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How To Pay Off Your Mortgage In Less Than 10 Years

With mortgage rates near 20-year lows, competition in the mortgage industry is fierce. It seems like every day a new mortgage loan strategy comes out that is suppose to be the best thing since sliced bread. Whether it’s a mortgage with no closing costs or an interest only mortgage, everyone is claiming they can save you a ton of money. Now someone has come out with something called Mortgage Cycling. Mortgage Cycling could save you thousands of dollars or it could cost you your home.

Refinance my mortgage and Mortgage cycling is a program that advertises itself as a method to payoff your mortgage in 10 years or less without making biweekly mortgage payments or changing your current mortgage. Does mortgage cycling work as advertised? The answer is unequivocally yes ? with a few caveats. I’m going to let you in on the secret to mortgage cycling.

Refinance my mortgage and Mortgage cycling is based on making huge lump sum principal payments every 6-10 months. What this means is mortgage cycling works well for those who have at least a few hundred dollars in extra cash at the end of each month. The problem is most people don’t have that kind of cash available.

Refinance my mortgage and Mortgage Cycling relies on using a revolving Home Equity Line of Credit to make huge lump sum payments against their original mortgage principal balance. When you take out a home equity line of credit, you pay for many of the same expenses as when you financed your original mortgage such as an application fee, title search, appraisal, attorney fees, and points. You also may find most loans have large one-time upfront fees, others have closing costs, and some have continuing costs, such as annual fees. You could find yourself paying hundreds of dollars to establish a home equity line of credit. Most home equity lines of credit also carry what is known as interest rate risk.

Home equity line of credit interest rates are typically variable. The Federal Reserve is currently in the process of raising the overnight federal funds rate. As the Fed continues to raise rates, it is all but inevitable that variable interest rates for mortgages will also rise. Your savings may not be as great as anticipated.

While Refinance my mortgage and Mortgage Cycling does have some additional costs for most people, that is not what makes this mortgage reduction strategy risky. If you use a Home Equity Line of Credit and money gets tight, you could lose your home and the equity you have built up. Home equity lines of credit require you to use your home as collateral for the loan. This may put your home at risk if you are late or cannot make your monthly payments. And if you sell your home, most lines of credit require you to pay off your credit line at that time.

Refinance my mortgage and Mortgage Cycling requires you to make mortgage payments and Home Equity Line of Credit payments for up to 10 years. For most people mortgage cycling is an extremely risky way to payoff a mortgage. Mortgage cycling should be used only after a careful assessment of the risks and benefits. Prepaying your mortgage is smart. You should explore all of the mortgage reduction alternatives before choosing Refinance my mortgage and Mortgage Cycling as a mortgage reduction strategy.

Hopefully you found this article helpful, it was provided by JVM Lending, the leader in CA Home Loan and CA Mortgage.

Tax Free Income For Senior Citizens With Reverse Mortgages

A reverse mortgage is exactly what the name implies. Rather than you paying a monthly sum of money to a mortgage company, a mortgage company pays you. There are three types of reverse mortgages and all have the same eligibility requirements.

You must be at least 62, live in, and own, your home and sign a contract. You must also have equity in your home and the inherent interest rate is based on what the lender is currently charging (more about this later) on non-reverse mortgages. The lender, by the way, will also have your property appraised for which you may or may not be charged.

There are no income restrictions such as those imposed by Social Security and most are tax free since they do not involve additional features such as an attached annuity. They also do not affect your social security benefits nor your Medicare entitlements.

This article discusses only those mortgages without additional features. Should you wish to know more about reverse mortgages with additional features, consult with a competent tax professional to reduce the chances of running afoul of tax laws.

The FTC’s website, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/online/pubs/homes/rms.htm has an excellent article on reverse mortgages but it also does not discuss mortgages with additional features. Another reason to consult with a tax professional.

This tool called reverse mortgage is actually a loan, hence an interest rate, which allows senior citizens, or as some say, the elderly, to convert part of their equity into cash without having to sell their home. Because it is a loan “in reverse” you are receiving a monthly sum and not paying a monthly amount while you live in your home.

However, this loan must be repaid and repaid with interest should you sell, die, no longer live their as your principal residence or reach the end of the pre-selected loan period. You remain responsible to pay real estate taxes, insurance and all attendant maintenance expenses which, of course, you would have to pay with, or without, a reverse mortgage.

With this explanation, the picture becomes more focused, right? You enjoy a monthly sum, tax free and non-repayable until a date sometime in the future, while remaining in your home. As close to a win-win situation as one can get in this day and age.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize anyone who is cash poor but house rich should at least investigate this tool. However, like any other instrument involving your signature on the dotted line involving financial obligation, you must have some preliminary information.

