FINANCIAL FREEDOM

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Choosing a Fixed or ARM Option

Written by Dian Herdiana on 7:30 AM

One of the most important decisions a homeowner will posses to spawn when deciding to re - finance their home is whether they want to refinance with a fixed mortgage, an adjustable standard mortgage ( ARM ) or a hybrid loan which combines the two options. The names are pleasant much self explanatory but somewhere a fixed scale mortgage is a mortgage stage the interest rate remains constant and an ARM is a mortgage station the interest scale varies. The amount the interest rate varies is usually compelled to an index akin as the prime inventory. Additionally there are usually clauses which dissuade the interest rate from rising or dropping dramatically during a specific period of time. This safety clause provides protection for both the homeowner also the lender.

Advantages of a Fixed Option

A fixed re - financing option is prototype for homeowners with good credit who are able to lock in a favorable interest rate. For these homeowners the interest rate they are potent to take in makes it worthwhile thanks to the homeowner to re - finance at the new interest rate. The ultra advantage to this type of re - financing options is stability. Homeowners who re - finance with a fixed mortgage rate do not have to be concerned about how their payments may vary during the beat of the loan period.

Disadvantages of a Fixed Option

Although the bent to lock prerogative a useful interest rate is an proceeds it can and be considered a disadvantage. This is over homeowners who re - finance to obtain a favorable interest rate will not factor able to yield progress of subsequent interest rate drops unless they re - finance further in the subsequent. This leave result in the homeowner incurring additional closing costs when they re - finance again.

Advantages of an ARM Option

An ARM re - finance option is salubrious in situations where the interest rate is expected to drop force the near future. Homeowners who are skilled at predicting trends mark the economy and interest rates may consider re - financing with an ARM if they expect the rates to drop during the hike of the loan period. However, interest rates are hampered to a number of offbeat factors and may show up unexpectedly at any time despite the predictions by industry experts.

A homeowner who trust predict the ultimate would be valid to determine whether or not an ARM is the best re - financing option. However, seeing this is not possible homeowners have to either rely on their instincts besides hope for the best or select a less risky option such as a fixed interest rate.

Disadvantages of an ARM Option

The most obvious disadvantage to an ARM re - financing option is that the interest rate may rise significantly also unexpectedly. Prestige these situations the homeowner may suddenly find themselves paying significantly more each month to compensate now the added interest rates. While this is a disadvantage, crack are some elements of protection for both the homeowner and the lender. This often comes in the outline of a clause direction the terms of the contract which prevents the interest rate from being raised or lowered by a designful percentage over a specific period of time.

Consider a Hybrid Re - Financing Option

Homeowners who are undecided and find certain aspects of fixed rate mortgages whereas fit as clear aspects of ARMs to embody appealing might envisage a hybrid re - financing option. A hybrid loans is unrivaled which combines both fixed interest rates again adjustable interest rates. This is often done by tribute a fixed interest rate for an introductory interval and then converting the mortgage to an ARM. Drag this option, lenders typically offer introductory interest rates which are extremely pleasing to encourage homeowners to choose this option. A hybrid loan may also work grease the opposite way by offering an ARM due to a certain amount of time and then converting the mortgage to a fixed rate mortgage. This version can sell for entirely risky as the homeowner may find the interest rates at the conclusion of the introductory period are not favorable to the homeowner.

Refinance Car Loan

Written by Dian Herdiana on 2:21 PM

The following article covers a topic that has recently moved to center stage--at least it seems that way. If you've been thinking you need to know more about it, here's your opportunity.

See how much you can learn about refinance, car loan when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don't miss out on the rest of this great information.

When comparing car loans of different lenders, it can be difficult shopping. However, you will find out that refinance car loans are getting more and more competitive nowadays so spending a little time can save you money. A slight change in the interest rate offered by a refinance car loan can make a big difference. Looking for the best interest rate won’t be frustrating after comparing various car loans.

Always keep in mind that refinance car loan packages consist of more than interest rates. When comparing rates of different lenders, make sure you compare also the associated points. When comparing lenders, compare also the loan related fees since the other fees are usually independent of the lender.

