Loans 4 Me

Homeowners Hit New Snag in Refinancing

2008-04-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

In the latest sign of how the credit crunch is hurting even borrowers with good credit, some home-equity lenders are starting to slam the door on homeowners who want to refinance their primary mortgages.

In some cases, homeowners who in the past would have been easily approved for a mortgage refinancing are finding that they can't get their home-equity lender to give the go-ahead, which is required to complete the transaction. Others are being told by their home-equity lender that they need to reduce the size of their loan or line of credit.

Approvals from home-equity lenders used to be routine, particularly if the borrower wasn't increasing the size of the mortgage as part of the transaction. But that's no longer always the case -- even in places where the housing market hasn't been hit by huge price declines.

Such approvals, known in the industry as "subordinations," mean that the home-equity lender agrees to stand in second place behind the new mortgage and allow the existing first mortgage to be replaced by another first mortgage.

Many mortgage re financings continue to go through without a hitch. But some homeowners who want to lower their rates or lock in a fixed-rate mortgage can't, even if refinancing would save them money and put them in a better position to repay their loans.

"For borrowers trying to improve their situation, this is a nightmare," says Richard Redmond, a mortgage broker in Larkspur, Calif. That's because getting a new home-equity loan to replace the old one in order to get a refinancing approved "may be impossible," he says, as many lenders have significantly tightened their standards as housing prices have fallen.

During the housing boom, many borrowers used home-equity loans as a way to buy a home with little or no money down without having to pay for private mortgage insurance. Others turned to these loans to pay off higher-cost debt or to finance renovations and even vacations. The dollar value of home-equity loans outstanding stood at $1.1 trillion in the third quarter of 2007, according to the Federal Reserve.

The higher hurdles for borrowers come at a time when home-equity lenders are reeling from rising losses in the face of higher delinquencies and falling home prices. More than 5% of home-equity loans were at least 30 days past due in January, according to Equifax and Moody's Economy.com, up from 4.4% in December and 3.4% a year earlier. Delinquencies on home-equity lines of credit have also risen, to 2.2% in January, from 1.9% in December and just 1.2% a year earlier.

Lenders extended an estimated $456 billion of new home-equity loans and lines of credit in 2007, down from a peak of $504 billion in 2006, according to SMR Research in Hackettstown, N.J.

In an effort to stem future losses, home-equity lenders have tightened their standards by, for example, significantly cutting back on how much of a property's value borrowers can finance. They are also going back to some borrowers and freezing their home-equity lines of credit or reducing the maximum amount they can borrow. Charlotte, N.C.-based Bank of America Corp., for instance, began notifying some of its customers last month that it was blocking access to their home-equity lines because of falling home prices.

Cleveland-based lender National City Corp. last month stopped approving refinancing requests from borrowers who received a home-equity loan from the lender through a mortgage broker. Kristen Baird Adams, a National City spokeswoman, says the move was "consistent" with the company's decision last summer to stop making loans through mortgage brokers.

Do you know iKobo?

2008-04-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

iKobo was founded in 2001 to offer the market a better, faster, safer and more economical solution to international person-to-person money transfers. Leveraging modern technologies and an on-line customer interface, iKobo today offers a secure solution that is vastly superior to traditional agent-dependent companies.

iKobo uses an open network of VISA merchants and ATMs numbering more than 25 million which is more convenient and safe to send and receive money than a closed network of independent agents. iKobo allows consumers to use credit cards, debit cards, or bank accounts on-line to send a re-loadable Visa® Prepaid Card to recipients. The card is the key to giving consumers the convenience, safety and security of receiving money in an environment managed by VISA - the global leader in payments. The assurance of privacy and security for customers is why we trust VISA and our other processing partners.

iKobo is managed by people who have extensive experience in money transfer, consumer payments, transaction processing and data security. We understand how important each and every transaction is to our customers and are committed to earning your business.

iKobo is privately held corporation backed by venture capital firms and a Board of Directors that are key to enabling the management team achieve the vision of providing the safest, most convenient way to transfer money and delivering unparalleled customer service and value.

10 Tips for Good Credit

2008-04-10T09:53:00.000-07:00

10 Tips for Good Credit

After you've decided on the type of credit you need and how much you can afford, follow these steps for maintaining a good credit history.

Shop around for the best credit terms.
Understand the terms of the agreement before you accept a loan or credit card.
Save money each payday for emergencies.
Set a monthly limit for charges and stick to it.
Shop as carefully with credit as you do with cash.
Don't take on monthly credit payments unless you're certain you can meet them.
Pay bills promptly and in full to keep finance charges low.
If you charge day-to-day expenses, pay them in full each month.
Keep credit card information (including the phone number of the issuer) in a safe place in case your cards are lost or stolen.
Keep copies of your sales slips and compare the charges when bills arrive. If there's a mistake, call your issuer right away.

