Arizona Bridge Loans: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks?

Arizona bridge loans are gaining in popularity as a short term loan options. Like any loan, there are certain inherent risks and benefits. Knowing how to analyze your loan will help you decide if it is a good option for you.

A bridge loan can be the

missing piece of your home

buying puzzle.

Arizona bridge loans are short term loans used when a borrower who has not sold his current home wants to purchase a new home. These loans work to bridge the gap when the borrower plans to use proceeds from the original home as the down payment on his new home. The bridge loan is secured to the original home, the one that's on the market. The funds from that loan are used as the down payment for the mortgage on the new home. 

There are no strict guidelines when it comes to Arizona bridge loans so credit score and debt to income ratio are not usually factors that will automatically disqualify you. This is good news for borrowers with less than stellar credit or who may have a high debt to income ratio once they purchase their new home. Instead, bridge loans are based on a few different factors, including how likely it is that you will sell your current home quickly, and whether or not you can make both mortgage payments for a short time if it becomes necessary. If you default on a bridge loan, the lender has recourse to get their money back using the property you have on the market because it is the one that secured the loan.

The Risks and Benefits of Arizona Bridge Loans

There are several risks that are associated with bridge loans. Like any loan, they are not entirely safe and can lead to some negative consequences if you don’t fully evaluate their terms, conditions, and rates. First and foremost, Arizona bridge loans have fees associated with them. Generally there is an administration fee of about $750, an appraisal feel (for your current home) of about $350. Once notary fees, wire fees, origination fees, and any other lender fees are added in, a bridge loan will end up costing the borrower about $2,000 to obtain. This may seem like a lot, but if is the difference between buying your dream home or losing out, many borrowers find that the fees are more than worth it. Especially since it is much easier to come up with two grand for a bridge loan than it is to find $20,000 for a down payment if your current home has not sold.

Another risk to Arizona bridge loans is high interest rates. Most short term loans are inherently more risky for the lender. You will pay extra for that risk meaning you will have a higher interest rate. Interest rates fluctuate based on the prime rate and how much you need to borrow, but typically speaking the interest rate on bridge loans is usually higher than a traditional home mortgage. You can avoid paying high interest rates by selling your home quickly and paying back the loan as soon as possible.

Along with the risks, there are also several benefits to Arizona bridge loans. Many loans offer terms that allow you to skip the first few months of payments. If you can sell your home during this time, you can avoid paying any interest at all on the loan. In addition, you can use extra proceeds from the loan to do remodel work on your new home and put your own personal stamp on it.

Also, bridge loans allow you to put your current home on the market quickly and without restrictions. Potential buyers will not need to schedule showings because the home will be vacant. A vacant home is easier to show and usually sells more quickly due to ease of access. You can also look into staging your home to give you an extra advantage. And without your family living there, it will be easier for new buyers to picture themselves living in the home.

Bridge loans are also usually fairly easy to qualify for and have flexible underwriting guidelines. This makes them an ideal loan for someone who needs cash for their new home fast.

Call an Arizona mortgage broker or private lender to get started on a bridge loan today.

Once you are settled in your new home, you will be happy that you chose to use Arizona bridge loans to help you get cash fast and with little hassle.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444 
Texas Tel:     (512) 516-1177 
www.Level4Funding.com

NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
23335 N 18th Drive Suite 120
Phoenix AZ 85027

Arizona Subprime Mortgage: Home Loans with Bad Credit

An Arizona subprime mortgage, is one type of home loan that is available to Arizona borrowers with a low FICO score. Learn all the details of subprime lending to determine the right loan for your unique credit situation.

Many potential homeowners with low FICO scores find themselves denied by banks when they try to qualify for a mortgage. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans have a FICO score of less than 640 which is considered to be a subprime credit score. With a subprime score it can be difficult to qualify for a traditional home loan. However, there are other options available for a Arizona subprime mortgage . Certain loan types and programs can help borrowers with low credit scores qualify for a home loan.

One type of loan available to borrower with bad credit is a Arizona subprime mortgage . A subprime loan refers to a loan given to a borrower that represents a greater financial risk due to his/her credit score. A subprime loan is funded by a bank but does not have to meet the same underwriting guidelines as a prime loan. Subprime loans allow access to groups that would normally not have access to the credit market like people with low FICO scores. The most popular type of subprime loan is an adjustable rate mortgage or ARM. In an ARM, the initial interest rate is usually low but then adjusts after a period of time to above the prime rate. The low interest rate is usually locked in for anywhere from 2-5 years and can be as low as 2.5%. After the lock in period, the rate adjusts and can be as high as 10%. An ARM is a good option for borrowers who know they will have the credit to refinance to a traditional loan after the adjustable period or for borrowers who only intend to live in the home for a short period and sell the property before the rate adjusts.

Another loan type that is available for subprime borrowers is a bad credit FHA loan. An FHA loan is backed by the Federal Housing Authority and will allow you to borrow about 96.5% of the value of the home you are purchasing. This means that you won’t have to come up with a large sum of money for a down payment. In addition, the government backing means that you will be more likely to qualify, even with less than perfect credit. This is because the government helps secure the loan for the bank in case of default. One important note is that you will pay monthly insurance on your loan. In additional to you principle and interest payments, you will also pay a PMI insurance payment. This is basically extra money you pay to help insure against default. PMI payments can range from $80 to over $200 each month, depending on the amount of the loan. Make sure that you budget for this amount when calculating your monthly payments. Also, this may decrease the overall amount you can qualify for because it increases your monthly payment amount.

