Everything you need to know about home loans in one place. Use our "frequently asked questions" section to learn everything about mortgages, refinancing, home equity lines of credit and more.
A 10/1 ARM is one type of hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage. Much like other hybrid loans, a 10/1 ARM has a fixed period (in this case, 10 years) during which your interest rate won’t change. That makes it one of the safest types of hybrid mortgages, as it gives you a lot of time to figure out your financial situation and determine whether you want to continue owning your home after the adjustable-rate period begins.
Read MoreA 7/6 ARM is a hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage with a fixed-rate period of seven years. Unlike its cousin, the 7/1 ARM (which has one-year adjustment periods), the interest rates on a 7/6 ARM can be adjusted once every 6 months during the variable-interest part of the loan.
Read MoreA 7/1 ARM is a kind of adjustable rate mortgage -- in this case, one that has a fixed interest rate for seven years. After that, the interest rate can change, usually depending on changes in the market interest rate. Like its cousins 3/1 ARMs and 10/1 ARMs, a 7/1 ARM is considered a hybrid mortgage because it has both a fixed-rate and a variable-rate interest period.
Read MoreA 5/6 ARM is a kind of hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage in which the fixed interest rate period of the mortgage lasts for 5 years. After the fixed-rate period is over, the variable-interest rate part of the mortgage begins.
Read MoreA 3/6 ARM is a type of hybrid adjustable rate mortgage in which the initial, fixed rate portion of the loan lasts 3 years, after which the adjustable-rate part of the mortgage begins.
Read MoreIn basic terms, an FHA loan is a government-insured mortgage. Due to the fact that these loans are being offered by the government, instead of a for-profit company, FHA loans have a variety of benefits that can make it easier for you to buy your dream home without breaking a big sweat.
Read MoreMortgage insurance is a type of insurance policy that covers the lender in case the borrower defaults on the loan. It is usually required in the form of private mortgage insurance (PMI) when borrowers don’t make a down payment of at least 20% on most conventional loans. For FHA loans, it’s called a mandatory mortgage insurance premium (MIP). If you fit into either of those categories, then mortgage insurance is something you’ll have to deal with.
Read MoreA Home Equity Line of Credit, also known as a HELOC, allows you to use the value you’ve built up in your home in order to secure a revolving line of credit. Individuals and families often use a HELOC to pay for serious expenses (like healthcare or college tuition) or to consolidate high-interest loans (like credit card debt).
Read MoreHome equity loans, which are sometimes known as second mortgages, allow homeowners to take out a loan against the equity in their home. Home equity loans are divided into two types. The first is a home equity loan, which is a traditional, fixed rate loan. The other is a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Since one of our other FAQs addresses the details about HELOCs, in this one, we’ll stick to talking about regular home equity loans.
Read MoreHome equity loans (HELs) and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are both ways that you can use the value in your home to pay bills, medical expenses, or to finance home improvements and renovations. While home equity loans provide a large, lump-sum payment usually in the form of a check, a HELOC simply provides access to credit based on the equity in your home. As a revolving line of credit, a HELOC functions more closely to a credit card than a traditional mortgage -- and many HELOCs actually come with one.
Read MoreGetting a home, and the mortgage that comes with it could be the most important financial transaction you ever make. But how do you go about getting a home loan?
Read MoreIn basic terms, home equity is the amount of financial value that a homeowner has built up in their home. To discover how much home equity you have, take your property’s market value and subtract your outstanding loan balance. As you pay off your mortgage (or your home’s value increases), the amount of home equity you have increases.
Read MoreMuch like vanilla and chocolate ice cream, home mortgage loans come in two main flavors: adjustable rate home loans, and fixed rate home loans. While the interest rate on a fixed rate loan stays the same throughout the entire life of the loan, an adjustable (or variable) interest rate loan can go up or down, depending on market conditions.
Read MoreThe amount of money you get from a reverse mortgage is dependent on the type of loan and the method you choose to receive your payments. There are three types of reverse mortgages: Single Purpose, Proprietary, and the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM).
Read MoreA doctor’s loan is a loan specifically intended for doctors -- most of the time, young doctors who are still only a few years into or out of their residency.
