Rep. Frank – Mortgage Reform Motion to Recommit
Refinancing a mortgage is in some ways similar to getting your first mortgage, with a few important differences. Since you already own the home, you don’t have to go through a pre-approvals process or find a realtor and a home to buy. Unfortunately, you’ll still have a lot of paperwork to do, but savings thousands of dollars over the life of the loan is worth it.
There are very specific steps you should take to have a successful mortgage refinance
Step 1: Determine if Refinancing is Right for You
There are tools like mortgage calculators to determine whether a mortgage refinance loan will save you money. Factor in your current interest rate, future interest rate if you have an adjustable loan, and closing costs. If you want to take cash out, include that amount in your new mortgage balance for the calculations.
Remember, refinancing creates a new loan, usually with a full loan term. If possible, you can make extra payments to finish the loan at the same time as your original loan, and that will save you more money than the calculator predicts. For the calculation, assume you’ll only be able to pay the amount due.
Step 2: Check Your Credit Reports and Scores
Even if you already own a home, your lender will still use your credit scores and credit reports to determine which rate you qualify for. Order scores and reports for each spouse if both of you will be on the mortgage. You want to get best rate possible. Ideally your scores should be above 720 to get the absolute best rate, but 680-700 will get you a good rate. You can still refinance if your scores are low, but it might cost you more, especially if your scores were high when you got the first mortgage. Carefully review your credit reports for errors. 80% of all reports have errors. Common errors include listing accounts that don’t belong to you, late payments that weren’t really late, and items that were supposed to be removed. Follow the instructions at each credit agency to correct the errors.
Next, do what you can to fix black marks like recent defaulted loans, recent collections, and high credit card balances. You may have to spend a little more money to accomplish this, but it’s worth it if it saves interest on your mortgage, which will ultimately cost you more over 30 years.
Step 3: Research Rates, Fees, and Lenders
Before you contact any lenders, research current interest rates and fees for the type of loan you’re interested in. Comparison shop to see which banks is offering the best rates. Note the terms, closing costs, and whether or not the rates are fixed or adjustable.
In addition to rates and fees, check reviews of the lender online and at the Better Business Bureau. If the lender has a history of making late property tax or insurance payments or providing poor customer service, find a different lender.
Step 4: Contact Your Current Mortgage Servicer
Your current lender wants to keep you as a customer. If they still own the loan, they may be able to modify your current loan to a lower rate with just a little paperwork and a low fee. Unfortunately, most lenders sell their loans to larger mortgage servicers, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to take advantage of this. If you want to pull cash out, refinancing is the only option.
If you can’t modify your loan, your lender or mortgage servicer may offer a streamlined refinance. You’ll get a new loan at a better rate, but with fewer fees and a little less paperwork. It may also take less time to close. Of course, you may not want to accept their offer if the rate is higher than what you found at other lenders. Consider the closing costs when deciding which mortgage refinance loan will save you more money. Using your current lender could save on closing costs, but a higher rate could cancel out the savings. If you found a better rate elsewhere, ask your current lender to match it. If they want to keep you, they might do it.
Step 5: Contact Other Lenders
If your current lender can’t get you the best refinance rate, contact other lenders about refinancing with them. Your goal is to find the best rates with the lowest fees and closing costs (without adding those fees to your loan balance). Some lenders now offer refinance loans with 25 and 20-year terms so your new loan will end at the same time as your original loan. If it will save you money and you can afford the payments, consider the offer.
Refinancing to a lower rate can save you a lot of money over the life of the loan. A mortgage refinance loan can also help you get much-needed cash to remodel your home or pay down credit card debt. It’s not hassle-free, but saving money is worth the effort.
For more articles on mortgage refinance visit http://www.bills.com/mortgage-refinance-loan/
Watch the video related to mortgage refinance
The House debates the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007. The bill is aimed at curbing predatory lending, which has been a major factor in the highest home foreclosure rate in the nation in at least 25 years. A key element of the legislation ensures that lenders will be responsible for underwriting loans that consumers have a reasonable ability to repay while prohibiting practices that increase the risk of foreclosure for consumers. The bill also mandates that all …
Help answer the question about mortgage refinance
My 5/1 arm will reset in 18 months, should I refinance home mortgage now, or wait for few more months?Current rate of ARM interest is 5.125%. Would it better to go for 6.75% mortgage refinance at no closing costs, if I am planning to live in the same house for next 7 to 10 years?
About Author
Justin has 5 years experience as a financial adviser, his key areas are
loan consolidation, debt relief, mortgages etc. For more free articles and advice visit http://www.Bills.com.
Tags: bailout, broker, Default, equity, fee, Florida, Foreclosure, hard, investor, lease, money, mortgage, NOD, option, referral, refinance
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July 26th, 2009 at 3:00 am
It is true that they may not be able to sell your loan.
That isn't your problem.
The servicer is just servicing for whoever owns it today.
You may have an 80% 1st and a 20% 2nd (If you did 100% financing)
It certainly IS possible that a different loan will be easier for them to sell, but you aren't going to know if it is better or not.
Do they want to refinance both your 1st and 2nd into one loan OR just refi your 2nd ?
You need to get some straight advice from an independent consultant. Find out what kind of loan they want to put you in and post the info here.
Also post your current type of loans and interest rates and payment amounts, AND what your proposed loan, term rate and payments will be.
You can only get the right advice if your provide ALL the info.
You are NOT onligated to refi your loan. Many loan originators cannot sell 2nds today. Usually the 1st isn't the issue.
If you are happy with your loan, don't be pressured.
What state are you located in ??
