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Loan Comparison: Interest Only Home Equity Loans Versus Balloon 2nd Mortgage

What is an interest only home equity loan? This is a loan where the principal borrowed is not paid back each month only the interest is repaid. The principal borrowed may be due in 10, 15 or 20 years. A borrower may decrease the amount of principal due in the future by making payments on the principal.

Interest only mortgages may be adjustable rate mortgages (ARM) or fixed rate mortgages. A fixed rate mortgage will have a set payment for the period of the loan. ARM mortgages will have a fixed rate initially for a six-month period, and then the rate will increase or decrease based on an index, prime rate or five-year treasury rate.

A balloon second mortgage is a short-term mortgage with a fixed rate of interest. Balloon mortgages require repayment of principal and interest. The monthly payments of principal are not based on the five-year term of the mortgage but a longer amortization period of 30 years. Balloon mortgages must be refinanced every five years at the expense of the borrower and subject to any dramatic increase in interest rates.

One of the advantages of the balloon second mortgage is the lower monthly payments could yield additional funds for debt consolidation and home improvements. With lower monthly payments the homeowner has more money to budget towards other expenses.

If the balloon mortgage is repayable in five years and the ARM is a 5/20 loan, both loans must be refinanced in five years. The balloon second mortgage must be refinanced with a new second mortgage, a line of credit or a home equity line at the expense of the borrower. ARM mortgage rates reset using a mechanical rate adjustment procedure set in the original contract and have a cap on the amount the rate of interest may be increased.

Currently the rates on balloon mortgages are generally lower then the rates on ARM mortgages. If one were sure that rates would be lower in five years, the balloon mortgage would be a wise choice. If one is unsure of future interest rates the security of knowing the maximum rate the interest can be five years in the future would be worth the slightly higher cost of the ARM mortgage.

Both of these second mortgage loans can co behind a negative amortization loan in 1st position, as long as the broker or lender allows the deferred interest loan. Check with your home equity lenders to make sure that they will allow you to get a home line of credit or second mortgage behind a payment option ARM.

If we had a crystal ball to look into the future the comparison would be simple. In a scenario with 15% interest rates the ARM would be the wise choice while in a scenario with 5% interest rates the balloon mortgage would be the wise choice. Unfortunately the uncertainty of the future of interest rates makes it clear there is some risk involved in making this decision.

Latest Information On Home Mortgages And Expert Advice On Home Equity Loans

Latest information on home mortgages

Buying your first home is a huge milestone and often a scary one. Be sure youre getting the best value for your money by learning about the different types of home mortgages available today and seeing available rates from competing mortgage lenders.

There are three sides to a mortgage: the amount of money you borrow, the interest rate youll pay on the loan, and the length of the mortgage.

The amount you borrow depends on the cost of the home and the size of your down payment. If you purchase a $300,000 home and make a down payment of $60,000, youll need a $240,000 loan.

The interest rate is one of the great variables when looking at mortgages and other home loans. There are two basic types of mortgages: fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs). Fixed-rate mortgages have just that a fixed rate of interest that never changes in the life of the loan, so your monthly payment will always be the same. An ARM has interest rates that tend to change according to the general credit market. This can work to your advantage when rates go down, but if market rates increase, the rates on your loan will likely increase at a similar rate. However, most ARMs have a cap on interest rates this will vary from lender to lender.

Nowadays buyers have much more flexibility in terms of the length of the loan. While most mortgages fall in the 15-30 year range, some lenders now offer 40 and 50 year mortgages. These longer term mortgages are ideal for people who want lower monthly rates and dont mind paying off their loan well into retirement. Of course, the longer the term of your mortgage, the more interest youll pay in the long run.

Expert advice on home equity loans

If youre a homeowner in need of some extra cash, a home equity loan may be the easiest solution. By using your home as collateral, you can borrow money for home improvement projects, personal expenses, auto payments, college education, and more. Whatever your financial needs are, being a homeowner could qualify you for a home equity loan or home equity line of credit.

The amount of money you can borrow depends on the amount of home equity you have. And this may be a much higher figure than you imagined. To determine your home equity, simply deduct the amount you owe on remaining mortgage payments from the appraised value of your home. If you own more than one property, your home equity is the combined equity of all of your properties.