Read MoreA 20% down payment (the standard for conventional loans) is often required for a jumbo loan -- but this isn’t always the case, and some borrowers may be able to obtain loans with down payments as low as 10-15%.
Read MoreWhile things have loosened up since the first few years after the crisis, requirements are still a bit stricter, and most potential jumbo loan borrowers should expect to make at least a 15% down payment. They should also carefully record and document their income. Plus, they may have to be okay with getting an adjustable rate loan, and making sure that their monthly payment does not exceed 38% of their income before taxes.
Read MoreA jumbo home loan is a loan that exceeds a specific amount, called the conforming loan limit. The conforming loan limit is actually calculated by county -- not by state, so depending on where exactly you live, you could face a different conforming loan limit. For most U.S. counties, the limit is set at $453,100, a nice increase from 2017’s $424,100.
Read MoreJust like private lenders, the Federal Housing Administration offers FHA jumbo loans for qualified borrowers. Much like regular FHA loans, FHA jumbo loans usually have significantly lower down payment requirements than their private counterparts.
Read MoreTaking on a loan with PMI can often increase the amount of options you have, meaning that you may be able to take on a larger or riskier loan than you would regularly qualify for. Often, this means you can buy a home earlier, and start building up its equity without having to save up the full 20% of the home’s purchase price before doing so.
Read MoreIf you take out a conventional mortgage loan with a downpayment of less than 20% of the home’s purchase price, you may be required to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI). Private mortgage insurance is a type of coverage that protects the lender in the event that the borrower defaults on a loan.
Read MoreA loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is the ratio of a loan amount to the value of the asset it’s being used to purchase. Lenders often refer to a borrower’s LTV in order to assess the risk involved in entering a loan agreement with that borrower. The higher your LTV, the riskier the loan is for the lender. Generally speaking, LTVs of 80% and up are considered high.
Read MoreIf you have a reverse mortgage, you can sell your home and repay the loan at any time without penalty. Upon selling the home, the loan must be repaid in full and the borrower can pocket whatever equity is left, assuming that all other loans, liens and associated fees with the sale of the home are paid.
Read MoreThe closing costs for a reverse mortgage are dependent on the type of reverse mortgage loan chosen, the lender chosen and the money taken out upfront. Here, find a list and brief explanation of typical fees at closing.
Read MoreDepending on your personal circumstances, there may be some downsides to a reverse mortgage. It's important to fully understand the terms of your reverse mortgage loan before closing, so here are the drawbacks of this type of home loan.
Read MoreYour mortgage is great, but sometimes you wish you had something a little bit different. Maybe you’d like one that’s a little shorter, or one that had a little bit less interest or perhaps it’s not even about the mortgage itself, you just want to cash out your home’s equity. Before you tell your current mortgage that it’s not it, it’s you, it’s smart to figure out how much it will cost to get into a different loan.
Read MoreIn 2006 to 2016 homeowners were in fact able to deduct mortgage insurance premiums per the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act. Congress must directly approve this deduction every year following 2016.
Read MoreA reverse mortgage is when a lender takes the equity in your home and converts it into payments to you. Equity in your home is defined as the difference between what your home is valued and the debt owed on the home.
Read MoreA jumbo home loan, or jumbo mortgage, is a type of non-conforming conventional loan. This means it’s a loan that isn’t backed by FHA, it has nothing to do with VA or USDA, and neither Fannie Mae nor Freddie Mac will buy it. It makes a person wonder why a bank would even deal in these, but the truth is that they’re reasonably low risk and very high profit from the lender's perspective.
Read MoreWhen it comes to getting a mortgage refinanced, you generally have plenty of options. Do you want an FHA or a conventional? Would you prefer a cash out refinance or do you just want to get a change in your terms? Do you want fries with that?One of the more common questions people have when they’re considering a refinance is if they can magically change their 30 year mortgage into a 15. And the answer, from pretty much every banker ever, is a resounding yes -- with some qualifiers.
Read MoreIn theory, you can refinance as many times as you want. Some lenders will want to see that you’ll make the payments first, so they’ll require a short period between mortgages to establish that you are actually capable of paying (six months is a common seasoning period). Others will charge you a penalty for paying your existing mortgage off before it was due.
