Redessociales

You know what a mortgage is, how it works, and what to watch out for. But when you go asking for mortgage assistance, your lender’s words make about as much sense as alien banter. That’s what makes the Loan Modification process so confusing for many homeowners—and why many of them simply give up.

But you don’t have to be a financial expert to make sound decisions. A working knowledge of the lending and loan modification industry can help you better understand your situation, and know exactly what your lenders mean. Below is a list of terms you’re likely encounter in a loan modification, and what they mean for you.

Amortization: The repayment of a loan (usually a mortgage) through regular installments. The payments are determined by the term of the loan, the principal balance, and the interest rate.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR): The total cost of the loan, including the interest, mortgage insurance, points, and other associated fees.

Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM): A type of mortgage in which the interest rate changes according to market conditions. This means your payments may increase or decrease from month to month. Most ARMs have a payment cap that keeps the amount from rising beyond certain levels.

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): The ratio of the amount you pay on the loan to your total income. Lenders use this to determine whether or not you can comfortably pay the loan. According to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the mortgage payments should not exceed 29% of your monthly income before taxes, and your total debt (including credit cards and other loans) should not go over 41%.

Deed-in-lieu: A deed that passes interest in your property to your lender as settlement for your debt. It doesn’t let you keep your home, but it helps you avoid the foreclosure proceedings and associated costs.

Sub-prime lending is a type of credit given to homeowners who do not meet the criteria for regular (“prime”) loans. A typical sub-prime borrower has a poor or limited credit history and a FICO score of less than 620. These factors make them a risky investment for regular lenders, which keeps them from taking out loans. To compensate for the risk, sub-prime lenders impose higher costs on their contracts. For credit cards, this is usually a higher fee for over-the-limit spending or late fees. Sub-prime mortgages usually have higher interest rates and stricter terms.

Contrary to popular belief, sub-prime lending is a perfectly legal business. But like many new industries, it has been tainted by lenders who don’t play by industry standards. From 2003 to 2007, shady companies have turned up offering terms ranging from unfair to downright illegal. This, along with the economic slowdown, has contributed a great deal to the real estate crisis that forced many homeowners into foreclosure.

Are all sub-prime loans bad?

No. There are actually some sub-prime companies who give you good value for your money. If you find a good lender and stay current, sub-prime lending can have its benefits.For example, many people use sub-prime loans as a means of credit repair. Basically, it gives you a chance to rebuild your credit history and improve your scores. By keeping up a good record on sub-prime loans, you can eventually refinance to better terms and get back on your feet.

How do I know when a loan is sub-prime?