Have you heard about bi weekly mortgage payments?
These are when your mortgage payment amount is divided in half and you make the payment every 2 weeks, in effect adding one additional payment to your loan by the end of the year. Often times they cost a hefty fee to set up and the lending institution charges a monthly fee to process the payment. You can create the same effect by making an additional mortgage payment each year.**
Are you thinking that you just don’t have the extra money each year to mail in an additional payment?
Well, try this… divide your monthly mortgage payment by 12. Every month mail the additional 1/12 payment amount in with your monthly payment. So, if your monthly mortgage payment is $1200, $1200 divided by 12 =$100. Every month mail in $1300. At the end of the year, you will have made an additional principal payment.
It is advisable to send the extra principal payment to your lender in a separate check. It is important that you specify that the extra funds are to be used as a principal reduction. Check your online statement regulary to be sure this is being done.
Before starting a plan like this, be certain that your loan has no prepayment penalties. If you aren’t sure, check with your lender first.
*This figure may vary depending on the type of your loan.
**A true analysis can be done by using a mortgage calculator and running an amortization schedule to determine which program will provide the greatest benefit to you.
