There are many ways in which Loans can be categorized. When we say Loan, we are talking about big Loans, not payday Loans. If we categorize them based on their nature, there are 4 types: Mortgage Refinance Loans, Home Equity Loan, Debt Consolidation Loans and Personal Loans.
Whatever the type of Loan, the process involves certain procedural steps.
A Home Equity Loan is a type of Loan in which the borrower is expected to repay a fixed amount of money over a fixed time period. This is confirmed by a `line of credit’, an agreement that is signed by the borrower. However, there is a flexibility option in which the borrower can pay interest only on the amount used.
A Debt Consolidation Loan is the best option if the person is repaying several different Loans simultaneously, such as numerous credit card balances. The debt consolidation process combines all these into one Loan. In other words, the person gets one monthly statement and pays only once a month. Though debt consolidation is a good option, there are limitations. If the Loan is stretched out over a longer time period, the interest may become higher.
Next is the Personal Loan. It includes any large amount of Loan meant for higher studies [Student Loans], starting a business, or other options.
Whatever the type of Loan Refinance, credit situation tracking remains of fundamental importance. Though this can be done by one’s self manually, or by hiring a Loan professional, there are excellent alternatives available today, with many computer tools such as Microsoft Money 2005 Deluxe. They come with price tags in the $30 – $60 range.
By: Ken Marlborough
Posts Tagged ‘Student Loans’
Refinance Loans
January 2nd, 2010
The most common reason that people refinance is to save money, but there are many other reasons why you should refinance.
1. What about refinancing to lower payment on a current loan:
You may be able to refinance your current loan at a much lower interest rate thus reducing your loan payments monthly. With interest rates at their lowest in years, you might be able to find some lower rates – sometimes far much better than what you are currently paying for your mortgage. Refinancing your mortgage or loan when rates are down could save you lots of money over the life of your mortgage loan.
2. Refinancing and Consolidating Debts:
Some choose to consolidate debts and refinance to replace loans of high-interest with a low-rate loan. Most loans being consolidated and or refinanced may include higher student loans, home loans and those “bad” credit cards. So, by refinancing and consolidating you will clear all your current loans and replace them with one low monthly payment with a better interest rate. Example of this would be on a 3,000 loan some homeowners can save in excess of $60 a month which is a big saving. A debt consolidation loan is one of the best solutions for anyone who has several monthly payments. Refinance loans will allows you to repay your existing loans from the money of a new loan .
3. Refinancing to Reduce the life of the Loan:
Reducing the term or life of your loan can help you save money over the loan duration. Example might be refinancing from a 9-year loan to a 5-year loan will result in higher monthly payment, however your total of the payments made on the loan can be reduced significantly. Also keep in mind that by doing this you will be able to build up your home equity much faster. A refinance loan often will save you thousands in interest charges over the term of the loan.
4. Refinancing your Variable to Fixed Rates:
Some people will often refinance in order to change their loan from a variable rate to a fixed rate . This will help you to achieve stability and the security of a fixed loan. Your Fixed loans are most popular when interest rates are low, and variable rates tend to be more popular when rates on the higher side. Rates that are low will allow you to refinance to lock in the low rates. When rates are high, you might prefer the short term discounted variable rates on a loan to obtain a lower payment. One of the biggest benefits to refinancing is having the ability to lock a low interest rate for the life of your loan.
When considering to refinance you should carefully look at all of your options so that the savings you make by refinancing out weigh the costs and penalties. Most homeowners can refinance, but the point is to find a loan that will better the existing loan or mortgage.
By: Troy Francis
Refinance Scams – Shady Loan Officer Tactics – Part 1
November 25th, 2009
Refinancing scams are big news lately, and for good reason. If you are considering refinancing your home, I urge you to read this article in its entirety. It might save you tens of thousands of dollars in the long run.
I used to work for a major, US direct lender who specialized in home-loan refinancing. This corporation taught its loan representatives how to manipulate customers into agreeing to loans that were not in the borrower’s best interest. Although we were taught many methods of psychologically coercing customers into signing loan documents, this article will only discuss one of those methods.
Before I discuss this tactic, you should realize that when a lender evaluates your loan application, they are primarily looking at three things:
1) FICO Score
2) Mortgage-related late payments
3) Bankruptcies
Credit-card payment history, car-payment history, student loans, collections, charge-offs, and pretty much any type of credit problem that is not directly related to a mortgage is irrelevant to getting your loan approved. Why are these credit issues irrelevant? Because that is what the FICO score represents. Your FICO score is a numerical value that takes into consideration all of these factors and lumps them into a number that will range from 500 to 800+.
Mortgage-related late payments will typically increase your interest rate. Bankruptcies will also increase your interest rate or (depending upon the lender) make you “un-lendable”.
Here is the tactic that you should be aware of:
Your loan officer may want to talk with you about your credit history. He or she will ask you specific questions regarding credit-card late payments or otherwise non-mortgage related issues on your credit report. Your loan officer will ask that you explain yourself and provide a valid reason why you were late on those payments.
How is this manipulative?
For starters, those credit issues are irrelevant to your loan approval. Your loan officer should not be discussing them. By asking about your credit history and requesting an explanation, your loan officer is accomplishing three things:
1) Making you feel insecure about your credit history so that you will be less likely to request a quote from another lender
2) Forcing you to “open up” about your personal life, which will help develop a stronger relationship between the two of you
3) Make you feel more appreciative of the loan that your loan officer offers you
The more battered your credit history, the more ammunition a ruthless loan officer will have to use against you and try to manipulate you into accepting a loan that is not in your best interest.
Remember, the majority of loan officers know exactly what type of loan you are approved for the moment they pull your credit. There is absolutely no need for them to delve into your past.
If you experience this type of tactic from your loan officer, I strongly suggest you find a more reputable company to work with.
By: Christian Rios