Paying Off Your Mortgage: How To Run The Numbers
If you have Microsoft Excel running on your computer at home or work, you can use Excels NPER function to calculate how quickly you can pay off a loan such as a mortgage.
The NPER function calculates the term, or number of regular payments, on a loan given its interest rate, payment amount, present loan balance, balloon payment (if any), and, optionally, the type-of-annuity switch.
The type-of-annuity switch is a little complicated, but here’s how it works. If you set the type-of-annuity switch to 1, Excel assumes payments occur at the beginning of the period, following the annuity due convention. If you set the annuity switch to 0 or you omit the argument, Excel assumes payments occur at the end of the period following the ordinary annuity convention.
But let me show you how the function works in theory and in practice. All of this will become quite clear, I’m sure.
The function uses the following syntax:
=NPER(rate,pmt,pv,fv,type)
For example, to calculate the number of 1,000 monthly payments required to pay off a 9% mortgage that still has a 100,000 mortgage balance, you enter the following formula into an Excel worksheet cell:
=NPER(.0912,-1000,100000,0,0)
The function returns the value 185.53, representing roughly 185 payments and then another roughly half payment. Notice that to convert the 9% annual interest to a period interest, the formula divides the annual interest rate by 12. Notice, too, that the payment amount, as a cash outflow, shows as a negative value while the loan balance, as an implicit cash inflow, shows as a positive value.
One final note: The NPER function rarely returns an integer, or whole-number result. As in the preceding example, it commonly returns a fractional value, indicating that after the last regular payment, an additional fractional payment will also need to be made.
Online Mortgage Brokers – What You Might Not Know About
Online Mortgage Brokers – What You Might Not Know About Home Loans & The Internet
You may think that applying online for a mortgage is the same as applying with a broker in the ‘real world’, only more convenient.
While applying for a mortgage online is much more convenient, and sure to help you get a lower rate because of the amount of competition online, there is another benefit to using the internet when applying for a loan.
Sometimes when you meet a broker and heshe takes a look at your financial qualifications, they might say, we can get you this rate. And that’s it. That is your loan option with that broker. Most brokers have the mentality of wanting to process as many mortgage loans as quickly as possible, which is understandable. Well, one thing that you might want to know to help yourself out is that there are literally hundreds of different mortgage programs available. Most brokers and lenders will not explain to you the mortgage options you do have. They usually have a few favorite programs and will just use those over and over since they know them.
A great way to help yourself is to research loan programs online. One benefit of the interne is that there are many informative articles and information to help you understand the pro’s and cons of every kind of loan program, FHA loans, balloon mortgages, VA loans, graduated payment mortgages, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans.
Once I started doing my research online and reading through the mortgage company websites online, I was amazed to discover that there are mortgage loans online that I would have liked to had when I first bought my house, but I didn’t even know they existed and they were never offered to me by my broker. I would have saved myself a lot of money had I done my research online first.
To view our list of recommended mortgage lenders online, visit this page: http:www.abcloanguide.commortgageloans.shtml.
On Line Mortgage Quotes
On Line Mortgage Quotes
The mortgage industry is a very competitive one, so if you are on the market for a mortgage, or refinancing your existing one, you may want to consider getting a few quotes on line.
By obtaining a few quotes on line, you are in no way committing yourself to anything.
Due to the competitive nature of the mortgage industry, it really wouldnt hurt to post an on line application at a secure sight, and allow for four or five loan officers or brokers to compete for your business.
Obtaining an on line quote is very simple, not to mention, very safe. When going through this simple process, you are asked for very limited information. At least enough for a loan officer to get a general idea of what you are looking for.
One of the many benefits of obtaining on line mortgage quotes is the fact that you barely have to do anything except point and click. Once this is accomplished, you will receive anywhere between three and five phone calls, usually within forty-eight hours from loan officers who are interested in doing business with you.
Another benefit of having four or five loan officers assess your situation is that you will have the option of choosing the best rate and loan program to meet your needs and your budget.
When shopping for on line mortgage quotes, most loan officers understand that you are shopping around and speaking with other mortgage companies.
The last thing a loan officer wants is for you to take your business to their competitor. This puts them in a situation to find you the best rate and program available.
Shopping for an on line mortgage quote is definitely worth a try, and costs absolutely nothing. Remember you are not committed to anything, so why not give it a shot? Good luck.
Mortgages And Interest Rates
Interest rates can affect the type of mortgage you choose and dictate when its wise to make a change. Here are a few of the factors that can be affected by a swing in interest rates:
Choosing a mortgage
When interest rates are rising, a fixed-rate mortgage is usually a good choice, since it locks in the current rate and protects you from the higher rates to come. When rates are falling, an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) becomes more attractive, as its interest rate changes periodically (usually every one, three, or five years), allowing you to benefit from the new, lower rates.
Some people choose an ARM even when rates are rising. This is because the interest rate on an ARM is substantially lower — as much as two percentage points lower than that of a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. That means youll pay less until mortgage rates have increased a full two percentage points. After that, youll pay more than a fixed rate.
