Occurs when your monthly mortgage payments submitted are not sufficient to pay all interest and principal due on the loan. The unpaid interest is added to the unpaid balance of the mortgage. It could be considered borrowing equity from yourself. The period of time the Neg-am is applicable is usually limited on each mortgage.

Neg-am or Negative amortization loan usually have a recast period to the loan conditions. Make sure that the recast period is 5 year or more. This will give you enough time to refinance if you are still in the loan. Contact a Mortgage Professional in regards to which lenders have a recast past 5 years.

When doing financing that has a potential for negative amortization make sure you fully understand and feel comfortable with what that means to your individual situation. Your Loan Officer can go over the risk and benefits of the program you choose.

A negative amortization loan is a rising balance loan. It differs from a fully amortized loan in that the payments made on a fully amortized loan are paying down a principal balance. A Neg-am loan does not decrease the principal balance, it adds to it. This loan can be very useful for cash flow oriented projects in that the monthly payment can be fairly low.

When used properly, mortgage loans with potential negative amortization characteristics can be beneficial to homebuyers who want to pay as little in monthly payments as possible in the first few years of the loan term.

What’s good about negative amortization is that your payment doesn’t have to increase just because the interest rate on your ARM went up. The lender can also price the loan more aggressively because a payment cap doesn’t mean that the lender can’t pass along an interest rate increase. What’s bad about negative amortization is that the payment will eventually reset to a level to allow the loan to amortize over its remaining life. The increase in the monthly payment needed to repay the larger loan over a shorter time span can be substantial. If rates have increased substantially, then refinancing may not be a viable option.

Negative amortization can occur with the Option Arms (1% or similar start rates) and reverse mortgages.

When mortgage payments do not cover the full amount of interest due, and the unpaid interest is added to the principal balance of the loan. Under standard amortization, the principal balance decreases with each payment.

A gradual increase in mortgage debt that occurs when the monthly payment is insufficient to cover the interest due, and the balance owed keeps increasing (at least in the first few years).

Some investors use Neg Am loans to increase their cash flow on a property. Usually they plan on selling or refinancing the property is just a few years when using this type of loan.

In most areas where housing prices at a minimum double over the course of 10 years, negative amortization may be less of a concern, and the additional cash in your pocket may be more than worthwhile for individuals who prefer to invest their money in asset classes other than real estate.

I want to thank you for reading the information above. If you would like to continue this conversation than please contact me so you and I can discuss your financial situation. Please read more valuable information and when you feel comfortable I would like you to contact me.

Negative amortization When a borrower’s monthly payment is too small to cover both the principal and interest of a loan. In this case, the unpaid interest is added to the outstanding balance of the loan. The danger of negative amortization is that it gradually increases the mortgage debt, and therefore the home buyer can end up owing more than the original amount of the loan.

Most ARMs have a limit on the amount of negative amortization allowed, usually 110 to 125 percent of the original loan amount. If the loan balance exceeds this amount, the borrower has to start paying off the excess.

Although no one likes the term “negative” a loan with negative amortization is not always a “negative” for the borrower. The essence of such a loan is that the lender allows the borrower to use a little bit of their equity each month to keep their payment low. The additional cash flow created can often keep the borrower from incurring more expensive debt (such as credit card debt) and in most cases that is a “positive.”

Before you sit down with any lender or broker there are some questions that you should ask them before you go any further in the loan process. First, you should ask what is the interest rate? Be sure to ask for the APR of the loans interest. Normally, the APR is higher than the original rate because of the fees involved in getting a loan. You should be aware of APRs founds in ads. These are often used to bait and switch customers just to get them in the door. Always ask for an itemized GFE (Good Faith Estimate).

If you are considering and FHA or VA mortgage be sure to ask up front if your preferred mortgage professional is HUD approved. You may find than many smaller mortgage companies are not HUD approved but will refer you to another company that is.

Discuss with your loan officer the type of mortgage program that fits your situation, Fixed or ARM, 30 years or 15, fully amortized or interest only, etc. Each type of mortgage is designed with a particular borrower in mind, and is not suitable for every home buyer.

It is a good idea to ask any questions that you may have about the loan and the loan process at the beginning. If you wait until the end, you may feel pressured to sign the papers, because of all the work that was put into them. You are the person that is responsible for making the payments, so you need to feel comfortable with your loan program.

Ask your mortgage professional to explain any programs he or she recommend. Make sure you completely understand your loan program, including fees, rate, possible future adjustments, any negative amortization, and pre-payment penalties before you sign at closing.

