Is your home loan interest rate higher than the national average? Is your home in need of some much-needed repairs or are you in need of some extra money to pay off credit cards or other bills? A mortgage refinance loan may be exactly what you need to take care of these needs and any others that you might think of.
If your interest rate is higher than normal, it is a good idea to refinance your loan. A lower interest rate can make your monthly payment lower and easier to manage. If you are having financial difficulties, this can be especially helpful. If your finances are pretty steady, then you may be able to get a shorter-term loan when you refinance so your loan will be paid off much sooner. This is great if you are planning to stay in your home for the rest of your life or for longer than the length of the loan. If you are planning to move within ten years, then a shorter-term loan will most likely not be as important to you as a lower payment would be.
If you are in need of some money to pay off credit cards, make needed home repairs, or even to take a vacation, then you might want to consider refinancing your home. You first need to find out if you have any equity built up in your home. Equity is the value of your home versus the amount that you own on your house. Let us say that your home is now worth $125,000 ten years after you purchased it and you owe your lender $95,000. The equity that you have is $30,000. You can borrow up to $125,000 against your home and can use the $30,000 equity for repairs, bills, or anything else. You need to decide if your intended use is worth you refinancing your loan for 15 years or more. The good thing about home loans is that they are tax-deductible in most cases, so this may be a good benefit for you.
Refinancing will mean that in most cases you are starting your payment term all over again. This is something that you need to keep in mind before signing on the dotted line. You need to know all of your options before you decide that this is your only option. Home loan refinancing is a big business and many companies will offer you the moon to get you to refinance. You need to take into account the closing costs and fees of the loan to ensure that it is a right choice for you.
If you do all of your research and come to the conclusion that refinancing is right for you then you need to find a lender that you are comfortable with. Check around to several different lenders to find the best interest rate for your loan to ensure that you are getting the best deal. Then you are sure to find a mortgage refinance loan that you are satisfied and happy with!
By: Paul Heath
Posts Tagged ‘Home Equity’
Do You Need a Mortgage Refinance Loan?
April 26th, 2010VA Loan Refinancing For Home Equity Refinancing
April 14th, 2010
There is way for you to get the cash you need If you have to consolidate the high interest of your credit card debt or you have to pay the college tuition of your children. You can opt for VA loan refinancing for home equity. This can make great improvements to your budget.
You can find the cash that you need in no time and this is all made possible because of VA loan refinancing.
VA loan refinancing transactions require the repayment of your ongoing real estate debt from the proceeds of the mortgage that you have with VA. It must have the same borrower and property. This is called the “Cash Out Refinance.” Cash Out Refinance are used as the principle residence of the owner.
It is a general rule that the owner can refinance up to 90% of the value that has been appraised. But you have to check with the state that you are living in because this option is not available in some. All closing costs of the property must withstand the allotted loan at par to the value ratio.
There is no required minimum amount or duration that the home must be owned. However, you must pay the loan on time in order to qualify for home equity refinancing.
People often wonder whether the rates adjust. This is a concern because people who have resorted to this have already fixed their budget to accommodate the payment that they have to make every month. A fixed VA loan refinancing rate allows them to allow their money properly.
They should understand that it is up to the lender. Their other option is the adjustable VA loan refinancing rate wherein the interest is adjusted up to one percent every year. Generally, this reaches five percent over the whole five years which is the typical duration period.
Therefore, you must not make the mistake of taking the first offer that sounds fair to you. Only you know which VA loan refinancing is best for you. The previous paragraph has elaborated the main difference between the two.
You can consult with an expert and ask to help you with the calculation. See whether you will be able to save more with the fixed VA loan refinancing rate or the adjustable VA loan refinancing rate is the one for you. Do not make any brash decisions until you see the calculation.
Then you can check with the company whether your calculation is correct and you come to terms with the payment that you have to make.
By: Ricky Lim
Refinance Mortgage Loan – Shorten Your Loan Term
March 7th, 2010
A 15-year loan term has many advantages, although it may appear to be expensive because of the higher monthly amortization. However, a shorter loan term assures you that you’ll be free from this burden before or at the time of retirement and save thousands of dollars. Consider having your loan restructured to a shorter loan term.
Benefits of a Shorter Loan Term
The prospect of spending 30 years paying back a mortgage is discouraging. If you have 20 years remaining on your loan, the option to shorten your loan term to 15 can be tempting. Taking away 5 years from a 20-year loan means a higher monthly bill, but freedom from the mortgage after 15 years instead of 20 is definitely more appealing. But if it’s only a matter of a few hundred dollars more, why not? Never mind if you’ll be paying a higher monthly bill.
You’ll be saving thousands of dollars from interests alone with the five years knocked off from the 20-year loan term. Another benefit is building your home equity faster. A refinance mortgage loan offers the chance to restructure your terms.
What’s Involved
For a home mortgage, the lender will pull your credit record to check if you’ve been paying your debts on time. You’ll also be paying the fees involved before, during, and after your loan is processed.
The lender will assess all the information to evaluate if you are a good risk for a shorter loan term. If you’re dealing with the same lender, the process won’t be as rigorous and as lengthy like it would be if you go to a new lender.
It’s a fact that lenders prefer long-term mortgages because it rakes in more profits. To counter loss in future profits, lenders penalize borrowers for paying their mortgage ahead of term. This is why prospective borrowers should always inquire if the lender charges prepayment penalties.
Assuming that your lender does not charge penalties on prepayment, you have to contend instead with the closing costs for your refinance mortgage loan.
Others get a refinance mortgage loan to switch to a short term interest only loan. They are banking on the equity of the house and intend to sell it in the near future. The proceeds of the sale will go to the interest and they can still have extra money from the profit. In your case, you’re looking at the full ownership of your home in a shorter time.
For a new loan, you can decide if you want a fixed rate mortgage or an ARM. An online calculator can compute how much you’re going to pay the monthly bill in 15 years’ time. From the calculations, you’ll be able to determine the feasibility of a short term ARM or fixed rate refinance mortgage loan.
Short Term or Long Term?
A short term, or traditional loan, will always depend on your financial situation and future plans. A short-term refi is ideal now that interest rates are low. You’ll be surprised that you’ll be paying the same monthly fee as your first mortgage, so there’s not much of a change in the monthly bills. The prospect of paying off your loan in 15 years, however, is imminent. For those who feel secure with the stability of the traditional 30-year loan term, switching from an ARM to a fixed rate refinance mortgage loan is recommended.
By: Rony Walker