I mentioned there are three types of reverse mortgages. The first is the single purpose reverse mortgage. These are offered by some sate and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

They may not be available in your area. Call your county’s Department of Senior Services. Their phone number is in the white pages under the listing for your county.

Single purpose means exactly that. The proceeds may be used for only the purpose specified by the lender and generally are only made to people with low or moderate incomes. If you call your county, be sure to ask if their reverse mortgage is a single purpose and what are the limits.

The second type of reverse mortgage is called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). The federal government insures these mortgages and they are backed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The up front costs are generally high especially if you plan on staying in your home for a short period of time but they carry no income or medical restrictions and can be used for any purpose.

HECMs also require all applicants to meet with a counselor from an independent government approved housing counseling agency. The FTC says, “The counselor must explain the loan’s costs, financial implications, and alternatives. For example, counselors should tell you about government or nonprofit programs for which you may qualify, and any single-purpose or proprietary reverse mortgages available in your area.”

An additional benefit of an HECM mortgage is the nursing home clause. Should a borrower have to move out of her home and into a nursing home or other medical facility, she has up to 12 months before the loan becomes due. This enhances financial planning.

The third type is called a proprietary reverse mortgage. These are private loans backed by the companies offering them. In other words, they are NOT government insured. Like HECMs, the upfront cost could be high for a proprietary reverse mortgage.

A reverse mortgage, cost wise, is like a non-reverse mortgage. The lender usually charges loan origination fees, closing costs, insurance premiums (for insured loans) and service fees which are all set by the lender.

Fortunately, like non-reverse mortgages, the federal Truth In Lending Act (TILA) applies to reverse mortgages. This means the lender MUST disclose the costs and terms of the reverse mortgage you are considering.

The annual percentage rate (APR) and payment terms must be prominently displayed and not in the fine print. If you choose a credit line as your loan, lenders must tell you the charges related to not only opening but using this credit account.

Another word about the interest rate since it too mirrors the non-reverse mortgage. Just as with a non-reverse mortgage, an interest rate can be fixed or variable with variable rates tied to a financial index. This means the rate will change as the index changes.

TILA forces the lender to disclose this information. TILA does not force the lender to tell you the reverse mortgage may, or may not, use up all of your equity. If a “non-recourse” clause is included in the contract, and most have them, you must be told you will not owe more than the value of your home when the loan is repaid. This is a good thing.

Of the three, the HECM is the most flexible. It lets you select the way you receive your money. For example, you can receive fixed monthly cash advances for a specified period or for as long as you live in your home. Or, if you choose, you can receive a line of credit.

A line of credit allows you to draw on the loan proceeds when you want and how much you want. The HECM allows a combination of the two choices. You can receive a monthly payment plus a line of credit.

The key is to read and understand every clause in the contract before signing and do not be afraid to ask questions about what you don’t understand. Don’t let a huge monthly payment cloud your judgment and decision making ability.

After reading the above information you may have decided the goose with the golden eggs is really a vulture waiting to pounce on your carcass. Or, you may have decided the goose’s eggs are worth your time and attention. Either way, you are now a more informed consumer.

Hopefully you found this article helpful, it was provided by JVM Lending, the leader in CA Home Loan and CA Mortgage.

Mortgage Refinancing Advice For People With Bad Credit History

Because of declining home mortgage rates, many people are eager to refinance their existing home loan and take advantage of a lower payment or a fixed rate. In fact, homeowners with bad credit may also benefit and obtain comparable low rates. Although refinancing is very common, homeowners must be prepared to pay closing costs and other fees. Fortunately, there are ways the financially strapped can save money on a refinancing.

Understanding Refinancing Costs and Fees

Applying for a refinancing is similar to obtaining your initial mortgage. A refinancing creates a new mortgage. Thus, homebuyers are obligated to pay certain costs and fees at closing. Typical fees include broker fees, appraisal, title search, inspections, etc.

For the most part, these fees are paid at closing. If purchasing a new home, the buyer may negotiate and have the seller pay the closing fees. However, if you are the original owner, you may have to employ effective techniques to reduce your closing costs.

Tips to Reduce Refinancing Closing Cost

When refinancing your home, it may be wise to apply for a new home loan with your existing lender. In some instances, the lender may be willing to waive some fees. If a good credit history has been established, the lender will want to keep you as a customer. Hence, you have negotiation power.