Furthermore, when comparing refinance car loans of different lenders, you need to investigate and compare all loan features thoroughly. Pay special attention to the presence of prepayment penalties and the availability and terms of conversion options.

Finally, for each refinance car loan you are comparing, find out the lock-in period, during which the interest rate and points quoted to you will be guaranteed. There are lock-in periods that range from 30, 45 to 60 days. Some lenders offer a lock-in for only a short period of time, say 15 days. When the lock-in period is longer, the price of the refinance car loan is higher. The lock-in period should be long enough to allow for settlement before the lock-in period expires.

You can take advantage of lower rates by refinancing your car loan. Refinancing a car loan could put some extra cash in your pocket as well. If you financed a car within the last 18 months, you may be able to beat your former rate through a refinance car loan. Back then, you could have been so caught up in the excitement of buying a new car that you forgot to focus on the financing deal and instead, focused on its color and leather seats.


Think of it this way, if you apply for a refinance car loan, you've got nothing to lose but only savings to gain. Here are some easy tips to help you decide to get a refinance car loan or not:

First, ask yourself, what are you trying to accomplish by refinancing your debt? Are you looking for means to pay as little interest as possible? Would you rather have a different type of financing?

Second, think of your credit situation as a real scenario. Will your credit qualifications allow you to get the best refinancing deal? Try to get a copy of your credit report before applying for a refinance car loan.

Third, have a second look at the loan you're already signed. Try to determine how the rate on your current loan is calculated. With a simple-interest loan, interest is charged daily based on the balance due. If there is no prepayment penalty on your current car loan and you plan to keep the car for several years, then it makes sense to go after a lower interest rate.

Fourth, compare your current loan terms with the refinance car loan terms to determine whether or not you will have any real savings.

It's important that you decide ahead of time what you will do with any newfound monthly savings you would have from a refinance car loan. If you continue to send in the same amount as your original loan payment, you'll double or perhaps triple the benefits of a refinance car loan because you are reducing the principle much more quickly. If you send only the required amount, you'll be paying less monthly but you won't be speeding up your debt reduction by paying off the principal sooner.

Now that wasn't hard at all, was it? And you've earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert's word on refinance, car loan.

Car Loan Refinancing

Written by Dian Herdiana on 12:16 AM

The following article presents the very latest information on refinancing. If you have a particular interest in refinancing, then this informative article is required reading.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about refinancing. But don't be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.

When you bought your own car, you might not have found the best financing deal. You could have taken out your car financing through a car dealer at an interest rate that is possibly higher than other financers. This could be one of the reasons why you are currently paying way too much your current car loan. If your credit has not been in tip-top shape, you could be paying a higher interest rate as penalty. If so, then it’s high time you looked into refinancing.

Car loan refinancing is fast and easy. Once your car loan refinancing application has been approved, your current loan will be paid off by the new car finance company. You will be making payments at a lower interest rate than you have been previously paying. You’ll be surprised at how much you will be saving on car loan refinancing. Your savings could amount to hundreds, even thousands of dollars over the course of the loan, depending on how much your new interest rate is charged on your car loan refinancing deals.

Car loan refinancing may be a very promising way of saving you money but most people have not thought of refinancing their cars. You can say that car loan refinancing works in the same way as home refinance. In car loan refinancing, you pay off your current car loan with a refinancing car loan. This time the loan comes from a different lender with a lower annual percentage rate, making your monthly car loan payments much less with interest rates that have dropped, while allowing you to pay off the balance of your car loan in a shorter span of time. Car loan refinancing has become a very popular trend because of the dropping interest rates. Use the money you save through your car loan refinancing to pay off credit card debt or accelerate your car loan payoff.

This is exactly the reason why people with bad credit who are paying a high APR need to apply for a car loan refinancing with low APR. Most bad credit borrowers can indeed refinance to a lower APR but many don't think to try because they were "programmed" or duped by the dealer into thinking they are stuck at the higher APR they have imposed.
It's very important to have a car loan refinancing early, because with car loans, the interest is mostly paid in the earlier payments. The earlier your car loan refinancing is approved, the more money you save. If you wait until the 4th year to refinance your car loan, your savings will be a lot less.