July 26th, 2009 at 3:25 am
The answer is right now, it is anyone's guess as to what is happening with the market, because the entire market is collapsing at the same time. I work for a very large conventional mortgage lender, and the ususal indicators that would point to rising/lowering rates are conflicting at this time.
That being said, here is what is going on, or things you can follow that may help better answer your question:
1. The dollar is weak – normally would mean rates increase, as this would help attract foreign currency, and push the value of the dollar back up, and thus lower rates in the long-run.
2. Mortgage rates follow the 10-yr treasury index – long term mortgage rates typically follow the 10-yr treasury, and this is the best indicator of rate behavior from one day to the next. Rates will run anywhere from 2-3.5 points higher on average depending on other factors.
3. Fed cuts do not equal mrotage rate cuts. This is the oldest myth in the books, but Fed ACTIVITY and DECISIONS can impact mortgag rates. Example, the last 3 fed cuts in 2007 pushed mortgage rates UP.
4. Good news for the stock market is generally bad news for rates, as people take money out of bonds/treasuries, and dump it back into stocks, thus increasing yields.
5. Recessions are typically good for rates, as people invest mroe in bonds/treasuries during these times, pushing yields down.
6. Liquidity – or what people call demand – will affect rates. If there is no demand for mortgages on the secondary market (as there is right now) then rates go up, and vice versa.
7. PMI companies – yes, these people have a big impact on mortgage programs and rates. You will not be able to finance 100% of a home anymore, at least not conventionally for some time, as the PMI companies will not insure them anymore. Also, two of the largest PMI companies in the US are not expected to make the end of the year, so expect rates – based on this alone – to increase, unless something else happens.
8. Bear Stearns, and other such companies, that go under affect liquidity, and thus rates, and program availability, etc.
As you can see, these are only some of the issues that affect rates. Right now the trend is upward, and it is anyone's best guess as to when it will stop. According to Greenspan's book, he sees rates going back into the double digits sometime in the coming years like back in the 80's.
Also, a mortgage program that was available yesterday, may not be availabe in a week, or even tomorrow, and there is no control over this. We live in a free market, and therefore, these changes happen all the time.
Also, the agencies (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) that govern conventional mortgages are implementing pricing adjustments that will affect everyone with scores less than a 710 pretty soon, so rates will be much higher for people with lower scores.
Lastly, mortgage markets are forward-looking, and if the investors feel the news is bad, which it is right now, expect rates to reflect that. Inflation is increasing, and so will rates.
I know that this may not directly answer your question, but I hope it helps.
July 26th, 2009 at 1:53 am
It is really hard to block illegals from getting Mortgage Loans because there is a great willingness to ignore fake Drivers Licenses. On Barney’s point, even I would know an authentic Peruvian passport if I saw one.
July 26th, 2009 at 2:05 am
He he he … only Massachusetts would elect Elmer Fudd as a congressman. Elmer Fudd would rather give home loans to those who can’t afford it (subprime) than to legal aliens who can afford it and contribute to our economy.
No wonder Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac failed. Thanks a lot, Elmer Fudd.
July 26th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
find the best rate you can find and then add 1% (1 point is what is the standard to add when dealing with an investment home)
A mortgage broker is supposed to find you the best rate from all the companies she works with. If you don't have a good one shop around.
Here is a website to find the average and best rates:
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/default.asp
July 27th, 2009 at 5:05 am
July 27th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
the new mortgage company will order the PAYOFF ….usually done by the processor (the title company conducts closing not loan services)
when they order the payoff the old mortgage company will let the new lender know if there is a prepayment penalty. Normally, you can find out yourself if you call them or view your old loan documents.
I'm sure your old lender will know that you're refinancing when they see you have applied for a mortgage. You should be expecting calls from other lenders as the credit bureaus sell your information when you apply for a mortgage (called 'trigger leads').
make sure to get on your old lender about the payoff. they usually take their time as they're hoping to 'retain' your mortgage with them instead of you going to a new company.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Hahaha. Oops.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Hi There,
Try typing in 'home loan interest rates' or 'arizona mortgage' in your Google search engine and see which mortgage companies come up in the search. Then see what each company has to offer. If its unclear which links to follow, check out the search links that show up in the right hand column. If you have good credit, for the lowest rates, look for websites offering 'wholesale rates'.
Keep in mind that interest rates are tough to compare between mortgage companies because they hinge on so many factors including your credit, term, and the type of loan you're interested in. Instead, focus on how much the mortgage company can lower your payment. Or, pay close attention to how long the company has been in the industry, client satisfaction rate, reliability, and trust. You can typically get a good idea of how a mortgage company is received by the public through client testimonials.
If you have any questions, you can contact me directly. I hope this helps!
July 27th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
barney you rock!
July 29th, 2009 at 2:20 am
Hello,
There are several reasons to refinance. However, it really depends on your unique situation.
Besides lowering their mortgage rate and monthly payment, the biggest reason people decide to refinance usually would be to consolidate debt, or take cash out their home or investment property (in other words borrow money against their home).
Another reason, especially lately, is to refiance out of an ARM (adjustable rate mortgage) to keep mortgage payment from rising.
Any of these would be a great reason to refinance. Hope this answers your questions. I've included a link to our refinance page for more information and scenarios for refinancing.
July 29th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Interest rates fluctuate together with economy. Depending on what they were at the time of closing the loan, you may have chosen an adjustable rate loan or a fixed rate loan. That means that you get the benefit of keeping low interest rates or modifying the rates to a lower value if you have an adjustable rate loan. If, on the other hand, they were to rise to abnormal values, there is a maximum or “cap” to limit the incidence of rates on the loan. Read more http://refimortgage-online.blogspot.com/
July 29th, 2009 at 11:15 am
barney for president