Posts Tagged ‘Mortgage Loan’

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.

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.

Mortgage financing is a process of extending a home loan or mortgage on any commercial property to a prospective purchaser of a house. The main objective of the mortgage financing has two main goals viz the first goal is that the financing needs to be revenue generation for the lender, the second aim is that through mortgage financing qualified individuals and business entities can secure properties that can be repaid through the timely and consecutive equated monthly installments.  Incase you are intending to understand the process of mortgage financing then it is essential that understand the basic idea behind the mortgages. Mortgages are not referred as normal loans, they are mostly associated with the loans which are given for real estate and this loan can be either for individual or commercial purpose. Further the term as well as the structure of the mortgage loans is much different from loans given by the standard banks and other financial institutions. The mortgage lender can be written off after a period of twenty years or more at the wish of the lender. The mortgage financing has become an important tool in the economy and it has facilitated a number of people to become the pride owners of their property.

There is a similarity in most of the agreements that the property which is purchased through the provision of mortgage financing is kept as a collateral security for the mortgage loans. Till the mortgage loan has been repaid the mortgage owner acts as the mortgage holder of the property. The mortgage lender has the full right to seize the property incase there is any default in the payment of the mortgage financing, thereafter the default in the repayment the mortgage lender can take over the property and thereby become its owner and even offer it for resale to any other party. 

There are cases where you can take a mortgage on the property which is already a collateral security of another mortgage loan. This is mostly possible on the basis of basing the value of the second mortgage on the equity which is been built by the owner towards the value of the property. Further there are different calculations made on the property of the mortgage for different places. It is usual for the mortgage lenders to agree on the creation of a second mortgage on the property which is already been mortgaged for the first time.

Like the standard types of bank loans the mortgage financing also involves the repayment of the entire sum plus the rate of interest which is been outlined in the agreement. The rate of interest may be fixed or it can even be variable. As far as the mortgage with fixed rate of interest is concerned the interest rate is fixed till the duration of the contract. There are cases where in the mortgage financing can be obtained at a variable rate of interest The variable interest rates allows the home owners to take the benefit of the of reduction in the rate of interests of the property which is quite obvious to occur during the life of the mortgage.

Simply put, refinancing your mortgage means that you are converting your current mortgage into a new mortgage which is usually at a lower interest rate. Not surprisingly, most homeowners will refinance at least once during their lives. In fact, statistics show that the average homeowner refinances their mortgage once every four years. And even someone with poor credit can sometimes find it easier to refinance because they already have approval for the original loan.

The biggest advantage to refinancing your mortgage in the short term, as your monthly payments will be lower; and in the long term, as you may not pay as much in interest. The market value of your house and the amount of mortgage financed can also make a big difference. If your current mortgage is for several hundred thousand dollars, even a slight reduction in the interest rate will mean much lower monthly payments. An interest rate of just one point less can potentially save you around $5,000 on the average 15 year mortgage. Some financial experts advise that it is only worth refinancing if the interest rate on your new mortgage will be at least 2% lower than your current rate. This is only a generalization and ultimately the decision whether to refinance or not is up to you.

Apart from saving money, the other main benefit of refinancing a mortgage loan is to lower the term, or length, of the mortgage. If you have a 30 year mortgage and refinance to take advantage of lower interest rates, you may also be able to shorten the term of the mortgage at the same time. This will make it possible to own your home outright in less time. The monthly payments on a 15 or 20 year mortgage will surely be higher, but if you can afford to pay the extra amount, it’s an effective way to achieve home ownership more quickly. If you don’t want to refinance your mortgage, or you think you won’t really benefit from it, consider paying an extra amount towards the principal each month, a strategy that will also lower the length of your mortgage.

Refinancing also allows a homeowner who has an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) to switch to a fixed rate mortgage, (FRM) not only saving money, but offering peace of mind as well. If mortgage rates are on the way up, it may be a good idea to refinance at a lower fixed rate; if you have a fixed rate mortgage at a rate that is on the high side, it may benefit you to refinance to an adjustable rate mortgage. Whether you go with the fixed rate or the adjustable rate ultimately depends on your finances, your short term goals and the general state of the economy. The terms and conditions of a fixed rate mortgage are also protected by law.

One of the benefits of refinancing is to use some of the equity in your home for other expenses. You don’t have to be nervous about doing some much needed home improvements, sending your child to college, or debt consolidation. Using the equity to improve your home will increase the value of your home even further. If you refinance with a larger principal amount in order to receive some cash back, it is known as cash out refinancing. A loan that is secured on your home usually, but not always, has a lower interest rate than various other types of loans, such as an unsecured loan and most credit cards. This method also allows you the convenience of extra cash without having to take out a second mortgage.

Even if interest rates have not changed, it may make sense to refinance if you didn’t have the best credit score when you originally applied for your loan. Lenders tend to offer lower rates and better terms to those borrowers with better credit. So if several years have gone by, you have paid all your bills on time and built up some credit, check to see if it’s worth your while to refinance your home. Your credit score can make a huge difference. A credit score that is below 630 can mean that your monthly payments are anywhere between $50 and $250 higher.

There are various costs and fees involved with refinancing your mortgage and you should consider carefully whether this option is right for you. Generally speaking, if you are going to save money, it probably makes sense to refinance. However, it also depends on your overall financial situation and whether you intend to stay in the house for more than a few years. If you live in a one bedroom condo with just your spouse and you are thinking about starting a family, it probably doesn’t make any sense to refinance. You should always consult your tax advisor and a mortgage broker to make sure that it’s the right decision for you.