There are also hybrid ARMs, which have a fixed rate for a certain time period — typically three to 10 years — and then become adjustable. (A 51 ARM, for example, has a fixed rate for five years, after which the interest rate is adjusted annually.) Hybrid ARMs can be the right choice if rates are likely to rise in the short-term but then flatten or fall. However, these long-term trends can be difficult to predict.
Refinancing
A change in the interest rate trend can make it worthwhile to switch to a different type of mortgage. When rates are falling, you can save money by moving from a fixed-rate to an adjustable-rate mortgage, so you can benefit from the lower rates. If interest rates appear set for a sustained rise, switching from an ARM to a fixed-rate mortgage can lock in a lower rate and protect you from higher payments. However, you should make sure that any closing costs dont offset the benefits of refinancing.
For more information on mortgages and interest rates, visit http:www.lendingtree.comcecyourhomeyourmortgageinterest-rate-trends.asp?
Mortgages – Dont Get Pounded By Prepayment Penalties
Many people make a major mistake when applying for a mortgage. They are so relieved to get the loan that they fail to pay attention to prepayment penalties in the loan documents.
Prepayment Penalties~
With the refinance craze of the last few years, many borrowers have been surprised to find they are locked into their loan with prepayment penalties. Boiled down, these penalties require borrowers to pay fees if they pay off the loan prior to a certain point in time. By including such language in the loan documents, some lenders are trying to ensure they will recover a certain amount in interest on a loan as well as reach a certain maturity date on the loan. Lucky you.
Prepayment penalties come in a variety of forms. First and foremost, state law controls the amount and types of penalties that can be charged by a lender. Of course, this means each state has different laws and you should make sure you understand what can be done in yours.
As to the payments themselves, they typically come in two forms. The first is a percentage of the overall loan For instance, assume you have a 400,000 mortgage and the prepayment penalty is 3 percent. Your prepayment penalty will be 12,000. This is typically true even if you are selling your home because of financial difficulties.
In some states, prepayment penalties can come in the amount of interest to be charged over a period. Assume you are paying 2,000 a month in interest on your loan. The prepayment penalty may be something equal to 10 months of interest from the date of prepayment. Put another way, you are looking at a 20,000 prepayment penalty. Obviously, such a payment is going to be a dent in any profit you would pull from the home.
Lenders are not required to identify prepayment penalty language in loan documents. You absolutely must read your loan documents to make sure penalties arent included.
Prepayment penalties are not mandatory in loan documents. If a lender refuses to waive the penalties, make sure to shop around for a better deal. Dont get pounded on the back end of the loan.
Mortgage your home restoration
A commuter rail boom in the New York and New Jersey has enabled many professionals in the area to live further from the big city. One of the places they’re moving is Morris County, New Jersey, a group of historic small towns 20 miles to the west. Settled more than 300 years ago, the area offers a well-established, attractive residential base, and solid property investment potential.
Morris County includes more than 30 municipalities, and a wide variety of charming unincorporated areas. Homes here are often beautifully restored Victorian and Colonial-era buildings dating back to the early 20th century, which add to an already high quality of life in this attractive area.
Big City professionals also know Morris County for its wide variety of Fortune 500 headquarters, offices, and major facilities. Companies with operations here include AT&T, Honeywell, Bayer and Wyeth, BASF, Novartis, Exxon, and Colgate-Palmolive – good news for anyone who wants to avoid the daily commute to their corporate office job. Many professionals who move to Morris County also find jobs here, and are able to confine their relationship with New York and New Jersey to weekend visits.
Morris County’s uncrowded layout is another reason for its popularity. The county has less than 500,000 residents spread across more than 1,247 km and dozens of communities, which compares nicely to the urban sprawl of millions per square mile just to the east. Morris County’s low density has put it in high demand with wealthy buyers – it’s the sixth wealthiest county in the Nation by median household income, and tenth by per capita income.
Affluence with a taste for old world charm is part of the reason many of Morris County’s older homes here have been carefully preserved. A wide variety of old mansions have also been converted into museums, art studios, and schools. When visitors come to Morris County, they make a point of checking out heritage buildings like Acorn Hall in Morristown, which dates back to 1853.
Mortgage Refinancing
If you are interested in Mortgage Refinancing, it is normally for one of two reasons. Either to get a lower interest rate to save money in interest payments over the life of the loan. Or, you are interested in refinancing with cash out.
Mortgage refinancing can be done in a number of ways. The two most common are going to your local bank or using the internet.
The internet is becoming a more and more popular method of mortgage refinancing by the day.
Some of the reasons are obvious, mortgage refinancing over the internet is very simple, and the information you can find on the mortgage industry is limitless.
The mortgage industry is a very competitive one, so using the internet to shop around for mortgage refinancing is very smart. As opposed to using your local bank that normally has one product for you to choose from.
Finding someone to do your mortgage refinancing by way of the internet may be easier than you think. These loan officers are hungry for your business, and by putting only limited information on a secure mortgage web site, you will have at least four mortgage loan officers calling to compete for your business within twenty-four hours.