Via

Let a specialist shop around for used car loans on your behalf

2008-03-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

You could have decided to buy a used car for many reasons but if the main reason is to save money then you are going to want to get the best deal on used car loans. When it comes to finding the best deal possible with the lowest rates of interest then you should let a specialist car loan broker shop around on your behalf.

The beauty of going with a specialist website is that they have the experience and so are able to search the car finance marketplace for the best deal possible. Used car loans do have to be given some serious thought especially when it comes to deciding how long to take it over. All cars depreciate so taking a used car loan over many years might not be advisable because the car could be worth very little by the time the loan is paid off.

Of course you will want to save money on the monthly repayments but then along with car depreciation is the fact that more interest will be added onto the total cost of the loan. Paying more over a shorter period of time will keep the cost down but of course you have to be sure you can afford to keep up the repayments.

If buying your used car through a dealer then they will probably offer finance in the showroom. Sometimes they can make it sound as though you would be getting the best deal possible but of course the interest rates will almost certainly be a lot higher than had you gone to a specialist car loan broker and let them search around on your behalf to find the cheapest deals so you can then look through them and decide which is the most suitable.

The interest rate will be determined largely on your circumstances. The biggest factor is your credit rating as with any type of loan and used car loans are no different. If you have an excellent credit rating then you are able to get the cheapest rates but if your rating is low then you would expect to pay a higher rate of interest even if you are able to get a loan. In some cases you might have to go for a bad credit rating loan but again a specialist website will be able to get the best rates possible for your circumstances.

Once you are presented with the cheapest used car loans make sure to take your time when looking them over to decide which is most suitable. While you are comparing the interest rates and the total cost of the loan you also have to compare the key facts and small print of the loan. The key facts will layout how much in total you will be paying including the interest and for how long and the small print is where you can find the any extra costs such as early repayment fees which can boost up the cost of the borrowing.

Everything about Secured Loan

2008-03-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

Secured loans are specialist loans that are available only to homeowners, and this is because these loans are secured against the home. For many people secured loans offer an affordable and effective way to borrow money and raise finance, allowing them to unlock the equity in their homes without having to actually sell up and move on.

With secured loans it is extremely important that carefully consider whether this is the right loan for you, as failure to keep up with repayments could result in you losing your home. It is vital that you make sure you can comfortably afford the repayments, bearing in mind that interest rate hikes can affect the variable rate on these loans and therefore can affect your monthly repayments.

There are both pros and cons to taking out secured loans, and homeowners that are considering this type of loan should weigh up both the pros and cons in order to determine whether these loans are right for them.

There are a number of providers of secured loans for consumers to choose from, and it is also worth remembering that the interest rates, repayment periods, and terms and conditions can vary from one lender to another, and therefore if you are planning to take out a secured loan you should make sure that you compare quotes and loans from a number of lenders in order to find the right one for your needs.

Consumers that take out secured loans are able to enjoy increased borrowing power compared to unsecured finance, which tends to allow loans of up to £25,000.

You can borrow far more than this with most secured loans, although the amount that you will ultimately be eligible to borrow will depend on your personal circumstances, your credit rating, your income, and the equity in your home.

You can work out the level of equity in your home by deducting any outstanding mortgage or other loans secured on the home from the market value of the property.

The repayment periods offered on secured loans are also way longer than those offered on unsecured loans, which typically offer repayment periods of up to seven years.

The longer repayment periods offered with secured loans means that you can spread your loan over a longer period, and this in turn means that you can reduce the amount that you have to repay each month.

The main disadvantages with this are that you will be in debt for a long time if your take your loan over a longer period, and you will pay more in interest overall over the term of the loan.

Of course, the other main disadvantage with secured loans is that the loan is secured against the home, and therefore if you stop making repayments on your loan for whatever reason you may find that your home is at risk.

Before committing to a secured loan you should carefully look at your options and decide whether this is the best option for you. Your decision should be based on the amount that you wish to borrow, the amount that your can afford to repay each month, and even your credit rating.

Often those with poor credit that cannot get unsecured finance find that they are eligible to take out secured loans providing they are homeowners.

Some secured loans have terms and conditions that result in anyone that tries to pay off the loan early being financially penalized.

This is why you should always check the small print on secured loans before you sign up, as this will ensure that you don’t get any nasty surprises a few years down the line.

Secured Loans in the UK

2008-03-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

It is often essential to raise finance for major purchases including for example house related investments such as adding a conservatory or a loft extension. One method for raising this finance is to borrow money with security put down against the loan. This effectively guarantees the loan by assigning rights to the security in the event of a loan default. Such a loan backed by collateral is usually called a secured loan.

