Homeowners think there’s some magic to these bi-weekly payments that reduces the interest expense on their loan. The magic is in making the equivalent of 13 monthly mortgage payments per year. I don’t recommend that homeowners switch to a biweekly mortgage. It’s just not worth the bother or expense.
My advice to people who are trying to decide whether to pay off or pay down their mortgage from savings or investments is to consider what they’re earning on their investments after-tax and compare that to what they’re paying after-tax on their mortgage.
If you are a military veteran or are on active duty, a VA loan may be the perfect loan for you. The Veterans Administration provides guaranteed loans, made by VA-approved lenders to eligible military members. The VA guaranty protects the lender not the borrower from loss resulting from the loan not being repaid. The VA loan programs offer many advantages to veterans and can be obtained with little or no down payment with a competitive mortgage rate. Borrowers can choose a fixed or variable rate loan. The loan can be used to purchase a home or refinance an existing loan. The process is different from conventional loans.
To refinance your existing mortgage seems to be an inalienable right. Do not listen to the “experts” that will tell you once the prevailing mortgage rate falls .50 – 1% below the rate on your current mortgage you should refinance. Running off to refinance your mortgage when headlines announce mortgage rates are falling is not the best of ideas.
Confused about your 401K? Not sure what to invest in for your child\'s future? Ask Dr Don, I\'m here to help.