Mortgage Basics You've Gotta Know

你得知道的抵押贷款基本知识

Know What a Mortgage Is

知道什么是抵押贷款

A mortgage is a loan that closes the gap between the cash you have for a down payment and the purchase price of the home you're buying. Each month, you'll pay a certain amount toward the interest on the loan and a certain amount toward the principal (the original amount borrowed). At first, you'll pay mostly interest, but as your principal shrinks, you'll pay more principal each month. Check out our Mortgage Glossary¹ to for more mortgage definitions.

抵押贷款是弥补现金你的住宅分期付款和购买的价格之间的差距。每个月,你会支付一定数量的贷款和向原委托人支付一定的利息 (原借款)。起初,你会支付主要是利息,但作为你的主要收缩,你每个月支付更多的本金。看看我们对更多的抵押贷款术语的定义。

Differentiate² Between Fixed³ and Adjustable⁴ Rates

区分固定和可调利率

Fixed rate mortgages have interest rates that stay the same throughout the loan's life (usually 15 to 30 years). Adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) have interest rates that fluctuate. Sometimes the rate varies every 6 to 12 months, and sometimes it varies every month. Usually, your ARM's interest rate will be tied to an economic index. When rates are high, your rate will be high. When they're low, yours will be low. If you're buying a home when interest rates are "historically low," try to get a fixed rate mortgage.

固定利率抵押贷款在贷款利率保持不变的生活(通常是15到30年)。可调利率抵押贷款利率波动。有时每6到12个月不等, 有时每个月不同。通常,你的可调利率抵押的利率将会被一个经济指标束缚。当利率很高,你的利率将会很高。当它们低,你就会很低。如果你当利率处于历史低位时买房,“尽量得到一个固定利率抵押贷款。

Get Cozy With a Mortgage Broker⁵

找到合适的的抵押贷款经纪人

If you find a mortgage package that sounds reasonable (someone who manages the bids from banks on your deal), talk to a broker before signing, because they may be able to find a better deal. You usually don't pay brokers⁶ -- the bank does -- and they're a good resource for first-time buyers. Here are some tips on finding the right mortgage broker.

如果你找到一个抵押贷款方案听起来合理(管理投标的人从银行交易),在签字之前跟代理谈话,因为他们可以找到一个更好的交易。你通常不支付经纪人——银行——他们是一个很好的资源对于首次购房者。这里有一些建议关于找到合适的抵押贷款经纪人。

Work Those Tax Breaks

税收优惠的作用

If you buy a new or existing home up to November 30th of this year, you could get a first-time home-buyer credit of up to $8,000. You can claim this credit on your 2009 federal tax return. To qualify, the house must be your main home and you must not have owned another main home during the last three years. Unlike prior⁷ tax credits, you don't have to repay this one if you stay in your home for three years.

如果你买一个新的或现有的房子到今年11月30日,你可以获得高达8000美元的首次置业者的信用。你可以提出本信用证在2009联邦税收回报。使具有资格,必须是你的主要房子和你不能拥有另一个房子在过去三年。不像之前的税收抵免,你不必再偿还如果你呆在你的家里三年了。

Now that you have your mortgage figured out, it's time to revamp your home. Take a peek⁸ at other Nestie homes for inspiration!

现在你明白了抵押贷款,是时候翻新你的家了。看一看其他Nestie房屋寻找灵感!