More - NPNC Conversation


From: "Howard I. Cohen" <hic@world.std.com>
Subject: More - NPNC Conversation
Date: Sat, 28 Nov 1998 18:42:32 -0500

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>> Dear Mr. Cohen,
>> 
>> Your piece in the "persfin-digest" on the above subject was quit
>> interesting. I have a few questions though. First of all, are 
>you sure
>> the customary charges such as loan origination fees/points were 
>not
>> included in the amount refinanced such that if your outstanding 
>> was $96K, the refinanced amount now is say $100K? Most lenders 
>or their
>> representatives I have come across insist on such other charges 
>as
>> title search, transfer fees for the rerecording of the new deed,
>> How do you explain the $30 total fee charged? Another thing is 
>did you
>> have the refinance done by the same bank that has the first 
>mortgage?
>
>Thank you for your query. Yes, I have become quite expert at 
>reading the HUD Settlement sheet, and also after 6 refi's have 
>learned to confirm all the relevant parameters, like partial 
>payments of the mortgage because I've changed banks in the middle 
>of the month, starting a new escrow account - and getting back 
>the balance in the old one, and on and on. 
>
>My understanding of NPNC is precisely that. No charges to me for 
>origination fees, title search, credit check, transfer fees, the 
>bank president's retirement fund or anything else. Also on the 
>last three times I've always refinanced the same amount. The 
>accrued (paid down) principal is applied to the partial interest 
>due because we usually don't close on the end of the month, and 
>since mortgages are paid in arrears the old bank must receive a 
>partial for the days that the instrument existed and wasn't paid. 
>I had a disagreement on the daily rate of a few pennies, but I let 
>that one slide by. It may have cost me $1.52 (19 days at @.08/day) 
>but I was talking to an attorney who represented the broker who 
>represented the bank. That's not the path to argue $1.52. Also I 
>usually have to lay out some cash to cover the opening of a new 
>escrow account. Usually 3 months, sometimes 4 months payment. But 
>I don't mind because I get back the balance from the old one plus 
>we're talking escrow.
>
>I never talk to a bank. I talk to a mortgage broker who earns his 
>fees from the bank. I've inquired about refinancing through the 
>bank that holds the mortgage, but they neither sounded interested, 
>nor offered any competitive rates. Most of the time they sell the 
>mortgage anyway. 
>
>The $30. was a 'closing out the account' charge the x-bank laid on 
>me. I didn't expect it, but the b--s (as in banks) get you every 
>way they can. The FEDEX charge was a given, the broker sends out 
>the application kit that way. I've suggested he use US mail, but 
>had two sound comments. He has a tracking receipt, and wants to 
>give the customer as much time as possible to fill out the papers. 
>Sometimes that's a real chore. 
>
>Where do you live? Mortgage brokers are like real estate people 
>and car dealers. They are the 'middle-men.' The commodity they 
>sell is the 'money' offering of a bank that has a product and rate 
>that  might be right for you. Its always been a different bank, 
>and I don't care. 
>
>I don't pay any of the bank charges up front. And I've never had 
>charges carried into a new mortgage. I do pay about 1/2% more 
>interest. But at my level I'm saving over $4000. and a little 
>'mortgage' math shows that I would have to hang in there for 5 
>years or more to break even. 
>
>At the price of repeating myself, try the web, try the yellow 
>pages, try making a few phone calls (not to banks) and try asking 
>a lot of questions.
>
>Good luck, 
>Howard
>
> 
>> I appreciate your quick response.
>> 
>> Thank you,
>> Tom Batta
>> 




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