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Having a crystall ball that told you if mortgage interest rates would rise or fall would be awesome. Especially in these uncertain times. Forecasts are never one hundred percent reliable, but in the light of recent events we can make some good guesses.

Low interest rates are promoted by lenders countrywide. What most advertisements don’t say is that the low interest rate is only relevant for individuals that have an above 700 credit score. If you want to get 5 percent interest or below, you not only need a credit score above seven hundred, you will also have to make a hefty down payment. Few people have spotless credit scores, so the extremely low interest rates are definitely not for everyone. Lenen doorlopend krediet explains how the Dutch solve this.

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Being the summer of 2009, and with the mortgage interest rates so low, one of the most frequent questions being asked by homeowners is “Should I refinance my mortgage?” In most cases, the answer has to be no! That’s not to say keeping your current mortgage is best, but there just might be a better alternative. And that alternative is paying off, or at least paying down, the current mortgage.

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For Phillips, the problem was the she ended up with an exotic loan called an option adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). With these loans, a borrower has the option of making minimum monthly payments that don’t even cover the loan’s interest. That unpaid interest is then added to the mortgage principal, which means that the loan grows bigger – and more expensive – each month.

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Tags: adjustable+rate+mortgage

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The distinguished voice on the radio advertisement pitching reverse mortgages has a familiar ring: Yes, that’s James Garner, the venerable television and film actor.

Garner, in ads for a lender, touts reverse mortgages as an option for homeowners age 62 or older who are seeking an influx of cash to better manage their ever-mounting expenses — or just live a bit better in retirement.

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According to both the Bankruptcy Code and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), information on a Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy can remain on your credit profile for 10 years from the commencement of the case. But, the devastating effects don’t have to last forever, and you can immediately start rebuilding your credit by following these tips:

Clean Up Your Credit Reports

Many people find that when their Chapter 7 bankruptcies discharge, their credit reports still show several, if not all, accounts as open and overdue instead of being closed with the obligation wiped out as part of the bankruptcy. Contacting the credit bureaus and insisting that those accounts be properly reported as "included in bankruptcy" will help lessen the damage by a surprising amount. See "How to Raise Your Credit Score" for more information on cleaning up your credit reports.

Rebuilding Your Credit

Most people know that getting a secured credit card (with a typical credit line of $200 to $500) will help raise your credit score and rebuild your credit provided that you don’t charge more than about 30% of your credit limit, and you make the payments on time each month. But did you know that getting a mortgage or a home equity loan (second mortgage) also helps rebuild your credit?

Read more at Mortgage Loan Tips: How to Rebuild Bad Credit after a Bankruptcy

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For most homeowners, your mortgage payment is by far your biggest monthly expense. So we think it’s completely justifiable to spend 60 seconds reviewing it. In fact, don’t be surprised if this brief exercise does wonders for your budget. Let’s take a look under the hood and see whether we can find you some savings.

0:60 Find out whether you’re overpaying your mortgage lender
If the amount you borrowed was more than 80% of the appraised value of your home, you’re probably paying PMI, or private mortgage insurance. PMI payments are not trivial. Depending on the size of your down payment and how much your house costs, PMI can effectively increase your interest rate by as much as 1% — potentially adding hundreds of dollars to your monthly payment.

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WITH FALLING HOUSING PRICES, relatively low interest rates and an abundant inventory of properties to choose from, you’d think buying a home these days would be a breeze.

That’s until you start shopping for a mortgage. Stung by the subprime mortgage crisis, lenders have tightened their requirements considerably, giving even the most creditworthy borrowers a hard time when it comes to qualifying for a new mortgage or refinancing an existing one.

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Tags: mortgage

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Increasing numbers of hard-pressed homeowners and tenants are turning to personal loans and credit cards to fund their housing costs.

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For some seniors, a reverse mortgage may be a suitable loan, but for others it is not. If you are considering a reverse mortgage, be sure to find out the “pros” and the “cons.” Carefully evaluate whether a reverse mortgage is suitable, given your needs and circumstances, and consider whether there are other alternatives that may be more suitable for you. Steer clear of predatory lenders and scam artists who may want to steer you into a high-cost loan or sell you a reverse mortgage in order to get at your money.

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Tags: reverse+mortgage

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Question: My first mortgage is an interest-only loan at 4.75% with a balance of $287,967, and a second mortgage with another lender. It is due to reset on March 31, 2009. I wanted to refi now before the loan adjusts, so I called the lender and submitted all the documents. After a few weeks, I was told a home retention workout on my loan has been denied because I cannot afford the monthly payments. The thing is, I have been making my payments for the past 48 months without once being late. I was advised to sell the house on a short sale. What is your advice? Also, should I do it now or wait until March? Christopher, Murrieta, Calif.

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Tags: mortgage

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