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What Exactly is a Mortgage Broker and How Can He/She Help You Save Thousands on Your Mortgage?
Have you ever heard of a mortgage broker before? If you haven?t, then you definitely need to give yourself more options whether you are applying for a new home loan or are refinancing your current loan, and learn what they are all about. Mortgage brokers can help you save thousands over the life of your loan. It?s all about the interest rate and how it affects the amount of principal compared to interest that you pay each month.
Instead of just giving you whatever the posted mortgage rates are, the person from the brokerage office will go from institution to institution to try and get you the absolute lowest interest rate possible. This can often mean a savings of between 1% and 2% off the posted bank rate. What this means for you is a savings of several hundred dollars per month depending on the size of your home loan. Not only will your monthly payments be lower, but the amount of interest paid out will be lower too, allowing more of your hard earned dollars to go towards paying down the principal. This will help you pay your debt off faster.
A broker should be your first consideration when looking for a home loan, especially if the bank rates seem way too high. They will do all the work for you and find you the one financial institution that is willing to bend considerably on their rates.
You may be surprised at the time and trouble you will save by seeing a mortgage broker. Another tip would be to check out online lending companies. They are often very competitive with their rates as well. But don?t take my word for it, try it yourself and be pleasantly surprised!
Mortgage Elimination- A Horrible and Sure Way to Lose Your Home to Foreclosure
?Own your home free and clear in 3 to 4 months. Note paid in full!?
How does this statement sound to you? Does it bring out a sentiment of grand larceny or does it peek your interest as a means to quickly and legally increase your personal net worth? Would it be moral to cancel a debt you made in such an easy and unfathomable manner? Most importantly, if you were behind on your mortgage would you pay someone $3,000 to perform this elimination service for you?
Unfortunately, the answer for many homeowners is Yes. The statement used above is an actual sales line from a website that promotes mortgage elimination. The Better Business Bureau has issued a national fraud alert for this type of program that is sweeping the nation by way of the internet.
The purpose of this article is to give my opinion to the public as a leading loss mitigation expert that has counseled thousands of homeowners in foreclosure. I have also been contacted by many homeowners from across the nation that are in foreclosure or who have already lost homes due to the failure of this process. These people have been permanently harmed and they will have to vacate the property voluntarily or they will be forced to move by armed policeman.
I freely admit that I am biased towards the use of loss mitigation options as a proven means to help homeowners behind on their mortgages. These are the consumers who are the most vulnerable and are most likely to see this program as the ideal way to solve their delinquency. They may see themselves as victims of a monetary and banking system that has taken advantage of our ignorance to perpetrate a fraud against them. If the money was never owed, then why are they struggling to make payments? Mortgage elimination has a tremendous appeal of justice and truth when presented in this manner.
Coming back to reality- the diehard believers in the program are usually awakened to the fact that the bank sees it differently by a foreclosure or eviction notice. The bank has more resources and will win the legal fight. The guns and muscles of the local Sheriff will forcibly evict tenants from the property.
In fact, a District Court judge located in California has thrown out 15 cases filed against lenders under this elimination legal theory in 2004. Summarizing the court decision, Judge William Alsup stated that the mortgage elimination program was ?an elaborate Internet Scam.? He also ordered a copy of his ruling be sent to the U.S. Attorney ?because of the possibility of mail fraud and wire fraud to further an internet scam.? (Go to www.sacbee.com to see this story).
The attorney that brought the law suits on behalf of the elimination company was fined $10,000 for filing a frivolous law suit and the company was required to pay $77,000 in attorney fees on behalf of the lenders named in the suit.
The Court has spoken loud and clear at least 15 times on this issue. Mortgage elimination will not work and is not an acceptable legal theory to justify not repaying your mortgage obligation. The conspiracy theory by the Federal Reserve to allow bankers to create money does not constitute legal grounds for you to opt out of a debt that you voluntarily entered into. A jury, responsible for their own mortgage payments, would never allow you to get away with not paying your mortgage.
Those homeowners that are behind on the mortgage and or looking for help should contact a loss mitigation specialist/housing counselor that is experienced in presenting work out solutions to mortgage lenders. Traditional financial principles of budgeting, prioritization and crisis management have a stellar track record of stopping foreclosure and bankruptcy and they will work for you as well. You can obtain a Free copy of the book, How to Save Your Home, by visiting www.syhuniversity.com
Those homeowners already involved with a mortgage elimination program should make the decision right away whether they want to save their homes or become a martyr for the mortgage elimination crusade. If you decide to save the home, you must contact an attorney and a loss mitigation specialist to help you with this matter. There are serious title issues if you have deeded the property out of your name into a trust or other instrument. You will need a real estate attorney to advise you on this matter.
The good news is that the mortgage company does not want your home and will help you if you make the right decisions.
How To Determine The Price Of Your Home
Why is it that some homes sit on the market for a year while others sell like hot cakes? Frustrated sellers will blame a bad market, while a good real estate professional will tell you that many times, a slow sale is often attributed to the listing price.
If a home is overpriced, buyers will stay away. But, if the price is competitive with similar homes in the area and ?shows? better than the competition, it will have a better chance of being sold quickly.
The secret is perfecting a technique that?s as American as apple pie: comparative shopping.
Although comparing houses with different styles, square-footages and locations is challenging, real estate professionals still feel it?s one of the best methods to use when determining a home?s market value.
A responsible real estate agent will effectively evaluate a home?s worth through a process known as Comparative Marketing Analysis (CMA). Taking a look at assets, such as a swimming pool, bigger than normal living spaces, a fantastic view, adjacent city parks and other attractions, the agent will begin to compare your home with similar properties, called ?comparables,? that have sold in the area within the last six months. Typically, the agent is able to recommend a realistic price range that will ensure you top dollar and a reasonably
However, factors such as the amount of time needed to sell your home can alter the agent?s price recommendation dramatically.
Typically, people should check with real estate offices in the community to determine the typical duration that listings are on the market. Sales associates will explain that the marketing ?norms? vary with prices and properties. Based on this criteria, the agent feels confident that he or she will be able to sell it for a price that both you and the buyer will be happy with. However, if you?re under time constraints because of unexpected job changes or moving agreements you?ve made on another property, this will narrow your chances of selling the home for top dollar in the market.
Assuming you have sufficient time to market the home, here are a few small steps you and your agent can take to finding the right price for your property.
The best comparisons can be made with similar homes that have been sold within the last 45 days as opposed to the standard six months. Any longer and other factors, such as the economy, could cloud your view of how much your home is really worth.
Another good benchmark is to review the selling prices of homes that have just been sold and are pending closes. Most MLS services provide information on deals pending that most real estate agents should be able to shore with you.
A good rule of thumb before setting a price is to make 20 comparisons of comparable properties within a one-mile radius of your house. Once completed you can feel comfortable that the price you?ve picked is a good gauge of the home?s worth and won?t discourage qualified buyers.
Being open and honest about what you see as the home?s greatest strengths and biggest weaknesses will also help an agent get a better feel for how to best evaluate (or assess) and market your home. Think of your home as if you were the buyer. If your home is listed at the right price, you?re well on your way to a speedy and fruitful sale.
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