How much is the ideal APR for a car loan refinancing? If you didn’t get 0% to 3% APR car loan from a dealer or bank, you should consider a car loan refinancing. Even if you got a decent APR auto loan, consider having a car loan refinancing. Most online car loan refinancing sites have a car loan calculator. You’ll be surprised at how much money you can save just by lowering your interest rate. Refinance your car loan today!

Is there really any information about refinancing that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

Great Reasons For Home Loan Refinancing

Written by Dian Herdiana on 7:05 AM

Why would you want to refinance your home? The best explanation I can give you is to lower your interest rates. In this article I plan on showing you some other great reasons for home refinancing.

A refinance home loan is a new loan that is taken to pay off an existing loan. You can also apply for a lower interest rate or to take cash out of your homes equity. Right now interest rates are lower than ever because of fast paced and changing economy. So now would be the best time to try refinancing. Even a quarter of a percent on your interest rate over a year can make a huge difference in the amount of money you save.

The biggest questions home owners ask is why should I refinance my home?

1. Lower Interest Rate

In today’s day and age home owners are always looking for new moneys to invest. Buy refinancing your mortgage at a lower interest rate you can save thousands of dollars a year that can be used to reinvest in other places.

2. Cash Out

Some home owners like to refinance their homes so they can take the equity out and use it for other projects whether it is a vacation, home repairs or retirement investments.

3. Home Improvements

In almost every case a personal loan will be more expensive to take. That’s why so many people refinance their homes in order to keep the maintenance up in their home. Without this things can be very difficult. Home repairs can be very expensive and it can be stressful trying to find the money for the repairs that’s why this is a win win situation.

4. Just Want A Change

Many people are not happy with their existing loan program. There could be a number of reasons why you’re not happy with your existing situation so maybe a refinance would be all it takes to make you more satisfied.

There are several benefits to refinancing your home including better credit standings so that you can refinance and obtain a better loan. Or you can get a line of credit backed by your home loan. This allows you to have cash available to you anytime you need it. Or your lender can consolidate all your bills to make your monthly payments come way down.

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Refinancing - Best way to measure costs and gains

Written by Dian Herdiana on 5:37 AM

Refinancing is a term in the finance industry that refers to the process of paying off a current or present loan with a second loan. If the situation is right, refinancing can be very beneficial for those who engage in it. So how do you know when the situation is right for refinancing?

First thing's first, refinance only works if the interest rates are low. If they aren't, then refinancing is out of the question. The goal is to save you lots of money which you would have used to pay off your monthly recurring bills on your current loan. With refinancing, there is the possibility that this monthly repayment amount will be reduced since the rates would be considerably lower.

However, interest rates are very fickle. They vary in accordance with the changing economy. So it can therefore be assumed that interest rates are never low for long periods and neither are they high for long durations of time. Because of this inherent flexibility of interest rates, refinancing may not always be beneficial to people. For home owners with second mortgages, mortgage refinancing may backfire. The same goes for those people with a lot of debt or those having trouble paying their bills on time. By refinancing, they may end up paying more than when they stick to the loan they already have.

What is the best way to measure costs and gains from refinancing?

Now, that you have learned when the best time for refinancing is, which is when interest rates are low, the next question that you would need to find the answer to is: What is the best way to measure costs and gains from refinancing?

As stated earlier, there are advantages and disadvantages to refinancing. The trick is to have foreknowledge of what you're in for. For some, the best method to find out what the gains are in refinancing is by comparison.

Compare all costs of your current loan and a new mortgage over a future period. Since the loan period may vary according to how steadfast you are in paying your bills, just make the best guess as to how long you will have the new mortgage. If the total costs are lower with the new mortgage, then you should refinance.