 

 

A balloon mortgage is a short term loan, which unlike a regular mortgage, isn’t paid off completely in regular payments. Instead, you are left with a portion of the principal amount, which then has to be paid off in a lump sum. This outstanding amount is also sometimes known as a balloon payment. Most balloon mortgages, sometimes called bullet loans have a term of between five and seven years, although 15 year terms have also become more popular in the last few years.

Suppose you buy a $100,000 home and take out a five year balloon mortgage. Because the loan is amortized over the normal 30 year period, your monthly payments will still be based on that timeframe. They will consist of mainly the interest, somewhere between $700 and $850 per month. At the end of the five year period; the actual term of the loan, you will have to come up with the balance. This balance is going to be close to the purchase amount, all you have been paying so far has been mainly the interest.

Just like most other financial transactions, there are advantages and disadvantages of taking out a balloon mortgage. Perhaps the biggest advantage of a balloon mortgage is that you generally do not need to come up with a substantial down payment. The monthly payment amounts are generally lower than they are with other types of mortgage. Balloon mortgages usually also come with lower interest rates. Just as with a conventional mortgage, you also have the option of making an extra payment every month. And as the interest rate is fixed, monthly payment amounts will not increase even if interest rates in general do increase.

Qualifying for a balloon mortgage may be easier than qualifying for all other types of mortgages, making it easier for many people to be homeowners. In addition, many buyers can qualify for a larger home due to the fact that the interest rate and the monthly payments are lower. The application process for a balloon mortgage is much the same as for any other type of mortgage. You will still need to qualify as far as credit and income are concerned. Make sure you understand the options for refinancing at the end of the loan and make sure you verify with your lender that there is no possibility of losing that option.

A balloon mortgage does however have several disadvantages. The most obvious disadvantage is the fact that you will have to pay a substantial lump sum at the end of the loan period. A balloon mortgage can also potentially cost you more money during its term, if interest rates increase to more than five percent above your existing balloon interest rate, you will have to go through the process of requalifying all over again. Apart from the potential extra cost, it can also be time consuming to refinance the loan; however some balloon mortgages come with a built-in refinancing option.

Many people take out a balloon mortgage assuming that they are going to sell the house before the loan comes due. This makes the balloon mortgage an ideal option for those looking to buy and sell quickly in order make a quick profit, or to “flip the house” as it is commonly known. The obvious disadvantage with this method is that the house may not sell as quickly as you had intended or for the price you desired. You may end up having to sell at a lower price just to eliminate the substantial lump sum payment that comes with the balloon mortgage.

Choosing the right lender is almost as important as choosing the right loan. You will want a lender who is reliable and helpful, remember, they will be part of your financial life for the next few years. It’s especially important when it comes to a balloon mortgage, a somewhat specialized product which the lender is experienced in selling. It is a good idea to try to get recommendations from friends, family or work colleagues who have already taken out a balloon mortgage. Regardless of which lender you choose, a balloon mortgage can be complicated and confusing. Just make sure that your lender explains everything and that there are no hidden charges or fees. They are required to give you an estimate of the closing costs.

Clearly, a balloon mortgage is not for everyone. Many buyers only take out a balloon mortgage if they intend on selling the property before the term of the loan is up. Many private investors also benefit from balloon mortgages when loaning money. They don’t want their money tied up for a 30 year period. As with any financial transaction, especially one of this magnitude, you should always seek professional advice before signing the papers.

 

Mortgage bonds are among the largest types of bonds that are offered by financial institutions in the market today. Because of this, any changes in the economic market has a direct effect on the value of mortgage bonds which then influences the various mortgage rates that are applied on a mortgage taken out by a borrower. In fact, any activity that has a connection with mortgage bonds offered by various financial institutions would have an effect on the amount of interest rates that the US Government permits financial institutions to apply on mortgages or loans approved.

More for Less

Financial analysts have determined that the demand for mortgage bonds in the United States have had a converse effect on the amount of the interest rate charged by financial institutions and creditors to borrowers who are looking to take out a loan or a mortgage. By this, it only means that as the demand for mortgage bonds increases, the amount of interest rate charged by these financial institutions to those people who are taking out a mortgage or a loan. This is because a higher demand of mortgage bonds is able to provide these financial institutions the funds and capital it needs in order to compensate them in the event that the borrower defaults on the repayment schedule for one reason or another. As such, financial institutions are then more confident to lower the interest rates applied to their various loan and mortgage programs. In turn, more people who are seeking for financial assistance are able to avail of a mortgage program that would provide them the needed funds while being still viewing the repayment schedule to be within their budget.

On the other hand, when the demand of mortgage bonds diminishes, the reverse happens. Since there is a potential for the financial institution might incur losses in the event that a borrower would default in the repayment schedule, the interest rate imposed by these financial institutions increases.

The Role of the Investor

The ability of the mortgage bond to influence the amount of interest charged by a financial institution can be traced to the investor. Investors are constantly in the search of potential investments that promises low capitals with high returns at a short period of time. When the mortgage bonds offered by a particular financial institution is able to provide these needs, investors would be more than happy to put their money into the mortgage bonds offered by the financial institutions, causing an increase in the demand for mortgage bonds of that particular financial institution. On the other hand, if the mortgage bonds that is offered by a financial institution does not provide the high returns an investor is hoping to get, not only would this cause the investor to pull out the capital he or she initially invested in the mortgage bonds. This sudden pull out would cause more potential investors to become apprehensive in investing their money into these mortgage funds.

