Loan Options
Stillwater Mortgage offers many different loan types. Find the one that is right for you!
All in One Loan
WHAT MAKES IT SO DIFFERENT?
You see, unlike a traditional mortgage that charges you interest up front, the All In One Loan is designed to apply payments to your loan principal first. By doing so it reduces your balance faster and saves you thousands of dollars in valuable interest.
24/7 ACCESS TO HOME EQUITY
The All In One Loan also provides access to your home’s equity dollars without requiring you to refinance. As you know, that’s not the case with traditional mortgages.
BORROWING AND BANKING COMBINED
What truly makes the All In One Loan extraordinary is that it combines home financing and personal banking into one. It allows you to use your regular income to lower your loan’s principal even faster, and you don’t have to change the way you spend.
Hobby Farms
Property Eligibility:
- 5-160 acres (outside that range may be considered on a case-by-case)
- Owner occupied and single family
- Outbuildings are permitted
- Dwelling should have a value of at least 30% of overall property value
- Reasonable potential of producing at least $500 annual agricultural income
- 50 head of livestock or less
- Non-contiguous parcels within reasonable proximity (independent appraisals required on each parcel)
Borrower Eligibility:
- Farming is not their primary occupation
- Credit-680 minimum FICO
- DTI-39%, 43% could be approved with significant compensating factors and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
- No Bankruptcies, Foreclosures, Short Sales, significant mortgage late payments or significant collections
Ineligible Properties:
- Full-time farm operations
- Manufactured homes (wood framed modular homes are permissible)
- Townhomes, duplexes, and condominiums
- Second/Investment homes
- Unique homes (Ex. berms, sheds and domes)
- Lot or land only properties
- Properties with deferred maintenance or incomplete construction
- Active feedlots, concentrated livestock facilities or extensive business facilities
Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
Mortgage holders are protected by a ceiling, or maximum interest rate, which can be reset annually. ARMs typically begin with more attractive rates than fixed rate mortgages — compensating the borrower for the risk of future interest rate fluctuations.
Choosing an ARM is a good idea when:
- Interest rates are going down
- You intend to keep your home less than 5 years
ARMs have the following distinguishing features:
- Index
- Margin
- Adjustment Frequency
- Initial Interest Rate
- Interest Rate Caps
- Convertibility
Index
An adjustable rate mortgage’s interest rate increases and decreases based on publicly published indexes. ARMS are based on different indexes including:
- United States Treasury Bills (T-bills)
- The 11th District Cost of Funds Index (COFI)
- London Interbank Offering Rate Index (LIBOR)
- Certificate of Deposit Indexes (CODI)
- 12-Month Treasury Average (MTA or MAT)
- Cost of Savings Index (COSI)
- Bank Prime Loan (Prime Rate)
Margin
Margin is a fixed percentage amount that is pointed added to the index – accounting for the profit the lender makes on the loan. Margins are fixed for the term of the loan.
interest rate = index + margin
Adjustment Frequency
Reflects how often the interest rate changes – also known as the reset date. Most ARMs adjust yearly, but some ARMs adjust as often as once a month or as infrequently as every five years.
Initial Interest Rate
The initial interest rate is the interest rate paid until the first reset date. The initial interest rate determines your initial monthly payment, which the lender may use to qualify you for a loan. Often the initial interest rate is less than the sum of the current index plus margin so your interest rate and monthly payment will probably go up on the first reset date.
Interest Rate Caps
Interest rate caps put limits on interest rates and monthly payments.
