Sabtu, 13 Februari 2010

Five Easy Steps for In Comparing Mortgage Deals


House buying is a major decision in most people life, as it is quite unlikely for typical employees to be able to pay for a $250,000 in a single payment. Those who earn less than $4000 a month may need to take mortgage that can last for 15 to 30 years which is hopefully can be paid in full by the time the buyer is entering the retirement period. Therefore it is very important to get the best deals possible by taking all steps required in comparing mortgage deals.

These are five easy steps in comparing mortgage deals.

Step 1
It is necessary to get at least 5 quotes from the nearest mortgage lenders. You can find the quotes online, from credit unions or by contacting them directly. It is also important to contact VA lenders and HUD-approved creditors if you are eligible for such programs. Try to get all the quotes in a relatively short period of time, acquiring quotes continuously over longer time period may affect your credit score. If possible contact credit bureaus group as they can give you many quotes in a single package.


Step 2
Determine what kind of mortgage you prefer, t really depends on your income. You can choose either a 15- or 30-years period of mortgage payment. If you choose the fixed-mortgage type, the longer the duration the smaller the monthly payment but the larger the interest. You may also check balloon mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages and interest-only mortgages.


Step 3
Determine the total cost of the loan over the entire period. The common mistake is by only considering the monthly payment, as insurance, fees, interest and others can significantly influence the total loan amount. Some may require you to pay for PMI and it should also be take into consideration.

Step 4
Also consider closing costs and points, these costs can be included in the mortgage or to be paid upfront. It is necessary to consider them when comparing your mortgage costs. If a lender offer you a low interest but coupled with more points payments, the whole deal may not be good for you.

Step 5
It is very necessary to ask for good-faith estimates from your lenders. A quote is just that....a quote. When you are negotiating for a deal talk with your creditor and get an attractive rate is acceptable and warrants a closer look to be determined as the best deal you can get in your town.

Things To Consider When Choosing Mortgage Lenders

Points, Costs and Other Fees - they are considered as closing costs, which also points, these are basically the percentage of loan amount that is considered as fees (i.e. 1 percent on a $50,000 loan is $500). It may include application fees, origination fees, appraisal fees, credit report fees and many others. Creditors are required, legally, to provide the borrower a "Good Faith Estimates" about three days after loan application. This estimation will tell you about the rough amount your mortgage costs.

Rate of interest - The most perceptible thing to consider amongst creditors is the rate of interest. As that specifies what the monthly payments can be and in essence the amount of the debt is costing you (up until the next 30 years) it's important to watch the rates of interest closely as they being quoted by most lenders. You shouldn't trust all interest rate, which are often intended only for a few clients with excellent credit rating and a great home, in an attempt to find out the an accurate interest rate you may need to talk with your lender.
Restrictions and Penalties - A few mortgage deals include penalties, some are acceptable while a few is quite severe. For example, you may get pre-payment penalty that forbids making bigger monthly payments than you usually make. Others creditors can have some unique restrictions and penalties that you must adhere. Read all the fine prints as fees can be charged excessively by predatory mortgage lender.

Past History - While you may not be able to review the lender's entire history, it's important to make sure that they have been honest and trustworthy. One of the best ways to do this is to start out with a lender that you found through a referral. If your trusted real estate agent, or neighbors, or family members have used this lender with great success in the past; it will greatly improve your chances of finding one that will have YOUR best interests at heart, not their own.

Experience and History, It may not be possible to see all the experiences and past history of your creditors. However it is still possible to read latest reviews and testimonials by its recent clients and customers. Lenders are experienced in providing mortgage for thousands of customers tend to have smoother business process that can make all of your payments a breeze. Also make sure that the lender is entirely honest and not hiding anything for you. A few lenders may hide their fees and charges which can unexpectedly increase the cost in purchasing the house.