"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

 

 

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

 

 

 

 Fixed Rate Mortgages

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
  • Higher interest rate than the Adjustable Rate Mortgage
  • Higher mortgage payments
  • Rate does not drop if interest rates improve

 Adjustable Rate Mortgages

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
  • Payments may change over time
  • Potential for high payments if rates go up

 Balloon Mortgages

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
  • 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

 First Time Buyer Programs

  • Lower down payment
  • Easier to qualify
  • Sometimes you may get lower rates
  • May have to make less than the median income
  • 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

 Stated Income Programs

  • Do not need to verify income
  • Faster approval
  • Higher rates

 

 No Point, No Fee Programs

  • No closing costs
  • Less money required to close
  • Higher rates
  • Higher payments

 Imperfect Credit Programs

  • 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
  • Higher rates
  • Terms may not be as favorable
  • Harder to get long term fixed loans
  • Loans may have prepayment penalties

 Home Equity Line of Credit

  • You can only borrow what you need
  • Pay interest only on what you borrow
  • Flexible access to funds
  • Interest may be tax deductible
  • Rates can change. The maximum interest rate is normally high
  • Payments can change
  • Maybe harder to refinance your first mortgage

 Home Equity Fixed Loan

  • Fixed payments
  • Interest may be tax deductible
  • Higher interest rates than on 1st mortgages
  • Maybe harder to refinance your 1st mortgage

     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!