Fixed Rate Reverse Mortage - Limits Options

By Toome Vanrock

As a specialist in reverse mortgages you might imagine I spend a great deal of time explaining the basic workings of the reverse mortgage to potential clients. As a whole the general public is still in the dark.

Invariably we get around to interest rates and how that affects the mortgage. The fact is for most seniors the adjustable rate mortgage is the right choice.

When I relate this to the customer they are temporarily in a state of denial until i have a chance to explain the inner workings of both mortgages. Once they reach understanding the guard comes down.

The fixed rate option for the reverse mortgage gives the borrower only one option. That is to pull out money only one time. The ARM, on the contrary, allows for a line of credit giving the borrower the ability to draw out money at any time.

The senior gets a two for one deal with the adjustable. First: the senior chooses when to use the money; Second: Interest accumulates only against money's drawn out, leaving the remainder as a non factor.

This being so, the one borrower for whom it makes sense to go with a fixed rate reverse mortgage is the the one in need a sizable upfront sum of money.

A good example is someone looking to pay off a mortgage to eliminate the monthly payment. Most fixed rate customers are in this boat, because there main goal is to free up monthly funds. They are not really interested in having a cushion of money at their disposal.

With this in mind it's all personalities. Many will still grab that ARM but the more risk averse borrower will gravitate to the fixed. Keep in mind the fixed rate today is only slightly higher than the fifteen year average for the adjustable.

About the Author:

A more comprehensive analyisis of fixed versus ARMS is at the the Texas guide to rates for the reverse mortgage. Questions, answers and great U.S. and Texas links are at reverse mortgage edu.

Are You In Over Your Head?

By Steve Collins

Do troublesome financial troubles make you wonder if you are days away from eviction? Do you dread opening your mailbox, knowing it will be full of past due notices? Do you have nightmares about being unable to satisfy creditors? Do you live from paycheck to paycheck? Consumer credit advising may best be the best way of addressing these severe worries.

Consumer credit advising is for people whose finances have deteriorated beyond their ability to manage them. When you are ready to admit you could use some assistance getting things under control, consumer credit advising is available.

Consumer credit advising starts with an appointment in which you and your adviser will look at your financial records, taking stock of your wages, your expenses and your debts. Together you will decide where you can cut expenses and draw up a monthly budget plan. If your ability to manage your debts alone is in question, consumer credit advising may lead to enrollment in a debt management program or DMP.

Consumer credit advising and DMPs are designed to help you get out of debt. With a DMP, you and your advisor decide on a monthly amount to be turned over to your advising service. Your advisor then acts as a go-between for you and your creditors. The objective is to get late payment fees reduced or forgiven, the length of your loans extended and your interest rates reduced. The consumer credit advising service pays your creditors through your monthly payments.

Consumer credit advising can help you manage your finances. Getting out of debt will not happen immediately. Consumer credit advising can teach you how to manage your budget, and help you establish a repayment plan you can live with while fulfilling your obligations to your creditors. If you've hit a financial brick wall, consumer credit advising is an option to consider.

About the Author:

Steve Collins is a writer and journalist. In these trying times, he knows the importance of obtaining effective debt solutions if necessary. Read his article about debt solutions here.

The truth about debt collection accounts.

By JR Rooney

The collection agency industry is a billion dollar industry. According to Rapid Recovery Solution, Inc. income from late fees and over-the-limit fees accounted for $14.8 billion dollars in the year 2004.

A collection account is defined as a delinquent account that has been forwarded to a collection agency, usually when it has become 90 to 120 days late. Creditors send accounts to collection agencies to remove them from their accounts receivables, then write-off the full debt owed as a loss. Creditors benefit in two ways: first, for writing off the debt as a loss on their taxes, and second, when the money is collected which can be recorded as a profit or accounts receivable. Some collection accounts are purchased from the original creditor for a fraction of the original amount owed but not always.

When you receive a letter from a debt collection agency, verify that the company contacting you has a legal right to collect money on your account. A debt collection agency may hold a collection account for just a few months, and if they are unsuccessful in collecting on the debt owed, the account is forwarded to another debt collection agency. This process will continue until you pay the account or legal action is taken against you.

