Loanio

Mortgage rates are changing - what should you do?

There was big news within the mortgage industry recently as interest rates finally went back below 6%. The reaction was mixed, but the rate did prompt many people to rush to refinance their homes. For those that are stuck with variable rate mortgages, the current situation in the housing market has been volatile to say the least and many consumer advocates have been pushing the need to refinance if at all possible.

This has not been easy for many, especially since interest rates were quite high until this week. Every small drop helps however and the current resurgence for refinances could help bolster the struggling housing market. While much damage has been done, there is still light at the end of the tunnel, despite the decision to take over Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, two of the US’s biggest lenders.

While there is hope for some borrowers, those in a subprime position may not find it easy to refinance their homes, in spite of the drop in rates. Banks are shying away from this sub-set of borrowers and the specter of foreclosure still looms for many. For those that are unable to refinance, there are steps that can be taken to avoid foreclosure, but they must be taken quickly.

The first step is to determine how to free up enough cash to handle increased mortgage payments. For those that did not plan ahead for a switch to a variable rate, the shock of a much higher payment was a rude awakening. Although thousands knew that their fixed rates were only short term, there was a general lack of awareness of how this would affect them personally.

If you have been switched to a variable rate mortgage and are struggling to make your payments, foreclosure does not need to be the first option. In many cases, the difference in payments can be as small as $50, or as high as several hundred dollars. For those that are living above their means, simply curtailing some additional expenses can free up the funds necessary to make those higher payments.

Other options include getting a second job on a temporary basis until the rates do drop to a point where payments become livable again. For those that do not have the time for this option, selling a car, or other household items may be the best solution.

Today’s news was heartening to many and does show that rates may be on the way back down, at least temporarily. If you can get a refinance plan on a home loan, taking action now may be beneficial. If you cannot seek this type of assistance however there still are plenty of other options available that can help you keep your home, until the economic outlook brightens again. Housing changes and rate fluctuations are normal, and riding out the storm is typically the best solution.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-10-07 05:12:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• 3 Ways to Increase Your Cash Flow If you’re finding it difficult to get by, one of the easiest ways to combat this issue is by increasing your monthly cash flow. While you may not be able to make a huge difference right away, slowly building up the amount of money that you have coming in, building......
• Prepare for Your Retirement Now /caption] If you are young and just beginning a career, then the concept of retirement planning may seem so far away that it is the last thing that you put any consideration into. However if you are on the opposite end of the fence and retirement is just around the......
• Personal Budget Planning /caption] Personal budget planning is an important part of keeping a handle on your finances. Because there is so much turmoil in today's economy, maintaining a healthy personal budget is more vital than ever. Crafting a personal budget begins with determining how money comes in, and how money goes out,......
• 4 Ways To Get Out of Debt /caption] For thousands of people, the specter of debt is an all too real problem that affects not only their financial life, but the rest of their lives as well. However, there are steps that can be taken to get yourself out of debt, reasonably quickly, despite how much you......
• Should You Be Worried About the Economy? [/caption] If you follow the news, chances are the state of the economy may have you a little concerned. Bad news is rampant, the housing market is shaky and doom appears to be around every corner. While there are some definite problems with the economy right now, that doesn’t necessarily......

• Introduction to Mortgages pt 2 of 5 This is part two in a five part series on what you need to know about mortgages before you buy a home. The housing market is an interesting beast, because it comes and goes, rises and falls, allows some people to flourish and brings others to ruins. If you want......
• Upside down? Prepare now to keep your mortgage current Plonkee Money is going upside-down a little bit on her mortgage, and is getting a little worried.  She can afford the payments, but she's concerned that if she were to be laid off she might lose everything. This is a valid concern, and she's wise to consider how to allocate......
• Accelerated Mortgage Payment Plans: Don’t Waste Your Money If you own a home, you will likely receive some sort of letter in the mail (or you may already have), telling you about a great new option from your mortgage company that will pay off your mortgage early and save you thousands of dollars in interest. All you have......
• Benefits Of Refinancing A Home Home refinancing is when a home owner takes out a second mortgage in order to pay off their initial mortgage. A fairly popular reason home owners choose to refinance their existing mortgage is because of lower monthly mortgage payments. Homeowners who are in the process of paying off their existing......
• the myth of the parent that NEEDS to work My wife is an extremely intelligent woman who decided to quit her professional career as a management-tracked analyst with a huge investment bank in order to be a stay-at-home parent when our son arrived. I would have willingly stayed home in her place but being older and further along in......