Chapter 7 bankruptcy is one of the mortgage debt help options that not many debtors want to opt for. However, there are many debtors that are left with no other option but to file bankruptcy. Earlier it was easy to file chapter 7 bankruptcy. With the introduction of the new federal bankruptcy laws, filing bankruptcy has become very rigid. The new federal bankruptcy laws have been introduced to curb the number of consumers filing bankruptcy.
It has also affected the manner in which you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is also referred to as straight and liquidation bankruptcy. According to the new federal bankruptcy laws that were introduced on October 17th 2005, if you are planning to file bankruptcy, you have to undergo a Means test.
1. Means test
The Means test decides whether you are eligible for Chapter 7 and the test has been introduced to help consumers qualify that are in genuine need to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In Means test your income is compared to the median income of a similar household in the state in which you reside. If it is found that your income is higher than the state median income, you don’t qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Under such circumstances, your bankruptcy attorney may suggest you to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy in which you are required to pay back your debts as per a new repayment plan.
When you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your non exempt assets are liquidated or sold to pay off your creditors. A court appointed trustee takes care of the entire proceeding. There are 2 types of exemptions. They are state as well as federal exemptions. You can enjoy only one type of exemption either state or federal.
2. Credit counseling
As per the new federal bankruptcy laws, you will also be required to attend credit counseling sessions. This is applicable to both Chapter 7 as well as Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Credit counseling has to be availed by credit counselor approved by the government.
Although bankruptcy is a debt relief option many consumers despise, it is often considered as an option that gives you a fresh financial start. And there are many lenders that regard filing bankruptcy as a responsible financial behavior since they understand that the economy is still reeling under recession.
Article Source: Justine Anderson
For more information on Somerset Mortgage Lenders check out their website: http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
About Somerset Mortgage Lenders:
With their main offices in the heart of Long Island, located at 290 Broadhollow Rd Suite 310 E in Melville, NY 11746, Somerset Mortgage Lenders have been in the mortgage business for 30 years. In Somerset, you have a mortgage banking firm that prides itself on attaining the highest ethical and moral standards and is dedicated to providing quality mortgage products at value pricing to our customer. Somerset has a long-standing history of servicing its local community as a reliable mortgage company. Our goal is to establish a successful partnership with our customers, staff, investors, and markets that respect the interest and goals of each party. Somerset Investors Corp. has been built on the belief that to be successful in mortgage banking it must first begin by molding itself as a customer service firm that provides quality service to the public.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Showing posts with label fha loans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fha loans. Show all posts
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
5 Secrets to Mortgage Success
5 Secrets to Mortgage Success
There are 5 rules of thumb that all prospective buyers should take into account when shopping around for a new home. These tips can help you obtain a mortgage with less hassle and at a lower cost.
1. First, determine how much home you can afford. Based on your income and any long term debt, know the maximum payments you can be certain of making comfortably. Home loans are serious business, and buying too much home can build a mountain of debt. Make sure you can make your payments comfortably; it shouldn’t be a burden. Locate a mortgage calculator online that allows you to enter your income and it will tell you how much mortgage you can afford.
2. Then, Make a budget. Do you know where your money goes? How much is spent on unnecessary things? How much are your utility bills? If you are buying a larger home, the utilities will most likely go up. Will you be able to make payments on time and pay the larger bills? Does the home you are considering require repairs or upgrades? This tip recommends you figure these things into a budget to avoid overspending.
3. You need to gather your documentation. You will be required to show quite a bit of documentation before you mortgage is approved such as IRS returns for past years, W-2’s, proof of current salary, assets, debts, records regarding child support or alimony and the like.
4. It is imperative that you become educated about mortgage types and rates. The tip is very important. If you know the meaning of the mortgage “lingo”, the types of loans available and what the current rates are, you will be in a much better position to negotiate your home loan. Start studying your options well before you plan to buy!
5. Remember that there are options, maybe considering a shorter loan term is a better financial decision for you. The goal is to pay off the home mortgage in the least time possible while allowing enough money to live comfortably. You can save tens of thousands of dollars in interest payments!
If you follow these rules, it will help you on the road to making your mortgage experience easier and less costly. You should learn all you can before applying for a loan!
Article Source: David Chapman
For more information on Somerset Mortgage Lenders check out their website: http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
About Somerset Mortgage Lenders:
With their main offices in the heart of Long Island, located at 290 Broadhollow Rd Suite 310 E in Melville, NY 11746, Somerset Mortgage Lenders have been in the mortgage business for 30 years. In Somerset, you have a mortgage banking firm that prides itself on attaining the highest ethical and moral standards and is dedicated to providing quality mortgage products at value pricing to our customer. Somerset has a long-standing history of servicing its local community as a reliable mortgage company. Our goal is to establish a successful partnership with our customers, staff, investors, and markets that respect the interest and goals of each party. Somerset Investors Corp. has been built on the belief that to be successful in mortgage banking it must first begin by molding itself as a customer service firm that provides quality service to the public.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
There are 5 rules of thumb that all prospective buyers should take into account when shopping around for a new home. These tips can help you obtain a mortgage with less hassle and at a lower cost.
1. First, determine how much home you can afford. Based on your income and any long term debt, know the maximum payments you can be certain of making comfortably. Home loans are serious business, and buying too much home can build a mountain of debt. Make sure you can make your payments comfortably; it shouldn’t be a burden. Locate a mortgage calculator online that allows you to enter your income and it will tell you how much mortgage you can afford.
2. Then, Make a budget. Do you know where your money goes? How much is spent on unnecessary things? How much are your utility bills? If you are buying a larger home, the utilities will most likely go up. Will you be able to make payments on time and pay the larger bills? Does the home you are considering require repairs or upgrades? This tip recommends you figure these things into a budget to avoid overspending.
3. You need to gather your documentation. You will be required to show quite a bit of documentation before you mortgage is approved such as IRS returns for past years, W-2’s, proof of current salary, assets, debts, records regarding child support or alimony and the like.
4. It is imperative that you become educated about mortgage types and rates. The tip is very important. If you know the meaning of the mortgage “lingo”, the types of loans available and what the current rates are, you will be in a much better position to negotiate your home loan. Start studying your options well before you plan to buy!
5. Remember that there are options, maybe considering a shorter loan term is a better financial decision for you. The goal is to pay off the home mortgage in the least time possible while allowing enough money to live comfortably. You can save tens of thousands of dollars in interest payments!
If you follow these rules, it will help you on the road to making your mortgage experience easier and less costly. You should learn all you can before applying for a loan!
Article Source: David Chapman
For more information on Somerset Mortgage Lenders check out their website: http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
About Somerset Mortgage Lenders:
With their main offices in the heart of Long Island, located at 290 Broadhollow Rd Suite 310 E in Melville, NY 11746, Somerset Mortgage Lenders have been in the mortgage business for 30 years. In Somerset, you have a mortgage banking firm that prides itself on attaining the highest ethical and moral standards and is dedicated to providing quality mortgage products at value pricing to our customer. Somerset has a long-standing history of servicing its local community as a reliable mortgage company. Our goal is to establish a successful partnership with our customers, staff, investors, and markets that respect the interest and goals of each party. Somerset Investors Corp. has been built on the belief that to be successful in mortgage banking it must first begin by molding itself as a customer service firm that provides quality service to the public.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Refinancing Your Mortgage - Is It The Right Choice For You?
Refinancing Your Mortgage - Is It The Right Choice For You?
Mortgage refinancing is an option for many homebuyers who are paying interest rates 2-3% or higher than what they can find today, or who need additional cash. Were you a first time homebuyer or you had poor credit the last time you obtained a loan? Now you are on your feet and make a salary that could help you receive the best interest rates. Possibly you are looking to refinance your mortgage so you can free some funds for a new car or for educational purposes. There are many options available when you refinance.
Before you decide if refinancing is right for you, look at your current financial situation. Do you have an adjustable rate loan or a fixed rate loan? How long do you plan to be in your home after you obtain your new mortgage? What is your ultimate goal? Most people want to refinance so they can access more money now. Refinancing is a great solution, but is a refinance of your loan the right solution for you?
The first step is making contact with you lender, and be aware how much your monthly payment is now. It is also helpful to find out how much you have paid of your mortgage towards principal. Since you will refinance the amount left on the mortgage principal, and not refinance the original mortgage amount, it is really important to know how much principal is left. If you plan to stay in your home for a length of time and still have a sizeable principal left on your loan, then a mortgage refinance may be a good option for you if interest rates are lower than when you obtained your last loan.
