Comparing mortgage rates for mortgage can be confusing and difficult if you are unaware of the terms used to describe the actual cost of a mortgage.  Comparing mortgage rates is much easier if you understand the terminology and can get a handle on the actual costs of a mortgage.

The first term that is used commonly is the A.P.R. or Annual Percentage Rate.  When using this term to compare mortgage rates, make sure that the lender is adding all costs that are considered  “Non-recurring” into the loan as most of the costs affect the A.P.R.  “Non-recurring” costs are those that are a one-time charge associated with the loan and they include origination fees, discount points, appraisal, processing, underwriting, loan document charges, title and escrow fees.  Items which are recurring are taxes, interest, insurance, mortgage insurance and home owners insurance (if applicable).

Be aware when comparing interest rates that A.P.R is the actual interest rate paid when all loan fees are included and the loan is paid over the entire term.

Additionally when comparing mortgage rates, make sure that the lender is including all fees and get a good faith estimate along with a truth in lending disclosure which will disclose the A.P.R. as discussed.

The good faith estimate is a disclosure of the fees that will be charged in the transaction including non-recurring and recurring charges.  When Comparing mortgage rates, look at the fees shown by each lender and see whether or not the fees are similar.  Because some of the fees like escrow and title may be third party fees, they are estimated and some may be estimated too high or too low.

Comparing mortgage interest rates is much easier when you understand the terms.  In the future, the team at myloanexpert.com hope that you find this information useful.  If you would like to learn mortgage about how to compare mortgage rates, visit myloanexpert.com for a free mortgage quote.

There is a growing trend among the older generation of homeowners for what are called ‘reverse mortgages’. They are called reverse because it is the householder who gets the money from the bank rather than paying it to the bank as they have been doing for the majority of their house-owning lives. More irreverently, people who take up this financial product are becoming known as the SKI generation. SKI is an acronym for ‘spending the kids’ inheritance’. And why shouldn’t they? They’ve worked hard all their lives to repay the home loans and they are nearing the end of the road with a small percentage of the capital left to repay. Now it’s time to enjoy their sunset years with extra cash on hand for all their travel, pastimes and other dream fulfilling experiences.

This financial product is designed specifically for the older householder with small amounts of outstanding secured home debt. There are no other stipulations to be met before getting their hands on all that value tied up their ‘bricks and mortar’. So there are no medicals, no credit checks and no income verification. The lifetime mortgage provides a life-enhancing cash flow regardless of the homeowners’ current cash circumstances.  It’s not really about the kids’ inheritance but rather a question of peace of mind at time of life when it is deserved. The reverse mortgagees can go ahead and make those improvements to their home, their standard of living, their healthcare or simply have a ‘just in case’ lump sum available for emergencies.As long as the ‘reversers’ continue to live, in the main, in their property it means the end of repayments.

This aspect of reverse mortgages is what makes them unique among the secured loan products. The ‘skiers’ continue to hold the title deeds of the property and not the bank or building society. If the householder survives beyond the mortgage term the lender can neither take further payments nor take possession. What is more the householder is limited to borrowing up to the value of the property. The obligation to repay the loan amount is held in abeyance until the house is sold on, the homeowner passes away or they take up a different primary residence.The cash sum a homeowner can get from the reverse mortgage varies with individual circumstances but as general rule of thumb it rises in line with both age of the borrower and property value.Local taxes and all utilities remain the responsibility of the reverse mortgagee. Bundled in with the loan amount that is repaid at the end of the term are all the costs of arranging this mortgage. There is always an arrangement fee, a one off opening fee, a termination fee (for the loan, not the homeowner), the ubiquitous insurance and finally a service charge, which is normally on a per month basis.

The interest rates on reverse mortgages are variable in line with the base rate. As and when the homeowner sells the property in question, or indeed dies, then they, or the trustees of their estate, repay the outstanding promised amounts. Any remaining equity becomes part of the estate for the heirs or remains in the hands of the borrower.There is wide range of choice of method by which the householder receives the money from this inverted mortgage deal. It is up to the householder to pick the method best suited to their needs. So for example if the mortgagee wants a monthly lump sum payment then they can choose a ‘tenure’ scheme, which will do just that for as long as the property is their primary residence.Alternatively the mortgagee can choose a ‘term’ scheme where they take an agreed number of payments of a set amount each month.

