The Essentials of First Time Home Mortgage Loan Borrower

By Matthew Sanz

Property ownership and buying a home for the first time can be an exciting yet mind-boggling experience. Before you make a decision, it is important, therefore, that you know your options as well as the basics of home mortgage loans.

What is a mortgage?

A mortgage is a loan you pull out to pay off your home. If you are a first time home mortgage loan borrower, you may be asked to deposit a down payment and pay for the rest (i.e. monthly) through a mortgage loan. Establishments that can offer mortgages are mortgage specialists, building societies and banks.

What are the types of mortgage?

-Repayment mortgage type - monthly payments are made within an agreed term until loan and interest are paid off.

-The interest-only mortgage - monthly payments are made for a period of time as agreed in the contract, except payments cover only the loan's interest within the initial term. Afterwards, you are asked to make interest payments in full every month.

-Fixed-rate mortgage type - requires you to pay for a fixed interest rate over the whole term. Interest rates do not change and therefore offers a feeling of certainty for most borrowers.

-The adjustable rate mortgage - has rates that adjust after an initial term containing a fixed rate. Rates could adjust depending on the rise and fall of other economic rates. This could sound daunting for first time home mortgage loan borrowers, but those who want a lower initial rate can benefit from this type of mortgage.

What are the requirements?

1. Good credit report:

From your credit report, lenders will be able to determine whether they can grant your application or to increase the interest rates for your loan. Lenders especially want to make sure that a first time home mortgage loan borrower has the ability and willingness to make his or her payments.

2. Insurance:

Insurance can be used to pay off your mortgage if you have just been in an accident, lost your job or become sick. You might be required to use life insurance to pay off your mortgage should death occur. What are some tips I can use before purchasing property?

- Improve your credit report - Avoid applying for more credit and pay on time. - Review and correct credit information - Contact the credit bureau to correct inaccuracies - Get the best program - Choose a plan that is most suitable for your situation. - Research - Jot down your price range and find out how much you can borrow. - Do it online - Using the Internet could save you more time and money. Lenders now offer mortgage calculators online that you can use to predict which mortgage program is most suitable for you. - Choose the best mortgage specialist - Determine if the specialist works in a company that is likely to stay in business whenever rates fluctuate. - Ask for advice - Look for recommendations so you are familiar with what kind of mortgage plan you are getting into.

These are only recommendations, though, and should not be used in legal matters.

About the Author:

Discover more info as a first time home mortgage loan borrower. Discover an online home equity mortgage calculator now.

Fixed Rate Reverse Mortage - Limits Options

By Toome Vanrock

As information slowly diffuses throughout the senior community regarding reverse mortgages you might surmise that, as a reverse mortgage specialist, I spend a tremendous amount of time educating.

Invariably we get around to interest rates and how that affects the mortgage. The fact is for most seniors the adjustable rate mortgage is the right choice.

Older Americans are more conservative. As such they have a hard time with this when I say, "you're going to want the adjustable rate option". To avoid them walking out of my office I explain myself quickly.

The fixed rate option for the reverse mortgage gives the borrower only one option. That is to pull out money only one time. The ARM, on the contrary, allows for a line of credit giving the borrower the ability to draw out money at any time.

By allowing the choice of when to draw out money the adjustable offers the borrower an uncontestible advantage over the fixed in that interest accrues only on drawn out money. The rest is safely not accruing interest against the equity of the home.

So, who is our fixed rate borrower? It is definittely the one has to yank out a bunch of money up front. At the end of the day, its the one who has no need for the line of credit because very little or no money remains.

One of the best examples of a fixed rate candidate is the person who qualifies for just enough to pay off their forward mortgage, thereby relieving the borrower from the burden of that monthly payment. In this scenario the logic to getting an ARM is reduced to a wash against the fixed.

Right now the adjustable is extraordinarily low, but its fifteen year average and the current fixed rate are roughly equal. For the conservative reverse mortgage customer looking for a large upfront sum the safe bet is to go with the fixed rate.

About the Author:

A more comprehensive analyisis of fixed versus ARMS is at the the Texas guide to rates for the reverse mortgage. Q&A plus excellent Texas data and links to important authority sites are at reverse mortgage education for deep thinkers.

