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Monday, June 29, 2009

Banking Online: Your Money and the Internet

By Amy Nutt

Banking online is one of the newest and more important technological advances for the banking system. Banking online makes basic banking much more accessible. Suddenly, you can perform many basic banking tasks whenever you would please. As long as you have an Internet connection, you will be able to perform all of these tasks. There are some things to know and consider about online banking to understand the connection between your money and the Internet.

Security There are multiple things to consider with security and online banking. There are various parts of online banking that require special security precautions. Initially, you need to make sure that you are on a secure connection. There will be a small lock at the bottom of the browser. This lock means that the connection is secure, and that your information will be safe. You also need to be secure with your password and account. You need to create a password that is random and hard to predict. You also need to make sure that, when done with online banking, you log out manually. This can help to make sure that you are the only person who can get into your online banking account.

What Can Be Done There are a lot of different things that can be done with online banking. All of your accounts can be viewed. You can see all transactions, and can see the balances for all of your accounts. You can easily transfer money between all of these accounts. You can pay bills online. You can set up an automatic online bill payment system that will cause you to be billed monthly. This makes sure that you do not miss any payments. You can also easily check up on rewards points for your credit cards through the bank online. All of this can be done wherever there is an Internet connection.

Downtime Issues There are some downtime issues to consider when thinking about online banking. Just like any other website, the online banking website will have downtown. Some of this will be schedule for maintenance. Sometimes, this will be without notice. While online banking is nice, it may not be smart to fully rely on it for major banking issues.

Security issues are huge when it comes to online banking. Many people fail to realize that online banking can be somewhat of a safety concern, as far as your personal information is concerned. There are a lot of positives to online banking, however. Suddenly, you can do work with your bank, even when the bank is closed. This can save people multiple trips to the bank every year. There are some downtime issues, however. Just like any other website, online banking can feature downtime and technological issues. When this happens, the usefulness of online banking is gone. With all that being said, online banking is the most efficient way to work with your bank. Take advantage of all online banking opportunities.

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Thursday, June 25, 2009

Facts About A Home Equity Loan

By Doc Schmyz

Home equity loans can be a great source of cash, especially if you have an immediate need for it. However, before you plunge right into the process of drawing out a loan out of the equity of your property; better study the aspects that involve this loan.

Are you thinking about getting a home equity loan? Home equity loans might be an easy to acquire type of loan, but somehow even a seemingly great deal might turn out to be bad if the process of getting one is not done right. Make sure you understand all the language used in the loan process.The more you know and understand going in the better off you are at spotting trouble spots.

What areas of home equity loan do we need to know? Let us look at the following.

Points

If you are charged 1 point, this would mean 1 percent of the loan. And so 1 percent of a 100,000 dollar loan is an up front charge of 1000 dollars. Do not worry, there are lenders that do not charge points.How are you affected by this? Most lenders charge a part of the loan for commissions for themselves and for their sub-agents. Actually such points vary from little to exorbitant; it all depends on the company.

Loan interest rate terms

It it a fixed or variable loan. A fixed rate means you pay the same amount every month for the life of the loan. But on the other hand, if you have variable type of loan, you may actually have an initial good interest rate. Interest rates that go up naturally makes your monthly payments go up too in the process. So what do you want " a home equity loan with interest rate that stays the same all throughout the duration of the loan, or one with the possibility of going up anytime? Understand that more often then not, a variable loan starts out one or two percent lower then a fixed rate. The big question is where does it stop once it starts to adjust?

Pre Payment penalties

Simply put pre payment penalties are a fee that the lender places on you in the event you decide to pay of your loan early. These "pre-pays" can cost several thousand dollars in some cases.

Late payment penalties

In some cases, while you may have a low interest rate, you may have a clause in the contract for the loan that will increase your interest if your late on a payment. In most cases this can add up to several thousands extra over the life of the loan.

Insurance

One thing you want to check for is if the home equity loan that you are prospecting has insurance costs hidden somewhere, a cost that you definitely do not want. You can have credit life insurance, which takes care of your loan in the event that you die. However, if in the case of home equity loan, if you feel that insurance is just added cost, then by all means avoid the lender that requires you to pay for them.

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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Awesome Credit Score is Criticial

By John Slidenger

Good loans require very good credit scores. If you still want to borrow money in this tough economy, you better have very good scores. Below are some ways to maintain it.

Credit monitoring services like ones from myFICO is very good because it automatically keeps track of your credit report and alerts you whenever there are any changes. You can of course choose to do it yourself but that's 1000x harder.

The government has made it law that the credit report agencies need to give you a free report every few months. This not only allows you to stay on top of everything within your credit report but also give you a chance to dispute any changes to it in a timely manner. Just make sure you request it because it won't be automatically sent to you.

Lenders will just pull your report when you request a loan, so if you are maxed out on your credit, they see it as a no-no. It doesn't really matter if you pay off your credit cards every month because the utilization rate will be very high.

Don't always try to apply for credit cards. Every time you apply for these cards, the companies will pull your credit report and that puts a mark on your credit. If there are many of these pulls in quick succession, the credit score will suffer because it is believed that only people who really need money will apply for so many lines of credit at the same time.

Inactive cards will eventually be flagged by the credit card companies and be canceled. The credit report will just say canceled by card company without any explanation so use all your cards in regular intervals.

Having more than one credit card will actually help your credit. Lenders will sometimes look at your credit report and deny you because you don't have enough different forms of borrowing. They see a lack of information as a negative so even though you may have a ton of cash somewhere to pay off any loan, the absence of proof is a big drawback.

Even though too much debt will curtail the total amount that you can borrow, having them will help increase the chances that you will get approved because lenders know that someone who have multiple forms of debt are used to paying them and won't freak out when the bills arrive in the mail.

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Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Explanation of a Mortgage

By Dominion Lending Centres

Every homeowner knows what a mortgage is but do you Many people have heard that term on movies, television shows, and commercials but dont really know what it really means.

To put it simply, its a loan where you are using your house as collateral. The difference between this and a normal loan is that your house becomes your backup just in case something happens and you are unable to continue payments.

Mortgages come in many different forms depending on what you are looking for with regards to financing. Some examples are the fixed rate and adjustable type.

These differ in how the payments are set up and whether or not each payment will be influenced by current interest rates across the country.

You also have available commercial loans if you are thinking of buying an apartment building or duplex whichever real estate that has a chance to earn you an income.

Before deciding which home to buy, you will want to dig around for as much information as you require. You will need to learn of all mortgage types and what each one benefits and costs you each month.

