Filed Under (Real Estate) by admin on 26-12-2009
Doug Mitchel asked:
I often get questions from potential investors about the basic functions of a mortgage fund (aka a mortgage pool). Therefore, I’ve decided to write about mortgage pools in general to clear up any misconceptions.
Mortgage pools are securities that are required by state and federal agencies to provide complete and full disclosure through an offering memorandum. A mortgage pool is a collection of capital contributions from many investors and is usually in the form of a limited liability company that sells shares. The investment pool of capital is then used to purchase a number of different loans, which are commonly called mortgages or trust deeds, and secured by real estate.
There are basically three ways to invest in mortgages, and regardless of a person’s real estate or investment acumen, there is a mortgage investment option available today that fits their investment portfolio. The three ways are: funding a mortgage directly, participating in a multi-lender or syndicated specific mortgage, or by investing in a mortgage pool.
The purpose of a mortgage pool is to create a long-term investment vehicle that provides for the fund’s management and a favorable rate of return to investors, while providing them with a diversification of risk and stability. Also, mortgage pools are redeemable on relatively short notice so they offer more liquidity than a direct mortgage or syndication.
For investors who don’t have the real estate expertise and don’t want to commit the time and energy to learn, the best route is to find a company that offers mortgage pools, like The Grace Fund LLC. These companies employ the services of a manager and administrator of the mortgage pool on the investor’s behalf who furnishes the investor with a monthly statement to keep them informed of their account balance, current yield and other details. The mortgage fund manager is paid a modest fee to research the proposal, make the lending decisions and handle all of the payments and administration. Fees earned by the manager are not paid by the investor, but rather a percentage of the income earned on the mortgages and servicing fees charged to the borrower.
These mortgage pools work through a four-step process: 1) investors purchase shares of a company; 2) the company purchases a number of qualified trust deed investments or mortgages; 3) the trust deeds and mortgages provide a return to the company and; 4) the company distributes a return to the investors from monthly cash flow, or growth through a Distribution Reinvestment Plan instead of taking a monthly payment.
Investing in the mortgage market can be a solid option for investors who want to benefit from the commercial real estate market without actually buying real property. In the past couple of years, returns of 10% to 12% or more in mortgage pools – compared to 3-4% for more mainstream investments – have been common. The pool is continuously managed with a primary objective of securing new mortgages to replace mortgages that mature, thus insuring investors a steady stream of passive income.
Monthly income from most mortgage pools usually varies as interest rates change or when mortgages are paid off. The returns to investors from the mortgage pool would follow market interest rate increases or decreases. The investor in a mortgage pool earns a blended rate of return on investment based on the interest earned from each respective mortgage. However, in the case of an investment in The Grace Fund, monthly distributions of 1.25% (15% annualized) are made to investors. To achieve the higher return, the Grace Fund mortgages are fixed at 15.5% annual interest to the borrower, an affiliate of Grace Realty Group. The higher rate reflects a premium to distinguish The Grace Fund from the many competitors vying for investor dollars in the marketplace.
I believe the most convenient, effortless and safest method for the average investor to invest in a debt instrument is through a mortgage pool. They pool their money by buying shares in the fund, and the interest earned from the mortgage payments received from the borrowers becomes income for the fund. All income earned is distributed to shareholders according to their proportional interest. Simple.
Similar to a mutual fund, a mortgage pool provides a vehicle to diversify a portfolio of investments – in this case, mortgages instead of stocks or bonds. Investing $50,000 in a mortgage pool consisting of 25 loans valued at $15 million provides better security through diversification than a $50,000 investment in a single loan secured by a single property.
Unlike a mutual fund, mortgage funds are secured by real estate and not subject to the same volatility as the stock market. Most mortgage pools are backed by well-underwritten and well-secured real estate loans. This is particularly true when the mortgages are secured by property that is financed at a very low loan-to-value ratio. To further mitigate risk, additional security is realized when the borrower purchases properties at a price far below their replacement cost with considerable value-added possibilities (buy low, fix up and sell strategy).