Just as with most conventional loans, refinancing offers similar options of adjustable and fixed rate mortgages and anywhere from 10-40 year loans. Be sure to review with your mortgage lender the reasons you are interested in refinancing; do you need to refinance to obtain cash for home improvements or for a new car purchase? These are important factors to make your lender aware of as you are deciding how to refinance your mortgage.
Another factor that determines whether borrowers refinance is interest rates. Current mortgage interest rates can rise and this often scares refinance borrowers who have ARMs because they are afraid the adjustable rates will rise after they refinance. It is difficult to assess what will happen to the adjustable refinance mortgage interest rates over the next few years. If you refinance into a fixed rate mortgage during a high interest rate period, then when interest rates go back down, you are stuck with a high fixed rate mortgage and another decision about whether or not to refinance again. Of course the only sure-fire way of knowing if you should apply for a refinancing is to assess your reasons for the refinance and how it will affect you in the future.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Mortgage refinancing is an option for many homebuyers who are paying interest rates 2-3% or higher than what they can find today, or who need additional cash. Were you a first time homebuyer or you had poor credit the last time you obtained a loan? Now you are on your feet and make a salary that could help you receive the best interest rates. Possibly you are looking to refinance your mortgage so you can free some funds for a new car or for educational purposes. There are many options available when you refinance.
Before you decide if refinancing is right for you, look at your current financial situation. Do you have an adjustable rate loan or a fixed rate loan? How long do you plan to be in your home after you obtain your new mortgage? What is your ultimate goal? Most people want to refinance so they can access more money now. Refinancing is a great solution, but is a refinance of your loan the right solution for you?
The first step is making contact with you lender, and be aware how much your monthly payment is now. It is also helpful to find out how much you have paid of your mortgage towards principal. Since you will refinance the amount left on the mortgage principal, and not refinance the original mortgage amount, it is really important to know how much principal is left. If you plan to stay in your home for a length of time and still have a sizeable principal left on your loan, then a mortgage refinance may be a good option for you if interest rates are lower than when you obtained your last loan.
Just as with most conventional loans, refinancing offers similar options of adjustable and fixed rate mortgages and anywhere from 10-40 year loans. Be sure to review with your mortgage lender the reasons you are interested in refinancing; do you need to refinance to obtain cash for home improvements or for a new car purchase? These are important factors to make your lender aware of as you are deciding how to refinance your mortgage.
Another factor that determines whether borrowers refinance is interest rates. Current mortgage interest rates can rise and this often scares refinance borrowers who have ARMs because they are afraid the adjustable rates will rise after they refinance. It is difficult to assess what will happen to the adjustable refinance mortgage interest rates over the next few years. If you refinance into a fixed rate mortgage during a high interest rate period, then when interest rates go back down, you are stuck with a high fixed rate mortgage and another decision about whether or not to refinance again. Of course the only sure-fire way of knowing if you should apply for a refinancing is to assess your reasons for the refinance and how it will affect you in the future.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Gregg Marcus: Free Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator at somersetmortgagelenders.com
Gregg Marcus: Free Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator at somersetmortgagelenders.com
Your debt-to-income ratio can be a valuable number, some say as important as your credit score. It's exactly what it sounds; the amount of debt you have as compared to your overall income.
Lenders look at this ratio when they are trying to decide whether to lend you money or extend credit. A low DTI shows you have a good balance between debt and income. As you might guess, lenders like this number to be low; generally you'll want to keep it below 36, but the lower it is, the greater the chance you will be able to get the loans or credit you seek.
Add up all of your monthly debt obligations, often called recurring debt, including your mortgage (principal, interest, taxes and insurance) and home equity loan payments, car loans, student loans, your minimum monthly payments on any credit card debt, and any other loans that you might have, and you will have your debt-to-income ratio.
###
Somerset Investors Corp. is a mortgage banking firm that prides itself on attaining the highest ethical and moral standards and is dedicated to providing quality mortgage products at value pricing to our customer. Somerset has a long-standing history of servicing its local community as a reliable mortgage company. Our goal is to establish a successful partnership with our customers, staff, investors, and markets that respect the interest and goals of each party. Somerset Investors Corp. has been built on the belief that to be successful in mortgage banking it must first begin by molding itself as a customer service firm that provides quality service to the public.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Your debt-to-income ratio can be a valuable number, some say as important as your credit score. It's exactly what it sounds; the amount of debt you have as compared to your overall income.
Lenders look at this ratio when they are trying to decide whether to lend you money or extend credit. A low DTI shows you have a good balance between debt and income. As you might guess, lenders like this number to be low; generally you'll want to keep it below 36, but the lower it is, the greater the chance you will be able to get the loans or credit you seek.
Add up all of your monthly debt obligations, often called recurring debt, including your mortgage (principal, interest, taxes and insurance) and home equity loan payments, car loans, student loans, your minimum monthly payments on any credit card debt, and any other loans that you might have, and you will have your debt-to-income ratio.
###
Somerset Investors Corp. is a mortgage banking firm that prides itself on attaining the highest ethical and moral standards and is dedicated to providing quality mortgage products at value pricing to our customer. Somerset has a long-standing history of servicing its local community as a reliable mortgage company. Our goal is to establish a successful partnership with our customers, staff, investors, and markets that respect the interest and goals of each party. Somerset Investors Corp. has been built on the belief that to be successful in mortgage banking it must first begin by molding itself as a customer service firm that provides quality service to the public.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Gregg Marcus: How Reverse Mortgages Work
Gregg Marcus from Somerset Mortgage Lenders recently discussed how reverse mortgages work at their offices located at 290 Broadhollow Rd, Suite 310 E Melville NY 11747 with members of the media, consumers and his staff.
United States/NY/Melville
Reverse mortgages were created in order to help ease the financial burden on aging seniors. A reverse mortgage is a type of financial instrument that permits home owners over the age of 62 to gain access to the money they have accumulated as home equity.
How a reverse mortgage works is that the lender makes payments to the borrower, rather than the other way around. The amount paid out is based on a percent of the equity remaining in the home (that’s the full property value minus the amount still owed).
Seniors can use money from a reverse mortgage to fund:
1 Retirement
2 Medical costs
3 A new car
4 Home repairs
5 Renovations
6 Estate planning
7 A grandchild’s education
8 Travel and leisure
In order to get a reverse mortgage your current mortgage does not need to be completely paid off. The amount you can receive in a reverse mortgage is based on the equity in your home. As a mandatory part of the reverse mortgage process, however, your existing mortgages will be paid off. Some people simply use a reverse mortgage to get out of having to pay monthly mortgage payments, the money they receive just being a bonus.
When you receive a reverse mortgage, your home remains in your name, and you also retain total control of the property. It is also still your responsibility to maintain the house and property and pay all taxes and insurance as usual. No reverse mortgage lender can take your home away from you so long as you keep that home as your primary residence.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
United States/NY/Melville
Reverse mortgages were created in order to help ease the financial burden on aging seniors. A reverse mortgage is a type of financial instrument that permits home owners over the age of 62 to gain access to the money they have accumulated as home equity.
How a reverse mortgage works is that the lender makes payments to the borrower, rather than the other way around. The amount paid out is based on a percent of the equity remaining in the home (that’s the full property value minus the amount still owed).
Seniors can use money from a reverse mortgage to fund:
1 Retirement
2 Medical costs
3 A new car
4 Home repairs
5 Renovations
6 Estate planning
7 A grandchild’s education
8 Travel and leisure
In order to get a reverse mortgage your current mortgage does not need to be completely paid off. The amount you can receive in a reverse mortgage is based on the equity in your home. As a mandatory part of the reverse mortgage process, however, your existing mortgages will be paid off. Some people simply use a reverse mortgage to get out of having to pay monthly mortgage payments, the money they receive just being a bonus.
When you receive a reverse mortgage, your home remains in your name, and you also retain total control of the property. It is also still your responsibility to maintain the house and property and pay all taxes and insurance as usual. No reverse mortgage lender can take your home away from you so long as you keep that home as your primary residence.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Getting Approved for a Mortgage
Getting Approved for a Mortgage
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief article on getting approved for a mortgage.
The following are the primary factors taken into consideration when determining whether to approve or deny a potential homebuyer’s application for a mortgage!
Property Value: An appraisal conducted by a licensed professional and based upon the both the current condition of the home and the relative selling price of comparable homes in the area tells the lender the value of the property you want to purchase. The lender uses this information to determine whether the home is actually worth the price you’ve offered to pay for it.
