Home Mortgage Refinancing the Right Way

Recently, Obama announced his housing stimulus plan which makes over 5 million homeowners instantly eligible for refinancing into a 2% fixed rate. This stimulus package will lower homeowners monthly payments so take advantage now.

Here are some key elements to the proposed Obama housing stimulus plan:

*Help current homeowners who have seen their property or home values decrease by 15% or more with a option to refinance. This helps a lot of homeowners who have seen their property values drop in value in the wake of this mortgage crisis.

*Make loan modification and refinancing a home loan an easier, more beneficial to the borrower, process.

*To keep home mortgage interest rates locked in to a specifice percentage. Ideally a 2% interest rate across the board.

*Provide no assistance or help to market speculators. They ultmiately profit from other peoples downfall and should not be helped.

*Help homeowners who are facing foreclosure or may default on their mortgage by allowing them to more easily refinance their current home loan.

This tough economy is making it harder for good financially responsible home owners and mortgage payers to get that payment in every month in full and on time. Hopefully though by allowing them a chance to refinance at a 2% interest rate, they will lower their costs enough to increase their standard of living, pay off bills, or save. Also, recently millions of people or their spouse have lost their jobs or have had their income reduced, which is adding to the nearly 6 million homes facing foreclosure. Property values in neighborhoods are really struggling, a 2% interest rate would almost instantly raise home values as property values also rise as less homes are foreclosed on and more are bought and sold.

Homeowners who are having a hard time making their monthly mortgage payments can now take advantage of President Obamas “Making Home Affordable” plan. This plan makes millions of homeowners eligible to take advantage and obtain a new 4% fixed rate home loan through refinancing. Here is how it works:

-The mortgage must have less than $729,500 remaining on the due balance.

-The mortgage must have been signed on and completed prior to January 1st 2009.

-The home to be refinanced must be lived in as a primary residence by the owner.

-Your personal income can (and will be) be verified using tax returns and pay stubs.

-A letter of “Financial Hardship” written by and signed by you, in your own handwriting.

-The homeowner must agree and goto free credit counseling if their monthly household debts exceed 55% of the homeowners gross monthly income.

Here are some options Mortgage Lenders and Banks can offer using this plan:

-Your monthly mortgage payments will be lowered to no more than 31% of your gross monthly income.

-Interest rates can actually go to as low as 2% but typically will be closer to the 4% range.

-Their will be no fees or other costs for performing a home mortgage modification or refinance.

-Banks and mortgage lenders could potentially set up balloon payments at the end of the mortgages in order to recover their money from offering such low monthly payments. This payment needs to be paid off prior to selling or refinancing your home another time.

-For every year of on time payments, the Government will reduce the amount of principal you owe on your home by $1,000 up to a maximum of $5,000 just for making payments on time.

-The banks and mortgage lenders can adjust the interest rates after a 5 year period. This plan is to help homeowners recover from their financial troubles.

-This plan can only be used one time to refinance or modify your home loan.

If you have remained current and up to date on your monthly mortgage paymentsq, and are not able to modify your home loan, then refinancing may be the best alternative option. Refinancing into a fixed 4% interest rate with President Obamas plan can be very easy. Here are some requirements for this:

-Again, the home must be a primary residence.

-Proof of income to support the new mortgage and other debts is required.

-Cash taken out from the new home loan can not be used to pay other loan debts you may have.

-The home loan must be financed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

-The mortgage interest rate will be determined by the national average and points may be added on as well as fees charged.

-The new mortgage will be either for 15 or 30 years with a fixed rate of interest.

-The banks low interest offers may expire after an initial 5 year period.

-Homeowners can even refinance if they have a mortgage worth up to 5% more than their homes current value.

Home mortgage refinancing or modification, especially using this plan will benefit millions of homeowners. The reports are coming back already and the average homeowner is saving hundreds every month by taking advantage of this plan and refinancing their home mortgage.

