Posts Tagged ‘current interest rate’

Let’s say I need money and I want to sell my real estate notes. There are several advantages to cashing in on my debt contract – I can avoid inflation, access my funds anytime, and get rid of the hassle of monthly collections. When you need extra cash flow, selling debt instruments is far more convenient than taking out a loan.

The first step in selling any debt note is finding a note buyer. The note buyer will assess the note based on the balance, interest rate, the payer’s stability, and other factors that contribute to the risk it poses. Because the buyer takes on the risk of the agreement, you can’t expect to get the full value of the note. For example, when I sell my real estate note worth $80,000, I might get about $75,000 in cash. The $5,000 is the cost of the risk I transfer to the buyer – the risk of inflation, of rising interest rates, or the payor defaulting or going bankrupt.

Most people simply sell the whole contract, but it’s also possible to sell just some of the payments. This can be a good option if you don’t need a large lump sum, or if you want to keep getting monthly payments. Or if I like the current interest rate on the contract, I can sell my real estate note partially and keep earning the same interest.
Another alternative is to sell my real estate notes in full, get part of the lump sum, and receive the rest in monthly installments. There are many other ways to structure the sale, and your note buyer should discuss all of them with you.

There are lots of note buyers willing to buy out contracts, but they don’t all offer the same rates. I wouldn’t sell my real estate notes to the first buyer who comes along; it’s best to consult different buyers and compare their quotes before settling on a deal. Most buyers will give you a quote for free, although they may charge for the appraisal and title policy. If they charge any other fees, just find another buyer – chances are they’re not stable enough to offer free consultation services.

There should also be no closing costs, points, or other associated fees throughout the transaction. Any fees involved are supposed to be paid at the time I sell my real estate note, and not midway or after the deal.

Also watch out for the “bait and switch” buyers who force you into a cheap deal after you’ve sold the contract. Basically, I sell my real estate notes for a decent price, but the buyer lowers the price later on because my property buyer allegedly had low credit. This is a highly unethical practice – the buyer is supposed to review your payor’s credit upfront.

Lastly, make sure to document the whole deal. It’s very risky to sell my real estate notes without a written purchase agreement to back it up. Put down in writing every detail of the sale, and be sure to understand all the terms and conditions.

Selling your real estate contract is a great way to raise money without the hassle of bank loans. As long as you find a good buyer, cashing in can prove much more profitable than waiting for monthly payments. Besides, you can do a lot more with cash than you can with a contract.

Jamie has been working in the finance industry for many years and is a contributing editor to http://www.selling-your-note.com. If you’re wondering how to sell my real estate note you can find out on our site.

Author: Jamie Sherman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Buying a your home, whether it’s your first home or your dream home, is one of the best investment you will ever make. That’s primarily because you can pay off your mortgage thus building equity in your home over a span of time. On the other hand a renter will keep paying rent and will more than likely see their rental payments increase over the years.

You can calculate your mortgage using a mortgage calculator. From the moment you make that first mortgage payment, you will probably be dreaming of the day when you can make your last one and be "mortgage-free.” For most people that day is pretty far off in the future, but it is possible to speed up the process.

Your REALTOR® will be able to advise you on ways you can pay down your mortgage as quickly as possible. This information will be helpful when you are arranging financing on your home. Be sure to discuss various options with your financial institution before choosing a mortgage.

Schedule of Amortization
Shortening the amortization period is one of the best ways to pay off your mortgage faster.” By choosing a shorter amortization, you will not only pay for your home in less time, but you will make substantial savings in interest too.

When you using a mortgage calculator, the most common mortgage amortization is 25 years. By shortening that period to 15 years, you will erode the amount of money you owe much more quickly and make fewer interest payments. Shortening the amortization period is not for everyone as it does mean larger payments, but for many people the benefit of long term savings is worth it.

Normally a mortgage payment is structured so that it is blended and applies to both principal and interest so near the beginning of the mortgage the amount of interest pay is very high. However, with each payment, more and more of is applied to the principal. Ask your REALTOR® to give you examples of what your payments would be at the current interest rate amortized over 25 years as compared to 15 years.

Payment options
The more popular payment choices today are semi-monthly, bi-weekly and weekly versus the previous preffered payment method of monthly. With these types of payment options you will reduce the amount of principal you owe faster because you make payments on a much more frequent basis and less interest is accrued. Many mortgages also offer homeowners the option of making an additional payment each year or increasing your payment each month. Making the equivalent of one extra payment a year can save you a considerable amount over time.

Anniversary date
Many mortgages allow you to make a lump sum payment on the anniversary date of your mortgage. Again this lowers the amount of money you ultimately payout in interest resulting in savings long term. It’s wise to find out what “pre-payment” privileges are available on the mortgage you choose.

Your REALTOR® along with either your bank, trust company or mortgage broker can help you look at all the possibilities for financing your home and can tailor a mortgage that fits your income and your goals.

Shop around
Seek out a mortgage that is as flexible as possible. Try to ensure you can make one extra payment yearly and select the payment plan that works best for you. Your REALTOR® is experienced and knowledgeable about the many mortgage options and the types of payment plans available and can act as your guide to help you become mortgage free sooner.

Article by Patricia Hodge-Rendall, Broker, Remax Realty Specialists Inc., 1-866-675-3434