Of course, details of a home equity loan need to be discussed with the lender. As with any loan, there are certain fees that apply. These vary according to the lender and need to be factored into your decision. They make include a property appraisal fee (to estimate your homes value), a non-refundable application fee, closing costs, taxes, and up-front charges.

Other factors to consider are the payment plan and how the loan is affected if you sell your home before the end of term. You may be required to pay loan off in full when you sell your house. The term of home equity loans can range from 5 to 30 years.

In the recent weeks many people is refinancing with new adjustable rates mortgages that keep monthly payments low.
Faced with a sharp increase in the monthly payments and a need to take cash out of their homes, people is refinancing eralier this year to keep payments the same.

By the time the loan rate goes up, your income will have increased enough to cover the higher payments.
Typically set at artificially low rates in the first years of the loan, these mortgages are then reset at the prevailing interest rates.

For borrowers, the bet was that interest rates would remain low. Now the first big wave of the loan boom is cresting more than $300 billion worth of adjustable-rate mortgages, or about 5% of all outstanding mortgage debt.

For instance, a typical borrower with a $200,000 ARM could see his monthly payments increase neraly 25%, when the ARM adjusts from 4.5 percent to 6.5 percent. In total dollars, that is an increase from $ 1013 a month to $ 1254.
Instead of paying more now, many borrowers are refinancing into their second or third adjustable-rate mortgage.

So far, the number of borrowers refinancing this way is relatively small but mortgage industry official expect the numbers will surge next 2007. In doing so,these borrowers are pushing out any eventual shock of higher payments by another two or three years, if not longer.
For now this mini-debt consolidation boom is assuaging fears that rising interest rates and higher monthly payments would drive some borrowers into foreclosure or force them to scale back sharply on other spending.

This refinancing represents also a doubling down on a bet that housing prices will continue to rise; if the value of the home falls closer to the amount of the loan, that could affect the possibility of refinance, and may prompt the homeowner to either invest more the home or to sell it.

Adjustable loans come in many forms; most have low and fixed rates initially, many also let borrowers pay only interest portion of debt or even less than that. After the introductory period ends, lenders require bigger payments and can raise interest rates.

Bankruptcy And Buying A Home Types Of Bad Credit Mortgage Loans

Buying a home after a bankruptcy doesnt limit the types of mortgage loans you can qualify for. If anything, you have more loan options with subprime lenders. However, depending on how soon your bankruptcy was resolved, you may find that you pay higher rates and down payments to secure your home financing.

Available Bad Credit Home Loans

In recent years, subprime lenders have come up with a number of new financing terms for home loans. So even with adverse credit, you can still get 100% financing or a 30 year fixed rate mortgage. Interest only loans and adjustable rate mortgages are also good options to increase your buying power.

If you are looking to secure financing over the conventional price caps, then subprime lenders can also offer you jumbo loans. All loan terms are flexible, as well as fees and conditions.

Hurdles Of A Bankruptcy

Right after a bankruptcy, your credit score will require you to put down a sizeable down payment with lenders, usually around 50%. But after the first year, you can reduce your down payment to just 25%. In two years, you can qualify for zero down and conventional rates.

It is only after the first two years of a bankruptcy that your credit score will be significantly affected. After that, financing companies look at other facets of your credit, such as payment history, debt ratio, and employment outlook.

Get A Better Deal With A Better Lender

Subprime lenders compete for your business by offering low rates and fees. While there are certainly some companies that would take advantage of your credit situation, you can protect yourself by being a smart consumer.

Start by researching a number of loan companies. Ask for loan quotes based on your credit and income. After looking at the APR and fine print, you can make a decision on which mortgage loan is right for you.

You can also get pre-approved for your home financing. Not only will it help you in the home buying process, but it will also give you an idea of your financing budget. With online lenders, you can complete your application in minutes and have funds available in as little as two weeks.

Bankruptcy And Buying A Home Types Of Bad Credit Mortgage Loans

Buying a home after a bankruptcy doesnt limit the types of mortgage loans you can qualify for. If anything, you have more loan options with subprime lenders. However, depending on how soon your bankruptcy was resolved, you may find that you pay higher rates and down payments to secure your home financing.

