The 50 Year Mortgage-Pros and Cons

With the 40 year mortgage becoming increasingly common in states such as California, where high home prices make mortgages less affordable for the average home-buyer, the latest mortgage product has been rolled out-the 50 year mortgage.

During the 1980s, mortgage interest rates in America topped 18%, prompting the introduction of the 40 year mortgage. The 40 year mortgage increased in popularity again in 2005, when Fannie Mae introduced a program to offer these extended-term mortgages. In 2007, approximately five percent of all mortgages are 40 year mortgages, with that figure reaching 25% in high-cost housing markets such as on the West Coast. With the 40 year mortgage becoming a more main-stream product, the 50 year mortgage has been introduced. While this type of mortgage further reduces the monthly cost of loan repayments, there are some definite disadvantages involved.

The Pros

The main advantage of choosing a 50 year mortgage is a fairly obvious one-the extended terms of the mortgage make monthly repayments lower, and it means that owning a home becomes more affordable. There's not always a huge difference between the monthly repayment on a 40 year mortgage and on a 50 year mortgage, but those few dollars can mean the difference between affording your own home now and having to wait a few more years to save a larger down-payment.

One of the important things to note about the 50 year mortgage is that after the first five years, the interest rate is adjustable. That means after the fixed-rate period is over, your interest rate can increase and decrease along with current market rates. This is one of the aspects of the 50 year mortgage that keeps that initial interest rate so low. If you're looking for a low-cost mortgage with a view to refinancing within five years, the 50 year mortgage can be a good way of approaching this.

Finally, the 50 year mortgage is typically a safer way of affording a home if you're unable to afford a conventional 30 year fixed-rate mortgage. Options such as interest only loans or balloon mortgages offer initial lower payments, but these come with some very risky drawbacks. Unlike other low-initial-cost mortgage options such as the interest-only mortgage, there's no possibility that you'll end up with negative amortization with a 50 year mortgage. This makes it a much safer way of achieving a lower-cost mortgage.

The Cons

Of course, the 50 year mortgage has some drawbacks of its own. Tacking that extra ten years onto the terms of the loan means you add a big chunk of interest, making the total cost of the loan significantly higher. That 50 year long will reduce the amount you must pay each month, but over the life of the loan it's going to cost you. In addition, the interest rate on a 50 year mortgage is typically slightly higher than with a 30 year or even a 40 year mortgage. Longer terms mean increased risk for the lender, and you pay for that risk with extra percentage points on your interest rate. It may not be much-less than 1%-but even that adds several thousand dollars to your loan total.

Another disadvantage with the 50 year loan is a result of the way in which mortgage payments are structured. All conventional mortgages are front-loaded with interest, meaning that the first years of repayments are almost all interest, and you don't start paying off a significant amount of principle immediately. The longer the terms of the mortgage, the longer it takes to build up equity in your home-more than twice as long to build up just 20% equity in comparison to a 30 year mortgage.

A related problem with this very slow build-up of equity occurs in cases where your down-payment is less than 20% of the home's appraised value. In these cases your lender typically requires you pay for private mortgage insurance until you reach that 20% equity figure. With a 50 year mortgage, it'll take much longer to reach 20%, so you'll be paying extra for private mortgage insurance for much longer than with any other type of loan.

What does this mean for Home-Buyers?

For people who find that the 30 or 40 year mortgages aren't affordable, the 50 year mortgage can make the dream of home-ownership a reality, but these mortgages are best used with a view to refinancing as soon as possible. The 50 year mortgage shouldn't be considered a long-term loan, simply because those extended terms are so expensive in the long run. As long as you're planning to refinance within five to ten years, the 50 year mortgage is a good alternative to riskier low-cost products such as the interest-only mortgage.

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How to Get the Best Mortgage for you

By the end of this article you should have more idea on how to get the best mortgage for you. The first thing to say is take your time, the mortgage that you do take out could be over 25 years so you want to ensure the mortgage that you pick is the right mortgage for you. Don’t rush into what may be your life’s biggest commitment, your mortgage, by taking what at face value can seem to be the best mortgage for you. Find out what mortgages are on offer from your local bank, building societies and even mortgage brokers. Taking time with your mortgage selection can mean, over time, you make greater savings on your mortgage.

By carrying out good market research for your mortgage, whether it is for the first house that you buy, a home improvement mortgage or a remortgage, ensure that you research it fully. You will need to know all the costs associated with your mortgage, from things like a valuation fee, fixed rate fee to the deposit required by your lender, to the equity you have in your home. All are important factors when considering a mortgage.

Make sure you get quotes

There are many mortgage lenders in the market today, and all have different terms and conditions that they can offer to you. Ensure that you get quotes for your mortgage from different sources. Building societies and banks are most people’s first port of call for a mortgage, but you could also arrange your mortgage via a mortgage broker. A mortgage broker could have access to many lenders and plans and this may be the way for you to research a whole host of mortgage products and mortgage lenders. Quotes for your mortgage are normally provided free by both mortgage brokers and building societies.

