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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.

Sub-Prime Mortgage Loan – How Sub-Prime Loans Differ From Conventional Loans

Sub-prime mortgage loans offer more flexibility than their conventional mortgage loan cousins. With terms determined by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, conventional loans have strict guidelines on loan amounts, terms, and PMI requirements. With sub-prime mortgages, lenders can provide more choices with an increase in rates.

The Limits Of A Conventional Loan

Conventional loans are often sought for their low rates. But those low rates come with limitations. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae buy mortgages after they have been processed by a financial company. This frees up money for the lender to make more loans. However, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have tight guidelines on what types of loans they will purchase.

Among these limitations are caps on loan amounts. In 2006 the limits were set at $417,000 for a single family house. Every year these caps are reevaluated. Conventional home loans also require you to carry private mortgage insurance if you borrow more than 80% of the homes value.

To qualify for a conventional mortgage, you must have good credit, cash assets, and steady employment history.

The Options Of A Sub-Prime Loan

Sub-prime home loans provides financing for those with poor credit or unusual application terms. This can include jumbo loans, exceeding the limits of a conventional loan. People with unusual or unpredictable jobs may also find an easier time getting financing with a sub-prime lender.

Sub-prime mortgage terms are determined by the individual lender. So you can get a zero down loan with a poor credit score. You can also find near market rates by placing a large down payment at closing. Private mortgage insurance is not required with a sub-prime mortgage, potentially saving you hundreds a year in premium costs.

Getting The Right Mortgage For You

Most financing companies handle both types of loans, so you can easily get quotes for both types. To find the right mortgage, you have to take the time to crutch the numbers.

Look at the APR to determine the total cost of the loan. But also factor in any plans to move or refinance in the future. By turning over your home loan in a few years, you dont want to pay out large application fees for low rates that dont have time to save you money

Online Mortgage Brokers – What You Might Not Know About Home Loans & The Internet

You may think that applying online for a mortgage is the same as applying with a broker in the ‘real world’, only more convenient.

While applying for a mortgage online is much more convenient, and sure to help you get a lower rate because of the amount of competition online, there is another benefit to using the internet when applying for a loan.

Sometimes when you meet a broker and he/she takes a look at your financial qualifications, they might say, we can get you this rate. And that’s it. That is your loan option with that broker. Most brokers have the mentality of wanting to process as many mortgage loans as quickly as possible, which is understandable. Well, one thing that you might want to know to help yourself out is that there are literally hundreds of different mortgage programs available. Most brokers and lenders will not explain to you the mortgage options you do have. They usually have a few favorite programs and will just use those over and over since they know them.

A great way to help yourself is to research loan programs online. One benefit of the interne is that there are many informative articles and information to help you understand the pro’s and cons of every kind of loan program, FHA loans, balloon mortgages, VA loans, graduated payment mortgages, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans.

Once I started doing my research online and reading through the mortgage company websites online, I was amazed to discover that there are mortgage loans online that I would have liked to had when I first bought my house, but I didn’t even know they existed and they were never offered to me by my broker. I would have saved myself a lot of money had I done my research online first.

To view our list of recommended mortgage lenders online, visit this page: http://www.abcloanguide.com/mortgageloans.shtml.

Low Credit Score Mortgage Loans – How To Get A Better Loan Rate

Loan rates depend on many factors outside of market rates. Your credit score, the propertys value, and company policies all affect what you will pay for your mortgage. With so many variables, you can get a better loan rate with some careful research.

Revaluate Your Credit Profile

There are many factors that influence your credit score besides payment history. Income, assets, and debt to income ratio are important to lenders. So even with a recent foreclosure, a high level of cash assets could qualify you for a decent rate.

Lending companies dont automatically use the FICO score to rank your loan application. The financing company may use there own standards or allow loan officers to make decisions. This is where a letter in your credit report explaining extenuating circumstances, such as a job loss or illness, can help. Just be prepared to verify the information if the lender asks.

Take A Close Look At Your Property

Your propertys value can also affect your rates. A property in an area with a proven history of increasing home values is easier to qualify for low rates.

Conventional loans, those sponsored by government entities such as Fannie Mae, have lower rates with their loan caps. Larger loans, also known as jumbo loans, will have higher rates.

Improve Your Down Payment

A large down payment can also improve your rates. 20% is a good starting figure, but more is better. Right after a bankruptcy, you may have to put up as much as 50% to secure a loan.

Select Adjustable Rates

Adjustable rate mortgages also offer low rates, at least initially. Usually you will have one to seven years with a low fixed rate. This low payment will help you to qualify to borrow more.

However, after your initial period, mortgage rates will rise and fall based on a specified market index. Caps will offer you some protection from drastic increases in payments. You may also have the option to refinance to lock in low rates.

Take the time to read about rates and terms. Ask for lots of quotes and play with changes in terms to improve your rates.

Low Credit Score Mortgage Loans – How To Get A Better Loan Rate

Loan rates depend on many factors outside of market rates. Your credit score, the propertys value, and company policies all affect what you will pay for your mortgage. With so many variables, you can get a better loan rate with some careful research.

Revaluate Your Credit Profile

There are many factors that influence your credit score besides payment history. Income, assets, and debt to income ratio are important to lenders. So even with a recent foreclosure, a high level of cash assets could qualify you for a decent rate.

Lending companies dont automatically use the FICO score to rank your loan application. The financing company may use there own standards or allow loan officers to make decisions. This is where a letter in your credit report explaining extenuating circumstances, such as a job loss or illness, can help. Just be prepared to verify the information if the lender asks.

Take A Close Look At Your Property

Your propertys value can also affect your rates. A property in an area with a proven history of increasing home values is easier to qualify for low rates.