Will your payments be differnet each month Should you put a large lump sum down before knowing your payments It is very difficult and complicated for most people due to the largest puchase of your life in most cases and worrying about the cost of it all.

Getting your dream home is a huge dream for you and you will need to be exceptionally prepared and greatly educated on the purchase of your home before speaking to a Real Estate Agent. Always speak to a mortgage broker first.

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Monday, June 22, 2009

Got The Foreclosure Notice??? Now What?

By Doc Schmyz

Foreclosures are a nasty "monsters", apart from the worry and stress of possibly losing all you own, is the fact that you lose all control over the sale process. Not to mention your self image takes a heck of a beating. However with hard work you can slay the monster.

The painful honest truth is that the finance company is only looking after it's own interests. There is no emotions involved here and they will take offers that do not even fully cover the debt, let alone recover some of your equity.(If you have any that is.)

FIGHT THE MONSTER. Take on another job. Scrape up the cash the best you can. Everyone has ways we can cut back or living expenses and increase our income a little. Don't let yourself fall victim to your pride...yes this means you delivering pizza is indeed an option.

Think outside the box, maybe attempt to sell the property yourself. If the property market is difficult, advertise to exchange/swap your house for something cheaper. Look at how the property could earn you money. Maybe it has an apartment attached that could be rented out. Maybe it has a room at the back of the garage to rent out. Perhaps it might have an extra garage to rent out. If it is a big house maybe you could take in lodgers or students and charge them for room and board. All these little things will help to pay off your mortgage. Your still in charge of how the situation will end up.

Another thing to look at is simply getting another loan and paying off the original mortgage. Look at ways to restructure the loan so that your repayments are lower than you are currently paying. You could pay over 40 years instead of 25 years. Maybe you could have half the loan over 40 years and half on interest only repayments with the ability to reduce the principal with lump sum repayments when you have the extra funds available.

If a foreclosure is getting closer and you have been unsuccessful in averting it. You can accept the inevitable or you can fight the " monster" and take drastic action. However, if it means saving the equity in your house it may be worth it.

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Sunday, June 21, 2009

Unsecured vs Secured Loans

By Tom Miller

When you start looking into personal loans you'll quickly learn that there are different ways to borrow cash for all sorts of things that you need money for. The two basic types of loans are often categorized as "secured" and "unsecured" loans.

Unsecured loans are good for smaller purchases which you can pay off quickly. Unsecured loans are loans which are given to you based on your credit score and not based on any single possession you offer up for collateral. Your credit rating is really a measure of your past ability to pay off debts. If you've always paid your debts on time then you probably have a pretty good credit rating. Most credit cards are actually considered to be an unsecured loan.

When you finance a car or buy a home with a mortgage the bank technically owns what you bought until you've paid off the debt amount plus interest. If you default on your loan then the bank can take your collateral and auction it in an effort to regain some of the cash they lent you. Secured loans are a type of loan in which the bank has some sort of collateral or item which you own to hold until you pay off the loan.

Depending on your tax situation you may even be able to reduce the yearly income tax that you owe. There is often more paperwork associated with secured loans because they are so much larger than most unsecured loans. Typical secured loans include house mortgages, new auto loans and most current house remodeling financing options. Secured loans such as home equity lines of credit generally have a lower interest rate, which makes paying them off less expensive over the long run.

No matter what type of financing you consider remember that you do have to pay the money back and you will be paying interest on the amount that is owed. Be smart and make sure you can really afford the monthly payments before you go forward with your loan. Many costly plans are changed when people finally begin to consider how different financing options work.

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Saturday, June 20, 2009

Getting A Mortgage Without Credit

By Nik Levesque

We all probably know that getting a mortgage with little or even no credit is pretty much next to impossible. Well, actually it isn't really. You just have to know a few key things and keep these things in mind when going to a bank or broker for a mortgage. Who knows, owning your own home may be a definite possibility.

The first thing to know is that nothing really changes with the procedure of applying for a mortgage with bad or no credit. You still go to the same place that you would need to go for any other mortgage.

When you apply for a bad or no credit home loan you will be asked to prove proof of employment (not to mention the fact that you have been at the same job for a reasonable amount of time), your credit history, the amount of debt that you currently have and how much of a down payment on the property that you have available.

Another possible solution can be that you might be able to look at and get is an FHA loan. These are great for many people who are trying to rebuild their credit after various problems and issues with money that they may have had in the past.

Finally, if you can not qualify for either the bad or no credit mortgage and the FHA loan, you can look at finding a friend or relative willing to vouch for you by co signing on the loan. This will make he or she responsible for paying back the loan as well as yourself. So basically, if you default on payments, they can go after the co-signer for the money.

Getting a mortgage can be a very complicated process if you are with a less than perfect credit rating. However, owning a home in the end makes it worth it!

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Friday, June 19, 2009

What Are Home Owners Rights during Foreclosure

By Doc Schmyz

Home foreclosure is one of the greatest fears of families due to debt. Even though this is true we often take our bills for granted in favor of our credit cards. Before we know it bills have easily stacked up and we end up not knowing who to pay first to stop the calls, and the current economy is not making this situation any easier.

Even though your house is being foreclosed there are still legal procedures to follow. Your lender can't just kick you out of the house. There are laws that protect homeowners from these situations. Here are some of the important facts you need to know when facing a foreclosure.

I have missed a few months on my mortgage...can they just toss me out?

Simply put: No. The mortgage lender/bank can only kick you out of the house with a court order. Before they can do that they also have to follow a set of legal procedures.

How long does the foreclosure take before they take my house?

Well depending on how hard the lender pushes the case, it can take as long as six months.

After the foreclosure, do I have to leave the house?

No you don't have to. After the foreclosure auction ends the ownership will be transferred from you to the highest bidder. You will become a tenant of the house. The new owner must also follow legal procedures before he or she can evict you out of the house.

In some cases you can become just a "renter" to the new owner. (this is dependent on the new owner of course)

What happens when I get evicted?

Normally, the new owner of the house will send you a notice to leave the premises. The notice usually gives you 72 hours. If you fail to follow the notice the new owner must present his case to the court before a judge to get an order for you to be evicted. The judge will be the one to decide if you should be evicted or grant you more time. If you fail to follow the court order the new owner may procure an execution of the eviction order. this is when the sheriff shows up and escorts you from the property.

The sheriff will give you a notice of the execution and give you 48 hours to pack and leave. If you fail to follow the notice this is the time when the sheriff can physically move you out of the premises.

