Refinance Your Home Mortgage Online

The largest financial obligation most people ever take on couldn't escape the reach of the Internet. Home mortgage loans originated online comprise an integral part of one of the largest and most profitable aspects of the banking industry. Unlike many shifts in big business recently, this change actually seems to greatly benefit consumers by increasing competition and placing more financial control in the hands of homeowners.

To finance or refinance a home in the olden days (before the Internet), you needed to find a mortgage lender, broker, or banker who wanted to make a loan for you. Though mortgage lenders always wanted to make good loans, the process of gathering information to compare interest rates, points, and loan programs among lenders presented a tedious task for borrowers. Without a centralized information source for mortgage rates, loan programs and financial advice, most people just called a few banks and went with the lender that seemed to offer the lowest rate for the least discount points.

Now borrowers can access up-to-the-minute financial information and economic indicators online. Comparing rates and fees between lenders takes only the click of a mouse. Loan programs and mortgage calculators quickly figure the best strategy for everything from which loan represents the lowest cost over time to how much money a borrower could save by prepaying their mortgage on a monthly or bi-weekly basis. Financial tools available online truly empower any borrower with Internet access.

Though the Internet represents a faster and more hassle-free way to refinance your first or second mortgage, remember these important facts:

Loan Programs ? Just because the Internet makes the loan process easier doesn't mean you should abandon common sense. Take the time to analyze which loan program best meets your needs based on the big picture of how long you'll live in the house, the payment you can handle comfortably, and how much cash or equity the lender requires.

Fees ? All lenders don't charge equally. Many offer a lower interest rate, but make up the discount in fees and charges. Analyze costs between lenders by obtaining a list of all associated loan fees known as a "Good Faith Estimate".

Service ? Obtaining a loan online won't do you a bit of good if you run into a problem and need to speak with a live human. Make sure your online lender maintains offline customer service.

Rate Lock-in ? The lender's website should clearly explain their interest rate lock-in period and policy. Don't get lured in by a lender offering a lower rate and points only to find out the hard way that your interest rate lock expires before you can get the loan closed.

Loan Commitment ? Find out from the lender's site what legally binding documentation they provide to document the loan commitment once you get loan approval.

Though many borrowers use the Internet purely for research, record numbers now go online to apply and complete the entire mortgage process on the Web, while saving significant money and time in the process.

Copyright 2005 Jim Edwards

Jim Edwards is a consultant specializing in internet mortgage refinance strategies and consumer home loan information. He is the author of "The TEN Dirty Little Secrets Of Mortgage Financing" at http://www.mortgageloantips.com/info.html and offers a free mortgage e-course at http://www.mortgageloantips.com/eclass.htm

In The News:


Wolters Kluwer Financial Services Begins Development of Hope for ...
MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
For borrowers who refinance under H4H, lenders are required to "write down" the mortgage to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-provided ...

Bellingham man's adjustable mortgage became money trap
Bellingham Herald, WA - 3 hours ago
Caceres said he got his first adjustable mortgage seven years ago and managed to refinance it twice since then, to get out from under the higher interest ...

Washington Post

Mortgage rates fall, but many borrowers will have trouble qualifying
Los Angeles Times, CA - Nov 27, 2008
Jeff Lazerson, a Laguna Niguel mortgage broker, said all the customer calls he received Tuesday were from people seeking to refinance, not buy homes. ...
Mortgage-market revival: Try, try again CNNMoney.com
US move cuts mortgages to lowest rate since February Baltimore Sun
Mortgage Rates Tumble on Fed Debt Purchasing Plan (Update1) Bloomberg
AHN - MarketWatchall 2,142 news articles

See if lender will let you pay insurance, taxes
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 2 hours ago
I almost feel like the mortgage companies are just trying to get extra money from us by having us refinance soon. Even in this economy, this house would ...

The Star-Ledger - NJ.com

General Growth Properties gets loan reprieve
The Associated Press - 5 hours ago
General Growth Properties said last month it faced solvency trouble and might seek bankruptcy if it couldn't refinance or extend the nearly $1 billion in ...
General Growth secures two-week loan extension Bizjournals.com
Creditors give Buckland mall owner a two-week debt reprieve Journal Inquirer
UPDATE 1-General Growth gets two-week loan extension Reuters
Chicago Daily Herald - RTT Newsall 142 news articles

Commercial loan "nightmare" projected for 2009-JPMorgan
Reuters - 42 minutes ago
He said the slowing economy that is wreaking havoc on cash flow expectations may also present mortgage companies with a dilemma as borrowers confront them ...

Avoiding your own mortgage collapse
The News Journal, DE - 8 hours ago
By ANDREW EDER • The News Journal • December 1, 2008 It used to be that homeowners struggling to meet their mortgage payments had two options -- refinance ...

Sharply lower loan rates boost home affordability
MarketWatch - 10 minutes ago
Lower rates help borrowers seeking to refinance and make new homes more affordable as a result of smaller monthly payments. Credit Suisse estimated that the ...

US Consumer Loan Aid Will Trickle Only So Far
New York Times, United States - Nov 26, 2008
By RON LIEBER and TARA SIEGEL BERNARD If you’re buying a home, refinancing a mortgage or seeking an auto or student loan, the new government plans to make ...
US MBA’s Mortgage Applications Index Rose 1.5% Last Week Bloomberg
Mortgage rate drop sparks surge in consumer interest San Jose Mercury News
Paying for home just got cheaper Arizona Republic
all 28 news articles

Washington Post

Mortgage rate drop spurs rush to lenders for refinancing
Detroit Free Press, United States - Nov 27, 2008
BY MARY FRANCIS MASSON • FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER • November 27, 2008 A sharp plunge in US mortgage rates prompted a rush to refinance, resulting in ...
As Loan Rates Fall, Borrowers Seek 'Taste of the Bailout Pie' Washington Post
all 4 news articles
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