This being the case, financial institutions would, from time to time, modify the mortgage bonds it offers to potential investors to make them attractive enough to encourage investors to invest in these mortgage bonds instead of investing their money elsewhere. One way they do this is to increase the interest rates that would be applied on the capital placed in for the acquisition of the mortgage bonds in order to provide the investor a higher return rate.

The Role of Financial Institutions

Financial institutions also play a role in contributing to the manner on how mortgage bonds influence interest rates. This is because it is the decisions made by the financial institutions with regards to the mortgage bonds offered to potential investors that would, in turn, hold the key to whether or not the mortgage bonds would be attractive to potential investors or otherwise. Financial institutions would need to provide a sense of balance to the different needs of investors who are looking into taking out a mortgage bond, while ensuring that they do not incur any losses. This is determined through the interest rates that are imposed by these financial institutions on the mortgage bonds offered to investors.

Owning a home of your own would be the best thing that you would count to have happened to you. However, you will find that you managed to have the home just because you took a mortgage loan and you would be obliged to repay the loan. In as much as you wish to sometimes it could be difficult.

There are time and unforeseen occurrences that may hit your financial life badly. You would then find it difficult to honor your promise to submit the payments that you promised the mortgage firm regarding your home. Then, you would face the risk of losing your home.

Sell and rent back to maintain stay

Once you have a home you call your own even through mortgage system, you would normally develop an attachment with it. You would only feel home when you are in this home. However, no matter how bad the situation turns to be, you can still be sure that you will remain in this home.

You would sell the home but you would then stay in it only as a tenant and not as owner any more. The feeling of being home would remain.

Sell and rent back to avoid repossession

When you have a mortgage that you are not able to pay, you would only face the risk of repossession. Remember, the only security that you placed for this type of loan is the title. So, the original owner would want to repossess it, sell it and recover their dues.

You can avoid this kind of embarrassment by being quick to think of selling the home and clearing the debt as you maintain your stay in the home as a tenant.

Hassle free sell and rent back scheme

When you are in dire financial stress, you would need to clear the debt and you need a hassle free scheme that would help you do just so. You can sell the home and still rent it without any hassles.

Sell and rent back scheme saves you from debt

With times being tougher each day, you would need to find a way of clearing the mortgage and other unsecured debts that you may have accumulated while trying to pay your home mortgage. You can sell that home and rent it back while maintaining a debt free life.

Sell and rent back enables you live the life you deserve

Each one of us has a life they deserve. We need to be comfortable and stress free. We can actually manage to do this when we sell the home that is proving difficult to pay and we have the debts that are stressing us cleared.

Sell and rent back has discrete services

When you need to sell your home due to unavoidable circumstances, you have to ensure that you are doing so under discrete terms and services. There is need to find just this way to have the burden get off your shoulder. Not many people would know about the process because anyway you would maintain your stay at the home.

Sell and rent back to release equity

You can manage to release your equity when you make a smart decision to sell your home and still stay inside it as a tenant.

So, you can see that there are several advantages of the sell and rent back scheme. Besides just helping you escape embarrassment of repossession, you would be able to maintain your stay in the home.

Commercial mortgage is nothing but a mortgage used to buy a commercial piece of property or commercial building. It is also a type of mortgage secured against a property which is let out to non-residential tenants. There are numerous financial consultants who offer guidance on the types of commercial mortgages to choose.

They can arrange various kinds of commercial mortgages which are viable with your financial situation. The business recovery advisers can also assist in refinancing businesses in financial difficulties. A commercial mortgage broker can help get the best deal on loan. If you wish to buy a commercial property, they can help you lay your hands on the best mortgage loan. There are various kinds of commercial mortgages available. These brokers have abundant experience in handling request of various borrowers. Whether you are looking to remortgage, are a first time buyer, or are looking to consolidate your debts or raise cash for home improvements, you can get assistance from these brokers.

With a fixed rate commercial mortgage, the budgeting and planning is made easier for your business. Fixed rate commercial mortgage products are mortgages which have a fixed interest rate and payment for the full term of the loan. These loans make it easier to budget, especially over the long term, and offer stability across an ever-fluctuating market. It is also vital for businesses to know their exact costs every year. The commercial mortgage rate can be fluctuating on a yearly basis. Approaching commercial mortgage brokers can help get the best deal. They will suggest a commercial mortgage plan that suits your financial situation most and helps fulfill personal needs most. Commercial mortgage offer a number of flexible options too.

You can also reduce costs and improve cash flow. You can also benefit in numerous ways:

You can avoid unexpected rent increases. You can increase your capital as a result of increases in property values. Your mortgage repayment will also be similar to the rent on the same property. You can also use a commercial mortgage to fund expansion or as a residential and commercial investment.

You can approach a commercial mortgage lender who can guide you to get the best deal. One fact to be understood is that commercial mortgage brokers don’t provide mortgages directly. They will investigate various banks and lenders and help find the best mortgage. Commercial and business mortgages are specifically designed to help purchase any commercial property used for business purposes including shops, factories, offices and warehouses. These mortgages can also be used for taking over an existing business, purchasing a brand new building or buying land.

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!

“Hogwash!” That’s what you should scream out in your mind if you ever come across a mortgage broker who tells you a lender will only offer you a larger mortgage loan is if you make a bigger mortgage loan down payment or improve your credit score. While both tactics will certainly encourage a mortgage lender to reduce your mortgage interest rate, neither tactic is truly effective in helping you to secure a mortgage loan greater than what you’ve been offered. However, if your dream home is just slightly out of reach, there is one way that may result in a lender granting you some additional credit: A green mortgage.

