Rates May Be Rising: Mortgage And Refinancing Preparation Made Simple For You

Buying a home is probably the single largest investment most people make in a lifetime. By preparing yourself and your credit before a home purchase or refinance, you can ensure a smooth finance process and can potentially save thousands on your loan. Improve your financial profile now so you can take advantage of the low interest rates before they disappear.

Start by checking your credit

  • To get the best possible mortgage rate, make sure your credit history is healthy and accurate. Aim to raise your credit score above 650 in order to qualify for most prime loans.

  • If your credit score is not quite 650, focus your efforts on paying bills on time, reducing your debt balances, avoiding new inquiries and clearing negative inaccuracies from your credit report.

  • Make sure the information on your report is correct and fix any problems you discover. Give yourself 30-90 days for correcting inaccuracies. You can learn more online in the Credit Learning Center http://www.legalhelper.ws/credit-reports -online.aspx.

  • Found an error while reviewing your credit with the lender? Ask about the "rapid rescoring" process where you can submit a dispute and potentially improve your credit in 72 hours.

Figure out how much you can afford

  • The rule of thumb is that most borrowers can afford a home that runs about two-and-one-half times their annual salary.

  • Calculate your loan-to-value ratio to see how much you can afford to borrow by dividing the loan amount by the property's value. If your loan-to-value ratio is above 80 percent your rates may increase significantly. Find a less expensive home or save up for a down payment to lower this percentage.

  • Calculate your debt-to-income ratio by adding up your monthly debts and dividing by your monthly income. A debt-to-income ratio under 20-39 percent is usually considered good and will help you be perceived as financially stable.

  • Don't be afraid to start small. Just because you may qualify for a large loan doesn't mean that it is a smart financial decision to buy as large a home as possible. Take a careful look at your family budget and your housing needs before you decide how much you can really afford.

Be a smart borrower this summer and save thousands by preparing your credit before you apply for a loan. Find out the loan rate you deserve at http://www.legalhelper.ws/credi t-reports-online-service7.aspx.

About The Author

Jeffrey Broobin is a financial security specialist that helps people to solve their financial issues and be happy and successful within their life.

Website - www.legalhelper.ws

Email: jeffreyb@legalhelper.ws


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In The News:


Interest rate drop opens door to refinancing
Austin American-Statesman, TX - 6 hours ago
By Shonda Novak, MS Taboada The recent sharp drop in mortgage interest rates is creating a window for homeowners nationwide to refinance and providing an ...
Looking to refinance? Now might be the time Boston Globe
all 2 news articles

Ben Bernanke: Fresh Attack on Mortgage Rates
U.S. News & World Report, DC - 13 hours ago
Lower rates will enable some borrowers to refinance out of adjustable and into fixed-rate loans. But those who need to refinance the most have homes with ...
Long Bond Returns Most Since 1995 as Rosenberg Sees ‘Bubble’ Bloomberg
Treasury Yields Hit Record Lows, But Will it Last? Housing Wire
REFILE-TREASURIES-Bonds rally, helped by weakening economy Reuters
Hemscott - Bloombergall 148 news articles

Self-Employed Are Frozen Out of Mortgages
Wall Street Journal - 5 hours ago
He's been unable to find a lender willing to refinance the $900000 adjustable-rate mortgage on his primary residence, which he says is worth around $1.1 ...

Md. sees drop in loss of homes
Baltimore Sun, United States - 2 hours ago
Many borrowers took on mortgages at the height of the housing boom, believing they could eventually refinance to a lower loan rate or sell their homes if ...

Wolters Kluwer Financial Services Begins Development of Hope for ...
MarketWatch - 18 hours ago
For borrowers who refinance under H4H, lenders are required to "write down" the mortgage to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-provided ...

Telegraph.co.uk

Mortgage rates fall, but many borrowers will have trouble qualifying
Los Angeles Times, CA - Nov 27, 2008
Jeff Lazerson, a Laguna Niguel mortgage broker, said all the customer calls he received Tuesday were from people seeking to refinance, not buy homes. ...
Mortgage-market revival: Try, try again CNNMoney.com
Last Call for Smart Homeowners Motley Fool
US move cuts mortgages to lowest rate since February Baltimore Sun
Bloomberg - AHNall 2,160 news articles

New mortgage crisis looming, experts caution
San Bernardino Sun, CA - 7 hours ago
And since investors no longer want to buy commercial mortgages, banks are reluctant to write new loans to refinance those facing foreclosure. ...

Good time to refinance your mortgage?
WKTV, NY - 16 hours ago
By GARY LIBERATORE (WKTV) - If you are in the market to buy a home, it's a really good time, but if you're selling, it's not so good. ...

A recession Q&A
Newsday, NY - 1 hour ago
... take measures that will result in lower mortgage rates, "so people can afford to buy up housing inventory and refinance mortgages at affordable rates. ...

Great Wolf continues mortgage negotiations
Wisconsin State Journal, WI - 14 hours ago
Because of the economy, refinancing arrangements are taking longer and are structured differently than in the past, he said. The resort continues to operate ...
BRIEF: Great Wolf still talking with lenders Trading Markets (press release)
all 4 news articles
mortgage refinance - Google News
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