Found 21 blog entries tagged as Mortgage Terms.

There are many reasons why a mortgage loan for your Santa Cruz real estate could be declined. It doesn’t have to be the end of your real estate dreams. Here are a few things to consider if you’ve been turned down for a mortgage:

Loan-To-Value Ratio
The loan-to-value ratio (LTV) is the percentage of the appraised value of the [city] real estate that you are trying to finance. For example, if you are trying to finance a home that costs $100,000, and want to borrow $75,000, your LTV is seventy-five percent.

Lenders don’t like a high LTV. The higher the ratio, the harder it is to qualify for a mortgage. To reduce the percentage, you can save up a bigger down payment. Some lenders may approve the loan if you buy mortgage insurance, which protects the…

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As the federal reserve continues to taper quantitative easing measures, financial experts project mortgage Santa Cruz interest rates will climb in the next two years. Could this be the much awaited ray of light at the end of the proverbial tunnel for builders and investors or will it drive hesitant home buyers to dig in and shelter in place?

Homeowners who are vacillating between refinancing for a lower interest rate and staying the course may find the time has come to make a decision.

Shrinking unemployment numbers and rising retail sales figures signal that the economy is improving. Even if no one is ready to label the US economy as recovered, Fed Chairman Janet Yellon's decision to follow through on tapering plans reinforces other market…

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When you visit your lender to get a mortgage for your Santa Cruz home, they will tell you the maximum amount that you are allowed to borrow. But how do they reach this total and what factors do they take into consideration?
How do they determine that one borrower can take on a bigger mortgage than the next?
This decision is made by mortgage companies by considering a wide range of factors, including your credit information, your salary and much more.

Here are some of the common ways that lenders determine how much you can borrow:

1. Percentage of Gross Monthly Income

Many lenders follow the rule that your monthly mortgage payment should never exceed 28% off your gross monthly income.

This will ensure that you are not stretched too far with your…

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When you are in the market for a new home, you may be faced with numerous options for financing your home. One of the choices you will have to make is whether to apply for a fixed or adjustable rate mortgage.
In some cases, an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) may be your best option, but keep in mind, they are not the answer for everyone. Adjustable rate mortgages can be risky for some borrowers and it's important to understand both the pros and cons.

When To Consider An Adjustable Rate Mortgage
Perhaps one of the best things about ARMs is they typically have a lower starting interest rate than fixed rate mortgages. For some borrowers, this means it is easier for them to qualify for a loan. 

ARMs are beneficial for borrowers who:

• Anticipate an…

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Before taking out a mortgage to buy a Santa Cruz Home, it’s time to take a realistic survey of your finances so that you can determine your price range and what size of home you can comfortably afford. Buying a home that suits your finances will mean that your mortgage payments will be easily within your budget and won’t cause you financial stress.

Many people, when offered a large mortgage by the bank, are tempted to buy homes that are outside of their price range. It’s easy to see why a larger property or a more luxurious home might be appealing, but by stretching too far beyond your means you are courting with disaster.

If your monthly mortgage rate just barely fits within your budget, without room for savings, retirement contributions, or to…

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When you first bought your Santa Cruz home a few years ago, perhaps you started off with a 30 year mortgage. Now, you are considering refinancing and changing it to a 20 year or even a 15 year mortgage. Shortening your mortgage term and refinancing can be a smart financial move, but before you make this decision there are a number of factors that you should consider.

Switching to a shorter mortgage will mean that your monthly payments will be higher, but you will be 100% paid off much sooner and you will save thousands of dollars in interest rates. Here are a few of the factors to consider before making this decision:

Has Your Situation Improved?
Perhaps you have moved to a higher paying position, allowing you to earn a higher income and pay off more…

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A recent study of US and UK home buyers, conducted by the London based Nationwide Building Society, found that more than 40% of people buying homes were confused by the jargon that lenders used to describe mortgages. When it comes to taking out a mortgage on your Santa Cruz home, could confusing mortgage jargon be costing you money and causing you to make ill-informed choices?

According to the study, only 31% of home buyers understood what the term “LTV” meant, an acronym that stands for “loan to value” and describes the ration between the amount of the mortgage and the value of the home. Not only did the survey show that many mortgage borrowers were confused about what the terms meant, but they also were shy about asking for explanations of various…

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Taking the time to hunt around for a better mortgage rate on your Santa Cruz home could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Recently mortgage interest rates have been at record lows, which mean that you have a chance to secure a great rate. All you need is to do a little bit of research, take the time to compare prices and ensure that you are getting the best rate.
Here are some tips for finding the ideal mortgage rate for you:

Improve Your Credit Score

The better your credit score, the better rates will be available to you when looking for a mortgage. However, if you have bad credit there is no need to panic; there are many ways that you can improve your credit score before searching for a mortgage.
Start by ordering your credit report…

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While we heard plenty about the negotiation battles leading up to the New Year’s looming fiscal cliff, after the fact, many people might not consider how passed legislation personally affects them — especially when it comes to Santa Cruz real estate.

If you haven’t filed your 2012 taxes yet, you might want to take a minute to review the tax limitations and credit extensions, which Congress passed through the HR 8 legislation. You’ll want to ensure you’re paying the right amount when it comes to coughing up your money to Uncle Sam.

Energy Updates
The tax credit for homeowners to receive a ten percent deduction, up to $500, for energy efficient improvements to homes is extended for 2013.

Estate Tax
Individual estates valued at up to five million…

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You may have heard of points when looking for Santa Cruz real estate.  Maybe your loan officer told you that you can trade points for a better interest rate.  That sounds good, but just what are points? Let me give you a better idea of just what points are and how they work.

What Are Points?
Points, more specifically discount points, are a percentage of the total loan amount for the house that is pre-paid to the lender.  Each point is worth one percent.  Your lender may offer a lower interest rate for your mortgage loan if you buy discount points.

What do Discount Points Cost?
The cost of each point is equal to one percent of the loan amount. For instance, for a $200,000 loan one discount point equals $2,000.

For example, you are trying to buy…

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