Debt Collection Agencies obtain the following information to develop a strategy to collect money owed: name, address, credit report, credit application, correspondence with the consumer, amount owed by the consumer and date of last payment. Many debt collection agencies also use illegal tactics to scare consumers such as: pretending they are one of your creditors asking to verify information, pretending they are an old friend or neighbor to catch you off guard, sending persistent follow-up calls or letters, sending threatening letters or leaving threatening voice mail messages, preying on your emotions, canceling credit card privileges, making the threat of litigation or pursuing litigation, and continuing to charge late and over-the-limit fees. Many of these tactics violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

A collection agency's goal is to get the money owed paid as soon as possible. They will ask why you can't make payment arrangements today. Another tactic that may be used is to transfer you to their supervisor, which by this time you may be angry or frustrated and could possibly agree to anything just to get off the phone with them. Don't do it. Remain calm throughout the conversation. Don't let the collection agency change your mind about what you can afford or scare you into doing something you don't want to do. Be firm and stick to the terms agreed upon. Confirm your agreement in writing and send certified mail with a return receipt to ensure delivery and proof of delivery.

Debt Collection Agencies are slow to report that an account has been paid or transferred to another company, so it is critical that you obtain proof of payment. If you have missed one or two payments, contact the original creditor immediately to set up a payment plan. Stick to your payment arrangement to sustain your relationship with the creditor and retain your credit rating.

About the Author:

JR Rooney is an expert on Debt Collection Agency and Collection Agency in general

Are Mortgages Being Handed Out To Bad Credit Brits?

By Mark Dawson

Do you know your credit score? If you know the number and it isn't that high, you may be asking yourself if you will still qualify for a mortgage. It won't be easy to get a mortgage with bad credit, but it still should be possible.

One of the things that a loan advisor will look at, when considering taking or rejecting a mortgage application, is your credit score. If you know this is going to be a problem, then look at getting this improved as soon as possible. Such as, limit the number of credit cards you have, debt and the number of credit checks done on you and late payments. The better the credit score, the better the interest rate, but even though your credit maybe bad, it does not necessarily mean you will be declined a mortgage.

The downturn in economy has made it difficult for people to get a mortgage with bad credit. If there is no way of you improving your credit, you are most likely not to be considered for a mortgage. You could ask someone to cosign, however this is very risky for the cosigner, as their credit score is put on the line for you.

Maybe you have managed to improve your credit over the last six months, paying bills on time and clearing some off the debt. You could go to a number of banks to see who is offering the best rates and try and get the best deal available to you. You can always remortgage, should you continue to improve your credit score over the next few years.

You're probably going to be left with paying a higher interest if you have a poor credit rating. The mortgage company may well insist that you get insurance, if you don't have funds to cover the down payment. This could increase the cost considerably, so you need to ensure you budget for everything and know exactly how much you will be paying each month. If you default on a mortgage, it is very unlikely that you would ever get another mortgage in the future.

Is it possible to get a mortgage if your credit is so bad that you had to file for bankruptcy or if you've defaulted on a mortgage in the past? Well, right now it is going to be very iffy whether or not you can get a mortgage, if you really want one the best bet is to shop around. You might have to pay a lot in interest for a bank to trust you, and it just may not be worth it.

To get the best deals, make sure you manage your outgoings and keep your credit scoring good!

About the Author:

Mark Dawson writes for the the Loan Arrangers where you can compare loans and apply online for debt consolidation loans , and bad credit loans.

How to Get Out of Debt Without Ruining Your Credit Further

By Michael Benifez

If you've decided that you are tired of constant calls from debt collectors, it's time to do something about your old debts. If you feel that you are buried under your debts and it is impossible to pay your way out of debt, you are not alone. When you find yourself in this situation, you should consult a debt counselor, who is trained to help people like you achieve freedom from their debts. They can help you get your debt under control. They'll also help you plan a budget that you can stick to, and teach you good financial strategies. Their advice can help you keep yourself out of debt once you are finally debt-free, because you'll learn good spending habits in the process of reducing your debt.

