<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
>
	<channel>
	<title>Mortgages Article</title>
	<link>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com</link>
	<description>Mortgages Article</description>
	<language>en</language>
	<category>Mortgages</category>
	<item>
		<title>The True Cost of your Credit</title>
		<link>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/The-True-Cost-of-your-Credit/Article/33879</link>
		<category>Mortgages</category>
		<guid>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/The-True-Cost-of-your-Credit/Article/33879</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The current house price boom has perhaps passed its peak as I write this, but that doesn't stop the mortgage companies from offering yet more new and tempting products that look like good deals for a consumer. But be warned - The standard mortgage, running ...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P>The current house price boom has perhaps passed its peak as I write this, but that doesn't stop the mortgage companies from offering yet more new and tempting products that look like good deals for a consumer. But be warned - The standard mortgage, running over 25 years is set like that for a reason! When you see companies offering '40 year mortgages' or 'low start' mortgages, or perhaps even 'interest only' mortgages, you should understand these shiny new products may have a nasty sting ion their credit tail!Perhaps the ultimate expression of lending absurdity is Japan, where at the peak of their last boom, 'Grandfather - Father - Son' mortgages were common. These committed unborn future generations to mortgage payments incurred by their predecessors (a situation thankfully illegal in most parts of the world!). Could it ever happen here? Probably not, but the extension of 'standard' mortgage terms on lower interest rates are not actually a good thing for the ordinary Joe, even though they are touted as being 'more affordable', and should be viewed with deep distrust, simply because it means YOU WILL PAY MORE over the life of the loan. Don't believe me? Try working out the math, instead of simply looking at the monthly repayment figure.Using the good old loan calculator on <a href="http://www.nodebtever.com" target=new>www.nodebtever.com</a> we can see that a standard $100,000 loan at 5% over 25 years will cost you over $175,000. </P><P>That's a big $75k in interest. What about the same loan over 40 years at 4%? That's cheaper, right? WRONG! You'll pay over $200,000 over the period - an extra $25k or so! And if interest rates stay at 5%, add another $30k to make $55k of extra costs for you!A repayment mortgage will suffer an additional penalty on a longer loan - the amount of capital you pay off each month is adjusted to take account of the fact that it now runs over 40 years, not 25, and this means you build up equity in your property far slower than in a shorter loan. So what's the advice? If you can't afford a house on a 'traditional' setup, rent. The price will undoubtedly come back into line with wages at some point. If you already have a mortgage, overpay when you can - the difference over the years can amount to TENS of thousands of dollars!. </P>]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Boost Your Business with a Commercial Mortgage</title>
		<link>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/Boost-Your-Business-with-a-Commercial-Mortgage/Article/50679</link>
		<category>Mortgage</category>
		<guid>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/Boost-Your-Business-with-a-Commercial-Mortgage/Article/50679</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Long term commercial finance, in the form of a commercial mortgage, offers many small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) the ability to invest in their business with new technology, new or refurbished premises, or increased stock levels.In the past, ...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P>Long term commercial finance, in the form of a <a href="http://www.online-commercial-mortgages.co.uk" target="_blank">commercial mortgage</a>, offers many small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) the ability to invest in their business with new technology, new or refurbished premises, or increased stock levels.In the past, it tended to be only larger organisations with a proven track record who could obtain commercial mortgages. A large number of younger/smaller businesses were unable to obtain this type of commercial finance and, as a result, many businesses have been forced to rely on expensive short term finance or left to use their owners' residential property as security.Fortunately, this gap in the market is now being targeted by specialist commercial lenders who are willing to serve the commercial mortgage needs of SMEs and owner-managed businesses. <b>The problem</b>In the past, it has been difficult for small business borrowers, self-employed traders, and partnerships to raise commercial mortgage finance. This is because:<ul><li>Institutional lenders have focused on larger, corporate lending secured on the tenant covenant of investment properties. This sector is seen as being low risk and so has become a favourite of many traditional lenders.