Another advantage to mortgage pools is that they are very suitable for most tax-deferred savings accounts including IRAs and 401ks, making them a good fit for future retirees or anybody else on a fixed income. An investment in a mortgage pool should be considered for inclusion in every serious investor’s portfolio.
Filed Under (Business) by admin on 26-12-2009
mike cole asked:
It is a decision that is almost as important as which house you purchase – which type of mortgage to get. Choosing the right mortgage for your specific needs can potentially save you thousands of dollars over the term of the mortgage. Your two basic options when it comes to a mortgage will be a fixed rate (FRM) or an adjustable (ARM) mortgage, although you may also be able to qualify for other options such as an FHA loan or a VA loan.
Most home buyers take out a fixed rate mortgage – around 70% of all mortgages are fixed rate as opposed to adjustable. A fixed rate mortgage is exactly what it sounds like: the interest rate on your loan will not change, regardless of the economy or whether interest rates rise or fall. The terms and conditions of a fixed rate mortgage are also protected by law. An adjustable rate mortgage will go up or down depending on the interest rate at the time. Whether you should choose a fixed rate or adjustable mortgage depends on the general state of the economy along with your financial situation and the risk you are willing to take.
If interest rates are low when you take out a mortgage, or if you just do not want to take the risk of them increasing, you are probably better off with a fixed rate mortgage. If you have a large mortgage, whereby even a slight rate increase may mean a big increase in your monthly mortgage payment – you are perhaps better off with a fixed rate. If you are simply the cautious type who does not like taking a risk, a fixed rate mortgage is typically the best option for you.
The obvious advantage is that the interest rate does not change – and neither will the amount of your monthly payment. You always know exactly how much you will be paying each week and can thus budget more accurately; the amount of your monthly payment will only increase if the amount of insurance rates or the amount of property taxes increases. Some borrowers consider it easier to plan for other big expenses, such as college funds and retirement, with a fixed rate mortgage.
A fixed rate mortgage does not take into account the cost of living or inflation. In other words, as time goes by and you are perhaps earning more money and everything else costs that much more – your mortgage payment is going to stay the same. Arguably, this can mean more money in your pocket – in 20 years from now, you may be earning more money than you are now, but your monthly house payments are going to stay the same.
The biggest disadvantage of a fixed rate mortgage is that you run the risk of missing lower payments when the interest rate goes down. The difference in the amount that you pay each month can be substantial if you have an adjustable rate mortgage and the interest rate is lowered. This not only saves you money each month, but also potentially helps you pay off your mortgage sooner. Of course, nobody can ever accurately predict when interest rates are going to drop, although it is sometimes possible to have some indication and base your decision upon that.
A change in the interest rate can make a huge difference in determining the amount that you end up paying for your home. A homeowner with a 30-year mortgage can enjoy average savings of around $50,000 over the term of their mortgage with the interest rate being lowered by just one point. And an increase in the interest rate of just one or two percent can mean monthly payments that are between $50 and $250 higher, depending on the cost of your home. The decision to take a fixed rate or adjustable mortgage may also depend on whether you are taking out a 15 or 30-year mortgage.
One compromise of sorts is to take out a fixed rate mortgage and then refinance your loan when interest rates are lowered. Another option with a fixed rate mortgage (or an adjustable rate mortgage) is to pay extra each month towards the principal, thus saving a large amount in interest charges – as well as making the term of the mortgage shorter and owning your home sooner. Make sure that any extra amount that you pay is going towards the principal and not the interest.
It is a huge decision – whether to play it safe and take the fixed rate, or take a chance and go with the adjustable rate mortgage. Ultimately, the decision is yours; but be sure to get some good financial advice before deciding. A fixed rate mortgage has many advantages and disadvantages; you just have to decide which is best for your financial situation.
Filed Under (Insurance Quotes) by admin on 26-12-2009
Brigitta Schwulst asked:
s particularly easy to find and choose the lowest mortgage loan. The internet makes research into a mortgage loan as easy as clicking a button. Here are some tips on how to find the best mortgage loan and the mortgage loan that is right for you.
