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40-Year Mortgages: An Alternative to Interest-only Loans?
Interest-only loans are quickly becoming a mainstream loan product. Borrowers who were initially turned-off by the perceived risk associated with an ?interest-only? loan are now starting to see the benefits: Lower payments, less money tied up in equity, more flexibility, etc.
For the savvy borrower, an ?interest-only? loan can be an important component to an overall financial plan -- allowing them to divert principal payments to other financial goals.
?Interest-only? is typically an option only available on adjustable rate mortgages (although some lenders are now offering this option on 30-Year Fixed Loans). Borrowers who plan on keeping the loan for a long period of time and are uncomfortable with a loan product that has an adjustable rate component, may be interested in the 40-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage.
(Note: Some lenders do offer a 40-Year term on their adjustable rate mortgages)
The more flexible underwriting guidelines of a 40-Year mortgage may also attract some borrowers who are interested but do not qualify for an interest-only loan.
A 40-Year Mortgage is exactly as it sounds ? a mortgage that is re-paid over a 40-year term. Due to a longer repayment period, 10 years more than the standard 30-Year Mortgage, the monthly payments are lower.
Until recently, these loans were difficult to find. Fannie Mae has now announced they will begin purchasing these loans from lenders which should increase their availability.
Let?s look at the numbers:
For a $250,000 loan with a fixed interest rate of 5.75% and a term of 30 years, the monthly payments would be $1,458.93; but a borrower could save $83.40 a month by taking out a Fixed 40-year mortgage. Even at a higher interest rate of 6.00%, the monthly payments would be just $1,375.53.
The monthly savings comes with an increase in overall interest:
If a borrower were to keep the Fixed 40-Year Mortgage for the entire term and make the minimum monthly payments, they would pay approximately $135,000 more in interest.
40-Year Mortgages may be attractive to those borrowers uncomfortable with adjustable rate periods or who have difficulty qualifying under the stricter guidelines of an interest-only loan, however, it is important to understand the impact a 40-Year term will have on the overall cost of your loan.
As always, it?s best to consult with your trusted loan professional. They can help you understand your options and determine which loan product is best for you.
Home Equity - Is it Time to Cash Out and Move?
During the last five years, home prices have increased nationwide. In some parts of the country, notably California, home prices have doubled or even tripled. The median price of a home in the Los Angeles area is now nearly $450,000 and in the San Francisco area, the price is approaching $600,000. As the economy continues to improve, the price of housing continues to rise in California and elsewhere. Many people who have owned their homes for more than three years are suddenly finding themselves with hundreds of thousands of dollars in equity. Of course, equity is only a theoretical gain, and if the price of housing goes down, equity can go away. You only get to keep your equity as cash if you sell your home. Many homeowners are doing just that.
Home equity loans are increasingly popular these days, and many people with large amounts of equity in their homes are borrowing against it and using the money for home improvements, dream vacations or other luxury items. Others are simply cashing out and moving elsewhere. While prices on both coasts are rising at a breathtaking rate, price increases in most of the country are still more modest. A homeowner in California who bought a home five years ago for $200,000 may have a home worth $500,000 today. If that homeowner were to sell that home and move to Texas, or Iowa or even parts of Florida, he or she could buy a comparable or even larger home, pay cash, and probably keep a healthy profit to invest. For most Americans, the equity in their home is their single largest asset. Examining that equity to see if it can be used more wisely would be a sound move, particularly as real estate experts warn of a housing ?bubble? that may soon reduce prices to more realistic levels. Should this ?correction? in the market take place, homeowner equity could be seriously reduced.
Obviously, selling a home and moving just to pocket the equity is not something that suits everyone. While it may make sense from a financial standpoint, it will mean finding a new employer, finding a new home, finding new friends and moving children to new schools and friends. Anyone considering such a move would be well advised to carefully consider all of the ramifications of simply picking up and moving. On the other hand, the opportunity to extract several hundred thousand dollars in cash from a home is a rare one, and investing it wisely could go a long way towards financing a better lifestyle or a more comfortable retirement. Homeowners should be aware that there might be capital gains taxes to be paid on the sale of a home. Those considering selling their home to extract their equity would probably benefit from a consultation with a financial advisor.
I Have A Slice of the American Dream and It is a 30 Year Nightmare
Well, we did it. We are buying a beautiful, brand new house, planning our wedding, and getting ready to move. The cramped trailer we have lived in will just be a memory. The house we are buying is a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2 car garage slice of the American Dream.
However, my fiance and I sigh and realize it is a 30 year nightmare we will be paying on for a long time before it is truly ours. By the time the house is paid for, we will be too old to travel like we wanted to. England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will just have to wait. Well, at least we will get Senior Discounts.
But, knowing I will be getting married in my house and gliding down my stairs toward my intended while the stereo plays and our friends and family look on, is going to be worth it. Getting married at home is going to be something we remember and we will be able to enjoy a nice honeymoon with the money we saved. Maybe even rent a nice vehicle to pretend is ours.
The house is in the process of being built now and we watch its progress each Sunday. Hopefully, it will be completed in about 3 weeks. It is amazing how much work goes into a house and how plans on paper become reality.
When we burn the mortgage papers in 30 years I want a big bonfire and I will dance around it with my husband, children and grandchildren. Then I will pack my bags and make that trip I always wanted to make and complete some more things on my do before I die list. At least buy a new house is checked off on my long list. Whats next? oh, I see, it says write a best selling novel...hmmmmmmmm.
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