What Is a Mortgage?
A mortgage is a type of loan that you take out to purchase a home. In most states, mortgage loans are made by banks and other lending institutions. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the process of getting a mortgage is the same in every state.
You’ll want to know what type of a mortgage you’re taking out, and what all of the variables are so that you can make sure you’re getting the best deal available.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of mortgages, what they entail, and some of the options available to you.
How the Process Works?
The average person will typically walk into a bank or credit union to ask if they can borrow money. This is typically the most straightforward process. But some people use the services of brokers or other third parties who match their credit with a potential lender, which could lead to lower interest rates.
Once a potential lender is interested in lending you money, you’ll need to provide them with a good bit of information about yourself. This includes things like proof of income, proof of assets, and tax information. If you don’t have all of these documents in hand, you may not qualify for the type of loan that you want.
After you’ve provided the lender with this information, they’ll do their due diligence to make sure that you are a qualified candidate. If they approve your loan request, you can be eligible for a set amount of money and you’ll usually have the opportunity to choose the best rate, terms, and features for your loan.
In short, a mortgage is a tool for someone to finance a purchase of the real estate. They’re generally used to purchase a home, although they can also be used for other types of financing.
Mortgage Types and What They Include
Mortgage Types
You can choose from three different types of mortgages: fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, and reverse mortgages.
Fixed-Rate Mortgage
If you’ve ever shopped for a mortgage, you might have wondered why a bank or other lending institution might offer a fixed-rate mortgage. It can be quite confusing because there are a lot of different variables that go into a loan.
For a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate of the loan doesn’t change. Instead, it is set at a predetermined rate (usually fixed for the length of the loan), and you will pay that same rate for the entire length of the mortgage.
While that sounds convenient, the real benefit of this type of loan is that your monthly payment won’t ever change. Once you take out the loan, your payment will be the same for the entire term of the loan.
That’s a great benefit because it means that you can budget your mortgage payments to make sure that you stay on track financially.
As a general rule of thumb, loans with fixed rates tend to have higher initial interest rates.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage
An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is a loan that allows the rate of interest to fluctuate during the life of the loan.
If you’re shopping for an adjustable-rate mortgage, you’ll want to think about a few different things before you apply.
1. ARM Payments
Adjustable-rate mortgages are loans that have an initial rate (usually 5 to 20 percent more than the initial fixed-rate rate) that will change throughout the life of the loan.
During the life of the loan, a lower interest rate could save you a lot of money, but a higher rate will cost you money. You should also consider the fact that this type of loan allows you to put additional money into your home without a huge upfront payment.
2. How Long Will It Be?
The length of the adjustable-rate mortgage will determine how big of a difference your rate will make in your monthly payment. For a 30-year loan, your rate will change at least once every five years. On a loan that is 15 years or longer, your rate could change more frequently.
3. Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV)
The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is the amount of the loan you’re getting with your mortgage divided by the appraised value of the home. That means that the loan amount, which is how much you borrow will always be a certain percent of the home’s value.
Because the amount of your loan will always be a certain percentage of the value of the house, the loan itself will never be too big. And you can often get loans with LTVs that are much lower than the home’s appraised value (as low as 80 percent LTV).
Reverse Mortgage
Reverse mortgages were created to provide more home ownership options for retirees, but they can also be used by younger homeowners to secure funding for home improvements.
With a reverse mortgage, you are not required to pay the loan back. Instead, you get to keep the equity in your home.
The amount of equity that you keep is based on a particular number of payments. This amount is known as the “reverse mortgage payment.
For example, if you’re given $3,000 in a reverse mortgage, the loan amount (including fees and closing costs) is $200,000. In other words, you’ll be making a monthly payment of $1,300 to keep the $3,000 that you’ve been given.
You’ll start to lose the equity in your home when you make the final reverse mortgage payment. This is known as the “closing” or “balloon” payment However, you could take a lump-sum payment (not the total amount that you have been given) if you need the money now.
When you make a reverse mortgage payment, your equity grows in the value of your home. This is a great way to secure funding for home improvements that could help you save on property taxes and your home equity. It also allows you to stay in your home as you age.
Beware of Reverse Mortgages
Reverse mortgages can be very complicated and complex. That’s because they require a certain amount of planning, and you need to ensure that you have the financial means to make the monthly payments.
The best way to learn about these loans is to talk with a local mortgage broker.
Before you apply for a mortgage, you should know how much equity you have in your home. You should also be able to answer any questions a mortgage lender may ask you so that they can understand your financial situation and get a clear picture of the type of mortgage that you want.
Banks, lending institutions, and credit unions are permitted to make reverse mortgages in all 50 states, as long as certain requirements are met.
You’ll want to check with a bank or lending institution that makes reverse mortgages to make sure that your state’s laws are compatible with your needs.