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Trick to Pay Off Your Mortgage In Half The Time

A Trick to Pay Off Your Mortgage In Half The Time

Minneapolis, Minnesota:  Sounds like a claim you might see on a SPAM E-Mail you receive. The fact is, smart people are doing this everyday to pay off their mortgage in half the time and there is nothing special about it.

What is it you ask?  Easy, simply shorten your term to a 10-year or 15-year mortgage loan.

Mortgage Refinance Rates in MN and WIMany homeowners are thinking of refinancing to today’s historically low mortgage rates here in MN, WI, and the rest of the country. Great, yet many people make the mistake of refinancing back into another 30-year loan.  Sure, you may save a few hundred dollars, but how much is it going to cost by adding back all those years?  How about retirement?  Wouldn’t it be nice to go into retirement WITHOUT a mortgage payment?

By lowering your term, you get a better interest rate than on a 30-year, and you save untold thousands of dollars in interest.

Fear of higher payments on the shorter term loans keeps many people from selecting this mortgage savings option.  But a quick peak at a mortgage calculator can show you the savings – and I’ll bet most people can easily afford the payment if they simply put their mind to it.

 

MN FHA streamline Refinance Loans

FHA Refinance

Learn About Your Mortgage Options

Homeowners enjoy the benefits of investing in their property year after year. For some, there comes a time when that investment can come in handy. Refinancing with an FHA loan can prove to be an effective way to put that equity to work. Keep in mind that FHA refinancing is only available to homeowners who are currently using their home as their principal residence.

FHA options to homeowners who are considering an FHA refinance mortgage:

FHA CASH-OUT REFINANCE

This refinancing option is especially beneficial to homeowners whose property has increased in market value since the home was purchased. A Cash Out refinance allows homeowners to refinance their existing mortgage by taking out another mortgage for more than they currently owe.

FHA STREAMLINE REFINANCE

This refinancing option is considered streamlined because it allows you to reduce the interest rate on your current home loan quickly and oftentimes without an appraisal. FHA Streamlined Refinance also cuts down on the amount of paperwork that must be completed by your lender saving you valuable time and money.

FHA Up Front Mortgage Insurance Premiums (UFMIP)

FHA has recently made changes to the required mortgage insurance. June 11, 2012 is the date FHA Up Front Mortgage Insurance Premiums (UFMIP) will be lowered for some borrowers applying for FHA Streamline Refinance Loans. An FHA Mortgagee Letter 12-4 explains the changes, which affect some, but not al, FHA streamline refinancing loans:

For all FHA Streamline Refinance transactions that are refinancing existing FHA loans that were endorsed on or before May 31, 2009, the UFMIP will decrease from 1.75 percent to just 0.01 percent of the base loan amount.

Basically, those borrowers who have an FHA home loan for a single-family property that was endorsed on or before May 31, 2009 are eligible for a lower rate on their Up Front Mortgage Insurance Premiums. It’s important to note that this rule applies only to those with an FHA Streamline refinancing loan with a case number assigned on or after June 11, 2012.

The same mortgagee letter contains another announcement; “Decrease to Annual Mortgage Insurance Premium on Certain Streamline Refinance Transactions”. In this message, the FHA states, “For all Single Family Forward Streamline Refinance transactions that are refinancing FHA loans endorsed on or before May 31, 2009, the Annual MIP will be 55 basis points, regardless of the base loan amount.”

These two items make for a very significant savings on FHA streamline refinance transaction here in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the rest of the country.

One other item. It’s important to remember that the FHA does not regulate FHA streamline mortgage interest rates or set them in any way except to state that such rates must be reasonable and customary according to the housing market in that area. Borrowers should expect to negotiate interest rates with the lender and/or comparison shop for the best rates and terms. 

The Truth about Short Sales

SHORT SALES: TOP 10 MYTHS DEBUNKED!

Myth #1: The homeowner must fall behind on mortgage payments in order to qualify for a short sale.   Truth: Years ago this may have been true, but not today

  • A financial hardship must exist, such as the ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) increasing in monthly payments.
  • Loss of job or income.
  • Health or medical issues.
  • Extraordinary loss in home value (which may be considered a hardship).

No one should be advised to miss a mortgage payment.

Myth #2: Banks would rather foreclose on a property than approve a short sale. Truth: Many still believe this myth to be true, but more accurately, banks would prefer not to foreclose on a property due to the $50-70k it may cost the bank per transaction. Banks lose less money on a short sale than on a foreclosure.

Myth #3: Homeowners must be pre-approved by their lender to be eligible for a short sale. Truth: Absolutely not true. By and large, most lenders will consider short sale offers. However, each lender may have unique and specific processes to follow, from listing the home to the acceptance of a short sale. Bypassing any part of this process may result the sale not closing, so be sure to follow each lenders’ processes closely.

Myth #4: Short sales never close. Truth: Obviously not true. In some areas of the U.S., nearly 50% of all closings are considered to be “distressed” properties, meaning REOs and short sales.

Myth #5: Short sales take months (and months) to close. Truth: The short sale processes must be learned. Once mastered, it may not be uncommon to close a short sale in 30 days. However, certain idiosyncrasies may slow the process and each lender presents their own unique set of specific challenges. No two short sale transactions are identical.