</li><li>The lending criteria of many mainstream commercial lenders disqualify applicants who do not have three years' audited account, those without business plans, or those with a less than perfect credit history. </P><P>As the UK workforce migrates more towards self-employment, greater flexibility is required from lenders to assess each case on its individual merits. Until recently, this flexibility has been hard to find. Similarly, in the past, the requirement for three years' accounts has been a barrier to new or young businesses.</li></ul><b>The solution</b>To address these problems, a number of commercial mortgage lenders now offer commercial mortgages with some or all of the following features:<ul><li>Available to small owner managed limited companies, partnerships, and self-employed sole-traders</li><li>Self-certification option - no need for three years' accounts</li><li>Finance available for any purpose - no bank imposed restrictions</li><li>Mortgage arrears, CCJs, IVAs, discharged bankruptcy all considered</li><li>Same day indicative offers</li><li>Completion in weeks, not months</li><li>Transparent mortgage tracking Bank Base Rate</li><li>Mortgage term of up to thirty years</li><li>Advances from ?50,000 up to ?1.5m</li></ul>To find out more about how commercial finance could help you, whether you have an existing business or are just starting out, visit <a href="http://www.online-commercial-mortgages.co.uk" target="_blank">Online Commercial Mortgages</a>.------Copyright 2004 . You are welcome to reproduce this article on your website, so long as it is published "as is" (unedited) and with the author's bio paragraph (resource box) and copyright information included. In addition, all links to external websites must be left in place.. </P>]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Are you ready for a 40-year mortgage&amp;#63;</title>
		<link>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/Are-you-ready-for-a-40-year-mortgage%26%2363%3B/Article/75872</link>
		<category>Are</category>
		<guid>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/Are-you-ready-for-a-40-year-mortgage%26%2363%3B/Article/75872</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Real estate prices have been increasing steadily over the last five years, particularly on the East and West coasts. In parts of California, homes are selling for 33% more than they were a year ago. This has made it more difficult than ever for first ...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P>Real estate prices have been increasing steadily over the last five years, particularly on the East and West coasts. In parts of California, homes are selling for 33% more than they were a year ago. This has made it more difficult than ever for first-time homebuyers to purchase a home. Over the years, a number of new mortgage options have become available to prospective buyers that ease the burden of buying a home. Buyers can now obtain a mortgage with a variable interest rate that rises or falls with the market or even a mortgage that requires only interest payments for the first few years of the loan term. </P><P>This allows buyers to make smaller payments early in the repayment schedule while purchasing a more expensive home than they otherwise might be able to afford. The payments would increase in later years, but so, presumably, would the income of the buyers, so that the home would still be within the buyers' range of affordability. A relatively new mortgage option that may soon adjustable rate mortgage and the interest-only mortgage in popularity is the mortgage with a 40 year term. While most mortgages offered today are for either 15 or 30 years, the 40 year mortgage has been available for nearly 20 years, but few lenders offer it as an option, as they are often reluctant to tie up their money for such a long period of time. That may change, however, as Fannie Mae has announced their intention to purchase more 40-year mortgages. </P><P>With Fannie Mae purchasing more 40-year mortgages on the secondary market, lenders will probably be more willing to offer them to customers.Interest rates will likely be somewhat higher for a 40-year mortgage than a 30-year mortgage, but the extra length of the loan term will keep the payments lower than with a traditional mortgage. Prospective buyers should be aware that they will pay more in interest on a 40-year mortgage than they will on a traditional 30-year note. Studies show that most homebuyers do not stay in their homes for anywhere near 30 years, let alone 40. This being the case, the market for 40-year mortgages may remain fairly small. But for some buyers, it may mean the difference between continuing to rent and buying the home of their dreams.. </P>]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>FHA Mortgage</title>