Check out the costs involved

Mortgages always come with a cost, whether this is your monthly repayment, the valuation fee, the solicitors costs, the indemnity guarantee or stamp duty. All are costs that can be associated with your mortgage. Research what the lenders fees are for your mortgage, or the mortgage broker’s fee, and ensure the rate and type is what you require.

A buzz word of the mortgage market is the APR the annual percentage rate (APR). The APR takes into account not only the interest rate but also broker fees and certain other credit charges that you may be required to pay, expressed as a yearly rate.

All lenders or brokers will give you an estimate of its fees and costs. The fees you pay for your mortgage can vary enormously, some you can add to your mortgage, some you will need to supply and you need to discuss them fully with your mortgage provider.

How to get the best mortgage for you

After you have carried out your research on the mortgage market and gained your mortgage quotations, take time to study and fully understand the mortgage you want. If you are not sure of anything ring them and discuss the parts of the mortgage that are of concern. Totally ensure the mortgage provider gives and supplies you with all that you want from that mortgage, whether this is the type, the rate, the term or the amount. All are important in getting the right mortgage for you.

When you have fully alleviated all of your queries about your mortgage and have reviewed and understand your mortgage and the quotations you have on your mortgage you are ready to go. Getting the best mortgage deal, mortgage rate or mortgage lender is not a science. By following the steps above you should easily find the mortgage that you require.

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The types of mortgages available in the UK

There is a huge array of options available when it comes to choosing the type of mortgage you want to go with. Mortgage types are split into two types in the UK. You can either choose a repayment mortgage or an interest only mortgage.

The latter type would see you only repay interest applied to the loan which would mean you are never actually paying back the principal sum borrowed so while your monthly payments may be lower you are not repaying the debt so it will take much lower to pay back the whole loan. Therefore in the long run when interest is taken into account you will actually be repaying a lot more to the mortgage lender.

The second option is to go with a repayment mortgage. This will mean the monthly payment to the mortgage lender will repay part mortgage loan and part interest. Therefore as you are clearing more of the mortgage each month your overall debt will be cleared sooner and at a lower cost. The obvious disadvantage is that your monthly payments will be much higher so you should take this into account when choosing a mortgage type.

A mortgage broker would be able to advise you on this and most would work out the deposit you need as well as workout your monthly repayments so you can compare how much you would be repaying to the mortgage lender each month.

In the current economic climate affordability is a major factor when taking out a mortgage. When choosing which mortgage type to go with, it is important to ensure you can make the monthly repayments but also ensure that the mortgage is of the best value to you. Most mortgage brokers will search the whole of the market, using their services will mean you can find the best deal for you. Mortgage rates are changing more frequently than ever as the Bank of England changes interest rates in its attempt to turn the economy around. It may be better to hold off until mortgage lending rates improve. Mortgage brokers can go through the different types of mortgages to ensure you are prepared when you do decide to take out a mortgage.

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Understanding Mortgages and Choosing the Best One to Suit Your Needs

Mortgages are extremely handy financial devices which many homeowners take advantage of these days. They allow individuals to finance their home which provides them with other benefits as a result thereof. For example, by obtaining a mortgage on the home, the homeowner can pay off their house little by little and still have enough money left over each month for other pertinent living expenses. The mortgage is a wonderful tool which individuals should consider if they are interested in financing the purchase of a home. Prior to signing loan documents, one should have a firm grasp of the different types of mortgages so that they are able to choose the best one for their needs.

Fixed Rate Mortgages

Fixed rate mortgages are one type of mortgage that is available to homeowners. The fixed rate mortgage is set for a certain number of years at a particular interest rate. Therefore, over the life of the loan the homeowner will know exactly how much they are paying in principal and how much they are paying in interest. The interest of the loan will not change during that time period. This is a good type of loan for those who are uncertain as to what the future interest rates will be and wish to lock in a good rate right in the beginning. In addition, homeowners like fixed rate mortgages as they will always know just how much money they need to put aside each month in order to pay the mortgage on their home.

Adjustable Rate Mortgages

Another type of mortgage which many homeowners express an interest in is that of the adjustable rate mortgage. With an adjustable rate mortgage, the interest rate on the loan will fluctuate depending upon how the market is doing at that point in time. Therefore, an individual's monthly payment can vary when the interest rate is either increased or decreased. There are a few different pros and cons associated with the adjustable rate mortgage.

As for the positive aspects of the adjustable rate mortgage, a homeowner may be able to reap the benefits of a favorable interest rate and therefore pay less than they normally would had the mortgage been fixed. Secondly, individuals may be able to start out their mortgage with a low interest rate right in the beginning which is an appealing trait to many.

