Are you part of the sub-prime home mortgage refinance scenario? Then it’s time to take a good hard look at current trends.

Rising real estate costs

The real estate market has seen a steep rise in the price of houses – with the result that the average home buyer cannot afford to spend such a high sum on owning a new home. Even those persons who are making monthly payments towards the home mortgage refinance are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with rising prices. Interest rates have shot up, further tipping the scales against the homeowner’s favor.

Why the sudden rise?

There are many reasons why interest rates and associated real estate expenses have escalated. For starters, the sub prime market borrowers typically comprise those who have already been rejected as per other more stringent eligibility criteria in the prime market. This means the sub prime home mortgage refinance lenders offer them loans at relatively easier criteria – some of them may even imply lesser documentation and background checks on the borrower. Even those borrowers who have a relatively lower credit score maybe approved under the sub prime market home mortgage refinance lending process.

The real estate segment is hurting

Delinquencies and default patterns are at an all time high. Foreclosure and Real Estate Owned is a common phenomenon these days in the home mortgage refinance scenario. Why this is happening can be predominantly attributed to the re-adjustment in rates. Usually the sub prime home mortgage refinance lenders attract borrowers with a low promotional rate. When this rate shoots up after the promotional stage, it’s a nightmarish situation for borrowers and lenders. The borrower finds it impossible to pay up and the lender finds it virtually impossible to recover the money. This is also known as predatory lending – it’s quite similar to hunting for a prey by luring with attractive rates of interest. Once the unsuspecting customer has been caught in the web, there’s no escape and the home mortgage refinance lender extract every possible penny from the borrower. What this means from a long term perspective is that investors lose trust in the home mortgage refinance lending company. This can affect the prime market and potentially qualifying borrowers may not qualify in the prime market. This way home sales deteriorate and real estate suffers.

Growing competition

With the recent decline in home sales, most home mortgage refinance lenders are skeptical on future profit margins. They prefer to be less optimistic about the future trends in the sub prime market. However this has not stopped lenders from fiercely competing with each other. In fact, competition has now escalated because in the dwindling home mortgage refinance market, every lender wants to make a quick buck or two.




By: Alan Lim

 

Because many homeowners explore the possibility of getting a home mortgage refinance for the simple reason that they want to save money, it is particularly important to make certain that the interest rate and the way in which it is applied are completely satisfactory.  You should review each component of the proposed loan package when you have access to it, but even before the loan is applied for, there are some things you can do and some decisions you can make that will be beneficial to the overall cost of your refinance. The following tips will help you be aware of some of these factors that affect the price of your loan package.

 

Correct errors in your credit report

 

In preparing for a home mortgage refinance, you can usually save money by making certain that your credit report is clear and accurate.  It has been found that many credit reports from the three major reporting bureaus contain inaccuracies that can significantly affect your ability to get your mortgage refinance, or may cause you to pay much more due to higher interest rates. Checking with each of the credit bureaus, obtaining a copy of your credit history and correct any inaccuracies will help your chances of getting the best interest rates.

 

ARM or Fixed rate?

 

An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) tends to be significantly lower in interest rates during the initial months of the mortgage.  It can, however, rise dramatically if the index on which it is based increases during the ‘honeymoon’ period. When you choose a home mortgage refinance with an adjustable rate mortgage, you should be aware of the impact that maximum adjustments to the rate will have in your monthly payment and you should plan accordingly.  A fixed rate mortgage generally is a little higher rate throughout the course or term of the mortgage but it never changes in response to outside causes.

 

Loan term

 

The loan term is the length of time that will elapse before the home mortgage refinance loan is completely paid off. The most common loan terms are 15 years and 30 years, but the term can be any of several other time lengths. There are even loan terms as long as forty or fifty years. Generally, the shorter the loan term, the better the interest rates. Considering the shorter loan term is more likely to get a better rate, you should obtain the shortest length term that you can reasonable afford.

 

Closing costs

 

Another factor that can affect the rates that you pay for a home mortgage refinance loan is that of closing costs.  For example, if you pay down points on your refinance loan, you will receive a better rate.  Paying down points is another way of saying you are prepaying interest. Prepaying points saves in two ways.  First, you pay a lower rate of interest on the entire loan and second, you pay some of the interest up front when it has the most impact on overall costs. Check each of the closing costs to make sure that none are being rolled into the principal balance.

  




By: Alan Lim

Overview

A home mortgage is the largest single investment that most people make during their lifetime. Using the equity that develops after regular mortgage payments and appreciation of the value on your home is an excellent way to access cash without taking out a high interest rate loan on a credit card or finance company. This revised mortgage loan is known as a home mortgage refinance. Structured correctly, the loan can provide cash for paying debts, making purchases, remodeling your home or almost any other large project you deem necessary. Depending upon the original interest rate you paid and the amount of equity you have built up over the years, you can even refinance and pay less money each month in repayment.

Paying cash for purchases

If you have large amounts of cash available and some significant purchases that are coming due, you can make use of a home mortgage refinance in order to cover the cost of the purchase so that you are not forced to charge an item to a credit card or access other high interest rate loans. You may have a medical bill that needs to be paid. You may want to purchase a swimming pool for your back yard or a grand piano. While not every purchase is a wise use of home equity money, you can make significant savings over the cost of credit card debt by using an equity loan.

Paying cash for debt reduction

When your debts get out of hand, particularly if they are high interest rate credit card debts, sometimes a home mortgage refinance is a good solution. By trading the equity in your home, you pay off the debts that are costing you high interest amounts so that your only debt is your home mortgage with an interest rate that is generally much lower than credit card interest rates. Having a single payment is usually less stressful than multiple payments and is easier to keep track of.

Paying cash for investments

Occasionally homeowners decide to use the equity in their home to pay for other investment vehicles that have a solid rate of return. This is a more risky approach to investment in some cases, but may pay off quite well. An example would be if there is an opportunity to purchase a fixer-upper property or other low cost real estate that could provide additional household income through rental or reselling. Using a home mortgage refinance is a generally straightforward way to access cash at good interest rates.

Paying cash for financial stability

A home mortgage refinance can be a useful way to increase your level of financial stability. With only one outstanding debt–your mortgage–you can easily prepare a budget that stays within the available income level of your household. The amount generally doesn’t fluctuate and the due date is always the same, allowing for better planning on your part. This type of attention to income and outgo improves your credit history which makes your options in the event of a future emergency more available.




By: Alan Lim