		<link>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/FHA-Mortgage/Article/67432</link>
		<category>Mortgage</category>
		<guid>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/FHA-Mortgage/Article/67432</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Many people dream of owning their own homes but only very few are able
		to pay cash for them. This is why FHA mortgages are one of the popular methods
		to find a source for consumer credit. People who could not otherwise afford to
		own a house ...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P> Many people dream of owning their own homes but only very few are able<br />
		to pay cash for them. This is why FHA mortgages are one of the popular methods<br />
		to find a source for consumer credit. People who could not otherwise afford to<br />
		own a house become homeowners with the help of FHA mortgage insurance programs.<br />
		<br />
	 FHA is the Federal Housing Administration. As part of the U.S.<br />
		Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), one of the chief purposes of<br />
		the FHA is to help people obtain financing for their homes. <br />
	 How FHA Mortgage Insurance Works<br />
	 As stated earlier, FHA mortgage is a way for homebuyers to obtain<br />
		financing for their homes. </P><P>All home purchases require buyers to make a certain<br />
		set percentage of the total purchase price, called the down payment. What the<br />
		FHA mortgage insurance does therefore is to allow a homebuyer to make a modest<br />
		down payment and obtain a mortgage for the balance of the purchase price. <br />
	 The mortgage loan itself is made by a bank, a savings and loan<br />
		association, a mortgage company, a credit union, or any other lender. For it to<br />
		become an FHA mortgage loan, the lender would have to be approved by the<br />
		Federal Housing Administration. FHA (HUD0 insures then insures the loan and<br />
		pays the lender if the borrower defaults on the mortgage. </P><P>The protection<br />
		offered by FHA mortgages to lenders allows them to be more liberal with their<br />
		terms than the prospective homeowner might otherwise obtain.<br />
	 Who can get an FHA Mortgage? <br />
	 The good thing about FHA mortgages is that almost anyone can get it. So<br />
		if you have a satisfactory credit record, enough cash to close the loan and<br />
		sufficient steady income to make monthly mortgage payments without difficulty,<br />
		then you'll have no trouble getting approved for an FHA mortgage. As a rule of<br />
		thumb, only people who will reside in the property are eligible for FHA-insured<br />
		mortgages.<br />
	 There is no upper age limit set by HUD for the borrower. Nor is there a<br />
		certain income level that the borrower must achieve in order to buy a home at a<br />
		certain price. And although income is certainly an important factor, it is<br />
		simply one of the several determining factors which are used by the HUD to find<br />
		whether the borrower will be able to repay the mortgage. </P><P><br />
	 Types of FHA Mortgages <br />
	 There are several types of mortgages that FHA insures. These include:<br />
		<br />
	 <UL><br />
		<LI>One-family residence</LI><br />
		<LI>Two-, three-, four-unit properties</LI><br />
		<LI>Condominium units</LI><br />
		<LI>Houses needing rehabilitation</LI><br />
	 </UL>. </P>]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>How Can I Tell The Differences Between All Of The Home Loans On Offer?</title>
		<link>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/How-Can-I-Tell-The-Differences-Between-All-Of-The-Home-Loans-On-Offer%3F/Article/14432</link>
		<category>On</category>
		<guid>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/How-Can-I-Tell-The-Differences-Between-All-Of-The-Home-Loans-On-Offer%3F/Article/14432</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are literally hundreds of home loans available but lets just look at the three main categories.	There are the Purchase Home Loans, where you are looking at buying a new home. 	You have the Refinance Home Loans where you could already be in a home ...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P>There are literally hundreds of home loans available but lets just look at the three main categories.<ol>	<li>There are the Purchase Home Loans, where you are looking at buying a new home. 	<li>You have the Refinance Home Loans where you could already be in a home but want to find a better deal.	