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        Choosing  a Mortgage Program...?   

closing: asheville real estateThere isn't a single or simple answer to this question. The right type of mortgage for you depends on many different factors including :

For example, a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage can save you many thousands of dollars in interest payments over the life of the loan, but your monthly payments will be higher. An adjustable rate mortgage may get you started with a lower monthly payment than a fixed-rate mortgage -- but your payments could get higher when the interest rate changes. The best way to find the "right" answer is to discuss your finances, your plans and financial prospects, and your preferences frankly with a mortgage professional.

Two Key Factors for Qualifying

In attempting to approve home buyers for the type and amount of mortgage they want, mortgage companies basically look at two key factors: the borrower's ability and willingness to repay the loan. Ability to repay the mortgage is verified by your current employment and total income. Generally speaking, mortgage companies prefer for you to have been employed at the same place for at least two years, or at least be in the same line of work for a few years.

The borrower's willingness to repay is determined by examining how the property will be used. For instance, will you be living there or just renting it out? Willingness is also closely related to how you have fulfilled previous financial commitments, thus the emphasis on the credit report or rent and utility bills.

It is important to remember that there are no rules carved in stone. Each applicant is handled on a case-by-case basis. So even if you come up a little short in one area, perhaps one of your stronger points will make up for the weak one. Everyone involved in real estate is in the business of selling homes, in one way or another. Therefore, if the loan makes sense, mortgage companies and insurers will do their best to see that you qualify.

By its very nature, mortgage insurance is an aid to affordability, because it allows families to purchase homes with less cash on hand. The industry plays a central role in helping low- and moderate-income families become homeowners.

More and more borrowers are taking advantage of low down payment mortgages and becoming homeowners with as little as 5 percent down. For more information on how you can take advantage of the benefits of a low down payment home loan with mortgage insurance, contact your local mortgage professional.

Should You Consider an Adjustable Rate Mortgage or "ARM"

As its name implies, an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) is one in which the rate changes (adjusts) on a specified schedule after an initial “fixed” period.

An ARM is considered riskier than a fixed rate mortgage because your payment may change significantly. In exchange for taking this risk, you are rewarded with an initial rate that is significantly below market rates for 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgages. The more frequent the rate adjustments through the life of the loan, the lower the initial rate. Even after the loan adjusts, new rates will typically be below rates being offered to new borrowers for the 30-Year Fixed Rate program. Obviously, it’s best to have an ARM when interest rates are predicted to fall (not rise) because in periods of rising interest rates, it is possible that you will ultimately pay much more for an ARM than for a 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage.

Although somewhat riskier than a fixed rate mortgage, an ARM may benefit you if you have certain needs or find yourself in certain circumstances. In other circumstances, you may be better off with a fixed rate or other type of mortgage. Examine your financial and life situation with the help of your loan officer or financial advisor.

An ARM can give a short-term “boost” to your finances

Having a low initial fixed rate can free up some money early in your loan term.

For the purpose of illustration, we’ll assume a one-year ARM. This is a 30-year loan in which the rate (and therefore your monthly payment) changes every 12 months on the anniversary of your loan.

We’ll assume a 30-year fixed rate with zero points and a rate of 7.625 percent compared to a one-year ARM with zero points and an initial rate of 5.625 percent.

On a $240,000 loan amount, the 30-year fixed rate would yield a monthly payment of $1,698.70. The one-year ARM would yield a monthly payment of $1,381.58. That's a difference of $317 per month, or $3,800 over the next year.

What could you do with an extra $3,800 this year? Some borrowers find the extra money useful for paying off other credit or moving expenses, for landscaping the yard, and so on. Of course, you will want to stay away from incurring additional debt or improving your lifestyle to the point that you can’t afford the higher payment once your rate adjusts upward.

An ARM can allow you to qualify for "more house"

Obtaining an ARM can allow you to qualify for a higher loan amount and therefore a more valuable house.

Many people with exceptionally large mortgages get one-year ARMs and refinance them every year. The low rate allows them to buy a costlier home yet pay the lowest mortgage payment possible. The down side is that there are costs associated with refinancing. So before you use this option, look at all the costs and do the math yourself or ask for help from your loan officer.

An ARM could be beneficial depending on your future plans

What are the factors that could cause you to move or upgrade in the next few years? Why obtain a higher-rate 30-year fixed rate mortgage if a job transfer or twins is even close to likely? An ARM with a lower initial rate could be a better (and cheaper) way to go.

If you know that you are only planning on living in a property for a short period of time (1-10 years) then the benefits of getting an adjustable rate mortgage are enhanced. You can enjoy the interest and payment benefits with less of the risk. Ask your lender to help you crunch the numbers.

If you do plan to refinance or sell soon (and therefore pay off the loan), read the loan documents carefully. Some contracts stipulate a penalty for paying off the loan early.

What affects the amount of the adjustment?

The amount of the rate change (referred to as an Adjustment) is determined by a mathematical formula based on a particular index, the most common being the 1-Year U.S. Treasury Bill.

Your lender does not control the index so it is safe to assume that your adjustment will be fairly determined (although you should always verify your new rate by comparing with published numbers).

All adjustable rate mortgages have a lifetime rate cap (ceiling), which limits the amount the interest rate of the loan can increase over the life of your loan. Most adjustable rate mortgages also have a periodic rate cap, which limits the amount of rate increase for each adjustment.

