Buying a Home with No Money Down

By: Jennifer Hershey
If you are on the market for a new home, you may want to look into buying a home with no money down, otherwise known as 100% financing.

The benefit of buying a home with no money down is that you will be able to use the money you normally would use for a down payment for other things, such as closing costs, or putting it toward new furniture.

One of the requirements for buying a home with no money down is having excellent credit, or, at the very least, next to excellent credit.

Keep in mind, when borrowing up to 100% of the value of a home, the lender may charge you a bit more by bumping up the interest rate.

The lender does this because when they approve a loan for 100% as opposed to 95%, they are taking on more of a risk. Therefore, they slightly raise the rate.

Remember, borrowing up to 100% can be very convenient if you simply don't have the money for the down payment, and we all know, we pay for convenience.

Because of the slightly higher interest rate you may run into in this situation, you may want to consider shopping around for the best rate and product to fit your needs and budget.

The mortgage industry is a highly competitive one, and there are many mortgage companies out there across the United States that offer programs with the option to purchase a home with no money down.

If you are not interested in doing the shopping around yourself, or simply just don't have the time, you may want to consider hiring a broker to do it for you.

Brokers have access to hundreds of lenders across the United States, making it easier to shop a few mortgage companies for you.

It really wouldn't hurt to allow one of these brokers to assess your situation than let them speak with a few lenders to see what kind of deal they come back to you with. Once they have done this, you can base your consideration on the best rate and program they can get you for buying your home with no money down.

Keep in mind, mortgage brokers and lenders work on commission, so finding you a mortgage product and getting it to the table is just as important to them as it is to you. Best of luck.


Author Bio
Jennifer Hershey has more than twenty years of experience in the Mortgage Industry as a loan officer. She is the owner of www.explainingmortgages.com, a mortgage resource site devoted to making mortgage terms and products easy to understand.

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Shopping Home Equity Loan Rates

By: Jennifer Hershey
If you have been in your home for a number of years and you have established some equity, you may be considering liquidating some of that equity. A great way to do this would be to go with a Home Equity Loan.

A home equity loan allows for you to borrow off of the equity you have established in your home through appreciation and monthly mortgage payments without having to touch your first mortgage.

This is why a home equity loan can also be known as a second mortgage. But before you go and start signing applications, shop around so you can find the best home equity loan rate out there.

There are two types of home equity loans on the market that you have to choose from. The first one is your standard home equity loan with a fixed rate, which of course, is based on prime. This loan you receive in a lump sum and begin to make monthly payments upon it immediately.

The second type of loan is the home equity credit line. This one, as its name implies comes in the form of a line of credit. The home equity line of credit has a rate that is variable, which means it will fluctuate with the prime rate. Many of them come with introductory rates for the first five or six months.

Once approved for a home equity line of credit, you will not receive it in the form of a lump sum. Instead you will receive it in the form of a check book giving you easy access to draw upon it in the amount you would like at your convenience. Once you do draw upon it, you will have to begin paying it back on a monthly basis. Normally in the form of interest only for the first ten years.

Suppose you were to receive a home equity line of credit in the amount of $25,000.00. If you only wanted to borrow $6000.00, than all you would have to do is write out one of the check's the lender sent you and deposit it into your checking account. Your payment would than be based on the $6000.00 you borrowed from your line.

Keep in mind, home equity credit lines do come with a rate that is variable, and that rate is based on prime. So, if the prime rate goes up, the rate on your home equity credit line will go up as well.

On the other hand, if the prime rate goes down, than the rate on your home equity credit line will go down.

Mortgage companies are very competitive, so whichever home equity loan you decide to go with, it would be in your best interest to shop around so that you may compare rates.

After allowing for a few loan officers to assess your situation and offer you a rate and product, base your decision on the rate and product that best fits your needs and budget.


Author Bio
Jennifer Hershey has more than twenty years of experience in the Mortgage Industry as a loan officer. She is the owner of a mortgage resource site devoted to making mortgage terms and products easy to understand.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content

Getting a Home Inspection

By: Jennifer Hershey
If you are in the process of purchasing a new home, it will definitely be in your best interest to have a home inspection done.