How to Avoid Mistakes in Refinancing

To be sure, the benefits of refinancing are astounding, provided that the situation is ripe for a mortgage refinance However, because of these perceived great benefits of refinancing, many people have the misconception that refinancing won't cost them money. Just for the record: Refinance is just like any other loan and of course, it will cost you money. What makes it stand out is the fact that it can cost you less compared to most other loans.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Tony Forster has a keen interest in living debt free having been "up to his ears" before I realized the need to take control. I am compiling a useful online resource at http://www.loan4payday.info enabling anyone to find the perfect money managment for them.

30 Year Fixed Rate Cash Flow Option Refinance

Written by Dian Herdiana on 2:19 AM

The Pay Option ARM mortgage has become one of the most popular home loans in the USA, and is definitely the fastest growing option in high cost states like California, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. While many people love the start rates which can be as low as 0.25%, there are a lot of people who don't feel comfortable with the possibility of their payments increasing in as little as 1 month on many of the most common programs. The common wisdom is that Option ARMs are incredible products for savvy homeowners and investors, but may be too powerful for the average homeowner to handle. With all of the turbulence in interest rates and the mortgage sector in general this year, Adjustable rate mortgages may be too risky an option for most borrowers, and many are looking for ways to lower their payments and at the same time fix their rate to weather the storm. Since Fixed Rates usually mean higher payments, many homeowners are left wondering what the best thing is to do.

Introducing Hybrid ARMs

An innovative new category of loans has been recently introduced for homeowners who want the security of a Fixed Rate mortgage, with the flexibility and exceptionally low payments of an Option Arm. These home loans go by many names, including Hybrid Option & Fixed Option Arms, but they have one thing in common: A fixed payment for several years. Some of these mortgages have fixed interest rates, some of them have fixed minimum payments which don't go up, and some of them have both!

So what are the key benefits of Hybrid ARMs?

  • Fixed Minimum Payments for 1, 3, 5 or 7 years
  • Fixed Interest Rates for the Full Term on Many Programs
  • Minimum Payment is typically 55% lower than a Regular Loan
  • Increased Cash Flow, Decreased Risk Makes Housing Affordable & Secure
  • Interest Only Payment Option Continues Even After Recast
  • Greatly Reduces the Sticker Shock of a Fixed Mortgage
  • Greatly Reduces the Payment Shock of an Adjustable Mortgage
  • Controls Negative Amortization
  • Retains Flexibility of an Option ARM
Like an Option ARM, Your Payment Coupon Has 4 Options on it
  1. Minimum Payment
  2. Interest Only Payment
  3. 15 Year Fixed Amortized Payment
  4. 30 or 40 Year Amortized Payment
The 30 Year Fixed Cash Flow Loan
Improving on Hybrid Option loans may seem difficult, after all they appear to be the best of both worlds. But there are still those of us who want the security of a fixed rate for 30 years. For those among us (and I include myself in this group) who want to have their cake and eat it to, a powerful tool has been made available to us which takes the solidity of a 30 year fixed mortgage and adds the best feature of the Option ARM mortgage, Interest Only option and the Option to Defer Interest and make a minimum payment. This type of loan is not offered by most mortgage companies, probably because it is not as profitable as the more popular adjustable rate mortgages, but I for one cannot find a better or more innovative product on the market today. You'll understand why I was surprised to learn this type of mortgage has been around for a very long time, however it was only available to a select group of high net worth individuals. Now I know what I've been missing. Here are some highlights of these 30 Year Fixed Rate "Cash Flow" mortgages:
  • Fixed Rate for 30 Years
  • Interest Only Payment Options for up to 20 Years
  • Ability to Defer Interest like the Pros
  • Usually Stated or No Income Verification Requirements
Please stay tuned for more articles about this innovative class of mortgages. We can only hope that the few mortgage companies who offer them can continue to do so with all of the recent happenings in the mortgage industry.

Tristan Hunt is a seasoned financial professional with a wealth of experience in the mortgage business, advising clients on their biggest single investment at Refinance One, one of the nation's leading specialty mortgage companies.

