Think Debt Consolidation to Improve your Bad Credit by Clarence Gutierrez

Even though you may have a bad credit history, debt consolidation may be a way for you to take charge of your credit. For most people, being in debt is just a fact, but it does not have to be a bad thing. How well you manage your debt and pay your bills in a timely fashion will determine if you need to apply for a debt consolidation loan. If you have more bills to pay per month than money coming in then you are heading toward a bad credit rating. A debt consolidation loan may be the answer.

Before applying for a debt consolidation loan, you will need to figure out how much you owe. Begin by writing down a list of all creditors and how much you owe. In addition, include the monthly payment due for each creditor. By assessing your debts, you will then be able to determine how much you owe and how much of a loan payment you can afford if you choose to consolidate. Consolidating your debts is one of the best ways of eliminating your debt. However, you should not be complacent. For those not familiar, this method may extend the payment period or even increase the interest rates.

If you are going to consolidate all of your outstanding loans and credit cards, then you should be able to qualify for consolidation. If you own your own house, you can consider an equity loan using your home's appraised value and other equities to obtain the needed financing. Also, look at getting an unsecured loan. This can consolidate your debts into a single low monthly payment without using your assets as collateral.

Many companies specialize in managing all your debts without getting another loan. They will charge a fee for their services and in turn, they will negotiate with your creditors to have your interest rate lowered and they will take care of the payments you make every month. These companies have many methods to work out a plan for you and can reduce your debt and eventually improve your credit ratings.

Take the time to check out any debt consolidation company. Ensure that the company you are dealing with is perfectly legitimate and have a very good reputation before agreeing to avail of their services. Use the internet and check out the companies you are considering if they are reputable and in good standing.

Whether you consolidate your credit card debt or not, you need to make a schedule of all your expenses for the month and analyze your spending. This will give you a better idea of where all your money goes. You may be unaware that you are already spending so much on unnecessary items and end up using your credit card to cover for other expenses. You should match your expenses with what you are earning, striking a balance will greatly help in managing your debt.

Having all your debts consolidated may give you relief and some money left over at the end of the month. Consolidating your debts will eventually lead to you having no debts at all and a better credit record. Once you have consolidated your debt into one payment, put your credit cards away, and do not take on any more credit. Remember, the purchase of consolidating was to reduce your debt in the end and improve your credit ratings.

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Spring is Here . . . and Your House is Stuck in the Mud by Molly Wider

Have you been thinking it might be time to sell your home, and spring into something new? But your back yard is nothin' but mud, your deck needs repair, and that downstairs bathroom, well . . . and you can't seem to find even an extra cent to spare for those fix-ups? Look again. You may have more money than you think.

To sell a home these days, it's got to be in tiptop shape. It's harder for people to get financing and, with the new legislation in Canada that requires homeowners to put down 10% instead of the 5% that used to be required as a down payment on a first time home purchase, people are looking very carefully before they buy. So your home needs to be spruced up-and that can cost a few bucks that you might not think you have right now. Don't despair there is a solution.

You may actually find that you have cash in your car. That's right. You can take out a car title loan if you own your vehicle and it's less than eight years old-to add that extra splash to your home that gets it sold. You still get to keep your car and drive it as usual. It's an especially great way to borrow money if your credit cards are maxed out, or if you have a bad credit history, a low credit card rating, or even if you have declared bankruptcy recently, and think no one will ever loan you a dime again.

A car title loan may be the perfect choice for you. That's because you put your car up as collateral for the loan. And that makes getting the loan a lot easier for you. About 99% of the time loans are approved, and you may get up to 40% of the wholesale value of your vehicle. Just enough extra cash to make those repairs that sell your home, and get you into something new for spring.

It's fast and easy to apply, too. Just go online and fill out the forms. Do it from home, dreaming about what a fresh paint job will do for your place, or how good a new home theatre system would look in the living room.

Don't let bad credit, or poor credit, or even bankruptcy keep you from achieving your dreams. Use the value of your vehicle to create cash equity, and get those home repairs moving.

BHM Financial is one of the most trusted names in the car title loan industry and may be able to help you get the cash you need to spruce up your home.Please visit our Car Title Loans website for more information, or our Blog for more articles like this one.

5 Factors that decide how much mortgage you should borrow

While looking for a home loan to buy your dream home, you should determine how much mortgage you can borrow. Potential homebuyers often ask this question to themselves and it’s not unusual. There are mortgage calculators how much can I borrow that will help you find out the answer to this question.

