Debbie V asked:


What Happen with the Senate mortgage rescue plan? was that a new plan create for first time home buyer’s?

I’m getting ready to buy my first home I was pre-approve for a FHA loan of 180k do you think any of this will affect me.
I have a good job and the 3% down, and my credit score is 710

Jessie

Michael Kraus asked:




For much of the past year, mortgage rates have been at or near record low points. Unfortunately, many homeowners have been unable to take advantage of these rates due to declining home equity. Many homes have lost significant amounts of value since the housing market peaked in 2006. As a result, many homeowners now owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth (this condition is known as being “underwater” or “upside-down” on one’s mortgage). Homeowners who lack equity in their homes are frequently unable to meet the loan-to-value (LTV) ratios required by lenders in order to refinance their mortgages. These borrowers may be missing out on thousands of dollars worth of savings.

In response to this situation, the government created the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). HARP was designed to allow homeowners with little to no home equity to refinance into lower mortgage rates. HARP loans are available to borrowers with LTVs of as much as 125 percent, although the maximum LTV it varies by lender.

Some of the eligibility requirements for HARP are:

• The borrower’s mortgage must be owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac
• The home must be the borrower’s primary residence
• The borrower must be current on their mortgage with no late payments in the last 12 month period
• The new loan must lower the borrower’s monthly payments

For a complete listing of the HARP eligibility requirements, check out the Making Home Affordable Webpage here.

The HARP loan program has been extended through June 11, 2011.

Tracy

Moises Reyes asked:




Be More Informed By Understanding Your Home Loan Mortgage Lender Options

If you’re looking to purchase a home, then it’s important to understand that the first step in the home buying process is to choose and meet with a lender. Before obtaining a home loan mortgage, it’s in your best interest to understand the different lender options available so that you can make the best decisions possible and ensure that the home buying process is a rewarding experience.

Types of Lenders

There are several different types of financial institutions that offer mortgage loans. These include mortgage banks and credit unions, among others. Federal and state agencies regulate most of these lenders and require them to follow federal and state mortgage law.

• Mortgage Brokers

- A mortgage broker is a middleman, representing a wide variety of lenders ranging from online mortgage companies to traditional national banks. They act as intermediaries who sell home mortgage loans for individuals or businesses. As the mortgage market has become increasingly competitive in our society, the role of mortgage brokers has overtaken traditional banks and lending institutions as the largest sellers of mortgage products. Although brokers will often offer a greater variety of lending options, they may also be less regulated depending on the state.

• Mortgage Banks

- A mortgage bank is a lender that specializes in originating and selling home mortgage loans directly to consumers. The key difference between a mortgage banker and a mortgage broker is that a mortgage banker funds its lending with its own capital, obtaining their funds by selling their loans in the secondary mortgage market. Once they originate a loan, they place it on a warehouse line of credit until they can sell it to an investor such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

• Banks and Credit Unions

- National banks and credit unions raise money to fund mortgage loans through their customers’ checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit. They provide loans to individual consumers or businesses with the money they have on deposit. Larger institutions may also sell mortgage-backed securities in the financial market to obtain funding to sell mortgage loans to customers. When banks and credit unions make a mortgage loan, they will either hold it in portfolio or sell it to large secondary mortgage market investors such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

• Savings and Loan Associations

- A savings and loan association (S&L), or “thrift,” specializes in accepting savings deposits and making loans, particularly mortgage loans, and they are owned by and operated for the benefit of its members. In other words, a savings association member is a stockholder in the company, which is typically incorporated and must adhere to federal or state incorporation requirements.

Carla