More flexible is a ‘line of credit’ type contract. With this the borrower chooses how much to receive and when to receive it up until the agreed loan amount is used up.Other choices are really variations on these three themes. Thus there is the ‘modified tenure’ where a monthly amount accrues to the borrower as long as they are in residence, along with a line of credit. Or a ‘modified term’ that also mixes a line of credit with the set number of monthly amounts.Reverse mortgages are the perfect solution to financial worries of the older homeowner. They give freedom to people to do as they wish at a point in their lives where they have the time to enjoy life to the fullest.

What follows is an all too familiar story in hundreds of thousands of homes across America.

Mr. and Mrs. Owin finally realized the dream of owning their own home in July 2005. They took on a home loan secured against their house in the amount of half a million dollars. It was hard, but they could make the monthly debits on this home loan and they did just that for two whole years. The monthly amount was twelve hundred and fifty dollars because the interest rate for the first two years was a very low 3%. Now the Owins are good honest people but they were miss- sold this mortgage. They didn’t pay much attention to the small print in the contract where it said the interest rate would be altered upwards in July 2007 by nearly double. Their new monthly payments would become nearly two thousand four hundred dollars. Which is a good six hundred dollars beyond the Owins’ budget.

They only half saw it coming. It was too late to sell up when the full extent of the money owing struck them. They would like to sell now but they can’t find a buyer and the property is valued at less than four fifths of their half million dollar debt. So now they are between the proverbial rock and a hard place. They can’t sell but neither can they afford the arrears. Repossession is bearing down on them like an express train.The only way out for Mr. and Mrs. Owin is a quick sale of their dream home. This is where someone pays bottom dollar for a home in advance of it being repossessed by the lending company.

So the Owins, or we should say the bank gets three hundred and seventy five thousand dollars for the house and then writes off the remaining $120,000. Unfortunately the Owins’ difficulty does not end there because the federal government sees this write off as unearned income and wants their share of it. So the Owins have no home, no money, a poor credit rating and an internal revenue bill.

This is an all too familiar picture in America in 2008. With many more people in the rate hike pipeline, facing the upward ratcheting of their home loan payments, the George W. Bush administration rushed through a package of helpful legislation. The ‘Mortgage Relief Act’came in to force just in time for Christmas last year. The aim of this act was to stem the tide of foreclosures, prop up the US economy and help people like the Owins to escape from between the rock and the hard place. It is rightly called a national homeowner crisis because people like the Owins could never earn enough to pay back the amount they were bamboozled into taking on.

This new law now changes the Federal taxation requirements so that when people have been let off the home loan, anything up to $2,000,000, they are no longer to be taxed on it. So it is much needed good news for people like the Owins.This new act is also good for the economy as a whole because it benefits two key sectors in it. These are the banks and savings & loans and the first-time homebuyers. The effect of the Act is to multiply the number of pre repossession sales and to motivate banks to market the real estate on their books aggressively.

This means millions of houses and condominiums are coming down in price. The banks make profits on lending so they are being very accommodating to anybody who comes to them with a good credit history and a desire to borrow money. Thus, this is boosting the first time buyers and thereby the economy.First time homebuyers are the engine of the whole housing market. They now are faced with an over-supply of affordable properties and very approachable lending institutions. They can negotiate inexpensive home loans for places that just last year were beyond their budgets. There are also a number of federal and local ‘easy finance programs’ available to qualifying first-timers. It is believed that with all these initiatives together the American economy will soon bounce back from its’ self-inflicted sub-prime debacle. 

Refinancing is a must do consideration for all householders! Refinancing has to be on the top of your cash-management ‘to do list’! Refinancing is a financial product that will stand the test of time because it is good for both the finance companies and their clients! Lending companies will do and brokers will facilitate large numbers of refinancing deals in a week but the clients will only do it occasional when the time and their circumstances are ripe for it. But what is refinancing, what is in it for the homeowner and how can you tell if you are ripe for it?

Refinancing is simply the substituting of one loan deal for another where the collateral asset is the same. It is most commonly associated with home loans but can be done by individuals and businesses with any line of credit secured against an asset, such as a car, a factory, or corporate shares. A typical example would be a homeowner moving their business to a different bank by paying up their outstanding mortgage and taking out a new one with the new bank.Homeowners can tell if they are ripe for refinancing if they can answer yes to three questions:

1. Are market interests rates one point or more, below what you are currently contracted to pay?
2. Have you been making on-time payments on your current home loan for at least two years?
3. Are you sure that you will reside in the mortgaged property for at least two more years?

