The
best Fixed Rate refinance is not always going to be the quote with the
lowest rate. When refinancing an adjustable rate mortgage, or ARM loan,
to lock in a low fixed rate, a variety of other factors are
significantly more important than rate alone.
When comparing potential sources of financing, remember that many
lending institutions considered household names employ rather
unscrupulous "bait and switch" tactics with alarming regularity. By
quoting you the best rate, they hope to lock you into a process both
financially and emotionally with the hope that by the time they give
you the real rate, often at the closing table, you will be too
exhausted and afraid to explore your options. Comparing Good Faith
Estimate documents is also next to impossible because lenders with
something to hide know you will do this. There are a variety of methods
by which the costs of an unrealistically low rate can be concealed on a
Good Faith Estimate, and it is after all only an estimate, and can be
changed with no enforceable penalty at any time.
Choose a firm which you feel represents your interests, whose good
faith is more than just a piece of paper, and you will be assured to
find the best fixed rate with the best features and terms for your
familys financial situation.
When
choosing a Fixed Rate loan, take into consideration how long you plan
on being in the home. If you plan to stay there without intention to
refinance for a couple of years, take a loan with a pre-payment
penalty. Mortgages which carry a pre-payment penalty usually carry a
lower interest rate. Since you won't be selling or refinancing inside
of the penalty anyway, it is a benefit to you for a lower rate.
Borrowers
can get the best fixed rate by working with a mortgage professional
they trust. Getting the best fixed rate will depend on a borrowers
credit, type of loan and LTV.
Ask
your Mortgage Broker to quote you fixed rates from 10-40 yr
amortization schedules to determine which is best for your needs.
When
looking to get the best fixed rate, always remember that everyone lends
from the same pool of money. One mortgage lender may offer the best
fixed rate but the costs may not be favorable. Another mortgage lender
may offer a higher rate but the costs may be significantly lower.
Obtaining
the best fixed rate, for example on a 15 year fixed rate mortgage,
should not compromise your ability to consistently make the higher
payments required of the loan. Mortgage companies can qualify you for
payments which are much higher than you can truly afford, and do not
account for any unexpected disruption of your income due to a break in
employment, illness, or family emergency. While minimizing interest
expenses is important, obtaining payment flexibility may be
significantly more important to you, and may help you prevent an
unforeseen future event from ruining your credit, bankrupting you, or
even losing your home to foreclosure.
If
you are currently in an adjustable rate mortgage, you should certainly
consider contacting me at 770-634-4315 within a month or two of the
scheduled adjustment. You will likely be surprised to learn how much
your mortgage payment is set to increase. Together, we can analyze your
situation and prepare the best fixed-rate mortgage refinance plan.
A
fixed rate mortgage (FRM) is a mortgage loan where the interest rate on
the note remains the same through the term of the loan, as opposed to
loans where the interest rate may adjust or "float."
There
are other factors affecting your payment besides the intrest rate. For
example if your loan requires that you carry Personal Mortgage
Insurance (PMI), these payments would be added to your monthly payment
amount until this mortgage would no longer be necessary. This is
normally when you acquire 20% equity in the home.
The
best fixed rate mortgage (FRM) can often be found by using a mortgage
broker. The mortgage broker has access to numerous lenders wholesale
interest rate pricing.
To
get the best fxed rate, do yourself a favor and review your credit
report for any errors. Good credit is required to obtain the best fixed
rate.
Fixed
rate mortgages are available in terms from 10 to 40 years. By choosing
a program with a shorter repayment term you will receive a lower
interest rate. Even with a lower interest rate your payment will be
higher with a shorter term mortgage. Take everything into consideration
when choosing interest rate and mortgage programs.
In a
normal economic environment, Fixed Rate Mortgages (FRM) have interest
rates that are 1% to 2% higher than that of Adjustable Rate Mortgages
(ARM). However, when a slow or declining economy is expected and the
interest yield curve is inverted, Fixed Rate Mortgages may have
interest rates about the same as those offered by Adjustable Rate
Mortgages.
Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee 11486