In the mortgage business, the word “reserves” has more than one meaning. It can refer to the monies (assets) required by the lending bank – to be on hand in the borrowers deposit accounts at the time the loan closes.

The other form of “reserves” in a mortgage transaction are those monies required by the lender to go in escrow, if one is created.

Although proceeds from the sale of your previous home are not technically “seasoned”, they may be used for the down payment of a new purchase, as well as the necessary closing reserves.

Many banks do not consider state controlled retirement funds when using borrowers deposit records to determine how much cash reserves they have. This is because many state controlled retirement funds are inaccessible to their contributors.

Reserves are assets that a home buyer has after settlement. It is one of four underwriting criteria, as with credit, income, and loan-to-value ratio. Most banks require borrowers to have 3 to 6 months worth of housing expenses in reserve after closing. Reserves do not have to be liquid. They can be in the form non-liquid investments such as stock securities, bonds, retirement funds, etc.

A Verification of Deposits (VOD) is often used to show both source and seasoning of reserves or assets. This is a form that is filled out and signed by an official of the depositing institution that verifies such things as the current balance, daily deposit average, account numbers and other information.

When a lender is asking for seasoning or reserves on assets, this usually is referring to liquid assets such as checking and savings. The lender uses the borrower’s assets as a indicator for measuring the borrower’s ability to repay a loan. The assets also show the borrowers pattern of savings and ability to support financial obligations.

Most lenders want a borrower’s reserves to be seasoned for a minimum of 60 days. Seasoned means that they must show proof that they have had this money for at least 60 days. A lender doesn’t want to see that a borrower just had a large amount of money deposited into their account just recently, or they will require proof of where the money came from along with a letter of explanation. This safeguards the lender that the borrower has not incurred a new debt or loan that needs to be calculated into their debt to income ratio.

Many wonder why reserves are sometimes required. This gives the lender more sense of security when lending you the money for your home. If any life changing situations should occur, and you have 6-12 months of “reserves” available, you are likely to use these funds to make your payments in order to keep your house. This makes you less of a risk in the lenders eyes.

With retirement accounts you may be required to contact your human resource department to get a statement explaining how readily available these accounts would be and what the process for taking any money out would be.

Though a borrowers 401k accounts are used to show these reserves, the money in the 401k account is not actually drawn out it is simply shown to be available.

Fannie Mae continues to tighten up approval guidelines. By putting accurate reserves on your 1003, you actually will receive LESS DOCUMENTATION requirements! Most often, Fannie will only require verification of some of the funds listed, not all (for example, borrowers may have checking, savings, and retirement totaling $12,500, but D.U. findings may need NONE verified, or perhaps only $500 verified…then you do not need to send in all asset verifications, just the $500)Remember – every little bit helps! Checking Accounts count at 100% of balance (recent large deposits may need to be explained)Savings Accounts count at 100% of balance (recent large deposits may need to be explained)Stocks / Mutual Funds count at 100% of balance401k / IRA count at 70% of vested balance Cash balance for life insurance policies count at 100% of cash balance Most other retirement accounts may not count, including pensions, PERA accounts, etc.

You can usually count the cash value of a life insurance policy as well.

Other sites: Mortgage Broker | Negative Amortization | Fixed-rate mortgage | Delinquency | Increasing your homes value | MIP | Stated Income Loan | What not to do after you apply for a Mortgage | Quick Closing | Tips for lowering your homeowners insurance| Pay Option Arm Calculator

Editors Note: Due to the mortgage and credit crunch, option arm loans are more difficult to get. If you’re in need of a Denver home loans/mortgages contact us to discuss your mortgage options.

Pay option ARMS are not for every borrower but there are a few borrowers that can benefit from the Pay Option ARM mortgage programs available today. Self-Employed and Commissioned workers- With the flexible options in the Pay option programs these borrowers can adjust their monthly payments according to their monthly earnings. Borrower’s with high consumer debt– By lowering their mortgage payment these borrowers are able to pay of higher interest debt faster.

When considering whether to refinance into a Pay Option ARM, always keep in mind that Pay Option ARM can create negative amortization. Negative amortization occurs when a home owner makes the minimum monthly payments, which is less than the interest incurred, and end up owing more than what the homeowner owed originally. Most Pay Option ARM programs re-adjust the payments every year so that the loan balance would not be too much more than the original loan amount.

Ask your mortgage broker to review your situation and see if you could benefit from the pay option ARM programs. If a pay option ARM is not for you there may be better programs based on your situation.

Option Arms are a good choice for:-Increased cash flow on investment properties-Areas with high appreciation-Lower payments in order to invest and payoff debt-People who have unpredictable incomes.