<li>And you have the Home Equity Home Loans, where you want to tap into the equity you have sitting in your home that you can use for something else. </ol>Some things to think about when looking at home loans is the amount you want to borrow, the amount of monthly your repayments, whether you have good credit or bad credit history? Do you want an interest only home loan? What about being self-employed? You might need one of the no doc/low doc home loans?Here's a list of the types of home loans available but you're best off getting more advice on them to understand them all completely. Fixed- Rate Mortgages, Adjustable Rate Mortgages, Two-Step Mortgage, Convertible adjustable-rate mortgages, Balloon Loans, Graduated Payment Mortgages, Reduced down payment loans, Buy down Loans, Bridge Loans. The information in your credit history helps mortgage lenders decide how much credit and what interest rate you are eligible for, and then match it to a bad credit home loan. </P><P>The better your credit history, the more likely you are to qualify for the best credit deals. The first step is to understand if you are considered a credit risk. Most lenders will consider you a higher credit risk only if your credit report states that you have more late and slow payments than what is shown below: Revolving credit (i.e. credit cards): No payments 60 days or more past due and no more than two payments 30 days past due. Installment credit (i.e. </P><P>car loans): No payments 60 days or more past due and no more than one payment 30 days past due. Housing debt (i.e. mortgages and rent): No payments past due. This can be proven by providing (borrower's) canceled checks for the past 12 months or a loan payment history from the mortgage service. OK, so you have bad credit, but how bad is it? The very first step to obtaining a bad credit home loan is to obtain a credit report, along with your credit scores. </P><P>There are 3 main credit reporting agencies used by the mortgage Industry and they too will usually pull a credit report. Then the credit score contained within the credit report is used to determine your credit worthiness. And all this will determine which of the bad credit home loan products would suit you.. </P>]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Choosing a Mortgage Lender</title>
		<link>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/Choosing-a-Mortgage-Lender/Article/89112</link>
		<category>Choosing+a+Mortgage+Lender</category>
		<guid>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/Choosing-a-Mortgage-Lender/Article/89112</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Just as there are many types of mortgages and mortgage deals to choose from, there are also many sources where you can go to get a mortgage. Your key choices are to use a mortgage broker, a more general financial adviser, or shop around yourself and go ...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P>Just as there are many types of mortgages and mortgage deals to choose from, there are also many sources where you can go to get a mortgage. Your key choices are to use a mortgage broker, a more general financial adviser, or shop around yourself and go direct to the mortgage lender. For many people, choosing a lender means finding a mortgage company offering the lowest APR rate. If you decide to use an adviser you can choose between a specialist mortgage broker and a general financial adviser. A general adviser will look at all your financial affairs if you want, not just your mortgage. </P><P>As opposed to lenders who can only offer their own products, an adviser can look at the whole market for you and consider mortgages from a number of lenders. Advisers can also offer you advice and information tailored to your needs. In the UK, All firms or Individuals arranging or advising on mortgages must be authorised to do so by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). If you are unhappy with advice from an authorised firm you usually have the right to complain and may be able to claim compensation.As an alternative to using a financial adviser, you can arrange a mortgage directly with a lender ? like a building society, bank or specialist mortgage company. A lender will only recommend their own mortgage products although they may have several you can choose from.When choosing a lender, you should consider the competitiveness of the lender's rates, their fees and penalties, their customer service and their reputation. </P><P>You'll also want a lender you can trust, and someone you can work with effectively. Remember you'll have to deal with this company for many years to come.1. Building SocietiesBuilding societies are mortgage experts, they offer specialist advice and they usually offer very competitive rates. Many national ones have a branch in most major towns and cities while the smaller ones tend to specialise in catering for home buyers in particular areas. For example, the Cambridge Building Society specializes in helping people who live in Cambridgeshire.2. </P><P>High Street BanksBanks usually have years of lending experience and they have more branches and greater coverage across the United Kingdom. Their standard rates tend to be higher than those of building societies but they often offer the best introductory offers on mortgage deals. Some of the big banks now have special arrangements with building societies where the building society is the one that handles all the mortgage business for the bank.3. Specialist Mortgage Lending CompaniesSpecialist lenders lend to a particular type of niche market. Many of these