Read MoreWhile private mortgage insurance (PMI) generally exists to protect lenders for all types of home loans, MIP specifically protects FHA government-backed loans.A MIP (Mortgage Insurance Premium) protects the lender regardless of the amount of the down payment.
Read MoreThere are a few options when looking to avoid paying private mortgage insurance on your conventional loan. Private mortgage insurance is tacked on to a conventional loan when less than 20% down payment is paid.
Read MoreWhen you’re considering your first refinance mortgage, you’re full of questions. How much will this cost me? Is it really the right move? What even happens to my equity during this transaction? The good news is that it probably won’t cost as much as you think, but the equity in your home is affected by the type of refinance mortgage you choose.
Read MoreNo matter what kind of mortgage loan you have on your home now, if you’re considering refinancing it, the whole world’s your oyster. That mortgage can usually be refinanced into anything else, including the popular FHA program. Before you jump into an FHA refinance, however, let’s look at what it actually involves. There may be additional fees involved that aren’t part of your current financial picture.
Read MoreBuying your house was definitely the right choice, but now that you’ve been paying on your loan a little while, you’re starting to wonder if you should take advantage of some of the mortgage rates that are being offered to homeowners willing to refinance. After all, you, too, would enjoy a lower monthly payment and some cash in your pocket. But there has to be some sort of catch, right?
Read MoreThe Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that insures private loans for buying and repairing homes. The FHA insures loans made by private lenders to borrowers who’d normally have a hard time getting favorable loans.
Read MoreFHA loans are federally backed home loans that are meant to encourage home ownership. They are really accessible because they are federally backed, so lenders do not mind taking on the risk. The FHA has guidelines on who may qualify for an FHA loan, but you should be aware that lenders often add their own standards.
Read MoreA good down payment on a house largely depends on your circumstances and the loan you've applied for. Based on loan requirements and your risk profile the lender will determine the minimum down payment for the loan. In other words, it may not be up to you how much you pay -- though generally, a higher down payment will equate to lower fees and better loan terms.
Read MoreHaving a mortgage eventually leads to the inevitable question, “When should I refinance my mortgage?” The good news is that you don’t have to refinance your mortgage ever, as long as you like the terms and your payment is doable. However, there are certain situations that are pretty good reasons to go through the process.
Read MoreWhat is a mortgage insurance premium? A mortgage insurance premium (MIP) is an insurance plan implemented in FHA loans regardless of the down payment amount you put down on the loan. The MIP is paid directly to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) instead of a private company as Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is.
Read MoreLenders want to know they'll get their money back when they lend it out. In the event that a borrower can’t produce at least 20% down for a traditional loan, lenders will impose mortgage insurance on the borrower in order to protect the lender in default. Lenders turn to private insurance providers for this, hence the name -- Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).
Read MoreYou’ve had your mortgage a few years now and have already built up some equity. Lately, you’ve been thinking it might be time to consider refinancing. You’re really hoping you’ll get a better rate, maybe shed that mortgage insurance -- the whole thing sounds pretty awesome overall. But how does mortgage refinancing work?
Read MoreBefore making a decision on the house to buy you have to take a practical and introspective look at your financial standing, your budget, and your aspirations. Before the work of looking for a loan and the house to buy begins, it is important that you have an understanding of your needs and means.
Read MoreYour credit score is an important measure of your financial stability and health. It's at the core of any loan or line of credit, including home loans. A credit score not only determines your loan approval but the terms of the loan, too.
Read MoreA home equity loan can be a source of funding for your next home. Although you are unlikely to be able to buy a home outright with a home equity loan, you may be able to put a substantial down payment on a second home.
Read MoreChoosing between a fixed rate and variable rate mortgage largely depends on your needs and plans for the future. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, depending on your financial situation.
Read MoreA mortgage payment is what you will pay in total to service, or pay off, the loan. It primarily consists of both principal and interest payments, but may include closing costs or mortgage insurance rolled into the loan as well.