While they’re not new, green mortgages (aka energy-efficiency mortgages) are gaining popularity today because more Americans are more environmentally conscious. Plus, with rising costs on food, clothing, energy and just about everything else, more homebuyers are looking to cut costs any way they can; that includes agreeing to “green” their soon-to-be new homes. That’s exactly what a green mortgage is designed for: To save homeowners money in the long run.

The way green mortgages work is similar to any other mortgage. First, you must apply and qualify for a mortgage loan! That’s the biggest hurdle to get over. Once you do, and if your lender offers green mortgages or has a green mortgage product, you follow the firm’s specific procedures from there. If you’re accepted as a green mortgage candidate, the lender will loan additional monies.

Now, green mortgages are not “name your mortgage amount: type loans; the amount is capped. Typically, lenders will up to 15% of the home price. Though each mortgage lender may state stipulations in various ways, the main stipulation is that the loan amount beyond the home price must be used for energy-efficient improvements or installments on the home. For example, you may decide to use some of the monies to install lighting that uses electricity more efficiently, low-flow water pumps, and a water recycling irrigation system.

Now, I bet you’re wondering how taking on a bigger mortgage loan and greening a home saves the homeowner money in the long run. Simple: By installing or improving the home so it’s more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, the homeowner saves money on utility bills—water, electricity, etc. Homeowners can easily save $200 or more each year on utilities. That savings will “reimburse” the homeowner well before the 30-year term of the loan has been reached; the savings on utilities also makes managing the slightly higher mortgage payments manageable. Plus, there’s an added benefit for buyers who obtain a green mortgage for a newly constructed home: The homeowner will save on the cost of the building materials used on the home.

If you’re interested in a green mortgage, the first step is to do your research into lenders who offer them; the lenders are few and far between so do not be surprised if they are not available in your area. Also, realize that, mortgage lenders are highly selective in those to who they will offer green mortgages. Don’t let that stop you from asking though because you never know. Besides, even if you don’t get a green mortgage, you’ll still have your home…and can green it when you’re financially able.

What Is Capital and Repayment Mortgage?

“Repayment mortgage (also called a capital-and interest loan)

Your monthly payments gradually pay off the amount you owe as well as paying the interest charged on the loan. Provided you make all the agreed payments, the loan will be fully paid off by the end of the mortgage term.”

- Consumer Information, FSA, June 2006

Repayment mortgage and capital mortgage (or capital loan) are the exact same thing, made more confusing by the fact that this type of mortgage is known by more than one name. But don’t let that confuse you! Capital and repayment mortgage is, in fact, the same thing.

How Do I Know Capital, or Repayment, Mortgage Is Right For Me?

Repayment/Capital mortgage is great for those who want to get their entire mortgage, capital and interest, paid off by the end of their mortgage term. Once the term is up on this type of mortgage, you’re done and fully paid off. Many mortgage policies focus on the interest that you owe. Capital and repayment mortgages are popular because they allow homeowners to pay off everything that they owe.

The bank or company that you work with to determine your mortgage policy and payments can give you all sorts of options. Make sure to ask what the interest rate and payment structure on a Capital or repayment mortgage would be. The numbers will help you decide what’s right for you. After all, the right mortgage is the one that you can afford.

Do Capital and Repayment Mortgages Cost More Than Other Types of Mortgages?

“You usually pay off mostly interest in the early years and then gradually more of the capital debt. It may seem as if this is costing more but that’s because unlike the other types of mortgages you’re paying off the capital and not just the interest.”

- Repayment Mortgages, Mortgage Sorter web site, June 2006

While capital and repayment mortgages do not necessarily cost more than other types of mortgages, you may feel that you are paying out for a longer period of time with a capital and repayment mortgage. This is not true, however. Capital and repayment mortgages just allow you to pay off your entire mortgage in one complete payment cycle. And once you’re done, you’re done. That’s the beauty of a capital and repayment mortgage, one of the most popular types of mortgages used by homeowners.

I Still Don’t Know What Kind of Mortgage I Need. What Should I Do?

If you know that you want to finance or re-finance your home or property, it’s an easy decision to take out a mortgage policy. The only problem is, what kind of mortgage will suit your needs best? With so many options out there, and so much information about different types of mortgages available, it can make your head swim. When you’ve never had a mortgage before and don’t know that much about mortgages in general, how do you decide what’s best for you?

The only way to know what type of mortgage will fit your needs is to run the numbers. Have your bank, financial advisor, or the company that you’re re-financing with gives you examples of payment plans for many types of mortgages, and be sure to get your questions answered about each policy. You will think up many different questions, some of which can only be answered by those you’re working with to establish your mortgage. You’ll know what’s right for you when you see the plan in black and white, because you’re the only one who truly understands what your financial situation is.

To understand loans and mortgages we need to understand loan limits first. If your loan amount exceeds the amount below, you will qualify for a Jumbo Loan, which carries higher interest rate.

One-Family (single family homes) $417,000

Two-Family(duplex) $533,850

Three-Family (triplex) $645,300

Four-Family(fourplex) $801,950

FIXED Loans:

30 Year Fixed Mortgage Rates

This loan program is fixed for 30 years. Your interest rate will not change for 30 years. This is ideal for people who plan to stay at their present property for a long period of time.

20 Year Fixed Mortgage Rates

Fixed for 20 years. Your payment will be higher than 30 year fixed loan becuase your loan term is only for 20 years. Interest rate will not change for 20 years.

