Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Mortgage Broker - Saving Money Through Variable Rate Mortgages and Refinancing Strategies



It is all too common for Canadians to miss out on mortgage-related savings, whether in larger centers such as Calgary and Edmonton or smaller centers across the nation.



In fairness, most of us are simply unaware of the options and strategies that represent money saving opportunities. But with the help of a good mortgage broker, it can be easy for any homeowner to benefit from options such as variable rate mortgages and mortgage refinancing.



Variable Rate Mortgages Overview



Variable rate mortgages generally offer the lowest available rates in Canada, and a good mortgage broker will have the know-how and connections to negotiate the best rate in the nation on your behalf.



Since the variable rate mortgage adjusts as the prime rate rises and falls, your payments will adjust each month as interest rates change.



While variable rate mortgages represent the inherent risk of your payments potentially increasing, the key is to remember that:





from the start, your payments will be among the lowest available, and,

your payments could also decrease if the prime rate drops.



And should you later wish to lock in your mortgage, you can do so without penalty to any fixed rate mortgage that is equal to or greater than the remaining term on your mortgage.



There are many variable rate products available, and an experienced mortgage broker can help you decide which product may be best suited to you.



When Do You Refinance Your Mortgage?



It is not uncommon to discover that refinancing your mortgage could save you thousands of dollars.



But how do you know if the conditions are right for such savings? If the annual interest rate on your Canadian mortgage is more than 0.5% higher than the current 5-year fixed rate offered by your local mortgage broker, then it's time to consider refinancing.



Some people choose not to refinance due to the penalty and lawyers fee associated with exiting their current mortgage. But while there are upfront costs associated with refinancing, in some cases these expenses can be offset in as little as 18 months through reduced monthly payments.



And in light of the long-term savings that accumulate over the entire life of your mortgage, refinancing can prove to be a financial decision you'll thank yourself for again and again.



Here's to you saving money.


Filling Out Your Home Mortgage Refinance Application Online



There are many advantages to filling our your home mortgage refinance application online. It can be more convenient, and many online forms do not allow you to proceed unless you have filled in all of the necessary fields. Additionally, you can get an answer back much quicker in some cases, and it is nice not to have to remember all of your paperwork. But there are some pitfalls, so be careful when taking care of your home mortgage refinance application online.



Advantages to an online home mortgage refinance application



There are plenty of advantages associated with filling our your home mortgage refinance application online.



Here are some of the things that you can expect when you use your home computer and Internet connection to apply for a mortgage refinance:



ท Takes less time



ท Reminds you to fill in all necessary spaces



ท Can't submit unless everything is properly filled in (and prompts will help you figure out what you need)



ท Don't have to try to keep track of all those pages



ท Can fill out the application on your own terms, and whenever you want (no appointments)



ท Often receive an answer more quickly than with traditional banks



ท Special Internet interest rates and fee reductions may be available, saving you money



ท Many online-only refinance lenders offer home mortgage refinance loans with no points



Avoiding online dangers



Just as the Internet brings us great convenience, it can also be a powerful tool for unscrupulous crooks.



Make sure that you protect yourself before you enter the personal information needed to fill out a home mortgage refinance application online.



ท Make sure you have an Internet security program that can protect you from viruses, adware and spyware (make sure it is properly installed and working)



ท Activate your computer's firewall to deter hackers



ท Make sure that you are on a secure site by checking the address bar for the "s" after the "http"



ท Completely log off and close out of your browser window when you finish



ท Clear your browser's cache and/or history when you are done (also get rid of any cookies that might be stored on your computer)



ท Check to make sure that you are on the site of a legitimate lender


Factors Affecting Mortgage Terms, Explained



If you are planning to apply for a mortgage loan, it is important that you know the factors to consider in choosing the right term for you. Through this, you will be able to make the right choices and will lead you to finding the right arrangement for you. It is essential to find the right mortgage term for you because this will make future payments much easier. This will also help you prevent future financial problems. In order to learn how to choose the right term, you have to understand the considerations you have to make.



These are listed below: The first important consideration is the amount you are going to borrow. This is influenced by several factors. Among them is your credit score, your current income as well as your savings. A mortgage broker can help you determine how much the lender can possibly loan you. It is important to know how much you can borrow because this affects your future obligation. You should also be concerned about the interest rates. It can be fixed rate or variable rate.



Fixed rate means that the amount you will be paying will stay the same until you pay off the loan. This is not the same for the variable rate though. This type of rate can change depending on the external factors like the economy and the state of the industry. Usually, this starts low and increases over the years. Maturity is also an important factor. This will greatly affect the amount you will pay each month. Thirty-year maturity is the standard period for the United States. However, there are several plans available for borrowers as offered by the lenders.



If the maturity is longer, the monthly payment is lesser. However, the accumulated amount paid may be higher when calculated. You should also consider the insurance of the mortgage. This is required for those borrowers who have low down payments and to those who have credit score issues. The insurance will be added to the monthly mortgage fee. There are also fees and charges. There are lenders who do not charge penalties. However, all lenders will have fees you need to pay.



Some of these are negotiable but some are not. Knowing the fees you can negotiate will help you lower the payments you have to make. You can negotiate operating charges and origination fees. However, charges for appraisal and some other charges are fixed for almost all lenders. Knowing what to consider when choosing for a mortgage term is very important. This will help you find the most suitable arrangement. However, before you decide on this, make sure that you can afford it.



It is essential that you check your monthly budget. Will you still be able to accommodate additional obligations? If you will not be able to afford it, then reconsider some more affordable options. In order to avoid foreclosure issues in the future, it is very important that you can afford your mortgage. You can do this by knowing what to consider for the right term for you.






The Right Mortgage Lead For The Right Loan Officer



If you are a mortgage agent or accommodation administrator on the bazaar for mortgage leads, you accept to aboriginal adjudge which mortgage advance is best for you.



For starters, you accept to aboriginal actuate what your account is. If it is not actual much, you may wish to accumulate an eye out for the mortgage advance companies that accept low minimum deposits forth with some chargeless extra's such as filters.



Here are a few altered mortgage advance blazon scenarios.



There is the absolute time mortgage advance which can be purchased fresh. Typically, these mortgage leads are hot off the columnist and should be no added than a few hours old if you acquirement them.



Also, these types of mortgage leads should be acquired by the mortgage advance aggregation through web sites they own and operate. Otherwise, you may wish to catechism the bloom of the lead.



There are aswell age-old mortgage leads and these types of leads can be purchased in aggregate at a abatement for as low as pennies per mortgage lead.



However, if affairs in bulk, you are arena a numbers game. You should not apprehend a bang douse on every mortgage lead.



For instance, if you buy one hundred leads at fifteen cents per lead, you should not apprehend to yield added than three applications from this, but your acknowledgment on investment will be great!



Basically, the blazon of mortgage advance you wish to buy is up to you as able-bodied as the access you wish to take. But remember, it is important to do your appointment and analysis the mortgage advance aggregation you are considering.



Doing your appointment cannot alone save you money but it can accomplish you money as well.