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Great Money Tips In Ten Words

By John Connel

When you're in the midst of battling your debt or saving up for your eventual retirement (yes, even in the midst of this economy), it may be tempting to search for financial advice that's as long and complicated as the path to a debt-free and financially comfortable lifestyle. After all, if the process of getting rid of debt can take years, the best financial advice should be equally as long and complex, right?

Actually, some of the right debt-busting advice revolves around the oldest sayings in the book. Get ready to simply your money problems by following these little nuggets of financial wisdom, all of which are ten words or less:

No matter how much, always make sure you put aside money from each paycheck. It can be easy to think that beating debt is all about making the big bucks; however, even the smallest contribution to your debt is a step towards the financial freedom that you've longed for. Small but steady steps are the surest way to win the debt race, and will turn that mountain of bills into a small molehill in no time.

Know the difference between needs and wants. Thanks to the recession, it's almost certain that you've heard this advice before; however, it couldn't be more spot on when it comes to straightening out your finances. Needs are things like food, shelter, utilities and other items that make your household work - wants are luxury electronics, brand-name clothes and other splurges that will just plummet you further in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle.

Buy quality. Sure, being smart with your money is all about finding cheaper purchases when you can; however, if you can comfortably buy a high-quality item, then by all means do so. Why is this, you might ask? Simple: high-quality items are typically backed by a company who will fix the item when it breaks down or ceases to work. This will save you loads of money on maintenance in the long run.

Save today what you want tomorrow. Your credit cards make it easy to go out and purchase whatever it is that you want; yet if you want that big-ticket item, save up for it instead of putting it on your plastic. You'll feel better whenever you look at that new HDTV knowing that it's completely paid off instead of accruing interest on your credit card!

If you need more money, make more money. Feel like your income isn't enough to pay off that debt? Then stop complaining and make more money. You don't need a second job in order to make a considerable chunk of change that can be put towards debt; instead, sell old books and clothes on ebay or have a garage sale with your family members and friends. That extra income will go a long way towards paying off your debt, not to mention give you extra room to breathe in your budget!

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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

How To Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster

By Graham McKenzie

Mortgage loans are designed so that anyone can own a home. The common 30 year payoff is intimidating to most people. There are those that have figured out how to pay the mortgage off faster and shed 5,10 and even 15 years off the life of the loan.

Most people do not realize how easy it is to pay a mortgage off faster than the bank states. The first rule should be to have the best possible interest rate. If your credit score is better now than when you obtained the loan refinancing might be in order. The lower the interest rate the easier to pay the loan off quicker and you also save thousands in interest payments.

For those who want to benefit from early payoff but do not want to experience a squeeze on their budgets paying a bi-weekly payment instead of a monthly one will work. A bi-weekly payment plan actually pays two additional payments to the loan each year. This can greatly reduce the life of the loan. Since you have paid nothing more than you are used to the budget remains intact and you feel no ill effects of this method.

The method of coming up with a lump sum each year to place on the loans principle is harder to do for most people. You can find out from your lender what penalties they have for early pay off and make sure if they do penalize that you stay under the limits to avoid them. You can usually pay a lump payment of 15% of the loan at the end of the year after making your regular monthly payments and notice a tremendous difference in the life of the loan.

To be more realistic you can use the method of paying an additional amount each month instead of annually. This method allows you to pay on the principle each month and it is much more affordable for people to do this than the other method. The amount you decide on is up to you and what you can afford. The loans lifetime will shorten the more you pay each month.

If you want to find a way to reduce your mortgage by 10 years, 15 years, or more you will need to combine methods. You could begin paying your mortgage bi-weekly and benefit from those two additional payments each year and in addition pay an additional amount on each payment. By paying an additional amount on bi-weekly payments you not only enjoy two extra payments each year but you also have the benefit as if you paid a lump sum amount as well. The more you pay the quicker the payoff so check with your lender about penalties for early payoff amounts. Stay under the limits and if you are lucky enough to have a lender who does not have limits for overpayments then you can reduce the loan as quickly as you would like. .

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

How To Consolidate Debt

By Brenda Lengel

Consolidating debt is a wise decision to make if you find yourself carrying a large amount of debt. Credit cards are offered to us in stores and by mail. It is easy to make the decision to open a new credit card account, but the ramifications of that decision are usually greater than we imagine. Once we have a new credit card, we can be tempted to overspend, resulting in us being in debt and our credit score being lowered. Then, it is time to consolidate debt before more trouble arises from credit card debt.

Once you find yourself in debt, the best thing to do is to consolidate debt so that you are not burdened with the credit card debt for a long time. Take time to go over your monthly expenses and income. Find out where you are spending money and what items you can cut spending on. Then take the time to find a debt consolidation company online and discuss your financial situation with a debt counselor.

A debt consolidation company helps in the process of consolidating debt by offering debt-consolidation services or a debt consolidation loan. If you are having difficulty making payments to your credit card and loan companies, you must try consolidating your debt. One way for you to consolidate debts is by getting a debt consolidation loan. If you have been unable to pay off your debts with strict financial discipline and your debt trap is too big, there is no harm in taking a loan to set you free. A debt consolidation loan lets you convert all of your debts from multiple lenders into one single loan at a lower rate of interest and for an extended payment term. When you take a loan to consolidate debt, you must have a straightforward discussion with the debt consolidation counselor about the rate of interest and other terms like closing fees. There is no point in taking a debt consolidation loan if you have to pay an exorbitant sum for closing fees or carry a large interest rate.

You do not have to take a debt consolidation loan in order to consolidate debt. The debt consolidation company can contact your creditors and negotiate lower interest rates for you. After arrangements have been made with all of your credit card companies, the debt consolidation company will consolidate all of these accounts into one. They will then allow you to make one monthly payment each month and your creditors will all be paid on time and the correct amount by the debt consolidation company.

If you owe a very large sum of money to your creditors, it is sometimes advisable to consider debt settlement. With debt settlement, each of your credit card accounts are settled for an agreed upon amount that is lower that the current balance. Each month you will make one payment to the debt consolidation company and they will pay your creditors until all of the accounts are paid in full.

Once you have completed a debt consolidation program, you will find yourself debt free if you have not incurred other debts in the meantime. That is why it is important to learn to limit your spending. Your debt consolidation counselor can help you learn how to budget and advise you if you need debt consolidation, a debt consolidation loan, or debt settlement. As you pay your monthly payment each month, your debt burden will decrease.

