by kelleyandgrantlaw | Jan 13, 2014 | Mortgages:
Discount points allow you to lower your interest rate. While this video simplifies things to help you remember, “points” are essentially prepaid interest with each point equaling 1% of the total loan amount. Generally, for each point paid on a 30-year...
by kelleyandgrantlaw | Jan 13, 2014 | Title and Closing
As we show you in this video, an escrow account is an account, established by your lender, to set aside a portion of your monthly mortgage payment to cover annual charges for homeowner’s insurance mortgage insurance (if applicable), and property taxes. Escrow...
by kelleyandgrantlaw | Jan 13, 2014 | Financing:
You’ll see some pictures in this video to help you remember later, but the first step in securing a loan is to complete a loan application. To do so, you’ll need the following information. Pay stubs for the past 2-3 months. W-2 forms for the past 2 years....
by kelleyandgrantlaw | Jan 13, 2014 | Mortgages:
The original phrase “mort gage” translates as “death pledge”! But as this video explains, a mortgage is a loan obtained to purchase real estate. The “mortgage” itself is a lien – a legal claim on the home or property that...
by kelleyandgrantlaw | Jan 13, 2014 | Mortgages:
While this video simplifies things to help you remember, the loan to value ratio is the amount of money you borrow compared with the price or appraised value of the home you are purchasing. Each loan has a specific LTV limit. For example: With a 75% LTV loan on a home...
by kelleyandgrantlaw | Jan 13, 2014 | Mortgages:
This video tells you about the most common types: Fixed Rate, ARM, Balloon and 2-Step. First, Fixed Rate Mortgages: Payments remain the same for the life of the loan generally 15 years or 30 years. Interest rates remain the same, so payments are predictable. A second...
by kelleyandgrantlaw | Jan 13, 2014 | Mortgages:
For both, as we show you in this video, compared with other options, with fixed rates, housing costs won’t be affected by interest rate changes and inflation. With A 30-Year Term: In the first 23 years of the loan more interest is paid off than principal...
by kelleyandgrantlaw | Jan 13, 2014 | Mortgages:
Usually, Yes. Like the guy in the video says, by sending in extra money each month or making an extra payment at the end of the year you can accelerate the process of paying off the loan. When you send extra money, be sure to indicate that the excess payment is to be...
by kelleyandgrantlaw | Jan 13, 2014 | Mortgages:
The monthly mortgage payment mainly pays off principal and interest. But most lenders also include local real estate taxes homeowner’s insurance, and mortgage insurance, if applicable. If you are refinancing compare what is and isn’t included in your financing...
by kelleyandgrantlaw | Jan 13, 2014 | Mortgages:
As you’ll see in the video, a lower interest rate allows you to borrow more money than a high rate with the some monthly payment. Interest rates can fluctuate as you shop for a loan so ask lenders if they offer a rate “lock-in” which guarantees a...