Posts Tagged ‘Interest Rate’

Using an 80 20 Mortgage to Avoid Mortgage Insurance

Saturday, August 28th, 2010



An 80 20 mortgage is also called a zero down loan or no money down loan. It is actually two loans, a regular home mortgage which constitutes 80% of the price of the home and a second mortgage or home equity loan that consists of 20% of the cost of the house. The idea behind this type of loan is avoiding mortgage insurance (PMI) by using the home equity loan as the down payment.

Just about all mortgages require some form of mortgage insurance if you are unable to make a down payment of at least 20 percent. By obtaining a second mortgage or home equity loan for 20 percent of the homes cost you can circumnavigate this requirement by using that second loan as the down payment.

There are variations of this type of mortgage such as an 80-15-5 loan. This means that the borrower got a main mortgage of 80 percent of a home’s purchase price, a piggyback loan for 15 percent, and made a 5-percent down payment. This can be a good option if you have some money for a down payment but not enough to cover the entire 20%.

The second mortgage can either be a fixed second mortgage or it can be a line of credit. If it is a fixed second mortgage then the interest rate is normally fixed for the entire length of the mortgage. Most fixed second mortgages are a 30 due in 15 which means that the second mortgage is amortized over 30 years, but is due in 15 years. The benefit of going with the line of credit as the second mortgage is that the interest rate is normally much lower than the fixed second mortgages rate. They can also be an interest only loan which could save you hundreds of dollars in mortgage payments every month.

The 80 percent first mortgage can be a fixed-rate (15-year or 30-year), adjustable-rate (usually 5/1, 7/1 or 10/1fixed period ARM) or interest-only loan. Typically, the interest rate on the second mortgage loan is higher than the interest rate of the first loan. But because the borrower doesn’t have to pay mortgage insurance, the overall cost is less than a traditional mortgage even with the higher mortgage interest rate on the second loan.

Plenty of mortgage programs allow borrowers to buy houses with little or no money down, but they usually require private mortgage insurance, or PMI. Getting an 80 20 mortgage can be a good way to avoid the extra cost that PMI will add to your monthly payments.

Easy to Get Credit Cards

Monday, August 16th, 2010



There are many different credit cards and many different banks offering them. There are easy to get credit cards and then those credit cards that can be so hard you don’t know why you would even apply. The thing about credit cards is that they can help or hinder your life. So when you are trying to obtain a credit card there are some things you should consider, especially regarding the easy to get credit cards. Some of the easy to get credit cards are for bad credit, no credit, or just easy to get because the card company feels they need more customers.

There are fees, interest rates, policies, terms and conditions, and other things you should think about. When you try for an easy to get credit card you are usually approved within twenty minutes. This is what makes them extremely easy to get. They will take the application you have just submitted and review your income to debt ratio. They will also access your credit history to determine the type of customer you will be. Once the risk is assessed they send an email or tell you on that same page that you have been approved and at what rate. This rate however may differ from the offer that enticed you in the first place. Since the card company doesn’t know everyone’s risk until they actually have an application they advertise to entice you to try for their card. This is not a bad thing. If you see a card offering 15% you are usually going to get near that APR. The rest of the advertisement will remain the same, such as 0% APR and Balance transfers for the first two months, or whatever the deal is.

You should note that most easy to get credit cards have lax risk standards and therefore the interest rate is going to be a little higher than some that are easy to get. For example they assess your risk based on whether you will be responsible or whether you will default. So if they think you are a higher risk you are going to have a higher interest rate, but they still give you the card. For those that are harder to get they will flatly refuse because of the risk you pose and not offer a better interest rate.

Many of us think the easy to get credit cards are the best, and in truth they really are. The easy to get credit cards offer a card to almost anyone. Their standards are better as well. For instance you have posed a bit of a risk in the past, but you have had a good clean record with the easy to get credit card for the last year. In this case you could ask the card to lower your interest rate, and they usually will. With harder to get cards you are likely at that interest rate or going to have an increased rate over time that they are unwilling to work with for you.

Gas Rewards Credit Cards – The Answer to High Gas Prices

Saturday, June 26th, 2010



With gas prices on the rise, filling up at the pump can be a painful experience. To give your wallet a break, consider applying for a gas rewards credit card. These cards can help you save valuable dollars on fuel, and many throw in extra benefits as well.