When you consolidate debt, remember that no process of consolidation can be of help if you continue overspending. While you are consolidating debt, you must be dedicated and serious about financial planning and cut back on unnecessary spending. If you do not change your spending patterns, you might soon be looking to consolidate debt again!

For a free debt consolidation quote, please click on the link Debt Consolidation

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Monday, June 15, 2009

Insider Refinance Tips To Save Your Mortgage

By Ben Parker

If you are planning to refinance your house for whatever reason, you should consider the following tips that can help you make decisions about your mortgage. These inside tips will be a big help for you because the more information you hold, the better it will be for you to know exactly what you are entering into.

With refinancing, you will be charged a fee for the new agreement, and it should be one of the first questions you should ask about because you will need to compute if it will be worth the effort or not. If you estimate that it would take you more or less 24 months to pay off the refinance fee, then you should continue with your plan if you have a lot of years to go before your mortgage is fully paid.

Most refinancing proposals will probably come with a lock in protection clause, and if it does, the normal offer is 45 days, although some have enjoyed up to 60 days. Inquire about the fees that come with a lock in which, if not initially apparent, can be found if you look closely enough at the breakdown of the entire plan.

Now, if you are given a refinance contract, and you do not agree with some parts, then you have 3 business days to return it to your lender with a formal letter about your concerns. Your lender should return any fees you may have paid to him within 20 days after receiving your letter.

There are also some lenders who will not charge you anything at the start of the refinance contract, but it would be wrong to assume that you will not be charged at all. It is most probable that the fees were included in the closing amount. Should this be the case, then you can opt to pay these closing fees at the start of your refinance term, which will mean that you get to save even more.

Part of the standard operating procedure for approval of any mortgage refinance plan is for the borrower to have at least 10% equity on their house. If you do not have this, you may still apply because there are some groups which will allow a lower equity. Be prepared though to pay more insurance on the mortgage.

There is a price for everything, so when you are being tempted by the lender with a low or zero application cost, or a low monthly rate, make sure you get the complete picture before agreeing to anything. It is possible you will be required to pay a large amount after a few years which could mean more pressure for you and possible financial distress.

It is also possible for the fees to be hidden from plain view which is why when you get the refinance agreement, you will need to go over it word for word, especially the fine print. With the right broker, you will not have to worry too much, but since this is a business transaction, there should be no problem with questioning anything that you find in the agreement. You have a legal right to expect an estimate that is given in good faith, but it does not mean that you should not look it over properly.

In conclusion, refinance should help you manage your mortgage, thus, it should not give you more expenses to worry about. You should be able to save on your mortgage. To further assist you with information on refinance and your mortgage, visit mortgagesandhomeloans.net for the most complete refinance database you could ever find.

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Sunday, June 14, 2009

The Big Foreclosure Bailout 80 LTV Plan... Is It Working?

By Tim Beachum

We have all heard President Obama's plan for what he calls Americas economic come back. At best it is a roller coaster ride with multiple twist and turns. One of the many twist is the claim of solving the countries foreclosure crisis.

Most of us feel alone in our search for a foreclosure bailout lender... the truth is you are not alone in this matter. Thousands of families all across the country have found themselves in the deadly position of loosing their homes as well.

It all comes down to your credit rating... If your credit hasn't dropped and you are current on your mortgage payments, and you have a lot of equity built up in your property - you "may qualify" for a foreclosure bailout 80 ltv loan which is a 80% loan to value type loan.

Many families are pulling their hair out and praying while helplessly waiting for any type of foreclosure relief. I am referring to the relief that falls under the government bailout according to the FHA Hope for Homeowners Act which was introduced by Congress in October 2008. The goal of this plan is suppose to stop foreclosure loans on a large scale and save the American public at large.

According to industry experts the number of homeowners that default on their home loans will skyrocket. Those same experts have also predicted that things will get worse before getting better.

Since these same experts (the mortgage companies) know what's coming down the road they claim to be aggressively planning ways to avoid foreclosures before it happens. Homeowners are being advised to look into what is called loan modifications with their current bank. In laymen terms a loan modification will allow the lender and the borrower to negotiate the terms of the current loan to make it more affordable, thus creating a win-win situation.

We as homeowners are advised to seek out bailout lenders that are going to give you a good interest rate, length of the payback terms, points and fees, and we should also take in to consideration the reputation of the mortgage company.

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Saturday, June 13, 2009

Top Tips For Finding The Best Personal Loans

By Neil Harris

You should be able to find several indispensable facts about high risk personal loans in the following paragraphs. If there's at least one fact you didn't know before, imagine the difference it might make.

This is the most convenient and trustworthy to find money for any individual intention. Personal loans are a simply a way of borrowing money from a bank, building society or lender. Typically, personal loans are available for up to 15,000, and would be repaid over anything between 6 months and 10 years.

Personal loans are loans which are taken for personal reasons (like in this situation or to buy car or house or even for vacation). Personal loan can be further classified into two categories: secured and unsecured personal loans. Personal loans for people with bad credit will often require a co-signer with good credit.

Personal loans for people with bad credit are a way that we have learned will get out temporarily out of a bad situation. What I mean is that personal loans will sometimes actually help in saving our graces. Personal loans can actually come to your rescue. Personal loans are no collateral loans - you do not need to be a homeowner. The loan amount depends on your income, credit score, loan tenure, etc.

Personal loans can be used for any purpose normally these personal loans helps a person at the right time. Personal loans can be applied online just with a credit card. Personal loans are riskier for the lenders as they are unsecured. Unsecured loans mean that borrowers are offering collateral to get the loan.

Truthfully, the only difference between you and high risk personal loans experts is time. If you'll invest a little more time in reading, you'll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to high risk personal loans.

In exchange for the loan, you will be required to pay interest on the amount you have borrowed, which means that the total amount you repay will exceed the initial value of the loan. Personal loans can be provided by banks, building societies and specialist financial companies. If you have or have had cancer, there are no absolute rules governing whether you can or cannot take out a personal loan.

Personal loans are available in most categories of loans such as secured, unsecured, equity, refinancing, and payday. Even though the horizons of most of the loans will intersect with each other, the personal loans are generally categorized into secured loan and unsecured loan. Personal loans, credit cards, education loans, etc., have become more of a necessity to an average youngster. The young Britons are quite differently placed in comparison to what their parents were at the same age.

