Archive for May, 2009

Technology and Mortgages 2

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

The writer is a Vancouver mortgage broker who specializes in bad credit mortgage applications.

As a result of increased computing capacity and speed, lenders now link one software program to others that handle underwriting, closing, secondary marketing, and servicing functions. This technique dramatically increases the efficiencies provided by better technology. Such lenders as Countrywide and Washington Mutual today accomplish in scope and complexity what was unthinkable 10 years ago. Small- and medium sized lenders have experienced similar benefits. Consumers save more money when lenders increase efficiency, and they have more options when lenders offer more loan programs.

The Internet, improved technology, and proprietary software programs also allow secondary market investors to provide lenders with immediate confirmation of a loan’s eligibility for sale and a list of commitment conditions-the processing documentation and underwriting conditions the lenders must obtain to complete this sale. This confirmation enables the lender to make a loan decision quickly and eliminates additional processing steps, reducing the time, effort, uncertainty, and stress for the consumer as well.

Vancouver mortgage insight is provided by Duncan Seward a registered Vancouver mortgage broker with TMG. He helps clients in North Vancouver, Surrey, Vancouver, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Burnaby and Langley with their mortgage questions. He is an expert in
BC mortgage
matters. You can check out regular mortgage updates at his blog page
Vancouver Mortgage Rates.

Technology and Your Mortgage

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

The use of technology in the mortgage business is overwhelming, without the level of technology today brokerages could not exist. The writer is a senior mortgage broker who specializes in bad credit mortgage applications.

These recent marketplace changes are a result of improvements in technology in practically all aspects of loan origination and processing affecting all lenders, from the largest to the smallest. The impact of technology on the mortgage industry cannot be overstated-an entire chapter and even a book can be devoted to this topic alone.
Because the mortgage-lending industry relies so heavily on data management and cost efficiencies, significant improvements in technology have far-reaching effects and transform the way in which the industry operates.

Computer software programs designed for mortgage origination enable processors to accomplish work faster and manage more loans efficiently. These software programs greatly increase the capacity of a single processor. They allow processors to handle more functions, perform many calculations, accommodate more loan programs, save computer keystrokes, produce reports, and operate more reliably than when vendors first introduced them. With the click of one button, a processor (or even a loan officer at origination) now can simultaneously obtain a credit report, order an appraisal, produce disclosure documentation, and submit key information for financial management and compliance reporting.

Duncan Seward is a Vancouver mortgage broker. Mortgage BC is the focus of his business. He is an expert in bad credit mortgage refinance applications. Poor credit loans need not be a concern to clients with a damaged credit histories

Residential Mortgage Applications

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

The writer is an expert in mortgage bad credit applications. His focus on bad credit applications in Canada.

The residential mortgage loan origination and processing functions include all actions and procedures that occur from the time a potential borrower has contact with the lender through the time the underwriter reviews the application for a decision to approve, deny, or counter offer .

The speedy, professional completion of this function is crucial to any mortgage lender and, along with the quality of loans originated, is the determining factor in the success and profitability of the residential mortgage-lending operation. As in all aspects of residential lending, the chartered banks continually set the industry standards. The majority of lenders nationwide follows their guidelines and uses their forms.

Loan processing remains the lengthiest step involved in producing a closed residential mortgage loan. Until the early 1990s, this step might easily have taken three weeks to 45 days. This is not acceptable in today’s competitive marketplace. Now the trend is for faster loan processing-many mortgage lenders advertise that they will get an answer for the applicant within minutes. While not all lenders issue a loan decision within minutes (but many do), most lenders complete processing of a loan in a few days to a week, or maybe two weeks or more in times of increased refinance activity.

Duncan Seward is a Vancouver mortgage broker. Mortgage BC is the focus of his business. He is an expert in bad credit mortgage refinance applications. Poor credit loans need not be a concern to clients with a damaged credit histories.

Over Building – Vancouver is Now a Buyers Market

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

The writer is a mortgage broker whose area is mortgage bad credit in Canada.

