Although the internet is a great research tool, it is because of
the unique goals and needs of our clients that we believe it is
necessary to first conduct a personal interview and assessment before
advising the client of their loan alternatives. With over 200 lender
relationships, we can offer our clients a vast selection of loan
programs and share our knowledge of each available program to place
the client into the best loan program for their situation.
The following list is a brief, general compilation of the many
loan programs that we offer. Like interest rates, the offering of
available loan programs change with market conditions and to that
end, we strive to assess our options daily and share that knowledge
with you.
If you have any questions about a term mentioned below you may
reference our mortgage glossary.
|
LOAN
PROGRAMS |
ADVANTAGES |
DISADVANTAGES |
|
Fixed
rate products
30 Year Fixed (30 year)
20 Year Fixed (20 year)
25 Year Fixed (25 year)
15 Year Fixed (15 year)
10 Year Fixed (10 Year) |
-
Monthly payments are fixed
over the life of the loan
-
Interest rate does not
change
-
Protected if rates go up
-
Can refinance if rates
go down
|
-
Higher interest rate
-
Higher mortgage payments
-
Rate does not drop if interest
rates improve
|
|
Adjustable
Rate Mortgage (ARM) products
10 Year Fixed (30 year)
7 Year Fixed (30 year)
5 Year Fixed (30 year)
3 Year Fixed (30 year)
1 Year Fixed (30 year)
6 Month Fixed (30 year)
Monthly Adjustable COFI (30 year)
Monthly Adjustable LIBOR (30 Year) |
-
Lower initial monthly payment
-
Lower payment over a shorter
period of time
-
Rates and payments may
go down if rates improve
-
May qualify for higher
loan amounts
|
-
More risk
-
Payments may change over
time
-
Potential for high payments
if rates go up
|
|
Balloon
products
7 Year balloon (30 year)
5 Year balloon (30 year) |
-
Lower initial monthly payment
-
Lower payment over a shorter
period of time
-
Many balloon mortgages
offer the option to convert to a new loan after the initial
term
|
-
Risk of rates being higher
at the end of the initial fixed period
-
Risk of foreclosure if
you cannot make balloon payment or if you cannot refinance
or if you cannot exercise the conversion option
|
|
40 Year Term
With a 40-year term, loan payments are calculated on a 40-year
term versus the more traditional 15 or 30. This reduces the
monthly payment quite a bit. |
-
Lower Monthly Payments
-
Greater cash flow for investment
properties.
|
|
|
Combination loans
75/15/10 90% CLTV
80/10/10 90% CLTV
80/15/5 95% CLTV
80/20/0 100% CLTV |
-
No Mortgage Insurance
-
Tax advantages
-
Ability to waive tax and
insurance impounds
|
-
Higher interest rate on
the second lien, however this is usually counterbalanced
by the waiver of mortgage insurance.
|
|
First Time Buyer Programs 100%
Loan
97% FHA and Conventional Loans |
-
Lower down payment
-
Easier to qualify
-
Sometimes you may get lower
rates
|
-
May be subject to income
and property value limitations
-
Some programs which have
government subsidies may have a recapture tax if you sell
the house too early
|
|
FHA Loans
97% Loan |
-
Easier to qualify
-
Approval not based upon
credit (FICO) scores.
|
-
Up from MIP premium
-
Higher rates
-
Stricter standards set
for property condition
|
|
VA Loans
100% Loans
Must be a US Armed Services Veteran to be eligible |
-
Easier to qualify
-
Approval not based upon
credit (FICO) scores.
-
No monthly mortgage insurance
|
-
Up from MIP premium
-
Higher rates
-
Stricter standards set
for property condition
|
|
Stated Income Programs
30 Year Fixed (30 Year)
Up to 95% LTV |
-
No documentation or verification
of income required
-
Faster approval
|
|
|
“No Ratio” Programs
Up to 95% LTV |
-
Income and employment are
documented and verified, but not considered in qualifying
|
|
|
"No Documentation"
Loans
Up to 90% LTV |
- No
documentation or verification of income or assets required
- Faster
approval
- Flexibility
|
- Higher
rates
- Higher
down payment
|
|
Interest Only Loans
5 Year Fixed (30 Year)
Up to 95% LTV |
- Payment
flexibility and reduced minimum monthly requirements.
