01
Sep
By support
Home Mortgage Tips

A Quick Guide to the FHA Streamline Refinance Mortgage Loan Program

The Ultimate Guide to the FHA Streamline Refinance Mortgage Loan ProgramRefinancing a home loan can provide numerous benefits, but it can also seem daunting and intimidating to some. Many homeowners would love to lower their interest rate or take advantage of other benefits associated with refinancing, but they are concerned about the time and expense associated with refinancing their current mortgage. The FHA Streamline Refinance loan program is designed to provide those who currently have an FHA loan with an easier way to refinance their mortgage, and this may be a desirable option for many.

No Appraisal Needed

One common complaint that people have when applying for refinancing relates to the expenses and time, and the appraisal can have a big impact on both of these factors. The good news is that with the FHA Streamline Refinance loan program, there is no requirement for a new appraisal. The home value at the time of the original loan will be used with the refinance loan, and this is truly beneficial for those who are currently underwater with their home value due to decreasing property values.

Lower Interest Rates

With the FHA Streamline Refinance loan program, borrowers can take advantage of today’s interest rates without needing to go through a full refinance process. This loan program is available to those who have a current FHA loan program, and it is a great program for those who have an interest rate that is higher than the current rates to lock in a lower rate and a lower mortgage payment.

Great Loan Terms

As with the traditional FHA loan program, the Streamline program also offers great loan terms. Borrowers can choose between a 15 and 30-year fixed rate loan, and borrowers will not be subject to a prepayment penalty. These loan terms provide borrowers with flexibility when refinancing their loan to take advantage of a lower interest rate.

The FHA Streamline Refinance loan program is just one of several options available to borrowers who are interested in refinancing their current FHA loan program. It offers numerous benefits to homeowners, but it is not the only option available.

It is wise for homeowners who are interested in refinancing their current mortgage to compare all of the options thoroughly before making a decision. It is best to seek assistance from a trusted mortgage professional. They can help with specific information and guidance with the selection of the right a loan program for each homeonwers needs.

27
Aug
By support
Home Mortgage Tips

Buying a New Home? Three Tips on How to Get the Best Mortgage Rate

Buying a New Home in 2015? Three Tips on How to Get the Best Mortgage RateBuying a new home is one of the biggest steps that a person can take. Prior to taking out a home loan, you want to ensure that you get the best interest rate for your mortgage. The lower your rate is, the less you’ll pay over the long run. In today’s blog post we’ll share three key tips that will help you get the best possible mortgage rate.

Tip 1: Look For Special Programs

The Federal Housing Administration, better known as the FHA, offers a program designed for those looking at buying homes. This program lets applicants apply for loans and get access to better interest rates. The FHA guarantees that loan and agrees to pay off the funds if the borrower defaults.

The USDA can also help those interested in purchasing homes in rural areas. This can include farmland, ranches and homes located in smaller towns across the country. The USDA developed this program as a way to increase the population in certain areas.

Other programs are available through HUD, especially for those who never owned a home before. HUD is intended to help new homeowners buy homes in underdeveloped and up-and-coming areas. There are also special programs open for those who work as teachers, firefighters and in other positions that help the community at large.

Tip 2: Request Quotes

Not requesting quotes is one of the biggest mistakes that new shoppers make. Did you know that your interest rate can drop by a few percentage points or more just by comparison shopping? Lenders use different criteria when determining who can borrow money and the amount charged, and comparing those quotes can help you get the best fit for your situation.

Tip 3: Improve Your Credit Before Applying

Speaking of credit, one of the biggest factors that determines your interest rate is your credit score. A credit score of 700 or higher will get you a better interest rate than if you had a score of 650 or less. Improving your score before applying is one of the best ways to get a good rate.

Paying down your debt is an easy way to improve your score, but you can also pay your bills on time to get a better score. To learn more about new home financing, improving your credit score and interest rates available to you, be sure to contact your trusted mortgage professional.

25
Aug
By support
Home Mortgage Tips

A Few Common Misconceptions About Mortgage Pre-Qualification

Mythbusting: Correcting A Few Common Misconceptions About Mortgage Pre-qualificationIf you’re shopping around for mortgages, you’ve probably heard about pre-qualification processes – or maybe even received a pre-qualification offer in the mail. Lots of prospective homeowners hold misconceptions about what exactly pre-qualification is and how it works, and it leads them to opt into poor mortgage deals.

But by understanding how pre-qualification works, you’ll be able to find the right mortgage for you – at the best possible rate. So what is mortgage pre-qualification, and what isn’t it? Here are three common pre-qualification myths that you may have heard.

Myth: Mortgage Pre-qualification Commits You To A Specific Lender

Many homeowners mistakenly believe that being pre-qualified for a mortgage commits them to a specific lender. In truth, being pre-qualified only creates an opportunity for a lender to work with you.

The pre-qualification process doesn’t involve any loan contracts and doesn’t require you to pay the lender. Few homeowners know this, but you’re actually not at all committed to any particular lender until you sign the closing documents.

Pre-qualification is also generally a free process, although some lenders will ask you to pay the $20 fee it costs them to check your credit report. Typically no lender will ask you to pay more than $20 during pre-qualification.

Myth: Rate Shopping Hurts Your Credit Score

Another common myth is that shopping around for the best rate will hurt your credit score as a result of having multiple credit checks done. Some lenders may tell you this is true in order to discourage you from checking out other lenders. But according to FICO, mortgage inquiries aren’t handled the same way that other credit inquiries are.

Mortgage pre-qualification may seem like something you don’t want during a house hunt, but in truth, it’s really just a small gesture lenders make in order to make the mortgage process faster and simpler. If you’ve been pre-qualified for a mortgage, you will still need to go through the standard application process before you’re approved. To learn more about the mortgage application process, or to apply for your new mortgage today, contact your trusted mortgage professional.