Because of low mortgage rates, homeowners may also take advantage of “no or low closing cost” refinancing. With this option, the lender agrees to waive the application fee. Moreover, these lenders will pay the appraisal and title fee for the homeowner.

The downside is that these loans entail a slightly higher interest rate. Nonetheless, “no or low closing cost” loans are beneficial. Because these loans consist of a higher interest rate, this option is more practical for homeowners who plan on moving within three years.

Another common approach for homeowners refinancing involves including all closing fees into the home loan. This will increase the final loan amount. While this approach will not necessarily reduce closing costs, homeowners are not obligated to pay for their closing fees out-of-pocket. This method is perfect for homeowners with little available cash.

Hopefully you found this article helpful, it was provided by JVM Lending, the leader in CA Home Loan and CA Mortgage.

How to Fund Your Retirement with a Reverse Mortgage

With people living longer and longer, funding retirement can become a stressful situation. Reverse mortgages can help home owners avoid worries about cash flow.

Reverse mortgages are essentially a method for turning the equity in your home into cash. Although there are various options, a typical reverse mortgage will provide you with a lump sum, monthly payments or a credit line based on the equity in your home. The mortgage will have a term of a certain number of years. Instead of making payments on the loan, the bank will become the owner of the percentage of your equity applied for the loan at the end of the term.

Reverse mortgages are only available to older applicants. Every person listed on the deed of the home must be 62 years of age or older. You must also use the home as your primary residence.

The decision to pursue a reverse mortgage can be a tricky one. The biggest issue is an emotional one. We are all mentally trained to buy a home and try to build equity over the years. With a reverse mortgage, we are making the mental leap to actually reduce the equity in our homes. While this may sound like a sensible method for using the nest egg equity, it makes you, me and everyone very nervous.

For some seniors, the reverse mortgage decision makes sense while it doesn’t for others. To limit the potential for problems and scams, banks are required to have senior applicants meet with unbiased third parties to determine the benefits and downside of using reverse mortgages.

If you or your parents have reached retirement age and are facing cash flow problems, you need to become flexible in dealing with finances. Reverse mortgages may be one flexible option that makes sense for your particular situation. After all, you can’t take the equity in a home with you.

Hopefully you found this article helpful, it was provided by JVM Lending, the leader in CA Home Loan and CA Mortgage.

Tips on Finding a Bad Credit Home Loan

Finding a bad credit mortgage lender is easier than you probably think. Although several lenders and brokers advertise super low rates and different types of home loans for people with good credit, a variety of bad credit loans are available. It is possible to get approved for a home loan with a score as low as 500. Here are a few tips on how to find a bad credit mortgage lender.

Request Mortgage Information from Credit Unions, Banks, etc.

Even though a large number of banks, credit unions, and other lenders do not offer home loans to people with poor credit, it doesn’t hurt to inquire about their loan requirements. Some lenders have started offering a variety of mortgages, including low credit score home loans. This makes homeownership attainable. Because many traditional lenders favor prime borrowers, you may not meet some lender’s requirements.

Apply for a Loan with a Sub Prime Mortgage Lender

If unable to get approved for a mortgage loan with a traditional lender, consult a sub prime mortgage lender and request a mortgage quote. These lenders are very helpful because they work with a variety of credit situations. If acquiring a sub prime loan, good credit is not necessary.

Although sub prime lenders can get homebuyers with poor credit approved, there are drawbacks to these loans. For starters, bad credit will not qualify you for prime rates. Hence, a bad credit mortgage loan will consist of interest rates about two or three percentage points above the current average. An interest rate increase usually entails paying a higher mortgage payment.

Using Mortgage Brokers

There are numerous lenders offering sub prime mortgage loans. Prior to applying, all homebuyers should shop around and obtain several quotes. Comparing different mortgage lenders and loans is essential to obtaining the best home loan. Shady bad credit lenders prey on those with few options. However, having a low credit score does not mean you have to accept a home loan with outrageous fees and terms.

To avoid being deceived by a dishonest mortgage lender, use an online broker and obtain multiple quotes from reputable lenders.

Hopefully you found this article helpful, it was provided by JVM Lending, the leader in CA Home Loan and CA Mortgage.

How To Get a Loan With Bad Credit

If you have bad credit and are looking for a home loan, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of getting approved and to help you get a reasonable interest rate.

Apply Online - The internet has a few companies that will take your application and submit it to hundreds of different lenders. You will receive up to the 4 best offers that you could qualify for. These offers are pre-approvals. You will still need to work with the broker to lock in an interest rate. Also, the benefit of using these companies is that they will not pull your credit initially. This is good because every time your credit is pulled, your credit score drops just a little. The mortgage company will just ask you to describe your credit, instead of pulling it.

