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A recession brings on economic uncertainty. Consumers aren’t willing to spend money, and banks aren’t always willing to lend it. But believe it or not, a recession is a good time to save money on a home loan, as long as you are prepared.

Recessions represent an ideal time to take out a home loan because banks are more willing to offer cheaper interest rates. The cheaper rate can save the buyer thousands of dollars over the duration of the loan. Who doesn’t want that?

You need a high credit score to qualify for good home loan rates during a recession. Check your report for errors, and if you find them, get them corrected. If you have high balances on your credit cards, pay those off. If you have late payments, establish an on time payment history of at least six months. A year is even better.

Second, make sure you have money in the bank. You will not only need between three and 20 percent of the home’s total cost for a down payment, but you will also need a minimum of two or three months of mortgage payments in the bank. These are called reserves, and most lenders require reserves in order to obtain a home loan. Your lender can provide specific details on the down payment and reserves requirements.

Always carry documents that verify employment, income, and assets. The individual cannot simply tell the lender he has a job and expect to win the loan. No, documentation includes paycheck stubs and bank account statements.

This documentation is even more important if you are applying for a home loan during a recession because you need to prove to the lender that you can afford the home loan and will make your monthly home loan payments. Be prepared to provide at least three months worth of documentation. Collect the necessary documentation and have it on hand prior to applying for the home loan in order to speed up the application and approval process.

Although the current economy does not look promising, do not fear the chance of earning a loan. Home loaners still need business, but they will remain more selective until the economy changes. Inform the lender that you are speaking with other lenders and they will be more inclined to offer a cheaper deal.

Buying a home is time consuming and intimidating, but a lot of that stress is reduced with the appropriate steps already conducted by the prospective home owner. This includes a strong credit report and proof of available funds.

Tom Martens is the content coordinator for South Arica?s leading Homeloans portal which amongst others offers Bond origination services for all major banks.

Buying a new home costs a lot of money, however some of that outrageous expense can be reduced if you research and do your homework.

When you apply for a home loan, make sure you have a high credit score. This is common sense in the world of home loans. Poor credit equals either a rejection of the loan or a very high interest rate.

Check your credit report before you apply. This is also common sense. The credit report will inform you on how good your credit score is and if there are any mistakes in the report. Remember, credit reports are the primary way banks can decide if you are responsible and trustworthy or not.

Pay down your credit card balances and make your payments on time. This behavior will improve your credit score and help you maintain a high score so you can get the best home loan rates.

Always shop around and gather more than one insurance quote. This may sound like a nuisance, but it really helps you save money in the long run. Lending is a competitive business, which means lenders will compete against each other for your service. Competition equals lower rates for you, the home owner.

It’s always advisable to ask the seller to pay your closing costs. Selling costs are expenses paid when you obtain the home loan. The selling costs can range between 3-7% of the total home’s value, including points, taxes, title insurance, financing, and other settlement costs.

If the seller will not cover the closing costs, inform the bank and discuss lowering the closing rate. The bank will likely work with you, so do not be afraid to ask.

Purchasing a new home is an overwhelming experience, and unless you have millions of dollars to spend, you are going to need a home loan. Trust the lender as a friend and allow them to work with you. But always do your homework and make sure you are getting the best deal possible.

Tom Martens is the content coordinator for South Arica?s leading Homeloans portal which amongst others offers Bond origination services for all major banks.

Purchasing a home is a decision that can lead to financial security. However, financing is often a confusing process especially for first time home buyers. Obtaining information on the different types of home loans is one of the most important steps to getting started in the home buying process. There are many different types of products available.

Knowing your credit score before you even go a bank or mortgage company is imperative. People with high credit scores are most likely to get lower interests rates and to be approved for higher loan amounts.

Besides the credit score, having a steady job will also influence the type of loan you receive. Most banks and lenders will want to see copies of your W-2s, your tax papers and possibly your pay check stubs. Having a steady job shows you not only have a sense of responsibility, it shows you can pay back the loan.

There are many stipulations to getting a home loan. Many times, the bank will offer a second mortgage that will have a higher interest rate and is generally shorter than the standard 30 year contract. Many people will do this if the current interest rate is lower than it was when the home was purchased.

For people that are in strong financial positions but do not have a big enough down payment then the possibility of securing two different loans from the bank or mortgage company might be an option. Be sure to read the fine print, because some time the second mortgage (which is the smaller of the two) will not be the standard 30 year time span, it can be any where from 5 to 15 years depending on the lender and the circumstances. A higher interest rate is usually applied to the second mortgage as well.

Of course, there are other options available to prospective buyers as well. Adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) have interest rates that vary each month according to market trends, this means that the mortgage payment will vary. Another option is an interest only loan, in which the buyer only pays interest on the loan for a specified period of time and then starts paying on the principal at a later date, when they are making more money.

Obtaining the best deal on home loans is something that homebuyers should strive for. Keeping track of your credit score and current financial situation can put you in a favorable position with lenders. Be sure to compare rates and products from various lenders before you sign any paperwork, because one lender might be able to get you a better deal in the long run.

Graham McKenzie is the content coordinator for a leading South African leading Homeloans and Bond Origination portal which provides access to Nedbank Homeloans.

Economists are blaming overzealous lender for the US sub prime mortgage debacle. According to them, lenders compromised on prudently devised norms for lending, and in the process, loaned monies to people who would not under normal conditions qualify for any mortgage. While this is true to an extent, it is not the whole truth.