The over building of the condo market in conjunction with the unstable market has caused prices to move downward, on average, 26.5% from 2008. I see another 12-14% drop in the vancouver real estate market until the market stabililizes in mid 2010.

Clearly, the pundits who predicted a fast recovery or who stated that the market would not react to the recession are out of bounds on this one.

The impact of a softening of the market will help first time buyers who were priced out of the Vancouver real estate market and current potential home owners step up to property ownership.

The writer is a reverse mortgage broker with numerous reverse mortgage clients

Reverse Mortgage A Perspective

Friday, May 15th, 2009

The writer is a reverse mortgage broker with numerous reverse mortgage clients.

A reverse mortgage is sometimes called a deferred payment loan, and for a very good reason. Instead of paying off the home loan as you borrow money, the payments are put off (deferred). This is why reverse mortgages can be such a good choice for seniors; when you’re on a fixed income or living off of your savings, it can help to have some extra cash in hand to supplement.

Because payment is deferred, you are spending the equity in your home, rather than earning it (as you would with a traditional forward mortgage).

Since equity is an intangible value, you never feel the effects of the equity going down, but you sure feel the money flowing steadily into your checking account!

Vancouver real estate is the topic of most conversations in BC. Duncan’s Vancouver mortgage business gives him the insight to provide topical articles on the state of Vancouver real estate.

Reverse Mortgage Quick Notes

Friday, May 15th, 2009

The writer is a reverse mortgage broker with numerous reverse mortgage clients.

Reverse mortgages lenders provide an opportunity to access the cash in your home without having to leave your home. The following points provide a quick overview of reverse mortgages in Canada.

Here’s a quick rundown:
~ You’re a homeowner who owes little or nothing on your house. You decide you need more money to live the lifestyle you want, but your biggest asset is your home and you certain don’t want to sell it to get the money you need.

~ A reverse mortgage lender figures out how much it can lend you based on your home value, your age, and interest rate and loans you some percentage of the money you would t gotten if you’d decided to sell your home.

~ You still own your home and continue to live in it, but you’re getting payments from the lender, so your cash flwo problem is solved.

~ You pay the loan back (with interest) only when you don’t live in the house full time anymore, usually due to moving out death.

~ You never owe more than your home is worth, no matter much you’ve accumulated in debt.

~ You keep any leftover equity after the sale of the house; if owe the lender $67,000 and your home sells for $200,000, put the difference in your pocket and walk away smiling.

Duncan Seward is a Vancouver mortgage broker. Mortgage BC is the focus of his business. He is an expert in bad credit mortgage refinance applications. Poor credit loans need not be a concern to clients with a damaged credit histories.

Reverse Mortgage Basics

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

The writer is a reverse mortgage broker with numerous reverse mortgage clients.

People tend to shy away from the very idea of reverse mortgages, in part because of their former bad rap, and in part because of all the scary terminology. If you’re one of millions of people who are unfamiliar with real estate terms, when someone starts spouting off about how you can “utilize the equity in your home on deferred payments with a conversion mortgage,” chances are pretty good you’re going to tune it out. In fact, that’s why I wrote this article to give seniors and their families facts and tips about reverse mortgages in language that’s as approachable as a big-eyed puppy (unless you’re a cat person, then just think of it as a little fluffy kitten). We want you to fully understand the benefits and disadvantages of getting a reverse mortgage. We want you to walk into that loan originator’s office knowing exactly what you want. And most importantly, we want you to feel good about whatever decision make for your financial future.

Vancouver real estate is the topic of most conversations in BC. Duncan’s Vancouver mortgage business is gives him the insight to provide topical articles on the state of Vancouver real estate.

Real Estate Investing and It’s Alternatives

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Vancouver real estate investing should be in balance with its alternatives. Return and risk should be balanced. The following article provides an example of an alternative. The article is excerpted from Real Estate Investing for Dummies Canada.

