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Using Debt Consolidation Loans to Deal with Debt

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Most Americans have $10,000 or more in debt, with most of it owed to credit card companies. With several different payments and high monthly interest rates, getting out from under all that debt can seem impossible. However, debt consolidation loans can make the seemingly impossible possible. Debt consolidation loans can put all of that debt under a single, low-interest monthly payment. They can get all debt levels, small and large, under control. Read on to learn how to use a debt consolidation loan to get yourself back in the black.

Types of Debt Consolidation Loan

There are two kinds of debt consolidation loans: secured and unsecured. Secured loans use some form of collateral, such as home equity, to get the loan. They usually have better terms and interest rates than unsecured loans. No collateral is needed for unsecured debt consolidation loans, and it is usually easier to get approval for them than for secured loans. It should be possible to get an unsecured debt consolidation loan with a debt-to-income ratio of as much as 50% and a credit score of 585 or more.

Applying for a Debt Consolidation Loan

Applying for either kind of debt consolidation loan is usually a relatively simple process. It can usually be done online, and involves filling out just a few forms. The debt consolidation company will then contact various banks on your behalf, sending you the list of consolidation loan offers that it receives.

The Benefits of Debt Consolidation Loans

A debt consolidation loan allows you to make one payment a month instead of several. Additionally, your interest rate should be lower, and you can probably even get an extended repayment term if you want. This would make your monthly payments lower, although it would increase the amount of total interest that you pay. By making the monthly payments easier to make, a debt consolidation loan can even help you raise your credit score. Furthermore, it can also keep you from defaulting on your current debts, which would be very bad for your credit score.

The Drawbacks of Debt Consolidation Loans

If you extend the term of the loan by too much, you can end up paying a lot more in the long run. Also, if you don’t shop around for different loan offers, you might not get very beneficial terms. Additionally, if you opt for a secured loan using your house as collateral and it becomes devalued, you might end up paying more than your home is worth.

Choosing a Good Debt Consolidation Loan Company

A good, trustworthy debt consolidation loan company should have no application fee and no hidden charges, like Directions Home Loan. The loan fees should be close to the national average, and the application should be both short and simple. Contact Directions Home Loan and speak to a loan officer.

The Takeaway

If you are thinking about getting a debt consolidation loan, take your time and do the research before signing anything. Know what you should be able to expect, and compare as many different offers as you can. Choose the offers that best balances your short and long term needs. If you carefully consider your various options, a debt consolidation loan can help you manage even seemingly unmanageable debt.

How to buy a home this year

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How to Buy a Home This Year

If you are tired of renting and ready to make your move, now is the perfect time to buy a home. Housing prices are still affordable, interest rates on mortgages remain low and there is plenty of inventory to choose from.

Owning the roof over your head can be a dream come true, but it is important to make a plan before you make your move. You can buy a home this year, but the planning and preparation you put into the purchase will make a big difference.

Check the Direction of Interest Rates

The general direction of interest rates will have a direct impact on the interest rates mortgage lenders charge, so having that information can be a big help when buying a home. If interest rates are on the rise, locking in a low rate now and getting pre-approved for a mortgage could work to your benefit. If interest rates are expected to decline, waiting to buy could actually be a good move.

You can find information on interest rates and mortgage interest policies in the financial press, from traditional newspapers to modern websites. The more you know about interest rates, the easier it will be to time your home buying decision.

Research Local Neighborhoods

There is an old saying in real estate that you should buy the worst home in the best neighborhood, and there is a lot of truth to that strategy. Buying into an up-and-coming neighborhood, even if the home itself needs some work, could allow you to benefit from a future appreciation and ultimately make a profit should you choose to sell.

Make a list of Must Have’s and Nice to Have’s

Whether you are shopping for your first home or looking for something nicer than what you have, it is important to think about what you must have and what you would like to have. Separating your wants from your needs can make shopping for a home a lot easier, saving you a lot of time and potentially a lot of money as well.