Credit: This includes your credit history and your current overall debt situation. Lenders like to see that those applying to borrow money from them already have a consistent record of paying bills and other debts on time. Late payments and defaults on previous loans (ie. credit cards, car loans, student loans, alimony, child support, etc.) present a potential borrower as less-than-creditworthy and make lenders reluctant to give them new loans. If your credit history shows difficulties as recently as the past two years you can still write an explanation of the circumstances that caused the difficulties and lenders will take it into account when making their decision.
Income and Employment Factors: This includes both your current income and your employment history. Typically, lenders like to see your current monthly expenses totaling no more than a third of your gross monthly income. Gross income, or all of the money that you’ve earned before taxes are taken out, may include alimony and child support received, and an average of your monthly commissions and overtime pay should you desire to have those factors considered.
Lenders also like to see applicants having a consistent work history in the same or similar occupation with a trend of steadily growing income over the several years leading up to the submission of the loan application. They will almost certainly verify your employment (except in the cases of certain type’s loans - i.e. (No-Income-Verification, Stated Income, and No-Doc loans).
If you are self-employed, have held your current job for under two years, get paid on a commission basis, there’s a good chance you’ll be asked to provide further information about your prior work history.
Mortgage Terms: A definitive factor in determining whether or not to approve your application for a mortgage is the amount of your proposed monthly payment factored as a percentage of your current income.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief article on getting approved for a mortgage.
The following are the primary factors taken into consideration when determining whether to approve or deny a potential homebuyer’s application for a mortgage!
Property Value: An appraisal conducted by a licensed professional and based upon the both the current condition of the home and the relative selling price of comparable homes in the area tells the lender the value of the property you want to purchase. The lender uses this information to determine whether the home is actually worth the price you’ve offered to pay for it.
Credit: This includes your credit history and your current overall debt situation. Lenders like to see that those applying to borrow money from them already have a consistent record of paying bills and other debts on time. Late payments and defaults on previous loans (ie. credit cards, car loans, student loans, alimony, child support, etc.) present a potential borrower as less-than-creditworthy and make lenders reluctant to give them new loans. If your credit history shows difficulties as recently as the past two years you can still write an explanation of the circumstances that caused the difficulties and lenders will take it into account when making their decision.
Income and Employment Factors: This includes both your current income and your employment history. Typically, lenders like to see your current monthly expenses totaling no more than a third of your gross monthly income. Gross income, or all of the money that you’ve earned before taxes are taken out, may include alimony and child support received, and an average of your monthly commissions and overtime pay should you desire to have those factors considered.
Lenders also like to see applicants having a consistent work history in the same or similar occupation with a trend of steadily growing income over the several years leading up to the submission of the loan application. They will almost certainly verify your employment (except in the cases of certain type’s loans - i.e. (No-Income-Verification, Stated Income, and No-Doc loans).
If you are self-employed, have held your current job for under two years, get paid on a commission basis, there’s a good chance you’ll be asked to provide further information about your prior work history.
Mortgage Terms: A definitive factor in determining whether or not to approve your application for a mortgage is the amount of your proposed monthly payment factored as a percentage of your current income.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Using Downpayment Gifts for Your FHA Loan
Using Downpayment Gifts for Your FHA Loan
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief article on using downpayment gifts for your FHA loan.
Unlike with most other conventional loans, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) allows borrowers to pay some or all of their down payment with gift funds. No verification of the source of the down payment money is required. All that needs to be done is for the money to first be deposited into the borrower’s bank account or an escrow account before and until the loan is approved, and for proof of that deposit to be provided.
Greater than half of first-time homebuyers receive gift money from relatives in order to help them pay for their down payment. Besides relatives, other accepted sources of down payment gifts are friends, labor unions, faith-based organizations, and charity organizations. Another valid (and novel) source of down payment assistance is through the Bridal Registry program whereby newlywed couples can get gift money deposited into an account for them to use towards a down payment on an FHA loan.
In 2004, President George Bush announced intentions to convince Congress to eliminate the down payment requirement for FHA loans entirely, but so far nothing has come of that.
Recent attempts in the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that would make it extremely difficult for charitable organizations that provide down payment gift funds to claim tax exempt status, thereby disqualifying them from being able to provide a down payment gift fund for FHA loans at all has fortuitously failed.
Despite the attempted U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rule to eliminate all down payment assistance programs, the U.S. District Court intervened to protect low-to-moderate income potential homebuyers. The result of this injunction is that organizations like the Home Down Payment Gift Foundation and the Genesis Foundation can still claim tax exempt status and still provide down payment gifts to would-be FHA mortgages, at least until there is some sort of final resolution on the matter.
It is likely that compassionate wisdom and common sense will prevail in this situation as it is plainly obvious that allowing homebuyers to cover the cost of their down payment with down payment gift funds is far preferable to burdening low-to-moderate income households with higher debt.
By paying their down payment with gift funds, homebuyers begin their home ownership experience from Day One with equity in their new home, that home equity being equal to the amount of their down payment (or at least the amount covered by down payment gifts). This also puts these households that much closer to the day they own their homes outright.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief article on using downpayment gifts for your FHA loan.
Unlike with most other conventional loans, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) allows borrowers to pay some or all of their down payment with gift funds. No verification of the source of the down payment money is required. All that needs to be done is for the money to first be deposited into the borrower’s bank account or an escrow account before and until the loan is approved, and for proof of that deposit to be provided.
Greater than half of first-time homebuyers receive gift money from relatives in order to help them pay for their down payment. Besides relatives, other accepted sources of down payment gifts are friends, labor unions, faith-based organizations, and charity organizations. Another valid (and novel) source of down payment assistance is through the Bridal Registry program whereby newlywed couples can get gift money deposited into an account for them to use towards a down payment on an FHA loan.
In 2004, President George Bush announced intentions to convince Congress to eliminate the down payment requirement for FHA loans entirely, but so far nothing has come of that.
Recent attempts in the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that would make it extremely difficult for charitable organizations that provide down payment gift funds to claim tax exempt status, thereby disqualifying them from being able to provide a down payment gift fund for FHA loans at all has fortuitously failed.
Despite the attempted U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rule to eliminate all down payment assistance programs, the U.S. District Court intervened to protect low-to-moderate income potential homebuyers. The result of this injunction is that organizations like the Home Down Payment Gift Foundation and the Genesis Foundation can still claim tax exempt status and still provide down payment gifts to would-be FHA mortgages, at least until there is some sort of final resolution on the matter.
It is likely that compassionate wisdom and common sense will prevail in this situation as it is plainly obvious that allowing homebuyers to cover the cost of their down payment with down payment gift funds is far preferable to burdening low-to-moderate income households with higher debt.
By paying their down payment with gift funds, homebuyers begin their home ownership experience from Day One with equity in their new home, that home equity being equal to the amount of their down payment (or at least the amount covered by down payment gifts). This also puts these households that much closer to the day they own their homes outright.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Closing Process
The Closing Process
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief article on The Closing Process.
You've found the home you want. You’ve made an offer which the seller has accepted. You've applied for a mortgage, and been approved. Move in day is almost here. There's only one more step - the closing.
The word closing in terms of real estate is the process by which the transfer of property from seller to buyer is finalized. Once your mortgage is approved, a date is set for the closing to take place: called a closing date.
Depending on the state in which the transaction is taking place, the closing process is conducted by one of the following representatives of buyer and seller, respectively.
1 An attorney
2 A real estate broker
3 A lender/loan officer
4 A representative of a title insurance company
5 A representative of an escrow company
In order for a closing to take place, several key items must first be prepared and delivered to the lender in advance
1 Title search and title report
2 Title insurance binder
3 Hazard insurance binder
4 Property survey
5 Inspection certificates - for termites, sewer or septic, and well (where relevant)
6 HUD 1 settlement statement - a list of all credits and charges itemized for you and the seller, according to the terms of the contract
At the time of closing, the borrower signs many documents, most significantly a mortgage/deed of trust and a promissory note. These are loan documents granting the lender a lien against the property you’re purchasing as a way of securing your repayment of the loan. The promissory note is the borrower’s legal promise to pay back the loan. The mortgage/deed of trust is the legal instrument recorded in the local office of public records.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief article on The Closing Process.
You've found the home you want. You’ve made an offer which the seller has accepted. You've applied for a mortgage, and been approved. Move in day is almost here. There's only one more step - the closing.