High risk personal loans all have one thing in common: they are a form of unsecured credit, which means they are not backed by collateral. You do not promise your car or house in the event of defaulting on the loan, for example. Personal loans are loans that are offered by financial institutions for any personal financial reason. The financial institutions offering personal loans in UK include banks, building societies, loan lending companies etc. Personal loans can be an excellent way to accomplish this.

Personal loans might also be used to continue one's education, to pay up pending bills, to pay off credit card debt, or to invest in an upcoming wedding. Personal Loans 4 Unemployed offers you the liberty of borrowing money.

Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what's important about high risk personal loans.

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Friday, June 12, 2009

What FHA Loans Can Do For You

By Greg Shuey

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are becoming popular again. In these times of economic hardship, most homeowners and potential homebuyers are having a rough time trying to get loans from banks and lenders. For those who already have their loans, paying for high mortgage rates is the problem.

It's hard to keep up with payments on conventional loans. When interest rates soar, you can expect to have higher mortgage payments. A lot of people who have been victimized by the economic crisis would not be able to afford these high-rate loans.

FHA loans, as you need to know, don't make or guarantee you loans. This works by insuring your home loan. It removes the risk from lenders so that they can be more lenient in approving you for loans.

This will allow lenders to approve home loans for people because they are spared from taking a loss whenever a homeowner defaults on a mortgage in the future. That simple.

Without further approval from FHA, its approved lenders are authorized to do the following: - Take loan applications - Process loan applications - Underwrite and close the loan

Why is there a need to switch to FHA loan? There are a lot of reasons, actually. Here are some of them:

1. You may qualify for an FHA loan even though you dont have a perfect credit score.

2. Those who have had bankruptcy or foreclosure can still take advantage of refinancing FHA home mortgage loan.

3. There is no minimum credit score requirement. Your credit history is evaluated specifically by your loan officer.

4. The US government insures lenders who make the FHA loan with competitive rates

5. Your mortgage payment can be as much as 65 percent of your gross monthly income.

6. Up to 97 percent of your homes value can be finance.

7. You can switch into a 30 year fixed loan easily by converting to an FHA refinance loan.

8. Switching from an adjustable rate mortgage to a fixed rate loan is made easy.

9. Refinancing your FHA home mortgage loan can allow you to consolidate first and second mortgages. 10. The closing costs are regulated by the FHA and are often lower than the cost associated with other lenders.

If you are a first time homebuyer or planning to refinance your home, the best choice is to go for FHA loans. Every one has a shot at being qualified. There are no borrowers restrictions with regard to income limits, affordable down payments, and relaxed underwriting standards.

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Thursday, June 11, 2009

Can I Benefit From A Forensic Loan Audit Even If I Am Current On My Mortgage?

By Arnold Stadneck

Of the 2 or more million mortgages that were funded between 2000-2007, many of these loans were funded unlawfully. During that period, bankers, lenders, mortgage brokers, appraisers and others in the industry enjoyed very prosperous times. Many of these people performed their jobs responsibly, while others performed their duties illegally. Prosecutions are continuing as these predatory lending violators are being brought to trial.

Your loan may contain violations and may be unlawful. And if that is the case you may be entitled to substantial damages whether you are current on your mortgage or if you are facing foreclosure. The rules are the same. The law does not differentiate. It is estimated that over 85% of mortgages funded during this time period contain some type of lending violation. The purpose of a forensic loan audit is to look for violations of federal and state lending practices.

A Forensic Loan Audit is made up of a thorough review of your most recent mortgage loan package. All documents are examined, particularly the Note, HUD (Closing Statement), GFE (Good Faith Estimate) and a wide assortment of other legal documents making up your loan package. The purpose of the audit is to identify any illegalities performed by the lender, their broker, or other parties to the loan. During the audit process, a professional should review your loan to make sure that it meets all legal steps in effect at the time the loan was funded.

This is important because for a lender to be able to foreclose on a mortgage, that loan must be a legal contract. Loan violations are serious legal offenses and lenders are subject to heavy fines and legal penalties for breaking these laws. For the most part, financial institutions are run by rational business people, who do understand the financial consequences of their mistakes and usually want to avoid expensive litigation or risk being charged with large fines. When they are shown proof of their mistakes and backed up against the wall, lenders are more readily agreeable to working on terms more favorable to the homeowner.

How does the average home owner benefit? Violations are like bullets being loaded into a gun, used by the audit team to argue your case with the lender. As a rule, the more violations, and the more severe those violations are, the better your chances of obtaining a favorable settlement is going to be. This settlement may include punitive damages, attorney fees, lower monthly payments, a principal reduction, a delay or prevention of a foreclosure sale and more.

Assuming there are violations on my mortgage loan, then what happens? If the forensic loan audit uncovers evidence of deceptive lending practices or mortgage fraud, you probably have a very good case with more than enough leverage to negotiate a reasonable settlement with your lender. Without leverage you are at the mercy of the lender who will either stall you off or wear you down to the point of accepting a gratuitous offer.

What is predatory lending? Dishonest behavior by many lenders, bankers, brokers and their sales force has caused the recent collapse of the financial markets. Examples of loans that may be considered predatory include pay option arms, stated income loans, bait and switch loans, elder abuse and other similar type loans where unscrupulous mortgage lenders and/or banks took unfair advantage of the borrowers.

If you are serious about saving your home and getting your life back on track, a forensic loan audit may be exactly what you require. A forensic loan audit may uncover certain irregularities which in turn will give your legal negotiators the ammunition they need to work out a favorable loan modification program for you. Many homeowners such as yourself are able to work out lower monthly payments, reduced interest rates and even principal reductions. Your home and your family's well being could be at risk. You owe it to yourself and your family to pursue all available options. Remember, the worst thing you can do is to do nothing.

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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

The Reason Why Refinance Is A Great Idea.

By George Lucas

The recommendation of many experts is for homeowners, unable to cope with the country's economic see-saw trends, to refinance their mortgage which is constantly at risk from the unpredictable adjustable interest rates. Of course, not many see why refinance is the most recommended option, and it takes them a while to appreciate its features, mainly because they need to understand it more.

Residents can opt for refinance for different reasons. Initially, they might want to do this to bring down their monthly payments. A second reason would be the chance to change their terms from an adjustable interest rate to a fixed rate. It is also possible that the third reason would be to allow them access to any accumulated equity they may have on their house, and finally, the fourth reason would be to cancel the burdensome mortgage insurance fee. If you are from the United States, a refinance is an option that will always be available to you. You can get a Philadelphia refinance, a Nashville refinance, or a refinance for any other place in the United States.