15 Year Fixed Mortgage Rates

15 year fixed loan has a loan term of 15 years and will not change during this period. Your monthly payment on this loan program will be much higher than 20 years fixed or 30 years fixed. Use this loan program if you plan to sell your home in 5-8 years. Interest rate will not change for 15 years.

ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage)

ARM Loans are fixed for a certain period of time, where after that period ARM loan becomes an adjustable loan. How do they work?

Each ARM Loan Program has these options:

1) Index: Most comon index-LIBOR

2) Margin: Is given to you by your lender, and it is the difference between the index rate and the interest charged to the borrower

For example 5/1 ARM. This loan is fixed for 5 years after which in 6th year it becomes an adjustable loan. Your loan officer will tell you what your index is and what your margin is. Usually 5/1 arm is tied to 1-year treasury index and margin is around 2.00%-3.00%

Your index + margin = Fully Index rate . Your new note rate (interest rate) after 5th year.

What about the 6th year? What would your payment be?

Let’s say that your loan officer told you that your margin is 2.5% with 1 year treasury index. You will have to look up 1 year treasury index for a specific month.

1 year treasury as of Oct.2005 is 4.18, and you know that your margin is 2.5%. Therefore you new interest rate is 1 year treasury 4.18% (index) + 2.5% (margin) = 6.68% for the begining of 6th year.

Index rate are move on monthly basis, therefore your payment may flunctuate each month. In most cases banks wills end you a statement advising you that your rate will change.

3) To protect consumers from high index rates, lenders implemented a CAPS.

An example of this is a 2/6 cap, which allows the interest rate on your ARM loan to go up or down by no more than two percent every adjustment period, and has a total limit of six percent for cumulative changes. Therefore a 2/6 cap on a 5% ARM will allow a maximum rate (6 + 5%) of no more than 11%.

In some cases you will see 2/2/6, which means 2% adjustment with 2 year prepayment penalty and total of six percent of cumulative changes.

4) With an arm you can have either a fixed rate or you can choose an Interest Only structure loan.

1/1 ARM Mortgage Rates

1 year ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) is fixed for 1 year and in 2nd year it becomes an adjustable.

3/1 ARM Mortgage Rates

3 year ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) is fixed for 3 years and in 4th year it becomes an adjustable.

5/1 ARM Mortgage Rates

5 year ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) is fixed for 5 years and in 6th year it becomes an adjustable.

7/1 ARM Mortgage Rates

7 year ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) is fixed for 7 years and in 8th year it becomes an adjustable.

10/1 ARM Mortgage Rates

10 year ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) is fixed for 10 years and in 11th year it becomes an adjustable.

Interest Only Loans

For example, if a 30-year fixed-rate loan of $100,000 at 8.5% is interest only, the payment is .085/12 times $100,000, or $708.34. This is an example of interest only payment.

Each loan payment consists of Interest and Principal. Here you will be paying an interest each month and your principal will be adding to your balance, thus increasing it. You may also pay both principal and interest.

If a lender offers you an Interest only Loan these loans are tied to an index just like ARM loans.

MTA Index: The MTA index generally fluctuates slightly more than the COFI, although its movements track each other very closely.

. 1 Month MTA ARM Mortgage Rates

. 3 Month MTA ARM Mortgage Rates

. 6 Month MTA ARM Mortgage Rates

. 12 Month MTA ARM Mortgage Rates

COFI Index: This index rise (and fall) more slowly than rates in general, which is good for you if rates are rising but not good for you if rates are falling.

. 1 Month COFI ARM Mortgage Rates

. 3 Month COFI ARM Mortgage Rates

LIBOR Index: LIBOR is an international index, which follows the world economic condition. It allows international investors to match their cost of lending to their cost of funds. The LIBOR compares most closely to the CMT index and is more open to quick and wide fluctuations than the COFI.

. 6 Month LIBOR ARM Mortgage Rates

. 12 Month LIBOR ARM Mortgage Rates

Pay Option ARM Loan

Pay Option ARM in a new loan program allowing customers to choose from up to 4 different payments. This loan program is part of an ARM, but with added flexibility of making one of the 4 payments.

Your intial start rate varies from 1.000% to anywhere around 4.000%. The intial start rate is held only for one month, after that interest rate changes monthly.

4 major choises are:

1) Minimum payment: Fot the first 12 months interest rate is calculated using the start rate after that interest rate is calculated annually.

Example:

Loan Amount: $200,000.00

Initial Rate: 1.25%

Index: 3.326 (MTA as of October 2005)

Margin: 2.75%

Payment Cap: 7.5%

Fully Indexed Rate: 6.076% (ndex + margin )

Minimum Payment Changes:

Year 1 $666.50 Minimum Payment

Year 2 $716.49 = $666.50 + 7.50%

Year 3 $770.22 = $716.49 + 7.50%

Year 4 $827.99 = $770.22 + 7.50%

Year 5 $890.09 = $827.99 + 7.50%

The Option ARM’s 7.5% payment cap limits how much the payment can increase or decrease each year, except for every fifth year (beginning in the 10th year on certain programs), when the cap does not apply. In the event your balance exceeds your original loan amount by 125% (110% in N.Y.), the payment amount may change more frequently without regard to the payment cap.

Becasue you are paying “minimum payment” this option will defer a payment of an interest which will be added to your balance.

Minimum Payment Adjustment Period: The minimum payment is usually set to 12 months, unless negative amortization limit is reached.

Minimum Payment Cap: This is a limit on how much the minimum payment can change. Your payment cap will be 7.5% for the first five years. On your next payment due, your minimum payment cannot increse or decrease more than 7.5%. If it does than a loan is recast.

