What is a Tracker Mortgage?
A tracker mortgage 'tracks' the Bank of England base rate, meaning your mortgage stays in line with interest rates and the market in general. The result on your monthly mortgage interest payments is that they go up when the base rate goes up and go down when the base rate goes down.
A tracker mortgage works in a similar way to a standard variable rate mortgage in that it follows the rate imposed by the Bank of England. Whereas the standard variable rate mortgage changes monthly or annually a tracker mortgage usually guarantees to follow changes in the bank base rate within 14 days of it happening. Thereby the borrower benefits from both falls and rises in the interest rates sooner.
A tracker rate is one that has a fixed differential to the Bank of England rate and is contractually bound to change within a certain time of the Bank changing its rate. Thus, the tracker mortgage might follow the base rate up and down as it fluctuates. The mortgage lender will make profit by charging an amount over the base rate.
This kind of mortgage is useful for people who are happy for their outgoings to change, but want their mortgage to reflect the changing costs of borrowing. Tracker mortgages are often suited to borrowers who are looking for cheap initial payments and can take the risk that their payments could increase at a later date.
The main difference from a variable rate mortgage is that a tracker mortgage will be guaranteed to go up and down with changes to the interest rates. A variable rate mortgage will not.
There are three basic types of tracker mortgages: ones that track the base rate for the life of the loan; and those that run at an agreed differential to the base rate for a given amount of time before returning to the standard variable rate; and finally those in that the lender promises that the difference between the base rate and the mortgage rate will not go beyond a certain level.
When people are remortgaging, it's tempting to be attracted to the best mortgage rate on the market, which often tends to be a discount or a tracker mortgage.
You may freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact:
About The Author
John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.
MORE RESOURCES:
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Mortgage Brokers or Banks: Which is Right For You?
When you're looking for a home loan, you might work with an officer at a bank or other lending institution, or you might choose to work with a mortgage broker. The end result is the same - a new house, but the two types of jobs differ.
Secured Lending - a Guide to Releasing the Value in Your Home
The recent boom in house price values have made some homeowners more wealth than they could have possibly earned though working in their jobs, however what use is all that wealth if you can't get your hands on it until you've sold your house? The quickest and easiest way to unlock the increased value in your home is often a secured loan that will allow you to receive a lump sum upfront without having to move or remortgage your house.Why take a secured loan?Perhaps it's time to take that amazing touring holiday, perhaps it time to replace the kitchen or even build an extension to your home, with unsecured lending normally restricted to amounts less than £25,000 if you need borrow more money then the best option will be a secured loan.
Mortgage Advice To Make Mortgages A Really Smooth Ride
Mortgages are easy as long as you understand them well. But how many borrowers can be confident of their knowledge of mortgages.
Remortgage Debt Consolidation - The New Recourse For Credit Crunch
Shakespeare once said about human nature 'with nothing shall be pleased, till he be eased with being nothing'. It is human nature to not be satisfied with anything for long.
Total Cost Of Credit vs Monthly Payments
I read a press release the other day which points to the fact we need to be very careful with our finances. The subject of the release was home mortgages.
Should You Get a Home Inspection?
It's very important, and in my opinion, mandatory to have a home inspection done before you close on a house. The inspection helps with giving you an objective evaluation of any problems with the home before you move in.
When is the Right Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?
You've heard that interest rates are down and you think it could be time to refinance your existing mortgage, but the entire loan application process was so exhausting during the initial loan that you aren't sure it's worth the hassle. You could very well be right, but there are some things you can do to help decide whether it's time to refinance your mortgage.
Home Refinancing Scam - Thieves Use Identity Theft to Steal Your Equity
Since the demise of the stock market in 2000, the real estate market has been booming. Investors who are justifiably cautious about investing in stocks have been investing in homes.
Mortgage and Credit Card Companies Under the Spotlight on Consumer Charging
For the first time since May 1996 reports have indicated that wage increases have risen faster than house price inflation. According to Nationwide, "The overall picture remains one of a gently softening market".
Fixed Versus Adjustable Rate Mortgages
Which One Should You Choose?Choosing between a fixed rate loan and aa adjustable rate loan is one of the most perplexing choices anyone can make. With a fixed rate loan, you know exactly where you stand today, and where you'll stand any number of years from today.
VA Loans, A Gift from Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam has a gift for the men and women who serve our country. It is the VA loan.
Home Equity Loans - Research Your Lender Carefully
Real estate prices are rising across the country, and Americans are tapping into their home equity like never before. Americans took out $431 billion in home equity loans in 2004, and that amount may increase in 2005.
This Secret Weapon Will Eanble You To Close Up To 200% more Home Remodel Sales
Many Homeowners are not aware of all the options that are available to them when it comes to Home Loans. As a Home Remodeling Specialist you have a very powerful sales tool that most of your competitors don't even know exists.
What is a Home Equity Loan?
A home equity loan is a loan that is guaranteed by your home. Are you in urgent need for cash and want to get the same without selling off your home or property? Getting a home equity loan is a good way to do so.
Interest-only Equity Loans Create Amazing Power and are Quite Easy to Get
The power of home equity and interest-only payments, provided from most home equity loans is amazing. You can get a home equity loan, with no closing costs and pay as little as $30.
Are You A Victim Of A Predatory Mortgage Foreclosure?
Help is available to borrowers who have claims against their lenders for violating the Truth in Lending Act and other laws regulating credit transactions. Such violations may be a defense to a mortgage foreclosure.
5 Tips for Savvy Use of Your Home Equity Line of Credit
Tapping your home's equity to pay college expenses, consolidate credit card debt or even to buy a new car or boat is common place. Many economists attribute the additional buying power afforded consumers through home equity debt as a primary reason the nation's economy has been able to emerge from the recent recession.
Buying a New Home - Home Buying Tips
If you in the process of looking for your first home, there are some essential steps that you should be aware of. Many times, people fall in love with a home and rush into the deal-not considering some important issues.
Some of the Available Loan Types
There are many mortgage products available on the market today. We can help you find out which one is right for you.
Financing a Home With Bad Credit
Financing a home with bad credit is a common problem for people. Over 25% of homes in the US are financed through sub prime lenders, who offer financing to high-risk borrowers.
|