Advantage Mortgage Service specializes in identifying what loans are best suited for your needs. The most common loans are:
  • FHA Loans - Both fixed and adjustable-rate FHA loans are available, and in most states, an FHA loan can be used for refinancing. The difference is, they're insured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). With FHA Insurance, eligible buyers can put down as little as 3% of the FHA appraisal value or the purchase price, whichever is lower. Qualifying standards are not as strict and the rates are slightly better than with conventional loans.
  • VA Loans - A VA loan is simply a fixed-rate mortgage with a very competitive interest rate. Qualified buyers can also use a VA loan to purchase a home with no money down, no cash reserves, no application fee and reduced closing costs. Some states allow a VA loan for refinancing as well. Administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, these special loans make housing affordable for U.S. veterans. To qualify you must be a veteran, reservist, on active duty, or a surviving spouse of a veteran with 100% entitlement.
  • Hybrid Loans – There are many types of hybrid loans such as:
  • Conventional Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
    This is an ARM that is directly tied to the economy. The interest rates and monthly payments can go up or down. Usually you can qualify easier and the interest rate can be 2% or 3% lower than fixed-rate mortgages.
  • Conventional Fixed Rate Mortgage
    This is the most common loan. With a fixed rate mortgage the loan’s principal and interest are amortized, or spread out evenly, over the life of the loan. This gives you a predicable monthly payment for the life of the loan.
  • Convertible ARMs
    Some adjustable-rate mortgages allow you to convert to a fixed rate at certain specified times. This mitigates some of the risk of fluctuating interest rates, but there will be a substantial fee to do it. And your new fixed rate may be higher than the going fixed rate.
  • Two-Step Mortgage 
    This is an ARM that only adjusts once at five or seven years, then remains fixed for the duration of the loan. Not only will you benefit from a lower rate for the first few years, but the new fixed rate cannot increase by more than 6%. It may even be lower, depending on market conditions. Then again, you also run the risk of adjusting to a much higher rate.
  • Graduated Payment Mortgage (GPM)
    With a GPM you pay smaller payments that gradually increase and level off after about five years. Lower payments can make it possible for you to afford a bigger home, but they'll be interest-only payments, adding nothing to the principal. This could put you in a negative amortization situation.
  • Convertible Loans
    Another ARM choice, the convertible loan offers a fixed rate for the first three, five or seven years, then switches to a traditional ARM that fluctuates with the market. If you strongly believe that interest rates will fall a convertible loan might be a smart move.
  • Balloon Mortgages
    These short-term loans begin with low, fixed payments. Then, in five, seven or ten years a single large payment (balloon) for all remaining principal is due. While this saves money up front, coming up with a large payment at the end of the loan may be difficult. Some lenders will allow you to refinance that payment, but some won't, so be sure you know what you're getting into.

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