Your financial condition might not be similar to that of another borrower. Hence, the amount of mortgage that is sufficient for you mightn’t be adequate for someone else. How do lenders work out how much they should lend you? They take a number of factors into consideration when they figure out how much you should borrow from them and they include the following:

1) Your income

Mortgage calculators how much can I borrow help you determine the income that is necessary to obtain a specific loan amount. If you don’t have a steady income, then you’d find it difficult to qualify for a big loan amount. It is also essential that you restrict your expenses according to your income.

2) Debt-to-income ratio

Lenders also use your debt-to-income ratio to evaluate your repayment capacity. If your debt-to-income ratio is too high, then lenders would assume that you’re a risky borrower.

3) Your credit score

If your credit score is less than adequate then you have higher chances of being declined for a loan. In this way, a poor credit score can become an impediment in getting approved for a loan that comes with an affordable interest rate. You should try to raise your score while applying for a home loan.

4) Loan type

A fixed rate mortgage is obviously a steadier option than an adjustable rate mortgage since the monthly payments on your FRM would stay the same for the entire duration of the loan term. However, this is not applicable to adjustable rate loans and your monthly payments would vary with time. If you’re not ready to take risks, then you should go for an FRM.

5) Your ability to repay the loan

If you think that you’re unable to manage the monthly payments on a particular mortgage, then it’s not sensible to go for that loan. This obviously depends on the interest rate and the loan term.

Mortgage calculators how much can I borrow can help you work out whether there is a probability of your loan application being rejected. When you’re determined to obtain a home loan, you must review your financial situation correctly because buying a home is a significant responsibility that you’re taking on your shoulders.

Mortgage Terms Explained by Chris Cooper

When you are hunting for a mortgage, you will find that there are many different types of mortgages available. I will list some of the more common ones and their uses.

15 vs 30 Years

Your mortgage term can be just about anything you choose. 15 and 30 year terms are popular these days, although 10 and 20 years also are available.

The shorter the term, the lower the interest rate. But the main attraction of shorter term mortgages is the money you save.

For example on a $200,000 mortgage with a fixed 4.5% rate, you would pay $1013.38 a month for 30 years and $1529.99 a month for 15 years. Over 30 years you would pay $364,816.80 versus $275,398.20 over 15 years, a savings of $89,418.60 or 24.5% in interest.

If you cut a very conservative quarter of a percent off for reducing the lender's exposure by 15 years, your savings will be nearly 26%.

Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM )

ARM's are mortgages whose rates adjust according to the terms of the contract you made with the lender.

Usually interest rates are fixed for the first 1, 3, 5, 7 or 10 years. After that period is up, rates will be allowed to fluctuate within the limits of your contract with the lender.

Terms are usually 15 or 30 years (although you can negotiate just about any duration you want). There can be a balloon involved.

Because the lender is not taking as big a risk on losing money if interest rates rise, these loans will have a lower initial rate than a fixed mortgage. The lowest rates will be for 1 year ARM's and will go up accordingly.

Many people will take out an ARM even in period of low rates, such as now, because they get even lower rates and are able to afford more house. However, the borrower is taking the risk that he can still afford the house after the rates are free to rise.

It used to be common for the contract to limit fluctuations to 2% a year. However, 5% swings are becoming more the norm. Depending on what happens to interest rates, you might find yourself priced out of your house. Of course, you could renegotiate if rates start to go back up.

The average homeowner owns his or her house for approximately 7 years. If you plan to move before the initial fixed term of the ARM is up, it's a good choice. If you plan to stay longer than ten years, a fixed rate might be a better option.

Balloon Mortgage

A balloon mortgage is one that is not completely paid off at the end of its term.

For example, you might obtain a 15 year fixed rate mortgage that allows you to pay less than the normal amortization schedule would call for. At the end of the 15 years, you will still owe a portion of the principal. How much depends on the terms of the contract.

An interest only mortgage is an example of this type of loan. In the case of an interest only loan, the balloon will be the full amount you originally borrowed.

This type of mortgage allows borrowers either to afford more house then they otherwise could buy or its reduces their monthly costs, allowing them to spend or invest their savings elsewhere.

Again, if you are planning to move before the balloon is due and your proceeds from the sale are enough to cover the balloon, this might be a good idea. However, you face the very real possibility of having to come up with cash when you sell to cover the balloon, especially if you have to sell at a time of declining housing prices.

