Arm Loan a Good Idea?
When deciding upon a home mortgage, one of the most common options to consider other than a fixed rate loan is an ARM loan. ARM is an acronym for adjustable rate mortgage. With this product, a starting rate is fixed for a certain period of time, and then when that time is up, the rate can adjust depending upon a pre-determined index and margin. This period can be from anywhere of 1 month or 10 years, and can reflect principal and interest or sometimes interest only payments. The adjust results in the mortgage payment either increasing or decreasing. There is also a cap on how much the interest rate can go up or down.
Many people today are afraid of ARM loans and automatically only consider a fixed rate loan when applying for a mortgage. Depending on the market, this philosophy is sometimes the most economical route. But many times it may be worth your while to consider an ARM loan.
Within the past year or so, there wasn’t any real discernable advantage to considering an ARM over a fixed rate loan. The rates were comparable. But lately, the rates in general have crept up and, when comparing them, the ARM rates can have a healthy edge.
When I take a loan application, I ask my customer what their future plans are. Only going to be in town for a couple of years? Do you work for a company that relocates often? Do you plan to expand your family any time soon? Answering yes to any of these questions is a trigger for me to present an ARM loan as an option. The average homebuyer only stays in their home 7.5 years. I recently had a customer who knew she would be in town for only 3-4 years. The difference between a fixed rate and an ARM rate was .375%. The ARM rate was fixed for 5 years before any adjustment would occur. No brainer.
There are a myriad of mortgage products out there for the consumer to consider. Ask questions of your loan officer, and more importantly, expect your loan officer to ask questions of you. And if you can’t sleep at night because you know that one day that ARM loan can adjust, just remember one thing. You can always refinance your loan when that time comes. Now, get some sleep.
Kristin Abouelata mortgage website
By: Kristin Abouelata – Home Loans
How Atlanta Homeowners Can Benefit From the New Home Loan Programs
The Federal Making Home Affordable Program has created a number of home loan programs that will help keep Atlanta families in their homes, stabilize Atlanta’s communities and assist Atlanta homebuyers during these troubled times. Under these new home loan plans, Atlanta homeowners can:
Refinance their mortgage to a new, lower, fixed interest rate. Refinance even with declining property values. Refinance with lower income and asset verification requirements. Refinance Multiple Investment Properties.
Each of the above possibilities require that Atlanta Homeowners be current on their existing home loans. However, for those Atlanta families that have already fallen into hard times and are behind on, going to be behind on, or have an impending ARM adjustment/balloon payment with, their existing home loans can;
Obtain a modification on your mortgage that can potentially reduce your monthly payment, or offer other alternatives that can help you keep your home.
Finally, for those Atlanta families that are looking to purchase their first new home, or even upgrade their current home, programs are available for them to;
Purchase beautiful Atlanta homes with credit scores as low as 580 Purchase their new dream home with no out-of-pocket money down
The U.S. Treasury, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have developed these programs in an effort to help both troubled and current Atlanta borrowers, to get back on track and improve their current financial situations.
So How Do They Work? Refinance
For Atlanta Homeowners that are current on their mortgage payments but unable to refinance because their home value has decreased, you may be able to refinance to a lower rate, or a lower-risk, loan through the refinance solution that is part of this program. Examples of how the refinance program can help Atlanta Homeowners:
Fixed-rate mortgage to fixed-rate mortgage Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) to fixed-rate mortgage Super conforming fixed-rate mortgage to super conforming fixed-rate mortgage
Loan Modification
For Atlanta homeowners who are behind in their mortgage payments, in the foreclosure process, or are current on their payments but have recently experienced a significant hardship, you may be able to modify your loan to a lower rate through the Loan Modification Program. Significant hardships are set as circumstances that may make it difficult for you to pay your mortgage going forward.
Purchase
For Atlanta area families and individuals that are in search of a loan for their new dream home, financing and programs are available to help them purchase;
Bank owned foreclosures at below market value With 580 credit scores With no, or little, money down With down payment assistance
How Do I Know If I Qualify?
Atlanta Loan Pros can help you move through the qualification process, and help you find the homeowner program that fits you best. Atlanta Loan Pro will work with Atlanta Homeowners to assist them in putting together the best purchasing package, and discover whether loan modification or a refinance, is the best option for them.
For more information, please contact Atlanta Loan Pros at 678-925-8001 or atlantaloanpro@gmail.com.
By: Atlanta Loan Pro
Refi Home Mortgage Loans – Different Types Of Mortgage Refinance Loans
With today’s lenders, you have more refinancing options than ever before. So whether you are looking to reduce your rates or lower your monthly payments, you can find financing that is right for you.
Lenders also let you compare loan quotes online without hurting your credit score. So with real numbers, you can determine which is the best lender and loan for you. You take the guesswork out of the refinancing process, knowing how much you can save.
Stability Of A Fixed Rate Mortgage
Refinancing for a fixed rate mortgage can lower your rates and give you peace of mind. By setting your mortgage rate today, you know exactly how much your interest will cost and how long your loan will last.
Fixed rate mortgages also allow you to buy down the rate, saving you thousands if you keep the mortgage for several years. You can also extend the loan period to reduce monthly payment amounts.
Betting On Lower Rates With An Adjustable Rate Mortgage
Refinancing with an adjustable rate mortgage will qualify you for some especially low rates a year or more. With these introductory offers, you can save hundreds a month.
There is the chance that rates will increase, along with your monthly payments. Depending on your caps, you may also see your mortgage lengthen due to high rates. But if you aren’t planning to keep your loan or house for too long, you may find the savings worth the risk.
Cashing Out Your Equity With A Refi
Cashing out part of your equity during a refi saves you money on application fees and higher rates with a separate home equity loan. When you pull out your equity, you can still select fixed or adjustable rates. You also have the options of extending or shortening your loan terms.
Creative Terms For Unique Situations
Interest only loans and similar creative loan terms work for those in unique situations. For instance, if you are planning to move in a year, refinancing with an interest only loan can cut your mortgage payments by hundreds of dollars. And by selling before the loan payments jump, you don’t have to worry about high payments.
By: Carrie Reeder