Taking the step into home ownership is one of the most important financial decisions a person will make in a lifetime. There are many factors to consider when embarking on this venture. Literally hundreds of loan programs are available, and it is important to find the one that best fits your personal long-term goals.

First and foremost, you must have a mortgage consultant in your corner that is willing to take the time to know what your long-term goals are. Communication is the key factor here.

Curious prospective home buyers sometimes turn to Internet-based services just to see what current interest rates are. But a faceless web site will not take the prospect’s future financial planning into consideration or guide the potential borrower through the many nuances of the loan process. When shopping for a home loan, be wary of web-based services that offer programs to reel prospects in with attractive rates that are based upon unrealistic time frames.

If a lender is offering a terrific rate based on a 10-day lock-in period, it is unlikely that the potential home owner would actually be able to find their dream home, get through the negotiation process and win approval from a lender within such a short period of time. This is called short-pricing, and when it comes time to close the transaction, the rate that was originally offered is simply no longer available. As a result, the unfortunate prospect is bulldozed into a loan program with a higher interest rate.

It is highly unlikely that a qualified loan originator whose business is based upon referrals will use unscrupulous tactics such as this to get new customers in the door!

Once you have found a mortgage consultant that you feel comfortable working with, lay your goals out on the table because it will have a tremendous impact on choosing a loan program that meets your specific needs. One of the most important factors to consider is how long you wish to borrow the money for. For example, if you know you will only be in the home for five years, it wouldn’t make sense to opt for a 30-year loan program or pay points up front to secure a lower interest rate. You would not be in the home long enough to benefit from such action.

Your mortgage consultant should be able to narrow down a selection of programs based on the information that you have provided, and present you with an easy-to-read spreadsheet that clearly defines viable options for your interest rate and amortization schedule, monthly payment and any potential savings you may realize by paying points up front.

Moreover, a reputable loan originator will not hesitate to share this information with your tax consultant or financial planner so they may offer additional feedback on your behalf.

Home ownership imparts a rewarding vehicle for building wealth and a strong financial future. The mortgage consultant that you choose should be there not only when your loan closes, but should also provide you with ongoing service to assist you in managing that debt over time.

In this article, we will run through some of the basic issues you should contemplate to help give you a framework for deciding whether to refinance. The best person to help you sort through this framework and help you reach a final decision about when to refinance is your mortgage lending professional. But doing a little homework beforehand will help you ask your mortgage professional the right questions.

Here are three questions to consider when you are thinking about refinancing:

Planning on moving? The first item to consider is whether you’re going to own the house in question for at least two to four more years–the longer the better. If you’re not planning on owning for at least a couple years, refinancing may not be a net benefit to you. HOWEVER: The bigger the mortgage, and the bigger the differential between your current mortgage interest rate and the rate you might get by refinancing, the more refinancing might make sense even on a shorter term basis like two years. So rather than dismiss the idea, this is a good topic to discuss with your mortgage professional in terms of your unique situation.

Can you even qualify for a refinance? It can be tough to refinance these days. If your loan-to-home-value ratio is too high–meaning that your property doesn’t appraise at a high enough value in comparison to the amount that is still outstanding on your loan–it may be harder to refinance. The bank may also consider you to be a higher risk if you’re self-employed, have a high debt-to-income ratio, or if you have credit issues. But the only way to know for sure is to check with your mortgage lender to examine your options.

What are the costs versus the reduction in interest rate? If you are qualified for financing, your lender will also let you know what interest rate you can secure and how much it will cost you to refinance. You can then do a rate versus loan fee comparison to see if refinancing makes sense. For example, if you refinance a $300,000 loan it might cost $6,500 once you add up points, escrow, title, appraisal, etc. If your loan is dropping by one-half of a percentage point you will save $1,500 per year, which is about $1,000 after taxes. So if you are paying $6,500 to save $1,000 per year, it will take you 6.5 years to earn your money back. That may or may not be a good deal for you, depending on how long you are planning to stay in your home. The bottom line is add up all the costs you will incur by refinancing (remember to exclude items like prepaid interest, taxes and HOA fees that you pay whether you refinance or not) and compare these to your cost savings. This will help you determine whether now is the time to refinance.

Generally speaking, it can be time consuming and challenging to properly dissect the costs versus benefits of refinancing a property. That’s why it’s a good idea to talk to your trusted lending professional, who understands the right questions to ask and can help you work through the details to make an informed decision.

