Mortgage Questions to Ask Your Lender

Buying and financing a home today can be overwhelming. Here are some questions to ask your lender so that you can make informed decisions.

Are both fixed-rate and adjustable mortgage loans available? What is the interest rate?

How long can I "lock-in" the financing at the current interest rate?

Is a float down lock available in case rates drop after I have locked in?

What are the other fees a lender may charge me in conjunction with my loan?

Are funds for a second mortgage available?

On adjustable loans:

  • How often will the interest rate be adjusted?
  • Is there a maximum limit on each rate change?
  • How often will the monthly payment be adjusted?
  • Is there a ceiling on payment adjustments?
  • Can the term of the loan be extended?
  • What is the maximum rate that can be charged over the life of the loan?
  • Is there any potential for negative amortization?
Is there a pre-payment penalty clause?

This involves extra charges for paying off the loan before maturity. About 80% of all loans in the United States are paid off early.

  • What is the "grace" period? How late can a monthly payment be made before a late charge is assessed?
  • What will happen if a payment is missed?
  • If you sell your house, will the new buyer (if he/she qualifies) be able to assume your mortgage at the same interest rate?
  • Do you have to pay "points" to get your new mortgage? Usually lenders charge points for the cost of giving you a mortgage loan. A "point" is 1% of the loan.
  • Will the lender require mortgage insurance?
  • Is the loan serviced locally or is the servicing sold?
  • Ask for a written "good faith deposit".

Leanna Meyer is a Realtor with Re/Max Cross Country and can help you find Lewisville Texas Real Estate. Find homes for sale and area information for Flower Mound Texas, Lantana, and Dallas, TX. Free buyer and seller reports are available as well as a mortgage calculator, and other mortgage information.


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

In The News:


Washington Times

The Truth About Mortgage Refinancing Revealed By Connecticut ...
SBWire (press release), WI - 18 hours ago
Westport, Connecticut based Mortgage Broker Don Caiati reveals mortgage refinancing secrets at a new web site that is full of free reports, a home buying ...
Refinancing suddenly booms Honolulu Advertiser
Lenders Backlogged By Refinancing Rush Washington Post
Low Mortgage Rates Bring Refinancing Boom MSNBC
Forbes - Modesto Beeall 24 news articles

Telegraph.co.uk

Average Mortgage Rate Hits 5%, Lowest in Decades
New York Times, United States - 10 hours ago
Of course, buying a home is a more lengthy process than simply calling up a mortgage broker to refinance, and activity typically slows during the holiday ...
Long-Term Mortgage Rate Falls Again Wall Street Journal
Banks' mortgage rates fall below 5% Boston Globe
Homeowners with good credit scores are poised to capitalize on ... Baltimore Sun
Scripps News - AHNall 96 news articles

Washington Times

US Banks Offer Mortgages Below 5% After Fed Action
Bloomberg - 20 hours ago
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s index of applications to purchase a home or refinance a loan dropped to 1143.8 for the week ending Jan. ...
Mortgage rates fall to record low again Forbes
Freddie Mac: Benchmark mortgage rate continues to new low MarketWatch
Bold government action can solve housing crisis North Texas e-News
American Banker - Connecticut Postall 603 news articles

Cardoza proposal could aid housing crisis
Stockton Record, CA - 4 hours ago
Under the Cardoza plan, the payment on that mortgage refinanced to 4 percent fixed rate would drop to $1194 a month. Contact reporter Bruce Spence at (209) ...

REFILE-UPDATE 1-US mortgage demand dipped before Fed move-MBA
Reuters - Jan 7, 2009
The jump in applications during December may have been driven by homeowners already "on the fence" and prepared to refinance on a drop in mortgage rates, ...
Mortgage applications down in latest survey Forbes
Week-to-week mortgage applications down 8.2% MarketWatch
Fewer apply for home loans; credit line delinquencies increase Los Angeles Times
KVOA.com - Kansas City Starall 63 news articles

Boston Globe

Fed’s Rosengren Calls for ‘Concerted’ Fiscal, Monetary Policies
Bloomberg - 6 hours ago
... to purchase or refinance homes,” Rosengren said. The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped for a 10th week to 5.01 percent yesterday, ...
Rosengren sees path to recovery Boston Globe
Fed's Rosengren says recession more severe than thought Reuters
all 52 news articles

Los Angeles Times

Congressional Press Release on Mortgage Deal
Wall Street Journal - 11 hours ago
"Despite efforts by Congress to address this issue, not enough lenders have come to the table to help borrowers with bad mortgages refinance into new, ...
Citigroup reaches agreement with key senators on mortgage ... Minneapolis Star Tribune
Citigroup agrees to allow judges to help modify some mortgages IdahoStatesman.com
all 562 news articles

TopNews

Question & Answer on mortgage refinancing
Boston Herald, United States - Jan 1, 2009
If I refinance the mortgage on my current house, will I hurt my chances for getting a loan for a new place later on? A: No. Refinancing a loan shouldn’t ...
MORTGAGES: 30-year Mortgage Rate Falls For Ninth Straight Week To ... CNNMoney.com
Mortgage Rates Hit 37-Year Low Poynter.org
Home-Mortgage Rates' Next Stop: Below 5% Wall Street Journal
Ventura County Star - Wall Street Journalall 457 news articles

Refinancing shoots through the roof
Plano Star Courier, TX - 17 hours ago
“Quite a few people have remortgaged,” said Craig Jarrell, loan officer with Pulaski Mortgage. “Most people who refinance are new homeowners as recent as ...