1. Choose the right type of mortgage loan
Decide if you want a fixed rate mortgage loan or a variable rate loan. A fixed rate loan is where the payments are fixed for a certain period of time or for the entire loan period. A variable rate loan is where the repayments fluctuate with the interest rate.
A fixed rate mortgage loan is best when bank interest rates are low. Then you can protect yourself against higher payments when the interest rate increases.
A variable rate loan is best when interest rates are higher.
Today, applying for a mortgage loan is made extremely easy by the advent of the internet. There are a multitude of brokers and mortgage loan companies who offer home mortgage loan and loans online. They also offer a host of information, mortgage calculators and tools online to calculate the lowest home mortgage loan rates.
Before you choose a mortgage loan company or broker though, be sure to shop around for the lowest mortgage loan rate and make sure you ask about those hidden costs. Using a mortgage broker, instead of a loan company can be a great way of getting extra quotes, which can save you some time in shopping for the lowest home mortgage rates.
A mortgage loan company will review your application and will either deny or approve the loan, but a brokerage will send your application to several home mortgage companies and you will then receive multiple offers for lowest mortgage loan rates from various loan companies, so when searching for the lowest mortgage loan rates, it is advisable to choose a mortgage loan broker, rather than going directly to a mortgage company. But before you send your details to just anyone, make sure that the broker you’re using is an accredited home mortgage broker.
Before you shop, you need to decide if you are looking for the lowest mortgage loan rates for a fixed home mortgage loan or the lowest mortgage rates for a variable interest home mortgage loan. There are pro’s and con’s to both types of loans.
A fixed rate mortgage loan is a loan where the interest rate is fixed – therefore payments on the loan are fixed for a period of time or for the entire loan period. This mortgage loan is good for when interest rates are expected to climb, since if the rate climbs, you are protected from higher repayments. The downside is that if rates fall below you rate, you payments do not decrease. This type of loan does however make it a lot easier to budget and can be a godsend when the rates suddenly fly up.
A variable rate mortgage loan is a loan where the interest and therefore the payment fluctuate along with the mortgage loan interest rate. This home mortgage loan is good where you are taking out a mortgage loan and the current mortgage rate is very high. If the rate falls, then your payments will fall accordingly. The downside is that if the rate climbs then your repayments will climb as well, and you may be out of pocket if you did not budget correctly.
But whether you’re looking for a fixed rate mortgage loan or variable rate home mortgage loan, be sure to shop around for the lowest home mortgage rates. The lowest mortgage rates could save you thousands in the long run.
To find the lowest mortgage loan rates search for a broker in your area.
dlachel392005 asked:
I am on a adjustable rate mortgage and would like to go to a fixed mortgage with lower rate? I don’t know who to go to for the refinancing, My Bank or credit union?
Florida Mortgage asked:
How to Get an FHA Mortgage loan
Applying for an FHA home loan can be a confusing and complicating process. That is why we at http://www.FHAmortgageFHALoan.com have put together a display of mortgage tools and information here for you; so you can learn about the FHA mortgage process and what steps you need to take when getting an FHA Mortgage.
You can also get pre-approved for an FHA Mortgage before you shop for a Florida home! Getting pre-approved for a loan before looking at homes can help speed up the Florida home buying process and can help you avoid problems when making an offer. When faced with multiple offers on a Florida home, many sellers will go with a Florida home buyer that is pre-approved in order to avoid having the offer fall through due to contingencies and offers from Florida homebuyers who are not approved for enough money. Getting pre-approved for a Florida FHA mortgage can save you the hassle and frustration of losing the Florida home of your dreams!
How to get an FHA Loan home loan in Florida
By deciding to purchasing a Florida home with an FHA home loan mortgage is going to be the most affordable option for you and your family, the next step in the process is going to be applying for an FHA loan. What’s involved in getting an FHA home loan mortgage?
