Mortgage Questions to Ask Your Lender
Gerald Meyer
Buying and financing a home today can be overwhelming. Here are some questions to ask your lender so that you can make informed decisions.
Are both fixed-rate and adjustable mortgage loans available? What is the interest rate?
How long can I "lock-in" the financing at the current interest rate?
Is a float down lock available in case rates drop after I have locked in?
What are the other fees a lender may charge me in conjunction with my loan?
Are funds for a second mortgage available?
On adjustable loans:
How often will the interest rate be adjusted?
Is there a maximum limit on each rate change?
How often will the monthly payment be adjusted?
Is there a ceiling on payment adjustments?
Can the term of the loan be extended?
What is the maximum rate that can be charged over the life of the loan?
Is there any potential for negative amortization?
Is there a pre-payment penalty clause?
This involves extra charges for paying off the loan before maturity. About 80% of all loans in the United States are paid off early.
What is the "grace" period? How late can a monthly payment be made before a late charge is assessed?
What will happen if a payment is missed?
If you sell your house, will the new buyer (if he/she qualifies) be able to assume your mortgage at the same interest rate?
Do you have to pay "points" to get your new mortgage? Usually lenders charge points for the cost of giving you a mortgage loan. A "point" is 1% of the loan.
Will the lender require mortgage insurance?
Is the loan serviced locally or is the servicing sold?
Ask for a written "good faith deposit".
About The Author
Gerald Meyer
Leanna Meyer is a Realtor with Re/Max Cross Country and can help you find Lewisville Texas Real Estate. Find homes for sale and area information for Flower Mound Texas, Lantana, and Dallas, TX. Learn about the North Texas area at http://www.LeannaMeyer.com. Free buyer and seller reports are available as well as a mortgage calculator and other mortgage information. Visit http://www.home-improvement-sites.com for Home Improvement.
The latest information and news on Mortgages:
Mortgage rates remain below 5 percent (AP via Yahoo! News)
Mortgage rates held below the 5 percent threshold for the second straight week, a report said Thursday, weeks before a government program that has been keeping rates low is scheduled to expire.
Mortgage Rates on 30-Year U.S. Loans Fall to 4.95% (Update2) (Bloomberg)
March 11 (Bloomberg) -- Mortgage rates in the U.S. declined for a second consecutive week as the number of home-loan applications rose. The rate for 30-year fixed mortgages fell to 4.95 percent for the week ended today from 4.97 percent, Freddie Mac said in a statement.
Mortgages: 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averages 4.95% (Market Watch)
30-year fixed-rate mortgage averages 4.95%, Freddie Mac reports.
Freddie Mac: 30-yr Fixed-rate Mortgage Rate Slips (Fox News)
Freddie Mac: 30-yr Fixed-rate Mortgage Rate Slips
Mortgage rates fall to 4.95% (The Arizona Republic)
Mortgage applications rose 0.5 percent.
Yahoo! News Search Results for refinance
Pernod Ricard Plans to Issue Bonds to Refinance Absolut Buyout (Bloomberg)
March 10 (Bloomberg) -- Pernod Ricard SA , the world?s second-biggest liquor maker, is planning to sell six-year bonds to help refinance loans used to buy the Absolut vodka brand in March 2008.
New Article on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac HARP Mortgage Refinance Program Availa...
In a new article, AimLoan.com explains why Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?s program to refinance underwater homeowners should be expanded, as lowered mortgage rates are key to economic recovery. (PRWeb Mar 9, 2010) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/03/prweb3690424.htm
New Article on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac HARP Mortgage Refinance Program Availa...
In a new article, AimLoan.com explains why Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?s program to refinance underwater homeowners should be expanded, as lowered mortgage rates are key to economic recovery.
Coal producer ICG prices stock, debt offerings (WVVA Bluefield)
Associated Press - March 11, 2010 9:05 AM ET SCOTT DEPOT, W.Va. (AP) - International Coal Group says it's priced stock and note offerings it's using to refinance debt.
Golf course refinancing approved (The Oak Ridger)
With little discussion Monday, City Council agreed to essentially refinance the debt on the Centennial Golf Course, potentially saving close to $900,000 and allowing the debt to be paid off two years early.