Jan 25, 2009

The Skinny on Jumbo Mortgages

By: Mevish Jaffer

As real-estate costs continue to increase, jumbo mortgage loans continue to gain in popularity among interested buyers. Also referred to as non-conforming loans, jumbo mortgages involve loans which are above conventional limitation amounts. In the United States, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the largest secondary market lenders that set the industry standard for mortgage loans. In the event that these agencies are not able to cover full loans amounts, jumbo mortgages may be applied.

Who Typically Needs a Jumbo Mortgage Loan?

According to DiscountedMortgageLoans.com, if you're someone who is self-employed, you are most likely to make use of jumbo mortgages. Because successful business owners may take up to two years to verify their employment status, they would be unable to purchase a home. If you have a large family and are desperately in need of some extra room or business space but do not qualify for the house size you want, you may also benefit from the amount in costs jumbo mortgages can help cover.

Standard Mortgages vs. Jumbo Mortgages

Jumbo mortgage loans, in comparison to standard mortgage loans include:

  • Higher interest rates
  • Higher minimum down payment requirements
  • Longer pay-off periods
  • Detailed analysis of the proposed property

Standard mortgages typically involve 30-year pay-off periods which result in extremely high monthly payment amounts for jumbo mortgage loan amounts. As a result, lenders tend to offer longer terms in an effort to decrease the payment to ensure better manageability for you, the borrower.

Associated Risks of Jumbo Mortgages

Higher mortgage rates and down payments are some of the drawbacks associated with jumbo mortgages. However, considering the fact that jumbo mortgages can greatly help you purchase the home you desire is a huge plus. Jumbo mortgages also pose a higher risk to lenders. In the case a jumbo mortgage loan is in a failure to pay status, selling luxurious property is a lot tougher on the lender for full price.

How to Choose the Right Jumbo Mortgage Loan Lender

If you're looking into jumbo mortgage loans, there are a few things to consider before you can make an informed decision. Higher interest rates are inevitable with jumbo mortgages, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your entire bank account to purchase your dream home or business property. Just make sure to get several quotes in order to get the best rate possible on your jumbo mortgage loan. If you're considering interest-only and adjustable rate mortgages, keep in mind that there are potential associated pitfalls. Although your payments may be kept to a minimum for a short period of time, you will notice a significant increase in monthly payments after that time has passed. This type of scenario is also known for contributing to rising foreclosure rates. Bear in mind that refinancing may prove to be difficult once your introductory period comes to a close. Finally, it would also be wise to stay away from pushy lenders who are only interested in the big commission check your loan size poses for them. Just remember that you can only benefit from speaking to several different lenders and mortgage brokers before making a commitment.

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