Does it make sense to
refinance again even though I recently obtained a mortgage
loan?
It may
very well make perfect sense! Consolidating your existing first
and second mortgages, outstanding credit card balances and other debt
into a single low interest mortgage payment can save you a considerable
amount of money each month and will also save you time since you'll have
only one monthly payment to deal with. We can help you determine if this
option will work for you.
How much can I afford in mortgage
payments?
It
depends entirely on your specific personal financial situation. We can
help you find out exactly what that amount may be. For a quick estimate,
use the
Mortgage
Calculator.
How does an interest rate lock
work?
An
interest rate lock provides an opportunity for you to arrange and
complete your mortgage and real estate transaction without having to
worry about rates increasing before closing your loan. Without locking,
should interest rates increase before you close on your home, you may
not be able to afford or qualify for that very same
loan.
Why do I need (private) mortgage
insurance, MI or (PMI), if my down payment is less than
20%?
Mortgage insurance was created to allow consumers to purchase a
home without a large down payment. Many homebuyers do not have savings
or reserves equal to 20% of the value of the home they wish to purchase.
Lenders do not like to lend money at low interest rates for more than
80% of the home value because of their need to be protected in the event
of default or foreclosure. They want protection against decreases in the
home's values and to be able to sell the property quickly, recouping
their loan amount. In addition, borrowers who have at least 20% equity
in their homes default less often than borrowers with less equity.
Mortgage insurance assumes the lender’s risk on a loan amount above 80%
of the home value. Mortgage insurance has provided more people the
ability to purchase homes at low interest rates by decreasing the risk
to lenders.