COMMON CAPS:
- Initial Adjustment Cap
An initial adjustment cap limits how much the interest rate can change at the first adjustment period.Example:
If your ARM has a 1% initial adjustment cap, your interest rate may only increase or decrease by a maximum of 1% at the first adjustment period. - Periodic Adjustment Cap
A periodic adjustment cap limits how much your interest rate can change from one adjustment period to the next. Usually a six-month adjustable rate mortgage will have a one percent periodic adjustment cap while a one-year adjustable rate mortgage will have a two percent periodic adjustment cap.Example:
If your loan has a 2% periodic adjustment cap, your interest rate may only increase or decrease by a maximum of 2% per adjustment period. - Lifetime Cap
A lifetime cap sets the maximum and minimum interest rate that you may be charged for the life of the loan. Most ARMs have caps of 5% or 6% above the initial interest rate.Example:
If your loan has a 6% lifetime cap, your interest rate may only increase or decrease by a maximum of 6% for the life of the loan.Initial adjustment caps, periodic adjustment caps, and lifetime caps make up an adjustable rate mortgage’s cap structure, and are usually represented as three numbers:
Example:
1/2/6 — Initial adjustment cap is 1 %/ periodic cap is 2% / lifetime cap is 6%.
Negatively Amortizing Loans
Because Negatively Amortizing Loans provide payments caps instead of interest rate caps, they limit the amount the monthly payment can increase. However, there is a risk interest rates could potentially escalate to a point where the monthly payment would not cover the interest being charged. If this scenario were to occur, the extra interest charges would be added to the principle of the loan, resulting in the borrower owing more than was initially borrowed. Borrowers are usually allowed to make payments over the loan amount to pay down the mortgage and guard against this scenario.
There are certain times when having a negatively amortizing mortgage could be beneficial. If a borrower were to lose a job or have an unexpected financial emergency a negative amortization option could ease cash flow situation. However, this should only be used as a short-term solution.
Option ARM Loans
Allow the borrower to choose the amount to pay toward the mortgage each month. Make a minimum payment, interest-only payment, 30-year amortized payment or 15-year amortized payment. Pay the minimum amount to free up funds for other uses, or make larger payments for faster equity build up. Option Arms offer much more cash flow flexibility but must be used wisely by the borrower. Always consult a qualified loan officer to learn about all of the risks associated with these types of loans. He or she will also be able to offer valuable advice on properly managing your monthly payments.
Reverse Mortgage
“The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) is FHA’s reverse mortgage program, which enables you to withdraw some of the equity in your home. The HECM is a safe plan that can give older Americans greater financial security. Many seniors use it to supplement Social Security, meet unexpected medical expenses, make home improvements and more.”
The learn more about Reverse Mortgaes, please visit the HUD.GOV website.
Conforming Loans
Buying back mortgage loans allow these agencies to provide a continuous flow of affordable funding to banks that reinvest their money back into more mortgage loans. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac only buy loans that are conforming, to repackage into the secondary market – effectively decreasing the demand for non-conforming loans.
Conforming Loan Limits:
Number of Units | Maximum original principal balance | Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and U.S. Virgin Islands only |
1 | $417,000 | $625,500 |
2 | $533,850 | $800,775 |
3 | $645,300 | $967,950 |
4 | $801,950 | $1,202,925 |
NOTE: The conforming loan limit in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Virgin Islands is 50% higher.
Conventional Loans
- Fixed Rate Loans
- Adjustable Rate Loans (ARMs)
- Combination (Hybrid) Loans
- Balloon Mortgages and Pledge Asset Loans
- Jumbo / Construction Loans
- Reverse Mortgage
Portfolio Loans
Reasons for a Portfolio Loan:
Unique Property Type – Sometimes the property that the borrower is looking to buy or refinance is particularly unique. So unique that it does not meet the necessary guidelines to be eligible for conventional, FHA, etc. financing.
Recent Credit Issues – Many times a portfolio loan is called for when a borrower has damaged credit. Maybe their credit was ruined because of a nasty divorce. Maybe their credit was ruined due to an injury. This would have an impact on their ability to earn for 12 months. Sometimes this forces foreclosure, possibly bankruptcy. Really any situation where the borrower was in a rough patch, but now is back on their feet.
