Timothy H asked:


Hello, here’s the situation:
I currently have a mortgage of left of $159,000 at 6%. This is a 30 year mortgage, but I have been paying extra each month; and I am at around year 23. I also have a home equity loan of $25,000 at 7.25%. I am planning on paying the $25000 loan off in the next 5-6 years.
I went today to possibly refinance, she told me “Fixed rate at 5.75%, 30 years.” I can either combine the two and pay that, or pay my $25,000 at what I am paying right now; and just refi the $159,000. She is charging me $2000 in closing costs. If I wait, and the rate drops after closing, I get charged $700 more to lower the rate.
Should I wait until the 30th when the Fed either cuts, keeps were they’re at, or raises rates? This way, I will not have to pay the $2700 to get to that lower rate.
What do you think, please help me out. Any advice is appreciated. What impact will the rate cut have on my situation? Thank you! Tim

Allison

Alan Lim asked:


With all the lenders offering different types of mortgages, finding the right home mortgage loan has become increasingly difficult. The importance of choosing the best deal in your mortgage can’t be over-emphasized. Your choice will most likely have a significant bearing on your future financial stability and how soon you will achieve it. This article presents some guidelines to help you look for the perfect home mortgage loan.

Shop around and do your own research

Home mortgages come in many forms and types. You can get them from mortgage companies, commercial banks, private lenders, credit unions and thrift institutions. Each of them offers a different set of loan terms, rates and fees. In order to get a good deal, it is a good idea to contact several possible lenders. You can ask for free mortgage quotes from each and request for a list of their fees and charges, then choose one that will get you the best terms. You can get a home mortgage loan through a mortgage broker as well. Your broker will be the one to directly arrange your financial transactions with the lending company and assist you in choosing the best deal.

Know the cost of the mortgage

Different lenders have different rates, charges and points. Therefore, you need to ask around before sealing a deal. The loan amount, type and term is most likely fixed, so you can present the same requirements and compare the home mortgage loan quotes they provide you. You can ask your lender directly for their interest rates, rate type (adjustable or fixed) and the annual percentage rate.

Lenders usually impose points which are inversely related to your interest rate. The lower the interest rates, the higher points you need to pay. Make sure you ask this information and compare that of different lenders. In addition, a home mortgage loan involves various fees which include underwriting fee, settlement, transaction and closing costs as well as broker fees. Your lender should give you a fair estimate when you apply for your loan. Lastly, it is important to know if your lender requires down payments or lump sum “balloon” fees. These charges and fees can affect your financial situation immensely, so make sure you ask as much questions as you need to.

Get the best deal

At this point, you will most likely know what each lender you chose can offer. With this in mind, negotiate for a great deal. Remember though that lenders offer different pricing to different customers despite similar loan requirements. Have everything in black and white by asking your lender or broker to enumerate all the costs charged when you make a home mortgage loan. Do not hesitate to ask your lender to waive or to even just reduce one or more of the fees, or agree to fewer points or lower interest rates. There is no harm in trying, and you have all to gain. After sealing the deal and being satisfied with the negotiation, consider asking for a lock-in period wherein you are protected from sudden interest rate increase during the loan processing.



Alice

1st American Mortgage asked:


Jumbo mortgages are not so different from standard mortgages but there are a few key things that are worth looking in to.

Jumbo Mortgage Loans

A jumbo mortgage loan is a loan taken for property that is high-priced.. In Colorado, as in most of the U.S., a jumbo mortgage loan is any mortgage that exceeds $417,000 - the limit set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for conforming loans.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two agencies that buy the majority of real estate mortgages, will not finance loans greater than $417,000 in most states; however Alaska, Hawaii, and a couple others are exceptions. Therefore, the large jumbo mortgage loans are sold to other investments, often banks and insurance companies, and so a jumbo mortgage loan falls into a different category. Rates for a jumbo mortgage are also higher than conforming loans because there is more risk involved.

What This Means for Jumbo Mortgage Interest

The size of a jumbo mortgage loan means there is more to lose. The size, coupled with other factors, results in somewhat higher jumbo mortgage rates than those carried by conforming loans. Since percentage points on jumbo mortgage rages can mean sizable payment differences, buyers should shop around for a good lender when applying for a jumbo mortgage loan in order to find the best rate. Buyers should shop around for a good lender when applying for a jumbo mortgage loan in order to find the best rate.

In truth, jumbo mortgage interest rates are only one thing to consider when shopping for a jumbo mortgage. There are additional fees and closing costs to be considered that could even out the difference in jumbo mortgage rates. Sometimes, the company with the jumbo mortgage rates is actually the cheapest, all things considered.

Also, buyers shopping for good jumbo mortgage interest rates need to consider their goals, plans, and all of their options. Like conforming mortgages, jumbo mortgages are offered in a variety product lines. Buyers have the option of taking out loans with adjustable jumbo mortgage rates with 3 or 5 year locked rates that adjust after that period, or 15 or 30 year fixed jumbo mortgage rates that never change.

Deciding which type of product (variable or fixed jumbo mortgage interest rate) is better for you depends on whether you plan to stay in the home for more than that locked 3-5 year period, or whether you will refinance the loan within 3-5 years anyway.

Buyers should not be scared off from higher jumbo mortgage rates; jumbo mortgage rates are higher only by a quarter of a point or so for well qualified buyers. What’s more, jumbo mortgages are the only option for home buyers in many parts of the country because $417,000 really isn’t that high a price in today’s housing market. As a matter of fact, jumbo mortgage loans are the only type available in many areas. The best way to find a good jumbo mortgage loan is the find a reputable and experienced lender with good rates. A great mortgage lender will take the time to understand your needs so they can help you select an appropriate product.



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Ron Cutrone asked:


With today’s more mobile society, there’s a need for a bridge mortgage loan. Families are moving more often, requiring more flexible terms for loans on homes. These types of loans are unique from just about every other mortgage loan because they are extended for only a short time, normally a year, and are designed for that period between putting a house up on the market and actually selling it.

Like everything else, there are pros and cons to using a bridge mortgage loan during the sale process.

Pros of a Bridge Mortgage Loan

The first positive thing about a bridge mortgage loan that can’t be overlooked is how convenient it is to have a temporary loan set in place for the time in between selling your old home and buying a new one. Depending on the lender and how this type of mortgage loan is set up, you can choose to pay off the existing loan and the extra money after interest and closing costs can be used for a down payment on the new home.

Typically a bridge mortgage loan only lasts for a year and when you sell your home, the loan is automatically paid off. Another enticing aspect of bridge mortgage loans is that if you haven’t sold your home in 6 months, you have the option of making interest only payments on the house; in effect buying you more time to sell the old house.

Cons of a Bridge Mortgage Loan

Let’s face it; no one really wants to deal with at least three mortgage loans in a short period of time. You will have your current home mortgage loan, the bridge mortgage loan, and the new house loan to contend with within the span of a year’s time. Another feature some people would consider a drawback is that you must use the same lender for your new home mortgage as you did for the bridge mortgage loan.

This type of loan isn’t for everyone considering that bridge mortgage loans often come with higher mortgage fees and interest rates. For those who simply don’t find it economical to handle the selling of their home in this manner, you can always consider borrowing against your 401K plans or liquidating other assets to get you and your family through the transition stage. Some people have also had success by taking out personal loans by securing the transaction with currently held stocks.

There are options out there for making your life easier during the selling and buying of your homes. Bridge mortgage loans are incredibly beneficial under the right set of circumstances.



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