Recast (Recasting) or re-calculating your loan is a way of limiting negative amortization (neg-am). Option ARM’s recast every 5 years. When the loan is recast, the payment required to fully amortize the loan over the remaining term becomes the new minimum payment

2) Interest Only Payment: With Interest Only you will avoid deffered interest, becausue you are paying principal and interest. If you pay only Interest or Principal your loan balance will increase because you are adding either pricipal payment or interest payment to your loan balance, thus leading towards Neg-Am Loan.

Your payment may change on monthly basis based on ARM index (LIBOR,COFI,MTA).

3) Fully Amortizing 30-Year Payment: It’s calculated each month based on the prior month’s interest rate, loan balance and remaining loan term. When you choose this option, you reduce your principal and pay off your loan on schedule.

4) Fully Amortizing 15-Year Payment: It is calculated from the first payment due date.

Negative Amortization Loan (Neg-Am Loan)

Negative amortization loans calculate two interest rates. The first is called the payment rate the second is the actual interest rate. The true interest rate is calculated as simply the index plus the margin without periodic caps. Borrowers are given a choice of which rate to pay. Thus advertisers of negative amortization loans often refer to these loans as “payment option” loans.

A loan that allows negative amortization means the borrower is allowed to make a monthly mortgage payment that is less than the interest actually owed during that month. For example, let’s say we have a $200,000 loan with an adjustable rate that’s currently sitting at five percent. Simple interest on this loan is easy to calculate. Multiply the interest rate by the loan amount and you have the annual interest of $10,000. Divide $10,000 by 12 months and the monthly “interest only” payment is $833.33 or simply here is the formula for your monthly payment for interest only loans: loan balance x interest rates / 12 = monthly payment.

Now, let’s say that there’s a provision in the loan documents that allow the borrower to make a minimum payment based on a “payment rate” of four percent. So your lowest payment would be $666.67 because the “payment rate” is based upon four percent, not the actual interest rate, which is five percent.

So if you make make the lowest allowable payment you are actually losing $166.67 in equity. The balance of the loan increases to $200,166.67.

Exotic Mortgage

You may have heard this term before. So what are they?

The latest and most exotic mortgages out there include:

1. The 40-Year Mortgage: This is similar to a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, except the payment is being stretched over an extra 10 years. The lender will charge a slightly higher interest rate, as much as half a percentage point.

2. The Interest-Only Mortgage: With an interest-only mortgage, the lender allows the borrower to pay only the interest for the first so many years of a mortgage. After the grace period, the loan essentially becomes a new mortgage with the interest and principal being stretched only the remaining years. Please refer above for Interest Only Loans.

3. The Negative Amortization Mortgage: This interest-only type of mortgage allows a buyer to pay less than the full amount of interest. The difference between the full interest payment and the amount actually paid is added to the balance of the loan. Please refer above for more information.

4. The Piggy Back Mortgage: This is actually two mortgages, one on top of the other. The first mortgage covers 80% of the property’s value. The second covers the remaining balance at a slightly higher interest rate.

5. 103s and 107s: You may not need to save for a down payment at all. You could borrow 3% or 7% more than your home is even worth. These loans give you the option of borrowing money needed for closing costs and moving costs. You can include it all in the mortgage.

6. Home Equity Line of Credit: These aren’t just for those who own a home! They are commonly known as HELOCs, and they can finance an original home purchase using a credit line instead of a traditional mortgage. HELOCs are variable-rate mortgages tied to the prime rate. If you use this mortgage as your first mortgage, all of the interest is tax deductible.

There are going to be many factors which affect your mortgage rate, some of which are under your control and others which you can do nothing about. You should be aware of all of the factors which might affect your mortgage rate and take them into consideration before applying for a mortgage loan. You can take steps to improve some of the factors which affect your mortgage rate and make decisions about when is best to apply based on basic knowledge about your mortgage.

What is a mortgage?

Most people understand the basic definition that the mortgage is a loan which is used to purchase a home. There is slightly more to the mortgage than this. The mortgage is a loan which uses the property itself as collateral. If you fail to make the payments on your mortgage, the property may be taken over by the lending institution who has given you the mortgage.

You want the best mortgage rates

The mortgage is a long-life loan meaning that it is not going to be fully repaid for many, many years. A standard home mortgage is often a fifteen or twenty year loan. This means that you want the best mortgage rate possible because you are going to be needing to pay this rate for a long, long time.

Factors affecting mortgage rates

Major factors affecting mortgage rates include:

• Amount of down payment on mortgage

• Consideration of closing costs

• Income of mortgage borrower

• Life of mortgage loan

• Life of mortgage rate

• Total mortgage loan amount

• Whether or not the mortgage rate is adjustable

Factors making up a desirable mortgage rate

The basic premise of the desirable mortgage rate is that it is within your budget, has a low interest rate and is paid back as quickly as possible. How all of this plays out in terms of each individual mortgage depends upon the independent factors of each borrower. For example, you might prefer a fifteen-year mortgage loan to one that is paid over thirty years. This will allow you to save money over time because you pay less in interest. However, if you can not afford the higher monthly payments and you default on the mortgage loan, you have not helped yourself out any.

Negotiating a desirable mortgage rate

The simplest method of achieving a desirable mortgage rate is to work with a mortgage broker. You will have to pay up front fees to the mortgage broker, usually at the time when all of the closing costs are paid on the home purchase, but you will save money and time in the long run. The mortgage broker plays the role of assessing your personal financial situation and working with lending institutions to negotiate the best possible mortgage rate for your situation. The mortgage broker has experience with all of the factors and terms used in the mortgage loan negotiation and can use this expertise to your benefit.