Investment Property Loans – Most real estate investors reach challenges when attempting to expand their real estate portfolio, and are looking to finance those new investments. The general assumption is that their only option is to get a hard money loan or buy the new home cash.
Unique Income Circumstances – We often see borrowers that are financially stable, have great credit, solid assets, but don’t qualify for a mortgage due to a simple technicality regarding their income situation. This is another great opportunity to explore the possibility of getting a portfolio loan.
FHA Loan
FHA loans are an attractive option, especially for first-time homeowners:
- Generally easier to qualify for than conventional loans.
- Lower down payment requirements.
- Cannot exceed statutory loan limits.
Learn more about FHA loans. (Department of Housing and Urban Development)
FHA Section 184 – Indian Housing Program
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a Native American/American Indian in the process of buying a home that will be your primary residence. You or your family member(s) must also be enrolled in a federally recognized American Indian tribe or Alaskan Native village.
Fixed Rate Financing with market rate of interest. Length of Loan is 30 years or less. Payments are made monthly. The maximum loan amount is 150% of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) lending limits for the area. There are no prepayment penalties.
Fixed Rate Mortgage
Payments on fixed-rate fully amortizing loans are calculated so that the loan is paid in full at the end of the term. In the early amortization period of the mortgage, a large percentage of the monthly payment pays the interest on the loan. As the mortgage is paid down, more of the monthly payment is applied toward the principal.
A 30 year fixed rate mortgage is the most popular type of loan when borrowers are able to lock into a low rate.
Benefits
- Lower monthly payments than a 15 year fixed rate mortgage
- Interest rate does not go up if interest rates go up
- Payment does not go up, it stays the same for 30 years
Drawbacks
- Higher interest rate than a 15 year fixed rate mortgage
- Interest rate stays the same even if interest rates go down
A 15 year fixed rate mortgage allows you to pay off your loan quicker and lock into an attractive lower interest rate.
Benefits
- Lower interest rate
- Build equity faster
- If interest rates go up, yours is fixed
Drawbacks
- Higher monthly payment stays the same if interest rates go down
- Interest rate stays the same even if interest rates go down
Jumbo Loans
USDA / Rural Development
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers a variety of programs to help low to moderate-income individuals living in small towns or rural areas achieve homeownership. The Rural Housing Service (RHS) helps qualifying applicants, who cannot receive credit from other sources, purchase modestly priced homes as their primary residence.
RHS Loans are an attractive option because:
- Minimal closing cost
- Low or no down payment
RHS loans can be used toward the purchase and renovation of a previously owned home or a new construction. Families must be able to pay their monthly mortgage, homeowner’s insurance and property taxes.
Find out if you qualify for an RHS Loan.
VA Loan
Here’s how it works:
- 100% financing without private mortgage insurance or 20% second mortgage.
- A VA funding fee of 0 to 3.3% (this fee may be financed) of the loan amount is paid to the VA.
- When purchasing a home, veterans may borrow up to 100% of the sales price or reasonable value of the home, whichever is less.
- When refinancing a home, veterans may borrow up to 90% of reasonable value in order to refinance where state law allows.
Apply for a VA Loan with a VA Qualified Lender.
WCDA
WCDA also offers two programs, Spruce Up Wyoming I and Spruce Up Wyoming II, that provide funds to purchase and rehabilitate a primary residence.
All borrowers must be credit worthy having demonstrated a history of responsible and timely payments.
Homebuyer Education is required for all WCDA homebuyer loans. WCDA requires homebuyers to complete both an online class and a one-on-one housing counseling and budgeting session. Homebuyers should complete these classes before they shop for a home. Click here to find out more about homebuyer education.
More Information
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Licensed Counties in Wyoming:
Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Fremont, Goshen, Hot Springs, Johnson, Laramie, Lincoln, Natrona, Niobrara, Park, Platte, Sheridan, Sublette, Sweetwater, Teton, Uinta, Washakie, Weston