10 Questions To Ask Your Mortgage Rep or BankThis post is a must read for anyone considering purchasing a home be it today, tomorrow or next year. It is sound advice. 1. What is the loan's Interest Rate and Annual Percentage Rate? Find out what the interest rate will be on your loan and the annual percentage rate (APR). The APR is a combination of the interest rate, points and other charges divided by the loan's term to give an annualized rate. It is the easiest way to properly compare loan costs. 2. How Many Points Will You Be Charged? A point is one percent of the loan amount. Points charged are additional to the interest rate that is charged on the loan. A loan with a low interest rate and high points may cost you thousands more than one with a higher interest rate but low points. This is important because the number of points charged varies from lender to lender. You absolutely need this information. 3. What Total Closing Cost Fees are Charged? Lenders will charge fees for their services to complete and close your mortgage. By law, closing costs must be disclosed to you within 3 days of the loan application, however, there are different avenues to calculating them. Some brokers will initially disclose closing cost figures which are very appealing, to get your business, only to provide much higher costs as your closing date approaches. Sneaky and its done quite often, be careful here. 4. Can I opt for a "Lock-In" Policy? There may be an Additional Charge to Lock-In an Interest Rate and Discount Points. Several lenders offer a lock-in policy that guarantees you certain interest rates and points for a specified time period. The alternative to this is accepting the prevailing rate and points on your closing day. Since rates change daily, the one time lock-in fee may be able to save you thousands. 5. How Long Will it Take to Process My Mortgage? Processing is the means by which your loan is prepared for approval. The time it takes to process a loan varies by the type of loan and lender. Loans can usually be funded within 7 to 10 working days. Since timing may be a factor, a lender with quick processing and funding capabilities will prove to be a very valuable asset for you all around. 6. Are You a VA Automatic or FHA Direct endorsement Lender? VA automatic and FHA direct endorsement means that a lender has met all the government requirements for FHA/VA and the lender's underwriter has completed the mandatory education. An automatic or direct endorsement lender can approve or disapprove a loan just as if the loan had been sent directly to the regional FHA or VA office. (N/A for Canadians) 7. Can I Finance the Upfront Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) Premium into the Loan Amount? If your down payment is less than twenty percent of the sale price, to qualify, you will be charged PMI, an insurance premium to protect the lender in case you or someone else who assumes your loan defaults on the loan. Some lenders allow you to include the first years premium into the amount of the loan. Including this premium may be the difference when getting a mortgage by reducing your cash outlay. 8. Is There a Pre-Payment Penalty? Normally you can prepay a loan without penalty if you notify the lender in writing that you are either selling or refinancing. There are exceptions. Make sure to ask about your mortgage, play it safe, you don't want a surprise later on. 9. What is the Lender's History? It's important to rate your lenders reputation for speedy processing, knowledgeable loan service and meeting contract deadlines. You want to hire a mortgage broker who will treat you the way you want to be treated, and is not just looking for you to sign and get it done, make sure they are taking proper care of your needs. Your lender will be dealing with your hard earned money and home purchase, so you want to be confident that you have made the right choice. 10. What Do You Offer to the First Time Buyer? (If this is you) Purchasing a home is among the most significant financial decisions anyone will ever make. Make sure you get all of the information you need on this, it may save you some money. Have you noticed I always somehow wind up going back to the first time home buyer? It is because buying a home is such a HUGE Financial investment that you absolutely must be prepared. Keep in mind you can find excellent advice here, take a close look at what's available to you. And as always it's always no cost, no obligation. Get out there.... Invest in your future. Regards Garret Garret Belisle is the author of a blog designed to help you on your way to home ownership, and some helpful tricks on down payments and credit repair. You can view the site here at http://www.gbcmortgage.blogspot.com. Garret Belisle is also the co-author of http://www.firefoxmentor.com a manual guide to the firefox browser.
MORE RESOURCES updated Sat. July / 27 / 2024 Mortgage and refinance rates today, July 27, 2024: Fixed rates decrease, adjustable rates increase 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 24, 2024: Rates have staggered since last week Yahoo Finance Joe and Jill Biden refinanced their Delaware home 20 times — raking in $4.2M from the $350K property New York Post 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 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of July 2024 Business Insider Jumbo Loan: Definition, Rates, and How to Qualify 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 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 What current mortgage refinance rates mean for your situation CNN Underscored Mortgage refinance demand drops further, despite homeowners sitting on $17 trillion in equity - CNBC Refinance Rates Today: Compare Mortgage Refinance Offers Business Insider Mortgage Points: What Are They And How Do They Work? Bankrate.com Today's Mortgage Rates by State - July 23, 2024 Investopedia Is it Time to Refinance Your Mortgage? That Depends on When You Closed The Wall Street Journal Current Home Equity Loan Rates: Your Guide to the Best Rates Business Insider Refinance applications increase despite overall drop in mortgage activity Mortgage Professional Mortgage refinance demand jumps to two-year high Morning Brew Real Estate Housing Market 2024: Will Home Prices Drop? Business Insider Assumable Mortgages 2024: How They Work, Benefits, and Insights Business Insider Should You Refinance Your Mortgage In 2024? Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, July 21, 2024 | Rates Are Down This Month. Will They Continue to Drop? Business Insider 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 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 Housing Market Predictions 2024: What Homebuyers Should Know Business Insider What Credit Score Do You Need To Refinance? Bankrate.com Are Cash-Out Refinance Rates Higher? Bankrate.com Loan Modification Vs. Refinance Bankrate.com 15-year refinance rates: Pros, cons and current lenders offers CNN Underscored Best Student Loan Refinance Companies of 2024 Business Insider Refinance Requirements: What You Need to Refinance Your Home in 2024 The Mortgage Reports Mortgage Interest Rates Today, July 22, 2024 | Rates Are Dropping. How Low Could They Go? Business Insider
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