Conventional loans, those sponsored by government entities such as Fannie Mae, have lower rates with their loan caps. Larger loans, also known as jumbo loans, will have higher rates.

Improve Your Down Payment

A large down payment can also improve your rates. 20% is a good starting figure, but more is better. Right after a bankruptcy, you may have to put up as much as 50% to secure a loan.

Select Adjustable Rates

Adjustable rate mortgages also offer low rates, at least initially. Usually you will have one to seven years with a low fixed rate. This low payment will help you to qualify to borrow more.

However, after your initial period, mortgage rates will rise and fall based on a specified market index. Caps will offer you some protection from drastic increases in payments. You may also have the option to refinance to lock in low rates.

Take the time to read about rates and terms. Ask for lots of quotes and play with changes in terms to improve your rates.

The definition of a Jumbo Mortgage is a mortgage loan whose total amount is higher than the standard conventional limits. Jumbo loans are simply mortgages for higher-than-normal loan amounts. The gold standard of normal in the lending industry is what is called a conforming, conventional loan; that is, a loan that conforms to the secondary market agencies conventional underwriting requirements regarding credit, income/asset verification, property features, etc.

As of February 20th, 2007, the maximum amount for this conforming loan is $417,000 for a single unit property, $533,850 for a 2-unit property, $645,300 for a 3-unit property and $801,950 for a 4-unit property. The conventional limit for second loans is $208,500 and all loan limits are 50% higher for properties in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These limits change periodically with the real estate market.

Most lenders are willing to lend over and above these conforming amounts, but the larger jumbo loan amount translates into a larger risk for the lender should you default on the loan. Simply stated, the more the bank lends, the more it stands to lose if something goes wrong and they need to foreclose on that property.

Because the lender is taking an increase in risk with the size of the loan, they will typically charge a higher interest rate than they would on a loan that is within the conventional loan limits. All lenders vary in the premium they add for jumbo loans, but a good rule of thumb is to expect to pay an interest rate about 0.5% higher than you would for an otherwise identical conforming loan.

With conventional lenders, these jumbo loan amounts are set in stone, particularly if they are backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. In other words, a mortgage for $417,000 from one lender at 6% will almost always be about 6.5% for a loan of $417,001 from the same lender.

Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac Mortgage Loans – Conforming Loans Provide Low Interest Rates

Conforming loans provide low interest rates since they are almost guaranteed to be purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which allows more funds to be available for borrowers. However, these corporations have terms, such as maximum loan, that limit how much you can borrow. If you dont meet their terms, you will need to apply for a non-conventional loan with slightly higher interest rates.

Loan Purchasers

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are stockholder owned companies that purchase mortgages, package them into securities, and then resells them to investors. This allows banks and other financing companies to lend to more customers since their capital is not tied up in long-term loans.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have strict requirements for purchasing loans. Basically, they want to reduce their risk level so they put a cap on loan amounts, credit score, income level, and down payment.

Conforming Loan Amounts

Each year Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac create new guidelines for loan amounts. In 2005, a mortgage limit for a single-family dwelling is $359,650. Limits for multiple family dwelling are significantly higher, roughly an additional $100,000 per family. Maximum loan amounts are also 50% higher in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands since property prices are higher.

Second mortgages also have their limit. In 2005 the limit was $179,825, but the total mortgaged amount of both loans could not exceed $359,650. As with first mortgages, second mortgages can also be 50% higher in designated areas.

Non-Conforming Loans

There are other loan options if you dont qualify for a conforming loan. If you need to borrow more than the maximum conforming loan amount, then you will want to apply for a jumbo loan. Because these types of loans are handled on a smaller scale, their rates are slightly higher than a conforming loan.

If you have poor credit or little down payment, you can use a subprime lender who specialized in lending to B/C type loans. You can expect to pay higher rates with these lenders, but many offer favorable terms. To find the best deal and to avoid scams, you must research your lender. Compare rates and terms until you find a favorable financing package.

A jumbo mortgage loan is one whose total amount is over $417,000 – Loans above this threshold are only slightly different than those below, yet those differences can be dramatic to borrowers unfamiliar with such a marketplace. It is also important to note that the ceiling for standard mortgage loans as opposed to Jumbo loans is not set in stone and is therefore subject to change at any time. This amount is decided by the two largest lending organizations in the Untied States, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

One of the most significant differences with a jumbo mortgage loan will be the interest rate – Since lenders consider homes with sale prices above the threshold to be luxury residences, they have presented a potential concern regarding successful resale of such homes, as well as an indication that appraisal values in this category do not increase as steadily as those homes below the jumbo cap. For this reason, the lenders imply that they are taking on more risk with such places, therefore higher interest rates are required to offset such liability.

Right alongside the higher interest rate will be a higher down payment requirement – It is almost impossible to obtain financing for a jumbo mortgage without a down payment, and this is directly related to the potential risks described above. Most jumbo mortgage lenders will require a minimum of 5-10%, and the amount will be dependent on the borrowers credit.

Stricter documentation required – Since the majority of jumbo mortgage loans are with alternative lenders such as insurance companies and private investment groups, these organizations will commonly have stricter documentation requirements that may include income and asset verification beyond what the standard mortgage lenders request. Also, these alternative lenders will usually have loan programs that allow for longer loan terms than those offered to borrowers below the jumbo threshold. Typically, jumbo mortgages can have terms stretching as long as 40 or even 50 years.

Jumbo Loans are Becoming Prevalent – With the steady increase of residential real estate in the United States, the necessity of jumbo mortgage loans is becoming more and more prevalent. Certain geographic regions have property values that have recently increased dramatically, therefore the increased instances of jumbo mortgages can be tracked by location. Borrowers, especially those in such areas, must familiarize themselves with the different aspects of the jumbo loans to ensure they are not caught off-guard or unprepared.