BiWeekly Mortgages

A biweekly mortgage is one where pay half of the normal mortgage payments every two weeks. Since you are making 26 payments a year, rather than 24, you wind up paying off the interest sooner and saving considerable interest.

Take the example of a $200,000, 4.5% fixed rate mortgage with a 30 year term. The normal payment would be $1013.37 a month.

The biweekly amount is $506.91. But the payoff is huge. Your loan will be paid 5 1/2 years earlier and you will save 28% or $32,639.75 interest.

You can set up your own biweekly mortgage plan with your existing mortgage, assuming there is no prepayment penalty (which usually only applies the first few years anyhow). Simply send in or have your bank debit your checking account for one half your mortgage payments every two weeks. There should be no extra costs or fees to do this.

Or you can reach a similiar result by dividing your monthly payment by twelve and adding that to your payment. In this example that would come out to be an extra $84.44 a month.

The secret is that any prepayment, no matter how small will result in saving in interest and a shorter payment period.

Bridge Loans

Bridge loans are used in real estate transactions to cover the down payment on a new home, when the borrower has equity in his old home, but not enough cash.

It is generally a short term, interest only loan that is repaid when the homeowner sells his old house.

Conventional Mortgage

Most mortgages are conventional, the terms just vary. A conventional mortgage to most people is a 15 or 30 year fixed rate mortgage with at least 20% down.

Construction Mortgages

These are really loans that carry a higher interest rate than a normal mortgage. They allow you to borrow the money to build a house and are converted into a mortgage once the house is finished.

FHA (Federal Housing Administration)

The FHA is a branch of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department. It is a depression era creation, meant to make it possible for people to buy homes at a time when banks where not granting mortgages.

The FHA insures loans up to certain set amounts, which vary with the region of the country and the type of loan. Right now the guarantees run from about $160,000 for a one family house to somewhat over $300,000 for a four family home.

This type of mortgage is designed to help low and moderate income people become home owners. It requires low down payments and has flexible lending requirements.

If the borrower defaults, the government steps in and pays the guarantee. This makes it easier for lenders to write mortgages they would otherwise refuse.

Fixed Rate

Fixed rate mortgages have interest rates set for the term of the mortgage, which can be anywhere between 5 to 30 years.

Although they can be interest only or have a balloon, they usually are conventionally amortized mortgages.

At times like now, when rates are low, most homeowners want to lock in the low fixed rates. They are popular when rates are falling, not so popular when they're high or going up.

This type mortgage is a very good idea if you're planning to live in your house for a while.

Home Equity Line of Credit

A revolving credit line secured by your home. Because it is a mortgage, it carries a lower rate than other forms of credit and is tax deductible.

It differs from a second mortgage in that it is not for a fixed term or amount and can be kept in effect as long as you own your home.

This is used most frequently for debt consolidation and can be useful if you rip up your credit cards and use the money you save on interest to invest.

Interest Only Mortgages

This is just what it says. You only pay interest, the principal is never reduced.

This is the grand daddy of all balloon mortgages and you taking a big risk that your house depreciates in value rather than the other way around.

You could very well have to come up with extra cash at closing.

The payments are much lower than on a normally amortized mortgage and if you have the discipline, it can be a useful financial planning tool.

Jumbo Mortgages

Mortgage loans over $322,700 (the limit is periodically raised). Otherwise, the mortgage can be fixed or variable, balloon, etc.

Rates are usually a little higher than for smaller loans.

No Doc or Low Doc Mortgages

This refers to the mortgage application, not to the mortgage itself. Business owners, people living off investments, salesmen and others whose income is variable might use low or limited documentation mortgages.

Very wealthy borrowers or those who want substantial financial privacy will sometimes use the no doc option.

In either case, in spite of their names some documentation is required. The lender will accept nothing less than excellent credit and even then you will pay more for the privilege.

No Money Down Mortgages

These come in two flavors: FHA type loans that allow low or moderate income borrowers to buy a house with little or nothing down and the 80-20 plans, where wealthier borrowers with little money saved up finance 100% of the purchase price.

Under the 80-20 plan a first and second mortgage are issued simultaneously. The borrower avoids having to buy mortgage insurance. The two loans are designed to cost less than an 80% loan plus the insurance, otherwise they make no sense.

If the borrower puts some money down, you will see the mortgage referred to as 80-10-10 (the last digits will be the percent of down payment) or some similar number.

It is mostly used by borrowers who haven't saved enough for a down payment or by those who have the money, but would rather use it for other purposes.