specialise in providing mortgages for people in special circumstances who would not normally be offered a loan by their bank or building society. </P><P>This includes people with adverse credit, the self-employed, part-time employed and those purchasing overseas properties. Many mainstream lenders have established specialist subsidiaries for non-standard mortgages such as these. You may have to deal with them over the phone, by mail or over the internet as most of them do not have a wide network of branches across the country.4. Insurance CompaniesSome insurance companies offer mortgages and other financial products together with their range of insurance products. They may sometimes offer certain deals in association with other financial institutions such as banks but they do not specialise in this area and they may not necessarily offer the best rates.5. </P><P>Intermediaries and Mortgage BrokersInstead of going directly to the lender for a mortgage, you can approach an advisor or broker to search the market for the best mortgage deal for you. Some intermediaries are tied to particular lenders and they may only offer products from their lender. Others are independent so they have a much wider market to choose from. A credit broker is a firm or person who introduces you to a lender for the purpose of borrowing money. The task of the credit broker is to obtain the loan you require on terms that are acceptable to you.Whatever you decide, it's important to understand how mortgages are regulated and sold in the United Kingdom. </P><P>Buying with advice puts you in a stronger position to complain and get compensation if you later discover that the mortgage is unsuitable. You can read some more articles about <a href="http://www.commercial-mortgage-guide.org.uk/mortgages/">mortgages</a> at: <a href="http://www.commercial-mortgage-guide.org.uk/mortgages/"><a href="http://www.commercial-mortgage-guide.org.uk/mortgages/">http://www.commercial-mortgage-guide.org.uk/mortgages/</a></a>. </P>]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Essence Of Self Certified Mortgages</title>
		<link>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/Essence-Of-Self-Certified-Mortgages/Article/14335</link>
		<category>Essence</category>
		<guid>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/Essence-Of-Self-Certified-Mortgages/Article/14335</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Your search for a mortgage isn't leading results.Check for any impediments. May be the lenders dread offering credit on the grounds that you are self employed.But are you alone in the pursuit? No. The statistics put the figure of self employed people ...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P>Your search for a mortgage isn't leading results.Check for any impediments. May be the lenders dread offering credit on the grounds that you are self employed.But are you alone in the pursuit? No. The statistics put the figure of self employed people at around three million. Add to this the people who are working freelance and those working as temporary hires. They too are denied mortgages on the same grounds as a self employed.If the mortgage companies continue with this step motherly attitude towards such a vast group of population, it is not late when they lose plenty of their business.And what are the grounds for such denial. </P><P>The most basic reason is that these persons do not have a stable income. The self employed persons, for instance, earn a lot one month, and nothing in another. This increases the chances of a default or arrears. Second reason for not allowing them an access to mortgages is that they get their income from varied sources, thus making the computation of income difficult. A freelancer may work for a number of people, each paying him/ her different remuneration for his services.Finally these people do not have any means to prove their income like those who are in employment with others. </P><P>The salary slip or P60 forms can prove income of the latter. But there is no such document with the self employed persons. Audit results of three previous years would have served the purpose, had accounts not been fudged to evade tax.This is where self certified mortgages step up to provide relief. A self certified mortgage can help self employed and freelancers to draw as much fund as they like, without having to prove their income. This includes no dishonest ways and means to prove a larger income. </P><P>In this kind of mortgage a customer has to declare income and no further checks are made. The customer is required to put forth no documents to prove his contention. It is his words that value more.Self certified mortgages allow borrowers to take as much as ?1 million with a 10 ? 