Home Equity Loans

In an earlier article, we presented various options for ensuring that you have positive cash flow when holding rental houses, by minimizing loan payments. One problem which we now can address is to how to eliminate the need for paying mortgage insurance. Any loan with less than 20% down payment will include or require mortgage insurance. It may be included in the rate (which is called “Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance” or LPMI) or more commonly it is a separate itemized item, but in either case you must pay it.

If you want to pay less than 20% down, the best way to get around mortgage insurance is to finance your purchases with two loans, a first and a second mortgage. For example, the first mortgage is commonly 70%, 75% or 80% of the purchase price and the second mortgage makes up the difference to 90% or 95% of the purchase price. You can get both mortgages from the same lender, but usually you can find better rates on the second mortgage from a lender that specializes in second mortgages. An independent loan broker can put this together for you nicely.

Both mortgages typically close escrow at the same time and both lenders are fully aware of each other. For simplicity, put both loans in the same escrow and sign them both at the same time. If you want to be tricky and try to use two mortgages to get to 100% financing (i.e. no down payment), there are ways to do this, but we do not recommend it and it is not within the scope of this article.

The second mortgage is typically at a higher interest rate than the first, but not always. For example, there are some very competitive home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) with rates only a fraction above the prime interest rate. You have to have good credit scores to qualify, but if you do, they are very attractive. The problem with a HELOC based on the prime rate is that it assumes the prime rate does not get too high before you pay it off. As you may recall from the early 1980s, the prime occasionally does go sky high and it could happen again.

There is a particularly wide variation in the interest rates for second mortgages from various lenders. Moreover, if your credit, income, and assets are not ideal, you may not be qualified for certain second mortgage programs, so it may be more difficult to find a second mortgage at a good rate that you do qualify for. It is very important therefore to ask your independent loan broker to check out various options and to shop the rates. He/she should be comparing at least half a dozen different second mortgage programs.

When you use two loans as described above, it is usually advisable to have an interest-only or minimum payment loan for the first mortgage. This allows you to focus on paying down the principle on second mortgage over a period of say 5 years, if you can afford it. If you cannot do that, than obtain a second mortgage that also has a 5-year fixed period and an interest only option. You are then covered with predictable and low payments for at least 5 years.

This article has reviewed a strategy for improving your cash flow when purchasing investment rental homes — namely, using two loans to eliminate mortgage insurance. There is much more to say on this topic. So keep an eye out for additional articles by the same authors on this and related topics.

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher and Robert S. Kramarz. All rights reserved.

Jeanette Fisher, Design Psychology Professor, is the author of “Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars: Using Design Psychology to Increase Real Estate Profits,” the only book to reveal interior design secrets on how to make top dollar investing in real estate. For real estate and interior design psychology books, articles, tips, and newsletters: http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com.

Robert S. Kramarz is a loan officer for a major loan brokerage. He has over 20 years experience in finance and business management and comes from a family a long background in real estate investing and banking. He specializes in providing financing for purchase of investment real estate. He can be reached by email at MrFunding@22cv.com. Further information is available at the website http://www.sweetloan.info.

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The first thing most of us think about when the time comes to take out a mortgage on a new home is the interest rate.

That’s both perfectly natural and very sensible. The rate of interest we pay can make an immense difference - a difference amounting to tens of thousands of dollars - in what the actual cost of our house ultimately turns out to be.

Still, interest rates are far from the only thing worth thinking about where mortgages are concerned. Other important variables need to be considered too. One is the question of whether to take a fixed interest rate of choose from among the many kinds of variable-rate mortgages that have been created over the years to meet the differing needs of different buyers.

Another - and a very important one - is the rather basic question of how long you want your mortgage to run. Even with fixed-rate mortgages, a broad spectrum of time spans is commonly available. In most cases the extremes are 15 years on the short side, 30 years on the long.

Some years ago, when a famous scientist was asked to name the most powerful force in the universe, he answered “the power of compound interest.” This reply suggests that he was knowledgeable not only about the laws of nature but the principles of finance - about what happens to even a modest sum of money when it continues to accumulate interest year after year after year.

Even at a modest rate of interest, money in a savings account can double within ten years or less. The amount actually paid for a house with a $100,000 mortgage can turn out to be several hundred thousand dollars if the mortgage runs for 30 years.

When you opt for a mortgage of only 15 or 20 yeas, on the other hand, you chop off much of the growth in your total obligation. But to do that without reducing the initial size of your mortgage, you have to make a bigger payment every month. As in most of life’s major decisions, the stakes are high and the trade-offs require careful consideration. Above all, they require a careful examination of your resources, your aspirations, and your personal priorities.

Someone who’s willing to make near-term lifestyle sacrifices for the sake of long-term gains probably will prefer a shorter mortgage. If your motto is “eat, drink and be merry,” on the other hand, the idea of squeezing extra money out of your budget for the sake of a bigger house payment won’t have much appeal.

