Gail Anderson-Metcalf asked:




The price of houses keeps rising across the US. Since most require a down payment that is more than a renter can afford, how do you become a home owner when you don’t have the savings to cover the down payment? The answer is a home mortgage to purchase your house.

A home mortgage is different from a home loan. A mortgage is a contact that is required for you to obtain a loan from a banking institution or lending company. The actual loan is the money the lender provides.

In recent years, the types of home mortgages available to the public have increased dramatically. I remember purchasing my first home when most loans required a twenty percent down payment. Today, loan terms and the rate status are different with home mortgages and is applied depending on the financial situation at the time of the loan. Some home mortgages offer better terms when the interest rates are low and others rise with high home mortgage rates.

With a fixed rate home mortgage, the interest rate remains the same for the duration of the loan. Therefore, your monthly payment remains the same, even when interest rates rise. This type of home mortgage usually extends for a term of 15 or 30 years.

The amortization period for 30-year fixed rate home mortgages is longer and the monthly payments are lower. Although you can borrow money on a long-term basis, it comes with a high interest bill and builds equity very slowly.

With a 15-year fixed rate home mortgage, the amortization period is shorter allowing equity to build quickly with interest bills much lower. Expect to pay higher monthly payments with this type of home mortgage loan period.

Adjustable rate home mortgages have lower interest rates. Keep in mind, this low interest rate is only for a short time. Usually after the first year, the new interest rate will rise or fall, depending on the movement of the lending company’s prime rate.

If you’re considering an adjustable rate home mortgage, make sure the interest rate is low enough to be an advantage. Your monthly payment will remain low when the interest rate is low, but when interest rates rise, you may be left with a monthly payment you are unable or unwilling to pay.

Once you’re in the home of your desire, your property begins to accumulate equity with the rise in home prices. If you find yourself in need of quick cash, you can always take out the equity with a home equity loan. The home mortgage rates for home equity loans have always been thought to be higher than the home mortgage rates of other loan types. If you plan to stay in the home for many years, this may be a good option for you, otherwise don’t sacrifice the equity unless you absolutely must.

Once you understand the types of home mortgages that are available, you will need to decide what you must have in your new home and what you consider as an “extra.” You’ll want to find the best interest rate, but you’ll also find that homes in your price range may not include everything you want. So be prepared to negotiate and willing to sacrifice if you find a great deal. Once you’re in your home, you can always upgrade in a few years, using the equity you’ve built up in your property.

Karl

Dean Shainin asked:


When you’re choosing a home loan, there are two big decisions you need to make, namely whether to take a fixed interest rate or an adjustable interest rate mortgage.

It is important for you to be aware of what these different type of home loan interest rates encompass and also know which one would be suitable to your needs and circumstances.

Fixed-Rate Mortgage

1. A fixed-rate mortgage is a mortgage with an interest rate that is fixed for the life of the loan and the debt is amortized, or paid in equal monthly installments for the entire amortization period, be it 30 years, 15 years, or 20 years.

2. What are the advantages for a fixed-rate mortgage? The main advantage is that you know precisely how much each repayment will be over the long term. Even if market interest rate rise, you can lock in lower rates.

3. This type of a loan is suitable for someone in not keen on movements in home loan interest rates, and who does not want to constantly review the performance of market interest rates.

4. A fixed-rate mortgage is also suitable for people with a fixed income, for those who do not want ‘surprises’ in the form of sudden changes in their monthly repayments. With this type of a loan, you have certainty that as the years go by, your payment will remain the same, and you will pay exactly the same amount until you finish paying your mortgage. If you are the sort of person who does not like uncertainty as far as future interest rate increases are concerned, then this is your loan.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage

1. An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is one where lenders lift or lower the interest rate as interest rates in the wider market change, meaning that your repayments may go up or down. The home loan interest rates are adjusted periodically to keep it in line with changing market rates.

2. What are the advantages for an ARM? This type of a loan has a lower start interest rate, and it is relatively easy to qualify. In addition, one can also be able to predict the direction of the rates in advance, but not always. From the lenders or bankers point of view, this loan type is better because the loan stays close to their cost of funds, thus enabling them to match their assets to their liabilities.

3. A mortgage with an adjustable rate is suitable for people who are good planners and who have alternative sources of funds or disposable assets. In order to manage an adjustable-rate mortgage properly, one need very good cash-flow management skill. This loan would also be good if you anticipate windfall profits that will allow you to reduce the principle substantially, thereby lowering your monthly debt. The preliminary payments for this type of a home loan tend to lower, as lenders offer lower initial rates to attract potential home buyers into the deal.

4. With an ARM, you can qualify for a higher loan amount. So if you expect some career advancements and subsequent salary increase, then this type of a mortgage rate will be suitable for you. If the interest rates decline, your repayments are lowered, and this may be a good ‘bonus’ to get. With good planning, that “bonus” should let you to handle the increases in home loan interest rates comfortably, or to add to your payment amount to reduce the principle balance of your loan.

It is important that you are fully aware of what these different types of mortgage interest rate imply, the advantages and disadvantages involved; so that you can decide which one is the best for you.



ALTON