If your replies are yes, yes and yes then you need to get on to a specialist remortgage broker today. What will refinance do for you? It will reduce your monthly home loan payouts significantly and in two ways. Firstly it will mean you pay a reduced interest level on your loan and secondly it will spread your repayments out over a longer period of time. If you so choose you could continue paying at your present amount and put the extra toward bringing down your principle loan amount and thereby get a further reduction.These are unstable times and substituting a stable interest rate home loan for flexible one can give you freedom from worry over spiraling repayments.

Swapping unsecured debt such as credit card balances, for secured home loans can also give you lower repayments and even save you tax. This is because home loans are tax deductible where normal debt is not.  Property values have been inflating for years at a time so you probably have a much greater proportion of equity in your home than when you first bought it. Refinancing can free up some of that cash for your use.Sounds like a good deal doesn’t it?

So before dashing off to your mortgage broker do some groundwork to ensure success. Get your credit rating or FICO score up to a good level if it isn’t there already. You can do this by always paying bills on time and reducing the number of credit cards that you hold. Find a zero interest one and transfer balances to use it to the full. Pay up small outstanding amounts and cancel those cards. Forward planning and effective execution of those plans are the prerequisites to rewarding refinance.

Shop Around For Refinance

When shopping around the mortgage brokers for a change of lender and home loan contract please do not be mesmerized by the price. By price we mean of course the rate of interest. These are nearly rock bottom at this time and therefore very tempting but there are three other important factors that you must take into account before committing yourself to this major money product.

Know, in detail, your aims with regard to money over the next year, two years and through the next life stage that you are coming to.Could a adjustable rate  mortgage be for you? Because the bank rates are so low, most refinance shoppers want to nail down their repayment with a set interest rate. But remember that while these deals are ‘fixed’ they are not permanent and there will come a time when they will be reviewed and changed, probably upwards.

Ask yourself whether you are likely to sell your property within the timeframe of this review. If your answer is yes or probably then you could reduce your monthly repayments with around .25% less on the interest rate of a variable loan.   If you can answer ‘no I’m staying put for the foreseeable future’ then a second refinance option is something for you to consider. ‘Pay Points’ buy not only a lower rate but also are a tax deduction. The price of pay points is between 1 and 2 percent of your full home loan.The days of one mortgage in a lifetime are long gone.

The wise homeowner is prepared to remortgage when the conditions are ripe for it. With this in mind the third factor to weigh up when refinancing is the penalty payments for early termination. Think about a mortgage that does not have any termination charges. They are available but will attract slightly higher interest rates. Looking past this drawback you will keep more of your capital gain when you come to sell your property or remortgage the next time. Refinancing your major asset is not as simple as just comparing interest rates. Know your own circumstance and future intentions and select the best deal to meet your individual needs.

Of Carpenters And Mortgage brokers?

If I were a carpenter and you were a lawyer, we would have a good life with steady money coming in and the phone ringing all the time for us to do stuff for all our clients. We would have a house or an apartment, three children at school, two cars, and a dog. We would pay out every month, and thank the lord for automatic transfers, for our mortgage, our car, tuition fees, social security, pension, health insurance and the list goes on and on and on. It’s absolutely vital that we keep on doing what we do best.

We do not have time to learn a whole new language and the ins and outs of something that we will do perhaps once or twice every ten years or so. Swapping a mortgage contract and or the lender is just such a thing; important that it is done, in order to save money for all the other commitments, but not urgent; difficult to understand, complex and easy to get wrong. So who are we to call? A specialist that’s who.

A mortgage refinance expert in the Rolodex under ‘M’ for must manage mortgage money!   A good broker can take the whole burden of finding and getting a new secure home loan. A good broker will save you multiples of the fees they charge but there are ways to use a broker without paying them. A good broker will search the whole financial product scene to find the most suitable mortgage for their client. A good broker specializes in doing nothing else. A good broker has innumerable contacts within the esoteric world of mortgages.  We all put our health in the hands of specialist medics and it’s scary. It can be scary to put our financial health and all our personal data in the hands of the mortgage broker.  