The word closing in terms of real estate is the process by which the transfer of property from seller to buyer is finalized. Once your mortgage is approved, a date is set for the closing to take place: called a closing date.
Depending on the state in which the transaction is taking place, the closing process is conducted by one of the following representatives of buyer and seller, respectively.
1 An attorney
2 A real estate broker
3 A lender/loan officer
4 A representative of a title insurance company
5 A representative of an escrow company
In order for a closing to take place, several key items must first be prepared and delivered to the lender in advance
1 Title search and title report
2 Title insurance binder
3 Hazard insurance binder
4 Property survey
5 Inspection certificates - for termites, sewer or septic, and well (where relevant)
6 HUD 1 settlement statement - a list of all credits and charges itemized for you and the seller, according to the terms of the contract
At the time of closing, the borrower signs many documents, most significantly a mortgage/deed of trust and a promissory note. These are loan documents granting the lender a lien against the property you’re purchasing as a way of securing your repayment of the loan. The promissory note is the borrower’s legal promise to pay back the loan. The mortgage/deed of trust is the legal instrument recorded in the local office of public records.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Monday, July 6, 2009
New Home Financing
New Home Financing
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True" http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief article on New Home Financing.
Fixed Rate Loans
Several categories of conventional loans exist, the most common and familiar being the fixed rate mortgage. In the cases of fixed rate mortgages, the borrower will lock in an interest rate, and pay down both the principal and interest on the loan at that interest rate every month until the mortgage is paid off. The most typical term of a fixed rate loan is 30 years, though fixed rate mortgages can also be obtained for much shorter terms, the primary difference being in the size of the monthly mortgage payment.
Conforming Loans
Other conventional loans are known as conforming loans. In these cases, an arrangement is made between borrower and lender that comply with the stipulations of two federally run mortgage trading companies (or Government Sponsored Entities - GSEs) Fannie Mae (FNME) and or Freddie Mac (FHLMC).
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac does not directly approve or deny loans. They buy and sell home mortgages, working with lenders to make home ownership easier for people to attain. Lenders like to sign up borrowers with conforming loan, because they can then sell these loans to Fannie May or Freddie Mac in order to more quickly receive the funds coming to them, and use those funds to make other investments. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in turn, then repackage these loans to sell to investors as securities.
The current guidelines for a conventional Fannie Mae loan set a maximum purchase price for a single-family home at slightly above $415,000 (though residents of Alaska, Hawaii, or Guam may be able to qualify for an even larger loan).
The interest rate as well as the short- and long-term pricing on a conforming loan is determined primarily by the type of loan applied for. Also taken into consideration will be the amount of funds you already have to contribute to closing costs, your credit rating, credit score, and credit history, your employment history, and the type and location of the home in question.
Jumbo Loans
Other forms of conventional loans are nonconforming loan instruments that do not meet Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan qualifications, such as jumbo loans, or loans so large they fall outside the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits (or purchase limits). Jumbo loans are provided by private investors and as such ordinarily come with much higher interest rates than conforming loans.
FHA Loans
Government entities from a local to a federal level and private entities alike have worked to Develop loan programs that make home ownership a reality for many people considered Under-qualified for traditional mortgages, these include; loans for first-time homebuyers, people with a low-to-moderate income that are insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) via the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). HUD and the FHA do not make loans directly, rather they insure loans; meaning that the lender still gets paid back - even if you default on the home loan.
New Home Purchase Loans are available from Somerset Investors Corp. in the following states: CA DE IN MT NM RI TX CO FL MA NC NY SC VA CT GA MD NH OR TN VT DC HI ME NJ PA
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True" http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief article on New Home Financing.
Fixed Rate Loans
Several categories of conventional loans exist, the most common and familiar being the fixed rate mortgage. In the cases of fixed rate mortgages, the borrower will lock in an interest rate, and pay down both the principal and interest on the loan at that interest rate every month until the mortgage is paid off. The most typical term of a fixed rate loan is 30 years, though fixed rate mortgages can also be obtained for much shorter terms, the primary difference being in the size of the monthly mortgage payment.
Conforming Loans
Other conventional loans are known as conforming loans. In these cases, an arrangement is made between borrower and lender that comply with the stipulations of two federally run mortgage trading companies (or Government Sponsored Entities - GSEs) Fannie Mae (FNME) and or Freddie Mac (FHLMC).
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac does not directly approve or deny loans. They buy and sell home mortgages, working with lenders to make home ownership easier for people to attain. Lenders like to sign up borrowers with conforming loan, because they can then sell these loans to Fannie May or Freddie Mac in order to more quickly receive the funds coming to them, and use those funds to make other investments. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in turn, then repackage these loans to sell to investors as securities.
The current guidelines for a conventional Fannie Mae loan set a maximum purchase price for a single-family home at slightly above $415,000 (though residents of Alaska, Hawaii, or Guam may be able to qualify for an even larger loan).
The interest rate as well as the short- and long-term pricing on a conforming loan is determined primarily by the type of loan applied for. Also taken into consideration will be the amount of funds you already have to contribute to closing costs, your credit rating, credit score, and credit history, your employment history, and the type and location of the home in question.
Jumbo Loans
Other forms of conventional loans are nonconforming loan instruments that do not meet Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan qualifications, such as jumbo loans, or loans so large they fall outside the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits (or purchase limits). Jumbo loans are provided by private investors and as such ordinarily come with much higher interest rates than conforming loans.
FHA Loans
Government entities from a local to a federal level and private entities alike have worked to Develop loan programs that make home ownership a reality for many people considered Under-qualified for traditional mortgages, these include; loans for first-time homebuyers, people with a low-to-moderate income that are insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) via the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). HUD and the FHA do not make loans directly, rather they insure loans; meaning that the lender still gets paid back - even if you default on the home loan.
New Home Purchase Loans are available from Somerset Investors Corp. in the following states: CA DE IN MT NM RI TX CO FL MA NC NY SC VA CT GA MD NH OR TN VT DC HI ME NJ PA
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Why Choose an FHA Mortgage
Why Choose an FHA Mortgage
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief article on reasons why borrowers would choose an FHA Mortgage.
The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) insures loans against default, protecting both lenders and borrowers. It neither makes loans directly nor sets the interest rates on loans it insures. FHA insured loans can be used to purchase new or refinance existing 1-4 family homes, condominiums, or mobile or manufactured homes on a permanent foundation.
Many excellent reasons exist to select an FHA mortgage, particularly if you fit one of more of the following qualifications:
1.) You are a first-time homebuyer
2.) You are unable to offer much of a down payment
3.) You would like to have the lowest possible monthly mortgage payments
4.) You have concerns regarding monthly mortgage payments increasing at some point
5.) You have concerns regarding the consequences of falling behind on your monthly mortgage payments
6.) You have concerns about even being able to qualify for the loan in the first place
7.) Your credit is less-than-ideal
If any of those factors apply to you, then an FHA mortgage might be just thing for you to apply for. This is because FHA mortgages are insured, offering several protections and benefits otherwise unavailable to you through most other loan packages.
The benefits of an FHA mortgage include, lower rates, since it’s the Federal Government insuring FHA loans for the lenders, FHA mortgages typically offer interest rates considerably lower than the norm. For this reason alone, it is always worth comparing all other loans available at any given point in time against FHA-insured loans.
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief article on reasons why borrowers would choose an FHA Mortgage.
The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) insures loans against default, protecting both lenders and borrowers. It neither makes loans directly nor sets the interest rates on loans it insures. FHA insured loans can be used to purchase new or refinance existing 1-4 family homes, condominiums, or mobile or manufactured homes on a permanent foundation.
Many excellent reasons exist to select an FHA mortgage, particularly if you fit one of more of the following qualifications:
1.) You are a first-time homebuyer
2.) You are unable to offer much of a down payment
3.) You would like to have the lowest possible monthly mortgage payments
4.) You have concerns regarding monthly mortgage payments increasing at some point
5.) You have concerns regarding the consequences of falling behind on your monthly mortgage payments
6.) You have concerns about even being able to qualify for the loan in the first place
7.) Your credit is less-than-ideal
If any of those factors apply to you, then an FHA mortgage might be just thing for you to apply for. This is because FHA mortgages are insured, offering several protections and benefits otherwise unavailable to you through most other loan packages.
The benefits of an FHA mortgage include, lower rates, since it’s the Federal Government insuring FHA loans for the lenders, FHA mortgages typically offer interest rates considerably lower than the norm. For this reason alone, it is always worth comparing all other loans available at any given point in time against FHA-insured loans.
