September, 2013:

How do we know if it’s best to get a 15 year fixed rate mortgage or a 30 year fixed rate one?

Sep 27th, 2013
by edsmith.
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If you can easily afford the 15 year payment, do it. Not only do you pay the loan off much more quickly, but you will receive a lower interest rate as well. This serves to create a dynamic that will result in a much accelerated equity build up and a more financially favorable monthly payment.

As an example, a $250,000  mortgage at 4.25% for 30 years would result in a monthly payment of $1,230.  That same loan amount at 3.5% for 15 years would result in a monthly payment of $1,787. Then consider that over the life of the loan, the 30 year option would result in total monthly payments of $442,800 vs $321,697 in the case of the 15 year. That’s $121,103 in savings!

For more info, please visit us at www.Ed-Terri.com or email us at smith@realtor.com

Ed & Terri Smith, Broker Owners
RE/MAX Coastal Properties
850-837-5500 x1

 

 

 

We have read about how you can just deed your home to a “holding” company to avoid foreclosure. Does this work?

Sep 1st, 2013
by edsmith.
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The one word answer … No! All standard mortgages today include a clause known as the “due on sale”. This clause states that if you sell, convey or transfer ownership of the property, the lender may invoke their right to acceleration, meaning they can “call the loan” making the entire balance due and payable.

Also remember that the mortgage, note and deed are entirely different animals. The deed only establishes ownership. It is the note that establishes who owes the money. The mortgage merely attaches the note to the property. You could deed a property to someone else, but the underlying note and mortgage (your obligation to pay) remain intact.

For more info, please visit us at www.destinfloridarealestate.com or email us at smith@realtor.com