All specialists in the mortgage/finance sector are constrained by state laws that are there to protect the lay customer. The Federal government leaves it to the states to monitor individual mortgage specialists so before using the service check their bona fides just as you would with your doctor. There may well be a license requirement and this will be the first thing a broker will show you.Use your valuable time to find a reputable specialist mortgage broker then sit back and let them do their work in three stages. They will begin by analyzing your money status and needs. They will go on to searching the mortgage products available and linking your need to the most appropriate solution. They will then manage the implementation of your refinancing deal leaving you free to go on with your life.  There will be no need for you to learn the jargon or struggle over the standard application forms.  The specialist will do it all for you.

A good broker will interpret and translate all of the complex terms and procedures involved in this largest of finance transactions.  An alternative refinance route could be to go to an institution and liaise with a loan officer who would do the same service as a mortgage broker but who would be working more for the organisation than for the client.  So you need to refinance and get on with your life.  The best way to do this is to find and use a specialist as they will do when they want a new set of bedroom cupboards.

Tax deductions for Refinancing

The major benefit that any mortgage loan will give you as a homeowner is the advantage of tax deductions. Be it a primary mortgage, a second mortgage or a mortgage that you have refinanced, the tax deductions are yours for the taking! As a homeowner, you get three main kinds of tax deductions with your mortgage:

i)                    Tax deductible mortgage interest payments

ii)                  Property Taxes

iii)                Points paid on mortgage refinance

These three categories are discussed in detail below.

Tax deductible Mortgage Interest

In most cases, the interest payments on any mortgage are completely tax deductible. The only exceptions occur in cases wherein homeowners want to tap into their home equity to fund other financial needs like college education etc. In these refinancing cases, there is a limit to the interest payments which will be tax deductible i.e., interest on a maximum equity debt of $100,000.

Let’s illustrate the above limitation with an example. Homeowner XYZ had an original mortgage of $125,000. He refinances his mortgage for $300,000. The additional $175,000 is used for buying new cars, vacations and other such discretionary spending. In such a case, the entire interest related to the original $125,000 of the primary mortgage will of course be tax-deductible, and so will $100,000 of the refinanced equity debt. However, there will be no tax deductions on the interest payment of the remaining $75,000 which has been refinanced.

Property Taxes

In the year property taxes are paid to the collector of property tax, they are tax deductible. Future real estate taxes cannot be immediately deducted at the time of mortgage, but are deductible in the same financial year that the property tax becomes liable for payment.

Points Paid on refinance mortgage

Usually the points paid on a mortgage –primary or refinanced, are proportionately deducted over the entire tenure of the loan. However, if the refinance is being used for funding home improvements, all the points might be fully deductible in the first year itself. Your tax advisor will be better able to guide you regarding whether you meet the requirements for such a deduction.

So, consult a qualified tax advisor and discuss the specifics of the deductions that you can avail!

Visit www.myloanexpert.com/refinance-mortgage.html to get started.

Reduce the Term with Mortgage Refinance  Generally, all home owners go for a conventional fixed rate 30-year mortgage, especially those who purchase their first one. If you are one of this vast majority, you too must have opted for the longest payout schedule possible, in order to take advantage of lower monthly payments. However, if you are in the process of buying a home, you need to look at the other option of shorter loans, because they can represent huge savings over the life of a mortgage. Let us get down to the brass tacks. The fact of the matter is that bulk of the money you spend for your monthly mortgage payment is dedicated to paying interest. A house that sells for $200,000 today may wind up costing more than twice that price, once all the interest payments are calculated during the course of three decades. If you decide to shorten the life of the loan, you can dramatically increase your savings, often by hundreds of thousands of dollars. No wonder, more and more people are going for this option. All you need to do is a bit of the math and it becomes clear as daylight that by refinancing and shortening the term and reducing interest payments you can make dramatic mortgage loan savingsYou need to organize your finances before you take on the commitment of your own home and a 30-year period of loan repayment. Again, if you go in for mortgage refinance and change your mortgage loan’s term, you can organize your financial plans. For instance, if you’re 50 years old and plan to retire at the age of 65, you should think of paying off your mortgage in 15 years so that you have no liability when you stop working. It is both financially and personally rewarding to have all loans out of the way when retirement arrives.If you are a younger parent with children, you will be planning for their college education in 10 to 15 years. In that case, too, you would want to do a home refinancing to shorten the term and pay off the mortgage before the tuition bills begin to arrive in the mail.This is the best way to avoid making payments of tuition and mortgage at the same time. It can otherwise be terribly difficult to combine the two. If you explore all the possibilities of mortgage refinance, you can even save enough to offset the cost of your child’s education by not paying an extra 15 years of mortgage interest. This is the time to take advantage of this double-barreled bargain, because the interest rates are near their all-time lows. However, there are loud signs that they will reach double digits within the next few years.  Refinance by visiting Refinance Mortgage