Available Bad Credit Home Loans

In recent years, subprime lenders have come up with a number of new financing terms for home loans. So even with adverse credit, you can still get 100% financing or a 30 year fixed rate mortgage. Interest only loans and adjustable rate mortgages are also good options to increase your buying power.

If you are looking to secure financing over the conventional price caps, then subprime lenders can also offer you jumbo loans. All loan terms are flexible, as well as fees and conditions.

Hurdles Of A Bankruptcy

Right after a bankruptcy, your credit score will require you to put down a sizeable down payment with lenders, usually around 50%. But after the first year, you can reduce your down payment to just 25%. In two years, you can qualify for zero down and conventional rates.

It is only after the first two years of a bankruptcy that your credit score will be significantly affected. After that, financing companies look at other facets of your credit, such as payment history, debt ratio, and employment outlook.

Get A Better Deal With A Better Lender

Subprime lenders compete for your business by offering low rates and fees. While there are certainly some companies that would take advantage of your credit situation, you can protect yourself by being a smart consumer.

Start by researching a number of loan companies. Ask for loan quotes based on your credit and income. After looking at the APR and fine print, you can make a decision on which mortgage loan is right for you.

You can also get pre-approved for your home financing. Not only will it help you in the home buying process, but it will also give you an idea of your financing budget. With online lenders, you can complete your application in minutes and have funds available in as little as two weeks.

Mortgage loans are financial loans taken for real estate properties that the borrower has to repay with interest within a fixed period of time. A mortgage loan requires some sort of security for the lender. This security is called the collateral and in most cases, it is the real estate property itself for which the mortgage loan has been taken. Since the property itself is kept as the collateral, no further security is needed.

The person who lends the mortgage loan is called the mortgagee, while the person who borrows the loan is called the mortgagor. The mortgagee and mortgagor are bound by the mortgage loan agreement. The agreement entitles the mortgagor to receive a financial loan from the mortgagee. The promissory note in the agreement secures the mortgagee, which entitles them to the collateral and a promise made by the mortgagor to repay the mortgage loan in due time. In the USA, the typical period for a mortgage loan may be 10, 15, 20 or 30 years.

There are two fundamental types of mortgage loans in the USA fixed-rate mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages. Fixed-rate mortgages have interest rates that are locked for the life of the mortgage, while adjustable-rate mortgages have interest rates that may go up or down according to some market index. Hence, fixed-rate mortgages provide security to the mortgagor, while adjustable-rate mortgages provide security to the mortgagee. If there are dues on monthly payments, then they are added together and constitute a balloon mortgage loan.

The process of buying a loan is called originating the loan. This is done between the mortgagor and the mortgagee, sometimes involving a mortgage broker. The broker charges a commission on every loan originated, which is collected from either the mortgagor or the mortgagee. A brokers involvement increases the cost of the entire mortgage.

Mortgage loans below 80% of the entire property value need added security for the mortgagee. This is done in the form of insurance policies, called mortgage insurance. The premiums of mortgage insurance policies are passed on to the borrower in their monthly payments. However, if the mortgagor makes at least 20% of the down payment, then the mortgage insurance may be waived.

In the US, there are several types of mortgages available. The most important mortgages are those which are originated by the Federal Housing Administration. These very popular loans are called Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae loans. Fannie Mae mortgages are the most popular types of mortgage loans in the USA.

Adjustable Rate Mortgages: This Home Mortgage Loan May Not Be For The Weak At Heart

I heard the news about another interest rate hike and thought it was about time to look into refinancing my mortgage. I contacted my mortgage company first.

“I am interested in a fixed mortgage rate.” I said.

“May I ask why that is?” The broker asked politely.

“I don’t want to deal with the risk of rising interest rates. At my age, I cannot afford the risk.

“Looking at your last ten years of history, you have done pretty well with the adjustable rate. In fact, you had paid less in interest than most people with a fixed loan. May I suggest that we look at some adjustable rates, which are even less than the rate youre paying and with caps you dont have to worry about the interest rate hikes. I think we can save you a few hundred dollars off your monthly payment.”

