Tag Archives: closing costs

Is it wise to refinance a fixed mortgage with a 2-year ARM?

We have equity in our home and are considering a refinance to take out some of the equity for home improvement/repairs and to buy a vehicle end of lease. Credit scores are not great, 500-550ish. We have the option to either A) Do a 50-year fixed mortgage or B) Do a 2-year ARM and then refinance again in two years when our credit scores have improved. I’m not excited about paying closing costs now and then again in 2 years. We want to have the equity cash but also want to have as low a payment as we can get to minimize living expenses.

Would it be wiser to do the 50-year fixed or a 2-year ARM and then refi after 2 years for a fixed rate? Paying closing costs twice in two years seems like a lot of money to me.
Additional information: We are currently in a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6% but do not qualify for that rate on a refi due to credit changes.
The purpose of our considering the refinance is to reduce our monthly living expenses by eliminating a car payment and to get money for home repair/maintenance. We have no debt but want to lower our living expenses. Financing our end of lease vehicle is not going to get rid of the car payment, only create a new one.

What is the difference between an equity loan and a 2nd mortgage? Do they both have closing costs?

What is the difference between an equity loan and a 2nd mortgage? Do they both have closing costs?

Anybody know if there is some hidden problem with this type of sale?

I recently signed a contract to buy a new home from the builder, previous contract fell through, the home is ready for move in, I was told closing costs would be paid by the builder. The contract is contingent upon me financing thru the builders mortgage company. I paid a pretty large earnest fee, 8k. I was reluctant to pay this without talking to the lender first but of the course I was told their mortgage co would be able to provide any other rates that banks quoted me. As it was, I had a preapproved loan, and yes it is at a much better rate. Now it looks like I am stuck with this deal. The papers provided by the mortgage co don’t reflect any closing costs being paid by the builder, they actually have my earnest money listed in this block. Am I being taken for a ride here? Any help out there?

How do you deal with a salesperson who is telling lies to try and push you into a sale?

I’m looking at this housing subdivision that’s being built and a substitute rep for the area was being pushy. He told me they would only pay closing costs if I used one of their preferred lenders. This was an outright lie.

How do you deal with reps after they’ve undermined their own credibility? Do I call them on the carpet or be polite and go around them to deal with other people?

How do you buy a piece of land when it is for sale by owner?

How do you go about buying property when it is being sold without a realtor. What do you do and how do things get organized (ex. the closing etc…) Also do you have to pay tax on the property when you purchase it? And, how much (roughly) are closing costs?