Discover Mortgage Information

If you are thinking of buying and need to get a loan, this process may seem intimidating and overwhelming. However, I spent fifteen years as a loan officer and I can tell you it really doesn’t need to be intimidating. It is simply about math and paperwork – neither are complex, but there are details involved. There are also several loan options that you may qualify for and it may be hard to see the forest for the trees. Don’t get overwhelmed! Let’s start with the basics:

Fixed Rate Mortgage

In this type of mortgage, the mortgage interest rate remains fixed for the life of the loan. Monthly payments are fixed (for the principal and interest). If property taxes and homeowner’s insurance are paid as part of your payment, these are paid through an “escrow” account which can fluctuate from year to year. Although not all lenders will have all options, the shortest duration of the loan you can get is five years and the maximum is 50.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage

These are also called ARMs. ARMs generally start out with a lower interest rate than a fixed-rate loan.
This type of loan has the potential to have monthly payments that change since the interest rate can change. There is usually an initial period of time where the interest rate does not adjust – usually between 3-5 years. How often the interest rate adjusts will also depend on the loan. Since interest rates do change over time, the payment can either be higher or lower depending on the difference in the interest rate. For example, if someone took out a loan when interest rates were at record-low levels, it is unlikely that interest rates will continue to be this low when the interest rate adjusts.

Conventional vs. Government-Backed

Mortgages may also be either “conventional” (meaning funded by the private sector – usually a bank) or a “government-backed” loan. Government-backed loans are backed by the federal government, including the Department of Veteran Affairs or the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The government agency is “insuring” the loan, although the funding may still be by a bank. So why the two different types of loans? The Department of Housing and Urban Development typically has less stringent lending qualifications, making it easier for some buyers to get a loan. For example, at the time of this writing, the down payment on an FHA loan (by the Federal Housing Administration) can be as low as 3.5% as opposed to a private loan which requires 10-20%.FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans are all examples of government-backed loans.

Who are Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae?

You may hear about these entities as well and rest assured, lenders aren’t referring to someone’s grandmother when they bring them up. These are government-sponsored mortgage companies that back loans and set regulations and guidelines in order to keep homeownership more accessible and create stability in the lending market.

If you have questions, my expertise in this field can help and I have plenty of lenders to refer who can make easy work out of getting a loan!

Work With Eileen

In any market, it pays to have experience and expertise on your side. When you work with Eileen, you not only have experience and expertise, but industry connections and relationships to make your transaction efficient and keep more dollars in your pocket. Contact her today to find out how she can be of assistance to you!