If you have a 30 year loan, how will refinancing be beneficial to you? In cases where the loan was approved and signed prior to the sub-prime mortgage crisis, the interest rates at that time were more than 7%. Looking at the prevailing rate, you can see that the interest rate is now lower by 2% minimum. This means that you can apply for refinance and be given the new interest rate, enabling you to start saving on your monthly payments and on the overall loan.

However, aside from the benefits, there are several other things you need to know because they can affect how much your monthly payments will be when you refinance.

If you compute how much you will be charged for the refinance, and forecast how long it would take you to pay it off, then you will be able to know at what point you broke even as far as the refinance fees are concerned. If your computation brings you to a period on or before 20 months for break even, then you should seriously consider the refinance since you would have paid off the additional expense early and still have quite a number of years to go for your loan to be completely paid.

Your assigned rate is also one for consideration. If you have an adjustable rate, then you enjoy lower monthly payments, however you are open to shifts in the rates which could happen any time. You could request for a fixed rate, or have an arrangement with a shift midstream from adjustable to fixed or vice versa.

You can make arrangements for an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) at the start of your refinancing term, and then change to a fixed rate after a number of years. This will work very well if you are not planning to stay in your house over 5 years.

On the other hand, if you plan to keep your house for a long time, you should get a fixed rate for the duration of the loan. This way you make sure the monthly figure remains the same until the end of the term. If you pay the closing fees ahead, you could ask for a lower monthly. So, you see, there are different approaches to personalizing your refinance plan. You just need to look at all angles, make sure that there is an open line between you and your broker, and sufficient time to plan.

Now, it is also possible to stop the mortgage insurance fees if you have racked up equity of at least 20%, or you can cash in on this equity to fund some other expense. There are a lot to learn about refinance, and you can get all the information you need at mortgagesandhomeloans.net.

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Tuesday, June 9, 2009

How To Get A Loan Modification On Your Home Mortgage

By Nick Nunez

Loan modification is like a mortgage refinance with the objective of finding a more affordable payment scheme on your mortgage to help you out with your financial situation. It will simply change the terms of the mortgage that you currently have, instead of applying for a second mortgage.

This is a brand new loan modification initiated by the Obama administration. It is specifically aimed at home equity loan products. The program offers financial incentives to those banks that can successfully modify bad loans. This is in hope of alleviating the weight of second mortgages.

To qualify for a loan modification, you need to be experiencing financial hardship but have not yet filed for bankruptcy. You should also own the property in question and it should be your primary residence. The idea is to protect you from further hardship by lowering the interest rate based on your debt ratio and overdue principal.

You can start applying for a loan modification on your home mortgage if you have become more than ninety days delinquent. However, you can not purposely default on your mortgage just to get a loan modification. The lender would be requiring a documentation of your financial hardship before they can start working with you.

The loan modification is tedious at best and can take months to reach a conclusion and the paperwork is challenging to say the least. First you have to find out the servicer or lender that currently has your home mortgage. In this economic condition, mortgages are often bought and sold. Search for your current lender at your mortgage coupon book or statement. Then, call the lender to verify if they really have your mortgage.

Each financial institution has different programs and processes for extending loan modification to their clients. But all of them are relying on similar factors to grant an approval for loan modification. You should be able to prove that you've made all efforts to meet your mortgage payments and you should be able to demonstrate your capability to make the modified payment scheme.

To get you started, write a letter explaining your hardship. Gather documents of your current income and financial situation to prove your ability to make the modified loan payments. You may also need to submit a detailed monthly expense report.

Bank have a vested interest in performing modifications because the foreclosure process is long and costly. Banks would rather grant a loan modification than letting their borrowers default on the whole mortgage. This makes a perfect business sense to the financial institutions and the best alternative for you as a homeowner.

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Monday, June 8, 2009

Stay On Top Of Your Credit Report And Watch Your Score Rise

By Darrell Price

A good credit rating should never be taken for granted. People assume that jut because they've never defaulted on a loan that their credit is good. It is only when they try to apply for a loan and are turned down; they realize they have a big problem. It is important to stay on top of your credit so you can identify and track any reporting errors or problems of identity theft.

The American lifestyle seems to be influenced by a person's ability to qualify for the loan of their choice. This can be a much needed business loan, mortgage, or any number of things including a family vacation. It pays to periodically check your credit reports for errors.

Negative information in your reports will cause you to get turned down for loans. Each time a bank pulls your credit report and sees a low credit score, it signals red flags that you are not loan worthy. If you happen to squeeze by and get a loan, the interest rates will be exorbitantly high making it almost impossible for you to maintain the life of the loan.

When high interest rates are imposed upon you, your monthly payments will be unnecessarily high. This means you will have very little money left over at the end of the month. If you goal is to save money each month, it will then become almost impossible. High interest rates can really make life difficult.

When an unexpected bill or emergency need arises, you are forced to make a choice and oftentimes it is at the expense of the loan. This is when you start traveling the road leading to greater financial ruin where life is really unpleasant. This is why it is important to keep your credit rating as high as possible.

Even if you think the information contained in your credit files is correct, there is always room for honest reporting mistakes. When you consider the massive reporting activity of the three major credit bureaus, maintaining files on over 200 million Americans, it easy to see how errors can slip through! This alone can damage your good credit. Repairing your credit can be a daunting task if you are not prepared.

If you have had credit issues in the past, now is the time to take corrective action. You don't have to live with a low credit rating for the rest of your life. Start by getting a copy of your credit report and review it. Then take the steps to correct any errors. This is your consumer right and exercising that right will increase the quality of your life.

Should you find errors contained in your credit report, take the next step by initiating the process of correcting the mistakes and inaccuracies. If the process is too much for you to handle, then turn it over to a reputable company to do the work for you. They are experts in the laws that regulate the credit industry and understand the process of getting you back into good 'standing' with lending institutions. This is your consumer right and repairing your credit will have a major impact on your financial life.

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Sunday, June 7, 2009

Home Equity Loan Information - How To Qualify For A Low Interest Rate Home Equity Loan

By Jonathan Rosenberg

Low interest home equity loans are a great way to obtaining a huge sum of money to pay off any outstanding financial obligations such as credit cards or student loans. Obtaining home equity loan information is essential to getting low interest rates.

Many people find these types of loans so attractive simply because these loans offer low monthly payments with low interest rates by leveraging their homes. One of the biggest disadvantages with these types of loans is that your home is put up for collateral which the bank can seize if you default on your loan.

