Thursday, February 14, 2008

Remortgage & Remortgaging :

Remortgaging has become a popular way for many consumers in the UK to enjoy the benefits of getting rid of a poor value mortgage and switching to mortgage that offers better value for money and huge savings over the term of the loan. When interest rates start to rise remortgaging becomes even popular, with many consumers looking for different ways to try and cut back on repayments and to save money on the interest that they have to pay on their mortgage loan.The interest rates charged on mortgages can vary from one lender to another, and therefore you may find that you can get a far better deal on your mortgage by switching to a different lender. There are also those that decide to remortgage in order to switch to a different type of products – for instance, switching from a variable rate mortgage to a fixed rate mortgage to help stabilise repayments and make financial management easier.

Many homeowners have made huge savings on their mortgage repayments by remortgaging, and the world of remortgages has become big business in the UK over recent years. The mortgage market is a highly competitive one, and you will find that if you have good credit all lenders will be vying for your business. In order to try and attract more custom and stay a step ahead of the competition, lenders will strive to offer better deals than their competitors. This is where homeowners can really cash in, by switching to a mortgage where they are charged less interest. Even an interest rate that is around 1% less than you are currently paying could save you thousands of pounds over the term of your mortgage.

For those that want to switch to a different type of mortgage product, remortgaging is also ideal. If you are currently on a variable rate mortgage you may have found that rising interest rates are causing severe financial difficulties, and making it difficult to budget. With a fixed rate mortgage you can enjoy the same repayments each month because the interest rate will remain the same no matter what happens with the Bank of England base rate, so you won’t have to worry about fluctuation and won’t have to concern yourself with making changes to your budget every time the interest rate changes.

Remortgaging has become a far simpler process these days, and it is far faster and easier than it used to be. However, there are some things to look out for, namely in the way of fees. You may find that you are charged an exit fee by your existing mortgage provider for closing your mortgage account, and you may also find that you are charged set up fees by your new mortgage provider, all of which can add up to a considerable amount. On top of this you may have to deal with solicitor costs and even valuation fees, even though you are actually purchasing a new property. When you take all of this into consideration you have to think carefully as to whether it is worth actually switching your mortgage or whether you will be better off sticking with your existing one.

In some cases you may find a lender that offers to pay the legal fees and valuation fee when you switch your mortgage, and if this is the case then you may find that remortgaging is more viable. It is important to weight up the costs of remortgaging as you could otherwise be putting yourself through a lot of hassle only to find that you are actually no better off in the long run.

Definition of Mortgage :

A mortgage is a method of using property (real or personal) as security for the payment of a debt.

The term mortgage (from Law French, lit. dead pledge) refers to the legal device used for this purpose, but it is also commonly used to refer to the debt secured by the mortgage, the mortgage loan.

In most jurisdictions mortgages are strongly associated with loans secured on real estate rather than other property (such as ships) and in some cases only land may be mortgaged. Arranging a mortgage is seen as the standard method by which individuals and businesses can purchase residential and commercial real estate without the need to pay the full value immediately. See mortgage loan for residential mortgage lending, and commercial mortgage for lending against commercial property.

In many countries it is normal for home purchases to be funded by a mortgage. In countries where the demand for home ownership is highest, strong domestic markets have developed, notably in Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

What is the need of best mortgage broker :

Mortgage Brokers are the experts who assist people in finding and negotiating the financing that fits a particular situation. Mortgage brokers on the other hand, deal with a vast number of mortgage lenders while professional mortgage brokers are individuals and companies who know the laws and regulations pertaining to real estate financing individuals you can trust with your confidential information.

Mortgage Broker License

Mortgage licensing for mortgage brokers has evolved in order to protect consumers while they obtain mortgages. The license indicates that the Mortgage Broker has what it takes to help consumers through the maze of the mortgage origination process. The states differ on whether a Mortgage Broker even needs a mortgage license, whether the Mortgage Broker can loan on both 1st and 2nd mortgages, or whether a physical office in the state is required. States also differ on how much continuing education they require of the Mortgage Brokers. To further the protection of the consumers, the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) was formed in 1973.

Advantages of a Mortgage Broker and Mortgage Lenders

Mortgage brokers are companies or individuals that work closely with wholesale mortgage lenders to provide their customers with a wide selection of mortgages. A mortgage broker originates loans while the mortgage lender actually funds the loans. They are knowledgeable about the entire loan process, and they are able to use their superior knowledge to help their customers secure the best loan to fit their needs. Another big advantage to using a mortgage broker is that they deal with mortgage lenders from across the nation. Advantages of using a Mortgage Broker instead of a local bank Offer a larger variety of mortgage options Normally offer the most competitive rates nationwide Mortgage brokers only deal with mortgage loans, so the are highly specialized Highly motivated to get their customers' loans approved.