The current subprime crisis which could be accounted for by the liquid status of the financial market is also due in part to the billions of pounds in mortgages to individuals who had little or no chance of ever making repayment on such loans. Financial institutions felt they were in such a bind during the period of recession in the 1990’s and 2000’s they made the choice to lower their standards in their lending practices. At that time, lenders had a surplus of money and were trying to devise new ways of marketing their finances to home owners and even to the first time buyers.

With the market so flooded, these lenders began to accept basically anyone’s credit application, regardless of their past credit history, and approved them.

Some the biggest banks in sub-Saharan Africa are currently experiencing the same excessive liquidity the drove the subprime markets in the United States. While the sub-Saharan market it minuscule when compared to the United States and Europe some factors which were prevalent in those markets are emerging in many African nations today. This supports the viewpoint that Africa may be about to experience a boom in their mortgage markets.

All conditions are just right for a boom in this market. But there are a few things that need to be considered. This market is much smaller in size when compared to the US or European mortgage markets. What is still worse is very few out here have a bank account! Hardly anybody here uses banks or any products offered by banks! So would these people suddenly turn towards mortgages? Conversely, there is a selected group of rich people out here as well, and so far, they have been the only few who were eligible for any home loans. But even the African middle class is now realizing the virtues of owning homes.

Fortunately it’s unlikely that African banks will need to market any type adverse credit or subprime mortgage products. Since most Africans simply do not have a credit history and therefore do not have impairments to their credit history. Their loans can be underwritten using standard conforming guidelines. In these countries it’s customary for mortgage repayment to be paid directly to lenders from the borrower’s employer. This reduces risk to the lenders and results in the borrower getting a lower interest rate.

Sub-Saharan Africa is an unlikely beneficiary of the global subprime mortgage crisis, as lenders are looking for new markets to develop and offer mortgage products. As it will be many years before the Western residential markets are fully repaired Africa could be dead center in many bankers lending plans.

Graham McKenzie is the content coordinator for a leading South African leading Homeloans and Bond Origination portal which provides access to ABSA Homeloans.

These days, seniors often face a large degree of financial uncertainty. The retirement they envisioned 5 and 10 years ago is, in many cases, not the same as the reality they face: investments are flat or declining, medical expenses and living expenses are higher than ever, and few income boosting options are available. Those seniors that have heard about Reverse Mortgages are likely not sure how they work, and don’t know what questions to ask to begin to learn about them. They will often turn to their financial institution for guidance and information. As a result, by becoming familiar with these products, you can become an even more important resource for your clients but helping them understand alternative income supplements.

A Reverse Mortgage is a special type of loan that gives a homeowner the ability to convert a portion of the equity in their home into cash. The funds aren’t taxable income, and they generally don’t affect the homeowner’s eligibility for Social Security or Medicare programs. An exception is the federal Supplemental Security Income program: beneficiaries must keep their liquid assets under a certain limit to remain eligible. A reverse mortgage customer retains the title to the home and keeps the right to any appreciation in home value when the loan is paid in full. The loan remains in force until the last titleholder leaves the home, sells the property, or passes away. The borrower can’t be compelled to sell or move by the lender. Unlike a traditional second mortgage or home equity loan, there are no required monthly payments. As a result, a reverse mortgage doesn’t put additional pressure on seniors’ already stretched budgets.

The person who avails the loan is not deprived of the appreciation benefits of the property when the loan gets terminated and when the loan is paid off. The options of selling or moving away from his home does not in any way restrict the enforcement of the loan. Similarly the money lender cannot force the home owner to sell or move away from the home. Prepayment options are available to close the loan. It is not necessary to make monthly payments to pay off the loan, thus freeing the senior citizen from a recurring monthly debt obligations. That is the special benefit in a Reverse Mortgage.

There are a few qualifications for a reverse mortgage. Every title holder must own a home with some equity, and be 62 or older; there aren’t any income or credit filters. Current mortgages or liens must be paid off, but this is often accomplished with the proceeds from the reverse mortgage. The homeowner is required to remain current on insurance and property taxes, but these can also be paid with the reverse mortgage proceeds.

A reverse mortgage borrower has no restrictions on how the monies can be used. Here are common uses for these funds:

- Paying off debts, often credit cards and mortgages.

- Remodeling projects or other home improvements

- General living expenses

- Vacations and travel

- Health care costs or long term care

- College tuition

- Taxes

- To fund hobbies

- To defray the rising cost of property taxes

The proceeds available from a Reverse Mortgage vary depending on FHA lending limit’s and other factors like borrower’s age, value of the home, and interest rates. Typically the older the borrow, the higher proceeds available. Proceeds from the loan can be paid in a lump sum, in monthly payments, or extended as a line of credit available when needed.

All loan products have origination fees and closing costs. The Reverse Mortgage also has fees and costs, but they can be paid for with the proceeds of the loan. One of the costs is the FHA’s Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP). The great thing about the Reverse Mortgage is there are no out of pocket costs. One of the other great things is a customer is required to attend mandatory counseling sessions with a trained counselor. These Reverse Mortgage counselors are often certified by the AARP and will ensure the borrower understands the costs of the loan and any other alternatives available. A Reverse Mortgage is a non-recourse consumer loan, meaning the loan payoff can never exceed the value of the home.

Graham McKenzie is the content coordinator for a leading South African leading Homeloans and Bond Origination portal which provides access to ABSA Homeloans.