15% of deposits (this is dependent on the lenders). Self certified mortgage carries a higher rate of interest than most of the regular mortgages because of the increased risk. The amount of money that a customer can borrow on self certified mortgages is calculated after adding up the annual income of both customer and his/ her spouse (if both are working), along with any bonus, commission, and any other sources of income pertaining to the customer.Customers shall after making the calculations decide how much can they pay as the monthly installment. </P><P>They have to be careful in deciding this. They know their monthly income better than any other person.  Both extraordinarily high income and an unusually low income as the basis for deciding the monthly payment can result into problems. In the former case, the borrower is stuck up in the payment. In the latter, the mortgage takes more time to be repaid. </P><P>An average income, trimming off the fluctuations, will be the optimum payment.Customers can have as many choices through the self certified mortgages as they could have on the regular mortgages. They can have a flexible mortgage wherein they can pay more in the months when his earnings are increasing. In the months of depression he can pay less or take a payment holiday. Similarly the self certified mortgages come with the features of tracker rates, fixed rates, capped rates and many other interest alternatives.But the process of self certified mortgages differs with lenders. Some lenders may conduct special enquiries as to the credibility of the customer. </P><P>Normally banks may be contacted and accountant details checked. As discussed earlier about the legality of the purpose, lenders may ask for proofs if they have any doubts. It is recommended to take professional advice regarding the suitability of self certified mortgages for your income. The customers must choose the mortgage provider properly. Choose the one who charges the best of rates. </P><P>Before signing on any document examine the various clauses properly.  It may have included hefty redemption charges, for instance, to check the customers from shifting over to a regular mortgage.. </P>]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>HELOCs and Second Mortgages: Which One Should I Choose?</title>
		<link>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/HELOCs-and-Second-Mortgages:-Which-One-Should-I-Choose%3F/Article/90374</link>
		<category>Which</category>
		<guid>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/HELOCs-and-Second-Mortgages:-Which-One-Should-I-Choose%3F/Article/90374</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Whether you need some extra cash to pay off some credit card debts, or to make some home improvements, home equity lines of credit or second mortgages can be great ways to get started.  

Many people looking to borrow money often opt for home equity ...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P>Whether you need some extra cash to pay off some credit card debts, or to make some home improvements, home equity lines of credit or second mortgages can be great ways to get started.  <br />
<br />
Many people looking to borrow money often opt for home equity line of credit, or HELOCs, for short.  They are a tempting first choice, because they can often give you the much needed cash at a low interest rate.  Another advantage to taking out an HELOC, or a home equity line of credit, is that they may provide the borrower with a certain tax break, but you would need to verify this with your lender or accountant.<br />
<br />
One drawback to HELOCs, however, is the fact that borrowers are expected to put their homes up as collateral.  So, it is important that you think this decision through, before finalizing the loan, because you may be at risk of losing your home- and its equity- if you are late or cannot make your monthly payments. </P><P> Finally, if you decide to sell your home, must HELOCs will require that you pay off the balance, before completing the sale.  <br />
<br />
You can also take out a second mortgage, if you need some cash.  Like the HELOC, second mortgages usually pay out the loan in one sum, which makes it a convenient option.  Second mortgages also have the added advantage of having set payments, at a fixed interest rate.  Many companies will charge a lending fee, which will vary from company to company. </P><P> These fees are usually based upon a percentage of the loan and are frequently  referred to as 'points.'  If one fee seems too high, don't be afraid to shop around to find one which is better suited to your budget.<br />
<br />
Remember, however, that adding a second mortgage to your home carries with it certain risks.  Like with home equity lines of credit, you could lose your home, if you fall behind in the payments.  <br />
. </P>]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>2nd Mortgage - Better Than Refinancing</title>
		<link>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/2nd-Mortgage---Better-Than-Refinancing/Article/96489</link>
		<category>Mortgages</category>
