Some reverse mortgages may be getting cheaper. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) plans to modify the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), the nation’s most popular reverse loan program.

Convert home equity to cash

Reverse mortgage loans allow people 62 and older to convert some of their home equity into cash. The proceeds can be used for any purpose and are paid out in a lump sum, through a line of credit, or a combination of both. Although reverse mortgages have helped many seniors supplement retirement income, some of the biggest complaints about these loans are the high upfront fees.

Upfront cost of reverse mortgages reduced

The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association revealed the HECM modifications in a press release. Under the proposed changes to the HECM program, the upfront cost of getting a reverse home mortgage would be reduced if borrowers applied for the HECM Saver. The HECM Saver would decrease the upfront cost of Mortgage Insurance Protection (MIP) to 0.01% of the property’s value. The HECM Standard would keep the upfront cost of MIP at 2% of the property’s value, or 2% of the maximum FHA loan limit of $625,000, whichever is greater. HECM Saver borrowers would receive less money than if they applied for a HECM Standard.

“We applaud HUD for undertaking the analysis required and re-engineering the HECM program to create options that will make it a viable solution for more older homeowners,” Peter Bell, President of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, said in a statement. “The upfront mortgage insurance premium has been a deterrent to some prospective borrowers, particularly those needing less than the full amount available under the traditional HECM Standard program. This new variation, the HECM Saver, presents a sensitive response to their needs.”

Reverse mortgage pros and cons

Anytime you apply to borrow a large amount of money there are going to be pros and cons. Evaluate your situation carefully before committing to a reverse home mortgage. There may be other solutions that can help improve your cash flow. A knowledgeable housing counselor can help you learn more about reverse mortgages so that you can make an informed decision about tapping into home equity.

Do you need to improve your credit score to qualify for a mortgage loan? Whether you want a mortgage to refinance or purchase a home, it’s important to straighten out your finances before filling out a loan application. Here’s what you need to do.

• Ditch credit card debt. This is one of the smartest things you can do to boost your credit score. Mortgage lenders won’t approve you for a home loan if your debt-to-income ratio is too high. Debt payments should account for no more than 36% of your income, and mortgage debt shouldn’t be any higher than 28% if you expect to qualify for the best mortgage rates.
• Pay your bills on time every month. Consistently being late with bill payments lowers your credit score. Read your monthly statements carefully so that you are aware of the date and time that payments are due. Payment history accounts for 35% of a FICO score.
• Avoid running up balances on existing credit cards or lines of credit. Even if you have enough income to pay off your debts at the end of the money, running up credit lines may mark you as a credit risk with mortgage lenders. Put the kibosh on new purchases at least until after you get approved for a mortgage.
• Check your credit report for errors. It’s not uncommon to find inaccurate or outdated information on credit reports. Dispute any problems that you find with the credit agency by calling and following up with a letter. If necessary, contact creditors to straighten out problems. Review your report again after your dispute has been settled to make sure everything has been updated.
• Keep your oldest credit lines open to show that you have an established credit history. While it makes sense to close unused credit lines if you don’t want to be tempted by them because of a history of overspending, wait to do so until after you get a mortgage. If you’ve had a long history of managing credit well, it can help lift your credit score.

Free Credit Reports

Request a free copy of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. You can get one free copy every 12 months from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Review it carefully and take time to fix any problems in order to qualify for the best possible deal on a home loan.

Borrowers are going to continue having a tough time getting approved for  mortgage loans, according to Michael J. Williams, Fannie Mae’s CEO. Many potential home buyers have been turned away by mortgage lenders looking to minimize their risks as the economic crisis has lingered.

Mortgage Loans for the Next Generation

“A solid majority of renters assume it will be tougher for their kids to buy a home–and they’re right, too,” Williams said at a recent Women in Housing and Finance event. He added: “Across the board, we see a much deeper understanding of how credit, income, job security and a down payment could stand in the way of buying a home.”

Qualifying for a Home Loan

So what can be done to improve your chance of getting approved for a home loan? Let’s look at each of the key areas Williams mentioned.

• Credit. You must clean up bad credit and so that mortgage lenders view your situation in favorable terms. Pay off debt, fix mistakes on your credit report, and avoid being late with monthly payments on bills.
• Income. The days of the getting a home loan without proof of income are over. Whether you are buying a home or refinancing an existing mortgage, be prepared to provide payment stubs, W-2 forms, tax returns, and proof of other assets.
• Job security. Although the media tends to focus on the doom and gloom of high unemployment rates, the fact of the matter is that most adults are still employed in some capacity. The longer you have been employed in a job, the more that helps your mortgage loan application. Try to avoid changing jobs if you plan to apply for a home mortgage.
• Down payment. The amount of money you have to use as a down payment is just as important as what mortgage rate you get. That’s because the more money you have to put towards a home, the less your monthly payments will be. Putting down at least 20% as a down payment also helps you avoid paying mortgage insurance.

