A second mortgage loan is a subsequent loan and subordinate to the earlier mortgage. In other words, a second mortgage loan is used as collateral pledged for the first loan. Length of Second Mortgage Loans Second mortgage loans have varying lengths with which they are eventually paid off. Some second mortgage loans may last for as long as 15 or 20 years. Other second mortgage...

Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac Mortgage Loans - Conforming Loans Provide Low Interest Rates

Carrie Reeder

Conforming loans provide low interest rates since they are almost guaranteed to be purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which allows more funds to be available for borrowers. However, these corporations have terms, such as maximum loan, that limit how much you can borrow. If you don't meet their terms, you will need to apply for a non-conventional loan with slightly higher interest rates.

Loan Purchasers

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are stockholder owned companies that purchase mortgages, package them into securities, and then resells them to investors. This allows banks and other financing companies to lend to more customers since their capital is not tied up in long-term loans.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have strict requirements for purchasing loans. Basically, they want to reduce their risk level so they put a cap on loan amounts, credit score, income level, and down payment.

Conforming Loan Amounts

Each year Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac create new guidelines for loan amounts. In 2005, a mortgage limit for a single-family dwelling is $359,650. Limits for multiple family dwelling are significantly higher, roughly an additional $100,000 per family. Maximum loan amounts are also 50% higher in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands since property prices are higher.

Second mortgages also have their limit. In 2005 the limit was $179,825, but the total mortgaged amount of both loans could not exceed $359,650. As with first mortgages, second mortgages can also be 50% higher in designated areas.

Non-Conforming Loans

There are other loan options if you don't qualify for a conforming loan. If you need to borrow more than the maximum conforming loan amount, then you will want to apply for a jumbo loan. Because these types of loans are handled on a smaller scale, their rates are slightly higher than a conforming loan.

If you have poor credit or little down payment, you can use a subprime lender who specialized in lending to B/C type loans. You can expect to pay higher rates with these lenders, but many offer favorable terms. To find the best deal and to avoid scams, you must research your lender. Compare rates and terms until you find a favorable financing package.

About the author:

See my recommended Home Mortgage Lenders online for the lowest rates possible. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help finding the best home mortgage loans.

The latest information and news on Mortgages:

Yahoo! News Search Results for mortgage

Mortgage rates hit decades-low of 4.32 percent
Mortgage rates fell to the lowest level in decades for the tenth time in 11 weeks, as investors worried about the economy.
Mortgage rates hit record low: Freddie Mac
U.S. mortgage rates fell in the past week to the latest in a series of record lows as yields on government debt dropped, according to a survey released on Thursday by Freddie Mac, the second-largest U.S. mortgage finance company.
Mortgage rates at record lows
WASHINGTON (AP) - Mortgage rates have fallen to the lowest level in decades for the tenth time in 11 weeks.
Mortgage rates still heading south
Mortgage interest rates have fallen for the 10th time in the last 11 weeks, according to Freddie Mac's report on what lenders are offering to borrowers with solid credit and 20% down payments or home equity. Freddie Mac's weekly survey...
Mortgage Bankers group spent $745K lobbying in 2Q
The Mortgage Bankers Association spent $745,000 in the second quarter to lobby the federal government on issues including banking regulations, housing issues and reforms to the financial system.
Yahoo! News Search Results for refinance

Home mortgage refinance rates are low
Home mortgage refinance rates are low right now. How can you capture the best rate?
Owners decide to keep EQT Plaza, refinance debt
The 32-story EQT Plaza, Downtown, has been pulled off the market as its owner, Blackstone Group of New York, has decided to refinance its debt and retain ownership.
Dana Blair of Love Funding Closes $6.56 Million Refinance Loan for Multifamil...
Dallas - Love Funding today announced that its Dallas office closed a $6,560,000 non-recourse loan for the refinance of Aspen Chase, a 288-unit multifamily housing complex located in Dallas.
More homeowners rush to refinance
Low rates means more homeowners are looking to refinance but a shaky housing market puts the damper on new mortgages.
Should you stretch out a refinance?
It might make more sense to increase the length of your mortgage to free up some cash.