3 Ways To Get The Lowest Interest Rate On Your Home Refinance Loan

18 August 2009

Maybe you need a little extra cash for a home remodel or college tuition, or perhaps you simply want to save some money. Whatever your reason, refinancing your home loan can be a smart move as long as you get a low rate. Here are some simple tips that can ensure you get the lowest rate possible on your Home Refinance Loan:

Clean up your credit

Lenders use your credit score as one tool for determining your interest rate. In general, the better your score, the lower your rate. Before applying to refinance your mortgage, check your credit report and look for any errors. If you find a mistake that's negatively affecting your score--such as a payment marked as "late" when you sent it on time, or a line of credit that doesn't belong to you--be sure to correct those errors.

Shop around

You might not necessarily get the best deal from the same finance company that holds your mortgage loan. Make sure you check out offers from other lenders. You can do this by submitting your application to multiple lending companies, or by hiring a mortgage broker that will check out numerous lenders for you. To get the largest variety of offers, try different types of companies, such as banks, credit unions, online mortgage lenders and local mortgage brokers.

Negotiate

Once you've received a few offers, take the time to negotiate with lenders. Let them know that you have other options and that you're looking for a great deal. Mention their competitors so they know you're serious about your loan, and be prepared to walk away if the loan company won't give you the best rate. However, once you find a deal you like, ask the lender to "lock it in." Interest rates change daily, and locking it in guarantees that you still get a low rate even if rates soar the next week.

Remember: the interest rate is only part of the expense of refinancing. In many cases you'll have to pay fees, points and other extra charges. You can lower the cost of your loan by asking to have these fees waived or lowered.


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3 Ways To Get The Lowest Interest Rate On Your Home Refinance Loan

Maybe you need a little extra cash for a home remodel or college tuition, or perhaps you simply want to save some money. Whatever your reason, refinancing your home loan can be a smart move as long as you get a low rate. Here are some simple tips that can ensure you get the lowest rate possible on your Home Refinance Loan:

Clean up your credit

Lenders use your credit score as one tool for determining your interest rate. In general, the better your score, the lower your rate. Before applying to refinance your mortgage, check your credit report and look for any errors. If you find a mistake that's negatively affecting your score--such as a payment marked as "late" when you sent it on time, or a line of credit that doesn't belong to you--be sure to correct those errors.

Shop around

You might not necessarily get the best deal from the same finance company that holds your mortgage loan. Make sure you check out offers from other lenders. You can do this by submitting your application to multiple lending companies, or by hiring a mortgage broker that will check out numerous lenders for you. To get the largest variety of offers, try different types of companies, such as banks, credit unions, online mortgage lenders and local mortgage brokers.

Negotiate

Once you've received a few offers, take the time to negotiate with lenders. Let them know that you have other options and that you're looking for a great deal. Mention their competitors so they know you're serious about your loan, and be prepared to walk away if the loan company won't give you the best rate. However, once you find a deal you like, ask the lender to "lock it in." Interest rates change daily, and locking it in guarantees that you still get a low rate even if rates soar the next week.

Remember: the interest rate is only part of the expense of refinancing. In many cases you'll have to pay fees, points and other extra charges. You can lower the cost of your loan by asking to have these fees waived or lowered.


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5 Ground Rules for Home Buying Success

16 August 2009

There are few purchases in life that carry the financial and psychological weight of buying a home. Whether you are buying your first home, moving up to your dream home, or downsizing your home and your life after the kids have gone, it is important to understand the ground rules for success in the world of buying a home.

Making the wrong decision in buying a home can have devastating and long lasting effects, while making a wise decision in home buying can greatly enhance the overall value of the investment. It is necessary to learn all you can about the world of home buying and mortgages before setting out to purchase the home of your dreams.

While there are plenty of web sites designed to help first time homeowners learn all they can, most financial experts say that there is no substitute for the good old one-on-one learning. Fortunately, most mortgage lenders, home inspectors and real estate agents will be able to provide this kind of one-on-one learning.

When buying a home it is often best to use a systematic approach as this is often the best way to be sure that all decisions are based on information and reason, not on impulse or emotion. Buying a home can be an emotional process, nevertheless it is imperative to keep your emotions under control and not let them cloud your judgment.

There are five basic ground rules when it comes to buying a home and shopping smart, and they are:

#1 – Get your financing before you get your home

There are few things in life as disappointing as losing out on the home of your dreams due to not being able to secure funding. While the desire to get out there are search for that great home is understandable, it is vital to line up the financing you will need before you start shopping for a home.

Getting the financing ahead of time has a number of important advantages, including knowing how much you can buy and gaining more respect from the listing agents. By knowing how much home you can afford before you shop you will avoid wasting your time looking at unaffordable properties, and the listing agent will be more than willing to show you the homes in your price range.

It is also important to take a good look at the various types of mortgage on the market before getting started in the home buying process. These days, mortgages come in far more choices than the typical 15 or 30 year. For that reason, potential home buyers need to understand how each type of mortgage works, and to gauge which mortgage is the best choice for their needs.

#2 – Look at the community, not just the home

It is a good idea to look at the entire community, instead of focusing on a single home. This can be a particularly important thing to consider for those moving to a new metropolitan area, as these buyers will be unfamiliar with the local climate and lifestyle. It is crucial to determine the areas of town that are most desirable, and to consider things like distance from work and local shopping opportunities.

We have all heard that location is the key consideration when it comes to real estate, and that is certainly the case. Buying a house in the wrong area can be a big mistake, and it is important to choose the location as well as the home. Potential buyers can learn a great deal about the nature of the various neighborhoods simply by driving around town, as well as by talking to other residents.

#3 – Be fair with your first offer

Trying to lowball a seller on the first offer can backfire, as can paying too much. It is important to carefully evaluate the local market, and to compare the asking price of the home with what similar houses in the neighborhood have sold for.

Comparing the sales of comparable homes, what are known as "comps" in the industry, is one of the best ways to determine what is fair, and to make sure that you neither overpay or underbid on the property.

#4 – Always get a home inspection

Always investigate the home for any possible defects before making an offer. Compared to the cost of the average home, the price of a quality home inspection is virtually negligible. Hence, get a good home inspection done before you buy.

To find the best home inspector, it is a good idea to seek out word of mouth referrals as many of the best home inspectors rely on word of mouth advertising.

#5 – Do not alienate the sellers of the home

Many real estate deals have fallen apart due to the personal animosity of the buyer and the seller. It is important to avoid alienating the seller of the home during the process, and to avoid nitpicking every little detail during the sale.

Keeping the good will of the seller will help the transaction go smoothly, and it will provide the best environment for seller and buyer alike.


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