Prior to getting a home equity loan, be sure that you are not already in a lot of debt, otherwise making the payments on time may be difficult. Getting a loan is just the beginning so here is essential home equity loan information to get you started on the right path towards getting lower interest rates.

1. Get multiple quotes - While this may be a bit obvious, it is essential that you shop around and compare different rates. With the advent of the internet, getting free online quotes is simple and will allow you to finding the best rates available.

2. Negotiate for lower rates - Do not be afraid to negotiate and demand lower interest rates on a home equity loan as this alone can save you hundreds of dollars. Also, do not be afraid to walk away if the company you are talking to does not budge on your negotiations.

3. Increase your credit score - Its no secret that your interest rate will be largely dependent on what you credit score is. Work on increasing your score by start paying down your debt such as credit cards and by paying any bills on time.

Qualifying for a home equity loan is a fairly straightforward process but be sure that you read every document before committing to anything. If you are facing financial difficulties, then pulling an equity loan can greatly reduce any stress while you work towards a debt free future.

Before signing anything when getting a home equity loan, be sure that you are dealing with a trustworthy company that others have used with success. One of the worst things is getting a loan with a higher interest rate when you could have gotten a lower rate somewhere else.

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Saturday, June 6, 2009

Manufactured Home Loans and Mortgages

By Loanne Derch

These days more and more individuals are looking to purchase a mobile or manufactured home. Buying ready-made homes can save money and help you to avoid time-consuming construction. This is why many people are now buying mobile and manufactured homes even if they have no intention of utilizing the mobile features.

People say mobile homes lose value over time, therefore they say it wouldn't be wise to take out a mortgage or loan against a mobile home. What everyone really wants to know is if it's actually a decent idea to invest in a mobile home.

The answer to this question depends on how you get the home situated. It is a fact that mobile homes do depreciate over time that may reach a point where it will be impossible to take a loan, mortgage or home equity loan against a mobile or manufactured home. However, you have to remember that there are some manufactured or mobile homes that do appreciate in value over time.

These homes are almost always on fixed foundations. Manufactured homes not on fixed foundations are the ones that will depreciate. So you simply can situate your home on a fixed foundation to help appreciate its value.

That means after a few years of on time mortgage payments the equity in your home will increase.

You need to understand that the manufactured home equity is quite different from a regular home equity loan program. The equity on a mobile home is equal to the numerical difference between the value of the mortgage and the appraisal value of the home.

As you pay your mortgage on a regular basis, your equity will get larger. Equity is a great financial asset when it comes to getting loans in the future. Although you can normally get a loan for 85% of the equity in your mobile or manufactured home, sometimes you can go all the way and get 100%! That simply means that you have access to almost all of the equity in your mobile or manufactured home.

However, this too will depend on something. And, that something is your credit score. The better your credit score is the bigger funds you will get on your home's equity. Also, it will depend on the lending policy of the lender you choose.

If you have a mortgage and are going to take out a loan with your home itself as collateral it is best to go for a home equity loan. The forms are simpler and are faster to process than other loans so long as your mortgage payments are up to date and your credit score is good.

These are the things you have to remember when you plan on taking out a loan with your manufactured home as collateral.

It's absolutely critical that you get your manufactured home's value to appreciate. So by simply getting a fixed foundation for your manufactured home you can increase it's value, as well as the equity if you pay your mortgage on time. When you go to take out a home equity loan you will find it much quicker and easier to get funds equal to your manufactured home's equity.

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Friday, June 5, 2009

Home Refinancing-Making The Right Choice

By Ned Dagostino

Homeowners it seems are forever on the lookout for ways to cut down on their bills. And home refinancing has become the method of choice for many. But be careful before you jump into any deal. There are times when refinancing can end up costing you more than you save on your monthly bills. Let's begin by examining when a new loan makes sense.

If your current loan has an adjustable rate, this is probably a good time to look into refinancing to a fixed rate loan. Chances are you'll save money. Adjustable rate loans can be good if you get the loan when the rates are high. But in the current rate environment it doesn't make sense. It could mean thousands of dollars in your pocket over the duration of the loan if you can simply lock in a low rate. Interest rates always go back up. When they do, you'll still be locked in at the current low rate.

Something else to consider is if you have a pending balloon payment. Maybe it snuck up on you and you're not prepared or simply don't have the money to pay. Refinancing could be your only option. Also find out if the rate you're paying now is higher than the current market rate. If it is, you should definitely look into refinancing. All it takes is one-quarter of one percent difference in the rate to make a huge difference on a 30 year mortgage.

Of course that all sound great but naturally there are some things to look out for as well. Carefully examine the closing costs. Refinancing is not free and some of the costs associated with it can be pretty significant. Once you know the costs, do some figuring to determine how long it will take to to recover that money from the savings you see each month.

The reason this is so important is because people rarely stay in one house for the duration of their loan. If moving is something you might be doing in the near future, you're simply giving away money. You should be reasonably sure you'll be in your current house at least long enough to make up what you spend in closing costs.

Also look at the potential pre-payment penalties on your new loan. Most new loans will have them, and the average cost is 2-5 years. If you will be moving and need to take out a new loan, this will be an expensive problem. It's also a problem if you want the loan to be paid off early. So be sure to determine those pre-payment penalties and again, measure them against your monthly savings.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you'll want to look at your monthly payment. This is especially true if you're planning on taking advantage of a cash out option. The cash out option will give you spending money now, but it will also increase the balance on your loan. If your new interest rate is not significantly lower than what you are currently paying, your monthly payment could go up just because the balance is higher. You want a rate low enough that your payments will go down, in spite of the fact that your balance increases.

Clearly there are a lot of potential advantages to home refinancing. But doing it at the wrong time can be very costly. Make sure you check all the savings against the fees and the outside factors such as a potential move. If it all makes sense, shop around for a good lender. You'll be surprised at how different their terms can be. Don't be afraid to ask friends and relatives for recommendations.

Good decisions can be extremely beneficial to your financial well being.

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Thursday, June 4, 2009

Home Foreclosure: The People On The Phone

By Doc Schmyz

Home foreclosure is not the best situation to be in. Once the notices start coming and the phone starts ringing you can't really keep hiding. You're going to hear from lots of people who claim that they can help you. These calls are from organizations and companies that have their own motives and goals. Beware, in desperate times even a good sales pitch may sound like a miracle. Let's take a look at what they really want.

