Friday, May 21, 2010

The Differences Between An Arizona Mortgage And An Arizona Refinance: Which To Pick

By Jack Bennington

People who have never owned a home before are often confused about the financing possibilities regarding the buying and owning of a home. For example, the differences between an Arizona mortgage and an Arizona refinance can be particularly confusing. Which is best for your particular situation and why?

A mortgage, also called a first mortgage, is the loan you take on your home when you first buy it. When you buy a home, you take out a loan from a bank or other type of lender. This loan is your mortgage on which you will then make mortgage payments to the lending company or bank which holds your loan.

There are many different types of mortgages available. They can have an interest rate that is a fixed or variable rate, for example. They can also differ in the number of years you have to pay them back. These factors, as well as how much you put down or pay up front will determine the size of the mortgage payment each month.

As you review the various options, you need to determine your particular priorities and keep them in mind. Knowing whether you are more concerned about a low monthly payment or a low interest rate can help you find the right mortgage for your situation. If your credit is good, you are especially likely to find competition to get your loan.

In a refinance situation, you will pay off the first mortgage and then take out another one. This new mortgage loan will normally either be at a lower interest rate or will take longer for it to mature. In either case, your mortgage payments will usually decrease as a result.

There is also an option called a second mortgage. However, in this case, the interest rate will normally be higher than the original one. Therefore, this is generally not a suggested option unless you need to do so and it is your only option.

That being said, you need to compare the transaction costs of a second mortgage versus refinancing as well. Although the interest rates will likely be higher with the second mortgage, the closing costs may be lower. As a result, there are instances when the second mortgage option will be less costly overall.

Which option is going to be better for you will depend on several different factors. How much equity you have in your home will be one consideration. Every case needs to be considered on an individual basis. In order to take out any kind of second mortgage or to refinance, it is also very important that you have been making your mortgage payments regularly.

Since each situation is very individual, you should talk to a few lenders or banks to determine what makes the most sense for you. Ask for some quotes on the different options so that you can compare them. This way, you will better understand the differences. After that, you can determine which type of loan and which particular lender will be best for your needs.

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