		<guid>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/2nd-Mortgage---Better-Than-Refinancing/Article/96489</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You have probably received refinancing offers in the mail or advertised online touting your ability to pull out your home's equity. But a 2nd mortgage, also called an equity loan, may be a better financing option than refinancing your mortgage. 2nd mortgages ...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P>You have probably received refinancing offers in the mail or advertised online touting your ability to pull out your home's equity. But a 2nd mortgage, also called an equity loan, may be a better financing option than refinancing your mortgage. 2nd mortgages are ideal when you just want to tap into your equity, plan to move soon, or are unsure about the amount you want to borrow.Tapping Your EquityTapping into your home's equity is best done through a 2nd mortgage if you already have a low interest loan. Typically, applying for a 2nd mortgage requires fewer fees than refinancing a mortgage. 2nd mortgages are also paid back sooner, so your interest payments are less.Short-Term LoanWith the costs involved in refinancing, you typically need to keep the loan for about two years to break even. </P><P>However, with a 2nd mortgage you don't have those fees to worry about recovering. 2nd mortgages do have minimum balance and early pay off fees, but they are significantly less than refinancing fees.Flexible Loan AmountA 2nd mortgage allows you to take out your home's equity over the course of several years. The money can be accessed with a check, ATM card, or direct deposit, depending on how you set up your account with the lender. Additionally, you only pay interest on the money that you have withdrawn.Higher ApprovalLenders tend to be more lenient with approving 2nd mortgages. Since the amount usually is less than a traditional loan, lenders remain confident that they will receive payment. </P><P>If you have had a few credit glitches in the past two years, think about going with a 2nd mortgage.2nd Mortgage Mistakes2nd mortgages aren't for everyone. You should weigh the cost of PMI and payments when choosing your financing options. Borrowing more than 80% of your home's value will subject you to private mortgage insurance. Your monthly payments should also be a factor in your decision. By taking out equity when refinancing your home, you will have a lower payment than if you had both a mortgage and 2nd mortgage payment. </P><P>Also, if you refinance in the future, you will have to pay off your 2nd mortgage.. </P>]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>HELOCs and Second Mortgages&amp;#58; Which One Should I Choose&amp;#63;</title>
		<link>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/HELOCs-and-Second-Mortgages%26%2358%3B-Which-One-Should-I-Choose%26%2363%3B/Article/96462</link>
		<category>Which</category>
		<guid>http://www.firstmortgagesland.com/HELOCs-and-Second-Mortgages%26%2358%3B-Which-One-Should-I-Choose%26%2363%3B/Article/96462</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Whether you need some extra cash to pay off some credit card debts, or to make some home improvements, home equity lines of credit or second mortgages can be great ways to get started. Many people looking to borrow money often opt for home equity line ...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P>Whether you need some extra cash to pay off some credit card debts, or to make some home improvements, home equity lines of credit or second mortgages can be great ways to get started. Many people looking to borrow money often opt for home equity line of credit, or HELOCs, for short. They are a tempting first choice, because they can often give you the much needed cash at a low interest rate. Another advantage to taking out an HELOC, or a home equity line of credit, is that they may provide the borrower with a certain tax break, but you would need to verify this with your lender or accountant.One drawback to HELOCs, however, is the fact that borrowers are expected to put their homes up as collateral. So, it is important that you think this decision through, before finalizing the loan, because you may be at risk of losing your home- and its equity- if you are late or cannot make your monthly payments. </P><P>Finally, if you decide to sell your home, must HELOCs will require that you pay off the balance, before completing the sale. You can also take out a second mortgage, if you need some cash. Like the HELOC, second mortgages usually pay out the loan in one sum, which makes it a convenient option. Second mortgages also have the added advantage of having set payments, at a fixed interest rate. Many companies will charge a lending fee, which will vary from company to company. </P><P>These fees are usually based upon a percentage of the loan and are frequently referred to as 'points.' If one fee seems too high, don't be afraid to shop around to find one which is better suited to your budget.Remember, however, that adding a second mortgage to your home carries with it certain risks. Like with home equity lines of credit, you could lose your home, if you fall behind in the payments.. </P>]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
</channel>
</rss>