Not only will you want to have a home inspection done for your own sake, and peace of mind. But most lenders will require that you have a home inspection before they will proceed with the loan. The lending institution has just as much interest in the home as you do, so that is why they require a home inspection.

Getting a home inspection requires hiring a company to send out a home inspector to go through the home you are going to purchase. With you present, the home inspector goes through the home, and thoroughly inspects to make sure nothing in is need of major repair that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Basically, a home inspector goes through a home and checks wiring, fixtures, plumbing, and the foundation of the home to make sure it is structurally sound. He will also inspect the outside of the home along with the roof to make sure there isn't any exterior damage.

Along with the home inspection, it would also be in your best interest to inspect for wood boring insects, such as termites and beetles.

A pest inspection is also required by the lender before they proceed with a loan.

A pest inspection is done separately from the home inspection and is done through a different company that specializes in pest inspections.

Not only are home and pest inspections required by the lending institutions, but it would be in your best interest even if they were not. They cost anywhere from $300.00 to $400.00 depending on the size of the home, and you are aloud to be present and ask questions through the entire inspection.

Imagine if you found your dream home and loved it so much that you purchased it without having the home inspection done. On the day that you and your family move in, it is the happiest day of your lives. Than, three days after you move in, you get your first rain fall while in your new house. Than, the next thing you know, you have rain coming through the ceilings up stairs.

After something like this, you'll be wishing you had the home inspected. Trust me.

Believe me, this stuff happens. So be smart, and get a home inspection. It beats paying $15,000.00 to $20,000.00 for a new roof.

In addition, once you have a home inspection done, you will have peace of mind that the house is sound and in good living condition. However, should anything happen to go wrong after you move in that was covered under your home inspection, you will have the home inspection company to hold accountable for the damage, and not have to pay it out of your own pocket.

To summarize, the home inspection is very important to both you and the lending institution. You both have an interest in the property, so have the home inspection done, you will sleep a lot easier.


Author Bio
Jennifer Hershey has more than twenty years of experience in the Mortgage Industry as a loan officer. She is the owner of www.explainingmortgages.com, a mortgage resource site devoted to making mortgage terms and products easy to understand.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content

Refinancing with Home Equity Loans

By: Jennifer Hershey
If you have lived in your home for a reasonable amount of time, you may be considering refinancing.

Refinancing can be done in a few different ways. One of the most popular recently has been the home equity loan.

A home equity loan is a loan used to pay off your existing mortgage at a lower rate.

Also, when refinancing with a home equity loan, you have the option of liquidating some of the equity you have established in your home through monthly mortgage payments and appreciation.

Lets suppose you owe $125,000.00 on the mortgage to your home, but your home is worth $200,000.00. This means you have $75,000.00 worth of equity that you can liquidate.

Realistically, you could get a home equity loan for $150,000.00, pay off your existing mortgage, and have $25,000.00 left for home improvement, a new car, college tuition, etc.

Home equity loans also come in the form of a line of credit, better known as a home equity line of credit.

The difference between a home equity loan and line is that the line comes with a variable rate, which means it will adjust with the prime rate, so be careful when deciding.

The home equity credit line can also be re-tapped once it has been partially paid off, or paid off in full, which makes for much convenience.

Before deciding on how you want to go about doing your refinancing, be sure to educate yourself as much as possible about the mortgage industry.

Also, shop around for the best rate and program that fits your needs and budget. The mortgage industry is a competitive one, so let them fight for your business. Good luck.

Author Bio
Jennifer Hershey has more than twenty years of experience in the Mortgage Industry as a loan officer. She is the owner of www.explainingmortgages.com, a mortgage resource site devoted to making mortgage terms and products easy to understand.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content

Free Money To Send Your Child To College

With college costs rising each year, most parents look for ways to get help paying the bill.  Financial aid is the only way that many college students can even set foot on campus.  For some colleges, it is not unusual for the great majority of students to be on some type of financial aid.

Here are some ways to find money to help finance your child's college education.

Federal aid is one of the ways that you can pay for your child's college education.  There are numerous federal programs that you and your child can apply for.  Government financial aid for college normally comes in the form of a grant, loan, or work study program.