Look Into Down Payment Assistance Programs - There are programs like Neighborhood Gold and Nehemiah that will help you get a down payment for your loan. Find out what their requirements are and if you could qualify. However, make sure the lender will work with them before you plan on it. Some lenders will not accept down payment assistance programs.

Apply With 2-3 Different Mortgage Companies - Sometimes one lender will be able to do a loan that another lender cannot. All mortgage brokers have access to different loan programs. What may be impossible for one, may be doable for another.

Keep Your Credit Score as High as Possible - Don’t have your credit pulled over and over, this will drop your credit score. Keep making your payments on time. Also, pay off any amount you can on credit cards, this will help your credit score go up. If you have more than one credit card, divide the amount you have to pay down credit cards among all the different cards. It helps your credit score to not be maxed out on any lines of credit.

Hopefully you found this article helpful, it was provided by JVM Lending, the leader in CA Home Loan and CA Mortgage.

How Reverse Mortgages Can Benefit The Elderly

Reverse mortgages are available through lenders insured by the federal government and can be of great benefit to those who are eligible to apply. There are three types of reverse mortgages currently available in the United States, including Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM), Fannie Mae (FNMA) Home Keeper and Financial Freedom Cash Accounts. The basic premise of a reverse mortgage is that it allows homeowners over the age of sixty-two to convert part of the equity in their homes into tax-free income without having to sell the home, give up the title to the home, or take on a new monthly mortgage payment. The reverse mortgage is titled as such because lenders pay the borrower fixed payments or a lump sum over time as opposed to a traditional mortgage arrangement. Eligible property includes single-family dwellings, manufactured homes built after June 1976, condominiums and town houses.

The process for applying for a reverse mortgage is more involved than with a traditional mortgage. Aside from meeting the age and property type restrictions, applicants must discuss the loan with a counselor employed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development prior to signing. There are five different types of payment methods for each United States government insured loan available, allowing for flexibility to meet the needs of the applicants. These include monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual payments to the borrower for a fixed number of periods or a lump sum that can be invested.

Repayment terms also vary by the interest rate, as with traditional mortgages. Those who choose variable rate mortgages will pay over one percent less since the risk assumed by the borrower for agreeing to monthly adjustable rate calculations can greatly increase their risk over the life of the mortgage. The total of the mortgage is due when the house is no longer occupied by the borrower and can be paid by the borrower or by his or her heirs in the event of death.

While many consider borrowing to be a bad idea later in life, reverse mortgages simply allow seniors to enjoy the equity they have already established without carrying the risk of having to meet monthly payments while on a reduced or fixed income. This can substantially increase the quality of life for many older Americans and allow them to enjoy the fruits of their life long labor.

Hopefully you found this article helpful, it was provided by JVM Lending, the leader in CA Home Loan and CA Mortgage.

Understanding Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans

Fixed rate mortgages are the most common type of mortgage loan for home buyers. With predictable payments, long term homeowners can plan their budgets and guard against rising interest rates. But a fixed rate mortgage is not for everyone with its higher interest rates and a reduction in your buying power.

Fixed Rate Mortgage Features

A fixed rate mortgage features set rates, long term low monthly payments, and low risk. Interest rates are determined during your loan application process. Rates are set by the market. You can also lower your interest rate by paying points up front. This option only makes sense if you stay in your home for several years.

Long term low monthly payments are another benefit of this type of home loan. Over time, inflation will raise the price of everything except your mortgage payment. As your salary increases, your mortgage costs will also take a smaller percent of your income.

The low risk of fixed interest rates also appeals to borrowers. You don’t have to worry about rising interest rates or a balloon payment. You can also repay your loan early, saving money on interest payments.

Mortgage Terms

Traditionally, fixed rate mortgages were 30 or 15 year terms. Now lenders offer a couple of additional options. 30 year loans are still the most popular with their low monthly payments. A 30 year loan also enables you to qualify for more than shorter loans.

15, 20, and 40 year mortgages are also options. 15 and 20 year loans qualify for lower interest rates, but you will have higher monthly payments between 10% and 15% compared to a 30 year mortgage. Shorter loans also save you interest costs, appealing to those who want their loan paid off before retirement or their children go to college. 40 year mortgages are less common, but offer low monthly payments with higher interest costs.

Biweekly mortgage, as the name implies, requires half your mortgage payment every other week. At the end of the year, you have made an extra mortgage payment. You can have your mortgage repaid in 18 to 19 years. Most lenders also allow you to roll over to a 30 year term with no penalties.