Yes, it’s going to be difficult going forward to get approved by a mortgage lender. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up your dream of getting a home loan. If you’re confident you can get approved now, you can begin comparing mortgage rates here.

When you apply for a home equity loan the lender requires that your home be used as collateral. This type of loan is considered a second mortgage.

Decline in Home Values

Some homeowners have had a difficult time qualifying for home equity loans during the credit crunch because of falling home values. But if you have good credit and a decent amount of equity, there is a chance you can get approved to borrow money.

It’s never a good idea to borrow money if you don’t need to. But if you are house rich and cash poor, a home equity loan can be useful if you need to make home improvements, pay college costs, or even consolidate high-interest debt.

When considering a home equity loan keep in mind the following pros and cons. Pros include:

• Home equity loans usually have much lower interest rates than credit cards and rates are often fixed.
• Interest paid on home equity loans is tax deductible.
• Depending upon how much equity you have you may qualify for a sizable amount of money.

Among the cons of getting a home equity loan are:

• If your property values declines significantly, you could end up owing more on your mortgages than your home is worth. This is commonly referred to as being upside down on a mortgage.
• Borrowing money by using your home as collateral is risky. If you can’t afford to keep making payments on a home equity loan, you could end up losing your property.

Access to a Line of Credit

Keep in mind that home equity loans differ from home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). A line of credit also allows you to tap into your home equity, but it is set up so you can draw on the money as you need it instead of taking a lump sum. Both home equity loans and HELOCs usually have shorter terms of repayment than first mortgage loans.

Tighter Lending Standards

Some people who were previously approved for HELOCs have had their lines of credit frozen because banks have tightened up on lending. In other cases people who have strong credit histories have been denied HELOCs because banks are reluctant to extend credit.

Shop around to compare home equity loans to find the best deals. Familiarize yourself with all the terms before signing up.

Think the rich are immune to the housing crisis? You would be wrong. According to the New York Times, “more than one in seven homeowners with loans in excess of a million dollars are seriously delinquent.”

Walking Away from Home Loans

CoreLogic compiled data that indicate that people with less expensive homes are more likely to continue making payments to mortgage lenders. “Though it is hard to prove, the CoreLogic data suggest that many of the well-to-do are purposely dumping their financially draining properties, just as they would any sour investment,” the article states. Sam Khater, CoreLogic’s senior economist, was quoted as saying, “The rich are different: they are more ruthless.”

Strategic mortgage defaults have become more common as the housing market has struggled to recover. Some homeowners have simply stopped paying on mortgage loans because  they see no point in putting money into properties that have lost significant value. It’s not that they can’t afford to make payments on home loans, they just don’t want to.

Falling Home Prices

According to a recent article on Freddie Mac’s Web site, many strategic defaulters live in states where housing prices have suffered huge drops. Walking away from homes, the article argues, hurts entire communities in the long run:

That’s because strategic defaults affect many other families and communities. And these costs – or as they are known in economic jargon, externalities – are not factored into the individual borrower’s calculations.

Let’s start with the neighbors. When strategic defaults occur, homes go into foreclosure and sit vacant for some period of time. We know from experience that foreclosures and vacancies drive down the property values of everyone else in the neighborhood. Thus, strategic defaulters, in effect, deplete the personal wealth of their neighbors. 

Average Joe and Jane

Ultimately, it’s the average homeowner who is likely to be affected the most. A middle-class family that loses a home through foreclosure is likely to struggle for years to rebuild a stable financial situation.

Defaulting on Mortgages and Still Living Large

When people with million-dollar properties default on home loans, they often continue to have access to other financial resources and investments. They may even have a second or third home to move into and continue to live a pretty comfortable lifestyle.

Avoid Defaulting on a Mortgage

Whatever your income level or home’s value, it’s best to do everything you can to avoid defaulting — strategically or otherwise. Alternatives to strategically defaulting include resigning yourself to making mortgage payments even if you’ve lost a lot of home equity and waiting for the market to recover.

You could also try to refinance your mortgage loan to lower your payments and interest. Finally, if necessary, do whatever is necessary to sell your home to get rid of mortgage payments.