Pay Option ARM’s are generally not meant to be programs that one stays with for long periods of time, such as 10 years or more. Pay Option ARM’s can incur negative amortization which means instead of your mortgage balance going down it actually increases. Most Pay Option ARM’s have a cap that will not allow the balance of your loan to increase higher than 115% of the appraised value of your home. Most also have a rate cap that states the rate can’t increase any higher than 9.95%. These numbers may vary slightly so check with your mortgage broker on the exact details of your loan program.

The Pay Option ARM gives you 4 “options” to make your payment.(1) The minimum payment.(2) Interest only payment.(3) 30 year fully amortizing payment.(4) 15 year fully amortizing payment

The pay option arm is also a great tool for seasonal workers. If you are a painter, and know that the majority of your income comes from the summer months, then you could adjust your payments to those months. You would be able to pay more on your mortgage while you are making more money, and pay less during the months that are typically slower for you. This would leave more cash in your hands during those slow months.

A Pay Option ARM is also a great tool for property investors. It gives you flexible payments that can help in months when the property is vacant, or in the event repairs are needed it can be used to offset the cost of repairs rather than using cash out of pocket.

If your household, like many in the US today, seems never to have enough cash every month and you find yourself constantly turning to credit cards or other expensive debt, this loan may be quite helpful. The Pay Option ARM can free up needed cash every month and help you avoid the other, more expensive kind of debt.

The Pay Option ARM is also a great way to pay down credit card debt, without laying out additional cash on a monthly basis. This method of managing your mortgage provides interest savings as well as it will usually provide some sizeable Tax savings.

Editors Note: Due to the mortgage and credit crunch, stated income loans may be very difficult to obtain. If you’re in need of a first mortgage in Denver contact us to discuss your mortgage options.

Stated income loan programs are offered on fixed rate mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages, or on negative amortization mortgages. They do not require income verification.

Most lenders also charge a higher rate on a stated income loan.

Stated income loans are very popular with business owners. Since they write-off a lot of their expenses at the end of the year on their taxes they sometimes have very little net-income to qualify for a full-doc loan.

Generally a no income, no asset (NINA) loan requires no verification of income or assets. However verification of employment is required and 2 years of same line of work is required. A No Doc loan is a NINA without verification of employment.

Some banks offer borrowers with high credit scores stated income loan programs with no adjustments, meaning the borrowers would not get “surcharged” or penalized for not furnishing proofs of income. These stated income programs offer interest rates that are identical to that of full documentation loans.

Stated Income programs are ideal for those clients with non-documentable income sources. Typically for those who may receive portions of income in cash.

A stated income loan normally requires a slightly higher FICO score to qualify for the same loan to value as compared to a full documentation loan or bank statement program.

There are two common types of Stated Income Programs: Stated Income Verified Assets Loan: (SIVA) – Loan approval is based on your stated income, credit history, and verified liquid assets (bank accounts, 401k, stocks, bonds, etc.). The Verified Assets should be consistent with the income claimed. Stated Income Stated Assets Loan (SISA) – This loan has no assets being verified. You only state your income and state your assets on the application. This program may have a slightly higher interest rate because the assets are not verified.

Some variations of stated income include:1)Reduced Doc – Income and assets are disclosed on the application but income is not verified. Assets are verified.2)No Ratio – Income is not disclosed on the application and assets are stated and verified. 3)No Income No Asset – Income and assets are not disclosed on the application and are not verified. Employment not stated or verified.

Lenders will look at the “stated” income to verify it is not out of whack, you cannot state $80,000 worth of income working part-time as a cashier. This has to be an accurate figure of income actually made.

Stated-income mortgages are for people who make the money they say they make, but that amount doesn’t show up on the bottom line of their income taxes.

Stated Income loans still must be approved by an underwriter. The stated income must make sense for the employment that the borrower has.

They say you can beat the tax man or you can beat the bank, but you can’t beat them both. If your income is difficult to document because of commission based pay or revenue from self employment, stated income loan programs are available which enable borrowers with sufficiently high credit ratings to borrow money at competitive rates. Programs are often available to borrow money equaling up to 100% of the value of your home, without the need to verify your income or your assets, or in some cases without the need to verify either.

Stated Income Loans are for borrowers with income sources that are not easily verified through normal channels. So, lenders allow borrowers to state their true income without verifying it. These loan programs are usually for borrowers with good credit and come with a higher interest rate.

I can understand that a Stated Loan could be confusing? Yet, I want to thank you for reading the information above. If you would like to continue this conversation than please contact me so you and I can discuss your financial situation. Please read more valuable information and when you feel comfortable I would like you to contact me.