If you’re attracted by a shorter, faster mortgage and think you might be able to handle one, ask your real estate agent to show you just how much long-term savings such an approach can make possible. Chances are you’ll be astonished by the size of the number.

Remember, though, that a 15-year or 20-year mortgage, by increasing your monthly obligations now and for years to come, can sharply reduce your flexibility.

One good approach is to take a 30-year mortgage but try to discipline yourself to make one extra monthly payment each year. If you can stick to such a regimen, ultimately it will yield the benefits of a 15-year mortgage. Meanwhile, you’ll be less strapped if changing circumstances reduce your ability to make monthly payments.

What’s really important is making yourself aware of how many different options you have and gathering detailed information about the ones that interest you most. A good real estate broker can be your key to all the information you could possibly need.

About The Author

W. Troy Swezey is the author of “HOW LONG YOUR MORTGAGE RUNS DETERMINES HOW MUCH YOU PAY.” As a Realtor at Century 21 Paul & Associates, he has helped many individuals with their real estate needs. Visit his web site to download his free e-book, “REAL ESTATE SECRETS EXPOSED.” http://www.TroyIsMyRealtor.com or mail to: TroyC21@usa.net

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There’s no question about it: Buying a first home is a big financial commitment. In most cases, a home is the largest single purchase an individual or family will make in a lifetime. However, because of the tax advantages afforded to homeowners, buying a home also can be one of the best financial decisions you’ll ever make.

Problem is, many would-be homeowners remain renters simply because they mistakenly believe mortgage lenders require that buyers come up with 20 percent of the purchase price as a down payment. While it’s true lenders feel it’s less risky to work with buyers who are able to bring a substantial down payment to the table, the standard 20 percent requirement is fast becoming a relic of the past. In recent years, lenders have become more flexible in working with first-time homebuyers by creating a variety of special programs that require only a small down payment. These programs, combined with the most favorable interest rates in two decades, have encouraged growing numbers of renters to consider the tremendous benefits of home ownership.

While the list of programs offered by individual lenders is too extensive to mention in detail, here are some common programs you are likely to come across as you work with your real estate agent to purchase your first home:

Federal Housing Administration (FHA): FHS mortgages allow homebuyers to purchase a home with as little as a 5 percent down payment, and to finance all non-recurring closing costs. The current maximum loan amount in most urban markets is $151,725. In addition, borrowers are allowed to use up to 41 percent of their gross income toward paying mortgage debt - well above the ratio allowed under most private programs.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): VA mortgages allow veteran or active service personnel purchase home with no down payment, up to the current maximum price of $184.000. However, there is no purchase price limitation for buyers able to make a down payment. Like the FHA program, VA borrowers can put up to 41 percent of gross income toward their mortgage debt.

Mortgage Revenue Bonds and Mortgage Credit Certificates: Mortgages funded with these instruments typically require a minimum of 5 percent down and have interest rates that are 1.5 to 2 percentage points below conventional 30-year fixed rates. These types of loans, offered by state and local housing agencies, are available only to first-time homebuyers. There generally are income and purchase price caps that vary, depending on where you plan to buy.

Private Mortgage Insurance: Most major lenders offer privately insured mortgages, which generally require a 10 percent down payment (although some lenders offer loans with a 5 percent down payment to buyers with exceptional credit). These loans typically are not limited by maximum loan amount or purchase price limitation.

Community Homebuyer Program: Through their networks of mortgage lenders, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) offer Community Homebuyer Program loans. These programs require a 5 percent down payment, 3 percent of which may be a gift. To further help buyers qualify, applicants may use 38 percent of their gross income. Currently, the maximum loan amount available through these programs is $203,150.

Clearly, there are a lot of options for first-time homebuyers. While lenders will be more than happy to share information about their own programs, you can save yourself a good deal of time by first selecting a professional real estate agent who is experienced in working with first-time buyers in the areas where you plan to buy.

An agent who focuses on first-time buyers will know from experience which lenders in your area offer a low down payment program that will meet your unique needs.

Today, taking the first step toward owning your own home is easier than before. Your real estate agent is your best resource for finding innovative ways to help you come up with a down payment and qualify for financing. There’s certainly no need to wait until you’ve saved a 20 percent down payment!

About The Author

W. Troy Swezey is the author of “EASING YOUR WAY INTO HOMEOWNERSHIP: A GUIDE TO LOW DOWN PAYMENT MORTGAGE PROGRAMS.” As a Realtor at Century 21 Paul & Associates, he has helped many individuals with their real estate needs. Visit his web site to download his free e-book, “REAL ESTATE SECRETS EXPOSED.” http://www.TroyIsMyRealtor.com or mail to: TroyC21@usa.net

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