At this point the broker took a breather so that I can say, “No thank you. I am only interested in a fixed rate mortgages.” “I don’t understand. Are you not interested in saving money?” He asked before launching into a lecture that had a mix of economy 101, budgeting 1, a dash of fortune telling and a healthy and totally unrealistic optimism of future trend in interest rates.

When he was done I explained to him that I recall the 18%-19% interest on mortgage loans in the early 1980’s that he seemed too young to remember. I pointed out that on a $100,000 loan, the 18% interest is $1,500 per month on the mortgage interest alone. If you have a $200,000 loan the interest alone would be a back-breaking payment of $3,000 per month.

I knew he thought I am out of my mind thinking about an 18% mortgage interest rate in todays environment. At the end we ended the phone conversation without any resolution. The gap in understanding wasnt about fixed rate mortgages vs adjustable rate mortgages (ARM). The gap was in age, experience, expectation, hopes and fears; a gap too wide to bridge.

To understand this gap, lets look at the adjustable rate mortgages. This type of mortgage loan is usually lower than the fixed rate and the lower rate means lower payment that in turn means easier qualification.

When lenders are considering your mortgage loan application, they look at what percentage of your income is available for repaying their loan. With an income of $5,000 per month, a $2,000 loan payment is 40% of your income and a $1,000 payment is 20% of your income. The closer you get to $1,000 or 20% of your income, the easier it is to qualify for the loan. This easier qualification appeals to younger people who are just starting and those with income limitation.

Adjustable mortgage rates appeal to young people with an innate optimism, hopes of increased income and the high possibility of moving to a different home in a short period of time. They need to look at what they can afford to pay and cannot worry too much about the distant future. To them anything is better than renting which is absolute waste of money.

There are also those older individuals who have suffered from some set back in life and do not enjoy a high credit score or do not have a very high income. Since a poor credit score increases the interest rate a bank offers to potential borrowers, a fixed rate may be too high for these individuals to consider.

Lets take a look at some terms that help you understand ARM better.

Margin – This is the lender’s markup and where they make their profits. The margin is added to the index rate to determine your total interest rate.

ARM Indexes – These are benchmarks that lenders use to determine how much the mortgage should be adjusted. The more stable the index is the more stable your adjustable loan remains. Consider both the index and the margin when you are shopping around.

Adjustment Period – Refers to the holding period in which your interest rate will not change. You will come across ARM figures like 5-1 that means your mortgage interest remains the same for five years and then it will adjust every year.

Interest Rate Caps – This is the maximum interest a lender can charge you.

Periodic caps – The lenders may limit how much they can increase your loan within an adjustment period. Not all ARMs have periodic rate caps.

Overall caps- Mortgage lenders may also limit how much the interest rate can increase over the life of the loan. Overall caps have been required by law since 1987. Payment Caps – The maximum amount your monthly payment can increase at each adjustment.

Negative Amortization – In most cases a portion of your payment goes toward paying down the principal and reducing your total debt. But when the payment is not enough to even cover the interest due, the unpaid amount is added back to the loan and your total mortgage loan obligation is increased. In short, if this continues you may owe more than you started with.

Negative amortization is the possible downside of the payment cap that keeps monthly payments from covering the cost of interest.

As you compare lenders, loans and rates remember Henry Moore who said, “What’s important is finding out what works for you.”

Adjustable rate mortgages (ARM), developed when mortgage interest rates were high, can help you finance the purchase of a home with low interest rates. An ideal choice for those who expect their income to rise or move in a couple of years, an ARM also increases your risk for higher payments. Fortunately, lenders also offer safeguards to limit some of your risk to excessively high interest rates.

ARM Features

An ARM starts with a low interest rate, up to 3% lower than a fixed rate mortgage. With lower rates, you usually qualify to borrow more than with a fixed rate home loan.

ARMs usually start with a fixed rate period and end with fluctuating yearly interest rates, increasing or decreasing your monthly payment. So a 3/1 ARM means 3 years of fixed rates with interest rates changing every year after that. Interest rates are based on an index, usually the rate on the T-bill or LIBOR, and the margin the lender adds to the index.

ARM Safeguards

In order to protect borrowers from sky-rocketing monthly payments, mortgage lenders put in place safeguards. For example, a point cap limits how much interest rates can rise monthly and over the life of the loan. There are also ceiling limits on how low rates can go, protecting the lender.