Repayment of the mortgage loan

When you are working out a plan of repayment for the mortgage loan, you should look at the amount of money available for down payment, the amount you can reasonably pay on the loan each month, the grace period of any adjustable mortgage loan interest rates and any fees owed for early repayment of the mortgage. Working with the mortgage broker, you should be able to develop a repayment plan for your mortgage which allows you to purchase and remain in your home through the life of the loan.

Banks used to be the place that those looking to buy a home would go for it but not anymore. Now there are many more options besides getting your mortgage through your bank or credit union. And nowadays you do not even need to have good credit!

Many people still prefer mortgage banks because they can get their loan direct from them and this simplicity is sought after. When you get one of these mortgage it is those at the bank that will go over your application carefully and then make the final decision about whether it is going to be approved or not.

There are some definite benefits of choosing a mortgage from a mortgage bank and one of the biggest draws of these banks is their reliability. These banks are watched by the federal government and they have regulations that make them trustworthy.

It is also nice to work with mortgage banks because you get your loan straight from them. This means you can get your questions answered accurately every time and you can also save money on different mortgage fees and costs since there is much less work on their end. And if this is a bank that you have business with in other areas they might even be willing to give you better terms on your mortgage loan. You will find that these types of mortgages are often faster to get than some other loans.

The only possible drawback to getting a mortgage bank loan is the fact that some of these banks have limited choices in the types of mortgage that they offer. These banks have their own programs and this is about it.

Mortgage brokers are another way that many people choose to go when they need a mortgage loan. Mortgage brokers are middlemen and they often will try to sell you mortgages from different places since they are not often affiliated with just one bank or other financial institution. These brokers will go through all of the mortgage products on the market to find the one that suit you and your situation the best.

Mortgage brokers are good because they offer such a wide variety of different mortgage products to you. You will have the choice of many different lenders and types of mortgages. And since these brokers have so many products at their disposal they can help you to find the perfect mortgage. They can actually help people who would normally not be ale to get a mortgage get approved for one. And most importantly since the mortgage broker does the shopping for you, you can save a lot of time and energy working with one.

Mortgage brokers are not all wine and roses however, for example some will hit you with hidden charges. Learning about loans before you apply for one will give you a good edge. And be careful of the mortgage broker that you choose because they do not have to be licensed in order to do what they do.

The majority of banks will not offer you many options as to the type of mortgages that you can get from them. And even these are often farmed out to other lenders on they secondary market.

It is getting more and more common for construction companies and homebuilders to offer their own mortgages to customers. They work in conjunction with mortgage companies or brokers in order to make things convenient for both them and the customers.

Online lenders are getting into the mortgage market in a big way. You can get a loan online quickly and easily no matter where you live. And the rates on these loans are often quite astounding.

So which lender should you choose? Good question. Lets break it down. If you have great credit and you have been working at the same place for a long time then a mortgage from an online lender is a good choice for you as is a mortgage bank. As long as they see you are reliable you will do well with them and get good interest rates. Banks are also good for people who have more than one mortgage. If you own other properties for instance.

Mortgage brokers are good for people who are their own boss and who don’t like to share any more financial information than they have to. And if your primary concern when it comes to getting a mortgage is the speed at which you can get it then you should talk to home builders and real estate company lenders because they can get you one the fastest.

There are some other things that you can do to get the right mortgage for your situations. Asking your friends and family member how they fared with their mortgages is a good start and always check out the credentials and the certificates of the lenders that you are thinking of choosing. You can even check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints against the company or bank.

Take some time to learn the ins and outs of mortgages before you make your final decision. This can keep you from getting taken advantage of. Don’t get sucked into something that sounds too good to be true. Check into everything before you sign off on it.

Some lenders will try to take advantage of borrowers so take care in all of your decisions. You need to be working with a trustworthy and reliable lender, not one who is not on the level. Peak season is the most important time to be careful since it is at these times that bad lenders will try to take advantage of you. They will lie to you about their rates or even hit you with extra costs and tons of hidden fees.

Mortgage Glossary

Adjustable Rate Mortgage – A mortgage in which the interest rate and payment changes periodically over the life of the loan based on changes in a specified index. The changes are usually subject to a cap.

Amortization – The payment of a mortgage loan through monthly installments of principal and interest. The monthly payment amount is based on a schedule that will allow you to own your home at the end of a specific time period (for example 30 years) Initially, most of the payment goes to interest but over time more and more of the payment goes towards principal until it is all paid off.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR) – The APR is a calculation based on a government formula designed to reflect the true annual cost of borrowing, expressed as a percentage. It includes the interest, points, mortgage insurance, and other various fees associated with the loan. The rate is also adjusted for the time value of money, meaning that dollars paid by the borrower early on carry a heavier weight than dollars paid years later. An important note, the APR is calculated on the assumption that the loan completes its full term, and is therefore potentially deceptive for borrowers who intend to sell early.

Application Fee – Fees that some lenders charge upon application. It goes towards initial processing expenses like the property appraisal and credit report.

Appraisal -A report that estimates the property’s fair market value based on an analysis of the sales of comparable homes in the same area. An appraisal is required by your lender and must be made by a qualified appraiser.

Balloon Mortgage -A mortgage that typically offers low rates for an initial period of time (usually less than 10) years, and then requires that the balance is due or is refinanced by the borrower. The loan is typically amortized as if it would be paid over a thirty year period to keep monthly payments low.

