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Posts Tagged ‘Least Five Years’

First Time Home Buyer Programs and Mortgage Refinancing Options

January 18th, 2010

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Several first time home buyer programs exist to help future homeowners obtain home loan financing. Not all programs are available to everyone and each has unique eligibility requirements. In order to determine which home buying programs are available, buyers can conduct research online or consult with a mortgage adviser.

The most common first time home buyer programs include: HUD homes, FHA loans, VA loans, Fannie Mae financing, and Making Home Affordable; a U.S. government program for mortgage refinancing and loan modification.

First time home buyers can also benefit from the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act, which provides an $8000 tax credit for properties purchased by April 30, 2010. The Recovery Act also extends up to $6500 tax credit to borrowers who have lived in their house for at least five years and want to purchase a higher priced home.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a variety of first time home buyer programs. HUD programs vary by state, but most home buying programs involve purchasing HUD homes at significantly reduced prices.

Individuals who work in teaching and public service professions such as law enforcement, firefighters and emergency responders, might qualify for HUDs ‘Good Neighbor Next Door’ program. Good neighbor home purchase incentives include buying houses at up to 50-percent off realty listing prices.

FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration and provide financing opportunities for first time home buyers with less than perfect credit. Applicants who have filed bankruptcy or possess inconsistent employment sometimes find it easier to obtain FHA financing.

One major benefit of FHA loans is the low down payment requirement of 3-1/2 percent. Down payment money can come from outside sources such as a gift or loan from family or friends. FHA financing is the only home loan program which allows down payment assistance from an outside source.

VA loans are available to veterans and active duty service personnel. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers no money down financing and guarantees up to 25-percent of home loans; making it easier for veterans to obtain a home loan. First time home buyer incentives and mortgage assistance can be found at va.gov.

Fannie Mae presents first time home buying programs and mortgage refinance options. One of the more popular is the Home Path® program which offers an assortment of homes for sale. Fannie Mae homes are foreclosure and deed in lieu properties sold at reduced prices through approved realtors.

Fannie Mae home buying incentives include flexible mortgage terms, no appraisal fees, low down payment requirement, and home loan financing for individuals with bad credit. First time home buyer and mortgage refinance information can be located at FannieMae.com.

Author and real estate investor, Simon Volkov, offers a comprehensive real estate article library to help home buyers make informed decisions. Topics range from first time home buyer programs to developing real estate investment portfolios. Buyers, sellers, and real estate investors are encouraged to visit www.SimonVolkov.com to learn more about Simon and the services he offers.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mortgage-articles/first-time-home-buyer-programs-and-mortgage-refinancing-options-1744643.html

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Why It’s Important to Compare Mortgages

June 22nd, 2009

Whether you are looking at a big move, or just hoping to get away from renting, you are probably looking to take out a residential loan. Before you go ahead and take out the loan, you will want to make sure you compare mortgages. A new mortgage is an enormous commitment. You shouldn’t enter into a property loan unless you are ready to stay there for at least five years. If your credit history is dicey, you will also find that it is important to compare mortgages. If you don’t compare mortgages, you might find yourself losing a lot of money. While a rental agreement is year to year or month to month, the terms of a home loan can be up to thirty or thirty five years. If you find yourself in over your head, you may find it extremely difficult to sell your home and get out of debt. You should compare mortgages to determine monthly cost. Ending up in a mortgage you can’t pay not only leaves you without a home, but demolishes your credit rating.

Before you go in to compare mortgages, it helps to know your credit rating, as well as that of your husband or wife. This can help you to understand your options. Although renting your home may feel like throwing your money into the toilet every month, a home loan isn’t for everyone. If your credit rating is poor, as you compare mortgages you will find that your options are limited. If you are even able to obtain a home loan, your interest rates will be sky high. You have to ask yourself if it is worth it. It can be extremely difficult to dig yourself out of a bad credit situation. You can’t count on your credit improving quickly enough to allow you to refinance for a better rate anytime soon. With high interest rates, your monthly payment will be even more. You should also remember that the monthly mortgage rate is generally more than you are probably paying for rent. As you compare mortgages, you should remember that a home loan may not be the best thing for someone who lives paycheck to paycheck. After all, if you get behind in your mortgage, you might lose your house and ruin your credit.

Even if you have decent credit, you will still want to compare mortgages from bank to bank to make sure you are getting the best possible deal. Sometimes larger banks have resources that smaller banks won’t. Conversely, sometimes a smaller bank or credit union might have the flexibility that you can’t get with a large corporation. If your credit isn’t so good, you are probably better off with a smaller bank. They are able to make more decisions rather than following a simple formula. Even if your credit is perfect, you have to compare mortgages to find out which bank offers the best program for you. Every financial institution is different, so you’ll want to make sure that you have searched every avenue before committing. With a little research, the huge commitment that is a mortgage doesn’t have to be so scary!

I am 23 year old student on my last year of study at the University of Sydney (Sydney), majoring in Information technology.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mortgage-articles/why-its-important-to-compare-mortgages-985683.html

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Finding a Sydney Home Mortgage

April 29th, 2009

If you are moving to Sydney, or if you are just planning to get out of that rental property, you may be looking for a Sydney home mortgage. Of course, before you sign on for a Sydney home mortgage, you should remember that a mortgage is a huge responsibility. Rather than a rental agreement, which is generally on the terms of a year, a mortgage agreement tends to last thirty to thirty five years. While you can sell the home and move, you can’t count on being able to sell your new home quickly. Before committing to a Sydney home mortgage, you should make sure that you plan to stay in the same place for at least five years.

In a tough economy, a Sydney home mortgage can be difficult to come by. Home mortgages are a risk as property values tend to go down. However, if you are able to get a Sydney home mortgage, a poor economy can help you to get a decent price on a home. If you are willing to do the research, home prices are dropping continually. When looking for a Sydney home mortgage, a little preparation can save you a lot of cash. Searching for a mortgage can be a little difficult, but finding a good lender is much better for you in the long run.

Before you sign anything or jump on board with your Sydney home mortgage, you need to make sure you are prepared. First of all, know your credit history and rating. If you have poor credit history, your interest rate on your Sydney home mortgage can be sky high. In some instances, you might be turned down when you request credit. In the economy today, a large percentage of people have poor credit. If this is the case with you, you might want to consider continuing to rent until you can repair your credit history. This can be a long, arduous process and you don’t want to find yourself locked in a mortgage with rates too high for you to afford. Also, a mortgage payment can be higher than a rental payment. In that case, you need to make sure that your budget can handle the extra money before you commit.

When entering into a Sydney home mortgage, remember that there are different types of mortgages. Many mortgage agreements start with lower rates and then suddenly balloon up after a set number of years. Many people are trapped in these agreements because at the time of signing, they believe that their income will increase by the time the terms are up. This can create difficulties for many people. You shouldn’t count on your situation changing in the future. After all, even if you have the promise of an income increase at your current job, unfortunate things happen. You don’t want to put yourself in a position that might lead to an eviction and foreclosure. This can not only leave you without a home, but can scar your credit report in a huge way. Before you find your Sydney home mortgage, make sure you are absolutely prepared to handle the responsibility. A little preparation can go a long way.

I am 23 year old student on my last year of study at the University of Sydney (Sydney), majoring in Information technology.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mortgage-articles/finding-a-sydney-home-mortgage-891245.html

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