09 Sep 2021
By Kevin Gahagan

The Pros and Cons of Paying Your Mortgage off Biweekly Versus Monthly

Home Mortgage Tips

The Pros and Cons of Paying Your Mortgage off Biweekly Versus MonthlyIf you have a mortgage, you’re probably looking for the best option to pay it off. Monthly mortgage payments are an easy-to-manage way to pay for your house – in fact, they’re the most common form of mortgage payment  but now, many homeowners are discovering that biweekly payments offer them better results.

So is a biweekly payment the better option for you? Which payment strategy best fits your individual circumstances? Here’s what you need to know.

Biweekly Payments: Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster and Save on Interest

Biweekly payments are becoming increasingly popular for a variety of reasons. With a biweekly payment, you’ll pay less money in total interest payments over the course of the whole mortgage, and you’ll pay your mortgage off faster. Biweekly payments also make it easier to budget for your mortgage because they coincide with your paycheck, and the biweekly payment system forces you to make extra payments toward your principal.

That said, biweekly payments also have some disadvantages. If you’ve bought a home at the very top tier of what you can afford, you might not have the budget flexibility for extra payments. Your lender may also force you to pay a $300 setup fee or a processing fee for each payment.

Monthly Payments: Easier to Afford for Large Homes

Paying your mortgage off on a monthly basis has long been the standard, for a variety of reasons – for instance, most homeowners are typically more comfortable with monthly payments as they were the norm during the owner’s years as a renter. It may also be easier to manage monthly payments if you work as an independent contractor and don’t always get paid every two weeks.

Monthly mortgage payments are more affordable for owners of larger homes, which typically come with larger mortgages. A monthly payment schedule also means you make one less payment per year, and for those on a strict budget, this can help to make the daily necessities of life more affordable.

Monthly mortgage payments were once the expected norm, but now, a lot of homeowners are choosing to make biweekly payments in order to pay off their mortgages faster and better budget their money. Monthly payments still remain popular, though, for a variety of reasons.

So which one is better for you? A qualified mortgage advisor can help you determine your best course of action. Call your local mortgage professional to learn more about your mortgage payment options.

02 Sep 2021
By Kevin Gahagan

3 Reasons Why the Cost of Title Insurance is Worth the Investment

Home Mortgage Tips

3 Reasons Why the Cost of Title Insurance is Worth the InvestmentTitle insurance is one of the few types of protection policies available to homebuyers and one that is often overlooked because of its optional nature.

Because title insurance is purchased simultaneously with the home, it can be very easy to forego when looked at alongside all the additional fees that are associated with purchasing property.

This is typicaly not advisable, as title insurance is one of the smartest forms of protection a homeowner can buy. Here are just three reasons why every purchaser should get title insurance.

It’s The Best Protection Against Fraud

Title insurance protects the owner of a home from any claim made against their property, whether or not they are responsible. These include unpaid mortgage balances on the home, an improper foreclosure or any form of real estate fraud perpetrated by the seller.

Fraud is more prevalent now than ever before and has started to gain momentum in real estate as well. Forgeries are easier to create in the electronic age and criminals take advantage of today’s ‘do-it-yourself’ attitude to sell property they don’t actually own to unsuspecting victims.

The Insurer Performs An Exhaustive Title Search

Countless records are now made public online for low one-time payments to access them. But does anybody really know what they should be looking for? Title insurers are experts at finding anything suspicious with a home and researching exhaustively to make sure everything about the transaction is legitimate.

And if it’s not, the insurance still covers the buyer for any losses incurred if they are ordered out of their new home should a claim be made against it. Then they will research the claim to make sure it isn’t a fraudulent one.

Title Insurance Is A One-Time Fee

Although it is a large fee, title insurance only needs to be paid for once. Unlike other insurance policies that are either monthly or annually, title insurance is a one-time fee that is acquired at the time of closing. Most mortgage lenders require that their title insurance policy is paid for by the borrower anyway, so it’s not a giant leap to take out your own policy the same time.