For those who look at the negative aspects of adjustable rate mortgages, they may discover that the interest rate hits a high level and stays there for a while which means that they have to pay much more each month than they did in the beginning. Also, adjustable rate mortgages can be unpredictable by nature and those who are on a set budget may worry that the rates will be too high for them to handle down the road.
Which Is Better?

When deciding which one to select, homeowners must determine whether they want a sure thing or whether they want to take a chance that their interest rate will be favorable throughout the life of the loan. In the end, it is up to the homeowner to look at their current and potential future financial state in order to make an informed decision whether to go with a fixed rate mortgage or adjustable rate mortgage.

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Bad Credit Mortgages Can Be A Life Saver

Having bad credit does not necessarily mean that one has to be ignored for a bad credit mortgage. Almost anyone with a bad credit is eligible to avail a mortgage. This of course will depend from each lending company to another. There will be some disadvantages of taking a bad credit mortgage. They may have higher interest rates, and also higher fees.

While trying to avail a bad credit mortgage the consumer must also compare all the interest rates before taking the plunge. It would also be a good idea to wait for a while and check if one is able to clear the existing credit before applying for the second mortgage, if they have one. It is also important that the lender understands the situation of the consumer, else there might be too much pressure for the repayment.

To ensure this relationship, the borrower can always explain the situation to the lender and tell them what happened, so that the lender will have a better understanding of why the consumer is approaching him. It would help a great deal if the borrower also had a small amount of savings in his bank account, so that he may be able to pay at least the first three installments on time.

Exploring legal issues is always a must when it comes to bad credit mortgage. First the consumer must make sure that he is allowed to cancel the loan within three days of applying, if he does not want it. The borrower must also ask for all the option details much before signing all the papers. There could also be options to request the lender for special options.

Spending a little time doing research for the comparison of rates, is a must as there could be chances that the borrower is missing out on something. Today there are many online options, and also ways of finding out which is the best lending company to approach. One must also not allow the lender to take advantage of them just because of the bad credit history.

The state of the bad credit can be actually improved with the mortgage, as at least this time by paying the installments on time it will give the consumer a chance to improve his credentials. Asking the lender to keep track of the repayment is also a must, as this can go into the credit history records. Through the bad credit mortgage one can also pool the debt into one channel and be free from several creditors’ harassment.

It is always a better option to choose a bad credit mortgage, but must also make sure it is on the right track, so that there will be no room to declare bankruptcy. There is no need to even stay with such a mortgage for a long period with fixed rate interest. The borrowers can opt out of this after they have made some regular payments to the lender. The down payment must also be considered when opting for this mortgage.

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5 Key Points For Home Mortgage

Mortgage is one of the finance option provides facilities for the customer to buy the house or property.

Normally the mortgage is provided by the banks and other financial companies and institutions for the home and other property loan. Some mortgage companies are also working in USA to give mortgage facilities where you can get the proper information and advice as per your need. There are various types of condition apply while you are purchasing the home through mortgage.

Here are some key points to be considered before proceed for the mortgage loan:

1. Monthly payment against the mortgage facilities are based on many factors, considering all the factors and general rules the average of the monthly payment is around 25 to 33 percent of the gross income of loan holder.

2. The repayment period of the mortgage of the home loan would be 5, 10, 15, 20 and maximum 25 years. While the repayment period for the commercial property would be normally of 20 years for new property and 15 years for old property.

3. The mortgage company gives flexible option for the repayment of loan as well as in the time period that are suitable to the customers. You can select the repayment period depending on your ability after discussing with mortgage consultant.

4. The mortgage application is properly scrutinised by the mortgage company with related documentation. After proper analysis, based on present income the mortgage company decide the repayment terms and the amount of repayment.

5. The mortgage company check your credibility before sanction of mortgage loan. Nromally the mortgage company take the home documents as security against the mortgage loan. Once you repay your loan, the mortgage company give back all the documents of home.

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Switch over to a better remortgage interest rate!

Have you been paying higher interest on your mortgage loan, bought or built your home with a loan? Now however the loan market is offering a lower interest rate against your home and your home has accumulated greater equity ever since it was last mortgaged? Surely you should be saving big money this way. And this is remortgage all about; get rid of higher interest rate mortgage by replacing it with a remortgage of cheaper rate. In the Northern Ireland, number of mortgage borrower shift to remortgaging options.

You will be lent an amount that is required to pay off remaining mortgage and you can borrow even more depending on current value of your home. On taking remortgage option, you also would be availing larger repayment duration which again reduces monthly outgo towards installments. This way you reduce your remortgage interest rate each month.

Options open before you while you remortgage from a mortgage loan!

With the passage of time, bad debt remortgage is gaining popularity. Bad debt remortgage facilitates you with lower rate of interest, flexible repayment terms and many more advantages. Bad debt remortgage holds special significance for homeowners.