- Ability
to use payment saving towards paying off higher yield loans
or for investment purposes.
|
- Only
for Jumbo Loans
- No
Principal Reduction
- Pre
Payment Penalty
- Risk
of rates being higher at the end of the initial fixed period
|
|
Negative Amortization Loans
Up to 95% LTV
1 Year fixed (30 Year)
Monthly ARM (30 Year)
COFI or LIBOR Monthly ARM's |
- Ability
to pay full payment, interest only, or negative amortization.
- Payment
flexibility and reduced minimum monthly requirements.
- Ability
to use payment saving towards paying off higher yield loans
or for investment purposes.
- Slow
moving COFI Index
- Ability
to state income
|
- Possible
negative equity
- Pre-payment
penalty
- Risk
of rates being higher at the end of the initial fixed period
|
|
12 MTA Loans
Up to 95% LTV
Monthly ARM (30 Year)
LIBOR Monthly ARM |
-
Ability to pay full payment,
interest only, or negative amortization.
-
Payment flexibility and
reduced minimum monthly requirements.
-
Ability to use payment
saving towards paying off higher yield loans or for investment
purposes.
-
Better Rate than traditional
Negative Amortization Loans
-
Ability to state income
|
-
Possible negative equity
-
Pre-payment penalty
-
Risk of rates being higher
at the end of the initial fixed period
-
Rate based upon faster
adjusting LIBOR index.
|
|
Bi-Weekly Loans
Available on most loan products |
-
Reduces principal every
14 Days instead of once per month
-
Pay off a home up to ten
years faster
|
-
Equivalent of making 13
yearly payments instead of 12
|
|
Prepayment penalty products
1 Year Fixed (30 year)
5 Year Fixed (30 year)
7 Year Fixed (30 year)
15 Year Fixed (15 year)
30 Year Fixed (30 year) |
|
-
Significant penalty to
pay the loan off early.
|
|
No point, No fee Programs
(Available on most loan products) |
-
No closing costs
-
Less money required to
close
|
-
Higher rates
-
Higher payments
|
|
Imperfect Credit Programs |
-
Potential for reestablishing
credit if you pay your mortgage on time
-
When used for debt consolidation,
you may be able to reduce your monthly debt payment
|
-
Higher rates
-
Terms may not be as favorable
-
Harder to get long term
fixed loans
-
Loans may have prepayment
penalties
|
|
Home Equity Fixed Loan
Up to 80% LTV |
-
Fixed payments
-
Interest may be tax deductible
|
-
Higher interest rates than
on 1st mortgages
-
Harder to refinance your
first mortgage
|
|
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
Up to 80% LTV |
-
Draw on your line of credit
as needed, especially good for emergencies
-
Interest is paid only on
the amount drawn against the line of credit
|
-
Adjustable margin rate
on top of the prime interest rate
-
Harder to refinance your
first mortgage
|
|
Second Home Loans
Up to 95% LTV |
-
Ability to purchase a second
or vacation home
|
|
|
Investment Property Loans
Up to 95% CLTV |
-
Availability to increase
your financial portfolio with real estate.
-
Ability to earn rental
income
|
-
Slightly higher rates
-
More strict underwriting
guidelines
|
|
Construction Loans
(one time close) |
-
One closing
-
The lender initiates and
regulates the draws
-
Ability to lock loan before
construction is complete
|
-
Reduced flexibility
-
Contract prices determines
LTV
|
|
Construction Loans
(two time close) |
-
Greater flexibility
-
Second loan is considered
a refinance so the LTV is based upon the appraised value
|
|
|
Reverse Mortgage |
-
Enables Elderly to convert
home equity into cash for living expenses, home improvements,
home health care, etc.
-
Can be in the form of a
lump sum, fixed monthly payments, or a line of credit.
-
Applicants do not have
income or credit qualifications.
-
Generally, the borrower
can not be forced to sell their home to repay the mortgage
as long as they occupy the residence.
|
-
Property in need of great
repair may not qualify
-
Processing time for a reverse
mortgage is longer vs. a conventional loan
-
Advances from a reverse
mortgage could affect some government benefits in certain
cases so it is wise to consult your tax advisor.
|