Signs of Life in Mortgage Industry
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by: marciafreeman
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Word Count: 444
As we have all heard on the daily newscasts over the past several months, the economic recession of 2008 and 2009 has had a negative impact on all segments of the financial industry, including the housing market. Lending institutions have frozen or severely restricted access to credit, including mortgage loans. Housing values have dropped precipitously, in many instances effectively wiping out any equity a homeowner has in his property. However, the Obama Administrations economic stimulus package has, well, stimulated lenders to offer mortgage loans at reasonable interest rates to responsible borrowers.
One mortgage product that has become more popular since the introduction of the stimulus package is reverse mortgage loans. These types of mortgage loans have become more attractive to their targeted senior citizen demographic with their increase in allowable loan amounts and decrease in associated closing costs. Part of the appeal of reverse mortgage loans comes from the absence of prepayment penalties and tax liability for the cash advance, and no requirement to transfer title to the lender. Eligible senior citizens can use these mortgage loans to borrow against their home equity for any purpose, be it to cover medical costs or living expenses.
There is no cause for responsible homeowners to be concerned about the status of their existing mortgage loans during economic downturn. Loan terms and loan security will not change so long as the regular monthly payments are kept current. For those wishing to take out new mortgage loans, the low interest rates currently being offered as part of the economic stimulus are too good to pass up.
Whichever of the mortgage loans you decide on, you must still practice restraint in settling on a loan amount that you can realistically afford. Considering the cause of the recent subprime mortgage loans crisis, it is vital to avoid the same lures and traps created by those aggressive and unscrupulous lending practices. Determine and do not waiver from the highest mortgage payment your budget will allow, no matter how much the loan officer says you qualify for. Taking on more debt than you can afford will only lead you down the road to financial disaster, no matter how attractive that big house might be. You could lose your home and destroy your credit rating by making the mistake of going after more house than you can afford.
Mortgage loans provide a great way to dip your toes back into financial waters. But to avoid a repeat of the recent mortgage and housing market crash, it is imperative to keep your head on straight to avoid disaster.
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