WASHINGTON – It may be the only test you flunk if you score too high: It's called the FICO test and it is a key element of the sometimes arcane new guidelines governing which homeowners qualify for “fast track” interest rate freezes on their subprime mortgages, and those who don't. The rate freeze and loan modification program, announced Dec. Tops on the list is the FICO test. More
If we are going to freeze subprime interest rates at their original rate for the next 5 years, I pose the following question:We bought our house one year ago with a 30 year fixed mortgage. Why? We thought rates were going up and the ARM's that were being offered were 3 year ARM's at about a point lower than ours ended up being. Do you rush out and buy him a new one? Hell no! More
How does mortgage fraud affect you, as a borrower?I am sure you see all the news in the media about the mortgage industry but how is all that related to you? First and most importantly, the information on your application must be accurate and factual to see if you do actually qualify for a loan. The purpose is not to stop you from obtaining a loan. More
Just how bad is the foreclosure situation? In some states, the mortgage crisis is particularly severe. In Ohio, 5.2 percent of all home loans are now either three months past due or somewhere in the process of foreclosure. Michigan and Indiana are not far behind. In Michigan alone, one of every 100 houses saw foreclosure actions initiated in the three-month period covered by the survey. More
A home equity line of credit means a homeowner can use his home as collateral for a loan. In other words, your home can be a source of credit to pay for education, purchase of a car, retirement plans or improvement of home. The bank or the institution will provide you the detailed information as to how you can make use of HELOC. Interest rates are subject to change now and then. More
Using a credit line to borrow against the equity in your home has become a popular source of consumer credit. And lenders are offering these home equity credit lines in a variety of ways. You will find most loans come with variable interest rates, some come with attractive low introductory rates, and a few come with fixed rates. No one loan is right for every homeowner. and abroad. More
Many consumers age 62 or older are "house-rich and cash-poor" — their mortgages are paid off, but they are living on fixed or limited incomes. A "reverse mortgage" may allow some consumers to take advantage of their home as a valuable asset and convert it to a source of income without losing home ownership. To qualify for a reverse mortgage, you must own your home. and abroad. More
If you put less than 20 percent down on a home mortgage, lenders often require you to have Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). PMI protects the lender if you default on the loan. The Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 - which became effective in 1999 - establishes rules for automatic termination and borrower cancellation of PMI on home mortgages. For these loans, your PMI may continue. More
A loan in which real estate is used as collateral - a guarantee that the loan will be repaid and on time - is usually called a commercial mortgage. While it is much like a residential mortgage, the difference is simply that the collateral and the building purchased with the mortgage is used for commercial rather than residential purposes. More
A lot of people find the idea of dealing with all of the problems attached to buying a home very daunting. This is important but there are also many other things that you need to take into account. This is probably not the best way to go about it. A far better approach would be to sit down with a calculator and figure out exactly what you can afford to spend. More