Other choices when you find yourself faced with extreme debt are filing for bankruptcy, or trying to find a loan to consolidate your debts. Compared to these choices, debt counseling is an excellent alternative. If you file for bankruptcy, your credit rating will be ruined for several years. In some cases, you may even risk losing your personal property by filing for bankruptcy. This is a serious undertaking, and it should not be taken lightly. Bankruptcy should be your last resort if nothing else works to get you out of debt.

For some people, debt consolidation loans can work for paying off their creditors. However, the debt will still exist under the new loan, and many people do not alter their spending habits, landing right in the same place again increasing the stress caused by debts. Plus, because debt consolidation loans are offered to people considered high-risk, they sometimes require the use of collateral. If you are unable to repay the debt consolidation loan, you will lose this property.

Unlike these two often-used options, professional debt counselors work with you to create a repayment plan you'll be able to follow. They will also help you create a reasonable budget, so that you'll be able to find the money to pay back your creditors. It won't be easy, but with time you will pay off your debts. Then the phone calls will finally stop. Plus, you'll have the tools to keep yourself out of financial difficulties in the future. Many people fall into debt because they do not have a budget that they can stick to. By going through a debt counselor, you will be able to plan a budget that will keep you from overspending.

About the Author:

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Understanding Credit Score Ratings

By William Blake

It is important to improve or protect your credit scores. To do this you have to have some knowledge of where this number comes from. It is a complex system that is used to determine a persons credit scores. But it is helpful to try to understand it.

How Your Score Is Composed

Many factors go into to composing your credit score. Credit companies review your entire financial history, looking at what debts you have had and your record of payment. They look at the amount of debt you have. Having a lot of debt will bring your credit scores down. They also look at how much credit history you actually have. If you are just beginning to build your credit you will have a lower score until they have more information to evaluate.

Two More Important Factors for Your Score

Your recent credit applications are another inquiry that companies will look into. If you have too many credit applications made, this will look bad on your report. You should also think about what types of credit and loans you have. You do not want to have a lot of high balances on your credit report. These balances along with high interest rates will go against you and decrease your score.

Do You Have an Excellent Credit Score?

Any score that is 700 or above is considered a great score. If you have a score with 700 or above, you will have no problem getting credit at a great interest rate. A score of 650 and below defiantly has room for improvement. A score between 650 and 450 needs to be worked on. You will probably have a harder time getting a loan or any type credit without securing it. This means that any loan that you apply for will need to have some kind of collateral in place to secure it. If you have a score of 450 or below, then you desperately need to get some help with your credit. It is likely that you will not get any type of credit or loan unless you receive some form of counseling to improve your score.

Getting the Help That You Need

Credit counseling is readily available free of charge to any who desire to better their credit scores. They educate you on what you need to do to have a better credit rating and make wise decisions so as to keep your credit rating high. This will be a big help to you in putting yourself in a better financial situation and maintaining it.

About the Author:

Can cancelling a credit card help you get your debt paid off faster? Learn whether they're as good as they sound on the Debtopedia website at http://www.debtopedia.com where you'll get your free copy of my report Secrets Of Credit Card Debt

Finding A Right Credit Card

By Michael Benifez

In today's world, it is common for most people to have at least one credit card. It allows for ease and speed, when shopping in a store or online. Merchants will more than likely accept many types of credit cards, allowing you to get what you need.

It does not matter where you happen to be shopping, most stores accept some sort of credit card. It makes for ease of the transactions to be processed. You do not have to worry about not having enough cash, because a credit card will go through as long as you have not breeched your monthly limit. This is a great way for the store to retain customer business and to encourage consumer spending.

You will find that online shopping is made much easier by using a credit card. You can rest assured knowing that it is very easy to use your credit card securely when making an online purchase. You do not have to worry about writing a check or purchasing a money order, your merchandise will ship more quickly when using a credit card.

When traveling throughout the world, a majority of locations will accept credit cards. This can give you peace of mind as a traveler, when you do not have to carry large amounts of cash that can be lost or stolen. It is a good idea when traveling to alert your credit card company, so that they are kept apprised of the apr rates\ and purchases you will be making in another state or country.

You can travel with confidence knowing that the credit card you carry will be accepted all over the world. You are protected and can purchase freely with confidence when you have a credit card. You will be able to make the purchases you need with no problems.

About the Author:

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