President Barack Obama is well aware that the current economic situation in the country leaves a lot of homeowners struggling. Housing prices have crashed and the all time high number of foreclosures does not help that at all, lowering surrounding homes values by as much as 9%. Home and property values have dropped so far that many homeowners now owe more on their mortgage than their home is actually worth. Due to these problems, the Obama administration has introduced the housing and homeowner stimulus plan. This plan was announced in February and has started this month. Most people no longer have 20% equity in their homes, which is typically required for traditional mortgage refinancing, due to the dropping home prices. The stimulus plan from President Obama is going to make it easier for homeowners to modify or refinance their current home mortgage and have more manageable monthly payments and avoid a possible foreclosure. The goal of this home mortgage stimulus plan is to help over 5 million homeowners stay in their homes and avoid foreclosure or defaulting on their loan. This is done by giving incentives to mortgage lenders to use their new guidelines for approving a mortgage refinance. So with more incentives and less risk to mortgage lenders are going to be more flexible on who can refinance, how much they can save, and finding financially affordable monthly mortgage payments.

Homeowners looking to refinance or modify their current mortgages will get their loans restructured by mortgage lenders. With this plan, the maximum allowable monthly mortgage payment can not exceed 38% of the homeowners gross monthly income. Mortgage lenders will also get a dollars for dollar incentive from the government to further lower the monthly payments to 31% of the homeowners gross monthly income. This is great news for a lot of homeowners who are out of work or just struggling to make their monthly mortgage payment. A lot of homeowners currently pay 40% or even 50% of their income towards their mortgage. A 20% reduction would add up to a lot of saved money every month.

The Treasury of the United States has an exact series of guidelines for mortgage lenders and banks to complete when refinancing or modifying a home mortgage loan. In the past for example, mortgage loans have been refinanced or modified by adding on missed payments to the loans principal which basically did nothing to reduce the monthly payment. The housing mortgage refinance stimulus plan announced by Obama will mean a great amount of savings for millions of homeowners.

-M Petrone
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Home refinancing can save you thousands or if it is done the wrong way cost you thousands. Greedy mortgage lenders will try to suck you dry if you let them. Learn how to properly refinancing a home mortgage and walk away happy and with more money.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Petrone

Mortgage Rate Predictions for 2009. Their is no doubt that the rough economy and the unstable housing market play a huge role in predicting home mortgage interest rates for 2009, however it is possible to come up with a good idea as to where the rates are headed. Here are some good ideas as to where mortgage rates should head for 2009.

Everyone is wondering where mortgage rates will go throughout 2009. Currently, mortgage rates are at a near all time low. In many markets, the mortgage interest rates are under 5% for a fixed rate 15 year mortgage. However, the only homeowners who can take full advantage of the lowest of the low rates have a FICO score over 700 and 20% to put down on the mortgage. Refinancing yo can expect a rate around 5.25% if you have good credit and good finances. Even with what I said above, many homeowners will be able to benefit financially from a mortgage refinance.

Mortgage Rates: 2009
Although nobody can be 100% sure where the rates will go, I do like to think I have a pretty good idea. I predict that due to refinance applications currently coming to lenders offices at record paces, that mortgage rates will temporarily increase. This is due to mortgage lenders being back worked from processing all of the paperwork coming in. While the temporary rate increase goes into affect they will be able to catch up on paper work and realize that they we're a lot busier with the lower rate being advertised. Over all I predict that home mortgage rates for 2009 will take a temporary .5% increase followed by steady steep declines throughout 2009.

It is generally a good idea if you are looking into refinancing to do it now. Get a locked in quoted rate on paper and you can potentially save hundreds of dollars per month.

Typically when applying for a mortgage loan, you quickly find out how many types of information you will need to provide. To begin with, you will need proof of income, checking or savings account information that goes back as much as 3 months to verify someone did not borrow you the down payment just for the looks, you will also need to provide tax returns. Also, you will need to bring a copy of the deposit that you gave to your realtor when you decide you found the perfect condo or home to finance. Almost all the time, the bank will send an appraiser out to the property your looking to finance, they also send an inspector out to make sure there is no significant costly damage that will need to be repaired within the first few months/years of your mortgage. You will also need to provide proof of home owner or condo owners insurance once the loan is approved.

Meanwhile, in the time between applying for either financing or refinancing you should not use any credit sources. Do not get anything financed or refinanced while the loan is awaiting approval. Refinancing loans are pretty strict and may take a few weeks to months depending on your personal financial situation. To receive refinancing in some instances you must pay off an old debt or two in order to turn that corner so the bank will refinance.

When your refinancing approval goes through it is all down hill from there. Meeting the bank and the Realtor one more time is needed before closing on the house or condo. Make sure to bring your down payment with you and anything else your realtor or banker asked you to bring in. Remember after the closing goes through the property taxes are now in your name, including any back taxes that were due on that property. You now will be the official condo or home owner!