Mortgage Refinance and Taxes When you own your home, you get large income tax deduction for mortgage interest. However, when you refinance your mortgage loan into a lower interest rate, you’ll pay less interest but more income tax. HAD vs. HEDHAD stands for Home Acquisition Debt and HED stands for Home Equity Debt. HAD is the term used by the IRS for the first or second mortgages that are used to buy, build, or improve your home. You accumulate HAD if you refinance to get either better rates or more favorable terms. On the other hand, if you do a cash-out refinance, the money that is not used for home improvements is considered Home Equity Debt (HED). Acquisition Debt is fully tax deductible, up to $500,000 for individuals, and $1,000,000 for married couples who file joint returns. The tax deduction limit for Equity Debt is $100,000 more than the existing debt at the time of your refinancing. If you have a mortgage with a balance of $200,000, you can refinance into a $300,000 loan (assuming your home appraises for at least that much now), and still deduct the full interest payments from your taxes. The interest paid on any balance higher than $300,000 is not deductible at all.You can take out points on your mortgage in order to push down the interest rate even further. Points are generally tax-deductible, like interest payments, except when you’re refinancing.Some points are charged for lender services and are not tax deductible while others for prepaid interest are deductible. In general, the points are prorated throughout the life of the loan; so if you paid $4,000 in points for your 30-year loan, but $1,000 of that was for services, you can deduct 1/30th of $3,000, which is $100 a year.However, if you have used part of the refinancing funds for home improvements, you can deduct a portion of the points immediately. For example, if you took a $100,000 mortgage loan, you could pay off an existing $80,000 mortgage and use the rest for home improvements. In this case, you can deduct 20 percent of the points the first year, and spread the remainder throughout the next 29 years.But, if you refinance again, all points that have not yet been deducted are applied in that one year, regardless of whether the new loan carries any points.

In the final analysis, what you save in terms of interest you pay as taxes when you go in for refinancing your mortgage. Thus, you might want to do a tax code cram session before deciding how to refinance. It is better to know the nitty-gritty of it before you get caught unawares when you file your next tax return.  To get a great refinance quote, visit our home page www.myloanexpert.com.

Hidden Costs of Mortgage Refinancing  There is much more about mortgage refinance than meets the eye. While you rejoice the prospect of saving a lot of money, you should also be prepared for hidden costs that may take you by surprise. It is always better to do your homework before you take the plunge. Make sure you do the math properly taking everything into account to see how much you’d really save.

Comparison is the name of the game. Never settle for the first offer. Always compare rates from at least four lenders for refinance.  Generally, the cost of home refinancing will be lower than your original loan, but the fact remains that refinancing a mortgage loan involves closing costs. There are some fees that don’t apply to refinancing; but the closing costs can still be substantial. So, it is prudent to confirm the fees that your lender will charge this time around.

You may want to consider the roll-in financing option that some mortgage lenders offer. This gives you the freedom to roll the refinancing closing costs into the loan itself. Thus, you won’t be required to pay any up-front costs, but, remember, this will result in somewhat higher monthly payments, because your loan balance is higher. You will obviously want to know how much you can save by lowering the interest rates. After all, that is the primary reason why go in for refinance in the first place. You can use the amortization calculator to see how much you can save through better rates alone.

All you have to do is just enter the loan amount, interest rate, and the length of the loan to see how much interest and principal you’ll be paying each month.You must know that even a couple of percentage points can make a big difference and swing the percentage any which way. For example, you can save $300 a month by switching your $180,000, 30-year loan from a rate of 9 percent to 7 percent. That’s quite a lot, isn’t it? On the other hand, if you take a home loan mortgage refinancing for a lower rate, it will cut down tax deduction, which means you will have to pay higher income taxes. Now, this is something you were totally unaware of. But, it is a big factor in considering the cost of refinancing. You know your tax bracket. So, you can figure out the impact it will have on your tax return. For instance, if you’re in the 25 percent tax bracket, and a mortgage refinance will lower your monthly interest payment by $200, taxes will claim $50 of that savings.