Another safeguard is a dollar cap on monthly payments. However, if interest rates rise higher than the dollar cap allows, you may end up with a longer loan. Many financing companies also allow you to convert your ARM to a fixed rate mortgage after a predetermined period.

ARM Considerations

While an ARM has many benefits, there are other considerations to look at. For instance, interest rates can rise 4% or more over the course of your home loan. If you plan to stay in your home for several years, a fixed rate may offer lower interest costs in the long term. ARMs are also unpredictable, which makes planning long term financing goals difficult.

Before you apply for an ARM, make sure you are comfortable with the level of risk involve. However, if you expect your income to rise in the future or to move, then you may be saving yourself a lot of money in interest payments with an ARM.

An effective tool used by home buyers, ARM or Adjustable Rate Mortgages, offers a lower interest rate at the beginning of the loan and the risk of a hike in rates is shared by the borrower and lender.

ARM, is ideal if you are certain about rising income expectations and short-term home ownership. There are four basic aspects. One is that the initial interest rate is fixed 1-3 percentage points lower than fixed rate mortgages. Second there is what is known as adjustment interval, when after the initial period has elapsed the rate is modified in keeping with prevalent rates. Third, an index against which lenders can measure the difference between the interest earned on the loan and what would be earned in actuality in other investments. And, fourth, the component added by the lender to the index, usually 1.5-2.5 percent.

An ARM has in addition, safeguards like interest rate caps. This limits the amount of interest rate that can be applied to the payment during adjustment. Normally this cap would be about 2% point cap over the life of the loan.

ARM is ideal when it lends you buying power. You can opt to buy a property with a higher value and still pay a lower initial monthly payment. If you know for certain that you will reside in the house you are buying for a maximum of 5-7 years then ARM is the mortgage that will save you money. If you are prepared to take risks then ARM offers the greatest possible savings especially if the rate stays steady or declines over the years.

ARM is a calculated risk as there are no certainties. However if at the end of five years your plans change and you are about to continue in the same home for another 10 years then it is prudent for you to switch from ARM to a fixed rate mortgage.

1st And 2nd Mortgage Refinance Loan – Why Refinance Both Mortgages?

The hassle of making two monthly mortgage payments has prompted many homeowners to consider refinancing their 1st and 2nd mortgages into one loan. While combining both loans into one mortgage is convenient, and may save you money, homeowners should carefully weigh the risks and advantages before choosing to refinance their mortgages.

Benefits Associated with Combining 1st and 2nd Mortgages

Aside from consolidating your mortgages and making one monthly payment, a mortgage consolidation may lower your monthly payments to mortgage lenders. If you acquired your 1st or 2nd mortgage before home loan rates began to decline, you are likely paying an interest rate that is at least two points above current market rates. If so, a refinancing will greatly benefit you. By refinancing both mortgages with a low interest rate, you may save hundreds on your monthly mortgage payment.

Furthermore, if you accepted a 1st and 2nd mortgage with an adjustable mortgage rate, refinancing both loans at a fixed rate may benefit you in the long run. Even if your current rates are low, these rates are not guaranteed to remain low. As market trends fluctuated, your adjustable rate mortgages are free to rise. Higher mortgage rates will cause your mortgage payment to climb considerably. Refinancing both mortgages with a fixed rate will ensure that your mortgage remains predictable.

Disadvantages to Refinancing 1st and 2nd Mortgage

Before choosing to refinance your mortgages, it is imperative to consider the drawbacks of combining both mortgages. To begin, refinancing a mortgage involves the same procedures as applying for the initial mortgage. Thus, you are required to pay closing costs and fees. In this case, refinancing is best for those who plan to live in their homes for a long time.

If your credit score has dropped considerably within recent years, lenders may not approve you for a low rate refinancing. By refinancing and consolidating both mortgages, be prepared to pay a higher interest rate. Before accepting an offer, carefully compare the savings.

Moreover, refinancing your two mortgages may result in you paying private mortgage insurance (PMI). PMI is required for home loans with less than 20% equity. To avoid paying private mortgage insurance, homeowners may consider refinancing both mortgages separately, as opposed to consolidating both mortgage loans.