Mortgage & Refinancing Information


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 loans in 2004, and that amount may increase in 2005. The reasons vary; some are using the money for home improvement, others are using the money to buy real estate, and some are taking reverse mortgages in order to enjoy a better retirement. With interest rates still near historic lows and the bull real estate market continuing, more and more predatory lenders are entering the lending profession.

Most lenders are honest, and prospective borrowers will probably not have any problems resulting from taking out a loan with a national bank. On the other hand, newer, smaller, and less honest lenders are advertising aggressively and may grab your attention by offering terms that seem more favorable than those offered by the larger banks. Sometimes, these terms sound too good to be true, and they often are. Here are a few things to watch out for when taking out a home loan:

  • A promised low interest rate "disappears", only to be replaced with a higher figure on the contract at closing time. The borrowers, who expected to close right then and there, feel pressured to sign and often accept the higher interest rate.


  • Previously unmentioned fees turn up on the application at closing. Again, by presenting these previously undisclosed fees at closing time, the borrower is pressured to sign.


  • Blanks on the application form. It's hard to believe that a lender would present a blank form and assure the borrower that the blanks will be filled in later, but this actually happens, and borrowers actually sign such deals. Remember, your signature on the form constitutes your agreement to the terms, even if the terms are filled in later.


  • These problems can be avoided by taking a few simple precautionary steps. Ask about the total fees and interest rates ahead of time. Inform your lender that you fully expect to see those same figures on the documents at closing, and make it clear that you will not sign documents that state otherwise. Make certain that you have provided honest information to the lender. Refuse to sign any blank documents. These things may seem obvious, but when closing approaches, borrowers tend to get in a hurry, as they are eager to get the closing out of the way. Borrowing against your home is not something to take lightly; you can lose your home if you unknowingly sign a predatory document. Take your time.

    ©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a Website devoted to debt consolidation information and HomeEquityHelp.net, a site devoted to information on home equity loans.


    MORE RESOURCES:

    USA TODAY

    Pros and Cons of a Mortgage Refinance
    FreeRateUpdate.com
    Many homeowners are jumping on the opportunity to save money with a mortgage refinance at the current low mortgage rates. With mortgage rates at historically low levels, some homeowners have refinanced more than once in the past several years which is ...
    Who Qualifies for the $26 Billion Foreclosure Settlement?TIME
    What $25 billion mortgage settlement will and won't do for homeownersThe Seattle Times

    all 3,580 news articles »


    Lenders say mortgage refinance deal will bolster Manatee market
    Bradenton Herald
    By JOSH SALMAN - jsalman@bradenton.com MANATEE -- A new refinance program to help underwater homeowners will uplift the local economy by putting extra cash into the pockets of those who will spend it, area lenders predict. The deal struck with five of ...

    and more »


    Mortgage-refinance bill a dangerous deal
    Arizona Republic
    by Robert Robb, columnist - Feb. 10, 2012 12:00 AM State Sen. Michele Reagan wants to help out underwater homeowners in the worst way. And she has succeeded with SB 1451 -- it's hard to imagine a worse bill. Reagan proposes to establish a state agency ...

    and more »


    Housing Wire

    Obama pressures Congress on mortgage refinance program
    Fox News
    WASHINGTON – President Obama is rallying support for his plan to expand government assistance to homeowners, pressuring Congress to help lower lending rates for millions of strapped homeowners. Obama, in his radio and Internet address Saturday, ...
    President Obama's Mortgage Refinance Plan Just a Bid for VotesYahoo! Contributors Network
    Obama Unveils Mortgage Refinance EndeavorsMortgageorb
    New Obama mortgage refinance plan to near $10 billionHousing Wire
    Go Banking Rates -CBS Moneywatch -MNI News
    all 1,239 news articles »


    MonitorBankRates.com

    Mortgage Refinance Rates: 15 Year Refinance Mortgage Rates at 3.29%
    MonitorBankRates.com
    Mortgage refinance rates on 30 year conforming home loans are averaging 3.98%, unchanged from yesterday's average 30 year mortgage refinance rate. Mortgage refinance rates today on 15 year home mortgage loans are averaging 3.29%, down from yesterday's ...

    and more »


    Harney: Reviewing Obama's mortgage refinance plan
    The Seattle Times
    Though it was pronounced dead-before-arrival by opponents on Capitol Hill, President Obama's new mortgage-refinancing package contained... By Kenneth R. Harney Mortgage refinancing is an outstanding plan particularly as the home mortgage rates are.

    and more »


    Fox News

    Obama Proposes Mortgage-Refinance Plan
    Wall Street Journal
    By NICK TIMIRAOS President Barack Obama called on Congress during Tuesday's State of the Union address to approve new legislation that would give all homeowners who are current on their mortgages the opportunity to refinance at record low mortgage ...
    Will Obama's Mortgage Refinance Plan Be D.O.A.?U.S. News & World Report
    Obama proposes mortgage refinance programPolitico (blog)
    Obama proposes new mortgage refinance programHousing Wire
    Daily Caller
    all 314 news articles »


    International Business Times

    FOX 11 News Discussion: State of the Union
    MyFox Los Angeles
    And he aimed a pitch at homeowners, announcing a new mortgage refinance program with "historically low interest rates" that "gives every responsible homeowner the chance to save about $3000 a year on their mortgage." He added, "A small fee on the ...
    Winning Words, But Not a WinnerU.S. News & World Report
    Obama State of the Union 2012: Mortgage Refinance Changes Face ObstaclesInternational Business Times

    all 12,250 news articles »


    CBS Local

    Six Questions on Obama's Mortgage Refinance Proposal
    Wall Street Journal (blog)
    By Nick Timiraos President Barack Obama said Tuesday night in his State of the Union address that he would send a plan to Congress to allow all homeowners who are current on their mortgages to refinance. Here's a quick look at the proposal: How is this ...
    Obama plan could help refinance Bay Area mortgagesSan Francisco Chronicle

    all 19 news articles »


    Bloomberg

    HARP Refi May Delay PMI Cancellation
    NASDAQ
    The federal HARP mortgage refinance program can be a huge boon for underwater homeowners. But if you have PMI, there's a little hitch you should know about. While refinancing a mortgage through HARP can cut your interest rate and save you money, ...
    New HARP Could Help Up to 6.7 MillionMortgageLoan.com

    all 56 news articles »

    Google News

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