- Mortgages and Home Improvement Loans
 
                                                




To visit our library of over 650 articles on mortgages and home improvement loans, please click:

Home Loans

Mortgage Prepayment Penalties - Just Say No


One of the most common terms found in a new home loan is a prepayment penalty. This type of penalty says that if the borrower pays off the loan early, commonly during the first five years of the loan, then the borrower will be responsible for paying an additional amount of money, typically about six months interest on 80% of the mortgage balance. Sub-prime market loans will typically carry prepayment penalties more than standard mortgage loans.

You may plan on keeping the house for the entire duration of the prepayment penalty, and be tempted not to worry about it much. But sometimes life circumstances change, so it's wise to avoid any type of prepayment penalty if you can. A typical prepayment penalty might equal five months worth of monthly loan payments, so it's worth checking on. Of course, you should always ask (before you sign) if a new loan has a prepayment penalty. In fact, ask the lending officer to point out to you in the document where a prepayment penalty is discussed.

Most items in a loan are subject to negotiation. If you haven't signed loan papers yet, and you find that your loan has a prepayment penalty, you might offer to pay an additional closing point or so to see if it can be removed. The key at this stage is that if you agree to the prepayment penalty, you should try to find ways to reduce either the amount, the term, or both as much as possible.

If you already have a loan, you are bound by the terms of the document, unless you can negotiate them. There are perfectly legitimate reasons why you may want to pay off a note early - most often, due either to refinancing or selling the house. You may be able to contact your lender to see if they will waive the prepayment penalty if they are able to provide refinancing. If interest rates have dropped a lot, and you can't get out of the prepayment penalty, it may be worth rolling that amount into a new loan. And of course, try to get the new loan without a prepayment penalty.

About The Author

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.cashbazar.com. Visit his website for the latest on personal finance, debt elimination, budgeting, credit cards and real estate.

More vMoney matters .....

According to the Association of British Insurers, the average motorist could save up to 35% on their insurance premium by simply shopping around. To check out a selection of major car insurance companies and a library of over 400 articles on car insurance, please click Cheap Car Insurance

Found that dream car? Need a car loan? Check out our library of over 430 articles to help you find Cheap Car Loans

Need some help on managing your money? Have some questions on how to consolidate your debt? Check out this website with over 350 articles: Advice Bureau

Out of pocket because you're the innocent victim of an accident? Speak to a free Personal Injury Solicitor by contacting the Freelegal Helpline on 0800 01 53425 Personal Injury Claims

 

 

 

 

Personal Finance | Personal Finance UK | Personal Finance site map

mortgage calculator | cheap car loans | broadband providers

© Personal Finance