Title insurance will also protect against mortgage fraud or any unpaid mortgages the home already has. Although title insurance is strongly recommended, it is a good idea to speak with a professional about it so that any questions you have may be answered.

17 Aug 2021
By Kevin Gahagan

Understanding the Jumbo Mortgage and Why Refinancing These Mortgages is Different

Home Mortgage Tips

Understanding the Jumbo Mortgage and Why Refinancing These Mortgages is DifferentIt seems like everything is getting jumbo sized these days. Jumbo sized soft drinks. Jumbo sized fast food meals. Jumbo sized smartphones. But one thing that nobody thought would get jumbo sized? Is mortgages.

So what exactly is a jumbo mortgage? How is it different from a standard mortgage, and what does that mean for your refinancing options? Here’s what you need to know.

Jumbo Mortgages: Larger Sums For Enterprises And Wealthy Buyers

As the name implies, the main factor that sets jumbo mortgages apart from standard mortgages is the loan limit. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac impose mortgage limits all around the country, limits that vary depending on the cost of living in each individual state. But in situations involving highly valuable real estate – like luxury properties and commercial real estate – standard mortgages simply don’t give buyers the freedom they need.

Jumbo mortgages are also common in areas with high costs of living, where real estate frequently surpasses the standard loan limit in high-cost areas.

How Do You Qualify For A Jumbo Mortgage?

As would be expected when higher sums of money are involved, the eligibility requirements for a jumbo mortgage are much stricter than for a traditional mortgage. Jumbo mortgages aren’t subject to private insurance, which typically means a down payment on a jumbo mortgage will be significantly larger compared to a standard mortgage. That also means people applying for jumbo mortgages must demonstrate to lenders that they have the income and wealth to pay the debt.

Jumbo mortgages also require a higher credit score. While most buyers can get a mortgage with a decent interest rate if their credit score is 660 or higher, buyers applying for a jumbo mortgage need a credit score of at least 700 to even be considered by most lenders.

Jumbo mortgage lenders can require borrowers to have at least 6 months worth of payments set aside in a bank account at the time of closing, while the requirement is typically two months for most mortgages. If you want to qualify for a jumbo mortgage, you’ll also need to prove to your lender that your debt-to-income ratio is below 45 percent.

Larger Sums Make Refinancing More Complicated

When trying to refinance a jumbo mortgage, you’ll face tighter restrictions compared to a standard mortgage. You’ll need to have a significant amount of equity in your home before you’ll be considered for refinancing. And if you’re planning to roll your HELOC debt into the refinancing plan, you’ll have to ensure that you haven’t made any deductions against your home equity for the past 12 months.

Some lenders may also have other special requirements when refinancing a jumbo mortgage. For instance, if you’ve owned your home for less than a year, you might have to opt for a Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae loan – and regardless of what fair market value is for your property at the time you file for the mortgage, it will usualy be assessed at its original purchase price if you’ve owned it for less than a year.

Jumbo mortgages can be a great way to buy a luxury home or commercial investment property. But in order to be issued a jumbo mortgage, you’ll need to meet a strict set of requirements.

If you’re considering a jumbo mortgage, a professional advisor can help you understand your options. Contact your trusted mortgage professional to learn more about refinancing options and how you can qualify for a jumbo mortgage.

06 Aug 2021
By Kevin Gahagan

Money Matters: Understanding How a Mortgage Loan Can Be a Productive Investment

Home Mortgage Tips

Money Matters: Understanding How a Mortgage Loan Can Be a Productive InvestmentMost people tend to think of a mortgage loan as a necessary evil, an expense that has to be managed. But under the right circumstances, your mortgage can become a smart investment – something that makes you money instead of costing you money. With a little bit of ingenuity and a lot of hard work, you can turn your mortgage into a money-making investment that will pay dividends for years to come.

So how do you turn your mortgage loan into a productive investment? Here’s what you need to know.