About 65% to 75% of mortgage loans modified through the government’s loan modification program but not backed by the federal government are expected to go into default, according to a report from credit-rating agency Fitch Ratings.

Too Much Debt

The report said that the main reason many home loans modified through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) are expected to go bad is because borrowers don’t receive help with other debt problems.

“Many of these borrowers still have very heavy levels of other debt, auto loans, credit cards and other expenses” Diane Pendley, a Fitch managing director, told CNNMoney. “We’re talking borrowers who don’t have cash reserves. If they did, they wouldn’t be in this position in the first place. It doesn’t take much for them to get in the same situation again.”

Mortgage Lenders Foreclose

A homeowner who defaults on a home loan that has been modified is likely to face foreclosure.  Mortgage lenders are probably not going to give homeowners a second modification deal.

Asking for a Short Sale

Homeowners who find themselves in the position of defaulting on a mortgage loan that was previously modified, may be able to negotiate a short sale. A short sale occurs when a mortgage lender agrees to let you sell a home for less than what is owed on it. Mortgage lenders sometimes agree to short sales rather than deal with foreclosing on a property mortgage loan.

If you are about to default on a home loan that has been modified consider the following things that could help you arrange a short sale:

• Mortgage lenders are more likely to approve a short sale if you already have a buyer lined up
• It may take several attempts to contact your mortgage lender before getting approval for a short sale
• You must provide all documentation requested as soon as possible if a short sale has been approved

Arrange a Deed-in-Lieu Deal

In some cases you may be able to get your mortgage lender to agree to a deed-in-lieu deal. That occurs when you give back your property to the lender because you can’t afford to make monthly payments on a home mortgage. The mortgage lender is then free to sell the property to try and pay off the balance of your home loan.

There is  no guarantee that your mortgage lender is going to agree to a short sale or deed-in-lieu. But if you truly believe that you are going to default on a home loan that has already been modified, contact your mortgage lender to discuss your options.

Hundreds of people are expected to be arrested next week in a nationwide crackdown on mortgage fraud. The Financial Times reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) plans to make the arrests next week.

Lying on Mortgage Loan Applications

Among those expected to be arrested are people who encourage borrowers to lie about income on home loan applications, mislead homeowners about mortgage rescue programs, and inflate home appraisals. A spokesperson for the FBI would not comment to the Financial Times about the expected arrests.

Rampant mortgage fraud helped contribute to the housing crisis. The FBI has opened 23 mortgage fraud tasks forces around the U.S. since 2008.

Signs of Mortgage Fraud 

So what are some of the signs that you might be a target of mortgage fraud?

• Do not trust mortgage brokers who use high-pressure sales tactics. You should never be forced to sign papers for a home loan. A reputable mortgage broker should encourage you to take  time to fully understand different offers from mortgage lenders.
• If you are asked to lie on a mortgage loan application, find a different broker. You should never exaggerate income or assets to qualify for a home loan. If you know that you cannot afford a particular mortgage but your broker manipulates the numbers to make it look like you can, it’s probably a scam.
• Do not trust strangers who promise to save your home from foreclosure. Among the red flags is being asked to sign over the deed to you home. Never believe promises that sound too good to be true, especially if you don’t know the individual making them.
• Some scam artists try to inflate home appraisals to get approved for a refinance or new home mortgage. You can get a comparative analysis of homes from a reputable real estate agent to get an idea of what properties are worth in your area. If an appraisal comes in significantly higher than that, there may be a scam brewing.

Choose Reputable People 

Mortgage fraud is often perpetrated by people who work in the housing industry. That’s why it is important to thoroughly check out any professionals you are considering working with. Ask people you trust to recommend real estate agents, mortgage brokers, mortgage lenders, home appraisers, inspectors, and attorneys.

First-time homeowners sometimes make the mistake of not adding up all the costs of getting mortgage loans. Of course shopping for competitive mortgage rates is important, but keep in mind that your monthly payment includes real-estate taxes and homeowners insurance. Anytime you use a monthly payment calculator to figure out the cost of getting a home loan, it’s important  to include your best estimates for insurance and taxes.

Property Taxes

You can’t deduct your homeowners insurance premiums, but you can deduct real-estate taxes. Deductions can be taken for any state, local, or foreign taxes on real property. If your state or county imposes local benefit taxes related to property improvements such as sidewalks or streets, they cannot be deducted.

After you’ve owned a home for a while, you can file an appeal to try and get your property taxes lowered if you think you are paying too much. You must contact the local government to find out what the procedure is for appealing property taxes. Generally, you only have a certain window of time to appeal after receiving your annual assessment.

