A Mortgage and Bank Trick You Should Avoid at All Costs

Once you've purchased your home, you will begin to get correspondence from your lender about a "Mortgage Reduction Program," in which you can cut years off your mortgage, without adding money to your payment. This is another trick bankers have to get you to give them your payment sooner, so they can hold it in escrow and make more money off of you.

The program arranges for you to make your mortgage payment bi-weekly. In other words, you cut your monthly payment in half and make it every two weeks. Basically, all the bank is doing is collecting an extra mortgage payment, over the course of a year and adding it to your principal loan amount. This cuts five to seven years off your 30-year mortgage term. Here's the secret they don't want you to know.

First, you can do this without them. Simply add to your principal loan amount on any given month, when you can afford to do so. You'll learn more about this, in the section on ARMs. Second, the banks charge you a hefty setup fee, usually $250 to $350, as well as a monthly processing fee. You don't need to pay this, ever! Again, you simply add money to the principal loan, in the same check you use to pay your monthly mortgage. In fact, your mortgage invoice provides a box that specifically says, "Additional Principal." If you want to cut seven, 10 or even 15 years off your loan, just ask your mortgage professional how much you need to add each month or each year to meet that term.

The most exciting part of this plan, though, is not the years you cut from the term as much as it is the tens of thousands of dollars in interest you save. For example, on a $150,000 loan, if you add just one extra payment each year to the principal loan amount, you'll save well over $60,000, if you keep your mortgage for its entire term. And, if you set it up through payroll deduction at your workplace, you won't even notice the money is gone. This is a very powerful program and a great way to beat the bankers at their own game.

If you are interested in learning more about how much interest you can save by adding to the principal loan amount, go to a mortgage calculator site on the Internet, and ask the computer to do it for you. The best web site I have seen for this is Karl Jeacle's Mortgage Calculator. You can locate it on the Internet by simply doing a keyword search for mortgage calculator. Check it out, and you can beat the bankers at their own game.

Mark Barnes is the author of the new novel, The League, the first work of fiction, based on fantasy football. He is also an investment real estate and home loan finance expert. Learn more about his suspense thriller at http://www.sportsnovels.com Get his free mortgage finance course at http://www.winningthemortgagegame.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Good FICO Credit Score? Tips to Getting the Most Out of Your Home Mortgage Loan With Good Credit

Sometimes so much is talked about how to solve the... Read More

How to Find a Direct Homeowner Loan

If you've been thinking about applying for a direct homeowner... Read More

Florida Refinance - Refinancing in Florida

The decision to buy a home in Florida can be... Read More

Option One Mortgage Loans ? Getting an Option ARM or Option One Mortgage Loan

Have you heard about or been interested in finding out... Read More

Before You Buy

Before you start looking for a home, figure out what... Read More

Say Yes to ISA Mortgages for a Convenient Mortgage Repayment

Customers who opt for an interest only mortgage, and feel... Read More

Is the Inverse Mortgage a Scam? New Program Promises Mortgage Payoff inside of 5 Years

If a mortgage could be paid off in five years... Read More

What is a Self-Certification Mortgage?

A Self-Certification mortgage is a mortgage designed for people who... Read More

Adjustable Rate Mortgages Offer Alternatives For Home Buyers

When looking for a mortgage to meet your needs, consider... Read More

Should You Get an Interest-only Home Mortgage?

Before you consider taking out an interest-only mortgage, you should... Read More

Refinancing Your Home Mortgage Loan

You're considering refinancing your home mortgage loan to save money.... Read More

Choosing The Right Mortgage For You

This article will help you understand the differences between a... Read More

Jumbo Mortgage Loans - Getting Approved for a Jumbo Mortgage Loan Online

Getting approved for a jumbo mortgage loan online is similar... Read More

A New Choice for Home Financing: Correspondent Lenders

When you begin your search for a new home loan,... Read More

Guide to Home Equity Loans

Here is a useful guide to home equity loans. A... Read More

Change in Texas Law May Make Reverse Mortgages More Popular

Texas was one of the last states to allow homeowners... Read More

Home Mortgages: Think Before You Borrow

In today's overheated housing market, lenders are making it easier... Read More

Home Mortgage Refinancing ? What?s in Your Contract?

Are you one of the millions of Americans who will... Read More

Finding the Best Mortgage Lender Online

Finding the best mortgage lender online is simply a matter... Read More

Why Choose a Home Owner Loan?

Most people choose a home owner loan as it can... Read More

Tips for Finding the Best Agri Mortgage and the Best Agri Loan

The Research Rates of Agri MortgageFirst thing, when finding an... Read More

Why Choose a Home Equity Loan?

There are many reasons for choosing a home equity loan.... Read More

Financing a Home With Bad Credit

Financing a home with bad credit is a common problem... Read More

How To Turn Disadvantages Of A Reverse Mortgage To Your Advantage

When it comes to a reverse mortgage, wise consumers weigh... Read More

Multi Family Property Living

While most multi family properties are designed to allow the... Read More

Bad Credit Mortgage Lender - What to Look For

If you have less than perfect credit and are looking... Read More

Buying a Home With Bad Credit - Get Approved With a Recent Bankruptcy or Foreclosure

A few years ago, if you had a bankruptcy or... Read More

How Good a Deal Is Your Banks Mortgage Insurance Plan?

When you go to the bank to get a mortgage,... Read More

What is an Interest Only Mortgage?

An Interest Only Mortgage is one where the repayments are... Read More

10 Things to Look for in a Home-Equity Line of Credit

If you are a homeowner, you've probably received offers to... Read More

Refinancing Your Home Mortgage - Get Up To 125% Cash From Your Homes Value

With the low interest rates being offered by lenders today,... Read More

Types Of Home Equity Loans

There are two broad types of home equity loans:Term loans:... Read More

Home Loans: What You Should Know!

Finding home loans can be a daunting task, whether you're... Read More