Mortgages Home Loans

Brian C asked:


Isn’t this socialism?

WALLACE: But, Senator, you voted for the $700-billion bailout that’s being used partially to nationalize American banks. Isn’t that socialism?

MCCAIN: That is reacting to a crisis that’s due to greed and excess in Washington. And what this administration is doing wrong, and what Paulson is doing wrong, is not going out and buying up home loan mortgages, home mortgages, and giving people new mortgages at the new value of their home so they can stay in their home. They’re bailing out the banks. They’re bailing out these institutions.

WALLACE: But you voted for that.

MCCAIN: Of course. It was a package that had to be enacted because the economy was about to go into the tank…. That’s the reason why we have governments, to help those who need help, who can’t help themselves, and when time of crisis to step in and do what’s necessary to preserve the lives and futures of innocent people. It wasn’t Main Street America that caused this. It was Washington and Wall Street.

MYLES

Mr Krinkle asked:


To the Dems who blocked Bush’s proposed oversight of Frannie and Freddie in 2003.

Bush suggested this in 2003.
Under the plan, disclosed at a Congressional hearing in 2003, a new agency would have been created within the Treasury Department to assume supervision of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored companies that are the two largest players in the mortgage lending industry.

But the Democrats said:
”These two entities — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — are not facing any kind of financial crisis,” said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee in 2003.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E3D6123BF932A2575AC0A9659C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print

And since the Dems killed McCain’s creation of an independent Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Agency which shall have authority over the Federal Home Loan Bank Finance Corporation, the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac).

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-190
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-190&tab=summary
http://beltwaysnark.com/2008/09/16/john-mccain-supported-a-proposal-for-an-agency-to-oversee-fannie-and-freddiein-2005/

LEON

Kristin Abouelata - Home Loans asked:


We encourage our kids to plan for their future, but we seldom include buying a first home sooner than average as a path to building that future. Let them know buying a home is easier than they think.

Most of the people who read this column are not first time homebuyers. The fact of the matter is many of you that are first time homebuyers and reading this article are relatively mature individuals who are fighting off your commitment fears of being tied to a mortgage. But there is a huge segment of the population that could buy their first home, yet it doesn’t occur to them to do so. Who are these people? Well, it’s your 24 year old son or daughter, new to the work force, and is throwing away money on rent somewhere. Encouraging your children to buy a home when they are young is some of the soundest financial advice you can give them. Equity in a home is an easy way to grow one’s portfolio with very little investment. But the fact of the matter is it doesn’t occur to most of us to encourage the younger generation to buy early in their lives. And trust me, it rarely occurs to our kids themselves to consider buying a home in the early twenties. They are more concerned with buying a new Halo 3 for their Xbox.

Why do so many people miss the boat on this opportunity? It could be they plan to be in the area for only a short time because they will job hop to advance their career, thus viewing a mortgage as “too permanent.” I counter to simply sell the house when you move. Or maybe they expect their income to double or triple over the next three years. I say buy a home now, then upgrade to a new home; sell or rent the old house. Investing in real estate is a proven, safe and solid return on investment. And with the right combination of credit history (or a history of paying utilities, cable and your cell phone on time) and no money down, you or someone you care about can start investing in the future.

When Junior starts his new job at the company and 401(K) is available, he’s been informed by his folks, boss or peers to enroll and contribute at least a little something to it with every paycheck. Yet, he is rarely counseled quit renting that apartment for $750 a month and buy a $75,000 house. Where will he come up with the money to do it? There are multiple options for first time buyers that allow for 100% financing. Get the seller to kick in closing costs (up to 6% of sales price with some products), and one can close on a loan and bring no funds to the table. If your home value appreciates 4% in the next year, that’s a nice return on a no cash investment.

For some time, I’ve considered writing this series for first time buyers to let them know buying a home is easier than they think. But, the more I thought about it, the more I realized the advice I would offer would most likely not reach my target audience. So parents, it is up to you to supply your kids with this last little bit of advice and help to set them free to further establish their independence in this world. Clip this article out and tape it to their iPOD or the steering wheel of their car - someplace it will get noticed.

