Lender’s mortgage insurance. Do you need it?

June 16, 2008 – 5:40 am

Those who are taking out their first home loan and they haven’t saved very much money, will most probably have to pay for lender’s mortgage insurance - the amount paid is related directly to the size of one’s deposit. Normally, if you save a deposit of 20% or more, there’s no need to pay LMI at all. On the other hand, if you pay a very low deposit, for example only 5%, the amount of insurance you pay will be very high. Before approving you for lender’s mortgage insurance, the insurance company requires a proof that you are able to service the loan, and it will take several factors into account before approving you. The most important factor considered is your savings history. To get an approval, you typically need to have saved 3% to 5% of the total mortgage cost - if you got the money from your parents or acquired it through some other source, and you have no solid savings history, you may not qualify for LMI and your home loan application will be rejected.

Mortgage Brokers, Bankers, or Loan Officers: Know the Differences

April 26, 2008 – 11:37 am

When applying for a mortgage loan or mortgage refinance, many people are unable to tell the difference between brokers, bankers, and loan officers. Such differences, however, are important, and may influence the service you’ll get, your costs, and the size of the selection of loan instruments offered.

Before you sign a mortgage application, it may be helpful to understand what kind of professional is serving you and guiding your decisions.

Many people are surprised to find out that loan officers employed by banks are not obliged to hold licenses like those required by mortgage brokers. Moreover, they might be just as astonished to learn that mortgage brokers work as freelance agents, and earn their fees by matching loans to customers.

Loan officers

Loan officers work for banks and credit unions, and provide a complete range of products to meet mortgage expectations based on your credit score and financial aims. Dealing with a loan officer offers the convenience of using your local bank, and may also qualify you for a better interest rate, or terms based on your being a loyal customer.

Mortgage brokers

Mortgage brokers can consider offers from various lending institutions. This provides the most competition from different lenders. They may also offer you a creative loan if you have been rejected by a bank, based on the bank’s own strict rules. Dealing with a broker allows you to shop a wide range of loans not limited to your local area.

Mortgage banks

Finally, there is a third category, the mortgage bank. This is a state-licensed financial institution that has no depositors, and deals only in mortgages. Such bankers are frequently more competitive on origination fees or points paid for lower rates, because they don’t have to share their costs with any “middle men.” However, they may not have access to some of the special low-cost loans provided by banks that can borrow at discounts through the Federal Reserve System.

Five tips to Avoid Foreclosure

March 7, 2008 – 11:33 am

The subprime mortgage crisis has made foreclosure a event that occurs quite often. Thousands of homeowners, who can’t afford to pay their mortgages, have found themselves facing the foreclosure process. Their problems are unfortunate, and frequently impossible to avoid. Nevertheless, there are some methods to avoid foreclosure. Read about them if you’re having trouble making ends meet.

1. Admit the problem

  • It’s easy to bury your head in the sand if you fall behind on a mortgage payment. However, the process can be hard to stop once it started. Deal with the issue as soon as possible.

2. Open the lines of communication with your lender

  • No lender desires to begin the foreclosure process. They’d rather have you making your payments on time - especially your interest due. When you fall behind on your mortgage payments, call your lender. They may offer you the possibility to work out a compromise payment deal.

3. Check your mailbox

  • You will be receiving official notices from your lender. Don’t get rid of these as junk mail. The letters will contain information on how to get through your financial problems, as well as legal papers. Read everything that your lender sends you, and read it thoroughly. Fate of your home may depend on it.

4. Know your rights and your options

  • It would be advised spending some time on the Internet researching foreclosure. Your state will probably have information describing your rights, and there are numerous online resources designed to help you avoid the process. Familiarize yourself with government sites to be sure that you have reliable information.

5. Revise your spending habits

  • Many people fall into foreclosure without revising their monthly budget. As cruel as reducing spending may seem, it should help you make those mortgage payments and avoid more serious trouble. Detail your monthly expenditures, then try to find areas where you can reduce costs.

Introduction - Mortgage-heaven.com

December 29, 2007 – 11:02 am

Welcome to our blog mortgage-heaven.com the site that is concerned with the matter of loans and mortgage.

Posts published here will focus primarily on the subject of loans, mortgage, profitable interest rates and home refinancing. We will also provide you with loan comparison, information on brokers, home equity loans, residential housing loans, and lending practices or requirements. Moreover, additional insights concerning interest rate calculators and remortgage will be published. Read the rest of this entry »