Latest Information On Home Mortgages And Expert Advice On Home Equity Loans

Latest information on home mortgages

Buying your first home is a huge milestone – and often a scary one. Be sure you’re getting the best value for your money by learning about the different types of home mortgages available today and seeing available rates from competing mortgage lenders.

There are three sides to a mortgage: the amount of money you borrow, the interest rate you’ll pay on the loan, and the length of the mortgage.

The amount you borrow depends on the cost of the home and the size of your down payment. If you purchase a $300,000 home and make a down payment of $60,000, you’ll need a $240,000 loan.

The interest rate is one of the great variables when looking at mortgages and other home loans. There are two basic types of mortgages: fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs). Fixed-rate mortgages have just that – a fixed rate of interest that never changes in the life of the loan, so your monthly payment will always be the same. An ARM has interest rates that tend to change according to the general credit market. This can work to your advantage when rates go down, but if market rates increase, the rates on your loan will likely increase at a similar rate. However, most ARMs have a cap on interest rates – this will vary from lender to lender.

Nowadays buyers have much more flexibility in terms of the length of the loan. While most mortgages fall in the 15-30 year range, some lenders now offer 40 and 50 year mortgages. These longer term mortgages are ideal for people who want lower monthly rates and don’t mind paying off their loan well into retirement. Of course, the longer the term of your mortgage, the more interest you’ll pay in the long run.

Expert advice on home equity loans

If you’re a homeowner in need of some extra cash, a home equity loan may be the easiest solution. By using your home as collateral, you can borrow money for home improvement projects, personal expenses, auto payments, college education, and more. Whatever your financial needs are, being a homeowner could qualify you for a home equity loan or home equity line of credit.

The amount of money you can borrow depends on the amount of home equity you have. And this may be a much higher figure than you imagined. To determine your home equity, simply deduct the amount you owe on remaining mortgage payments from the appraised value of your home. If you own more than one property, your home equity is the combined equity of all of your properties.

Of course, details of a home equity loan need to be discussed with the lender. As with any loan, there are certain fees that apply. These vary according to the lender and need to be factored into your decision. They make include a property appraisal fee (to estimate your home’s value), a non-refundable application fee, closing costs, taxes, and up-front charges.

Other factors to consider are the payment plan and how the loan is affected if you sell your home before the end of term. You may be required to pay loan off in full when you sell your house. The term of home equity loans can range from 5 to 30 years.