I think for most of us who have been through the experience, our first home buy was a very daunting experience. There are so many choices and unknowns - it can be overwhelming. In this series, I will try to break it down the process into small logical steps and make it easier understand the steps involved in financing your first home. Where do you start? That is perhaps the easiest part. Our newly established worker should first make a list of all his or her debt obligations such as student loans (unless deferred), car payments, credit card debt, etc. Hopefully at this age, this will be a small list. Then add what you think amount you could afford for a mortgage. Take that amount and divide it by your gross monthly income. If you come in at 43% or less, you’re in business. If you have something in your savings or checking - great. If not, don’t let it deter you. You have options.

Contact a mortgage specialist to drill out the details and find a good realtor who knows your market for housing you can afford. What next? Get ready to tell your landlord “Adios!.”



CARLOS

hopeful77 asked:


My mortgagecompany issued me a moratorium for 4months (postponed payments)due to hurricane Wilma. This Hurricane displaced us for a couple of months and caused an extreme Financial hardship. The mortgage company(Wells Fargo Home mortgage) has on their records that they will not report any late payments and/or there will be no negative credit reporting.However, after i sent the payments and checked my credit report they indeed reported 120 days late payments to the major credit bureaus. When i talk to the represenatives they indeed see the notes about not repoting late to the credit bureau and even waived every late charge,but are adamant about not removing the negative reporting. I was a loyal consumer and my lateness was due to “acts of Nature” beyond my control. Initially the moratorium helped our family, but in the end it has really hurt my credit worthiness. I am having difficulty securing another home loan (sold previous property)because of the negative reporting. What can I do?

EMANUEL

Martin A asked:


One week after our closing date, the Underwriters rejected my loan due to “The value of the home is too much for the area, and there aren’t any comparable homes in the area.”. My Real-estate agent, Mortgage Broker, and the Appraiser all said “that is discrimination based on geographical location” and we have a law suit. This would have been my first home (as of 9/28/07) but they ‘pushed’ the date back to 10/02/07, and at 5:15 PM they told my mortgage broker that the loan was rejected, and they knew since 11:30 am that morning. My apartment lease was over on 9/30/07, so now, my wife and 2 daughters, are homeless; staying at a friends apartment until this gets resolved. The Underwriters pulled our (applicants) credit 3 more times, drastically reducing our credit, which in turn is making us come $5k out of pocket through a different Underwriter. Please, someone tell me i have a case.. We have already invested $2k into inspections, appraisal, etc, and would hate for it to be for nothing.
The house appraised @ $194,600.00 with the purchase price set at $166,600.00. There were 2 appraisals done; One i paid for, which lists 6 comparable homes, and the other that the Underwriters had done, listing 4 comparable homes. All homes in the area are from $130k to $200k. Which is why i am so frustrated as why they would say that. It makes NO sense.
Just in case anyone was thinking that they might have reasonable doubt that i would default on my loan…

I have a 30 yr fixed @ 6%, so the problem with the thousands of people that defaulted on their variable rate loan shouldn’t effect me what so ever. Those thousands of people are all moron’s for letting it happen to them. They should have either;
1- Refinanced into a fixed rate
2- Sold the house BEFORE they defaulted. It is very easy to find out what your payment is going to be 1, 2, 5 years down the road, even with a variable rate loan. Their fault for not planning ahead.

I make enough to pay 2x the mortgage payment, and have been @ the same job for 4 years now (only 21 yrs old). That’s not including my wife’s income, who makes almost twice more than me.

RAY

Anthony Dean asked:


This article is hopefully going to explain many of the things people believe about mortgages that are actually false.The most important thing you must realize about a mortgage is that what you believe it to be is actually wrong. For one thing, although we commonly call them Mortgage home loans, this is not at all what they actually are; in fact, they aren’t loans at all, nor are they something that has been given to you by lenders. The mortgage is a legal contract between the mortgagor who is buying the property and the mortgagee, the person supplying the finance and security against the property. In fact, in reality, this isn’t the debt but the security required by the lender to protect their interests for the duration of the term.