You have lot many choices available now in terms of interest rates. For instance you may be offered a fixed or variable rate of interest for remortgaging. You should make sure which is more suitable. Each remortgage lender in the Ireland has individual conditions placed before the borrower which has necessitated the help of remortgage calculator and experts of the field.

How much do you have to pay?

Pay lower rate of interest with a remortgage loan. You can save up to 100 to 200, on your monthly payment. Save a large amount by refinancing your existing mortgage and use that for various purposes such as home improvement, purchase of new vehicle and many more.

Easily dispose off your earlier debt. In addition to this, you can extend the term of repayment of your debt. For instance, if your mortgage term was 10 years, for a sum of 20,000 and in 5 years you have paid 10,000. With bad debt remortgage, you can manage to extend the term of repayment of the loan amount again to 10 years. This automatically simplifies the whole procedure of repayment of the loan amount.

Reach out to the experts to attain best remortgage advice and switch over to a better deal. Don't mourn over your existing mortgage debt, clever way to escape is to, consolidate them into a low remortgage interest rate loan.

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How to Obtain a Mortgage

Are you thinking about buying a new home? If so, you will probably need a mortgage unless you are one of the lucky people who have enough cash to pay outright. When it comes down to it, there is nothing wrong with taking out a mortgage. Sure, this will more than likely be the largest loan that you ever have, but with that in mind owning a home is a great pleasure.

The question is: how are you going to obtain a mortgage? There are many ways that you can do this. In today’s day and age, you may want to consider what you can get online. For many home buyers it is much easier for them to shop online than to talk directly with a mortgage company. Although you may have to deal with a live person sooner or later, you might as well get all the leg work out of the way online.

Of course, you could use a mortgage broker to help you find the best deal. The downfall of this is that you have to rely on the information that they give you. And in many cases a broker will do what they can to set you up with the mortgage that will make them the most money. Again, this is why you will want to do all of your research online before moving on with anything else.

Obtaining a mortgage is not as hard as you may think. The process can start online, and hopefully finish with a new home. Remember, there are many details that you will be responsible for during the mortgage application process. But with that being said, thousands of people secure a loan each and every week. There is no reason to believe that you cannot be next.

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Benefits of Mortgage Calculators

Mortgage calculators can be crucial for people who are looking into buying a home. While it is nice to think that people can buy a house without having to deal with a mortgage, most people who buy a home require a loan. The numbers and equations in obtaining a mortgage are enough to confuse anyone. Many people simply talk to their mortgage broker or the lender to try to figure out exactly how much a mortgage will cost them. There is a way to be informed on the mortgage as a first step to making any decisions. By using a mortgage calculator, you can figure your payments and basic costs. There are various calculators which can help you in any number of calculations.

What Calculators are available?

There are calculators available for almost any purpose you can imagine, below is a basic list available for mortgage purposes.

• Debt Consolidation Calculator – Work out the benefits of consolidating your debts.
• Cost Calculator – Work out how much it’s going to cost you to buy your house.
• Repayment Calculator – What are your repayments going to be?
• Borrowing Calculator – How much will a lender offer you? This is usually a very general calculator. The only definitive way to assess this is the speak to your lender or mortgage broker.
• There are also calculators for car loans, calculating balloon payments, the effect of extra repayment, lump sum repayments and many other purposes.
Know What You Can Afford

The first major benefit of a mortgage calculator is the ability to figure out what you can afford. While many people know what they can afford as far as monthly payments are concerned, they are unsure how interest and everything else plays into the numbers. The mortgage calculator gives you the luxury of playing with the interest rate, amount of deposit, and loan term to figure out what you can afford, and how to arrive at the loan amount that you can afford.

Know What Small Changes Do to your Payment

The next benefit is the simple idea that the mortgage calculator allows you to play with the numbers at will to understand how changes affect your monthly payment. By playing with the different numbers you can figure out the best way to get what you want in a realistic way.
Know your Price Range

When buying a house people often find they are unsure of how much they can afford. How does Interest rate or deposit impact the price they can afford to pay for a house? What is the maximum purchase price? Some people believe they can pay a certain amount, but can actually pay more. Being informed will allow you to buy better and give you an advantage when negotiating with the vendor.

Do Mortgage Calculators have limitations?

Mortgage calculators are a fantastic resource as a first step to securing a mortgage or buying a house. The simple nature of a calculator is also its greatest limitation; there are many factors to consider in obtaining a mortgage that a calculator does not cover. For example, a calculator does not look into your credit worthiness or the impact a credit default has on the interest rate, or the amount you can afford. It also does not consider or have the ability to work out exact loan costs for your particular situation. Mortgage Calculators should be viewed as a first step asset to obtaining a mortgage, but know they have their limitations.

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