Vancouver real estate is the topic of most conversations in BC. Duncan’s Vancouver mortgage business is gives him the insight to provide topical articles on the state of Vancouver real estate.

Vancouver real estate typically stands out from other investments because of its stable and long-term nature, and the chance to derive a steady income from assets month by month. These three characteristics make it a preferred choice for many, but if you’re not up for the risks inherent in real estate investments you might be safer with an alternative.

We’re all for you making real estate your primary investment choice, but a mix of modesty and sheer prudence compels us to recommend a balanced portfolio. Because real estate carries its own measure of risk, having a diversified portfolio that includes a mix of investment vehicles is in your interest – just so your entire nest-egg isn’t wiped out by, say, fire, flood, locusts, or a band of determined termites. If you need help, consult one of the many reference works available, such as Investing for Canadians For Dummies by Eric Tyson and Tony Martin (Wiley).

Fixed-term Investments

Bank accounts, guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), and bonds are stable investments with minimal risk and a guaranteed return. Fixed-term investments are great if you don’t have a lot of cash to play with or need readily accessible funds, but if you’re holding a lot of them, consider real estate a step up to a more sophisticated form of investing.

The difference in return can be significant, with real estate often appreciating at a rate three to five percentage points above inflation. And unlike real estate earnings, interest received on term deposits and bonds is fully taxable as income and also subject to inflation. A GIC may offer a 4-percent return on your cash, but if inflation is 3 percent, you’re seeing an effective return of just 1 percent on those dollars. Even if you’re in the lowest tax bracket, you’re probably just breaking even.

About the Reviewer
Vancouver mortgage insights is provided by Duncan Seward a registered Vancouver mortgage broker with TMG. He helps clients in North Vancouver, Surrey, Vancouver, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Burnaby and Langley with their mortgage questions. He is an expert in BC mortgage matters. You can check out regular mortgage updates at his blog page Vancouver Mortgage Rates.

Real Estate Investing

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

What follows is an excerpt from Real Estate Investing for Dummies. The joy of this book is that it is targeted towards Canadian investors. I recommend the book strongly and it is available at Amazon.ca

Vancouver real estate is the topic of most conversations in BC. Duncan’s Vancouver mortgage business is gives him the insight to provide topical articles on the state of Vancouver real estate.

If you’ve ever bought a home, you’ve invested in Vancouver real estate, even if you didn’t plan to use the property to finance your retirement. Chances are, like many people, you may not even have considered real estate from an investment perspective – it’s simply been your own patch of ground, somewhere you can relax and call home.

But real estate is an important part of the personal investment strategies pursued by many people – and not just the Donald Trumps of the world. If you’ve picked up this book, you probably think real estate might be for you.

Congratulations! No matter where you are in your journey, this book can get you started and see you through to the close of your first deal – and the beginning of your second!

Foolish Assumptions

This book is reader-focused, so by definition we’ve had to make a few assumptions about you. Although we’ve never had the pleasure of meeting, we expect that you’re most likely a novice when it comes to investing in real estate. Perhaps you’ve never bought a property; perhaps you’ve bought only your own home. This book will be a primer for you.

We also want to make sure that you enjoy a fresh take on the art of investing in real estate, particularly if you do have some experience in the market.
Although we can’t offer an in-depth analysis of each topic, we do provide an excellent overview and some pointers for honing your strategy (watch for sidebars, vignettes drawn from real-life examples, and so forth).

Because you may be interested in more than just buying a property, we haven’t neglected to track down other ways in which you can understand, participate in, and benefit from the real estate market even if you don’t want to own your own acreage – yet.

About the Reviewer
Vancouver mortgage insights is provided by Duncan Seward a registered Vancouver mortgage broker with TMG. He helps clients in North Vancouver, Surrey, Vancouver, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Burnaby and Langley with their mortgage questions. He is an expert in
BC mortgage
matters. You can check out regular mortgage updates at his blog page
Vancouver Mortgage Rates.