With rising costs of living and a dwindling budget to accommodate the elderly and disabled, we will see increased usage of the reverse mortgage. This loan allows equity to be taken out of the home to meet day-to-day expenses, and was designed in the late 1980s to help those who owned property, but lacked sufficient income to live on. However, there are benefits and disadvantages to be considered before going into this type of loan.

In most loan scenarios a home will go into foreclosure if payment is not made. If payments are made, the debt decreases and equity increases. The opposite holds true for a reverse mortgage; equity is taken out of the home to sustain the family, causing debt to increase while equity decreases. There is an exception – if the actual value of the home increases, less equity will be lost overall.

Most reverse mortgages are set up so there is no monthly payment as long as the owner resides in the home. There are no minimum income requirements, and the money can be used for any purpose. Equity disbursed from this type of loan is tax-free. Depending on the type of plan, reverse mortgages will usually allow the owner to retain the title to the property until they have lived in a different residence for 12 months, sold the property, died, or the end of the loan term has been reached.

On the flip side, reverse mortgages can be more costly than a normal equity loan. Interest is added to the principal balance each month, and the amount of interest owed is compounded over time. The interest will not be tax deductible until the loan is paid off, in part or in full. Also, since the reverse mortgage uses equity in the property, this constitutes a loss of assets one could pass on to heirs.

The Federal Trade Commission warns of abuse with this type of loan, as they have received reports of predatory lenders taking advantage of the elderly. It is best for the individual interested in a reverse mortgage to research and obtain counsel from reputable sources.* HUD does not recommend consulting an estate planning service to obtain a referral to a lender. HUD provides this information free to the public. Even if the home loan was not originally an FHA loan, the reverse mortgage can be federally secured.

Bankruptcy becomes a viable option for someone who is “upside down” in terms of cash flow. In other words, when a person has more money going out each month than coming in, bankruptcy should be considered if no reversal of this negative cash flow is within sight. The longer someone waits to explore the various options available, the more serious his or her situation may become.

One of the worst things people can do in this situation is to borrow more money to try and pay off their debts. On paper, this is clearly an unwise financial decision. In the real world, however, it is very common for individuals to pursue this strategy in an attempt to buy time and hold off on filing for bankruptcy. On the surface, this is certainly a noble notion; however it can often compound the problem and serves only to delay the inevitable.

For many homeowners in the midst of this upside down cash flow, speaking to a qualified mortgage professional is a much better option. An experienced loan officer can objectively look at your finances and help you determine if restructuring your mortgage would not only help, but possibly even alleviate any need for bankruptcy.

If bankruptcy is the only option, seek out a reputable bankruptcy attorney and credit counselor. A qualified mortgage specialist can provide references for you as well, as he or she works with these professionals on a regular basis. Reliable references are essential in this case because experienced professionals greatly increase the odds of a successful bankruptcy experience. It’s that simple.

When filing for bankruptcy, be completely honest and accurate regarding every aspect of your financial situation. This includes any changes to your income which may occur throughout the process. Bankruptcy is a federal procedure, adjudicated by real judges, and scrutinized by representatives who coordinate with the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the IRS.

Here are some additional steps you can take to make the bankruptcy process as painless as possible:

• Save all paperwork regarding your bankruptcy, and keep it organized. This will prove beneficial after your bankruptcy as you now have all of the pertinent information in one place. Also, be sure to write down your discharge date. It’s surprising how many people forget to do this.

• Establish a household budget. This can be accomplished in many ways, but there are several inexpensive computer programs available which do an excellent job.

• Throughout the bankruptcy, do your best to not only live below your means, but to save as much cash as possible. You never know what you may need it for once the process is completed.

• Be prepared for a barrage of junk mail. There will be sharks on the loose who are hoping to capitalize on your need for credit.

Tips for Rebuilding Credit:

• If you must buy a car, focus on transportation as opposed to style. Buy an inexpensive, used car, and try to get a loan for it. It’s a good idea to figure out what your budget allows in terms of a dollar amount first. This means obtaining financing prior to looking for a car.

• Get a secured credit card. Secured credit cards allow for the cardholder to deposit a said amount of money into an account, thus establishing the spending limit of the card. Missed payments result in deductions from the account. Some of these cards will reward responsible borrowers by upping the limit without an additional deposit. Some will even convert the account into a traditional credit card. (Be wary of offers of “easy credit” or any card which asks you to call a 900 number. You will be charged for the call.)