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Consolidating Debt
Consolidating Debt
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief article on consolidating your debt.
Debt consolidation was designed to help individuals who are “drowning in debt” to regain control of their financial lives. Consolidating debt gives individuals the chance combine their various monthly payments into a single monthly payment that is usually lower than the sum of the individual monthly payments on the same debt. Payments on consolidated debt are also quite often at a lower interest rate than the rates offered by the individual lenders.
1 Warning Signs
If one or more of the following applies to you, debt consolidation may be in order
a You pay for normal living expenses with credit
b You transfer balances around from one credit card to another
c You can only afford the minimum monthly payments on your credit cards, and no more
d You have maxed out one or more credit cards
e You find yourself spending more than half your income to pay your monthly credit card payments
f You’re looking to open yet another line of credit in order to better manage your current debt, expenses, and lifestyle
The following is a breakdown of some of the best and most common ways to consolidate debt
2 Debt Consolidation Loans
The traditional way to consolidate debt is to take out a debt consolidation loan. This is a personal loan that is unsecured, and therefore considered riskier other types of loans. Lenders therefore will usually charge higher interest rates for these loans, the advantage to getting such a loan being the single (and hopefully smaller) monthly payment. People with lots of debt may find they have difficulty getting a lender to give them a debt consolidation loan, however, and may need to look further to find a viable debt consolidation solution.
3 Debt Settlement
Debt settlement agencies help you resolve debt by becoming the intermediary between you and your creditors, You stop paying your various creditors and instead make a single payment to the debt settlement agency.
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief article on consolidating your debt.
Debt consolidation was designed to help individuals who are “drowning in debt” to regain control of their financial lives. Consolidating debt gives individuals the chance combine their various monthly payments into a single monthly payment that is usually lower than the sum of the individual monthly payments on the same debt. Payments on consolidated debt are also quite often at a lower interest rate than the rates offered by the individual lenders.
1 Warning Signs
If one or more of the following applies to you, debt consolidation may be in order
a You pay for normal living expenses with credit
b You transfer balances around from one credit card to another
c You can only afford the minimum monthly payments on your credit cards, and no more
d You have maxed out one or more credit cards
e You find yourself spending more than half your income to pay your monthly credit card payments
f You’re looking to open yet another line of credit in order to better manage your current debt, expenses, and lifestyle
The following is a breakdown of some of the best and most common ways to consolidate debt
2 Debt Consolidation Loans
The traditional way to consolidate debt is to take out a debt consolidation loan. This is a personal loan that is unsecured, and therefore considered riskier other types of loans. Lenders therefore will usually charge higher interest rates for these loans, the advantage to getting such a loan being the single (and hopefully smaller) monthly payment. People with lots of debt may find they have difficulty getting a lender to give them a debt consolidation loan, however, and may need to look further to find a viable debt consolidation solution.
3 Debt Settlement
Debt settlement agencies help you resolve debt by becoming the intermediary between you and your creditors, You stop paying your various creditors and instead make a single payment to the debt settlement agency.
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Downpayment Assistance
Downpayment Assistance
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief how to guide on downpayment assistance.
Potential home buyers often discover that while they’ll have no trouble making their monthly mortgage payments, they nonetheless can’t buy a home because they lack the funds to make the necessary down payment and closing costs. Fortunately, a number of solutions to this problem exist, one of the most common being: down payment assistance programs.
While sellers are forbidden from giving gifts of down payment funds to their potential homebuyers directly, these down payment assistance programs guarantee that funds to financially-challenged potential homebuyers are delivered at closing to cover all or a portion of the down payment and closing costs.
Only certain sellers will participate in these programs, and it can often take a great deal of work, mandatory classes, and extra paperwork to accomplish. The upside is that not only can people afford homes who otherwise couldn’t, but they might even get a lower interest rate on their loan.
First the seller would enroll the home in a relevant program, contributing funds equal to the amount of down payment assistance the buyer is to receive at the time closing, plus a fee of around 0.75% of the purchase price of the home. Then, upon closing, the down payment is then wired from the program to the agent handling the closing, keeping the seller removed from the process of transferring those funds.
Sellers can also help reduce the cost burden on buyers by offering to pay all or portions of the closing costs involved in the sale of the home. They do this by simply giving back to a part of their proceeds to the buyer at the time of closing. There are limits, however, on how much assistance a seller may provide, depending on the kind of loan the buyer is obtaining.
And though down payment assistance may seem undesirable to sellers considering whether or not to accept someone’s offer to buy their home, it could actually be to the seller’s advantage every bit as much as the buyer‘s. This is because a buyer able to afford the closing costs on a home can more easily get away with making a lower offer (and having it accepted), whereas a buyer requiring down payment assistance is more likely to make an offer closer to the seller’s asking price in order to compensate for their need for down payment assistance.
Realtors and lenders both are qualified to aid would-be homebuyers in finding and selecting the right down payment assistance program. Realtors and lenders alike are generally more than glad to explain how an offer to purchase property should be phrased in order to.
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief how to guide on downpayment assistance.
Potential home buyers often discover that while they’ll have no trouble making their monthly mortgage payments, they nonetheless can’t buy a home because they lack the funds to make the necessary down payment and closing costs. Fortunately, a number of solutions to this problem exist, one of the most common being: down payment assistance programs.
While sellers are forbidden from giving gifts of down payment funds to their potential homebuyers directly, these down payment assistance programs guarantee that funds to financially-challenged potential homebuyers are delivered at closing to cover all or a portion of the down payment and closing costs.
Only certain sellers will participate in these programs, and it can often take a great deal of work, mandatory classes, and extra paperwork to accomplish. The upside is that not only can people afford homes who otherwise couldn’t, but they might even get a lower interest rate on their loan.
First the seller would enroll the home in a relevant program, contributing funds equal to the amount of down payment assistance the buyer is to receive at the time closing, plus a fee of around 0.75% of the purchase price of the home. Then, upon closing, the down payment is then wired from the program to the agent handling the closing, keeping the seller removed from the process of transferring those funds.
Sellers can also help reduce the cost burden on buyers by offering to pay all or portions of the closing costs involved in the sale of the home. They do this by simply giving back to a part of their proceeds to the buyer at the time of closing. There are limits, however, on how much assistance a seller may provide, depending on the kind of loan the buyer is obtaining.
And though down payment assistance may seem undesirable to sellers considering whether or not to accept someone’s offer to buy their home, it could actually be to the seller’s advantage every bit as much as the buyer‘s. This is because a buyer able to afford the closing costs on a home can more easily get away with making a lower offer (and having it accepted), whereas a buyer requiring down payment assistance is more likely to make an offer closer to the seller’s asking price in order to compensate for their need for down payment assistance.
Realtors and lenders both are qualified to aid would-be homebuyers in finding and selecting the right down payment assistance program. Realtors and lenders alike are generally more than glad to explain how an offer to purchase property should be phrased in order to.
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Another Humbling Testimonial Proves That Somerset Mortgage Lenders Truly Helps Make Owning a Home a Reality For Borrowers
Another Humbling Testimonial Proves That Somerset Mortgage Lenders Truly Helps Make Owning a Home a Reality For Borrowers
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus work hard every day to make the experience of getting your loan as easy and enjoyable as possible. So it's even more rewarding when a satisfied consumer comes forth with a heartfelt letter of recognition, a thank you for a job done right.
Here is a yet another letter on this subject, recently submitted to our offices at 290 Broadhollow Rd in Melville, NY 11747
"To Gregg Marcus,
Hello Gregg,
I just wanted to take this time to write a letter expressing how happy I am to have worked with the Somerset Investors Team. Especially, Nancy Grana, and Catherine Belle. For the past year, my wife and I have struggled with making our mortgage payments. I was very concerned that we might lose our house. And since my mother lives with us and she depends on her disability check, it would have been extra hard for her to find somewhere else to live. And I did not want to fail my family at all.
Although I was a little skeptical with working with any loan investor, I took a chance with Somerset. I didn’t believe that anything would go through due to our credit history. But I really had no choice and after Nancy starting working with me, she demonstrated how committed she was to try to make this work. And she did just that. I was a little upset when I turned over to someone new, but Catherine Belle filled in just fine. She worked with me to finish the job. Both were very concerned about their customer.
I think that the Somerset staff has proved that even in this struggling economy, there is still hope for those of us that are hard working people to make it through. But without the encouragement, not many will be able to follow through. I want to thank Nancy Grana and Catherine Belle for their diligence to see this through. My mind and heart are more at ease than before. I can’t thank them enough for what they have done. I will be sure to refer Somerset to anyone that I speak with.
