If you’re a homeowner, you know the importance of making regular monthly payments. This protects your credit score, and helps maintain a good relationship with your mortgage lender. However, if you start to experience payment problems, or if you want to pay off your mortgage sooner, options are available to you. The truth is, there are many creative, unique ways to pay your mortgage — and most ways are financially beneficial.
1. Rent a room in your home as office space
Maybe you’re not comfortable with the idea of getting a roommate. However, if you have free space or an empty room on the property, consider renting this space as office space.
Some home-based business owners seek a separate office space for work, especially if they have young children at home and find that it’s too difficult to concentrate. They might not be able to afford space in an office building, but they may have the resources to rent space in a converted garage, a finished basement or a detached room on your property that’s suitable for an office.
You can rent your extra space on a monthly basis, and then use funds to help cover your mortgage payment if you’re having difficulties. Since this money counts as rental income, set aside about 20 percent to 25 percent for income taxes.
2. Use a credit card to pay your mortgage
The idea of using a credit card to pay your mortgage may sound scary, but this method has its benefits. It’s an opportunity to accumulate credit card reward points faster.
If you have a credit card with a rewards program, then you probably know that you can earn miles or points for every dollar you spend. Once you’ve earned enough points, you can redeem these for flights, hotels, gift cards, merchandise, cash or statement credit. However, to benefit the most from a rewards program, you have to use your card often.
Some banks do not accept credit card payments, such as Bank of America. So, speak with your mortgage lender to see if this is an option. If you use a credit card to pay your mortgage, make sure you immediately pay off this charge. Don’t charge your mortgage and then carry the balance from month-to-month.
3. Pay half your mortgage every two weeks
You might be unable to afford a 15-year or a 20-year mortgage. Even so, if you’re adamant about paying off your home sooner, consider a bi-weekly payment schedule.
Speak with your lender to see if they’ll accept bi-weekly payments. If so, you’ll pay one half of your mortgage payment every two weeks. This is the equivalent of one extra mortgage payment a year — which may not appear to make a difference. However, one extra mortgage payment a year reduces your total interest charges and reduces your mortgage term by seven or eight years.
Bottom Line:
Getting creative with your mortgage is one of the fastest ways to eliminate the debt sooner. And if you’re having payment problems, creativity can help you drum up cash and keep your mortgage loan in good standing. Check out Ratecloud’s mortgage options and get started today.