Mortage Interest

The interest paid on a home mortgage is also deductible. Interest on mortage loans can be deducted for your principal residence and for a vacation home. If you have a second home that is also rented out for part of the year, you must use the house for more than 14 days or more than 10% of the number of days during the year that the home is rented at fair value. If you have more than one property that you rent out, the mortgage interest deduction can only be taken on one of them.

Deductible interest must be paid on a mortgage for your first home, second mortgage, home equity loan, or home equity line of credit (HELOC). If you pay mortgage interest for someone else but are not legally liable for the loan, you cannot take a deduction for that amount.

Filing Your Taxes

When filing your income taxes on Form 1040 you have to decide whether you are going to take the standard deduction or itemize deductions on a Schedule A. The best rule of thumb is to itemize deductions if they add up to more than the standard deduction. But unless you choose to itemize you won’t be able to deduct interest from your home loan or real-estate taxes.

College expenses can put a serious dent in your wallet. Although many students qualify for financial aid, parents may still be expected to contribute to tuition and housing costs. Does it make sense to buy a condo or house for a college student instead of having them live in a dorm? Here are 5 things to consider before beginning a house hunt.

1. Do you need a home loan to pay for the purchase? If so, are you really in a position financially to take on monthly mortgage payments? Use a mortgage payment calculator to figure out how much house you might be able to afford.
2. Expect mortgage lenders to scrutinize your credit history. Lenders want to know that if they underwrite a home mortgage, that you are able to pay it back. Mortgage lenders are going to want to see proof of income, assets, investments, and tax returns. Also expect to provide documentation that you have made mortgage payments on time for the house you live in.
3. Don’t expect Junior to pay the mortgage each month. Unless your college student has a steady income and expects to work full-time, it is unlikely that your child can make the mortgage payments. If your student is attending school full-time, that should be considered a job. Any money earned from a part-time job can be used for food and household expenses.
4. Are you able to afford utilities and maintenance costs? If you already own a home, you know that there always seems to be something that needs to be fixed or replaced. Also factor in the cost of routine maintenance such as mowing grass and snow plowing if your child won’t be doing the work.
5. Be honest with yourself–is your kid responsible enough to maintain a home? You don’t want to invest in a property only to have your college student trash the place. Also, consider your child’s maturity level. When you consider everything, you may decide that living in a dormitory is a better option.

Finally, have you checked out rentals near the college campus? Before shopping around for mortgage loans and visiting open houses, see what types of properties are available in the area. You may find an apartment, condo, or home for rent that is suitable for your student and much cheaper than applying for a mortgage to buy a property.

If you were expecting mortgage rates to begin rising this year, you may have to wait a while longer. Current mortgage rates are surprisingly low, with 30-year fixed-rate home loans averaging 4.86% and 15-year rates averaging 4.24%. Many economists had expected mortgage rates to rise to around 6% this year, but the European debt crisis has resulted in investors pouring money into American bonds, which has helped lower mortgage rates.

Time for a Home Refinance?

The lower mortgage rates mean you can still get a good deal on a refinance. “It’s another very good opportunity for anyone who hasn’t yet been able to refinance — or has missed other chances,” Keith Gumbinger, vice president of HSH Associates, told MarketWatch. “Rates have unexpectedly returned to near 50-year lows due to the overseas mess, but it’s worth noting that such sudden declines have proven fleeting in the past, with rates bouncing higher just as soon as a permanent (or potentially permanent) solution has been identified.”

Get a Mortgage to Buy a Home

Current mortgage rates are also good news for people applying for a loan to purchase a home. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage loan can improve your chances of having an offer for a house accepted by the sellers. Some real estate agents won’t even work with you unless you have a letter from a mortgage lender that shows you have been preapproved for a home loan.

You can search for mortgage rateshere to get started on the process of getting preapproved. Getting a preapproval letter doesn’t mean you have to actually apply for a home loan with a particular mortgage lender when you are ready to buy. Any preapproval you get probably expires in about three months time, but you may be able to get an extension if necessary.

Documentation Is Important

 Whether you want to do a home refinance or buy a house, you need to provide documentation of your income to mortgage lenders. You need to show proof that you are employed or have a steady income. Mortgage lenders also want to know that you aren’t carrying too much debt relative to your income. Among the financial documents you might have to provide are tax returns, W-2 statements, bank account statements, and recent pay stubs.

Don’t Waith Too Long

Current mortgage rates are very attractive if you want to refinance or buy a home. But don’t expect mortgage rates to remain at such low levels for the long-term. Get moving if you want to lock in a mortgage deal before interest rates begin rising.