Types of loans
- Fixed rate
- Adjustable rate
- Jumbo mortgage
- Second mortgage
- Reverse mortgage
- FHA, VA and USDA
- Rehabilitation loans
- Land / lot loans
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Fixed rate mortgage - a mortgage where the interest rate is the same throughout the duration of the loan.
Adjustable rate mortgage - a mortgage where the interest rate changes. There are many, many different types of adjustable rate mortgages. ARMs generally allow borrowers to have lower payments for a fixed period of time with an annual or bi-annual adjustment after the fixed period has ended.
Jumbo mortgage - a mortgage with a loan amount greater than a conventional loan limit. The current conventional loan limit is $417,000 in most areas.
Second mortgage - A mortgage that is taken out after the first mortgage is in place. Used to help purchase the home, pay off debt, or re-model the home.
Reverse mortgage - a loan for senior homewoners that uses a portion of the home's equity as collateral. This loan type generally does not have to be repaid until the last surviving homeowner permanently moves out of the property or passes away.
FHA loan - a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration. These currently have the lowest down payment requirement (3.5%) of all loans except for VA loans.
VA loan - a loan guaranteed by the US Department of Veteran Affairs. These loans are designed to offer financing to American veterans or their surviving spouses. No down payment required and no monthly mortgage insurance.
USDA loan - a loan insured by USDA (Gov't Loan) and only offered in rural areas and serviced by direct lenders that meet federal guidelines. Advantages include no down payment and low mortgage insurance, if you qualify.
Rehabilitaion loans - FHA loan for purchasing fixer-uppers / handyman specials. Also, for reparing/upgrading your currently owned home.
Points - a point (or 'discount point') may be purchased at the closing of the loan at a rate of one percent of the loan amount per point. For each point puchased, the interest rate of the loan is reduced by a certain amount. This amount varies from loan to loan. A good rule of thumb is 1 Discount Point usually buys down your interest rate 0.25%. Sometimes it may buy the rate down further and sometimes it may be less.