A sub-prime mortgage is a mortgage that is extended to people who are not qualified to get the normal mortgage. Most of these mortgages are offered by the same companies that offer the mainstream mortgage but in a different lending institution. The rates for sub-prime mortgages are higher than the rates for prime mortgages thus; it is advisable to get a prime mortgage if possible. The main reason that makes one fail the qualification of prime mortgages is the credit rating where one gets a low credit score and they are rejected by the prime mortgage lender based on the assumption that the person is not able to service the prime mortgage.
The terms that are given for sub-prime mortgages include a small down payment and higher payment due to the higher interest rates and a longer payment period. The rates of sub-prime mortgages are raised to cover the risk that come with offering mortgages to people with low credit scores. There are chances that they might pay late or they might fail to pay if they do not have enough money to service the installment. The high mortgage rates are also meant to discourage borrowing of the sub-prime mortgage and this idea works since a majority of people accumulate their savings and get the prime mortgages.
The advantage of these mortgages is that they allow those people who have low credit ratings get the services that are usually accessed only by the people with high credit ratings. An additional advantage is that they have a longer repayment period and thus they are well suited for customers who would like to extend their repayment period. The disadvantage of these types of mortgages is that some of the people who qualify for mortgages are referred for sub-prime mortgages when their credit rating is low. The lending company determines one's credit rating and whether one should be issued with a prime or sub-prime mortgage. This thus, leads to people who would otherwise have qualified for a prime mortgage being relegated into the sub-prime mortgage area. Additionally, this thus makes a person get one of these mortgages when mortgage lenders solicit them. They do not get a chance to consult prime mortgage lenders. Therefore, once these sub-prime lenders get solicitation commissions, they then carry out a process called 'steering'.
The houses for which sub-prime mortgages are offered are not in good condition as those that qualify for prime mortgages. This arises from the assumption that when one has poor credit rating, they are not well up and thus they do not need a very expensive house. Sub-prime mortgage also face competition from prime mortgage lenders since the mortgage lenders offer lower interest rates. These lenders also offer customized mortgage programs. Most people who fall in the middle class or are associated with this financial status subscribe to sub-prime mortgage since when they apply for these mortgages they qualify. Most citizens cower from the mainstream mortgage, which they assume is for the wealthy. For this reason, people are advised to consult with the relevant people prior to taking up a sub-prime mortgage.