There is also no need to hide the fact that you are shopping around, this only forces loan officers to come back at you with the best rate they can possibly find in order to keep you from doing business with someone else.
The best part is, you are not committed to anything by shopping around, and this is a great way to educate yourself about the programs that are available, and to get a feel for how mortgage refinancing works.
In the end, the choice is yours. But remember, take your time and gather as much information on the mortgage industry as possible. It will help you make much wiser choices, which will pay off in the end.
Mortgage Qualification Problems – Not Enough Income
Qualifying for a mortgage can be a stressful affair. A common problem that can occur is not having enough income to qualify for the loan amount. If you have this problem, here are a few possible solutions.
Mortgage Creativity
You find the house of your dreams and need to get a home loan. You have great credit, almost no debt and have been employed for five years with the same company. You apply for a loan and are stunned when you are turned down. The reason? The lender says you have insufficient yearly income to justify the loan amount.
What the lender is really telling you is it doesn’t think you can afford the monthly payments for the mortgage. Before you go ballistic, you should sit down and seriously review your financial situation. Getting a home loan is fine and all, but not if you are unable to make the monthly payments. Try to be realistic in your evaluation. It will save you many sleepless nights. But, what if you can afford the payment?
The first creative solution you may want to consider is an increase in the amount of the down payment. By increasing your down payment, you will reduce the amount to be borrowed which can make all the difference in qualifying. If you can bump the down payment up to 25% of the total value of the property, many lenders will relax the qualification requirements.
A second creative solution involves alternative loan sources. Initially, good old mom and dad may be able to help you out. In fact, this is one of the traditional down payment funding sources for most first time homebuyers.
A less known alternative, however, is your 401k retirement account. Under federal law, you can borrow up to 50% of your 401k balance. The repayments have to be made in five years, so analyze how this option will impact your finances. If you can pull it off, you will be in the advantageous situation of paying yourself interest instead of a bank.
Regardless of the approach you take, insufficient income need not be the end of your home buying prospects. Get creative and you can find a solution.
Mortgage Qualification Problems – Low Appraisals
The real estate market in the United States is undeniably hot, hot, hot. This toward pace has resulted in an odd mortgage qualification problem – low appraisals. Here are your options if you get a low appraisal amount.
Appraisals
An appraisal is simply an effort by a qualified person to put a value on a property. The process involves a review of the property, other properties in the area and so on. Mortgage lenders always require appraisals, so you have to deal with appraisal problems if you are going to get the home.
Let’s assume you have perfect credit, make a ton of money and ready to put down a solid down payment. You are happy, the lender is happy and the only thing left to do is get the appraisal. Unfortunately, the appraisal comes in well below the price you have agreed to pay for the home. Now what?
First, you need to take a deep breath. Buying a home is an emotional process. Try to step back from the process and objectively analyze whether you are paying too much for the property. If you still want to proceed, take the appraisal to the seller and see if you can get the price lowered. A solution should be possible, but be prepared to walk away if it isn’t.
Second, perhaps the fair market values of properties in the neighborhood are dropping. We are beginning to see the market cool off, perhaps more so in your particular neighborhood. If this is the case, kiss the appraiser in thanks for keeping you out of a bad deal.
Finally, the appraiser may simply be wrong. Appraisers are human and make mistakes. They may not know the neighborhood well. There are a variety of reasons you can get an appraisal that is “off.” If you suspect this is the case, check to make sure the appraiser is comparing the property to comparable homes in the neighborhood. If all else fails, have your own appraisal done for comparison purposes.
Ultimately, a low appraisal should be viewed as a potential red flag. If nothing else, you should take a closer look to make sure you aren’t getting a bad deal.
Mortgage Loans
Looking around for a new home? The first thing you probably think of financing. Well a good place to look is the internet. A great place to check out is Mortgage Mall (http:www.mortgagemall.com.au). They are one of the best and productive financial institutions on mortgages. Just visit the site and answers some questions, click submit and in a few hours you can get a response from them. They are known to save you time and money.
Another site is Wizard (www.wizard.com.au). They let you look at the current mortgage and loan terms that you might be eligible for. They can also provide you with information about interest rates, loan options and a lot of other information that can be helpful to you. This will be a really good thing if you are a first time home buyer or seller.
To get a good mortgage deal and terms it would be wise to look around the internet. A good place to check out is Rams (www.rams.com.au). You will be able to compare different interest rates, fees, appraisals and many other requirements. When your looking around be sure to look for trusted mortgage lenders, there are many over night mortgage companies that ask for application fees, once youve paid them they will then reject you, and you will loose the money you paid for the application fees. So dont let that happen to you ask and look around to make sure the company is legit and not out to get your money.
Dont rush and submit an application online. Get different quotes on interest rates from different companies before you decide which one to pick. You can also get an indication if you will even be approved, because its not 100 % certain that you will be approved.
Though doing your application online can save you much time and money, and help you shop around for the best mortgage dealer that can fit your needs.