Phone: (800)515-8443
Email: Customers@RefinanceOne.net

Favorite Topics Include: Adjustable Rate Refinance,Fixed Rate Refinance & Fixed Rate Cash Flow Mortgages

Homeowner Loans - The Types And Differences

Written by Dian Herdiana on 1:45 AM

Homeowner loans or mortgages come in two basic types. There are fixed rate homeowner loans and adjustable rate homeowner loans. These terms refer to the interest rate applied to the loan.

Both types of loans have pros and cons. Before a person decides on which type of homeowner loan to get they should understand each type so they can make the best decision for them.

Fixed rate loans have a locked in interest rate. When the loan is made, the current interest rate is used for the life of the loan. The biggest advantage to this type of loan is that the monthly payment amount will not change.

However, if the rate locked in at is rather high then in the long run the homeowner will pay a lot for the loan. Fortunately, there is the option of refinancing when interest rates fall. This does involve more paperwork and can include additionally costs. Some people may not prefer this option due to these factors.

Adjustable rate loans have an interest rate that changes as the interest rates change. With this type of loan the monthly payment will change. The homeowner will not ever know exactly how much they need to pay until the due date.

The good point about this type of loan is that they allow the homeowner to take advantage when rates drop right away. However, if rates suddenly rise the homeowner is stuck with them.

Some people prefer to start with an adjustable rate if the market has been steadily falling. Once they reach a comfortable rate they then switch to a fixed rate loan so they can lock in at the lowest rate possible. Some people go with a fixed rate loan and simply refinance whenever the rates fall drastically.

The choice between a fixed rate and adjustable rate homeowners loan is something that should be made carefully. Lenders have created homeowner loans that combine aspects of both types of loans to try to entice buyers. Mixes loans may start out as fixed and turn to adjustable or start out adjustable and turn to fixed.

They may offer a fixed rate at a discount for a few months and then lock in at the current rate after that initial time period. These types of mixed loans are really a sales tactic, but they can prove to be very helpful for a person who is unsure which type of homeowner loan to go for.

Homeowner loans can be very confusing, especially when it comes to interest rates. The whole idea is to choose the loan that will cost the least. However, with interest rates changing all the time it is often hard to figure out just what the best rate is.

One of your options is to find a good mortgage broker, ask your friends and family if they can recommend one to you. Using a mortgage broker will make your life a lot easier, saving you both time and money.

They will be able to look at your requirements and circumstances and go away and find a homeowner loan that best fits your criteria. They will charge you a fee, but in long run you will save money.

About the Author

James Copper writes on all areas of finance and investment. He works for Any Loans who help borrowers find the homeowner loans available to them.


Source: ArticleTrader.com

Mortgages For Old Timers

Written by Dian Herdiana on 4:37 AM

London, London


With the whole pension fiasco many people are struggling when in their golden years. Releasing the equity from your home can be a good way to supplement your income in retirement. Make sure you use these ten points to avoid the pitfalls.

#1 Make Sure That Equity Release Is Right For You
If you are coming near to retirement or are retired and you are a homeowner you could be eligible for a cash lump sum in the form of an equity release plan. The amount you eligible for will depend on your age, property and the type of scheme.

Regardless of the equity release plan you choose, it will still affect the amount you are able to leave as inheritance. So you should make sure that you talk things through carefully with your family first.

#2 Get Financial Advice
It is always a good idea to talk to an independent financial advisor who will be able to access your current situation and what you want to achieve and find the most suitable solution.

Make sure you ask your financial advisor about the different equity release options available, the associated costs and whether any repayment charges are payable if you decide to end your plan early.

#3 Make Sure Your Provider Is A Member Of SHIP
Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP) is the organisation dedicated to the protection of equity release plan holders and the promotion of safe home income and equity release plans. All participating companies have pledged to observe the SHIP code of practice, which guarantees the safety of all their plans.

#4 Check Out A Lifetime Mortgage
Lifetime mortgages used to be called cash release plans or roll up mortgages. The amount you borrow is secured as a mortgage against your home and you do not have to pay anything back until you die, need to go into care or the loan is repaid from the sale of your home.