Refinancing

This technically means getting a new mortgage at different, hopefully better terms. A lot of people use it interchangeably with obtaining a second mortgage or line of credit; in other words tapping into the equity of their house.

Second Mortgages

Secondary financing obtained by a borrower. They can be fixed in amount or take the form of a Home Equity Line of Credit, which is simply a revolving credit line secured by a house.

Homeowners use these forms of financing to consolidate bills, do home renovations, put their kids through college, etc. They are tapping into the equity they have in their house to use for other things.

This is not necessarily a great idea. You must take firm control of your finances when you start doing this or you risk either losing your house or having to raise cash to pay the mortgages off when you sell.

If done properly, you can pay off your debt at a lower, tax deductible rate and invest your savings.

VA (Veteran's Administration) Mortgages

The VA provides mortgage guarantees to active duty and ex-servicemen who meet certain eligibility requirements. (To read the requirements click here.)

Like with FHA loans, the government guarantee makes it easier for low and moderate income veterans and active duty service personnel to obtain mortgages.

The current VA guarantee is $89,912. It is raised periodically.

125% Mortgages

If you want to bet house prices will rise, some lenders will lend you up to 125% of the value of your house. If you're right, you're okay. Otherwise be prepared to have your checkbook available when you sell your house.

I'm sure that there are other financing options available that I haven't covered and don't even know about. But most of the main financing types are covered here.



About the Author
Chris Cooper is a retired attorney who is very familiar with debt, being in it too many times in his life. These articles pass on some of the knowledge he has gained striving to become debt free. He is editor-in-chief of http://www.credit-yourself.com a website devoted to debt management

Home Equity Loan vs. 401(K) Loan -Which should you choose? by Charles Essmeier

You've finally decided to add that patio you've always wanted to your home. Now you can enjoy barbecue outdoors and get a little fresh air every now and again. But how are you going to pay for it? If you're like most people, you don't have cash for home repairs just lying around the house. You'll have to borrow. So where should you go to borrow? Mortgage rates are low these days, so a home equity loan would be pretty affordable, as would a home equity line of credit (HELOC) if you have a number of remodeling projects in mind.

Then it occurs to you -- "What about my 401(K) money? I can get good terms on a 401(K) loan and borrow the money from myself!" That seems like a good idea. You can borrow the money from yourself and pay yourself back with interest! What could be better than that?.

On the surface, borrowing from your retirement savings may seem like a better idea than taking out a home equity loan. The terms are good either way, and the interest rates are probably comparable. So, why not borrow from your 401(K) account?.

There are several reasons why it may not be desirable to borrow from your retirement account:.




Most Americans fail to save enough for retirement, so borrowing from your retirement fund may leave you short later should you default. No one wants to be broke when they retire.
If you have a diversified 401(K) account, you will probably be earning interest on your retirement money. In fact, the interest rate you are earning on your retirement fund may exceed the interest rate you would pay for a home equity loan. In that case, you take out a home equity loan, leave the retirement money where it is, and you should earn a net gain between the two.
If your retirement fund is earning good interest, and in the late 1990's many were earning upwards of 20% per year, then borrowing on your principal could hurt you tremendously in the long run. Due to the nature of compounding, the amount you lose by borrowing from your retirement account could be far more than simply the sum of the loan amount plus interest.
The interest on a home equity loan is tax deductible, up to $100,000. The interest on a 401(K) loan is not.


There are certainly some circumstances where you might benefit from borrowing from retirement funds instead of taking out a second mortgage, but those situations are fairly rare. A substantially higher interest rate on the home equity loan than the 401(K) loan would be one such example. If in doubt, you should consult with a financial planner.
About the Author
©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing. Established in 1978, Retro Marketing is a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://www.HomeEquityHelp.net/ and http://www.End-Your-Debt.com/

Home Equity Loan Line of Credit Vs. Other Conventional Loans by John Ross

When it comes to getting money, you have two basic options. If you are a homeowner you can choose to take out a home equity line or credit (HELOC), or you can take out a conventional loan. Both of these products will provide you with the funds needed, but the similarities end there. With varying interest rates and repayment options, you have a wide array of choices. We will discuss the differences between these two options, and then decide on which one is best for the typical homeowner. Remember, that everyone's situation is different, so use your best judgment when choosing a loan product.