Many self employed borrowers take advantage of stated income loans so they do not have to provide tax returns to qualify.

As you move down the line on the different programs, from SIVA to SISA to NINA the interest rate will move a bit higher each time. Depending on your credit scores and LTV (loan to value) you might be able to qualify for one but not another.

Stated income is a very popular form of loan qualifying. As you’re probably aware, most successful business owners write off a lot of their expenses at the end of the year on their taxes, causing very little net income to be used for qualifying for a loan. You also see this with borrowers that make tips, bonuses and commission as their sole form of income.

Editors Note: Due to the mortgage and credit crunch, many loan programs have been eliminated. If you’re in need of a Denver mortgage contact us to discuss your mortgage options.

There are a wide variety of loan programs available.

One of the most popular loan options in the market today is the Pay Option adjustable rate mortgage, which is often called a flex or borrower’s choice loan. Available in 30 and 40 year amortized varieties, many of our customers who value having cash in their pockets each month have taken advantage of this innovative financing program.

For example, you have fixed rate mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages, VA mortgages, FHA loans, Reverse Mortgages, Interest-Only loans, Option Arm loans, Stated-income loans, No Ratio loans, HELOC’s, 30 year loans due in 15 years, etc. The list goes on and on. You should ask your mortgage professional which loans apply to your situation, whether you qualify, and what will save you the most money.

Adjustable (or Variable) Rate Mortgage (ARM) is a mortgage in which the Note rate can change throughout the life of the loan. The interest rate of an ARM is calculated by adding a predetermined margin to an interest market index. Some of the more common indices chosen as the underlying index are the 1-year Treasury Bill, London Interbank Offered Rate, and the 11th District Cost of Funds. Because the underlying index constantly changes to reflect market conditions, any ARM that base the their interest rates on that index would move in tandem.

Interest only options can be used on many of the other types of programs. It can be used on the fixed rate or adjustable rate programs. With the interest only option the borrower is paying only the interest and not the principle. There is usually a small fee charged to the interest rate for adding this option.

NINA loans are loans that don’t require income and assets to be disclosed or verified.

A HELOC is a home equity line-of-credit.

The traditional fixed rate mortgage is the most common type of loan programs, where monthly principal and interest payments never change during the life of the loan.

With a 15 year fixed loan, you will pay off your principle faster than with a 30 year fixed loan, even if you were only to stay in the loan for a few years.

The option arm loan is a loan that provides four payment options each month:-minimum payment-interest only-30 year amortization-15 year amortization This loan has a variable interest rate. However, the minimum payment is very low – much lower than the interest payment. The unpaid interest for each month is added to the total loan amount. This is referred to as “negative amortization”, because the amount you owe on the house will go up in time, not down. This loan can be good for short terms, such as for investors who will soon sell the property. It is also good for people whose income may change from month-to-month, and they need some flexibility.

Editors Note: Due to the mortgage and credit crunch, negative amortization mortgages are more difficult to get. If you’re in need of a Denver loan contact us to discuss your mortgage options.

An explanation of Negative Amortization:

Negative Amortization means that the loan balance can actually increase.

If you make the minimum payment the difference between the minimum payment and a principal and interest payment will be added back onto the balance of the mortgage.

If the interest only payment is greater than the minimum payment in any given month, you have the option to pay either amount. If you choose to pay only the minimum payment, any additional interest which is due is deferred at that time.

When the loan is “re-cast”, usually after 5 years, any deferred interest is then added to the principal balance resulting in Negative Amortization. The deferred interest can be paid at any time prior to the re-casting of the loan and becomes tax deductible once it has been paid.

Negative amortization can be a very bad thing if it continues to happen every single month. You will not build equity in your home, but you will actually lose equity in your home. Negative amortization type loans can be a good option for borrowers who have very unstable incomes where the ability to make an ultra low payment is available. This way when they are having a low income month they can simply make the lowest payment possible and when they have better income producing months they can make a much higher payment. Negative amortization loans are not for everyone.

The maximum amount of negative amortization that can occur is limited. Depending in which state your property is located, the limit is between 110% and 125% of the original principal balance.

Option ARMs (also known as pay option or pick-a-payment ARMs) function differently than other types of loan products. In general, the minimum payment will only change once a year. The interest only payment is calculated monthly.

For the month of September, i’ll be discussing the Option Arm. Other names for this product include: 1% Start Rate, Pay Option Arm, Power Arm, 12 MAT, 1 Month MTA, MTA Loan, COFI Loan and Pick a Payment Loan.