The first step, because the FHA does not actually make the FHA loans is to contact FHA mortgage lenders in your area to find out whether or not they originate FHA home loans. In addition to asking the FHA lenders whether or not they offer the FHA loans, it’s going to be important to focus on comparison shopping: when you find FHA mortgage lenders who do offer an FHA home loan, it’s important to ask them for the best FHA mortgage rates and terms associated with the loans as each FHA lending organization is able to set its own rates and terms for these FHA mortgage loans.
Once you have found the right FHA mortgage lender – an FHA mortgage lender who originates FHA home loans and offers the best rates FHA mortgage rates and terms for those loans, you’ll find that there are some details that the FHA mortgage lender will want from you. You’re going to be asked about you income, your expenses, your credit and payments history and other factors that affect your credit-worthiness and the amount of risk that a Florida FHA mortgage lender would take on by approving your FHA mortgage.
For the most part, what you will find when you apply for an FHA home loan, the process is fairly similar to that of applying for a more general FHA mortgage. You’re still going to want to make an effort to look at all of the costs associated with the FHA home loan, the benefits of working with one FHA lender rather than another.
The way in which an FHA mortgage loans work for a Florida mortgage applicant is simple: rather than you insuring your FHA mortgage and guaranteeing the FHA loan in one way or another, the government makes the guarantee to the FHA lender for you (in other words, you aren’t going to receive a loan from FHA, the FHA loan will still come from the FHA mortgage lender. You’ll be able to make a low down payment on a home that you purchase with an FHA home loan mortgage – whether you are buying a single family property, multi-unit housing or even a condominium.
There are, of course, other benefits that you will find when you get an FHA home mortgage. For example, if you are looking to purchase a Florida that needs repairs or renovations, you will find that you are able to include those costs in the amount that you borrow; the same holds true if you will be making upgrades to the home that you buy in order to make it more energy efficient.
When you are ready to buy a Florida home of your own, taking advantage of an FHA home loan may be in your best interest. By finding the right lender and exploring your options, you will be able to learn more about the process of getting the loan and the requirements you’ll need to meet.
Minimal Down Payment and Closing Costs.
Down payment less than 3.5% of Sales Price 100% Financing options available No reserves or required. FHA regulated closing costs. Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards buyers costs.
Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines such as:
No minimum FICO score or credit score requirements. FHA will allow a home purchase 2 years after a Bankruptcy. FHA will allow a home purchase 3 years after a Foreclosure.
Easier Debt Ratio & Job Requirement Guidelines such as:
Higher Debt Ratio’s than other home loan programs. Less than two years on the job is allowed. Self-Employed individuals o.k.
Apply today at www.FHAmortgagePrograms.com
www.FHAmortgageFHAloan.com
FHA Mortgages & Loans
What is an FHA mortgage? An FHA mortgage is a federal assistance mortgage loan in the United States insured by the (FHA)Federal Housing Administration. The FHA loan may be issued by federally qualified lenders.
FHA Loans for buying a new Florida home:
Buying a Florida home can be a source of anxiety, frustration — and a huge sense of accomplishment for a new Florida homebuyer. For most Florida mortgage applicants that want to have a low down payment, an FHA mortgage is the best solution. Did you know any Florida homebuyer can qualify for down payment assistance with an FHA mortgage? Trust our professionals to find the FHA mortgage loan that best fits your needs. “Less paperwork and more personal attention” means you enter a Stress free zone from the FHA mortgage application to decision. Getting the right Florida mortgage loan is like getting the keys to your new Florida house! We can help you get there.
