![]() |
Home LoansBuying a home remains the great American dream. Home ownership rates have been exploding in recent years, spurred on by the historically low interest rates in the home mortgage market. Home prices have been rising at far faster than inflation, especially in major urban areas such as San Francisco, San Diego and Chicago. This means that not only can that home you've always wanted put a roof over your head, but it can provide you with a great investment as well. For people new to the mortgage market, buying their first home starts with finding the best home loans. All potential homeowners should take some time to research home loans before calling their local realtor. There are a dazzling array of choices available when it comes to home loans, and finding the right mortgage for your needs can be difficult. Approach your upcoming home purchase with the same seriousness you apply to other major purchases. Your home will most likely be the biggest single investment you ever make. Take the time at the beginning to educate yourself about home loans. It will be time well spent. Home loans are available from a wide variety of sources. These sources include banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions and mortgage brokers. Shop around at all of these sources to find the home loans with the lowest interest rate and lowest costs. You will also have to decide between fixed rate home loans and variable rate home loans. Variable rate home loans are often advertised with extremely low "teaser rates". These rates are used by lenders to get your attention and lure you in. Before signing up for a variable rate mortgage, make sure you find out what the interest rate cap is. Variable rate home loans are usually based on an underlying interest rate, like the prime rate. The interest rate you pay will typically be the prime rate plus or minus a certain percentage. The variable rate mortgage will have a cap above which the interest rate cannot rise. Find out what that cap is, then use a mortgage payment calculator to see what your monthly mortgage payment will be at that rate. If you cannot afford the monthly payments at the maximum interest rate, you may not want to take the mortgage loan. While it is unlikely that interest rates will rise sufficiently to make the maximum interest rate kick in, it is always a possibility. Variable rate home loans can be a good choice if you believe interest rates are likely to fall. In an environment where interest rates are steady or rising, they may not be so good a choice. You may also want to consider a variable rate mortgage if you do not plan to stay in your home more than five years. For instance, if your job transfers you every couple of years, you could probably get away with a variable rate mortgage and take advantage of the lower interest rate. When you move and sell your home, you will probably realize a gain due to rising home prices. On the other hand, fixed rate home loans have a set interest rate for a set period of time, generally either 15 or 30 years. The interest rate does not change, therefore you will always know what your monthly mortgage payment will be. You are protected from rising interest rates with a fixed rate mortgage. If rates fall significantly, you can always refinance your mortgage loan to take advantage of the lower rates. If you can afford the payments, 15-year home loans can substantially lower the amount of money you will ultimately pay for your home. When you run the numbers on a 15-year versus a 30-year home mortgage loan, you may be surprised at how affordable the 15-year home loan can be. Your mortgage payment will not double if you go with a 15-year mortgage versus a 30-year. This has to do with the affect of compound interest. You are paying far less interest in the long run on a 15-year mortgage. Whatever type of home loan you decide on, the most important thing is to take that step which transforms you from a mere renter to a home owner and builder of equity. There are a great many home loans out there, but once you find the right one, you will find the rewards of home ownership well worth the time and effort put forth. Barry Stein is the owner of aWebBiz.com where he offers cutting-edge tips on all aspects of business. To find more advice, tools and resources to help you succeed in your business, visit: http://www.aWebBiz.com Barry's Internet Marketing Blog: http://awebbiz.com/blog ------------------------------------------------------------- You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your e-book or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author bylines are included with an active hyperlink to the aWebBiz.com website.
Mortgage Refinance Rates Fall for Most Loan Types Investopedia Mortgage and refinance rates today, July 24, 2024: Rates have staggered since last week Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, July 26, 2024: Rates are well below their 52-week averages Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, July 27, 2024: Fixed rates decrease, adjustable rates increase Yahoo Finance Average Mortgage Interest Rates: Mortgage Rates by Credit Score, Year, and Loan Type Business Insider Mortgage Recasting: What It Is And How It Works Bankrate.com How to Refinance Your Mortgage NerdWallet Current Mortgage Trends: Are Mortgage Rates Going Down? Business Insider Jumbo Loan: Definition, Rates, and How to Qualify Business Insider 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of July 2024 Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, July 26, 2024 | Rates Steady After Falling Earlier This Month Business Insider How Much Does It Cost to Refinance? Average Closing Costs by State Business Insider How To Refinance An Underwater Mortgage Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, July 24, 2024 | Rates Hold Steady Business Insider FHA Refinance Rates: See if You Could Lower Your Rate Business Insider Rocket Mortgage Review 2024 Bankrate.com Best Refinance Lenders of July 2024: Refinance Your Mortgage The Motley Fool Today's Mortgage Rates by State - July 24, 2024 Investopedia Understanding 30-Year Mortgage Rates: A Comprehensive Guide Business Insider Current VA Refinance Rates: See if Refinancing Is Worth It Right Now Business Insider Mortgage refinance demand drops further, despite homeowners sitting on $17 trillion in equity - CNBC What current mortgage refinance rates mean for your situation CNN Underscored Refinance Rates Today: Compare Mortgage Refinance Offers Business Insider Mortgage Points: What Are They And How Do They Work? Bankrate.com Current Home Equity Loan Rates: Your Guide to the Best Rates Business Insider Is it Time to Refinance Your Mortgage? That Depends on When You Closed The Wall Street Journal Refinance applications increase despite overall drop in mortgage activity Mortgage Professional Assumable Mortgages 2024: How They Work, Benefits, and Insights Business Insider Real Estate Housing Market 2024: Will Home Prices Drop? Business Insider Mortgage refinance demand jumps to two-year high Morning Brew Mortgage Interest Rates Today, July 21, 2024 | Rates Are Down This Month. Will They Continue to Drop? Business Insider Should You Refinance Your Mortgage In 2024? Bankrate.com How To Get The Best Refinance Rate Bankrate.com Mortgage Rate History: 1970s To 2024 Bankrate.com MBA: Mortgage Applications Decreased in Weekly Survey Calculated Risk Do I Need Money Down To Refinance My Mortgage? Bankrate.com 30-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates Business Insider The Ascent's Complete Guide to Mortgages The Motley Fool Types of Mortgage Refinance Options Bankrate.com Housing Market Predictions 2024: What Homebuyers Should Know Business Insider Cash-Out Refinancing: What It Is, How It Works Bankrate.com Cash-Out Refinance For Home Improvements Bankrate.com Should You Refinance Halfway Through Your Mortgage? Bankrate.com What Credit Score Do You Need To Refinance? Bankrate.com Discover Home Loans Review: Learn About Discover Home Equity Loans and Mortgage Refinancing Business Insider Are Cash-Out Refinance Rates Higher? Bankrate.com Loan Modification Vs. Refinance Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, July 22, 2024 | Rates Are Dropping. How Low Could They Go? Business Insider Best Student Loan Refinance Companies of 2024 Business Insider Refinance Requirements: What You Need to Refinance Your Home in 2024 The Mortgage Reports
|