You may already be familiar with a traditional loan product. These are usually based on your credit rating and your ability to repay the loan. The lender will review your past tax returns, credit score, as well as your salary. They may also factor in your income potential in the near future, if you are currently enrolled in a higher education program or up for a promotion soon. The main benefit of such a loan is that you have little at stake if you fail to repay the loan. They may have the ability to garnish your wages or hurt your credit rating, but you will be able to keep your home. The main disadvantage to this type of loan is that you can expect to pay a much higher interest rate than that of a home equity loan. You may also find yourself unable to take out as much as you would with a HELOC.

A Home Equity Line of Credit is a completely different time of loan. The bank will determine the amount of equity that you currently have in your home (value of the home- amount of liens= equity). They will then allow you a credit line that is a percentage of your equity. You will likely receive checks or a bank card that will allow you to make withdrawals on your own schedule. You can borrow as little, or as much as you want as long as it is within your credit limit. You will then make monthly payments based on the balance of the loan. Most lines of credit will require a minimum payment to cover interest, but the actual payment amount is up to you. The process is very similar to that of a regular credit card, except that you have your home backing up your purchases. The main advantage to this type of loan is that you can usually enjoy a much lower interest rate, and pay as much or as little during the life of the loan. The main disadvantage is that if you fail to pay the balance off, you could lose your home. So it is important to only take out what you can repay.

Which one is better? It all depends on your personal situation. If you have had trouble in the past with credit cards and revolving credit, a HELOC could be a very dangerous thing. Maxing out your HELOC has a lot more at stake than maxing out a typical credit card. So it is important that you have your finances and budget in place, prior to taking out such a loan. If your credit is poor, a HELOC may give you options where a traditional loan would not. Bottom line; understand your situation and you should have no trouble deciding the right loan product for your needs.

About the Author
John Ross is a freelance author, providing tips and ideas relating to home equity loans. You can find more of his articles at: home equity loan company, online home equity loans, and fixed rate home equity loan.

Refinancing vs Line of Credit by Gary Gresham

Refinancing vs line of credit are two popular options you have when deciding the best way to take equity out of your home. Sometimes it makes sense to establish a line of credit. But in other situations it's better to get a cash back refinance mortgage loan.

You can find out which loan is best for your situation by doing some simple math. The amount of money you need to borrow and the length of time you need to pay it back really determines if refinancing vs line of credit loan makes the most sense.

Home equity lines of credit are based on adjustable type mortgage rates and move up or down when the Fed raises or lowers the prime rate. If you don't need to borrow much money and plan to pay off the loan in a short amount of time, an equity line of credit may work best for you because you pay the least amount of interest.

An advantage of a home equity credit line is banks offer their lowest interest rates on adjustable mortgage rate type loans. Also, equity lines of credit usually come without the typical closing costs you pay with a cash back refinance mortgage loan.

Average closing costs on a refinance loan usually amount to several thousands of dollars. So when you are trying to decide between refinancing vs line of credit that should factor into your decision.

Another advantage of a home equity credit line is they are more flexible than a cash back refinance mortgage loan. With a home equity credit line you only pay interest on the amount you borrow. The remainder of the credit line is available at any time without paying any interest.

Home equity credit lines work well for smaller loan amounts, but if you need a large amount of money, say $75,000 to $100,000, you may want to consider a cash back refinance mortgage loan.

A cash back refinance mortgage loan is a first mortgage and most are amortized over a 30 year payment schedule. That keeps your payments more affordable on a larger loan amount. Most home equity lines amortize over 10 years or 15 years because they are a second mortgage loan.

Another consideration when trying to decide between refinancing vs line of credit is the interest rate you currently have on your first mortgage. If you have a low interest rate on your first mortgage you may want to take advantage of a home equity credit line so you can keep your low rate on the first mortgage.

If you have a high interest rate on your first mortgage, a cash back refinance mortgage loan with a lower interest rate might make more sense. Just remember to do the math because the average closing costs on a refinance loan will amount to several thousands of dollars.

Until you repay the loan closing costs you won't be saving any money even if your monthly payment is lower. Figure the number of months it takes in payment savings to cover the typical closing costs of a cash back refinance mortgage loan to see if this makes sense for you.

These simple tips should help when deciding if you should establish a line of credit or get a cash back refinance mortgage loan. Do the math to find out if refinancing vs line of credit makes the most sense for your situation.

Copyright © 2005 Credit Repair Facts.com All Rights Reserved.

About the Author
This article is supplied by http://www.credit-repair-facts.com where you will find credit information, debt elimination programs and informative facts that give you the knowledge to correct your own credit and credit report. For more credit related articles like these go to: http://www.credit-repair-facts.com/articles_1.html