A mortgage is used as a method by which individuals or businesses can purchase residential or commercial property without paying the full value upfront. There are also misconceptions about how they work so below is a description of how the process works. Being the financier, the mortgagee is the person who lends funds to the mortgagor or borrower. A security measure designed for purchasing properties, called a lien, is enforced until the mortgage is cleared at the end of the term.

This is the collateral or the security for the mortgagee who has provided the security instrument. Information about the lien is registered at a county courthouse, or similar, to ensure the contract is official and binding. The lien stays in force while the debt remains but the property is actually owned by the mortgagor. This is a strange situation where the mortgagor still owns the property even though the debt still remains to be paid.

This means the only occasion that can arise whereby the mortgagee can legally sell your home is if you stop making payments and it needs to be sold to repay the finance used to purchase it. In the unfortunate event that requires the property to be sold or Foreclosed, then the case will need to be presented to the courts for approval. The reason behind this process is to ensure the legal procedures have been followed and also why it is called Judicial Foreclosure. Obviously there is much more to the subject than this, but these are the basic foundations upon which the mortgaging system has been constructed.

Despite increasing numbers of the population having a mortgage, it is amazing how few people actually know what they are and how they work. A common misconception is that a Mortgage is a Home Loan but this is false and people need to be educated about the fact that it is not a loan at all. The mortgagor is the person who owes money to the mortgagee (the person who finances the deal) using a legal contract called a mortgage. Actually, it is in fact a legal document that is designed to ensure the lenders financial interests are secure.

The facility that a mortgage creates means individuals and companies can acquire land or property without needing the full face value to purchase it at the time. To help understand how this works, some important information is discussed here. Unfortunately it is our own common use of word like Borrower and Lender that has mislead people into thinking a mortgage is a loan when they should be referred to as Mortgagor and Mortgagee respectively. A lien is a means by which the mortgagor can purchase a home but it is the mortgagee that retains legal ownership until the arrangement between them has been completed (the debt is paid off).

This system works so successfully because the risk of loss on the part of the mortgagee is all but eliminated as they have legal possession of the property until the debt is completely repaid. This lien than becomes a matter of public record when it is registered at the county courthouse or equivalent. This act makes the purchase and the ownership of the house official and no-one can transfer this ownership until the debt is fully paid off. So how this works is that the mortgagor (you) owns the property completely even though the mortgagee has possession of the mortgage but not the title.

The only time the mortgagee has any rights over your property is in the event that you default on payments when he can sell it to recover the outstanding debt. This is the dreaded process referred to as foreclosure but if the property is used as security, then the foreclosure must go through the court system. This is done in order for it to be considered legal; this type of foreclosure is referred to as a judicial foreclosure. This is only a short introduction as the subject is much more complex but this information should make this important issue much clearer.



GARTH

philip h asked:


I SOLD MY HOME TO A INVESTMENT COMPANY 1 1/2 YEARS AGO. I JUST RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HIM STATING WE NEED TO PAY THE MORTGAGE. I DIDN’T KNOW IT WAS STILL IN MY NAME, AND HE RECEIVES RENT FOR THE PROPERTY.HOW DO I GET MY NAME OFF THE LOAN BECAUCE THE COMPANY HOLDS THE DEED.

LOWELL

Loan Modification Attorney asked:


A Home Loan Modification can help you stop foreclosure and stay in your home. But if you’re like most homeowners, you’re probably wondering how it will affect your credit, and whether in a good or bad way. Unfortunately, there’s no single answer—it all depends on how far behind you are and the kind of mortgage loan modification you’ll be granted.

Best-case scenarios



Technically, since you’re not borrowing any money, a home loan modification won’t hurt your credit score. If you’re paying less in interest, you have a smaller debt burden. And since most lenders prefer an interest rate reduction, there’s a pretty good chance that a Home loan modification will improve your credit score.

The implications are even better if your lender forgives part of the principal, although this is less common. If they write off $50,000 from your loan amount, it will show up on your report as a smaller loan, which can increase your credit score.



