Mortgage & Refinancing Information Information Research

Tell a Friend about this Site

Total Cost Of Credit vs Monthly Payments


I read a press release the other day which points to the fact we need to be very careful with our finances. The subject of the release was home mortgages. A company was announcing the availability of 40 year mortgages for its customers. The stated purpose was to lower the monthly payments to make buying a home more affordable.

Whenever I hear the phrase "more affordable", I put my hand on my wallet because the attempt to empty it will begin any moment. Almostnever is that phrase used in relation to the total cost of financing. It isalways used in reference to the size of the monthly payment, as in this example.

Let's see what it really means. I did the math. A mortgage for a $100,000 home at 6% for 30 years would have a monthly payment of about $600 for principal and interest. You would pay about $216,000 over the life of the loan of which $116,000 would be interest..

A mortgage on that same home for 40 years would be at 6.25%, with a monthly payment of $565. The payments over the life of the loan would total about $271,200 and $171,200 of the totalwould be interest.

The forty year mortgage has a higher interest rate (usually between.25 and .50 percent) because the lender has his money at risk for a longer time (Lenders are well aware that time is money. You should be as aware).

This higher rate coupled with the extra ten years of the loan, has the borrower paying 47% more interest, or $55,000 more over the life of the loan. Even with a lower payment that supposedly makes it more affordable to purchase that home. Sounds like a pretty good deal for the lender.

Another problem the borrower faces is building equity muchmore slowly in the beginning of the loan. The extra interest expense paid for the extended length of the loan prevents equityfrom building up quickly. All of this for a monthly payment that is only $35 less.

You need to think in terms of overall cost and not just monthly payments. The total cost is what you will give back to your creditors. The focus on the monthly payment takes attentionaway from the total amount to be repaid. You need to look at this with any indebtedness, car payments, personal loans, credit cards: figure the total cost, not just what you pay each month.

You'll begin to hear more about these loans I'm sure. Think long and hard before you lengthen your indebtedness. The goal is to become debt free and to do it as fast as possible. Advise your families and friends to do the same.

David Wilding works with indiviuals and groups to help them get rid of debt. For the past ten years he has attempted to change attitudes toward and acceptance of personal debt. Visit his website http://www.debtattack.com for more ideas, tools, and strategies to become debt free.


MORE RESOURCES:

BigNews.biz (press release)

Home Loan Mortgage Refinance Rates Low For Wells Fargo Homeowners
Red, White, and Blue Press (blog)
With interest rates on home mortgage loans at a low point, many Wells Fargo homeowners are looking to refinance there current mortgage ...
Is this a good time to lock in or refinance your mortgage?BigNews.biz (press release)
Before Refinance Market Dies, Should You Refinance?My Loans Consolidated (blog)

all 3 news articles »


Washington Post

Getting a mortgage refinance will save you money each month
Florida Times-Union (blog)
Since a mortgage refinance is a secured loan the interest rate is going to be less then what you are getting currently. Usually most people will attempt to ...
Mortgage Refinance Market: Predicting Its DeathMy Loans Consolidated (blog)
The Death of Mortgage Refinance LoomsFreeRateUpdate.com
30 year Mortgage Rates Decrease to 4.95% 15 year Rates at 4.33%MonitorBankRates.com
BatchBuzz (satire) -Live-PR.com (press release) -Subprime Blogger (blog)
all 321 news articles »


Bankrate.com

Mortgage refinance may hurt financial flexibility
Bankrate.com
... the home improvement contract phase with an estimated $72000 kitchen/bathroom project at hand and am wondering about the wisdom of a mortgage refinance. ...



The Money Times

New Article on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac HARP Mortgage Refinance Program ...
PR Web (press release)
In a new article, AimLoan.com explains why Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's program to refinance underwater homeowners should be expanded, as lowered mortgage ...
Will Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Short Selling Help Underwater Homeowners In Obama ...Red, White, and Blue Press (blog)

all 272 news articles »


PR Web (press release)

Underwater Mortgage Refinance Plan—Is It Working, Is Walking Away Okay?
Red, White, and Blue Press (blog)
2 Responses to “ Underwater Mortgage Refinance Plan—Is It Working, Is Walking Away Okay? ” What is the point of this article? It states 2 questions and ...
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and The Obama Underwater Mortgage Home Affordable ...Red, White, and Blue Press (blog)

all 120 news articles »


Bankrate.com

Bankruptcy haunts home mortgage refinance
Bankrate.com
We have about 60 percent equity in our home. We both have credit scores above 700 and both have good incomes. ...

and more »


How do I negotiate a mortgage refinance if I've lost my Job?
LoanSafe
to you to save your home. In this article we will briefly look at co-signer options and also loan modifications that may be an option for you. ...

and more »



FreeRateUpdate.com

FHA the treat For the Mortgage Refinance Hangover
OpEdNews
In 2004 the popularity of adjustable rate mortgages, also known as ARM's was shocking. 5/1 and 7/1 ARMS were in the 4% range so the lure of these teaser ...
What Can a Bad Credit Mortgage Refinance Do For Me?Jazzou (blog)
Home Mortgage Refinance Loan Made EasierBatchBuzz (satire)
Refinancing activity increases as rates return to low levelsBills.com
FreeRateUpdate.com -DSNews.com -Subprime Blogger (blog)
all 157 news articles »


Google News



MaineBannerExchange

home | site map
© 2006