Arizona Subprime Mortgages and Negative Press

Although a subprime mortgage can be a valuable tool in helping secure a home loan, many borrowers shy away from them due to recent negative press. Specifically, in Arizona, many politicians have gone as far as to label subprime mortgages as predatory lending practices. They claim that subprime loans are designed to charge high interest rates for people who cannot afford them.  Proponents of subprime mortgage Arizona programs claim that subprime loans allow individuals access into the home marker who would otherwise be shut out due to credit history.

Despite claims by politicians and loan reform groups, there is little evidence that subprime lending is a predatory practice. Subprime lending is one of the only ways some individuals have access to the home market due to a bad credit score. Knowing the options available and working with a mortgage broker can help you decide if a subprime loan is a sound financial decision for you.

  

A mortgage broker can help you find the right loan for you, even if you have bad credit.

If your credit score is less than 640, you will most likely be denied by large banks. But don’t lose hope. A broker can help you find a loan that you can qualify for and start you on the path to homeownership. Making on time payments can help re-build your credit so that you can have an easier time securing loans in the future.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC
Tel:  (623) 582-4444 | Fax: (888) 279-6917

www.level4funding.com
NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
23335 N 18th Drive Suite 120
Phoenix AZ 85027

Using Adjustable Rate Mortgages and Other Subprime Loans to Your Advantage

Having bad credit can make it almost impossible to get a home loan but there are lenders that offer programs for a bad credit mortgage Arizona. There are different options available to help subprime borrowers that can also be taken advantage of by borrowers with good credit.

Close to 42 million Americans have bad credit, which is approximately one quarter of all individuals with active credit accounts. This is defined as a score of less than 640 and can make it difficult to qualify for a car loan, home loan, credit cards, and even store accounts. For many individuals with bad credit, buying a home seems impossible. However, many mortgage brokers offer bad credit mortgage Arizona programs to help Arizona residents qualify for home loans.

One type of loan that is available for people with bad credit is an adjustable rate mortgage or ARM. An ARM is offered to subprime borrowers who would not qualify for a traditional loan. It offers a low interest rate at first but then resets to a high interest rate after a specified period, usually 1 to 7 years. Once the rate adjusts your mortgage payment will increase due to the higher interest rate. This can be a good option if you only plan on owning the property short term or if you know you will be able to qualify to refinance your loan at the end of your low rate period. Although an ARM is a type of bad credit mortgage Arizona, it can also be beneficial for borrowers with good credit.

A second type of loan is a type of FHA loan. An FHA loan is backed by the government and will allow you to borrow about 96.5% of the value of the home you are purchasing. This means that you won’t have to come up with a large chunk for a down payment. In addition, the government backing means that you will be more likely to qualify, even with less than stellar credit. You will pay monthly insurance on your loan. In addition to you principle and interest payments, you will also pay a PMI insurance payment. This will increase the amount of your monthly mortgage payments until you pay off 20% of the loan amount. You can also couple FHA loans with different federal programs that offer down payment assistance or cash back at closing like Home in 5. These programs are constantly evolving and changing, so make sure to talk with a mortgage broker about what you may qualify for.

 A third type of bad credit mortgage Arizona that is available is a hard money loan. A hard money loan is secured through a mortgage broker but is backed by investors instead of a bank. This is especially beneficial for people looking to do a fix and flip or short term purchase. Depending on the merit of the property you are purchasing as well as potential for income, investors will often invest capital, even if your credit score is lower than what is ideal. It should be noted that hard money loans are short term loans only. They cannot be used to purchase a home you plan to live in for any significant amount of time. These are designed primarily for real estate investors.

When Does a Bad Credit Mortgage Make Good Financial Sense?

For some borrowers, a bad credit mortgage Arizona  is the only option they have to purchase a home. However, some of these bad credit loans can benefit traditional borrowers as well. Specifically, an adjustable rate mortgage. An ARM can save you thousands of dollars in interest over the life of your loan and makes sense in certain lending situations. Here are five situations that could benefit from an adjustable rate mortgage:

1.       You plan to sell your home prior to the rate raise. If you only plan on living in your home for a short period of time, an adjustable rate can save you money. If you sell before the rate raises you will never have to pay the higher interest rate.

2.       You have bad credit, but you are working on it. An ARM is a fantastic option to help rebuild your credit score. If you know you will be able to qualify to refinance before the rate adjusts, it is a good way to get into a home and start rebuilding your credit score.

3.       You expect a windfall. You know you will be able to pay the home off early due to an inheritance. Then the ARM can save you interest while you wait to pay off the home.

4.       You expect your income to increase. If the loan resets, you will be able to pay the higher interest payments because you will be earning more money.

5.       You plan to fix up the home and sell it for a profit. If you are not planning a long term investment, an ARM can save you money while you are renovating.

Talk with a mortgage broker to determine if an ARM or other bad credit loan is right for you.

Whether you need to rebuild your credit or are in a situation where you could benefit by taking advantage of a bad credit loan, a mortgage broker can help you determine the right product for you.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC
Tel:  (623) 582-4444 | Fax: (888) 279-6917

www.level4funding.com
NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
23335 N 18th Drive Suite 120
Phoenix AZ 85027