One of the most frequently used assets as security in such an arrangement is a house, or that portion of the equity in a house which is not already granted as security for other loans. This type of loan is usually quicker to arrange and more attractive interest rates are available as it is a safer proposition for the lender. In nearly all circumstances the lender will be able to recover their money. Because of the lesser risk profile of the secured loan it will often be attractive to those with a less than perfect credit history. The secured loan is therefore an option for those with equity tied up in property who are seeking low interest rates or have experienced problems getting an unsecured loan, or for whom an unsecured loan is not otherwise an option.

Secured loans can usually be arranged without punitive fees like those which a standard remortgage will attract. For this reason it is often a preferred route for those seeking to release capital from their real estate investments.

The capital which a secured loan releases can usually be used for any purpose including home improvements, buying a car, take a once in a lifetime holiday, and management or consolidation of other debts. By consolidating many short term debts into one larger long term secured loan the monthly payments to service the debt can be substantially reduced making a significant difference to the month to month finances of the debtor.

Secured Loans are available from high street banks and building societies as well as specialist lenders.

Auto Refinance

2008-02-17T05:48:00.000-08:00

Even with less-than-perfect credit, you can qualify to refinance an auto loan within minutes – with no obligation!

See for yourself how easy and fast you can save money on your car loan.

Two steps:

1. Get pre-approved to refinance your loan with our lenders. Your request is secure and confidential, and it takes just seconds.

2. Complete your car loan request. We'll have a finance specialist contact you immediately with their best rate.

Minimum Requirements:

US Resident
18 or older
Minimum monthly income of $1,800
1996 vehicle or newer
Less than 80,000 miles
Loan request between $7,500 - $50,000

Unsecured Loans

2008-02-04T12:19:00.000-08:00

It can be difficult to know where to begin when looking for an unsecured loan as there are hundreds and hundreds available in the UK to choose from. Rather than going to all the individual lenders and loan providers in the UK we search the market for you. All your search information is provided in an easy to use comparison table, identifying rate, monthly and total payments to make choosing a cheap loan easy.

In seconds you can use our fast, free and easy service without credit checks being carried out or any obligation to purchase.

Borrowing a sum of money without securing any assets against it is called an unsecured loan and due to the higher risk to the loan provider the rates can be higher than a secured loan. The loan repayment schedule or plans are usually over shorter periods of time compared to other loan products also. If a secured loan is your preferred option why not compare today?

Whatever you are looking for – be it poor credit unsecured loans, the best unsecured loan for your circumstances or cheap unsecured loans WiseBuy can help. We can introduce you to an unsecured broker who will search the market for the right unsecured loan for your circumstances and they may even be able to beat advertised interest rates.

Comparing unsecured loans couldn’t be simpler. Our quick and easy to use service is free and doesn’t carry out credit checks. It simply shows all the unsecured loans available in an easy to use comparison table enabling you to find the best cheap unsecured loan for your circumstances.

A bonus with unsecured loans is that as no assets are secured against it (such as a home) then you are not at risk if you default on the payment plan. On the downside the interest rates may be higher and the repayment period shorter as there is a higher risk to the lender. Unsecured loans can also be called tenant loans or personal loans.

Unsecured loans can be used for a variety of purposes and can be a cheap way to borrow over a short period of time. Are you looking to replace your car, go on a holiday of a lifetime or consolidate your existing debts into one easy payment each month then unsecured loans could be the answer.

GovBenefits.gov Programs for Citizens

2008-02-04T12:14:00.000-08:00

GovBenefits.gov would like to remind citizens that there is a lot of useful food and housing benefit information on the GovBenefits.gov’s website.
12.7% of Americans live in hungry or “food-insecure” households, according to the Emergency Food Network. To combat hunger and food-insecurity in the United States there are several programs in place to aid citizens get a hold of food and other items year round. In addition to hunger during the winter season citizens may also need to make large scale repairs to their homes in order to maintain a safe and energy-efficient place to live.

Making these important annual renovations will help shield homeowners from ever rising energy costs. On average, Americans will spend $977 to heat their homes this year, according to the Energy Information Administration.

While these statistics are eye opening, the benefit program information on GovBenefits.gov's website may improve the holiday season for families in need.

Waiting for the FED to refi?

2008-01-17T05:13:00.000-08:00

If your mortgage is more than 3 years old, it really likely that your mortgage rate is higher than it needs to be. It may be time to refinance. Don’t wait for the FED to drop rates as we often hear from fence sitting clients. As you can clearly see from the chart the FED has little if any influence on mortgage rates.

Relative to any point in time since August 2005, mortgage rates are extremely low.
If your mortgage is being professionally managed for you, your loan officer has already called you to start the remortgage process.

If he hasn’t called, it may be time to find a new loan officer. But besides low rates, though, there’s another major reason to check in with your loan officer.

In a down market, product innovation stops and the process of contraction begins.

Mortgage lenders are constantly eliminating “fringe” mortgage products.