Read MoreLoan qualification depends on which loan you are applying for. There are a variety of loans offered in the market, including conventional loans, jumbo loans, USDA loans, VA loans and FHA loans. Each type of loan has its own advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the best loan for you will largely depend on your own circumstances and future plans.
Read MoreA home loan or “mortgage” is a type of loan that uses property or real estate as security. Homebuyers exchange funds with a lender, who operates on the promise that the debt will be repaid before a designated time and at an agreed-upon cost (interest rate).
Read MoreThere are many different mortgage options for homebuyers to choose from. For starters, mortgages are usually categorized as either a fixed rate or adjustable rate. Then there are various loan programs to choose from including FHA Loans, VA Loans, USDA Loans, or Conventional Loans
Read MoreTo help first-time home buyers, federal, state and local housing agencies have programs to make the home buying process easier and cheaper. The agencies and lenders in your area can offer you various FHA loans, VA loans, down payment grants, and other programs to make it easier to qualify and buy your first home. The definition of a first time home buyer
Read MoreA variable-rate mortgage is a loan with a variable (changing) interest rate. It’s also known as an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) or a tracker mortgage. The interest rate varies according to an underlying index like LIBOR, treasury bills, or the federal funds rates.
Read MoreA fixed-rate mortgage is the simplest and most common mortgage for homebuyers. It simply has a fixed interest rate, that does not go up or down, throughout its lifespan. Since it never changes, a fixed-interest-rate mortgage isn't associated with indexes, margins, floors, or caps. As the interest rate is fixed, the monthly principal and interest payment are the same throughout the mortgage’s lifespan.
Read MoreCalculating a fixed mortgage rate is relatively simple: You take the annual figure and turn it into a monthly figure. To calculate the monthly fixed mortgage rate, just do the following steps:
change the annual rate to a decimal number by dividing it by 100;
take the resulting decimal figure and further divide it by 12; and
voila!, You have the monthly fixed mortgage rate.
Buying your first home is a challenging but important first step in securing your future. There are many financial products available on the market for first-time homebuyers. Each product has its target market, so it’s important to understand your needs so as to match them to the products on offer.
Read MoreYes. These programs assist with providing funds for down payment, closing costs, prepaids, principal reductions, and/or repairs. How much you get depends on whether you qualify, the area median income, and home prices.
Read MoreA Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan is a loan with less stringent qualifications and low down payments. It’s part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s programs to help first-time homebuyers buy a home.
Read MoreA home equity loan (HEL) uses the part of the home that you own as security for a loan. For example, if your home is valued at $300,000 and you have a $200,000 mortgage outstanding, then you can use the $100,000 ($300,000 --$200,000) as collateral for a loan. Home equity loans are also known as equity loans and second mortgage loans.
Read MoreThe terms of a home equity loan (HEL) are usually akin to a simple fixed-interest loan.
Read MoreRegular loans usually require a 20% down payment on a home. First-time homebuyer programs like the FHA loan reduce this to as low as 3.5%.
The amount can vary according to the program on offer and to what extent you qualify for the grant.
Read MoreLike with most housing assistance programs, you can start at your local housing agency. You’ll be provided with a breakdown of the FHA loan-approved lenders in your area, whom you can apply to. If you qualify for the program, simply apply to these lenders. If you get more than one quote, you’re more likely to find a better deal.
Read MoreAn amortized loan is a debt that’s paid off over time in equal installments. Each payment pays off the interest and the principal.
In the beginning, the installments prioritize paying off the interest and a portion of the principal. Over time, the interest will become a small part of the installment, as the principal will have become a larger component.
Read MoreFinancing your home is a large investment, which is why most people need long-term loans to buy a home. Before searching for a home to buy or financing options, first get a good idea of your financial standing. Buying a home is a huge financial obligation, so ensure that:
Read MoreA variable interest rate is one that can go up or down based on an index. A variable interest comprises an index rate and a margin rate.
Read MoreThe FHA 7 year ARM is a hybrid mortgage that is guaranteed by the Federal Housing Authority. It is deemed a “hybrid” mortgage because it has a fixed interest rate in the beginning for 7 years and then switches to a variable interest rate. As with all adjustable rate mortgages (ARMS) the rate is composed of an index rate and the lender's margins.
