California Mortgage & Home Loan Rates Online
How
much of a down-payment will I need?
The minimum down-payment required depends on the mortgage program you
select. There are many different types of loans with various down-payment
options, including no down-payment and low down-payment programs. Ask
your mortgage broker.
How much of a home I afford?
The best time to look for a mortgage is before you start looking for a
house. This helps you to determine how much house you can afford.
Why do I need private mortgage insurance?
Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is an actual insurance policy that
the lender takes out to protect themselves if you default on the loan.
This protects the lender and at the same time, enables you to apply a
minimal down-payment to purchase a home.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
The Good Faith Estimate (GFE) discloses estimated costs associated
with your mortgage transaction.
What is a VA loan and who can qualify for it?
The Veterans Administration (VA) created a loan program to help military
veterans purchase homes. VA loans require no down-payment Veterans, current
military personnel and spouses of veterans who died of service-related
injuries may apply for VA loans.
Will a mortgage broker be able to find me the best rate over a banking
institution?
Mortgage brokers work with many lenders including commercial banks,
thrifts, and mortgage bankers. Brokers may also have access to lenders
who don't have an office located in your state, but are licensed to lend
money. So they may be able to help you obtain a better loan rate.
Should I forget the type of institution and focus instead on who advertises
the lowest mortgage loan rate?
You can, but you have to remember that there is no guarantee you
will get the mortgage home loan rate advertised. The best way to compare
is to ask each lender what the mortgage home loan rate would be if your
closed in 90 days or whatever your timetable is. Remember to get everything
in writing!
What documents do I have to provide a mortgage loan broker or banking
institution?
You will need to provide the following:
- Proof
of income (including a pay stub and the previous two years tax returns)
- Your
bank account numbers, checking, savings, and other investments
- A
list of your long-term debt accounts (credit cards, auto loans, child
support, etc.)
- Your
Social Security number
- Some
lenders may want three months of statements for utilities and so forth
Does
it make sense to prepay my home loan or should I use the money to invest?
That depends on the cost of the home loan, your appetite for risk
and your age. Prepaying shortens the term of the loan, saving you thousands
of dollars of interest. "As a general rule, on a 30 year mortgage,
you save $3 for every $1 prepaid. On an After-tax basis, you get back
$2 for ever $1 you prepay." It's and easy, risk-free investment.
Just round your monthly payment up to the nearest $100: if you pay $883.50,
write the check for $900. If your mortgage costs 8 percent a year, that's
what you'll earn on your prepayment. Compare that return with what you'd
earn in other comparably safe investments, like a CD or paying off credit
cards (If you pay 18 percent on credit cards don't even think about prepaying
a 8 percent mortgage instead.) Note. Notify your lender if your personal
or financial status changes between the time you submit and application
and the time its funded. If you change jobs, get an increase or decrease
in salary, incur additional debt, or change your marital status, you must
let the lender know.
Refinance
Questions:
What is a home equity line of credit?
A home equity line of credit is a form of revolving credit in which
your home is used as collateral. Home equity lines of credit feature a variable
interest rate and a draw period.
Why is an appraisal necessary?
Appraisals compare your home to other homes in your area that have recently
sold. An appraisal is necessary for the lender to justify the loan amount
being requested.
How much can I borrow?
Your available equity is determined by taking a percentage of your
home's appraised value, and subtracting the balances of any outstanding
mortgages on the property.
Must I occupy the residence I'm using as collateral?
You can use a residence that you do not occupy as collateral if the
property's total existing mortgages and your requested home equity line
add up to no more than 70% of the home's appraised value.
How can I access my home equity line of credit?
Within a couple of weeks of your loan closing you will receive a package
that contains both payment information and checks that will allow you to
access your line of credit.
What is a draw period?
The draw period is the time frame during which you are allowed to
use the credit available on your home equity line. When you borrow funds
from your line of credit it is referred to as a draw.