Home  |  Article Listing  |  eBooks & Resources  |  Books & DVDs  |  Legal  |  Contact










Home Loans and Mortgages - Watch Out for Dangerous Subprime Loans


With the growing interest in real estate purchasing and speculation, more and more lenders are offering "nontraditional" types of mortgages. These include adjustable rate mortgages (ARM) of every shape and size, the more popular interest-only mortgage, and the very dangerous Option ARM mortgage, which can cause the amount you owe to actually increase as time passes. One rapidly growing sector of the lending market is the so-called "subprime" market, which caters to consumers with poor credit records. The subprime market is a profitable one, as lenders offer loans to consumers whose poor payment history targets them as risky clients. Yes, they are risky clients, but the lenders charge fees and interest rates that are high enough to offset the additional risk. People who are interested in purchasing a home should be careful, however, as many people who should qualify for traditional loans are being pushed into higher-priced subprime loans instead.

The subprime market is quite a lucrative one for lenders, who are able to charge higher fees and interest rates due to the increased risk posed by clients with substandard credit histories. A subprime borrower might pay an interest rate that is several percentage points higher than that of a traditional loan, and the fees may include several additional "points" as administrative fees. A point is one percent of the loan amount. This can add several thousand dollars to the closing costs and tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of the loan over the life of the typical 30-year mortgage.

While it is understood that customers with poor credit histories represent a higher risk to the lender, potential borrowers need to make sure that they aren't classified as "subprime" by their prospective lenders. Studies show that up to 15% of subprime borrowers have credit scores that should have entitled them to loans at lower, more traditional interest rates. What this means for potential borrowers is that you should shop around for the best price on a loan and not accept it as fact when a lender tells you that you don't qualify for the traditional rates. The Federal Trade Commission is investigating several lenders who have increased their profits tremendously by steering borrowers who should have qualified for low-interest loans into higher-interest subprime loans, claiming that they didn't qualify for the lower rate.

How can you avoid such problems? Obtain a copy of your credit report. You can obtain one, with your credit score, from any of the three major credit bureaus - Experian, Equifax, or Trans Union. As a rule, lenders offer subprime rates to customers who have credit scores below 620. If your score is higher than that, you should be able to qualify for a better interest rate. If not, you can either accept the higher rates from lenders, or take time to improve your score by paying off some bills in a timely manner.

©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including HomeEquityHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding mortgages and home equity loans.




MORE RESOURCES:


New FHA Mortgage Refinance Program Aimed at 11 Million Homeowners Underwater
Real Estate Channel
About 1.5 million of the 11 million US homeowners who owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth could be catching a break shortly. ...

and more »


If You Are Eligeble For Bad Credit Home Mortgage Refinance Loans
Mortgage11
In these bad situations, bad credit home mortgage refinance loans are gaining much recognition. These loans are particularly important for individuals who ...

and more »



Globe and Mail

PIMCO's Gross calls for massive mortgage refinance
Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Influential bond investor Bill Gross dispensed more policy advice than the US Treasury bargained for on Tuesday, calling for a ...
Famed Investor Bill Gross Calls For Massive Taxpayer-Backed Mortgage Refinance ...Huffington Post (blog)
Pimco's Gross Weighs in on Mortgage RefinanceMutualFundWire.com (subscription)
Fannie Economists Expect Housing Activity To Remain LevelNuWire Investor

all 1,308 news articles »





Mortgage Refinance
Stock Markets Review
What is mortgage refinance? There are many times that you experienced which you wanted to purchase some thing but you just cannot purchase this because your ...



Finance and Commerce

Bad credit mortgage refinance loans – how to get them?
Mortgage11
There are many lenders in the market who provide bad credit mortgage refinance loan. One can take its advantage of these loans if he has poor credit and can ...
Knowing how home mortgage refinance loan with bad credit works these daysMortgage11
Home Affordable Refinance Loan – Take Advantage of FHA Streamline Refinance LoanMortgage11

all 15 news articles »

Google News


Home | Privacy Policy & Legal Information | Contact

systemmortgage.com © 2007 | site by webbizinabox.info