You might like to have granite countertops, but if the price is right, butcher block may work just as well. You may crave hardwood floors, but if the home is perfect in every other way, a little carpet should not stop you from making an offer.

Set Your Budget and Factor in Interest Rates

If you want to buy a home this year, you will first need to determine how much you can afford to spend. It is important to set a realistic homebuying budget, one that includes not only the monthly mortgage payment but the cost of repairs and upkeep as well.

You can download and use The Directions Home Loan App (https://myhomeloan.directionshomeloan.com/borrower/signup/easton@directionshomeloan.com) to estimate your monthly payment, but you will need three critical pieces of information to make it work. You will need to know whether you prefer a 15-year or 30-year mortgage, the price of the home, the amount of down payment you will be putting down, and an idea of what you.

You can do your homework and get the first three, but you will need your lender’s help to determine the interest rate you will likely have to pay. The interest rate on your mortgage depends on a number of factors, from the overall level of interest rates to your own credit score. Finding this information now can make your home buying easier, so be sure to check with your chosen lender.

Buying a home takes planning and preparation, and the sooner you get started the better off you will be. If you plan to buy a home this year or next, you will need to think ahead, and now is the perfect time to get started by contacting Direction Home Loan at www.directionshomeloan.com.

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When to Refinance a Home Mortgage

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Is it always a good idea to refinance your home mortgage when interest rates are low?  This article discusses the pros and cons of refinancing according to individual homeowner’s financial circumstances.  In-depth financial considerations are discussed.

Historically low-interest rates are creating a surge in mortgage applications, and home refinancing is currently accounting for a large percentage of the application total (Mortgage Bankers Association). Many homeowners are taking advantage of low-interest rates and finding themselves with more money in their pockets. “When a borrower refinances, it’s a mini-stimulus, because they have more money to spend,” says Carolyn Kemp, spokeswoman for Mortgage Bankers Association.

Is refinancing a mortgage at extremely low rates always a good deal? Check the pros and cons of refinancing a home mortgage and consider individual financial opportunities and situations.

Refinancing May Be a Good Choice

  • Homeowners wish to save money with lower monthly payments. Monthly payments are reduced with a lower interest rate or if the length of the loan is increased.
  • Homeowners want to eliminate debt faster by paying off their mortgages quickly. Monthly payments increase, but homeowners save in the long run on overall interest payments on the debt.
  • Extra cash is needed to pay off credit card debt or other loans. Mortgage interest is tax-deductible, while credit card and other loan debts are not.
  • Homeowners would like to consolidate two loans into one. If there is enough equity in the home, homeowners can combine loans into one loan. This situation is usually a better debt solution than combining payments on a first and second mortgage.
  • Conversion of an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) into a fixed-rate mortgage (FRM). Staying in an ARM, subjects a mortgage to variable interest rates, while obtaining an FRM allows homeowners to lock in at a lower rate for the life of the mortgage.
  • Homeowners want to eliminate private mortgage insurance (PMI). Homeowners no longer have to pay PMI payments if the current loan balance is below 80% of the new appraisal for the home.

Refinancing May Not Be the Best Choice

  • The majority of the mortgage is already paid. Closing costs will offset gains in lower interest rates.
  • Home value has gone down. A new loan might not pay off the existing loan if a homeowner refinances up to 80% of the reappraised value and the original mortgage is higher than this amount.
  • Homeowners have been diligently paying their first loan for an extended period of time. Refinancing may increase the overall payment if a homeowner has been paying an existing loan for an extended time period.
  • Homeowners have used up a substantial amount of home equity. If homeowners have used up 90% or more of the home’s value they won’t be able to procure the best market rates for a refinance. Lenders will charge higher rates because they believe that borrowers have less to lose if there isn’t significant equity in a home.

Now is the time to act on low-interest rates if a homeowner’s financial situation warrants a refinance of their home mortgage. Learning the pros and cons of refinancing a home mortgage empowers homeowners to act in their best financial interest by taking advantage of the best deal for their situation.

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