Myth #6: Damage to the homeowner’s credit standing is comparable in a short sale and a foreclosure. Truth: In many cases, credit repercussions and deficiency protections are more damaging with a foreclosure. Short sale transactions can often lead to faster financial recovery for the homeowner and should be carefully considered. Note: If the homeowner missed no mortgage payments, they may be eligible to finance the purchase of a home immediately following a short sale transaction.

Myth #7: Following a short sale, the homeowner will be ineligible to purchase another property for the next 7 years.
Truth: Not true. Using conventional lending guidelines, some consumers may obtain a Fannie Mae backed mortgage a short 24 months after the close of their short sale with 10% down payment. FHA loans is three years.

Myth #8: After a short sale transaction, the homeowner will receive a 1099 and be forced to declare the loss as income.
Truth: The owner may indeed receive a 1099, but due to the 2007 Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act, among other considerations, the homeowner may not owe any taxes on their transaction. Note: This Act is due to expire at the end of 2012.

Myth #9: The lender will sue the homeowner after the close of a short sale (or foreclosure, or deed in lieu of foreclosure) for the deficiency.
Truth: Each state and each transaction is different. Many states have anti-deficiency protections in place for short sales and foreclosures.

Myth #10: Real Estate Agents don’t need additional training to learn all of the ins and outs of the short sale process.
Truth: Only work with agents experienced in short-sales.

FHA Mortgage Insurance REFUND Chart

An FHA STREAMLINE REFINANCE is HOT right now because of the super low mortgage rates, so it is important to understand a possible FHA Mortgage insurance refund you may qualify for.

If you have an FHA loan, FHA charges an upfront MIP (mortgage insurance premium). This amount is calculated as a percentage of the loan amount, then added to your loan amount. That MIP amount you paid depends on when the FHA case number was requested.

If you’ve had your FHA loan for less than three years, and your are refinancing to a new FHA loan, you get a refund of some of the initial mortgage insurance premium (MIP) you paid on your FHA loan

The chart below is what FHA underwriters use to determine the amount of money refunded at the time of a FHA to FHA refinance. FHA will refund a percentage of that upfront MIP in the refinance. No refund check or anything is given to you, the refund is simply calculated into the costs of the new loan. The shorter the home owner has had the current FHA loan the higher the refund amount. This amount is displayed on page four of the application section called the “details of transaction” page.

FHA MORTGAGE INSURANCE REFUND CHART

FHA Mortgage Insurance Refund Chart

Example: You are refinancing, and at the time of closing, your current loan would be 2-years and 2 months old. Looking at the chart, you would get a 54% of the original MIP refunded to you as a credit on your new loans closing costs.

USDA Home Loans are Zero Down Payment

USDA 100% Home Loan Financing – Best Kept Mortgage Secret! 

7 out of the 11 Twin City County Areas are eligible. These properties are closer than you think!

The USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing Mortgage Program offers individuals and families 100% financing for semi-rural to rural properties throughout the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

  • 100 % Financing – ZERO down payment
  • No Cash From Buyer
  • Cheap Mortgage Insurance (especially compared to FHA loans)
  • No Assets Needed – No Money left in the bank needed
  • Relaxed Credit Requirements
  • Finance Closing Costs into the Loan

VA Streamline Refinance Loan

Mortgage Rates are at Historic Lows. Start saving money now on your VA Home Loan!

Minneapolis, MN: If you are a veteran, you are eligible for a great benefit, the VA Home Loan. If you currently have a VA Home Loan, you may qualify for another great benefit, the VA Streamline Refinance Loan.

Officially known as The Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), it is one of the easiest refinance loans available today.  The VA Streamline Refinance is the second best programs offered to you through your housing benefits from the Veterans Affairs (the first was buying the home with a VA Home Loan!)

Potential NO Appraisal (upside down might be OK)
Lower Credit Scores
NO Qualifying Debt Ratios
NO Income Verification
NO Out of Pocket Expenses

A good local VA Mortgage Leader will show you how to utilize your Certificate of Eligibility and lower your rate and start saving money today.

VA guaranteed Loans are originated by private approved and authorized lenders. VA Mortgage Home Loans must be used for their own personal occupancy. The VA will guarantee a portion of the mortgage to the lender reducing their risk and allowing opportunity for lower interest rates. The VA Guaranty minimizes the risk to the lender which results in better financing terms.

What you MAY NOT know about home insurance

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You actually SAVE, when you get a quote from a person, not a computer!

What you MAY NOT know about insurance

There are many considerations in selecting home insurance.  One you may or may not know of is “Family liability protection coverage”.  This protects you for medical expense in the event that someone is seriously injured on your property.

Many people choose $100,000 in protection, but an accident resulting in someone who has to be in intensive care for a week, or who has an extended hospital stay on top of intensive care may eat up that $100,000 in protection rather quickly.  Once the $100,000 is exhausted, a client is personally on the hook for anything above that, and the home typically ends up with a lien.

An increase in protection to $300,000 can cost as little as an additional $35 per year.  It’s the kind of options that a good insurance agent points out to clients to ensure the client’s assets are protected, and something the online quoting systems just can’t show you!

Also, you may want to cover yourself with at least a Million Dollar umbrella policy. Sounds exotic and expensive, but is actually awesome and inexpensive.