I hear it all the time, and you probably do too. On the radio, TV, in the newspaper or online – “Call now to get a 30-year fixed loan at x% with no points or fees!”. I’d like to explain to you why this almost never makes sense.
The mortgage industry is a very competitive one, so if you are on the market for a mortgage, or refinancing your existing one, you may want to consider getting a few quotes on line.
Apples vs. oranges. Dave Letterman vs. Jay Leno. These debates may rage on for decades, and we can add another one to the list: fixed vs. adjustable. We're speaking, of course, of fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages.
It's pretty easy to isolate the good from the bad in a lot of professions: a dentist laughing gleefully every time you flinch, a plumber demanding payment up front while your knees disappear underwater, a real estate agent who never returns your call or is constantly dragging you to inappropriate houses. You wouldn't let any of these hang around long enough to do any real damage.
Predatory lending is far more prevalent in refinancing than in the purchase market. One reason is that buyers tend to look for mortgages from established and recognized lenders, many of whom are bound by rules put forth by Fannie Mae, FHA, or the Veterans Administration. If they don't follow the rules, they cannot sell their loans on the secondary market.
Home Loans
full story
printer version