The lender factor

Unfortunately, it doesn’t always happen that way. It also depends on how your lender reports the home loan modification to the credit bureaus. Many of them will consider it paid for less than the original amount owed, which will count against your score. If you’re already in foreclosure, the impact on your credit can be substantial. Of course, compared to a short sale or a foreclosure, a Mortgage Loan Modification is still the best way to maintain your credit standing.

Tax implications



One of the early problems with Loan modification is that the amount forgiven is usually taxable. That means if your debt is reduced by $50,000, the IRS views it as income and imposes the corresponding tax. This can catch homeowners off guard during tax season, as many of them don’t know the tax implications at the time of the modification.

To avoid such incidents, the IRS announced in 2007 that Loan modification would no longer be classified as “prohibited transactions.” This applied to all loans originated from January 2004 to July 2007, the peak of the sub-prime boom, and those due to adjust from January 2009 to July 2012. If your mortgage falls under these categories, you won’t have to file a 1099 declaring the change as taxable.

A loan modification is much like going to court: you can save your money and get a court-appointed lawyer, or you can invest in professional representation and get the best mortgage assistance. Your loss mitigation won’t happen overnight, but if with a capable Loan Modification Attorney, you can be sure you’re in good hands.



AUBREY

Lokesh Kumar asked:


How important is a home mortgage loan pre-approval? The short is “very important” but read further before getting your hopes too high only to be disappointed later. Learn what being pre-qualified and being pre-approved for house loan mean to you.

It helps to be ready if you’re in a competitive market. If you are lucky enough to be pre-approved for a home loan, it can give you an edge over other buyers who may be interested in the same home or condo who perhaps aren’t financially stable. If you do therefore take the large step of being pre-approved for a mortgage loan, it’s an indication to the home owner that you are serious about buying his / her home and not just bargaining to find a steal!

What you need to do to get a pre-approval for a Mortgage Loan?

First step is an honest evaluation of your financial situation. Add up a list of all your assets comprising your cash, stocks, mutual funds, bonds, savings, IRAs, and any other investment and then deduct all the loans and payments that you have to make. This amount will indicate what kind of house you can afford.

Remember - there are additional expenses while buying a house. This will give you a realistic picture of just how much you can comfortably borrow and how much you will qualify to borrow. It is possible to borrow an amount that will cover the all the insurance and taxes of the first year.

Once you know how much mortgage loan you can afford, you can approach a lender or apply for a home loan online. Many online mortgage loan sites offer quotes from at least 5 lenders. Online mortgage loans are popular because the lender contacts you based on the information given by you. That makes it easier for you narrow down the lenders who are interested in working with you. Also, online application is good for busy people.

What is Difference Between being Pre-qualified and Being Pre-approved for Loan?

Pre-qualified means you contact a mortgage lender and give him/ her, your details in person or on the phone and then he/ she creates a file credit report based on details given by him. This information is usually not verified. You will get a letter stating that you are pre-qualified.

Pre-approved means a commitment from a mortgage lender once you have filled out an application for a home mortgage loan and your details have been verified. These details will include credit report from the three largest credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and Trans Union Corp. Most online applications go through this pre-approval process.

If your credit score is low that does not necessarily mean you will not be pre-approved for a home loan. Some lenders ask for additional details like your salary statement, bank statements, W2 etc. Also, a willing lender will ask questions about the reasons why the credit score is low and why there collection records in your credit report. If the credit score is low but if you still confident that you can buy a house, then you can answer these questions.

This may be a little too much questioning but at least the lender is willing to work with you even though your credit score is low instead of just rejecting your home mortgage loan pre-approval application! Most lenders have knowledge of how to improve your credit score and may give you some tips to increase your score.

To be pre-approved gives you an edge when shopping for a home. You learn to identify the price range in which you’re looking to buy a home. This makes it easier for a home seller to accept or reject your offer if you’re bidding over a non pre-approved buyer. You must also familiarize yourself with a comfortable monthly loan installment.