Getting Started

During the last few years, gas rewards credit cards have become more versatile than ever before. While previous cards were often only valid at a particular gas station, you can now apply for gas credit cards that can be used anywhere. Many card issuers also offer additional rewards, such as cash back for using the card at a grocery store or a chance to earn both gas and travel benefits.

If you cover a lot of miles on the road each week, there’s a good chance you can reduce your fuel costs with a gas credit card. You’ll find many to choose from online. You can compare the different rewards they offer and select the one that best fits your gas and mileage needs.

How Gas Rewards Cards Work

The rewards included with a gas credit card vary, depending on the card issuer. Many offer a gas rebate for purchasing fuel. Others allow you to earn points for gas purchases, and also for using the card in grocery stores and drugstores. You can then redeem the points for a variety of rewards. Still others offer cash back for using the card. When you pay with your card at the pump, you could earn up to 5% cash back.

What to Look For

While gas rewards credit cards can definitely be used to your advantage, there are some key points you’ll want to remember before you commit to one. First of all, pay careful attention to the introductory offers. Many credit cards come with an initially low interest rate or extra savings on gas purchases.

These offers may be an excellent deal for you, but you’ll want to check what the regular interest rate is. You’ll also want to know how the rewards program will work after the initial period. By making sure these terms fit your needs, you’ll be able to make the most out of your gas rewards credit card.

Get the Full Benefits

Once you’ve found the right gas rewards credit card for your lifestyle, apply for it online. As soon as it comes in the mail, you can start using it. To make sure you benefit as much as possible from the card, use it every time you fill up with gas. If it offers rewards for other purchases, consider using it for more of your shopping needs.

When you start making purchases with the card, keep careful track of your account. If possible, try to pay off the balance each month. By doing so, you will avoid having to pay interest fees. Also, take note of the rewards and rebates you are due. By managing your account well, you can get the most out of your card.

Don’t wait to sign up for a gas rewards credit card. The sooner you apply online for one, the sooner you’ll be able to save on fuel costs. In just a few weeks, you’ll be rewarded every time you fill up the tank.

Credit Card Debt Is Compounding Interest In Reverse!

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010



When you borrow money, compounding works against you. It takes more of your money, sometimes far more than the amount you initially borrowed. When you carry a balance, interest is charged on already-accrued interest.

Credit card companies want you to go into debt-it makes them wealthy. In fact, they will entice you to spend more and more with “free” gifts and rewards. The credit card companies are good-very good-at having people spend beyond their means. In 1996 the average U.S. household had $5,875 in credit card debt. Just ten years later, in 2006, it was almost $10,000.

That monthly balance is their bread and butter-how they make their profit-from your hard earned money.

Have you ever noticed, perhaps this last Christmas, how easy it was to spend more than you planned? Were you surprised, even shocked, when the credit card bills arrived in January? When you aren’t conscious of the money you spend (not actually handling the cash) you will spend more than you can pay off in a month so the card carries a balance.

Let me show you how this works and why the credit card companies LOVE for you to owe them money – aka “to be in debt.”

~ $10,000 debt on a credit card (with no more charges added to the balance),

~ $200 monthly payment,

~ 20% APR (annual percentage interest rate),

~ 108.4 months until debt is gone-over 9 years to pay it off!

~ The credit card company will make $11,679.80 in interest!

What would happen to your personal finances and the wealth creation for you and your family if you were to pay yourself first and invested that $200 per month over the next nine years? It doesn’t seem like a lot of money, and yet with compounding it adds up.

For example, begin with a zero balance and add $200 a month for nine years. That means each year you will contribute $2,400-$21,600 total. At the end of the nine years, at 10% compounded annually, you will have $34,330. If you leave the $34,330 alone and keep the money compounding for an additional 11 years (20 years total) the $21,600 would be worth $97,862!

So I enjoy looking at possibilities-what if you were to continue to add $200 per month for the 11 years? (You will contribute $48,000 for the 20 years.) That $48,000 would be worth $144,797.

Even though I’ve had an average annual return of 15% for the past 50 years, I used 10% compounded annually because it’s “more believable.” However, let me expand your mind a bit. $200/month at 15% for 9 years is $43,489; for 20 years it’s $264,415.

You will have a great start to become a millionaire if your money is compounding and working for you-rather than for the credit card company.

Practice Wealth Creation for you and your family.

~ Stop using credit cards-choose to live within your means.

~ Use debit cards-then it’s your money you’re spending.