Is Your Debt Too Much?

By Steve Collins

Do troublesome financial troubles make you wonder if you are days away from eviction? Do you dread opening your mailbox, knowing it will be full of past due notices? Do you have nightmares about being unable to satisfy creditors? Do you live from paycheck to paycheck? Consumer credit advising may best be the best way of addressing these severe worries.

Consumer credit advising is for people whose finances have deteriorated beyond their ability to manage them. When you are ready to admit you could use some assistance getting things under control, consumer credit advising is available.

Consumer credit advising starts with an appointment in which you and your adviser will look at your financial records, taking stock of your wages, your expenses and your debts. Together you will decide where you can cut expenses and draw up a monthly budget plan. If your ability to manage your debts alone is in question, consumer credit advising may lead to enrollment in a debt management program or DMP.

Consumer credit advising and DMPs are designed to help you get out of debt. With a DMP, you and your advisor decide on a monthly amount to be turned over to your advising service. Your advisor then acts as a go-between for you and your creditors. The objective is to get late payment fees reduced or forgiven, the length of your loans extended and your interest rates reduced. The consumer credit advising service pays your creditors through your monthly payments.

Consumer credit advising can help you organize your finances. Getting out of debt will not happen straight away. Consumer credit advising can teach you how to manage your budget, and help you establish a repayment plan you can live with while fulfilling your obligations to your creditors. If you've hit a financial brick wall, consumer credit advising is an option to consider.

About the Author:

Steve Collins is an author and journalist. In these trying times, he knows the importance of obtaining effective debt solutions if necessary. Read his article about debt solutions here.

How's My Credit? - Tips To Understanding Your Credit Score

By Christine A. Mathews

If you're thinking about applying for credit, it's always a good idea to find out what your current credit score is ahead of time. It will be one of the first things your lender looks at when reviewing your application. And it could well be a determining factor in how quickly your loan is approved. Knowing what your credit score is before you apply will help eliminate any surprises along the way.

What exactly IS a credit score?

A credit score is simply a number calculated by the three major credit bureaus that indicates how well you handle credit. This is done by reviewing your past credit history and looking at how you are doing with any current debts as well.

Trans Union, Equifax, and Experian are the three major credit bureaus lenders use. Each credit bureau has their own way of calculating your credit score, but they all report their scores using the same scoring method: FICO. FICO is short for Fair Isaac Corporation. Don't be confused if one person uses the term "FICO score" and another uses "credit score" -- they both mean essentially the same thing.

The truth is, lenders won't always ask for credit reports or credit scores from all three credit bureaus when you apply for a loan. Fortunately, since the "big three" all use the same FICO system, a score of 680 from one is thought to be the same as a score of 680 from the other two credit bureaus. Even so, it's a good idea to review your credit report from each one, as sometimes mistakes are made. When that happens, you should contact the credit bureau to have them corrected.

What Is A "Good" Credit Score?

Your credit score can range from 375 to 900 points. The higher the number, the better you are. Getting credit will be easier, and you'll likely get better loan terms as well.

You should understand that each lender will have their own underwriting guidelines and cutoff points they have to follow. But here is a general guideline you can use to see where your credit score falls overall.

If you have a credit score of 650 and above, you probably have a very good credit history. Because you've been responsible in the past, you will probably find the approval process is quick, easy and painless. An added bonus is that your loan terms and interest rate will probably be very good.

"Average" credit tends to fall somewhere between 620 and 650. This is considered basically good, but you may find lenders need a little more documentation or explanation before they approve your loan. They tend to be a bit more careful, looking for any possible credit risks before they approve a large loan or high credit limit.

Also, instead of being quick and easy, your loan may take longer to close. But there is a good chance you will still be able to get credit at a good rate.

Don't panic if your credit falls below 620. It doesn't mean you will never get credit. The right lender may still be willing to give you a loan, but you need to accept that your interest rate will likely by higher and terms won't be as good.

About the Author:

If you find your credit score is less than perfect, don't despair. There are ways you can start to improve your credit rating - starting today! Get more info on personal credit and how it works at http://CreditHelp.ImprovingYourFinances.com/

Retiring From the Civil Service ??" Calculate your Benefits

By William Blake

A civil service retirement calculator is an instrument that helps you to calculate what your retirement benefits will be under the Civil Service Retirement System. How you use the civil service retirement calculator is to input the age you will be at the time of retirement, what your years of service will total, your unused sick days and what your High-3 salary amounts to.