• Meet with a credit repair specialist. Not only can they help you clean up the damage to your credit report, they can advise you on specific ways to rebuild the credit you lost as well.

While it does take time, there is definitely life (and credit) after bankruptcy. Some mortgage lenders will even lend to you within a year or so after a bankruptcy. If you’re in serious financial trouble, the trick is to get the help and advice you need from professionals you trust.

If you have any questions regarding any mortgage issue, contact Ann Zeilingold
ann@annzeilingold.com
www.annzeilingold.com
Facebook: Ann Zeilingold
845-354-9700

What can you do to insure that you will be able buy a home and get a mortgage loan?

The quick answer is to make sure that the potential buyer is pre-approved. BUT a pre-approval is not enough to guarantee that the buyer will get a mortgage. Here’s why:

There are four components necessary to close a loan. Those components are:
1. Credit. Is the buyer credit worthy? Do they have acceptable credit scores and is the credit acceptable for mortgage. The buyer may have scores that fit the program, but there may be something on the report that will be unacceptable to a lender lie a recent bankruptcy, short sale or foreclosure etc.
2. Assets. There has to be enough money to make the deal work. The buyer must have the down-payment and closing costs. Sometimes the buyer may have assets but they may be unacceptable. For example, some loan programs Some do not allow a gift, or if there are unexplained large deposits into the borrowers account, those may not qualify as assets.
3. Income. The client must make enough money to pay this loan. The mortgage payment, taxes, insurance and monthly debt are all taken into consideration. Some times a buyer has income sources that are not acceptable such as a short-term second job or a self-employed client that receives a W-2 and paystubs that currently show enough income but were lower on the last tax return.
4. Appraisal. The bank wants to make sure that the house that is being mortgaged is worth what the buyers are paying for it. An independent appraisal report is required. This has become a huge concern. An appraisal is an opinion of the individual appraiser. Even though the buyer may have looked at every house that was for sale and thinks the value is solid, an appraiser may not be able to find other homes within an acceptable geographic distance that can validate the value, or, the appraiser may comment on repairs that may be needed or deferred maintenance or mold and these comments can cause a lender to deny the loan.

A pre-approval from a reputable mortgage professional should cover the first three components. The fourth component, the appraisal, is a wild card and until the appraisal is in and has been reviewed satisfactorily, the deal is not a solid deal.

This is why it is so critical to have a mortgage loan originator you can trust, who has relationships and knows the region well. Understanding these issues and knowing how to navigate the mortgage uncertainties takes a team of committed and knowledgeable people. At First Meridian Mortgage, we pride ourselves on taking care of details to ensure that the loan process runs as smoothly as possible.



Expiring September 30, 2011: Super Conforming Mortgage Loan Limits
When the economic crisis began a few years ago, the government temporarily increased loan limits in high cost areas across the country because many lenders would have refused to make those loans without the government covering the risk of default. But now these loan limits are due to expire, and this is a big deal because mortgage rates are typically much lower when they are supplied through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. 

If you are looking to finance a large loan through the government, it’s important to act quickly. Get in now or you could be paying higher rates. 

That’s because when these loans are no longer allowed under Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, they will be considered non conforming (Jumbo) loans, and these usually have a much higher rate because they will be backed by private investors and not Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. 

In similar fashion, the FHA loan limits that were increased in 2008 due to the economic downturn are also scheduled to revert back to lower loan limits (those determined under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008) for loans insured by FHA on or after October 1, 2011. According to a brief released by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in May, this means that “FHA loan limits would likely decline in 669 of the 3,334 counties or county equivalents that are eligible for FHA insurance.” If you are planning to finance a large loan through FHA, contact me to see if this upcoming drop in loan limits could impact you. 


Expiring October 31, 2011: Home Path Buyer Incentive Offer
Fannie Mae recently extended its HomePath Buyer Incentive Offer, in which buyers may be eligible to receive up to 3.5% in closing cost assistance, through October 31, 2011. To qualify, your initial offer must have been submitted on or after June 14, 2011 and you must close by October 31, 2011. In addition, buyers and/or selling agents must request the incentive upon submission of the initial offer in order to be eligible, and only buyers purchasing a HomePath property as their primary residence qualify. 

It’s important to note that offers submitted after September 15, 2011 may be difficult to close by the October 31, 2011 deadline.