As a result, your true savings will be $150 a month.  If the value of your home increases over time, then you will regret your decision of refinancing, because you will lose those pesky PMI payments. However, you have the freedom to end your PMI payments as long as the new loan amount is lower than 80 percent of the property value. In order to find out how much PMI is costing you, you need to check your current mortgage statement.In the ultimate analysis, refinancing is a welcome option when you’re stuck in a high-interest loan. It can considerably lower your rate even if it is less by just a couple of percentage points. You can recoup the closing costs in a matter of months. However, you must look at the numbers before you leap. That will help you save a lot and you need not worry about unanticipated surprises. 

Top Four Benefits of Refinancing

A few years ago, there was a boom in the mortgage refinance sector due to lowered interest rates.  The significantly low rates made homeowners refinance without a second thought, Now that interest rates are going up, the decision to refinance may be tricky. However, there are still significant benefits to be reaped by refinancing your mortgage.The mortgage on your home forms a significant part of your financial picture. Refinancing the mortgage can actually help you stabilize your financial outlook by providing you with appreciable savings over the life of your loan. Here’s a look at the top four benefits that refinancing your mortgage can yield.

1. Lower your interest rate

Traditional wisdom says it is time to consider refinancing if the market rate is two percentage points lower than the rate of your mortgage. However, in today’s competitive scenario, lenders are willing to offer deals on closing costs especially to homeowners with a good credit rating. You can take advantage of this scenario and refinance even for a smaller difference in interest rates. A lowered interest rate will mean a lower monthly mortgage payment which is the most common reason people opt for refinancing.

2. Lock-in your interest rate

An ARM or an adjustable-rate mortgage can sound very attractive initially in a low interest market but over a period of time, especially with rising rates, it can be counter-productive. You may have gone in for an adjustable-rate mortgage when you bought your home. But you are wiser with time and experience. Refinancing is one way to get out of an ARM and opt for the more sensible fixed-rate mortgage.

3. Lower other interest costs

Refinancing your home mortgage can provide a way of streamlining your other, more expensive debts like unsecured credit card debts. Credit card debt is significantly more expensive than mortgage debt. By refinancing, you can take the pressure off the credit card debts that may be choking your monthly cash flow situation. By opting for this, you can lower your overall interest cost and ensure a smoother monthly cash outflow.

4. Restructure your mortgage term

Even if you have carefully planned your initial mortgage, it is likely that your situation may have changed over time. Refinancing can allow you to adjust for such changes by changing the term of your payment. Loan length is usually determined by two variables: how much monthly payment you can afford and how long you plan to own your home. If you have a generous cash flow, you may choose a smaller mortgage period e.g., 15 years and save on the total interest. On the other hand if you intend to sell the house soon, you may not want to lock up too much cash and may choose a longer term. Whatever your considerations, the changed situation may warrant a new mortgage term that suits your new cash flow and plans better.

Check out the above list to determine if refinancing can benefit you in any way. Refinancing can truly ease your financial woes and allow you more money in the pocket.

“Fix and Flip” Deals

Investors in real estate make mega bucks by using the “Fix and flip” routine. Quite simply “fix and flip” refers to a three step procedure in handling real estate deals. Buy—renovate—sell for profit. In the basic “fix and flip” scenario, you buy a house, fix it up, and then sell it immediately for profit. Profit means your selling price must be higher than your buying price and the cost of renovation put together.

So, what happens to the investment if there’s a slump in the market? Some investors can lose out on the “flip” in a slowing market. However, with some smart thinking, there are always ways to make money with “fix and flip” in any kind of real estate market.

Estimate “Fixing” costs accurately

One of the key elements of your “fix and flip” profit will depend on an accurate estimation of what it will cost you to renovate the house. Renovation projects typically run over the schedules and over the budget. So keep a generous margin of safety while budgeting.

Estimate “Flip” time accurately

The other key element to assess is the condition of the real estate market. You can make money by “fix and flip” even in a slowing market as long as you can hold on to the property for a while. Remember not to set yourself very restrictive timelines for selling the house. If you can hold on long enough, you will end up with a profit.

Lease with option to buy

In this case, you’ll amend the typical “fix and flip” so you lease the property with an option to buy. Obviously, it’s important to ensure that your monthly mortgage payment is being covered by the rent accrual. At the time of selling, you don’t have to pay any brokerage fees to a real estate agent since your renter is your automatic buyer also.