Being pre-approved puts you in a better position as serious buyer and your negotiations maybe considered more seriously than other potential buyer who is not pre-approved for a home mortgage. Usually the pre-approval letter has an expiry date. A lot of times the expiry date for the pre-approval letter could be 3 months.

In conclusion, it is best to be pre-approved rather than pre-qualified for a mortgage loan. Be realistic about the amount of home loan you can afford. It is better to live a little below your means than to borrow more than you can afford. There are additional expenses involved while buying a home so you need to factor that into your house loan. So, be prepared when you apply for home mortgage loan pre-approval.



ELMER

Kristin Abouelata - Home Loans asked:


Think about why this is true. A good appraisal is the best reassurance that the lender won’t lose its pants on the transaction. If the borrower defaults, the lender still has a marketable property that can be sold to recoup its losses. All of which makes it understandable why lenders are so picky about appraisals. And with recent changes in the industry, the focus by lenders to obtain good appraisals is at the forefront.

Appraisals typically cost anywhere from $350 to $400. However, if the house is gigantic, multi-unit or in the boondocks, it could run more. The cost varies on property type, location and square footage.

The most common type of appraisal is the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR). It consists of interior and exterior photos and sometimes (depending on the age of the home), a complete cost breakdown of the property and comps (comparison sales of homes nearby that meet the proper criteria). These comps help determine the “market” approach. Each comp sale is adjusted in value when stacked against the home being evaluated (the one you’re buying or refinancing). Usually you will see a comp below the value of your home, in line with the value of your home, and a third above the value of your home. Kind of like the three bears. But if the valuation gets tricky, you can see fourth, fifth and sixth comps. The net value of the comps is estimated based upon the approaches used to come up with the appraised value of your property (meaning the appraiser performs some type of calculation that’s kind of like an average, but not necessarily a true average. Confused yet?)

URARs also, typically but not always, reflect a cost approach, which determines what the value would be based upon what is estimated it would cost to rebuild the home, less depreciation. The final estimated value of the home is then determined by using a melding of the market approach described above and cost approach (if applicable).

Lori Babb, Staff Appraiser for Mortgage Investors Group of Knoxville, TN, further explains comparables. “The best comparables are those similar in size, style (ranch, basement rancher, 2 story, etc.), age, and are close in proximity to the dwelling being appraised,” she explains. “Unique properties will typically require more adjustments than the average properties.”

So, say you’re Bill Gates and want to secure a mortgage on a $200,000 home (I know, it’s ridiculous, but I’m trying to make a point). He’s got the best credit profile a lender could imagine, yet the house appraises for $175,000. Deal or no deal? You better believe it’s no deal. The sales price will have to be lowered, or Mr. Gates will just have to pay cash for his new home (you think he can afford it?). The point is, your average Joe won’t go ahead with the deal without a price adjustment, and he will be obligated to pay for the appraisal regardless of the outcome of value.

Dan Tyrell, principal of Knoxville area’s Tyrell Appraisal Service, Inc., has this comment about value, “When determining value of a single family house, beauty is more than ‘skin deep’. Fresh paint, new carpet, new appliances, and nice landscaping all enhance the marketability of a house. Not so obvious items also impact the appraised value of a house. For instance older houses that have replaced plumbing/electrical systems, updated HVAC systems, newer roofs, replacement windows, etc. lower the effective age of the property which in turn increases the appraised value.”

There are other types of appraisals that are not as common, like an Automated Valuation Model (or AVM). In this case, different factors combine to ensure the value of the home (it’s worth $200K, but your loan amount is only $100K) and your unbelievable credit worthiness (800 credit score!), allowing you to skip purchasing a typical appraisal. You may also only be required to get a “drive by” appraisal, where the appraiser just inspects the exterior of the subject for size, looks at the lot and makes you wonder who that person standing by your mailbox is.

Most lenders control what appraiser is used to determine the value of your home. After all, it’s their money on the line. The appraisal is such an important factor to the mortgage transaction – make sure you’re satisfied with the results. Your lender will make sure it is satisfied!



MAXWELL