Mortgage refinancing skyrockets
Cincinnati.com, OH - Jan 3, 2009
... 2009 With US mortgage rates the lowest in 30 years, local lenders say they've seen a strong surge in loan applications as homeowners seek to refinance ...
Waco banks seeing a boom in mortgage refinance applications Waco Tribune Herald
Borrowers seeking to refinance may face challenges WTOP
As mortgage rates slide, refinancing applications take off Dallas Morning News
all 15 news articles
mortgage refinance - Google News
Your Ad Here

Games at Buy.com

Holiday Home Store at Buy.com

Looking for a Bad Credit Home Improvement Loan

To make needed repairs to your home without the advantage of a good credit history often requires a bad credit home improvement loan.This loan, designed for people... Read More

Cash Out Refinance Mortgage Loans ? Home Equity, 2nd Mortgage or Cash Out Refinance Loan

There are some definite benefits to doing a cash out refinance. Just make sure that overall you are not going to be spending more money in fees... Read More

Some of the Available Loan Types

There are many mortgage products available on the market today. We can help you find out which one is right for you. Here are the most common... Read More

Refinance Your Property Online

By refinancing your property online you can take advantage of competitive rates in the convenience of your home. You should consider refinancing your property if interest rates... Read More

Remortgages Guide

Outlined below is a useful remortgages guide. Remortgaging has become increasingly popular due to the relatively simple and flexible process.A remortgage is exactly as the name suggests,... Read More

Mortgage Clarksville - Find the Best Deal

Searching for a mortgage can sometimes be a hassle. Where to apply, who to apply with, what deal to take. These are all questions you may be... Read More

How Not To Be Ripped Off By Mortgage Brokers

One of the things that bothers me about the mortgage industry is the number of unscrupulous brokers that operate in this market.Talk about giving the industry a... Read More

Mortgage Questions to Ask Your Lender

Buying and financing a home today can be overwhelming. Here are some questions to ask your lender so that you can make informed decisions.Are both fixed-rate and... Read More

Which is Better? Fixed-Rate or Adjustable-Rate Mortgages

The answer depends on several factors including your financial situation. Lets take a look at the main differences between the two types of mortgages.Fixed Rate MortgageTwo major... Read More

Little Known Secret: Eliminate your Mortgage in 23 years or less!

Wanna know a little secret? There is an ingenious method you can use, to pay off your 30 year fixed rate loan, in 23 years or less.... Read More

What is a Mortgage?

A mortgage is a loan, usually from a bank, finance company or building society to help you buy your home.A mortgage is a loan, from a bank... Read More

Bad Credit? With Poor Credit You Can Still Refinance Or Get A Home Equity Line Of Credit

Have you decided to refinance your home or apply for a home equity line of credit but worry about your credit rating? Even with poor credit it... Read More

Revive Mortgage Tenure With Extend Loan Term Remortgage

You are comfortably wedged in a mortgage deal, paying the standard rate of interests year after year. You are most in all probability paying more than required... Read More

Mortgage Information for the First Time Homebuyer

Inflation in the United States is increasing rapidly and home prices are soaring! There are millions of american families that are unaware of the many mortgage programs... Read More

Thought You Can Go All Alone In Mortgages! Mortgage Advice Beneficial In All Important Decisions

Mortgages are easy as long as you understand them well. But how many borrowers can be confident of their knowledge of mortgages.With the list of terms and... Read More

Homeowner Loans ? Drawing Lessons of the Past

Loans are not of a recent origin. People used to take help from others even at times when money was unseen and barter was the mode of... Read More

Online Mortgages in 5 Easy Steps!

We're all entitled to the opportunities and benefits of home ownership. But because most of us aren't loaded with cash, we must find banks and lenders to... Read More

Selecting the Right Mortgage for You

A mortgage is a loan you take out to buy a home. This loan covers the "principal" (purchase price of the house minus your down payment) plus... Read More

Finding the Best Mortgage Lender Online

Finding the best mortgage lender online is simply a matter of doing some smart shopping. Begin by gathering your financial information, and then request quotes from several... Read More

Buying a Home With Bad Credit - Why a Recent Bankruptcy Will Not Stop You From Getting Approved

Buying a home with bad credit is possible with the help of a subprime lender even if you have a recent bankruptcy or foreclosure. These mortgage lenders... Read More

Home Equity Loans ? Research Your Lender Carefully

Real estate prices are rising across the country, and Americans are tapping into their home equity like never before. Americans took out $431 billion in home equity... Read More

How easy is it to get a Commercial Mortgage in the UK?

As is the case when applying for any mortgage, be it a residential or a commercial mortgage, the better your credit and the better the collateral, the... Read More

Remortgage Serves To Rewind The Reimbursements Of Mortgage

It takes a mighty big effort to secure a home and even mightier to convert it into an earning member. Can a home be converted into an... Read More

Basic Tips for First Time Home Buyers

The first time you purchase a home is an exciting experience. You are anxious to call the place yours and maybe a little worried about how the... Read More

Mortgage Basics for First Time Home Buyers

Anyone planning to take out a mortgage for the first time will most likely find the job a little daunting, not least because the financial jargon can... Read More

Mortgage Refinance - Tips to Help You Cut Fees and Costs

Saving money through a mortgage refi is more than just finding the lowest interest rates. You can further cut fees and costs through the structure of your... Read More