First-time homebuyers often have difficulty coming up with a down payment for a home loan.
This is usually due to their age and income.
While these homebuyers often qualify for a mortgage based on their income, debt level, and credit history, they would be denied if lenders held them to a specific down payment requirement.
Many lenders recognize this and have begun extending mortgages to homebuyers that are not able to pay the traditional 20 percent as a down payment.
Not having to come up with so much money for a mortgage down payment is a good thing for home buyers. It removes much of the pressure from having to save up such a large amount of money to purchase a home.
What many lenders fail to mention is that not having a mortgage down payment can cost the homebuyer in other areas of the mortgage.
Often the costs are disguised in a way that keeps homebuyers from realizing that they have been added in because of the lack of a down payment.
Increased Interest Rates
Some lenders make up for the lack of a mortgage down payment in a higher interest rate.
A lender can legitimately determine that you are at a higher risk of defaulting on your mortgage based on the lower down payment.
In fact, there is a direct correlation between the amount a homebuyer pays in mortgage down payment and the rate of mortgage defaults. Homebuyers that pay lower mortgage down payments tend to default more than those who pay higher down payments.
To make up for the risk associated with the lower mortgage down payment, the lender can charge a higher interest rate to your loan. This increased interest rate means that the cost you pay for your loan is higher than if you had a down payment.
Private Mortgage Insurance
Another way that lenders can make up for the lower mortgage down payment is through requiring you to pay private mortgage insurance.
Private mortgage insurance, PMI, is required by most lenders when you pay less a mortgage down payment less than 20 percent. PMI protects the lender by paying your mortgage in the event that you are unable to.
The cost of your PMI depends on the amount of the home you purchased and the amount of your down payment.
You are able to cancel the insurance once you have gained 20 percent of the mortgage through your down payment and subsequent mortgage payments.
Keep in mind that the lender isn't required by law to cancel it. In fact, some conditions can keep you from canceling the insurance even after you have reached the 20 percent mark.
If you have not kept your payments current, you have other liens on the property, or you have a high risk loan, you may not be able to cancel your PMI after you have gained 20 percent in equity.
Even though you don't save up thousands of dollars for a mortgage down payment upfront, you can still end up paying these same thousands in increased interest and private mortgage insurance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 9 East Forest Glen Road in Millville, NJ for sale???
By: stefanilynn76 | 13-09-2008
Is 9 East Forest Glen Rd in Millville for sale? I went to an estate sale there about 2 weeks ago and I was told it was going to be listed. I drove by today and nothing! please help!
Loan modification
By: kendeezie | 12-09-2008
I am switching career fields, and am in need of basic info~ PLEASE!!! I will be cold calling home owners w/ loans originating in 2005. Thankyou.
Work from home
By: Koren | 12-09-2008
I am interested in a work from home business or possibly a real estate foreclosure method of making money. Does anyone out there know of a real one that is not a scam?
Where can I find copies of leases entered into by ...
By: Michael | 11-09-2008
Where can I find copies of leases entered into by The City of New York for governmental purposes?
Rent or sell inherited house?
By: Liddy | 11-09-2008
Hi,
I am trying to decide if I should rent out or sell a recently inherited house.
The value of the property is about 370k which is my cost basis. For depreciation purposes the value of the building alone is about 250k. I could rent the house out for 1,550.00 per month. Monthly expenses will run about 675.00 ands all cash profit would be spent as income. If I sold the house I would invest about 350k and draw 4% off as income.
I am in my 40's and my family income is about 75k. We currently own our own home and 1 rental property. Our income should be rising to over 100k over the next 5 years.
I would like to look at three scenarios to decide if it is financially smarter to keep or sell the home. The 3 scenarios would be: 1) Keep the house, rent it (spending the profits) out and sell in 20 years. 2) Rent out the house and leave it to my children when I pass away (let's say in 20 years - for comparison). 3) Sell and invest the money over 20 years - spending 4% as income.
Who holds the mortgage?
By: nancy | 09-09-2008
1974 Littleton Road,Monroe,N.H.what bank or mortgage company holds the mortgage?what is their phone# and address?Please let me know.my e-mail is...vankleefgrammy@aol.com
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