Read MoreThe 7/1 ARM is a hybrid mortgage, it comprises years with a fixed interest rate followed by years with a variable rate. The “7” is the number of years with a fixed interest rate, the “1” represents the annual adjustment period.
Read MoreThe interest on both HELs and HELOCs are lower than credit card rates as they are secured by your home, which makes them an attractive source of funds. The main differences between the home equity loans and home equity lines of credit are:
Read MoreA home equity line of credit (HELOC), is a pool of credit you can draw from using your home equity as collateral. Your home equity is the difference between the value of your home and the mortgage balance. So if your home is valued at $250,000 and your mortgage is $150,000 then your home equity is at $100,000 ($250,000-$150,000).
Read MoreHome equity is value built up from paying down the mortgage of a home while it appreciates in price. It is the difference between the market price of a home and the debt attached to it like a mortgage. Home equity is the portion of your home that you actually own.
Read MoreA home equity loan is a second mortgage. It uses the equity in your home as security for a loan. The low-interest rate and substantial loan amount make it an attractive source of funding for various needs. To qualify for a home equity loan generally requires you to have the following:
Read MoreA cash out refinance uses your home equity to issue a new loan to replace the old one and give you a cash payout. Say your home is valued at $400,000 and your mortgage stands at $250,000 which means that your home equity is $150,000 ($400,000-$250,000). Using your home equity as collateral you can take out a new loan of $320,000, which will cover the $250,000 mortgage and get a cash payment of $70,000 ($320,000-$250,000).
Read MoreHome equity loans are more reliant on your home equity as security rather than on your credit score. So if you have equity in your home and bad credit you may still qualify for a home equity loan.You can get home equity loans from a vast number of lenders in the market.
Read MoreThere are several ways you can access your home equity such as selling your home, doing a cash out refinance, taking out a home equity loan, or opening a home equity line of credit. Turn the equity in your home into a source of cash to use as you see fit.
Read MoreWhenever a large expense comes up, home equity loans are a very tempting source of funds. You can pretty much use a home equity loan for whatever you like, which is what can make it perilous for people with no control over their spending habits.
Read MoreThe value of a home equity line of credit (HELOC) is determined by the home equity and the lenders acceptable level of combined loan to value (CLTV). The home equity has to be large enough to cover the requested loan, and the CLTV has to be at a sustainable level
Read MoreYes, it is possible to buy a home with no money down or down payment. There are a variety of loans in the market that cater to home buyers with different needs. To qualify for a no money down home loan you will need to have a good credit score and credit record
Read MoreAn adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), also known as a variable-rate mortgage or tracker mortgage, is a loan with an interest rate that can go either up or down depending on market conditions. These market conditions are based on an underlying index like the federal funds rate, treasury bills, or LIBOR.
Read MoreBalloon loans are usually short-term and only a small portion of the principal will be paid by the end of the term. They look something like this, a $400,000 loan is to be amortized over 30 years but due in 5 years. The borrower will make payments like they are on a 30-year amortized payment plan, but the loan will be due in 5 years. The amortized payments will pay for mostly interest and a small portion of the principle, the balloon payment is likely to be close to the principal.
Read MoreA conventional loan is a loan that is not insured or guaranteed by the government. A conventional loan may be a fixed rate mortgage, variable rate mortgage or a hybrid ARM. Conventional loans are either conforming or non-conforming loans.
Read MoreFirst time home buyer grants are issued by federal, state and local housing agencies to help borrowers purchase a home easily. The programs are designed to lower the hurdles of acquiring a home, by paying the down payment.
Read MoreA 5-year ARM FHA mortgage is a loan with a fixed and variable interest rate that is guaranteed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). The loan is a hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM): it starts out with a fixed interest rate for the first five years, then the rate becomes variable. The loan comes with a guarantee to the lender that the FHA will pay it off if the borrower fails to pay.
Read MoreA fixed rate mortgage has a fixed term, fixed rate and is popular for its simplicity. The interest rate is fixed but the payment amount may change over time. This is because the payment amount includes interest and principal payment (which don’t change) along with taxes and insurance payments both of which may change
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