Cap–The limit on an adjustable rate mortgage that the payment or interest rate can be increased or decreased during each adjustment period (usually 6 or 12 months). Some ARMs also have a lifetime cap.

Closing Costs – Costs that the borrower must pay at the time of closing, in addition to the down payment. There are two categories of closing costs, “non-recurring closing costs” and “pre-paid items.” Non-recurring closing costs are any items which are paid just once such as origination fees, discount points, attorney’s fees, credit report, title insurance and survey. “Pre-paids” are costs which recur during your loan, like property taxes and homeowners insurance. Your lender will estimate the amount of non-recurring closing costs and prepaid items on the Good Faith Estimate which must be issued to you within three days of receiving a home loan application.

Conforming Loan – A mortgage loan which conforms to all of the guidelines and is therefore eligible for purchase by the two major federal agencies that buy mortgages which are Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC).

Credit scoring – an unbiased way of deciding who should receive credit. Weights or scores are associated with your personal credit attributes, such as your income, debt and the time spent at your current address. These scores are added to give a total credit score. The total credit score is a prediction of how likely a person with that score is to default on their loan.

Discount Points (or Points) -The Amounts paid to the lender (based on percentage of the loan amount) to buy down the interest rate. Each point charged represents one percent of the loan amount; for example, one point on a $100,000 mortgage is $1,000. In general, paying one point on a 30 year fixed mortgage reduces your interest rate 1/8 (.125) of a percent.

Fannie Mae (FNMA) – The nickname for Federal National Mortgage Association. Fannie Mae is a congressionally chartered and shareholder-owned company that is the nation’s largest source of financing for home mortgages.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) – An agency of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). They mainly insure residential mortgage loans made by private lenders. They also set the standards for construction and underwriting but do not plan or construct housing nor lend money.

Freddie Mac – A common Nickname for Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC). They are a federally chartered corporation that purchases residential mortgages, and then sells and insures securities based on the mortgages to investors.

Good Faith Estimate – A written estimate provided by the lender of the closing costs a borrower is likely to pay at settlement. This estimate must be provided to all loan applicants within three business days after a loan application is received.

Hazard Insurance – Insurance to protect the homeowner and the lender against physical damage to a property from fire, wind, vandalism, and certain other natural causes. Mortgage lenders often require the borrower to carry an amount of hazard insurance on the property that is at least equal to the amount of the loan amount.

Jumbo Loan – A loan that exceeds the legislated purchase limits of Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). Also called a non-conforming loan.

Loan to Value Ratio (LTV) – The loan amount divided by the value of the property expressed as a percentage. Value is defined as the lower of sales price or appraised value of the property. Generally, the lower the LTV the more favorable the terms of the programs offered by lenders.

Lock or Lock In – A designated period of time during which a borrower and a lender have agreed to a specific interest rate. Most locks are from 30 to 45 days. This usually involves paying a fee to the lender. Mortgage rates not “locked in” are subject to changing market conditions.

Under some conditions, if you lock and the rates drop, the better rate can be obtained.

Mortgage-Backed Security (MBS) – A security backed by a group of mortgages issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FNMA) and the Federal National Mortgage Association (FHLMC). Investors of mortgage backed securities receive payments derived from the interest and principal of the underlying mortgages.

Mortgage Insurance (MIP or PMI) – Insurance purchased by the buyer that covers the lender against losses incurred as a result of a default on a home loan. This is generally required on all loans that have a loan-to-value higher than 80%. Also, FHA loans and some first-time buyer programs still require mortgage insurance regardless of the LTV. When you have accumulated 20% of your home’s value as equity, you can ask your lender to waive the PMI.

Negative Amortization – A gradual increase in mortgage principal that occurs when the monthly payment is not large enough to cover the entire principal and interest due. This shortfall is added to the outstanding balance to create “negative” amortization.

Origination Fee – The fee that a lender charges you for processing a loan. It is usually expressed as a percentage of the loan amount. Unlike points, the origination fee doesn’t impact the interest rate. It doesn’t usually include fees for appraisals, credit reports, inspections or loan document preparation.

PITI – Stands for principal, interest, taxes and insurance which are the four components of your monthly mortgage payment. The payments of principal and interest go directly towards repaying the loan while the taxes and insurance (homeowner’s and PMI) goes into an escrow account to be paid on your behalf when they are due.

Prepayment Penalty – A fee charged by a mortgage lender to a borrower who wants to pay off part or all of a mortgage loan in advance of schedule. The charge is generally expressed as a percent of the loan balance at the time of prepayment, or it can be a specified number of months interest. It is not allowed for FHA or VA loans.

Reverse Mortgage – A loan that enables elderly homeowners, to use their home’s equity without selling their home or moving from it. A lending institution makes a check out to the homeowners each month. This payment is really a loan against the value of a home. Because the payment is a loan, it’s tax-free when the homeowners receive it. These loans are non-recourse.

Title Insurance – Insurance that protects lenders and homeowners against financial loss in a property because of legal disputes over the ownership of a property.

Underwriting – The process of analyzing a loan application to determine the amount of risk for the lender making the loan. Underwriting involves evaluating the borrower’s creditworthiness and the property itself and then selecting the appropriate loan term and interest rate.

Variable Rate – In a variable interest loan, the interest rate changes periodically in relation to an index. For example, the interest rate might be linked to the cost of US Treasury Bills and be updated monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.

VA Loan – A loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA loans are made to honorably discharged veterans or their un-remarried widows or widowers. These loans require low or no down payment and offer low interest rates.