~ Better yet, pay with cash-you know the green stuff!

~ Focus on quickly paying your credit card(s) off-yes it can be done.

~ Start NOW- you may end up with hundreds or maybe even thousands of dollars in YOUR bank account by the end of the year.

That’s right, hundreds or even thousands of dollars in your bank account. Isn’t it time you choose to pay yourself? I firmly believe that “Wealth is not a matter of chance, it’s a matter of choice-Your choice alone!” Choose to be debt-free, and become a millionaire.

PLEASE NOTE: These calculations are from interactive online calculators and are not intended to provide investment advice. Taxes and inflation were not considered for obvious reasons.

Merchant Cash Advance – Emergency Cash Loan

Sunday, February 21st, 2010



In merchant cash advance procedure, the lender purchases a small percentage of the future credit sales till the time the payback gets completed. This cash advance is a popular choice with the merchants, as it does not require any sort of credit check. Generally merchants who are not able to get bank loans approved for their businesses opt for these cash advances.

A merchant cash advance is a great option as it is generally very difficult to get a loan approved from a bank or any other institution for business purposes. The payback funding charges can vary from one cash advance to another. Generally, these charges are highly negotiable and the interest rate for the amount depends solely on the lender. For example, at times the payback on a $5000 loan could be anywhere between $6000 to $7000.

Some Features

• There is no fixed monthly installment for the merchants. They can keep returning the amount depending on their daily sales. If they sell well, then they would be able to payback in shorter time duration than if they are unable to run their business profitably.

• There is no time limit to pay back the loan amount, thus decreasing the annual rate. Generally, a lender gets back his amount in less than a year.

• The merchant cash advance is considered a great option, as it would be very difficult to qualify for a bank loan otherwise. Though the funding does turn out to be more expensive but the other advantages associated with this loan certainly makes it rather popular with merchants.

• This cash advance does not consider the credit history of the merchant. This means that even if the merchant has a past recording of tax issues, collections, judgments or liens, his loan amount is easily granted.

The lender risks a lot of his money funding these unsecured loans. It is due to this reason that the interest rates for such merchant cash advance are much higher than the traditional loans. The lenders can determine the future sales by using the advance-funding models. Cash advances with a short payback term are also offered by the lenders to counter the risk involved.

The approval for these loans is much easier than applying for the other bank loans. Generally, these advance lenders lend without checking the credit details of the merchant. Still there are some lenders who do ask for the credit card statements of the merchants. All merchants who do not have any other funding options available can easily consider a merchant cash advance for their businesses.

Savings Account Payday Loan – Faxless Cash Advance

Thursday, October 29th, 2009



Savings account payday loan can be obtained through a cash advance loan when you have financial emergencies and your payday is still weeks away. The money you can get from a savings account payday loan can be used to pay off your overdue bills or any other unexpected expenses. You can get the loan from a payday loan lender which you can find easily in the Internet.

With savings account payday loan you get the money directly into your bank account. Preferably, this is the same bank account as you normally deposit your pay into. This type of loan is very easy to get if you have a full-time employment with regular salary. The loan amount is usually between $100 and $1000 or more depending on the lender and how much you can make a repayment. However, interest rates are high, ranging from $20 and $80 per loan borrowed. In some ways, this could be understandable given the risk of the loan and the fast service that the lender has to provide.

Some companies offer first-time deals for these types of loan programs that completely remove the interest payment is the loan is paid in full by the due date. You can check such an offer from the lender’s website including their pay back policies and rates. This information must be finely printed to comply with the strict regulation of the payday loan industry. Checking lender’s website is recommended before you signup for the loan to avoid getting ripped off due to undisclosed interest rate and fees.

Unlike other types of loans, payday loans do not require much paperwork to complete. You can even get completely faxless payday loans from many lenders online. This really cuts off the time for waiting between applying and getting the cash. More importantly, with savings account payday loan you get the funds directly deposited into your account, which can happen in the same day or at least the next day after you submit the online application.

Another advantage for borrowers is that most lenders do not require any type of credit check to qualify for the loan program. So long as you are employed and paid a regular salary into your savings account, you are almost guaranteed to get the loan. Typically, the bank routing number, the account number and your social security number are needed when applying for the loan. The information is kept confidential to avoid any third party from knowing your details.

Applying for a savings account payday loan is easy. With many lenders available online you only need a few mouse clicks to borrow some cash to overcome your financial emergencies.

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