A Mortgage Can Help You Buy A New Rental Property

One of the simplest ways that a mortgage can become an investment that adds value to your portfolio is by using it to buy an income property. For a first-time investor, the simplest arrangement is to buy a single-family home and rent it out. And if you live in a college town, you’ll find no shortage of students looking for housing – meaning you’ll never have a hard time finding renters.

In order to make this work, you’ll need to first have enough money saved up for a down payment. You’ll also need to have your rental rates high enough to turn a profit, but not so high that you have difficulty finding renters. And finally, if it’s possible, you’ll want to consider turning the home’s basement into a secondary suite, allowing you to max out your rental income.

A Mortgage Can Give You A Home To Flip

The second major way that a mortgage can be a productive investment is by using it to flip a home. House flipping has become very popular in recent years thanks to a number of television programs like Flip This House – and although flipping a home can result in a major windfall, it’s not easy. In order to make a house flip work for you, you’ll need to carefully plan out the flip and ensure that you buy the right property at the right time.

Beginning flippers should usually start with an older bungalow. You’ll need a solid credit score to secure the mortgage, and ideally, you should make your down payment in cash. You’ll also want to ensure the home is in a good neighborhood – this will make it easier to sell the home when you’re done renovating.

A mortgage is often thought of as an expense, but if you plan on buying a rental property or flipping a home, it’s actually a very smart investment. There’s always risk involved, of course, but with the right mortgage and the right home, you’ll have no trouble turning a profit. Call your local mortgage professional for help in getting the right mortgage for your investment property.

03 Aug 2021
By Kevin Gahagan

The Down Payment: Four Great Reasons To Make The Largest Down Payment You Can Afford

Home Mortgage Tips

The Down Payment: Four Great Reasons To Make The Largest Down Payment You Can AffordIf you’re looking for a new home, you’ve probably heard lots of advice about down payments. About how it’s okay to just have a five percent down payment – you’ll still get approved. About how you should make the down payment as small as possible to avoid cash flow problems.

In truth, you’re actually better off making the largest down payment you can possibly afford. Even if you have to slice up other areas of your budget, save for a few more years before you buy, or take a second job on the weekends, it’ll be worth it in the end. Here are just four reasons why you should make the largest down payment possible.

You Can Avoid Useless Insurance Premiums

Although you can buy a house with as little as a five percent down payment, it’s in your best interest to make a much larger down payment if you can. Mortgage insurance premiums can be as high as one percent of the loan’s value, which means until you’ve invested 20 percent of the home’s value in equity, you’ll have to pay an extra one percent every year. If you pay at least 20 percent of the purchase price upfront, you’ll be able to avoid having to get private mortgage insurance – so you keep more of your money in your own pocket.

You’ll Pay Much Less Interest

The less you have to borrow, the less you have to pay back – for more reasons than one.

When you take out a mortgage, the interest rate applies to the principal amount that you owe – and over time, the interest can run on top of interest, quickly outpacing the original sum. Having a larger down payment means the interest applies to a smaller sum. And that means it accumulates slower and ends up being a smaller amount over time.

You’ll Have More Ammunition In A Bidding War

Offering up a larger down payment is also a great way to make sure you get your dream house, especially if it’s a popular property with multiple offers. The seller isn’t just going to consider who offers the most money – they’re also going to consider which buyer is most likely to get a mortgage. After all, failing to get a mortgage is one of the most common reasons why real estate deals fail.

If you can show that you’re able to make a larger down payment, you’ll have a better shot at getting a mortgage – and that means sellers will prioritize you over other buyers.

You’ll Get A Great Start On Building Equity

Your home equity is equal to the difference between your home’s fair market value and the amount of debt invested into the home. If you don’t have enough equity in your home and home prices in your neighborhood fall, you may find yourself in a situation where you owe more money on your home than it’s worth – a phenomenon known as negative equity. By making the largest possible down payment you can, you’ll have a great head start on building your home’s equity – which may help you profit if you decide to sell in the future.

Buying a house isn’t easy, but making the largest down payment you can afford will give you a great financial head start on home ownership. Want to learn more about how to afford the home of your dreams? Contact your local mortgage professional today for practical advice to help you maximize your down payment.