Innovative Mortgage Payment Protection Plan

If the fear of losing your job is preventing you from buying a home, keep reading to find out about mortgage payment protection insurance.

It's common knowledge that today is an optimal time for home buying. In fact it may be the best opportunity to buy a home in the last 30 years. No one imagined we'd see prices dip as low as 30% in various regions?

You've probably heard of builders who are offering incredible incentives such as swimming pools, thousands of dollars in upgrades, complete landscape packages to spark the home buying market.

Well now they are taking it one step further. Builders are offering to help you make your payments if you lose your job.

How? It is called Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance.

The fact is many who would like to take advantage of the economic environment are simply afraid they might lose their job or be laid off. It's common sense that buying a house seems risky amidst unemployment threats.

Out of this concern has sprung a new solution. Some builders, lenders, and even real estate agents are offering a mortgage payment protection plan.

Here is one example of how one of these unemployment mortgage payment protection plans works.

For a lump sum, a builder will contribute between $450 to $900 on behalf of a customer. Some are absorbing the price to purchase the policy just as they would an upgrade to the house. Other builders pass the fee onto the buyer. It goes without saying that smart buyers understand all costs are negotiable.

Builders are offering different versions of mortgage payment protection.

One builder offers a one year membership that qualified buyers can opt into which provides up to four months of mortgage payments in the event of job loss.

Depending on the circumstances, this same home builder pays for a one year payment protection plan. The option of extending past the first year is available if a buyer wants to pay for it.

Keep in mind, insurance regulations belonging to the particular state where you are buying a home can affect the builder's offer.

Another home builder takes care of house payments not to exceed $2500 for six months. The program stays in affect for two years after the purchase.

Other builders offering payment insurance insist upon their lenders of choice to contribute up to $2500 for six months if home buyers lose employment within the first two years after closing.

This offer is note worthy. A builder is actually making the offer to refund all home loan payments if the appraised value falls below the sales price the first three years.

In the event of a job loss, they will take back the property. Interestingly, the icing on the cake is the promise of no resulting mortgage foreclosure or negative credit issues.

Of course as with all major purchases, be cautious. All the same, these are amazing ad innovative opportunities to take the fear out of home buying.

Real estate agents are also testing the water with the mortgage protection payment idea. My prediction is that the protection plan is going to become a main stream fixture just like home warranty programs.

One real estate company is testing the program in specific regions at a cost of $650 to protect payments up to $2500 for as long as six months. The cost for such a policy can be negotiated between the buyer, seller, lender, or real estate agent.

Read the fine print before you opt for mortgage payment protection insurance. We'll likely witness various adaptations of these arrangements. Because assorted bells and whistles make comparisons complicated, keep the mindset of buyer beware.

Case in point, you may receive just as much benefit from a reduction in price or a request for additional upgrades. Consequently examine the figures and don't take for granted the mortgage payment protection plan is worthwhile.

But if job loss is a concern unemployment protection for your mortgage payments may be just what you need to propel yourself back into the buying mode.


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Kate Ford, author of the entertaining and informative Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com knows how confusing it can be to shop for a home loan. Do you wish you understood how to get the best deal for your mortgage? Now you can learn how to compare mortgage interest rates and save money.