Now, “fringe” is a non-specific word because its definition changes constantly. What was “fringe” in 2005, for example, is somewhere in the nightmares and the enormous losses of the banks. This is why a home loan that gets approved today is not promised to be approved tomorrow.

And today’s low mortgage rates don’t mean a thing if you can’t get a mortgage that uses them.

Special mortgage products for low-income or first-time home buyer programs, including HomePossible and MyCommunity programs.
Mortgages on investment properties with less than 20% equity in the home. This is a very different-looking list from the one of Summer 2007 which included home equity lines of credit to 100% and 90% investment property mortgages. These loans have since been discontinued and cast away by investors.

Budgeting for your car

2008-01-13T10:56:00.000-08:00

Buying a car could be the second most expensive purchase you make in your life (after a house) so it is essential you consider all the financial implications before you drive away.

What are the purchase costs?

There are a number of initial costs that must be factored into your budgeted purchase price. These include:

Car registration.
Compulsory Third Party Insurance.
Other insurance – if additional cover is required.
Mechanical or other inspections.
Dealer delivery charges.
Government taxes and levies – including stamp duty and transfer fees.

What everyday costs should I budget for?

The most obvious running cost you’ll have is fuel, but with oil prices fluctuating, petrol can be difficult to budget for. In addition to fuel, other costs include:

Insurance – if you require comprehensive or third party, fire and theft insurance in addition to the compulsory third party included with your registration, this must be factored into your budget as insurance costs can add up.
Loan repayments – if you required a loan for your car, these costs must be considered.
Regular services – again, these can be costly, especially if you are not comfortable doing minor work on your car such as oil and filter changes.
Spare parts and repairs – including tyres, filters, mechanical parts and lights. Repairs, including those for normal wear and tear can soon add up, in particular for non-standard or luxury cars.
Membership of associations and clubs – annual fees of automobile associations offering breakdown assistance need to be considered in your budget.
Registration costs – unfortunately, not a one-off payment on purchasing the vehicle, registration is a potentially costly annual financial drain. You may also be required to provide certification regarding the mechanical performance of the vehicle which involves a trip to an inspection station and additional costs.

Working out your budget

Once you have decided on your new car, put down on paper all the potential costs involved with the everyday running of the vehicle. If in doubt, over-estimate rather than under-estimate. And don't forget the fuel costs; with petrol fluctuating up to $1.40 a litre, everyday travel can become an expensive exercise.

Apex Auto Loan

2008-01-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

Auto Loan approvals are quick and easy through Apex Auto Loan, are available for new or used vehicle purchases, and can be obtained online in less than two minutes! Whether you have excellent credit, bad credit, little credit, or even no credit, we can definitely help you with your auto loan today!
Getting approved online is fast, free, and there are never any hassles or obligations. With our extensive network of auto financing specialists, you can very easily get approved for auto loan financing, even if your credit is not so perfect. Auto Loans are available for all makes and models of vehicles and you can buy either new or used.

Student Loans

2008-01-13T10:37:00.000-08:00

An education loan is a form of financial aid that must be repaid, with interest.

Education loans come in three major categories:

1. student loans (e.g., Stafford and Perkins loans),

2. parent loans (e.g., PLUS loans) and

3. private student loans (also called alternative student loans).

Fourth type of education loan, the consolidation loan, allows the borrower to lump all of their loans into one loan for simplified payment.

Federal law sets the maximum interest rates and fees that lenders may charge for federally-guaranteed loans. Nothing prevents a lender from charging lower fees. Many lenders offer a variety of student loan discounts to attract borrowers.

Grants, scholarships, work-study and other forms of gift aid just do not cover the full cost of a college education. Many students find that they must supplement their savings with government and private loans.
The Federal education loan programs offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment plans than most consumer loans, making them an attractive way to finance your education. You can also deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest even if you don't itemize deductions on your income tax return.
Many student loan providers offer low cost government and private loans with consistently high quality servicing and flexible repayment terms.

Bad credit secured loans

2008-01-13T10:32:00.000-08:00

It is absolutely true that bad credit does cause some severe problems in your financial life. But, it cannot have an everlasting impact, as it’s your life and all depends on you that how you want to lead it. On the other hand, it’s obvious that people with a bad credit history do face problems, whenever they try to procure loans.
But, if your credit history carries that much importance in your life then you should try to improve it. It is also true that, you can easily improve it with the help of bad credit secured loans.

Bad credit secured loans are offered against collateral, which can be your home, property or other valuable asset. Since, you are offering collateral, its obvious that the lender becomes assured that he will not lose his money. But, if anyhow, you fail to repay the loan amount in the given period, the lender will repossess your property involved as collateral.

Nowadays, Internet has become the most easiest and convenient way to procure loans. Besides, getting the thorough information about loans and lenders, you can apply online for bad credit secured loans without hassles.

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2008-01-13T10:29:00.000-08:00

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