-M Petrone
http://www.refinancingcondo.com

Most people use refinancing to take advantage of lower interest rates that may be available now but were not available when they took out a mortgage on their condo. More to the point, it is going through the procedure of taking out a second mortgage, and turning around and using that cash to close, or pay off a current mortgage.

If you are lucky enough to refinance your condo with a lower interest rate then when your first got the mortgage then your monthly payments should be lower, even if your new mortgage on your condo is for the same amount than your old one. Before you start the refinancing process, you need to weigh the savings of a lower monthly payment with the costs associated with refinancing.

Usually, the rule on refinancing a condo is that the interest rate of the new mortgage should be -2% (about two percent lower) than your current mortgage. These days there are tons of no cost refinancing options available. Overall it is probably likely that should you decide to refinance your condo, you will be saving money (by obtaining a better interest rate)

Condo refinancing is a good opportunity to gather a quick large sum of cash. You can use this cash to upgrade your condo and increase its future value even more. Probably, your condo has also risen in value, that will be taken into account in the second mortgage. That means good news for your with the new refinancing!

Things to know before starting the refinancing process:

Know YOUR reasons to Refinance

1. Most likely a condo mortgage rate is lower now than it was when you bought. Refinancing will put cash in your pocket, with a lower interest rate your monthly condo mortgage payment is smaller.

2. Obtain a Fixed rate mortgage instead of the A.R.M. (adjustable rate mortgage) you have now.

3. Obtain a A.R.M. for your condo with better terms than the one you are in now.

4. Fast way to grow equity. Just by refinancing your condo

5. Turn equity into cash. With the new smaller interest rate you receive through refinancing on your condo you will most likely have a good sum of built up cash coming to you!

-M. Petrone

If you are a homeowner who happens to have a mortgage insured or financed by either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which 60% of mortgages are, you can now do a home mortgage modification and get a fixed 4% interest rate. This is possible due to Obamas $75 Billion “Making Home Affordable” housing refinance and modification stimulus plan.

So just who will actually qualify and be approved for a home mortgage refinance or modification at a fixed 4% rate using this Obama stimulus plan? Here are some very basic eligibility guidelines for President Obamas housing bailout package:

-This plan is only for homeowners who live in the home to be refinanced. This “Making Home Affordable” plan does not cover investment or vacation properties. It is intended for single family homes or residences (such as Condos) only and as a way to provide financial relief.

-A homeowner who has recently declared or gone through the process of bankruptcy will, unfortunately, not be eligible to do a home loan modification, or refinance through the use of this mortgage stimulus plan.

-Now, a home mortgage can be modified or refinanced for up to 105% of the homes actual market value. This means that homeowners who have seen their property values decline due to the housing market crisis, and due to getting themselves into bad mortgages, can now have the chance to get out from those bad loans and into new home mortgages with fixed 4% interest rates.

-Again, as previously stated, if a home mortgage is owned, backed, or financed by either of the two lending giants, Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, that mortgage is automatically qualified for a modification into a fixed 4% rate through the use of this housing stimulus plan from Obama.

-Homeowners taking advantage of this modification plan will obtain mortgage payments that do not exceed 31% of their gross monthly income. A lot of homeowners are paying close to 50% or more of their gross monthly income towards their mortgage.

Thanks to this “Making Home Affordable” plan, refinancing or home loan modification is now easier, and more favorable than ever before to homeowners. The approval rates from mortgage lenders and banks will skyrocket as they are given cash incentives, from the government, to finance and work with homeowners who are having financial troubles. Take advantage of this amazing chance to lower your monthly debts now and get that 4% fixed rate home loan today through President Obamas plan.

-M Petrone
www.RefinancingCondo.com

The biggest fear homeowners have when refinancing their home mortgage is being ripped off. Many homeowners are convinced that the best way to avoid being ripped off in a mortgage refinance is to search for the best mortgage rate quotes they can find. One of the best ways to quickly find a good mortgage rate is to use the services of a mortgage broker. However, here is where I want to caution you about the biggest secret in the mortgage refinancing industry. The secret no broker or bankers want you to know.

So, What is this secret that desperately needs to be exposed that can save you thousands?
On a daily basis, homeowners are being ripped off from mortgage brokers, lenders, and banks without even realizing it. How? By being ripped off by the mortgage lender and paying extremely high closing costs compared to what your costs should be or are compared to other homeowners in the same situation.

