively as you know the figures that you will be dealing with each month. This raises the question of why so many people appeared to choose changeable and lose their homes as their rates zipped up.

It is difficult for many borrowers to resist the initial lower monthly repayments that are often offered on the changeable mortgages. This gives new home owners extra cash to repair and redecorate and sometimes an optimistic outlook can over-rule prudence. There are also genuine cases where a variable mortgage is advantageous; understanding mortgages can clarify these choices.

Mortgages have both similarities and differences; interestingly most of the similarities are favorable for the borrower.

-For instance you can usually move (called portering) a mortgage to a new property if you move house. This means that you will not have to pay a penalty for terminating the mortgage earlier than agreed.
-Another advantage is that often when you sell your house and do not want to keep the mortgage on it, the prospective buyer can ‘assume’ the balance of your mortgage; this can make it easier to sell.
-Renewal is automatic once you have been accepted into a mortgage scheme.
-You can usually pay off a lump sum every year on the anniversary of your mortgage date.

However, similarities aside, it is the differences between mortgages that are usually the deciding factors, and there is more variety of choice in the changeable or variable mortgages. These changeable mortgages come in several different forms, the most popular being:

Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMS) start at a low rate (perhaps it is a giveaway that this is called the teaser rate!) and moves up to a higher rate after an interim period, usually of six months. There are also steady and/or irregular increases, which make it difficult for the home owner to keep up. These increases are also difficult to estimate as they are calculated on a formula based on the Lender’s Index and Margin.

Two Step Mortgages lock the interest rate in for about seven to ten years; this later adjusts to a higher rate. This can be advantageous if you plan to stay in one place and know that your salary will increase drastically in the future i.e. if you are on an apprenticeship course).

Lender Buy Down is a similar idea, with the interest rate gradually increasing and can be practical for the same reasons as above. All the above mortgages start off with a lower monthly repayment which increases over time. Any of these mortgages could be subject to the whim of the financial markets and/or a Lender’s formula.

This means that they can change and if this means a big increase it could be insurmountable for the home owners. A mortgage broker can explain the positives or the negatives of a variable mortgage which will reflect your own particular set of circumstances.

One of the alternatives to the above choices and one which is easier to understand is a Fixed Rate Mortgage, sometimes called a ‘locked in rate’ mortgage which means that once the term has been agreed, your monthly payment will stay the same for the duration of the term or contract.

The contract can be for five years, or three or twenty or thirty. The interest rate will most likely be different for each term. A mortgage is usually amortized (completed) over a thirty year period, so you may have several terms in the life of your loan.

When you first start paying off a mortgage almost all of it is simply paying down the interest, but as the years pass, your monthly amount will start to pay off more of the principal and less of the interest.

This happens regardless of how many short or long terms you sign up for, as long as you are renewing each time with the same Lender. However, because of the high interest repayments in the beginning of a mortgage, it may be cheaper to rent if you plan on staying only two or three years in a new town.

With a mortgage that has a locked in interest rate, even though the rate at which you are paying down the balance of your property is changing, your monthly amount does not change because you have signed for a fixed rate of interest for a fixed time. This static payment can buy a large amount of peace of mind!