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In the past, homebuyers more or less had limited mortgage loan options. These days, there are more options than you can shake a stick at, but heres a primer on the basics.

Mortgage Loans

With the real estate market explosion over the last 10 years, a call has gone out for unique mortgage loan programs. Bankers have been more than happy to answer the call. For many borrowers, traditional mortgage loans still fit the bill. Heres an introduction.

1. Conforming Loans The loans comply with requirements set down by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two government sponsored entities that buy and sell loans from mortgage lenders. These entities put strict caps on the loans they will buy, with single-family homes having a mortgage cap in the range of $360,000. With the booming real estate market, many areas such as San Diego do not come close to fitting into the conforming loan market since homes average in the $600,000 range.

2. Non-Conforming Loans Known as Jumbo Loans, these mortgages are written for loans that exceed the $360,000 cap mentioned previously. They tend to have slightly higher interest rates, but are readily available.

3. Bad Credit Loans In the mortgage industry, mortgage brokers often refer to a borrowers paper. This paper refers to people with less than stellar credit. B paper refers to relatively small problems, while D paper refers to bigger issues such as bankruptcy filings. The worse your paper, the more you can expect to pay in interest, points and down payment amounts. You need to carefully determine whether paying these extra penalties makes financial sense.

Interest Rates

With each of the above loans, youll have an option of going with a fixed interest rate or an adjustable rate. Fixed interest rates simply set a definitive interest rate that will be charged over the length of the loan. Adjustable rates typically start at a figure lower than fixed rates, but can be moved up to reflect changes in the cost of borrowing money. In many ways, you are betting whether interest rates will increase in the future.

For a great majority of people, basic mortgage loan options still suffice when it comes to borrowing money. Dont fret if you have problems qualifying for these loans. There are many other options on the market these days.

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With flexible payments and terms, todays mortgage lenders offer a wide variety of loan products. Who benefits? Frequently, its borrowers with less-than-perfect credit.

Lets say you want to refinance your mortgage or apply for a new home equity loan, but are concerned about your spotty credit history. The solution could be a so-called bad credit home loan. These mortgage loans are specifically designed to assist borrowers consolidate debt quickly while keeping their monthly payments affordable. Best of all, you dont have to have a spotless credit record to qualify.

How does bad credit affect your mortgage?
Your credit score plays a key role in many aspects of your life, including the process of applying for a loan. Lenders scrutinize your payment history on all previous loans, bankruptcy filings, and other financial factors when deciding whether or not to approve your application. If the lender isnt happy with your credit history, you could be required to make a larger down payment or accept a higher interest rate.

Fortunately, bad credit home loans are geared to borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. You can choose cash-out refinancing, which allows you to trade your existing mortgage for a new one and receive additional cash. Many homeowners use the cash to eliminate higher-interest balances such as credit card accounts. Just remember: the money is drawn from your home equity and making a withdrawal will deplete your stake in the home investment.

Same rules apply to a Home Equity loan. Also known as a second mortgage, these popular loans are disbursed in a single lump sum, generally at a fixed rate. Homeowners frequently use home equity loans to consolidate their unsecured personal debt such as auto loans, student loans, or credit card accounts.

How can I improve my credit score?
Paying off your credit cards and settling any outstanding loans will certainly help, but if you have a history of late or missed payments, it wont undo the damage overnight. Improving your credit score takes time, so after paying down your debts, make an effort to consistently pay your bills on time.

Incidentally, if youre comparing multiple lender offers, you neednt worry about your credit score taking multiple hits or affecting your score adversely. Credit scorers treat multiple mortgage inquiries as a single inquiry, provided they fall within a 45-day window. Just be sure your comparison-shopping falls within this time frame.

For an accurate picture of your finances, request your credit scores from the three bureaus and see where you stand. Scrutinize your accounts for possible inaccuracies or signs of identity theft. Your efforts to secure a bad credit loan will improve greatly when you can see what your lenders see.