If you are in the process of refinancing your mortgage it is important to understand how loan-to-value affects your mortgage application. Here is what you need to know about your loan-to-value ratio.
The value of your home is an important aspect of your mortgage application. The loan-to-value ratio lenders use is based on the appraised value of your home and the amount you are requesting to borrow. To determine your loan-to-value ratio, divide the total amount of your loan by the value of your home from a recent appraisal.
For example, if your home is worth $150,000 and you are asking for $120,000 from your new mortgage lender, your loan-to-value ratio is .80 or 80%. Mortgage lenders have guidelines for approving mortgage loans and traditional lenders typically do not approve mortgage applications with loan-to-value ratios greater than 80 percent; if the lender is willing to approve a mortgage above 80% loan-to-value, that lender may require Private Mortgage Insurance in order to qualify.
Mortgage lenders consider homeowners with high loan-to-value ratios to be more of a risk for lending. Homeowners that own more equity in their homes are less likely to default on their mortgages than those that have little or no equity. In addition to requiring borrowers with high loan-to-value ratios to take out Private Mortgage Insurance, mortgage lenders charge these borrowers higher interest rates because of this increased risk. If you are a homeowner with a high loan-to-value ratio the lender may require you to pay for a new appraisal before approving your mortgage. To learn more about refinancing your mortgage and avoiding common mortgage mistakes, register for a free mortgage guidebook using the links below.
By: Louie Latour
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Mortgage Refinancing: Loan-to-Value Ratio Basics
March 27th, 2010Home Mortgage Refinance Loan Costs – What You Can Reasonably Expect to Pay When Mortgage Refinancing
February 15th, 2010
If you are a homeowner considering mortgage refinancing, it is important to know what reasonable fees you can expect to pay. Comparison shopping for a home mortgage refinance loan will save you thousands of dollars if you know what reasonable rates and fees are. Here are several tips to help you avoid overpaying fees when taking out a home mortgage refinance loan.
Mortgage refinancing can save you thousands of dollars when done correctly. When comparison shopping for a home mortgage refinance loan, it is important to compare lender fees, closing costs, and interest rates using the Good Faith Estimate. Many financial advisors tell you to pick a mortgage based on the Annual Percentage Rate; however, the APR does not give you enough information to make an informed decision.
Home Mortgage Refinance Loan Origination Fees
Origination fees are paid to the Mortgage Company or broker that completes your home mortgage refinance loan. Your home mortgage refinance loan origination fees should not be higher than 1-1.5% for a home you live in. If you are refinancing an investment property you can expect your origination fees to run 2-2.5%.
Home Mortgage Refinance Loan Junk Fees
The next fee to locate on your Good Faith Estimate is the home mortgage refinance loan processing fee. Do not pay more than $400 for loan processing; anything more and the mortgage company is gouging you with the processing fee. Lastly, look for anything on the home mortgage refinance loan Good Faith Estimate that resembles a broker origination or courier fee, application fee, loan submission fee, or lock fees. These are mortgage company junk fees that you should never agree to pay.
You can learn more about home mortgage refinance loans and avoiding costly mistakes by registering for a free mortgage tutorial.
By: Louie Latour