Just as with any retirement calculator, the civil service retirement calculator can not determine precisely what you annuity payments will be. But it can give you a close estimate on what you can expect and can give you information on survivor benefits and annuity with survivor benefits that may apply in your case.

How Civil Service Retirement is Calculated

There is a method of determining retirement benefits for those in civil service. The government has a formula that they follow called the CSRS. The formula is complex and not very easy to follow. A civil service retirement calculator can be a big help. This calculator simplifies the figures and gives a very close estimate of what retirement benefits will be. The calculator even takes into consideration any unused leave you may have and adds that to your years served. The calculations are based on a work year of 261 days not on the standard calendar year.

The Survivor Benefit is a civil service retirement calculator item that goes to your spouse if you are married. Your spouse is awarded fifty five percent of your Basic Annual Annuity. The value of the annual annuity is the cost it takes to provide that benefit to your spouse. However, an effort is always made to provide the maximum benefits to your surviving spouse.

The figures in the civil service retirement calculator are based on the average of the highest earnings over 3 years - normally your last three years of employment. Your highest 3 rates of pay are totaled together and averaged out for a basis of your retirement calculations in the civil service retirement calculator.

A civil service retirement calculator can easily be found on line and they are easy to use and very accurate as long as accurate information is provided. You need to be sure that you input correctly your years of service any unused leave and your average salary along with the age you wish to retire.

Civil Service employees are urged to look to age 60 as their year for retirement. If you are nearing that age start looking into what your retirement will be. The government has provided a calculator online so that you can easily plug in your information and see where you stand.

About the Author:

Trying to find credit card debt assistance? Stop by the Debt Reduction Academy website, where you can claim your free 5 day mini course "Operation Money-Find: How To Find Money To Start Paying Off Your Debt This Month". Grab your copy now at http://www.debtreductionacademy.com/minicourse.php

Pay Off Your Debt

By Michael Benifez

If you've decided that you are tired of constant calls from debt collectors, it's time to do something about your old debts. If you feel that you are buried under your debts and it is impossible to pay your way out of debt, you are not alone. When you find yourself in this situation, you should consult a debt counselor, who is trained to help people like you achieve freedom from their debts. They can help you get your debt under control. They'll also help you plan a budget that you can stick to, and teach you good financial strategies. Their advice can help you keep yourself out of debt once you are finally debt-free, because you'll learn good spending habits in the process of reducing your debt.

Other choices when you find yourself faced with extreme debt are filing for bankruptcy, or trying to find a loan to consolidate your debts. Compared to these choices, debt counseling is an excellent alternative. If you file for bankruptcy, your credit rating will be ruined for several years. In some cases, you may even risk losing your personal property by filing for bankruptcy. This is a serious undertaking, and it should not be taken lightly. Bankruptcy should be your last resort if nothing else works to get you out of debt.

For some people, debt consolidation loans can work for paying off their creditors. However, the debt will still exist under the new loan, and many people do not alter their spending habits, landing right in the same place again increasing the stress caused by debts. Plus, because debt consolidation loans are offered to people considered high-risk, they sometimes require the use of collateral. If you are unable to repay the debt consolidation loan, you will lose this property.

Unlike these two often-used options, professional debt counselors work with you to create a repayment plan you'll be able to follow. They will also help you create a reasonable budget, so that you'll be able to find the money to pay back your creditors. It won't be easy, but with time you will pay off your debts. Then the phone calls will finally stop. Plus, you'll have the tools to keep yourself out of financial difficulties in the future. Many people fall into debt because they do not have a budget that they can stick to. By going through a debt counselor, you will be able to plan a budget that will keep you from overspending.

About the Author:

Join Michael Benifez at http://www.everlife.com. Find out for yourself why so many people are interested in stress of debt.

How to Use Debt Consolidation to Return to Financial Solvency

By Chad Obenken

There are many advantages to securing a debt consolidation loan when you have bad credit, not the least of which is alleviating the anxiety and stress that accompany an unmanageable level of personal debt. As the level of debt in your life creeps up to an unacceptable level, depression and physical health concerns are not uncommon. Debt consolidation can be the light at the end of the tunnel that will restore you to sanity and good health.