A grant is the type of funding that does not have to be repaid you or your child there are different types of grants.  Most grants require some type of income limit.

Student loans are a very popular option for college tuition payments.  The types of student loans that you qualify for are based on financial need.  The students can receive loans based on their income or the income of their parents, depending upon who can claim them on their taxes.  If they are not claimed by you, then they will receive loans based on their income.  If they are on your taxes as a deduction, then your income will be used in order to determine their qualifications.

Another option is a work study program.  The work study program will allow tuition to be deferred if the student works in a certain area or field while he is attending school.

All students that are applying for government financial aid must fill out a free application known as the FAFSA.  This stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  This form is evaluated once it has been completed and submitted.

Another option is to investigate state sources for scholarships, grants, and loans.  Many states have lottery funded financial assistance for college students.

Colleges also have their own scholarships and grants.  Discuss the options with the Financial Aid office on campus.

By planning ahead in using the resources available, you can ensure that your child will receive a quality college education.

New Home Purchase

By: Jennifer Hershey
So the time has come for you to purchase a new home. Purchasing a new home is by far one of the largest financial transactions you will ever make in your life, so you will want to take your time and learn as much as you can about the mortgage industry.

The first question that comes to peoples minds when they begin their quest for a new home is "how much can I afford?"

Many factors play a role when it comes to determining how much you can afford. Such as your income, your current debt, down payment, the term of the loan, etc.

Once you have determined what your financial situation is you will want to begin your quest for a mortgage. But before you dive in and start filling out applications, make sure you shop around for the best possible deal. There are a lot of lenders out there that are hungry for your business. So let them compete for it.

Purchasing a home requires time, patience and education. But don't worry, you don't have to do all of the work yourself. There are people within the industry you will be working with such as Realtors and lenders that will help you through this process and point you in the right direction.

This doesn't mean to let them tell you every thing, it is very important to continue to educate yourself as much as possible and remain in the driver's seat at all times.

Keep in mind the majority of people in this industry are paid on commission, so getting you into that home is just as important to them as it is to you.


Author Bio
Jennifer Hershey has more than twenty years of experience in the Mortgage Industry as a loan officer. She is the owner of a mortgage resource site devoted to making mortgage terms and products easy to understand.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content

Securing the Best Mortgage Rate

By: Jennifer Hershey
If you are looking to purchase a new home or refinance the one you are currently living in, you will want to find the best mortgage rate out there.

Securing the best mortgage rate for you really isn't that difficult if you are willing to take some time and educate yourself, as well as put out some feelers to do some shopping around.

The mortgage industry is a very competitive one, so for starters, shopping around isn't such a bad idea.

If you put yourself in touch with up to four loan officers or mortgage brokers, and allow for them to assess your situation, they will most likely get back to you with the best rate they have to offer in order to keep you from taking your business to their competition.

Securing the best rate will be much easier for you if you do take the time to educate yourself about the mortgage industry.

By educating yourself about the mortgage industry you will gain a good grasp as to what products are hot and what the rates are doing, as well as certain trends that are affecting the industry.

Having even just a limited knowledge of what the mortgage industry has to offer, not to mention an understanding of all the jargon that is certain to be thrown your way will give you an advantage when dealing with lenders and brokers.

Just because a lender or broker offers you a particular product and rate doesn't mean that it is the best product and rate out there.

A lot of people in the industry including brokers and loan officers are paid on commission, and the rate they offer you affects their commission.

So be careful, make sure the rate and product that you choose is in the best interest of you and not the person doing the mortgage for you.

That is why shopping around and educating yourself is so vitally important before you go and commit to one mortgage company.

Education is important because knowledge is power, and it will give you the opportunity to talk the talk with the people in the mortgage industry.

Shopping around is important because you will be given a handful of products and rates, than you will be able to base your decision on the deal that best fits your needs and your budget.


Author Bio
Jennifer Hershey has more than twenty years of experience in the Mortgage Industry as a loan officer. She is the owner of a mortgage resource site devoted to making mortgage terms and products easy to understand.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content