Search Articles

Subscribe To Our Site

  • subscribe to our XML feed
  • Google Reader or Homepage
  • Add to My Yahoo!
  • Subscribe in NewsGator Online
  • add our feed to your MSN subsciptions
  • Add to My AOL

Mortgage Refinancing Article:

Rates May Be Rising: Mortgage And Refinancing Preparation Made Simple For You

Buying a home is probably the single largest investment most people make in a lifetime. By preparing yourself and your credit before a home purchase or refinance, you can ensure a smooth finance process and can potentially save thousands on your loan. Improve your financial profile now so you can take advantage of the low interest rates before they disappear.

Start by checking your credit

  • To get the best possible mortgage rate, make sure your credit history is healthy and accurate. Aim to raise your credit score above 650 in order to qualify for most prime loans.
  • If your credit score is not quite 650, focus your efforts on paying bills on time, reducing your debt balances, avoiding new inquiries and clearing negative inaccuracies from your credit report.
  • Make sure the information on your report is correct and fix any problems you discover. Give yourself 30-90 days for correcting inaccuracies. You can learn more online in the Credit Learning Center http://www.legalhelper.ws/credit-reports-online.aspx.
  • Found an error while reviewing your credit with the lender? Ask about the "rapid rescoring" process where you can submit a dispute and potentially improve your credit in 72 hours.

Figure out how much you can afford

  • The rule of thumb is that most borrowers can afford a home that runs about two-and-one-half times their annual salary.
  • Calculate your loan-to-value ratio to see how much you can afford to borrow by dividing the loan amount by the property's value. If your loan-to-value ratio is above 80 percent your rates may increase significantly. Find a less expensive home or save up for a down payment to lower this percentage.
  • Calculate your debt-to-income ratio by adding up your monthly debts and dividing by your monthly income. A debt-to-income ratio under 20-39 percent is usually considered good and will help you be perceived as financially stable.
  • Don't be afraid to start small. Just because you may qualify for a large loan doesn't mean that it is a smart financial decision to buy as large a home as possible. Take a careful look at your family budget and your housing needs before you decide how much you can really afford.

Be a smart borrower this summer and save thousands by preparing your credit before you apply for a loan. Find out the loan rate you deserve at http://www.legalhelper.ws/credit-reports-online-service7.aspx.

About The Author

Jeffrey Broobin is a financial security specialist that helps people to solve their financial issues and be happy and successful within their life.

Website - www.legalhelper.ws

Email: jeffreyb@legalhelper.ws

Your equity is the amount your home is worth, on the market, minus the amount you owe to your mortgage broker. For example, if your property is worth $200,000 and the balance you owe your mortgage broker is $100,000, then your home equity - the part of your property that you own free and clear - is $100,000.

Whether you need some extra cash to pay off some credit card debts, or to make some home improvements, home equity lines of credit or second mortgages can be great ways to get started.

Do you want a mortgage loan for your new home? Trying to qualify for a new mortgage can be very tough, especially if you aren't aware of the effect your credit report score has on your ability to get approved for loans. One of the first things a lender looks at to determine your suitability for a mortgage loan is your credit report, or FICO score.

Applying online for a mortgage is very fast and easy. Just make sure of a few things before you start to look for places to apply to. Here are some tips to keep in mind when searching for a mortgage company to help you online:

You've been looking at houses for months, and finally you've found it--the house that's just right. So now, all you have to do is to purchase your new home, move in, and get settled, right? Not quite. There's one more big step to go-getting a mortgage loan. You're going to want to decide on the type of mortgage and payment terms that fit within your budget. And you're going to have to prepare yourself by doing some research. What follows is valuable information that will be crucial in helping you make loan decisions that will fit your budget and circumstance.