So what makes these closing costs so high... and why?
Sometimes mortgage lenders or brokers get together with their lawyers and then charge higher fees based on a lawyers time as well. These lawyer fees end up being passed on to you even though the lawyer was not necessary for most or all of the time. This is more of a red flag if the potential lender or broker offered you their service for “free”. When the word free is used to describe closing costs it just means the lender is making money off you in other ways. A lot of unethical mortgage lenders will grab your attention with these free or low cost refinance options. Sometimes, they will even give you cash when you refinance with them because they know the money will be coming back to them eventually. They will always work it so that you are paying more for this “free” or reduced cost closing than you expected. They will stack the deck in their favor.

Who else will be able to use this kind of scam on me?
You need to be cautious of anyone you are dealing with not only your mortgage lender or bank. Your real estate can just as easily perform the same sort of under handed scheming to you. That is why it is very important to do proper research on any potential mortgage lenders or banks. Know your estimated costs up front. Demand every single fee or related cost is estimated and quoted before the closing is set to take place. This way you can review the fees and ask any questions before signing off on the new loan. Mortgage lenders with long histories are often more stable and financially secure than fly by night mortgage companies. Usually the big lenders do not pull these cheap and greedy scams but be aware none the less. Practice patience and find the perfect lender, terms, rates, and conditions for your home mortgage refinance.

-M Petrone
www.RefinancingCondo.com
Taken from: http://www.refinancingcondo.com/2009/02/greedy-secret-of-mortgage-refinance.html

As a homeowner, you should seriously consider taking advantage of today's low mortgage rates before they start to go up again. Though we are witnessing low rates, these rates won't last forever. Unfortunately, many homeowners will put off getting a refinance and will miss out on the potential savings.

There are many reasons to refinance your mortgage. Reducing the interest rate on your mortgage can seriously lower your monthly payment. If you had bad credit when you bought your house, and you have since cleaned it up, you should be able to significantly reduce your interest rate. In fact, having a mortgage is a great way to improve your credit. So if you were barely able to get a mortgage before, and you have been doing well, you should absolutely look at refinancing to a lower rate today.

When Interest rates were higher, plenty of home buyers selected variable rate mortgages as they carried lower rates. While people with ARM loans are also benefiting from today's low rates, these rates aren't guaranteed to stay. If rates start to climb again, so do the rates for an adjustable mortgage. And along with that will go higher monthly mortgage payments again. To avoid your mortgage payments going up again, refinance to a low, fixed rate mortgage where your payments will stay the same for the life of the loan no matter what happens to interest rates.

Take advantage of Cash Out refinancing: A cash-out refinance may be a particularly good option for your mortgage refinance. With this option, you can refinance for an improved rate, and borrow from your house's equity. You'll get a chunk of money when you close your loan. This money can be used to pay off high-interest debt, to do some home renovation work, put money towards an education or even to take a holiday.

When your looking around and are ready to refinance your home or condo mortgage, you are bound to see a fair number of advertisements for mortgage company's offering "No Cost", "Free", Or more recently "Reduced Cost For Condo Mortgages". Now somewhere deep down you have to ask yourself, "Why would this be free here and cost good money somewhere else?" Here's a few tips to look for, regardless of there "No cost" offer, to ensure you get the best deal when refinancing your condo or home.

Why do some company's advertise "No cost refinancing"? Why do other mortgage lenders have a very low flat price? Why do yet other lenders have a % based price? They make up for the "Deal" their offering you with a hyperinflated rate or get you into an a.r.m. Loan on your condo or house. They will make whatever the other companies charge plus more with these crazy high rates. So simply put. The low cost or free mortgage and condo services are not to be trusted.

The industry standard for condo and mortgage refinancing is the mortgage company usually takes a sum of .5%-.75% of your mortgage rate as there commission. For the most part, a company offering "No cost" or other gimmick offers usually tack on an additional fee for their commission ranging from another .5% to .75%. That means for you the condo or homeowner your refinancing will cost you more every single month for typically 30 years. Which is a lot of money in the long run.

Deceptive home refinancing techniques like this are used everywhere in the USA. They are easily found and spotted. There is no free anything in the refinancing industry. The only thing you can do is be smart going into it.

-M Petrone
www.RefinancingCondo.com