"Funding For Your Home"
Which loan is right for me?
How do you decide which loan is most suitable or most beneficial for you? Below is a general rule-of-thumb to use when deciding which loan program is best for you, and also descriptions of common loans that are available.
Years you plan to stay in the house |
Recommended Program |
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|
1-3 |
3/1 ARM, 1 year ARM, or 6 month ARM |
3-5 |
5/1 ARM |
5-7 |
7/1 ARM |
7-10 |
10/1 ARM, 30 year fixed or 15 year fixed |
10+ |
30 year fixed or 15 year fixed |
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Loan Programs |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Fixed Rate Mortgages |
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30 year fixed
15 year fixed |
- Monthly payments are fixed over the life of the loan
- Interest rate does not change
- Protected if rates go up
- Can refinance if rates go down
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- Higher interest rate than the Adjustable Rate Mortgage
- Higher mortgage payments
- Rate does not drop if interest rates improve
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Adjustable Rate Mortgages |
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10/1 ARM
7/1 ARM
3/1 ARM
1 year ARM
6 month ARM
1 month ARM |
- Lower initial monthly payment
- Lower payment over a shorter period of time
- Rates and payments may go down if rates improve
- May qualify for higher loan amounts
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- Payments may change over time
- Potential for high payments if rates go up
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Balloon Mortgages |
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7 year
5 year |
- Lower initial monthly payment
- Lower payment over a shorter period of time
- Many balloon mortgages offer the option to convert to a new loan after the initial term
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- Risk of rates being higher at the end of the initial fixed period
- Risk of foreclosure if you cannot make balloon payment or if you cannot refinance or if you cannot exercise the conversion option
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First Time Buyer Programs |
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- Lower down payment
- Easier to qualify
- Sometimes you may get lower rates
- May have to make less than the median income
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- May be subject to income and property value limitations
- Some programs which have government subsidies may have a recapture tax if you sell the house too early
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Stated Income Programs |
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- Do not need to verify income
- Faster approval
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No Point, No Fee Programs |
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- No closing costs
- Less money required to close
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- Higher rates
- Higher payments
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Imperfect Credit Programs |
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- Potential for reestablishing credit if you pay your mortgage on time
- When used for debt consolidation, you may be able to reduce your monthly debt payment
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- Higher rates
- Terms may not be as favorable
- Harder to get long term fixed loans
- Loans may have prepayment penalties
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Home Equity Line of Credit |
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- You can only borrow what you need
- Pay interest only on what you borrow
- Flexible access to funds
- Interest may be tax deductible
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- Rates can change. The maximum interest rate is normally high
- Payments can change
- Maybe harder to refinance your first mortgage
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| Home Equity Fixed Loan |
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- Fixed payments
- Interest may be tax deductible
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- Higher interest rates than on 1st mortgages
- Maybe harder to refinance your 1st mortgage
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Besides our standard loan programs, we also have a large number of unique programs to serve your needs:
- Purchase a house with $0 down (USDA & VA loans)
- Piggyback loans 80/10. No PMI payments even with >80% financing
- Debt Consolidation Programs
- Home Improvement Loans / Rehabilitation Loans
- Construction to Permanent Financing
- Qualify even if you may have been turned down before!