Mortgage Basics
Articles - Mortgage
Homes, real-estate, property, and land are typically bought using a mortgage. There are a variety of different options available including variable (adjustable) rate and fixed rate.
by ThomasGoldman


Homes, real-estate, property, and land are typically bought using a mortgage. There are a variety of different options available including variable (adjustable) rate and fixed rate.

Mortgage is a term for an agreement where cash is made available by a lender on the basis that they have the right to sell a piece of real estate if the borrower fails to make agreed repayments.

The current mortgage interest rates vary even from day to day, so agreements such as 30 year fixed mortgage rates define a fixed rather than variable interest rate repayable on the financing. Mortgage rate comparisons should take into account differences in the other details of the agreement, such as penalties for late payment or other clauses, as the interest rate is not the only factor of importance.

The lowest mortgage interest rates might be found at times of economic hardship because the "base rate" will usually be less around such times.

Cheap mortgages are often wanted. They can be found by using alternatives to the best advertised offers. Lots of data on this issue can be found on the internet. The "top mortgage lenders" might be the best advertised, rather than those who actually offer the best terms.

A first home mortgage is sometimes subject to different rules than subsequent ones, such as sometimes being on a "non-recourse" basis, which means that if the borrower defaults and the property is not sufficient to repay the loan, the outstanding balance is not recoverable by the lender, but might be recoverable on real estate which is not a first home.

A jumbo mortgage is where the borrowing is more than the standard amount. The other details are often different too.

Sub prime mortgage lenders lend money to those who typically have too low a credit score to be able to qualify for standard ("prime") loans. One way of getting better terms is to borrow from a Wholesale mortgage lenders, who can usually offer better interest and other details, than the retail sector of the market.

Refinancing is the practice of obtaining a new loan which pays off the original loan, and is on different terms. Refinancing mortgage rates are sometimes different to rates for first loans, and various penalties might be applicable as the original loan is paid off so it is wise to carefully consider all details when looking at home refinance rates. A refinance mortgage calculator is one tool which can help but doesn't necessarily include all the details which might be significant.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.