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When it comes to financing your home, you have a few options to take into consideration. It can be confusing and you may not know the difference between the options or know which one is right for you. Lets take a look at the three most popular mortgage loan options.

Fixed mortgage loans

Fixed mortgage rate loans are the most popular type of home loan. With this type of loan you will know upfront what your monthly payment will be for the life of your loan.

The 30 year fixed rate loan is probably the most common loan selected by home buyers because the loan is spread over a longer span of time which reduces the monthly payment required each month. However, it increases the amount you have to pay over time due to interest as opposed to a shorter term loan.

The 15 year fixed rate loan allows you to pay off your home if fifteen years and is a popular choice for home buyers that can afford a higher monthly payment. You will only pay half the interest you would otherwise pay with a 30 year loan.

Biweekly loans are usually tied in with a 30 year fixed rate loan. Payments are made every two weeks instead of monthly. This lowers the amount of interest you have to pay and means your home will be paid off a few years sooner.

Adjustable rate loans

The adjustable rate mortgage can be tricky for those that dont understand how it works or are on a tight budget. The amount you pay each month depends on the current interest rate. Therefore it is possible your payments will increase as time goes on.

Convertible loans

This type of loan allows you to switch from a fixed rate loan to an adjustable loan or vice versa. This gives you flexibility in the years ahead to switch your loan type to get the lowest interest rates and lowest house payments.

Interest only loan

If you work on commission or receive a big bonus each year as part of your salary, you may be interested in an interest only loan. With this type of loan, you just make the interest payments each month until you get your bonus, and then you make a lump sum payment on your mortgage.

Balloon loan

A balloon loan is a fixed rate loan that has small monthly payments which span around seven years. Then at the end of seven years you must pay off the loan in a lump sum payment or refinance the loan.

Reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage is for those with a lot of equity built up in their home. The loan requires no mouthy payment, however the loan needs to be paid off if you sell your house.

FHA mortgage

This type of mortgage loan is a good match for first time home buyers and those with little money for a down payment. FHA loans require a smaller down payment than conventional loans and the monthly payments are also less.

Veterans loan

Veterans loans are only for those who have served in the armed forces and their survivors. No down payment is required for this type of loan.

You can see there are quite a few choices to mull over. The best idea is to consult with your realtor, financial advisor, or other professional to help guide you through the types of loans available and how to choose the one best for you.

Although there are variations in a second mortgage and the home equity loan, many homeowners are still confused about the difference between the two. Second mortgages are a type of home equity loan; however, home equity loans are usually termed as a line of credit. For making the most of the built up equity, it is essential to determine whether a second mortgage or a home equity loan is the right decision.

Before you decide upon any of the two, you ought to know the basics of second mortgage and the home equity loan.

Second Mortgage Vs Home Equity Loan

Second mortgages pay out a predetermined sum of money, as either a line of credit, in monthly installments or all at once. It is then paid back in a particular schedule just like the original mortgage. Dissimilar to refinancing, second mortgages do not supersede the initial mortgage.

Typically, second mortgages are 5 to 30-year mortgage loans that have a fixed rate of interest. Just like the original mortgage loans, the points and interest rate would be based on the present credit history, the current interest rate, and pricing of the house. The interest rates on a second mortgage are a little higher and the fees lower.

In contrast, home equity loans are similar to the credit card, and may even include credit cards for making purchases. When an individual has equity on the house, he or she can acquire extra cash by means of the home equity loan.

These loans can be paid at the same time or in small payments. Some people get their money through the line of credit that lets them withdraw money whenever needed. Very similar to credit cards, home equity loans have a certain amount of interest charged and the amount to be borrowed is decided based on the individuals creditworthiness.

For determining the limits of a home equity loan, the lender would gauge appraised value of the house and start calculations at 75 % of the given value. Thereafter, the lender would deduct the outstanding balance owed on the given mortgage.

Present financial needs would help in determining the type of loan. If money were required for a one-time expense, like paying for wedding preparations, it would be best to go for fixed-rate second mortgages.

If frequent needs for additional cash would arise in future, it would be smarter to opt for a home equity loan line of credit. Line of credit lets homeowners borrow money whenever needed and, if repayments were done equally quickly money would be more likely to be saved compared to second mortgages.

Moreover, it is essential to take into consideration the spending habits of an individual. If owning an additional credit card would make it more tempting to splurge more often, it could be very upsetting to obtain a home equity loan line of credit.

Home Mortgage Loan Refinancing Online – 3 Tips On Refinancing Your Home

When refinancing your home, it’s helpful to know a few things about refinancing. When you refinance, you usually pay off the old loan and sign for a new loan, whether you are refinancing your 1st mortgage, second mortgage or home equity loan. The expense that comes in to play when refinancing are the new closing costs and points charge for getting a new loan.

How much can you expect in closing costs for a refinance? Usually between 3-6% of the total loan amount. So, for a loan amount of $150,000, you can expect to pay around $7 in fees. Usually, a company that will say that have no closing costs, will also charge a higher interest rate to compensate. The mortgage broker has to make money somehow, they will either charge a higher interest rate or charge higher closing costs. The best way to compare refinance lenders is to analyze all of the expenses.

Should I pay down points on my loan? If you plan to stay in your home for more than 3 years, it may be smart for you to consider paying down points on the loan which reduces your interest rate. That pays off if you plan to stay in your home for a while, but if you plan to sell the home soon, you may lose more money paying down the points on the loan.

How can I know if I should refinance or not? If you are interested in finding out whether it would save you money in the long run to refinance with the current interest rate, there are financial calculators online that can help you determine if you would save money refinancing your house or not.

To view our list of recommended refinance mortgage companies online or to use a refi- calculator, please visit this page: http://www.abcloanguide.com/refinance.shtml

Reverse mortgages are becoming extremely popular with seniors in California since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created one of the first.

A California reverse home mortgage allows older Americans to supplement social security, meet unexpected medical expenses, make home improvements, and more.

A reverse mortgage allows the homeowner to convert a portion of the home equity into cash. Unlike a traditional home equity loan (HELOC) or second mortgage, repayment is not required until the borrower no longer uses the home as a principal residence.

To be eligible the borrower must be at least 62 years old; own the home and have a low mortgage balance that can be paid off at closing with proceeds from the California reverse mortgage loan, and must live in the home.
With a traditional second mortgage loan, or a California home equity line of credit (HELOC), there must be sufficient income versus debt ratio to qualify for the loan, and monthly mortgage payments are required.

The California reverse mortgage loan is different in that it pays the homeowner, and is available regardless of current income.

The reverse mortgage loan amount depends on borrower’s age, current interest rate, other loan fees, and the appraisal value.

The loan is not repayable as long as one of the borrowers continues to live in the house and keeps the taxes and insurance current.

If the home is sold or no longer used as a primary residence, the homeowner or the estate repays the reverse mortgage, plus interest and other fees, to the reverse mortgage lender.

The remaining home equity belongs to homeowner or heirs. No other assets will be affected by a California reverse mortgage loan and the debt will never be passed along to the estate or heirs.

For more information on a California reverse home mortgage loan call Goldmedalmortgage.com at 866 398 4664 or go to