Interest builds up from the start of the loan until it is repaid. A no negative equity guarantee ensures the lender will always accept the value of your home as full repayment for the loan and your estate will not have anything to pay on top. This is something to talk to your financial advisor about.

#5 Consider A Home Income Scheme
A home income scheme is another type of product where the money from a lifetime mortgage is used to buy an insurance policy that provides a guaranteed income for the rest of your life.

#6 Look At A Reversion Scheme
This is where you sell all or part of the value of your home to a reversion company in return for either a cash lump sum or an income. The amount you receive will be less than the value of the proportion you have sold. You can live in your home for the rrest of your life, but you will not be the sole owner and in some cases may have to pay rent. When you die the property is sold and reversion company keeps its share of proceeds.

#7 Check Whether The Product You Have Chosen Is Regulated
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) currently regulate lifetime mortgages. If you see a product advertised as a lifetime mortgage, find out exactly what type of product it is. Regulation means advisors and lenders have to adhere to the FSAs strict code of conduct or face heavy penalties.

#8 Think About How House Prices Will Affect You
All SHIP members have a no negative equity guarantee on their lifetime mortgages. This means that if the price of your house falls you, or your estate, will not have to pay any extra to compensate.

With a lifetime mortgage, an increase in the value of your house can help to offset the interest on your loan. With a reversion scheme the company will take the agreed share of your property regardless of what happens to property prices.

#9 Check You Entitlement To Welfare Benefits
A large cash sum could affect your entitlement to state benefits. This will depend entirely upon your financial circumstances and it is an issue you should bring up with your financial advisor.

#10 Check How A Plan Will Affect Your Tax Liability
A large lump sum might also affect both your current and future tax situation, but not necessarily for the worse. If your children are looking at a large potential tax bill then releasing some equity in the house now might elevate this. But it is important that you speak to a specialist tax advisor about your personal circumstances.

James Copper is a mortgage broker with over 30 years experience. He works for www.any-loans.co.uk as a secured loan advisor. In his spare time he writes on all things financial.

Unsecured Loan- No Guarantee Required

Written by Dian Herdiana on 5:49 AM

Whenever finances fall short, borrowing is the first thought that occurs to us. But, there remain many apprehensions in the mind regarding the loan deals. Most borrowers are lured by the idea of unsecured loans and fear taking secured loans that require an underlying asset or collateral.

In case of unsecured debts, the creditor lends money on the basis of the credit profile of the borrower and doesn't demand the home as security. For this reason, unsecured loans carry more risk for the lenders that they compensate by charging a high rate of interest and less flexibility in terms of repayment options.

Cited below are some of the characteristic features of unsecured loans.


  • The lender does not attach any value to the loan i.e. no security is demanded


  • A credit check of the borrower is carried to know his repayment history and paying capacity


  • The amount generally ranges in between £500 to £ 25,000


  • The repayment period can stretch from one to ten years


  • These loans generally carry high rate of interest because of the absence of security


  • If the borrower owns a house, he may get an unsecured loan at cheap rate


  • In case of default by the borrower, he can be sued by the creditor in the court of law


  • The processing of unsecured loans is faster than secured loans


  • Elimination of legal property evaluation and less documentation makes the disbursal fast

    As stats reveal, most borrowers in Brits are in debts, and the year 2006 saw an alarming hike in the number of personal insolvencies. This clearly indicates the growing market of bad credit personal loans. Since most of the borrowers already have many debts against their homes, unsecured loans are their only saviours. The high street banks have declared their stringent policies in terms of unsecured loans, and they seldom grant any ad credit loan. So, private and online lenders are the ones who come handy to the borrowers. Though the interest charged on these loans is considerably high, borrowers avail them to get rid of their multiple debts on credit cards and other personal loans.

    Save Money by Refinancing Your Car Loan

    Written by Dian Herdiana on 8:27 AM

    If we define the term refinance in lay man terms, refinancing is nothing but a loan taken on low rate of interest to pay off the previous high interest rate loan or it can be also defined as the replacing or extending the existing tenure of loan with a new tenure of loan. Like wise, if we apply this definition on the refinance car loan, it will be seem as a new car loan taken with low rate of interest to set off the previous car loan taken on high rate of interest.