Fixed Rate Drawbacks

Even with their benefits, fixed rate mortgages aren’t for everyone. Alternative mortgages enable you to borrow more than with a fixed rate mortgage. If you move in less than 7 years, you will also probably pay more in interest payments than if you went with an adjustable rate mortgage. Most homeowners move within the fist 7 years of living in a house. You are also locked into an interest rate that could drop in the future.

Hopefully you found this article helpful, it was provided by JVM Lending, the leader in CA Home Loan and CA Mortgage.

What You Need To Know About Bad Credit Mortgage Loans

Credit ratings are a very influential factor when a person has to buy a mortgage. Good credit ratings improve the chances of getting a mortgage; while poor credit ratings may destroy the chances. However, today there are many options for people with bad credit ratings to get their mortgages. In fact, some mortgage companies specialize in selling mortgages to people with bad credit ratings. These mortgage companies are also called sub-prime lenders.

The creditworthiness of a person is rated according to FICO scores. The range of a FICO score lies between 300 and 850. Scores above 720 are considered to be good, while scores below 620 are considered to be bad. These people come under the category called sub-primes.

People may have bad credit due to a number of reasons. It may be due to loss in business, leading to delinquency of payments or even bankruptcy. There may be a medical disability or physical problem due to any other factor. People apprehended in criminal cases also attain bad credit status, as they cannot keep up their payments. However, bad credit no longer deters people from getting their mortgages.

One of the ways is to go for a home equity loan. If the person has been paying some installments on his or her home for a certain period of time, then equity on the home gets built up. This equity can be used as collateral to buy a second mortgage. Home refinancing is another option; a person can exchange his or her first mortgage with a newer mortgage which may possibly have lower interest rates.

Sub-prime loans have the disadvantage of high interest rates. Higher interest rates allow the lenders to acquire more payments from the borrowers and hence reduce their losses in case of default. There may be other stringent restrictions like shorter repayment times and the necessity of a down payment to be paid upfront. In fact, the down payment becomes a blessing in disguise. If the mortgage borrower has saved enough for a down payment, then it reduces the liabilities on the mortgage, which can be paid off faster.

Though it is difficult for people with bad credit to get mortgages, it is not impossible. Bad credit borrowers must shop around for mortgages and scout for lower interest rates and other incentives. Prepayment is generally not allowed on a bad credit mortgage, as lenders do not allow bad credit borrowers to wrangle out of their loans that easily. Hence, a market survey to find out who provides the lowest prepayment penalties would be beneficial.

However, the best option for a person with bad credit is to improve their credit score. This is a long, arduous process, often achievable with patience and a sense of responsibility. Credit scores can be improved by making timely payments, and removing delinquencies by arranging for their payments.

Hopefully you found this article helpful, it was provided by JVM Lending, the leader in CA Home Loan and CA Mortgage.

Reverse Mortgage Loan Basics

Reverse mortgages are loans against your home that require no repayment for as long as you live there. As opposed to regular mortgage loans, reverse mortgages have no income requirements and are based solely on the equity of your home or condo. There are no monthly payments to make as the mortgage is due only when the borrower is no longer living at the residence.

Seniors over the age of 62 are eligible for reverse mortgages in the US, provided they own their own single family dwelling. No health requirements need to be met, nor is there any loss of government benefits such Social Security and Medicare as a result of obtaining a reverse mortgage. Some benefits, however, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid can be reduced under specific circumstances. Tax liability for monies received through a reverse mortgage are a non-issue, as loan advancements are not taxed, although interest on the loan is consequently not tax deductible.

There are no income requirements to qualify for a reverse mortgage. You may be eligible for a reverse mortgage even if you still owe money on an existing mortgage. The reverse mortgage loan must be large enough reverse mortgage to pay off the existing loan entirely, however.

The benefits of a reverse mortgage are many, and include increased cash flow at a time when many are on a fixed income, putting the equity of your home to use and the ability to choose the method by which you are paid. Several installment options exist to help seniors structure their advances to fit their budgetary concerns and cash flow needs, affording them the ability to effectively plan for their immediate and long term financial future.

Many seniors may feel that borrowing against their home, especially later in life, is a risky endeavor. Reverse mortgages hold little if any risk for the borrower, however, as seniors are not borrowing against future income. Since keeping up with monthly payments is not an issue with a reverse mortgage, the reality is that many who choose this type of mortgage are able to enjoy what they have worked all their lives for in their post retirement years.

Hopefully you found this article helpful, it was provided by JVM Lending, the leader in CA Home Loan and CA Mortgage.