FAQs

Both products use your home as collateral, but have different payback terms.

The home equity line of credit is accessible for a long–term draw period, usually by check or online banking. Once you pay down your balance, you then have more money available to spend again if necessary. A line of credit has a variable interest rate, and has a payment that can change every month. This is because the balance changes (increases if you spend more; decreases if you pay down what you owe) or the interest rate changes because of the Prime Rate changing.

A home equity loan disburses all funds at once when the loan term starts and you cannot access any further funds without refinancing. A home equity loan has a fixed rate, and payments that don’t change

While this is allowed, the interest rate on rental properties may be higher since there’s more risk for the bank when lending on a property that’s not the customer’s primary residence.

Points are fees that a borrower pays to lower the interest rate. One point equals one percent of the final loan amount.

If you are refinancing, you can either pay fees in advance or add them to your closing costs. There are some loan types that allow fees to be included in your loan amount. Contact us for more details.

Portions of your monthly mortgage payment go toward loan principal and interest. Interest-only mortgage payments include only the interest that is due on the outstanding principal balance. If your mortgage carries mortgage insurance, a portion of your payment will pay this, unless the lender has paid your mortgage insurance for you or you have paid your mortgage insurance up front. If you have set up an escrow account, a portion will also go toward taxes and homeowners insurance and association fees if applicable.

Down payments usually amount to 3-20% of the sales price of the home. Zero down loans are also available, but on a very limited basis. The bigger the down payment the better off you will be. If you have a small down payment, you will qualify for fewer types of mortgages and may also be charged a higher interest rate. Remember that the more you are able to put down, the more banks will be willing to loan.

The equity in your home can be used to improve your property, consolidate high-interest debt, finance important life events, or even cover unexpected emergencies. The interest you pay can be tax deductible. Consult a tax professional for more information.

If your credit score is high, you may receive better rates and have more options available, but this doesn’t mean you can’t get a mortgage if you have a few spots on your credit record. Credit is only one factor in the overall underwriting process; however, your credit history does need to demonstrate the willingness and ability to repay loans on time.

Interest-Only loans allow you flexibility on monthly payments when your cash flow does not permit a full loan payment. The minimum loan payment covers the interest portion of the loan only, so your principal only decreases if you pay above and beyond the interest. You have the flexibility to decide how much principal you pay each month, so you can pay little or none if times are tight, or a lot if you have extra that month.

When interest rates are low, many people choose to refinance their home loan. Here are some reasons:

• To lower monthly payments
• To lower their current interest rate
• To switch from an adjustable to a fixed rate
• To refinance for a higher amount in order to pay off other debts or get cash

Whatever your needs, IMG Greensboro can help you decide what would fit best in your particular situation.

The interest rate is the actual cost to borrow the money in the loan. The APR is the total cost of the loan over its life, including all costs, points and fees.

Closing costs include appraisal fees, attorney fees, pre-paid interest, documentation fees and others. The actual costs are different for each customer due to many differences in the types of mortgage, the location and several other factors. You will receive a good faith estimate, also referred to as a GFE, of your closing costs in advance of your closing date.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) protects lenders against losses when a borrower defaults (stops paying) on a mortgage. PMI is usually required on mortgages when the borrower has less than a 20% down payment. Likewise, it is required on first mortgage refinancing when the borrower has less than 20% equity in the property being refinanced. PMI fees are typically added to your monthly mortgage payment.

To determine the amount of home equity you have, write down your home’s current value (tax values are not always accurate) and subtract all amounts that are owed on the property. The difference is the amount of “equity” your home has.