If you think any of these deadlines could impact you, give me a call or send me an email. I’m happy to answer any questions you have.

The truth is that APR is a very poor way to comparison shop for a mortgage and can cause borrowers to make costly decisions. APR was created to provide a way for borrowers to account for costs associated with the mortgage. This sounds good because it may not be very easy to choose between a loan with a lower rate and higher fees or a loan at a higher rate with low fees.

The problem is that the APR calculation is based on bad assumptions. First, APR assumes zero inflation and that the value or buying power of a dollar today will be exactly equal to the value of a dollar 10, 20, or even 30 years from now. Next, the APR calculation assumes that the mortgage will never be pre-paid or paid. That means no refinancing or selling the home, which is highly unlikely since the average life of a home mortgage loan is less than four years. Just think about your own loans: Is it rare to see the same loan in place for even five years-forget 30 years?

The APR calculation does not consider the value of the money used for fees. So if you spent thousands of dollars in points or fees to get a lower rate, the APR calculation does not give any value to the money if it wasn’t spent on closing costs. Finally, APR does not take tax consequences into consideration. This can be significant, since higher fees on the mortgage may not be deductible, while the higher interest rate typically is deductible. Moreover, APR can be easily manipulated by bad lenders, making it totally worthless.

How does APR work?

APR basically takes the base interest rates, calculates closing costs, and gives you a number. Technically, the lower the number, the better the deal. If two lender quote you the exact same (base) rate, the lender with the lower APR is supposed to be a better deal. If the lenders are playing fair, this works well in giving you accurate information.
If the two lenders are quoting different (base) rates, then the APR calculation is totally misleading. Make sure you are doing CORRECT Apples-to-Apples comparisons.

Furthermore, the APR calculation only keeps the monthly payment information the same. Instead of the mortgage amount, APR uses “amount financed.” This is the “amount financed” information on the Truth in Lending statement. Amount financed takes into consideration the fees that are lender imposed, such as application fees, points, commitment fees, and interim or per diem interest. So, amount financed is the mortgage amount less any lender fees, points, and interim interest. The more fees, the lower the amount financed. The monthly payment is then calculated as a product of the amount financed to give you the annual percentage rate or APR. So, the lower the amount financed, the higher the APR is. Amount financed can be manipulated by assuming a closing on the last day instead of the first day of the month. That would increase the amount financed and decrease the APR.

At the end of the day, because different lenders apply different fees to their APR calculation, it is impossible to compare one lender to another based on the APR. You just have to go back to basics by reviewing the closing costs of each individual lender that you are choosing from.

If you have any questions regarding any mortgage issue, contact Ann Zeilingold, Branch Manager of First Meridian Mortgage Corp. Licensed Mortgage Banker NY, NJ, CT, banking departments. 1609 Route 202, Pomona NY 10970. 845-354-9700 or ann@annzeilingold.com or at www.annzeilingold.com

By luck, the Smith Family finds a home they fall in love with. They immediately put in an offer with the realtor and the realtor asks them for their pre approval. “What’s that?” they ask sheepishly and they tell the broker that they don’t. The realtor then informs them she cannot present their offer without proof that they are qualified for financing from a lending institution.

The Smith’s then call a mortgage professional who immediately meets with them to review their paperwork and ensure they are indeed qualified to get financing. What the Smith’s aren’t aware of is all the nitty gritty rules and nuances involved in mortgage qualifications such as, a self employed borrower needs to be on the job for two years. Problem here is that even though Mr. Smith worked for a Fortune 500 company for 14 years, he just started his own business 11 months ago and although business is booming, that income can’t be used.

The Smith’s are devastated and the helpful loan officer suggests a non-occupying cosigner. Mrs. Smith’s eyes light up. Her mother would do that gladly. So while the Smith’s discuss the situation with the in-laws and until the in-laws provide the paperwork necessary for the pre approval, the realtor already received offers from two fully qualified borrowers with preapprovals and the Smith’s lose the house of their dreams.

Aside for the fact a homebuyer shouldn’t be rushing and wondering if they will lose their dream home, its always wise to know what you can afford and know the different options of down payment is. (putting down 3.5% vs. 20%) It’s also good to speak to a loan officer so they can guide you through on what mistakes to avoid that hinder people from getting approved, or advice on what to do to prevent a credit score from going down or to even to boost a credit score thus enabling a borrower to receive a much better rate.

So it’s Important to Apply before You Buy.