    Refinance car loan is nothing but shifting from the high rate of interest to low rate of interest. Let’s explain the situation when the need of refinancing car loan emerges. Imagine the person availed a car loan and after two months he finds that there is downfall in the financial market which has further reduced the rates. But he finds himself paying higher rate of interest as compared to the rate prevailing in the current financial market. In such condition he opts for availing refinance car loan in order to pay low interest as other are paying.

    Getting refinancing through refinance car loan enable the person to save large sum of money and thus he can use his saved money in order to satisfy his other personal needs.

    Refinance car loan makes the repayments affordable and saves the person from falling in the sea of debts. As paying higher rate of interest increases the burden of debts, which further create difficulty in making repayments.

    Refinancing car loan can be taken from the same lender or another lender that is, as per the convenience. The features of the refinance car loan are illustrated below:

    •Comparatively lower rate of interest
    •Low monthly instalment
    •Improves credit score

    While availing refinance car loan the borrower must negotiate with the lender and must appeal them to reduce the cost of the loan. And, if the borrower has good credit rating then his good credit score enable him to avail loan on more competitive prices.

    The process for applying refinance car loan is simplified through online. Researching and comparing various offers on the internet is much simpler than comparing and researching in the physical market. Today internet shows each aspect of the refinance car loan. Thus, it is absolutely right to say that it saves time, effort and money while applying loan through online.

    About The Author

    Xenia Stevens has been associated with AmericasCarLoans. She has completed her Masters in Finance from Cranfield School of Management. She provides useful information on Car loans. For further details in car loans, Refinance car loan, car loan financing, instant car loans, private car loans in US visit http://www.americascarloans.com

    Get A Home Loan Or Refinance Without Liquidating Your Investment Assets

    Written by Dian Herdiana on 5:58 AM

    When it comes to financing a home, borrowers often liquidate personal investments to come up with a down payment. The problem with this strategy is twofold. First, liquidating marketable securities can carry with it the penalty of paying capital gains taxes on any appreciation of those securities, and second, liquidated securities are no longer working for the investor/borrower. While liquidating assets from an investment portfolio is an option in coming up with a down payment on a residential real estate acquisition, it is often not necessarily wise, nor is it always necessary. Today, there are mortgage lenders who offer a mortgage financing product known as a pledged-asset loan, which may be ideal for you.

    Basically, a pledged-asset loan is a loan product in which a mortgage lender allows a homeowner to pledge eligible securities instead of making a cash down payment. In short, after qualifying for the loan, homeowners can finance up to 100 percent of the purchase price of their homes or even acquire a cash-out refinance up to 100 percent of the appraised value of their properties without liquidating their investment assets. There are four main reasons that many homeowners have found pledged-asset loans to be more attractive than making down payments. They include the following.

    1. Avoiding the capital gains tax that would come from selling marketable securities

    As anyone with an investment portfolio knows, paying a capital gains tax even at the long-term rate of 15 percent can be costly and painful. And, of course, the tax liability can be significantly greater in the case of short-term gains in an investment portfolio. For borrowers seeking to finance a home without paying Uncle Sam any more than is necessary, the pledged-asset loan can be a particularly wise financing choice.

    2. An investment portfolio that continues to appreciate and provide income

    There’s a popular tale that Einstein was once asked what the most powerful force in the universe was, and his reply, which probably came as no shock to financial planners, was compounding interest. Like Einstein, savvy investors know that there is an opportunity cost to liquidating assets too early. Funds withdrawn from a securities account are, by definition, no longer at play in the market. In a bull market, these opportunity costs can be huge. A pledged-asset loan is often the most sensible choice for borrowers who’d like to finance a home while keeping their investment accounts growing.