There are a number of people who are going to send mail or call. Most likely they were able to get your address or your number from the court system. Due to the legal nature of the process your information will be deemed as public and be published. This means anyone with internet access can find you.

The most common people or organizations that are going to give you a call:

Swindlers/Con Men

These are the ones you have to beware of. (And there are a lot of them out there.) All of them offer promises and refer you to a chapter 13 attorney to collect a fee. In worse cases, they will take the deed of the house and force you to pay rent while leading you to believe that they can save your home and in the end you lose it all because they do nothing but take your "rent money" and skip town.

This is the most common problem you will face besides the actual foreclosure.

Mortgage brokers

They can help you by refinancing your property. However, these loans may have higher interest rates and closing costs than what you payed at the bank. Some may even charge you more to see how much you are willing to pay and take advantage of it. Not all brokers will do this to you. Shop around and ask family and friends for a referral if you decide to use a broker.

Attorneys

This is your last resort. Most attorneys don't really care about the situation you're in or give you the attention you need.

Mortgage negotiators/Mortgage "Mod gods"

They negotiate repayment schemes with mortgage lenders. You can negotiate with the bank but in case it fails you can ask the help of a professional to get the plan approved. Some banks may impose a much more demanding plan and these professionals can get you a more favorable agreement.

Private Financers

They help arrange a new loan for you or buy the house from you. No matter which type you choose you must be completely aware of what they are doing and what they want. Other people can help while some can just make matters worse.

Mortgage/note holder

Your mortgage holder will call you to reinstate your house. This can be a good option depending on your situation. These are usually offered by mortgages backed by the government.

Whoever calls you or wherever the mail comes from be aware and think things through. You can stop a home foreclosure with the right options applicable for your situation. Do not throw in the towel if you don't have to.

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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

When It Is Financially Beneficial To Refinance A Mortgage

By Amy Nutt

In recent months, there has been a significant drop in mortgage interest rates. This is due in part to the high amount of foreclosures and the housing financial market crisis. Most banks and lenders want to keep mortgage holders in their homes. If you have a mortgage and are looking for a better rate, you may want to consider refinancing.

The decision to refinance a mortgage normally comes down to asking the question: Will I benefit financially from a mortgage refinance? In order to determine the benefits of refinancing, one should consider the following points:

Do you plan on staying in your home for a long time? If you plan on moving before the end of the mortgage term, and the cost of obtaining the refinance is high, you may be at an advantage to stay with your original mortgage. If you are planning to stay in your home for many years, refinancing may be a good choice to lower your interest rates.

Are you in a good financial situation to refinance your mortgage? Because of the recent decline in home values, you need to find out if a new mortgage is financially beneficial. Right now, you may owe more on your house than it is worth. Consulting with several lenders is a wise choice to make sure refinancing is worth it. If you can refinance your mortgage and lower your interest rates by at least 2% or more, and the refinance fees are not too expensive, refinancing may be a good option.

Length of New Refinanced Mortgage: Once you establish how much lower your mortgage payment will be after refinancing, you need to calculate the mortgage cost over the life of the new mortgage. For instance, if your new payments are $100.00 lower than the original mortgage, but your refinance term is longer, you may still end up paying the same amount or possibly more. For instance, if your original mortgage was for 20 years and you have paid 5 years into the mortgage, the refinance for a new 20 year mortgage will mean you are paying an additional 5 years.

The Costs of Refinancing: There will be some costs involved with refinancing your mortgage. Costs can include the application fee, appraisal fees, title search and title insurance fees, and legal fees. When calculating how much money you will save, you have to consider additional fees associated with the refinance.

The New Mortgage Rate: After shopping around and you have acquired a lower mortgage rate, you should calculate how much you will save each month. Most mortgage sites have online calculators that you can use. You should also consider whether it is a fixed rate or variable rate. Variable rates will increase or decrease according to the market conditions. If the market is good, you will save money, but if the market becomes unstable, your rate may go up.

Refinancing your mortgage can be an excellent way to save money and get better terms. Right now, there are low interest rates being offered which will not last. Refinancing should be a serious choice if you are having problems making payments on your current mortgage, or are facing home foreclosure. With the current low interest rates and the right research, refinancing your mortgage can result in huge savings.

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Monday, June 1, 2009

Payoff Mortgage - Turning Your Home into a Financial Asset 102

By Leonardo Marchan

Home equity in most areas of the country has declined by 40% or more and it probably would take some time before the value would increase just like the stock market.

Selling your home and taking the advantage of buying a much cheaper house thats on sale in your neighborhood might not be the right thing to do at this point.

Your home is nothing like a stock market investment. While you can trade stocks, you will find it quite hard to trade homes as these are considered capital investments. The tax consequences that come with you giving up your home would also be quite costly.

There is a negative side to selling your home. The perfect time to sell a house was 2 years ago so selling it this time would not be a very good idea. If you keep your house and the home prices will be stabilized, just like what happens in the stock market, the value of your home would most probably increase in the future.

So, how do you turn your home into an asset without actually selling it?

One way to look at your home is like an investment. Over time your home equity should grow again and you should be able to pass it on to your kids or tap into the equity when you retire.

If you are not in dire need of cash and you think you can still afford your monthly dues, you should be patient enough to go on paying for it. Time is definitely on your side right now.

There are specific ways to turn your home into an asset.

First, you may bank on home equity. When you get your home fully paid off and you need money after you retire, you may try applying for reverse mortgage on it.

Paying off your home before you retire means you have to spend more or follow the biweekly method to accelerate payments.

Second, you can pay off your mortgage and put up your home for rent or for lease. You may consider purchasing another property. Doing this would get you to save enough for your retirement.

A third way of looking at your home as an investment, is that every dime you spend for paying off mortgage should not necessarily come from your retirement savings. In fact if you do some planning in advance and if your home appreciates in value, you could even sell your home in retirement, buy a new home at a lower price, and keep the difference as investment savings.

Your schedule is hectic and you have other bills that you need to pay every month so you would most likely find it hard to save. Settling your mortgage accounts before retirement and buying a cheaper property would produce savings that you can use when you retire.

This may not be the best financial strategy but is certainly one way of accumulating retirement savings.

Use the mortgage acceleration method. This is the best way to pay off your home before retirement.

With the mortgage acceleration program you can slash 13 years of your mortgage and save thousands without changing the lifestyle or refinancing your home. Imagine getting rid of the mortgage payment without spending more. Now that's a great investment in yourself and not to mention your home is fully paid off and you don't have to dip into retirement savings to pay for mortgage.

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