What kinds of ARMs are available?

1-Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage
This is a 30-year loan in which the rate (and therefore your monthly payment) changes every 12 months on the anniversary of your loan. This loan is considered quite risky because your payment may change significantly from year to year.

3-Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage
This is a 30-year loan in which the rate (and therefore your monthly payment) changes every 3 years. This loan, while risky, is safer than the 1-Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage only because it does not adjust as frequently.

5-Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage
This is a 30-year loan in which the rate (and therefore your monthly payment) changes every 5 years. This loan is a nice compromise between shorter term Adjustable Rate Mortgages and Fixed Rate programs.

3/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage
This 30-year loan offers a fixed interest rate for the first 3 years and then turns into a 1 Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage for the remaining 27 years of the loan.

5/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage
This 30-year loan offers a fixed interest rate for the first 5 years and then turns into a 1 Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage for the remaining 25 years of the loan.

7/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage
This 30-year loan offers a fixed interest rate for the first 7 years and then turns into a 1 Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage for the remaining 23 years of the loan.

10/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage
This 30-year loan offers a fixed interest rate for the first 10 years and then turns into a 1-Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage for the remaining 20 years of the loan.

Choosing the Best Loan Program

Loan programs come in many forms and come from many sources. Just as the loan structure, like a 30 year fixed rate mortgage, can affect your interest rate and monthly payments, the source of funding for your loan can also affect your rate and payments. The source of funding can also affect the amount of your down payment and closing costs.

If you have at least 3% of the loan amount to use as a down payment, you may consider the most common type of loan, a conventional loan. These loans consist of conforming loans, which are secured by government sponsored entities (GSE) such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and jumbo loans, which are funded by private investors for loan amounts higher than the limits set by the GSE's.

Conforming loans are funded by Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC). These companies do not lend money directly to you, but work with lenders across the country to offer mortgage loans to meet your needs. As a secondary market for mortgage loans, they purchase mortgages from lenders and package them into securities that can be sold to investors.

If you are looking for a large loan amount to purchase or refinance your home, you could consider a jumbo loan, which has a higher loan amount limit than the limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Because jumbo loans cannot be funded by these two agencies, they usually carry a higher interest rate.

The federal government and other state, local and private entities have developed programs to help you purchase a home with a low down payment. If you are a first time homebuyer or have low to moderate income, you may be eligible for a mortgage insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). While FHA does not make or buy loans, they insure FHA loans so that if you default on the loan, the lender will get reimbursed. You may be able to get an FHA loan with a low down payment of only 3% of the loan amount or less. While there are limits to the size of FHA loans, they are generous enough to handle moderately priced homes almost anywhere in the country.

If you are a veteran or qualify by military service or other entitlements, FHA mortgage insurance can also be combined with a guarantee from the Veteran's Administration. VA mortgages were created to help veterans achieve the American dream and buy their own homes. VA loans offer low to no down payments with many of the same benefits as an FHA loan.

If you have bad credit, you may not qualify for a conventional loan. In this case, you could consider a subprime loan. Like other loans, subprime loans come in many forms based on the terms, loan amount and loan to value ratio you are looking for. In addition companies will look at your credit and give you a credit grade, which will help them determine the best loan for your situation. With less than perfect credit, you can expect to pay higher interest rates because of the higher risk associated with making a loan to someone with a poor credit history.

Remember: Buying and selling a luxury home or finding that special piece of Asheville Real Estate with Kathleen Blanchette, a fully licensed Keller-Williams Asheville Real Estate Broker and Realtor, is a comprehensive and thoroughly professional experience in buying and selling Asheville Real Estate throughout the Blueridge and Smokey Mountains, where efficiency, personal regard and concierge services are guaranteed every step of the way.  Keeping the Tradition of Integrity..., and a Reputation for Results! 

Whether its a North Carolina luxury homes on your own Private Mountain Estate in one of our uniquely designed plush Golfing Communities, Exclusive Gated Communities, Active Adult Communities, surrounding Lake Communities, or a great Condominium, Loft or Townhome, all of Greater Asheville and Hendersonville Luxury Homes are within reach with Kathleen Blanchette.  Feel Free to browse the entire website of all available Greater Asheville Real Estate MLS and Western North Carolina MLS, for all Asheville Real Estate Properties, Land Acreage, Horse farms, Investment Properties, Commercial Real Estate, New Home Plans, as well as handy relocation and moving calculators, tips for buying and selling a house, city and school reports, and more.  Just call us when you're ready to move ahead! 
 

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Disclaimer: All Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity Program of Western North Carolina Regional MLS, and respectfully includes the Asheville Board of Realtors, the Hendersonville Board of Realtors, the Brevard Board of Realtors among other professional boards which together govern, maintain and update all listed Real Estate in Western North Carolina and the surrounding 13 geographical counties. So governed, the accuracy of all information, regardless of source, including but not limited to square footages and lot sizes, is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified through personal inspection by and/or with the appropriate professionals. All information presented on this website may change as data is updated on a 24 hour basis.  Users are directed to refresh pages from their own browser to ensure the most accurate information published is made available to them.  For all your Real Estate needs go to:  Asheville Real Estate  For more information and accuracy, contact Kathleen Blanchette directly.

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