Finance Articles

With all of the options available to homeowners today, adjustable rate financing is a common topic of discussion at our offices. The 3 most popular Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) types today are Hybrid ARMs, Option ARMs, and Hybrid Option ARMs. Sound pretty similar don't they? There are similarities, that's for sure, but there are differences as well. Hybrid ARMs Hybrid ARMs are a cross between a traditional fixed rate mortgage and a classic ARM. They generally come in ...

The Council of Mortgage lenders recently reported that an amazing 71% of all mortages and remortgages in April 2006 were arranged on fixed rate terms, that?s 17% higher than the same period last year. The increasing attraction of fixed rate deals is a product of the attractive offers being made by lenders together with a desire by consumers to lock-in to the current low rates for as long as possible. The balance shifted slightly towards new mortgages and away from remortga...

Love it or hate it, the Payment Option ARM or Pick a Pay mortgage has become one of the most popular home loans in the USA, and is definitely the fastest growing option in high cost states like California, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. While many people love the 1% start rates, there are a lot of people who don't feel comfortable with the possibility of payments increasing in as little as 1 month on many of the most common programs. The common wisdom is that Option AR...

This article highlights the five main reasons that banks decline commercial mortgage loan applications. The reasons provided below do not represent obscure issues, so it is likely that two or three of the reasons described will be important for typical commercial mortgage situations. The first two reasons (business plans and tax returns) will potentially impact all commercial borrowers. Many commercial loan officers will start their loan review process by stating some variati...

Once you?ve done your research on reverse mortgages and gained a more complete understanding of the product, the next step is to decide if a reverse mortgage is right for your situation. If you?re eligible (a homeowner 62 years of age or older with equity in your principal residence), this may be a quick decision or one that requires a bit more consideration. As with any decision, it?s always helpful to get the perspectives and experiences of others who have faced similar sit...

If you?re thinking of improving your home, investing in buy-to-let or holiday property or maybe consolidating your debts, you?re probably thinking of re-mortgaging. If your current mortgage is now some years old, you?re probably out of date on what?s available. Forget the old ?one size fits all? mortgages. Mortgages today are varied and there?s probably one just waiting for you. In view of the fact that there are around 4,000 different loans available, obviously we can?t c...

You may have heard about the introduction of the Home Information Packs starting in June 2006. One controversial part of the Pack was to be a Home Condition Report, a mandatory survey that the seller of the property would have to have carried out in order to sell the property. However, although the Packs are going ahead, the Home Condition Report won?t be a compulsory part of it. So firstly, what exactly is the Home Condition Report? It?s the same as a survey, but instead ...

There has been a tremendous boom in overseas property ownership. Whether for personal use as a family, holiday or retirement property or as an investment property, the market shows no sign of slowing down. In the excitement of making the decision to go ahead, it?s easy to overlook the importance of taking professional advice with regards to the legal situation. The law in respect of property and mortgages abroad is very different from that in the UK. Local practices, cu...

Do you, in common with millions of other home owners, have a short-term mortgage? If so, it?s very easy to set up the monthly repayment and then get involved with so many other aspects of your life that time slips away and before you know it, the two or three year period of your loan is coming to an end. Whilst many lenders write to their customers towards the end of the loan period, it isn?t compulsory. When you sign on the dotted line for your mortgage deal, you are issu...

What does the term ?inter-generational mortgage? mean to you? If you?re not up to date, then read on for more information on this revolutionary move. It seems that there is a distinct possibility that lifetime interest only mortgages, which we could pass on down the family, may be the answer to a lot of home buying problems and worries. The way the scheme works is the borrower takes out an interest only mortgage. This means that your monthly repayments are for interest ...