God Bless
Best regards,
Marcus"
We would like to thank Marcus as well for allowing us to serve as their loan partner - helping all their dreams get closer to becoming reality!
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus work hard every day to make the experience of getting your loan as easy and enjoyable as possible. So it's even more rewarding when a satisfied consumer comes forth with a heartfelt letter of recognition, a thank you for a job done right.
Here is a yet another letter on this subject, recently submitted to our offices at 290 Broadhollow Rd in Melville, NY 11747
"To Gregg Marcus,
Hello Gregg,
I just wanted to take this time to write a letter expressing how happy I am to have worked with the Somerset Investors Team. Especially, Nancy Grana, and Catherine Belle. For the past year, my wife and I have struggled with making our mortgage payments. I was very concerned that we might lose our house. And since my mother lives with us and she depends on her disability check, it would have been extra hard for her to find somewhere else to live. And I did not want to fail my family at all.
Although I was a little skeptical with working with any loan investor, I took a chance with Somerset. I didn’t believe that anything would go through due to our credit history. But I really had no choice and after Nancy starting working with me, she demonstrated how committed she was to try to make this work. And she did just that. I was a little upset when I turned over to someone new, but Catherine Belle filled in just fine. She worked with me to finish the job. Both were very concerned about their customer.
I think that the Somerset staff has proved that even in this struggling economy, there is still hope for those of us that are hard working people to make it through. But without the encouragement, not many will be able to follow through. I want to thank Nancy Grana and Catherine Belle for their diligence to see this through. My mind and heart are more at ease than before. I can’t thank them enough for what they have done. I will be sure to refer Somerset to anyone that I speak with.
God Bless
Best regards,
Marcus"
We would like to thank Marcus as well for allowing us to serve as their loan partner - helping all their dreams get closer to becoming reality!
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Find The Right Home Loan Program
Find The Right Home Loan Program
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief how to guide on finding the right home loan program.
Whether it’s to purchase a new home or refinance your current home, there are an assortment of loan programs you have to chose from, based on a combination of your objectives and your eligibility.
Conventional Loans: Conforming Loans and Jumbo Loans
The conventional loan is the most common kind of loan, available to most people who have at least 3% of the requested loan amount available to pay as a down payment. The two most common types of conventional loan are conforming loans and jumbo loans.
Conforming loans are a type of conventional loan that are secured by Freddie Mac (FHLMC), Fannie Mae (FNMA) and other GSEs, or Government Sponsored Entities. These GSEs do not directly lend the money to borrowers but rather work with various lenders country-wide to provide loans that meet the average homebuyer’s needs. These entities also buy mortgage loans from lenders in order to re-package them as securities available for sale to investors on the secondary market.
For loan amounts that are higher than the loan limits set each year by the GSEs, private investors offer jumbo loans. The trade-off of going to a private investor to borrow a larger amount of money is that the interest rate on such loans is also usually higher.
Special Circumstances: Loans for First-Time Homebuyers, Low-Income Households, and People with Poor Credit
Government entities from a local to a federal level and private entities alike have worked to develop loan programs that make home ownership a reality for many people considered under-qualified for traditional mortgages. These include loans for first-time homebuyers and people with a low-to-moderate income that are insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) via the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
HUD and the FHA do not make loans directly, rather they insure loans, meaning that the lender still gets paid back even if you default on the home loan. Often, FHA insured loans are available with down payments lower than 3% of the total loan amount. There is a limit to how high of a loan the FHA will insure, but the limit is at least high enough to allow people in qualifying circumstances to buy reasonably.
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief how to guide on finding the right home loan program.
Whether it’s to purchase a new home or refinance your current home, there are an assortment of loan programs you have to chose from, based on a combination of your objectives and your eligibility.
Conventional Loans: Conforming Loans and Jumbo Loans
The conventional loan is the most common kind of loan, available to most people who have at least 3% of the requested loan amount available to pay as a down payment. The two most common types of conventional loan are conforming loans and jumbo loans.
Conforming loans are a type of conventional loan that are secured by Freddie Mac (FHLMC), Fannie Mae (FNMA) and other GSEs, or Government Sponsored Entities. These GSEs do not directly lend the money to borrowers but rather work with various lenders country-wide to provide loans that meet the average homebuyer’s needs. These entities also buy mortgage loans from lenders in order to re-package them as securities available for sale to investors on the secondary market.
For loan amounts that are higher than the loan limits set each year by the GSEs, private investors offer jumbo loans. The trade-off of going to a private investor to borrow a larger amount of money is that the interest rate on such loans is also usually higher.
Special Circumstances: Loans for First-Time Homebuyers, Low-Income Households, and People with Poor Credit
Government entities from a local to a federal level and private entities alike have worked to develop loan programs that make home ownership a reality for many people considered under-qualified for traditional mortgages. These include loans for first-time homebuyers and people with a low-to-moderate income that are insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) via the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
HUD and the FHA do not make loans directly, rather they insure loans, meaning that the lender still gets paid back even if you default on the home loan. Often, FHA insured loans are available with down payments lower than 3% of the total loan amount. There is a limit to how high of a loan the FHA will insure, but the limit is at least high enough to allow people in qualifying circumstances to buy reasonably.
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A Testimonial and A Thank You
A Testimonial and A Thank You
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus work hard every day to make the experience of getting your loan as easy and enjoyable as possible. So it's even more rewarding when a satisfied consumer comes forth with a heartfelt letter of recognition, a thank you for a job done right.
Here is one such letter, recently submitted to our offices at 290 Broadhollow Rd in Melville, NY 11747
"From:
Mark & Anna
Dayton, Texas
June 15, 2009
To: Somerset Mortgage Lenders
Dear Somerset:
Although this may be an overlooked task, we feel that we must bring to your attention the exceptional service that we received from you and the entire Somerset Mortgage Lenders organization.
We are, of course, very delighted to have had the pleasure of working with you during the loan acquisition. Your professional and courteous attitude, expert knowledge, and patience in handling our specific issues were very important to our complete customer satisfaction.
In the past, I felt that loan service providers were not sensitive to our needs and provided the quickest and most convenient solution to my problems from their perspective. But not in this case. You and the entire Somerset Mortgage Lenders organization handled our issues as if they were their own, and we are completely satisfied.
We again thank you for the exceptional and professional service and look forward to patronizing your organization. Please forward this letter to the entire organization as we appreciate their hard work, professionalism and understanding in completing this transaction.
Sincerely,
Mark & Anna"
We would like to thank Mark & Anna as well for allowing us to serve as their loan partner - helping their dreams get closer to becoming reality!
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus work hard every day to make the experience of getting your loan as easy and enjoyable as possible. So it's even more rewarding when a satisfied consumer comes forth with a heartfelt letter of recognition, a thank you for a job done right.
Here is one such letter, recently submitted to our offices at 290 Broadhollow Rd in Melville, NY 11747
"From:
Mark & Anna
Dayton, Texas
June 15, 2009
To: Somerset Mortgage Lenders
Dear Somerset:
Although this may be an overlooked task, we feel that we must bring to your attention the exceptional service that we received from you and the entire Somerset Mortgage Lenders organization.
We are, of course, very delighted to have had the pleasure of working with you during the loan acquisition. Your professional and courteous attitude, expert knowledge, and patience in handling our specific issues were very important to our complete customer satisfaction.
In the past, I felt that loan service providers were not sensitive to our needs and provided the quickest and most convenient solution to my problems from their perspective. But not in this case. You and the entire Somerset Mortgage Lenders organization handled our issues as if they were their own, and we are completely satisfied.
We again thank you for the exceptional and professional service and look forward to patronizing your organization. Please forward this letter to the entire organization as we appreciate their hard work, professionalism and understanding in completing this transaction.
Sincerely,
Mark & Anna"
We would like to thank Mark & Anna as well for allowing us to serve as their loan partner - helping their dreams get closer to becoming reality!
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Understanding Your Credit
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief how to guide to understanding your credit.
Credit is the borrowing of money with the intention of repaying the lender at some later point in time. Examples of credit include: credit cards, home mortgages, student loans, and car loans.
There are 3 primary agencies that compile information on an individual’s credit history and produces a report which lenders use to help determine whether or not to approve a request for credit. These 3 main credit reporting agencies are: Experian, Equifax, and Trans-Union.