In addition to improving your credit score, debt consolidation can relieve the pressure you may be facing from one or more collection agencies, which have been known to use stress-inducing methods to achieve their goals. If you could roll all of these stressful obligations into one manageable monthly payment, you would begin to feel human again, and with each successful payment, you would feel your dignity restored. At the same time, you would be protected from harassment by the collection agents.

There are specialized debt consolidation loans for people who have fallen into a bad credit situation. As your financial situation deteriorated, most likely you defaulted or were late on several of your loan payments, and each problem payment has a detrimental effect on your credit score. After enough of these problems, you would not be able to qualify for a regular debt consolidation loan, due to your poor credit rating. This can leave you between a rock and hard place, financially speaking.

These debt consolidation loans for bad credit would accept your application even with a low credit score, pay your bills on time every month, and in the process, increase your credit rating a little bit with each payment. In a year or less, you would regain not only your credit rating, but your financial reputation and self-respect.

The companies that offer debt reduction programs would negotiate with each of your creditors to get your credit terms revised to the best possible interest rate and repayment schedule. They can often negotiate down any late payment fees or penalties that are due on the account. This creates a win-win situation for everyone. The creditor gets paid, and you end up with a lower monthly payments and a restored credit rating. Each month, you would pay the consolidation company one payment that is lower than the sum of all the payments that were due before. This allows you to get out of debt as fast as possible while at the same time giving you more available cash to spend living rather than paying to credit card late fees and interest.

So, don't let the depression related to over-indebtedness keep you from getting a consolidation loan today to begin improving your financial situation, stress level, and mental health.

About the Author:

Chad Obenken works at large for http://www.creditenio.com , an online site with topics around settle credit card debt and consumer debt counceling. His contributions on credit card debt settlement are found on http://www.creditenio.com/ccsettlement.html .

The Essentials of Estate Planning Retirement

By William Blake

Your retirement is one of the most important things you will ever plan for. It means enjoyment and peace of mind for you in the future. However you want your family to have that same peace of mind even after you are gone. Sometimes it is difficult to think about death and leaving your family. But it is important to be financially prepared so that in addition to the grief they feel over loosing you your family is not overwhelmed with funeral expenses and other costly financial obligations that you were not fully prepared for. So in conjunction with planning for your retirement it is good to also think seriously about your estate planning.

Many people put off making an estate planning retirement plan because they may think it is too time consuming or too difficult. It certainly will take a little time and effort, but it will be worth it in the long run. Once you get started, it will be easy. You must put together your assets and liabilities. Gather relevant documents and inventory of belongings.

A Working Plan

The next step is to define your goals and objective for your estate planning retirement. Important things to think about when you are thinking about estate planning retirement are:

- Identify who your beneficiaries will be

- Make a note of what each beneficiary will receive

- Come to an decision on whether the assets will be distributed by a trust or in a lump sum

- Determine what you will do with a vacation home, second home or a business

- Before setting it all in stone discuss your decisions with your family

Never hesitate to plan your estate because you are unsure of what you want to do with your assets when you are gone. Remember that any plan you make can be adjusted if necessary. What is more important is that you begin to get things on paper and put some sort of plan into action. As you family's needs change or as your circumstances change you can revise your estate plan. Even if you feel you have very little to distribute in your estate it is best to set out on paper how you would like it handled to save your family from having to make those tough decisions.

About the Author:

How would you like to find some extra money to help wipe out credit card debt this month? Visit the Debt Reduction Academy website, where you can sign up to receive your free 5 day mini course "Operation Money-Find: How To Find Money To Start Paying Off Your Debt This Month". Grab your copy now at http://www.debtreductionacademy.com/minicourse.php

No-one likes the idea of having a mortgage

By Rem

The monthly payment for long term fixed rate mortgages are just one fundamental thought for many individuals who are looking to purchase a home. A large number of couples these days have decided to wait and are buying homes later but they also want to pay off their mortgage early. Although before signing any documentation, there is a great deal to consider.