Florida FHA loans for refinancing your current Florida mortgage:
Most Florida banks will tell you it is a tough time to refinance your Florida mortgage. Refinancing has never been easier for the Florida homeowner. If you thought refinancing meant getting buried under mountains of paperwork, think again! The FHA Mortgage makes it easy and worry-free to reduce your interest rate and monthly payment. FHA mortgage loans have simple guidelines that allow you to refinance your Florida home up to 97% of your Florida home value. Did you know that there are no prepayment penalties on FHA loans? We can even help you pay down your balance more quickly for comparable Florida mortgage payment. Let our FHA mortgage professional guide you to the very best refinanced loan! FHA loans for tapping into your home equity:
FHA loans for Florida homeowners make it easier than ever to pull your equity out of your Florida house. FHA loans may be used to pay credit cards or for any other type of debt consolidation. They may also be used for Florida home improvements such as repairing a roof, foundation, or adding fencing. You can use the cash from your FHA home loan refinance for whatever you choose. You’ve been paying down your balance, and Florida home values have gone up! Tap into that wealth and reward yourself. We’ll help with the best program to fit your goals.
Our FHA mortgage professionals at FHA Mortgage FHA loan.com give you the personal attention you deserve and treat you with the respect due a valued customer. We understand you’re making a commitment in buying a new FHA home, refinancing and FHA mortgage or cashing out your home equity. So we make a commitment to you. We will help you qualify, apply and be approved for the right FHA mortgage loan for you.
Filed Under (Interest Loan) by admin on 25-12-2009
Sarah Johns asked:
Mortgage brokers are the professionals who can help you when you are looking for buying/selling a house. But it is very important to choose the right mortgage broker. Some of the tips for choosing the best mortgage broker are as follows.
Get suggestions from your friends, colleagues, neighbors and relatives who have recently purchased property. Get the details of the mortgage broker who have made successful deals with your any of your friends, colleagues, neighbors or relatives.
You can make your own research through the Internet and telephone. There are a wide number of relevant websites which can give you helpful information to choose the right mortgage broker. Some relevant websites can give you tips on what to expect from a mortgage broker.
Call few different mortgage brokers and see how they respond to your enquiry. Also see how quickly and professionally they respond to your enquiry. Prepare certain important questions that you have to ask for interviewing the mortgage brokers. You can choose a best mortgage broker based on the performance of the mortgage brokers in your interview. Choose a mortgage broker only if you feel confident about that person.
When you choose a mortgage broker, make sure that the mortgage broker has an office. See to that the mortgage broker is experienced, highly professional and has enough knowledge. A best mortgage broker must know all the necessary market information and must provide you with relevant options regarding the various loan products available. They should have the capability to suggest the loans suitable to your situation. They should help you in selecting the loan with best features.
Before choosing a mortgage broker, confirm the experience of the mortgage broker. Check for how long has the mortgage broker has been working. Confirm whether the mortgage broker can provide you the best service. The mortgage broker you choose must be in a position to assist and guide you throughout the mortgage processing. He must be a well experienced and professional mortgage broker so that he can easily clarify your doubts regarding the mortgage process.
Ask whether the mortgage broker you choose can help you to identify your needs regarding house purchase and mortgage, can explain you all the offers, deals and documents associated with the mortgage process, can assist with negotiations while you finalize your loan, can help you in preparation of necessary documentation.
Do not arrange an appointment with any mortgage broker until you are confident of that person. Once you are confident of a mortgage broker, make an appointment with him and interview him with all essential questions and confirm all the necessary things. Check whether the mortgage broker is licensed. At least your mortgage broker must be a reputed broker. Make sure that you are aware of the fees associated with the mortgage broker. Once you choose the best mortgage broker, they will offer you proper advice and guidance, and will help you to get best deal and service.
The above tips are just a few points that you can consider while choosing the best mortgage broker. However, you should bear in mind that a mortgage broker who has proved to be the best for your friend, colleague, neighbor or relative need not be the best for you also. So look out for your own mortgage broker who can give you the best deal.
Jron asked:
What situation would an owner use a second mortgage. How does the bank and the owner benefit from it?
web.archive.org 209.85.129.104 Appraisers Petition 2002 Concerned Real Estate Appraisers from across America Submit the attached petition (Which was posted on appraisersforum.com): To: Mr. Ben Henson – Executive Director Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council email: benh1@asc.gov cc: Other state or federal agencies with authority in the following matter “The ASC’s mission is to ensure that real estate appraisers, who perform …