A credit report includes an individual’s name, address, social security number, current employer and employment history, and previous credit history. A person’s credit history includes various types of accounts (ie. bank accounts, credit card accounts, student loans), the respective balances remaining, the payment status (ie. whether or not payments were made on time), and any collection information. A person’s credit report contains information on that person’s credit history going back 7-10 years.
A credit report will also identify how often, when, and by whom an inquiry was made into the individual’s credit. This is valuable information to lenders as it shows them how frequently a person is applying for additional credit. And a credit report will identify any legal actions taken against an individual for the purposes of reclaiming money owed.
In instances where a person’s credit history is lacking, lenders may take other proof of credit into account, such as rental payment receipts and utility bills. It is difficult to obtain credit without proof of some sort of existing credit history, however short or small.
When a consumer applies for a loan or other form of credit, the lender will contact one of these credit bureaus to review the applicant’s credit report. Although most of the information collected by each of the agencies is the same, slight differences may exist in an individual’s credit report from each agency. In addition, errors will often exist on credit reports.
Different lenders will pull different agency’s credit reports on their applicants, making it essential for every consumer to make sure all 3 of their credit reports are accurate. Fortunately, every American is entitled to receive one free copy of their own credit report per year from each credit reporting agency. But even if you’ve already received your free credit report from each agency for a given year, you can still purchase an additional copy at any point in time you like for a small fee.
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief how to guide to understanding your credit.
Credit is the borrowing of money with the intention of repaying the lender at some later point in time. Examples of credit include: credit cards, home mortgages, student loans, and car loans.
There are 3 primary agencies that compile information on an individual’s credit history and produces a report which lenders use to help determine whether or not to approve a request for credit. These 3 main credit reporting agencies are: Experian, Equifax, and Trans-Union.
A credit report includes an individual’s name, address, social security number, current employer and employment history, and previous credit history. A person’s credit history includes various types of accounts (ie. bank accounts, credit card accounts, student loans), the respective balances remaining, the payment status (ie. whether or not payments were made on time), and any collection information. A person’s credit report contains information on that person’s credit history going back 7-10 years.
A credit report will also identify how often, when, and by whom an inquiry was made into the individual’s credit. This is valuable information to lenders as it shows them how frequently a person is applying for additional credit. And a credit report will identify any legal actions taken against an individual for the purposes of reclaiming money owed.
In instances where a person’s credit history is lacking, lenders may take other proof of credit into account, such as rental payment receipts and utility bills. It is difficult to obtain credit without proof of some sort of existing credit history, however short or small.
When a consumer applies for a loan or other form of credit, the lender will contact one of these credit bureaus to review the applicant’s credit report. Although most of the information collected by each of the agencies is the same, slight differences may exist in an individual’s credit report from each agency. In addition, errors will often exist on credit reports.
Different lenders will pull different agency’s credit reports on their applicants, making it essential for every consumer to make sure all 3 of their credit reports are accurate. Fortunately, every American is entitled to receive one free copy of their own credit report per year from each credit reporting agency. But even if you’ve already received your free credit report from each agency for a given year, you can still purchase an additional copy at any point in time you like for a small fee.
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a LIVE Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Friday, June 19, 2009
How Mortgage Insurance Works
How Mortgage Insurance Works
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief explanation of how mortgage insurance works.
Typically, when the down payment on the purchase of a home is lower than 20% of the value of the property, mortgage insurance is required. Mortgage insurance comes in 2 forms: private mortgage insurance (PMI) and lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). Both are policies that protect lenders from the possibility of borrowers defaulting on loans. The lender purchases the mortgage insurance policy and passes the premiums down as a fee added to the borrower’s monthly mortgage payments.
A mortgagee (or borrower) must qualify for mortgage insurance by meeting certain conditions that have been set forth by Fannie Mae (the Federal National Mortgage Association). Such conditions include qualifications of the borrower, type of property borrowed against, size of the mortgage.
A mortgage that’s insured by having met the required conditions is then eligible to be resold in the mortgage-backed securities market, allowing lenders to sell older mortgages and thereby originate (or make) more new loans than they otherwise might be able to.
Fortunately for buyers, the costs of getting mortgage insurance can be folded into the monthly mortgage payments via a process known as capitalization. Premiums capitalized this way then provide a further tax deduction in any jurisdictions that permit mortgage payments to be tax deductible.
As many borrowers are unable to afford a 20% down payment and thus required to pay mortgage insurance, a financing technique was developed to aid them in still being able to afford buying a home. This technique involves a first mortgage (or primary mortgage) that covers 80% of the purchase price, and a second mortgage for another 10% of the purchase price, leaving the borrower to come up with a down payment of only 10% of the purchase price. This financing technique is familiarly called: 80-10-10.
In the case of 80-10-10 financing, the interest rate on the 10% second mortgage is higher than that of the first, but the requirement for paying regular mortgage insurance premiums is eliminated. This makes the 80-10-10 financing technique a more affordable alternative despite the higher interest rate on the second mortgage, and allows borrowers to pay down the mortgage debt faster.
Get a free live quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more get a free live quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief explanation of how mortgage insurance works.
Typically, when the down payment on the purchase of a home is lower than 20% of the value of the property, mortgage insurance is required. Mortgage insurance comes in 2 forms: private mortgage insurance (PMI) and lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). Both are policies that protect lenders from the possibility of borrowers defaulting on loans. The lender purchases the mortgage insurance policy and passes the premiums down as a fee added to the borrower’s monthly mortgage payments.
A mortgagee (or borrower) must qualify for mortgage insurance by meeting certain conditions that have been set forth by Fannie Mae (the Federal National Mortgage Association). Such conditions include qualifications of the borrower, type of property borrowed against, size of the mortgage.
A mortgage that’s insured by having met the required conditions is then eligible to be resold in the mortgage-backed securities market, allowing lenders to sell older mortgages and thereby originate (or make) more new loans than they otherwise might be able to.
Fortunately for buyers, the costs of getting mortgage insurance can be folded into the monthly mortgage payments via a process known as capitalization. Premiums capitalized this way then provide a further tax deduction in any jurisdictions that permit mortgage payments to be tax deductible.
As many borrowers are unable to afford a 20% down payment and thus required to pay mortgage insurance, a financing technique was developed to aid them in still being able to afford buying a home. This technique involves a first mortgage (or primary mortgage) that covers 80% of the purchase price, and a second mortgage for another 10% of the purchase price, leaving the borrower to come up with a down payment of only 10% of the purchase price. This financing technique is familiarly called: 80-10-10.
In the case of 80-10-10 financing, the interest rate on the 10% second mortgage is higher than that of the first, but the requirement for paying regular mortgage insurance premiums is eliminated. This makes the 80-10-10 financing technique a more affordable alternative despite the higher interest rate on the second mortgage, and allows borrowers to pay down the mortgage debt faster.
Get a free live quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a Loan Officer now.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more get a free live quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Somerset Makes Refinancing More Appealing with Their Popular MaxxCash Program
Somerset Makes Refinancing More Appealing with Their Popular MaxxCash Program
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/
Somerset Mortgage Lenders continues to keep industry pundits in awe as they introduce their unique MaxxCash Program aimed at helping each and every homeowner take advantage of current low interest rates and the financial benefits of maximum cash out. For instance, if you’re planning to make long anticipated home improvements, getting the payments together for college tuition, or even contemplating a second home in Florida, this program is for you. Because of their broad knowledge in all areas, Somerset is offering this new program to those in need of cash that have not only worked diligently to improve their credit scores but also to those many homeowners who are feeling the devastating effect of escalating debt of all kinds. Under the MaxxCash Program, all are being offered up to 100% of a home’s value as an incentive to refinance while their home prices are still high and before they stabilize or drop any lower.
With increased penalty charges and the recent doubling of minimum payment requirements for credit cards, more and more conscientious homeowners are feeling the control of their finances rapidly slipping away. Their usually reliable home equity line of credit has also taken on a steadily rising rate and begun to dry up. Now every homeowner is in a frantic search for some sort of quick financial relief.
Somerset knows that by taking advantage of the current low mortgage refinancing rates through their MaxxCash Program, a homeowner would be capable of solving the problems of paying off high credit card balances and home equity credit lines simultaneously to begin once again with a clean slate, all this while preserving their credit standing. Somerset’s role as a direct lender, not a broker, is the perfect climate for this type of refinancing.
Get a free live quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a Loan Officer now.