    3. No requirement for private mortgage insurance

    Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is required on mortgage loans where the loan-to-value (loan amount divided by the property’s value) exceeds 80 percent. PMI is expensive, but with a pledged-asset loan, it’s not needed. Borrowers can pledge securities to reduce their effective loan-to-value to a percentage below 80 percent and eliminate the need for PMI.

    4. Higher deductible interest payments at tax time

    It’s hard to believe, but mortgage interest is one of the last tax deductions available to the average American. Up to a point, the more interest a homeowner pays on his mortgage, the greater the annual interest deduction he can make come tax time. By using the pledged-asset loan product, homeowners maximize their interest costs and thereby get the greatest tax benefit. How pledged-asset loans work

    With a pledged-asset loan, homeowners can typically pledge their marketable stocks, bonds, mutual funds, money market accounts and/or certificates of deposit (CDs). However, retirement accounts are not eligible.

    Once the borrower and lender agree on the securities to be pledged, the borrower puts his assets into a margin account with a brokerage firm. Some lenders also allow homeowners to trade inside their pledged accounts as long as the borrower maintains the minimum balance required. The value of this account must be equal to the required down payment, plus a margin typically 130-150 percent of the base pledge amount to protect against changes in the market value of the pledged securities. However, the margin may be increased or decreased based on the type of assets a borrower pledges. For example, a lender may not require a margin at all if a borrower pledges cash or cash equivalents, like CDs.

    Typically, pledged assets must be securities issued by large, publicly traded companies, have a trading price of at least $5 per share and cannot be shares owned in a retirement account. Finally, the pledge account must be maintained at or above a certain level. If an account falls below the minimum, the lender will call upon the borrower to make up the difference.

    Pledged-asset loans by the numbers

    A pledged-asset loan can be an excellent mortgage product for the homeowner who expects that his investments and tax savings will be greater than the interest to be paid on the amount of the foregone down payment. Simply put, if a homeowner can borrow mortgage funds at 5.5 percent and keep his investment portfolio intact, earning more than 5.5 percent in that portfolio, then he will have benefited from a positive arbitrage situation.

    For borrowers considering a pledged-asset loan, there’s a simple formula to determine if it makes sense for them. Using annualized interest rates, borrowers should take the expected percentage return on their pledged assets that will remain invested (instead of being liquidated to pay for a down payment on a home) and subtract the interest that will be paid on the amount of the loan that represents the foregone down payment. If the result is positive, then the homeowner should explore a pledged-asset loan as a financing option. But pledged-asset loans shouldn’t be considered as a vehicle for just financing ones personal home. For many fans of pledged-asset loan products, these mortgages have been used as a means to help their adult children get into a home or even assisting their own elderly parents in buying a unit in a retirement community. By simply placing their marketable securities into a lender-approved margin account, many baby boomers and people caught in the so-called sandwich generation (adults with elderly parents and young children) can provide for their loved ones without liquidating their assets. Best of all, its not necessary for these borrowers to cosign the loan with the persons they are assisting; they only need to help provide the assets that replace the down payments. And remember that some lenders allow the owner of the pledged account to trade inside the account, as long as he maintains the minimum required balance in that account.

    Not surprisingly, pledged-asset loans are also popular among homeowners looking for innovative and financially savvy ways to finance a second home or investment property. While these borrowers may not enjoy some of the same tax benefits from a second home as they would from a primary residence, the pledged-asset loan often plays a significant role in acquiring additional investments without having to liquidate assets.

    In summary, the pledged-asset loan is a solid financial planning tool that can benefit several different types of sophisticated borrower. It can be a great tool for homebuyers and their financial planners who are seeking the most advantageous times to liquidate assets in order to reduce mortgage debt. It can also offer borrowers the opportunity to postpone liquidating assets until the time that such action fits their overall financial goals. However, pledged-asset loans should not be used for the purpose of over-leveraging the homebuyer. They are merely loan products that will allow homeowners to maximize the benefits of their investment portfolios and be able to more appropriately plan their overall financial strategies.

    Darren Meade is a National and Local Real Estate Expert. He can be reached for consultations at 949 499 1785. He is the CEO & President of Victory Mortgage Lenders.

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darren_Meade

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