One fundamental point is to ensure that the interest rate doesn't change during the life of the mortgage. If you are offered a deal that appears to be too good to be true than it probably is. The interest rate remains the same for long term fixed rate mortgages over the life of the loan. If you are someone that wants a loan with a dependable fixed monthly mortgage payment with no hidden supplemental charges then this is the main benefit with this type of arrangement.

There are no hidden surprises which is great for many people that need a set monthly mortgage payment. Both my wife and I decided to explore fixed rate mortgages when we started looking at homes for sale. Although it was fundamental for us to pay off our loan as soon as we could, we didn't need high, unrealistic monthly payments which we would have a problem sustaining.

It became manifest that we had to look at fixed rate mortgages over a longer period and not just 15 year fixed mortgage rate plans. No-one likes the idea of having a mortgage when they are close to retiring, and we were no other, so it was still our hope that a 15 year fixed mortgage rate would still be an alternative.

We felt there was a good deal of pressure to have the house paid off as soon as practicable and for the most part we agreed with this. We thought about it long and hard, and despite the pressure we decided to go with the thirty year fixed mortgage rate repayment plan instead. My wife's donation to the monthly finances would probably be unreliable since she wanted to raise our child at home. Alas, a higher monthly payment is the downside of loans on a fifteen year fixed mortgage rate plan. Everything considered, we just didn't need to bite off more than we could chew as the cost of bringing up a child was an uncertain factor.

As such the 30 year fixed mortgage rate brought the monthly repayments down quite a bit. Fortunately, we are also able make supplemental repayments throughout the year to make the principal shrink faster. Just by making a handful of extra repayments throughout a twelve month period you can knock years off of your loan period. This is well worth the effort in the long run but it does require some discipline. Taking our current needs and fiscal abilities into account was more serious than our desire for a shorter term fifteen year fixed mortgage rate program. Altogether though, things worked out very well for us and we're pleased we made the decision we did.

About the Author:

Also have a look at Cheap Real Estate News and Low Cost New Home News

Visa Credit Card APR Rates

By Caden Flynn

Visa credit cards are very popular, and there are many options including cards tailored to the needs of students, individuals, and both large and small businesses. The credit limits range from $250 on up, and you can apply for a card online. It can be a little daunting to select the card you want, but there are some tips to make it easier for you.

When you apply for a Visa card, you'll need to prove you have a job and offer copies of your credit reports and a little personal information. Of course, be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before applying for the card. Because there are many different cards available, it can be tricky to sort out the differences. However, reading the fine print is very important in order to find the right card for your situation.

Many Visa cards have a zero percent introductory interest rate. As long as you pay your bill each month on time, you will not be charged interest. Some Visa cards offer point rewards which can be traded in for items from a catalog, or a cash back system which offers 2 percent or more, up to $500 per year.

It is very important that you make sure that the card offers a hundred percent guarantee against fraud, and no liability, so you will not be responsible for the charges if your card is used for fraudulent transactions. A few credit card lenders may charge you for items purchased after your card is stolen, so be sure to watch out for this fine print.

One popular card is the Low Interest City Platinum Select. This card has a 0% introductory APR for up to one year, which increases to 10.49%, with no annual fees. However, there is some fine print for this card. The zero percent "promotional rate" will increase if you do not pay your other creditors on the dates your bills are due. If you use your card overseas, it will cost you 3 percent on all purchases. Clearly, reading the fine print is very important when signing up for a new card.

The Chase Platinum Cards are also popular, and they offer low introductory APR rates and no annual fees in addition to flexible awards program. The card comes with a points reward system, but the APR skyrockets to 21.99 percent after the introductory period ends. While this particular card only has a few restrictions, it is still important to read them before applying for it.

The Discover Platinum card, another popular option, offers a 0% introductory APR, with no annual fees and cash back rewards. However, again there are some restrictions, which is why it is important to read the terms and conditions. Some cards have many restrictions on their offers, while others do not. Above all, be careful that you understand the credit card company's offer, and do not trust the ads to tell you the full truth.

About the Author:

The more you know the better decisions you can make, like the topic of chase flexible awards. Click on the link to visit http://www.debtjerk.com/chase-flexible-rewards-card-excellent-for-travelers-or-point-collectors.html.