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/
Somerset Mortgage Lenders continues to keep industry pundits in awe as they introduce their unique MaxxCash Program aimed at helping each and every homeowner take advantage of current low interest rates and the financial benefits of maximum cash out. For instance, if you’re planning to make long anticipated home improvements, getting the payments together for college tuition, or even contemplating a second home in Florida, this program is for you. Because of their broad knowledge in all areas, Somerset is offering this new program to those in need of cash that have not only worked diligently to improve their credit scores but also to those many homeowners who are feeling the devastating effect of escalating debt of all kinds. Under the MaxxCash Program, all are being offered up to 100% of a home’s value as an incentive to refinance while their home prices are still high and before they stabilize or drop any lower.
With increased penalty charges and the recent doubling of minimum payment requirements for credit cards, more and more conscientious homeowners are feeling the control of their finances rapidly slipping away. Their usually reliable home equity line of credit has also taken on a steadily rising rate and begun to dry up. Now every homeowner is in a frantic search for some sort of quick financial relief.
Somerset knows that by taking advantage of the current low mortgage refinancing rates through their MaxxCash Program, a homeowner would be capable of solving the problems of paying off high credit card balances and home equity credit lines simultaneously to begin once again with a clean slate, all this while preserving their credit standing. Somerset’s role as a direct lender, not a broker, is the perfect climate for this type of refinancing.
Get a free live quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak with a Loan Officer now.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Benefits of Home Ownership
Benefits of Home Ownership
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief explanation of the benefits of home ownership.
Home ownership has its benefits, a quite a lot of them, at that. The following are several of the key benefits of home ownership.
Investment Value: Statistics collected by such organizations as the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight has shown that real estate, though in moves cyclically up and down throughout the years, maintains a consistent trend of appreciating in value over the long run. Homeowners tend to consider their homes their primary investment and a hedge against annual inflation.
Tax Benefits: Tax rates encouraging home ownership make owning a home an excellent tax shelter.
Mortgage Interest Deduction: Take a look at any monthly mortgage statement and you’ll see that the largest portion of your monthly payment applies towards mortgage interest. Provided that the balance on your mortgage is less than the purchase price of your house that mortgage interest you pay is completely tax deductible. According to IRS Publication 530 property taxes on a first home (as well as a vacation home) are also completely deductible from your income taxes.
Capital Gains Exclusion: If you remain in your home for at least 2 out of the previous 5 years, you are eligible to exclude as much as $250,000 (for individuals) and $500,000 (for married couples) of your capital gains profits, without requiring you move up or purchase a replacement home, and without any age restrictions. Every 2 years you’re allowed to exclude these thresholds from your taxes, so you could conceivable sell your home every 24 months and pocket all the profits without being taxed on any of it (certain limitations apply).
Preferential Treatment: Upon the sale of your home, and so long as you’ve owned the home for at least a full year, if you make more than the permissible exclusion in profits, the amount is taken as a capital asset and is given preferential tax treatment.
Equity: Every month, a portion of your monthly mortgage payment is applied towards your loan’s principal balance, thereby reducing your loan obligation.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
get a free live quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief explanation of the benefits of home ownership.
Home ownership has its benefits, a quite a lot of them, at that. The following are several of the key benefits of home ownership.
Investment Value: Statistics collected by such organizations as the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight has shown that real estate, though in moves cyclically up and down throughout the years, maintains a consistent trend of appreciating in value over the long run. Homeowners tend to consider their homes their primary investment and a hedge against annual inflation.
Tax Benefits: Tax rates encouraging home ownership make owning a home an excellent tax shelter.
Mortgage Interest Deduction: Take a look at any monthly mortgage statement and you’ll see that the largest portion of your monthly payment applies towards mortgage interest. Provided that the balance on your mortgage is less than the purchase price of your house that mortgage interest you pay is completely tax deductible. According to IRS Publication 530 property taxes on a first home (as well as a vacation home) are also completely deductible from your income taxes.
Capital Gains Exclusion: If you remain in your home for at least 2 out of the previous 5 years, you are eligible to exclude as much as $250,000 (for individuals) and $500,000 (for married couples) of your capital gains profits, without requiring you move up or purchase a replacement home, and without any age restrictions. Every 2 years you’re allowed to exclude these thresholds from your taxes, so you could conceivable sell your home every 24 months and pocket all the profits without being taxed on any of it (certain limitations apply).
Preferential Treatment: Upon the sale of your home, and so long as you’ve owned the home for at least a full year, if you make more than the permissible exclusion in profits, the amount is taken as a capital asset and is given preferential tax treatment.
Equity: Every month, a portion of your monthly mortgage payment is applied towards your loan’s principal balance, thereby reducing your loan obligation.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
get a free live quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/ or call 1-800-675-9783
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
How Much Should I Put Down On My Mortgage?
How Much Should I Put Down On My Mortgage?
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief explanation of how much you should expect to put down on your mortgage.
In an ideal scenario, you would buy your home with a 20% down payment, have closing costs that come to around 3-5% of your home’s purchase price, and have enough money remaining in your bank account to cover 2-3 months of housing expenses.
The peace-of-mind this gives lenders usually translates into a nicer deal for you. And as a bonus, you start out owning your home with a sizable amount of equity already in it.
Of course, it’s not all that easy to meet those qualifications, meaning that most home loan scenarios are somewhat less than ideal. First-time homebuyers, for example, may have great difficulty in coming up with that 20% down. That amounts to $40k down on a $150k mortgage or $70k down on $250k.
Fortunately, over the past several years, lenders have started showing an increasing willingness to finance the majority of home’s purchase price - in some cases as much as 97%. That amounts $4,500 down on a $150k mortgage or $7,500 on $250k.
This is because lenders are now able to sell loans with as much as 97% financing to the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) to be bundled as securities sold to investors on the secondary market, thereby taking the risk of making the loan off of themselves.
The allure of down payments as low as 3-5%, however, is deceptive and should be weighed against the “costs”, namely that you would start out owning your home with very little in home equity, and with less than 20% down, your mortgage insurance rates could run quite high.
Though mortgage insurance rates for fixed rate loans given to people with decent credit are generally standard across the board, if you have poor credit or are considering an adjustable rate loan, you may want to consider putting up more of a down payment or risk paying exorbitant insurance rates monthly.
Finally, we come to the popularly-sought “Zero-Down Loan“. City and state organizations have programs benefiting potential homebuyers with low-to-moderate incomes and those looking to buy in urban areas. These programs offer loans that are below-market rates with little-to-no down payment necessary.
The enticing proposition of 100% financing is available!
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
get a free quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783
by Somerset Mortgage Lenders: "The Brains, The Courage and The Heart to Make Your Dreams Come True"
Somerset Mortgage Lenders and Gregg Marcus strive to keep the public educated with tips meant to make getting your loan as easy and painless as possible. To this end, they have put together this brief explanation of how much you should expect to put down on your mortgage.
In an ideal scenario, you would buy your home with a 20% down payment, have closing costs that come to around 3-5% of your home’s purchase price, and have enough money remaining in your bank account to cover 2-3 months of housing expenses.
The peace-of-mind this gives lenders usually translates into a nicer deal for you. And as a bonus, you start out owning your home with a sizable amount of equity already in it.
Of course, it’s not all that easy to meet those qualifications, meaning that most home loan scenarios are somewhat less than ideal. First-time homebuyers, for example, may have great difficulty in coming up with that 20% down. That amounts to $40k down on a $150k mortgage or $70k down on $250k.
Fortunately, over the past several years, lenders have started showing an increasing willingness to finance the majority of home’s purchase price - in some cases as much as 97%. That amounts $4,500 down on a $150k mortgage or $7,500 on $250k.
This is because lenders are now able to sell loans with as much as 97% financing to the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) to be bundled as securities sold to investors on the secondary market, thereby taking the risk of making the loan off of themselves.
The allure of down payments as low as 3-5%, however, is deceptive and should be weighed against the “costs”, namely that you would start out owning your home with very little in home equity, and with less than 20% down, your mortgage insurance rates could run quite high.
Though mortgage insurance rates for fixed rate loans given to people with decent credit are generally standard across the board, if you have poor credit or are considering an adjustable rate loan, you may want to consider putting up more of a down payment or risk paying exorbitant insurance rates monthly.
Finally, we come to the popularly-sought “Zero-Down Loan“. City and state organizations have programs benefiting potential homebuyers with low-to-moderate incomes and those looking to buy in urban areas. These programs offer loans that are below-market rates with little-to-no down payment necessary.
The enticing proposition of 100% financing is available!
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, home improvement, mortgages, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
get a free quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783
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