Many lenders will be able to help you finance a “fix and flip” property. These offers typically finance both the buying price and the funds required for renovations. But making money on the deal is your baby. If you have accurate cost and time estimates, the returns can be well worth the effort!

Choosing the Right Mortgage Refinance Option

Mortgage loans offer two options: a FRM (fixed-rate mortgage) or an ARM (adjustable-rate mortgage). Fixed rate mortgages provide security and predictability. On the other hand, adjustable rate mortgages can offer the potential for savings, especially if interest rates go down. How do you decide which of these options is best for you? A coin toss may not be the way to take such an important decision. Read this article to dispel the uncertainty about ARMs and FRMs so you can take an informed decision and streamline your financial outlook.

Fixed rate mortgages vs. Adjustable rate loans

Fixed rate mortgages have the same fixed interest rate for the entire duration of the loan. Whether the interest rates go up or down, you don’t have to worry because your rate will remain the same throughout the tenure of your loan and you can plan your cash flows better. On the other hand, adjustable rate mortgages are tied to a benchmark index. As the market rates fluctuate, the benchmark changes and if affects the rate you have to pay every month. There are many ways in which ARMs can vary, but the most important variables are:

·         The tenure of the initial rate

·         The frequency and range of adjustment of the interest rate

Predictability vs. savings

Adjustable rate mortgages often offer a low opening rate that can remain in place for three to seven years. On the other hand, fixed rates offer you the security of knowing that your monthly outflow will never change, whatever happens to the market interest rates. In order to decide which option works best for you, consider the following factors:·         Your risk-taking appetite·         Your planned duration for owning your homeHere’s how it works. If you are buying a home for the long haul, fixed rate may be better for you. For someone planning to sell their home in lets day five years, the adjustable rate option can offer a low opening rate and they can sell before the rate is revised. It is possible to calculate what your ARM and FRM refinance rates and payments will be by using an online calculator.However, the factor that will ultimately outweigh any other considerations if your appetite for risk. Even if you are fairly certain that you intend to sell or refinance in a few years, there is a risk involved in the ARM option. You may prefer to pay a little more in the FRM option for the predictability, security and peace of mind it affords. Bottom-line, you don’t need to flip a coin to decide which option suits you best! While FRM and ARM offer their own set of advantages, you probably know which is the clear winning option for you!

Save Energy, Save Money

Want to qualify for a higher loan amount to fund energy improvements in order to bring down overall living expenses? Talk to the federal government. Its time to consider FHA’s Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) Program if you are remodeling your home.Rising energy prices are pinching everybody and taking the cost of living up and away. Reduce your energy and utility bills by remodeling your house, like replacing leaky pipes and making windows more energy efficient. Making such an investment is easier than you think with the assistance of the Federal Government.

What is EEM or Energy Efficient Mortgage?

Fund energy efficient improvements in all aspect of your home with Energy Efficient Mortgage also known as EEM in short. There are multiple ways of doing this with varying qualification terms. If you choose federal backing, the improvements can be insured by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). Alternately, approach the Veterans Administration (VA).  These improvements could be made using the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) program called ENERGY STAR or other standard channels.

Qualifying for EEM

Installing energy efficient windows, making the heating and air conditioning system efficient, upgrading water heating system to more efficient ones, upgrading the ducting systems to prevent energy leaks are few of the standard improvements that lead to substantial cost saving in the long run.The objective of all EEM programs is to save utility costs in the long run. An important criteria of funding improvements is that the overall savings should be higher the amount invested upfront. To help you in determining the viability, the HERS or the Home Energy Rating System carries out a cost benefit analyses by measuring the current energy consumption and the possible savings. If the numbers are favorable, the house qualifies for an EEM.

Advantages of EEM

The key benefit of EEM stems out of the fact that an energy efficient house decreases costs of living and provide for better savings, hence an increased borrowing capacity. In the VA and FHA run programs, you could negotiate betters terms for the mortgage. Energy Efficient systems automatically increase the value of your property besides providing you with a better quality of life.

What Next?

The first step in acquiring an EEM would be to order an HERS survey and report thus ensuring the kind of refinancing scheme that you would qualify for. Shopping for EEM Refinancing scheme is very similar to conventional housing finance. It would do you good to with a lender who is experienced in such refinancing schemes. Call for a few proposals and choose the one that suits your best.Converting your home to a more energy efficient place could be quite an eye opener even prompting you to re-look at your trading in your car for a more efficient hybrid model.