Choosing an interest only mortgage option has its benefits. If rising home prices are making it difficult for you to qualify for a home loan, an interest only loan can help. Some homebuyers are unfamiliar with interest only home loans. However, they have become increasingly popular within the last six years. Before applying for such a loan, consider the following facts.

How Interest Only Mortgages Work?

With traditional mortgage financing, monthly mortgage payments are applied to both the interest and principle balance. On the other hand, if choosing an interest only option, borrowers are not obligated to make payments toward the principle. Thus, mortgage payments are lower. Because interest only payments are temporary, borrowers should anticipate higher payments within a few years. Of course, borrowers can avoid future payment shock by making occasional payments to reduce the principle. Also, limiting the interest only period to two or three years is another way to avoid the financial burden of higher mortgage payments.

Interest Only Mortgage Terms

There is a variety of interest only terms to choose between. Although it is recommended that borrowers choose short terms - perhaps two or three years, some opt for longer interest only periods. The average loan option involves a 5-year interest only period, followed by a 30-year fixed rate. Other popular options include a 7-year, even a 10-year interest only period.

Borrowers selecting a longer interest only period will pay much higher future payments than those choosing shorter terms. In an effort to avoid the long term consequences of evading payments toward the principle, some borrowers choose to sell their homes before the lender requires full repayment.

Danger of Interest Only Home Loans

If property values continue to rise, interest only home loans are not a threat. Unfortunately, some housing markets experience a sudden cool off, in which home values decline. Persons who chose an interest only mortgage may suffer.

Because the principle balance was never reduced, the borrower will owe the mortgage company the full amount at the conclusion of the interest only period. Plans to sell the home may be foiled if the mortgage balance exceeds current market value. Here is a list of recommended Interest Only Mortgage Lenders online. It’s important to use a reputable lender online to make sure your personal information is secure.

ABC Loan Guide is your loan information website for names of reputable lenders, including the best interest only Mortgage Company Online. Also, see their related links for more information about Buying a Home with No Money Down.

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In many cases it is difficult to obtain financing with little or no down payment. The lender will usually look for very high credit scores and a very thorough payment history. In some cases it may be easier than one would think. Twenty years ago it was always a rule of thumb that one needed to put down at least 20% in order to purchase a home. Last year over 40% of home purchases were made at 100% loan to value.

One reason that people avoid high loan-to-value loans is the fact that a lender will require mortgage insurance if the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80%. Loan to value is the ratio of the loan in comparison to the value of the home. For example:

Home Value = $100,000
Loan Amount = $80,000
Loan-to-Value ratio = 80%

In this example the loan to value ratio is 80% because the loan amount is 80% of the value of the home. Mortgage insurance is a policy that protects the lender in the case of default by the borrower.

One way around mortgage insurance is to take out what is called a piggy back loan. A piggy back loan is taking out a first mortgage for 80% of the value, in the case of the example $80,000 and a second mortgage for the remaining 20% which would equal $20,000. You are now in a situation where you have a 100% financing situation but are not open to mortgage insurance. Generally the interest rate on a second mortgage is higher than the interest rate on the first mortgage, but the difference is less expensive than what the mortgage insurance would cost.

Another way to finance a home with very little money down is to work the closing costs into the scenario. A lender will generally allow a seller to pay a certain amount of the closing costs. This allows for a higher loan to value ratio.

High-Loan-To-Value loans allow both home buyers and investors to keep cash on hand for home improvements or other investments and are a great way to purchase a home without large amounts of cash on hand.

Copyright 2006 Jason P Bertrand

Jason Bertrand is the President of JPB Financial Services, Inc., a Connecticut Corporation and member of the Better Business Bureau. He has over a decade of experience in the financial services industry and is a Notary Public in the State of Connecticut. Please visit the following sites: http://www.emortgageloanstore.com http://www.businessloansandleasing.com http://www.jpbfin.com Feel free to contact Mr. Bertrand with any questions or concerns through jbertrand@emortgageloanstore.com, or mail to: JPB Financial Services, Inc Attn: Jason P Bertrand PO Box 552 Vernon, CT 06066 860-982-5334

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Completely rebuilding a house is not necessary to make money in investment real estate. Most times, if you have bought smart, you won’t have to make a huge improvements on your investment property. Look for places that need only a small amount of work. For example, look for a property that appears to be run down from the outside, but does not need major repair. Here are a few tips for saving money and making quick improvements, in order to quickly sell your rehab property.

1. A house may need a coat of paint but have a nice roof. The paint might cost a few hundred dollars, while a new roof might cost $2,000 to 3,000. Plus, a fresh coat of paint makes almost any house look brand new.

2. Check the foundation very carefully. Foundation work is extremely expensive. I would stay away from any house with a questionable foundation.

3. Like exterior paint, landscaping goes very far in terms of curb appeal, one of the biggest factors in the sale of any kind of real estate. A house with uncut grass, weeds overrunning flowerbeds, and poorly trimmed bushes or trees is very difficult to sell. Conversely, a house with minor deficiencies in other areas may still have a buyer, who wants something that looks good from the outside.

4. Look for investment properties that have nice kitchens or kitchens that can become nice with little effort and money. If you can refinish some cabinets and lay some cheap flooring, this will help you sell, because women are instrumental in the final decision of most real estate purchases, and they love nice kitchens. It’s not sexist; it’s a proven real estate fact.

5. A finished basement or one that can be finished easily will also help you sell your new investment property. Basement carpet can be purchased and installed for very little money. Again, some paint on the walls can go a long way to making the basement homier. Add a drop ceiling - easy to install and very inexpensive, and you can have yourself a rec room for a few hundred dollars.

Although these are not the only things that will improve your property, they are a few of the cheapest and easiest. Plus, these are improvements that will increase your investment property’s value exponentially and make it easy to sell.

Mark Barnes is an investment real estate and real estate finance expert. Get his free mortgage finance course at http://www.winningthemortgagegame.com. Mark is also the author of the new novel, The League, a shocking, sports-related conspiracy. Learn more about his suspense thriller at http://www.sportsnovels.com.

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