How to Get a Mortgage (Traditional vs. Subprime)
Purchasing a home is likely one of the biggest decisions you'll make in the span of your lifetime.
With so many
mortgage options available, selecting the best one can be tedious and stressful. As a consumer,
it's easy to feel bombarded and even overwhelmed with information and terminology that could constitute
a language of its very own.
How to Get a Mortgage:
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Essentially, there are two categories of mortgages: traditional and subprime. A traditional mortgage,
sometimes referred to as a conventional mortgage, is defined as a fixed rate interest loan. In
most cases, a fixed rate interest loan is for 80% of the mortgage. You must supply the other 20%
for the down payment. Home buyers have the option to choose a term of 10, 15, 20 or 30 years.
You lock in a rate, and have set payments for the duration of the loan term. The payments on a
30 year loan will be the lowest and increase accordingly as the length of the term decreases.
For example, although the payment on a 10 year mortgage is higher than that of a 30 year loan,
the money you'll save on interest is significant. Financial experts agree- a traditional mortgage
loan is the best option for the consumer.
- Subprime mortgages are lent to individuals who would normally not qualify for a mortgage.
There are a variety of reasons for this, including: low income, bad credit, or both. To offset
the danger in lending to high-risk applicants, lenders will usually increase the interest rates.
In addition to higher interest rates, many of these loans are made as adjustable rate mortgages,
meaning that the rates will fluctuate. A few years ago, interest rates were dropping and consumers
took advantage. However, when the housing boom came to a screeching halt, home owners hadn't built
the equity they had hoped to. Unable to refinance their mortgages, millions of people defaulted on
their loans- arguably causing the great economic downturn and big bank bailout crisis of 2008.
- Given the current economic status, most experts would advise you to opt for a traditional
mortgage with the shortest term you can afford. Obviously, there are always exceptions, but
the best bet is to do the research. Gather all the information you can, survey each of your
choices and select the one that makes the most sense for you.