I wish I would have never taken out this adjustable loan. What do I do now?
For the past several years so many people have taken out adjustable loans only to later realize that at some point, when the loan adjusts, that their monthly payment might be higher than they can really afford. Furthermore, many of these adjustable loans included a prepayment penalty. Such a penalty forces the borrower to pay a large fee to close out a loan, whether you refinance or sell.
Therefore the first step in deciding whether to refinance is to find out exactly what type of loan you have. Call your lender at the number provided on the mortgage statement and find out if your loan is in fact fixed or adjustable. If they tell you it is fixed be sure to ask, “for how long is it fixed?” If they say 5 years or less, you really have an adjustable loan. Most adjustable loans were packaged in 2, 3 or 5 year increments. Only if they tell you that your loan is the same rate for 15 years, 20 or 30 years do you have a true fixed rate loan.
The next step is to then find out if you have a prepayment penalty and just how much extra it will cost to actually refinance out of your present loan program. Some prepayment penalties will be equal to 6 months of mortgage payments. Others are for a percentage of the outstanding loan amount, (i.e. 1% or 2% etc).
Finally you need to find out when your prepayment penalty is going to expire. For example many adjustable mortgages have a fixed rate for 2 years and then will adjust. After 2 years your prepayment penalty should also expire. Hopefully this is the case so you can move forward and take advantage of the great refinance rates that are presently available.
However, if your loan is to adjust after 2 years but your prepay penalty won’t expire for 3 years then you are in an unfortunate position because odds are your monthly payment is going higher and in the mean time you will be stuck paying a prepayment penalty if you choose to refinance and if you do not refinance because of the penalty, than you are stuck with one more year of higher monthly payments.
Fortunately most reputable lenders and loan officers set up their client’s adjustable loans to adjust after 2 or 3 years. If your loan was fixed for 2 years the penalty would end after 2 years, and if your loan was to adjust after 3 years the penalty would end after 3 years.
So be proactive and find out exactly what type of loan you have and you will be well on your way to knowing whether it is a good time to refinance or not.
Good Luck and Happy Hunting.
By: Allen Sayble
Posts Tagged ‘Mortgage Payments’
When Should I Refinance My Adjustable Loan?
April 18th, 20102009 Obama Stimulus Plan For Mortgage Refinancing and Home Loan Modification
March 28th, 2010
Homeowners who are having a hard time paying their monthly mortgage payment, are facing “Financial Hardships”, are facing foreclosure, or want to save money every month should take advantage of President Obamas “Making Home Affordable” plan. This recently enacted plan allows homeowners to get 2% fixed rate home mortgages through refinancing or loan modification. Here is how you can take advantage:
To take advantage of President Obamas plan for yourself, you must meet these guidelines and eligibility requirements:
-Homeowners who are facing financial hardships, and can prove them with documents, can apply for, and most likely be approved for a home loan modification. This will be into a much more affordable monthly payment, depending on your financial hardships and how much those cost you.
-The home which is to be refinanced using this “Making Home Affordable” plan needs to be lived in as a primary residence by the actual homeowner. Homes used as investment, or second properties are not covered under this Government backed housing bailout program.
-With such a bad housing market and economy, homeowners can now refinance or get a home loan modification even if they owe as much as 105% of their homes actual market value. This will assist a lot of homeowners who have been making their payments, yet have seen their home values drop as a result of the tough economy.
-Home loans backed by either Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae are automatically eligible to be modified into a monthly payment which will not exceed 31% of the homeowners gross monthly income. This will help a lot of people who currently spend 50% or more of their income towards their mortgage payments.
This is a great way for millions of homeowners across the country to get back on track with their finances, save money every month, or most importantly save their home from foreclosure. Refinancing and loan modification are now easier and more beneficial for a homeowner than they have ever been before. If you need to save money to save your home, or pay off other mounting debts, use this plan now and start seeing the huge savings every month. You at least should look into the potential savings that you may be able to get by talking to a mortgage lender or bank. Do yourself a favor and act now before it is too late and you lose your home, or this program is gone.
By: Michael Petrone
Oklahoma Refinance Loans – 3 Reasons to Refinance Now
March 18th, 2010
The decision to get an Oklahoma refinance loan is a big one. It may also be one of the best things a homeowner could do for their finances. Still many people wait so long to refinance that they miss out on a wonderful opportunity. Here are three reasons to quit sitting on the sidelines and refinance now:
Great Deals on Interest Rates
Though interest rates in Oklahoma are slightly higher than they were a year or two ago, they are still at a historical low. Current rates on 15-year loans and 30-years refinance loans in Oklahoma average 5.1 and 5.76 percent respectively. Refinancing now before rates get any higher could allow you to lock in at a fair interest rate that will provide you with immediate savings, as well as savings over the life of your mortgage loan.
Debt Can Be Overwhelming
If you are having debt issues, refinancing now before your debt gets too far out of control could be very beneficial. Taking advantage of an Oklahoma refinance loan could prove to be the path you need to take to get things turned around. Whether you are behind on your mortgage payments or struggling under high interest credit card debt, refinancing can get you out of your financial jam.
Use Equity to Your Advantage
Home values in Oklahoma have risen steadily over the last five years. With an Oklahoma refinance loan, you can get withdraw some of that equity and get cash at closing. Just think of the things your home could buy you—a college education, home improvements, a new car, a new business, the dream vacation you have always wanted to take…the list goes on and on.
By: Jane A. Hale