Archives for August 2008

Sunday Drive to Sonoma County…Part 2

August 31, 2008 by 4 Comments

This is the final part of our trip to Sonoma County (part 1 is posted here).  We had such a wonderful time, I P7270225thought I’d share some of our favorite parts of the trip with you as part of my Sunday Drive excursions on Mortgage Porter. 

Westside Drive in Healdsburg will take you along a beautiful windy road packed with wineries along the Russian River all the way to the Pacific.  We stopped at Twomey Cellars which has a great view and Matrix.   Hop Kiln Winery (pictured right) is another "must see".  It was too early in the morning for us to taste wines, we enjoyed walking around their grounds.   Located right next door is Rochioli Vineyards–this was also a recommendation from Dave Savage (DSR).  P7270286 Sadly we were too early to sample these wines which are described as "legendary".

We drove along Westside Drive to where the Russian River meets the coast.  It’s really beautiful and nice to dig your toes into some California sand.   We headed south along the misty Highway 1 until we reached Bodega Bay.   We had lunch at the Sandpiper in Bodega–do have the oysters baked in the chipolte sauce (I’ve been trying to recreate the recipe ever since).  P7270306

Bodega Bay is famous for Potters School, where Alfred Hitchcock’s "The Birds" was filmed.  The Birds was probably the first "scary movie" I ever saw and is still one of my favorites to this day.  Apparently many others agree as Potters School had many curious visitors.   Note: no crows were harmed in this photo–this is a rental: 3 minutes for two bucks!

We caught Highway 12 to Highway 116 towards Forestville where we stopped at Iron Horse Vineyards.  Another great recommendation from Dave which has wonderful views over the valley of endless vineyards.  Our last winery on our vacation was Hartford Family Wines.  We really enjoy their Pinot Noir back at home and purchased two bottles while we were there.  And I was finally able to meet Dave Savage of Mortgage Coach, who not only provided us with great recommendations for our trip to Sonoma County, he also did a pod-cast interview with me a few months earlier.

You can check out photos from our trip here.

IMPORTANT TIP:  Do not try to carry on your wines from Sonoma County Airport (or anywhere for that matter).   The grumpy TSA person confisgated our two bottles of Hartford and would not allow us to check it or leave it for a friend (when he allowed the person right in front of us to check an item that was too large to be a carry on).  I was told that the wine was donated, the airport will not provide a receipt.  Lesson learned.

Filed Under: Sunday Drive - Neighborhood Tours

Better late than never!

August 30, 2008 by 2 Comments

I’m just now starting to see signs of some ripe tomatoes from my garden pots.

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I’m sure they’ll be worth the wait.   We’ve had such a lackluster summer that these fellas will be lucky to ripen on the vine.

Filed Under: Just for Fun

FHA Mortgage Insurance Increasing October 1, 2008

August 27, 2008 by 3 Comments

This is another result of HR 3221, I mentioned in an earlier post that the ceiling was raised for how much could be charged for FHA upfront and monthly mortgage insurance…I recently learned the actual details.

Upfront mortgage insurance will increase from 1.5% to 1.75% for purchases and refinances (not FHA streamlined).  Streamlined refinances will be 1.5% and FHA Secure will be 3.0% (hopefully you refinance before you need FHA Secure).

Monthly mortgage insurance will be 0.55% for loans with less than 10% down (or over 90% loan to value) and 0.50% for loan to values equal or greater than 90%.

Currently we have risked based pricing in effect through the end of September 2008 which rewards down payments and better credit scores.

Based on a 90% loan to value and 680 mid score purchase with a loan amount of $400,000, here’s how now and October 1, 2008 compare (using rates I posted Monday for example sake only–this is NOT a rate quote):

FHA case numbers issued NOW through September 30, 2008:

Upfront MI = 1.25%. 400,000 x 1.25% = $5,000.  Adjusted loan amount (FHA upfront mortgage insurance may be financed) = $405,000 @ 6.5% for 30 years = principal and interest payment of $2559.88.

Montly mortgage insurance (referred to as annual MIP) is 0.50% = 400,000 x 0.50% = 2000.  2000 divided by 12 months = $166.67.

Total payment not including taxes and insurance = $2726.55

FHA case numbers issued October 1, 2008 and later (at least until the moritoriam is over on September 30, 2009):

Upfront MI = 1.75%. 400,000 x 1.75% = $7,000.  Adjusted loan amount = $407,000 @ 6.5% for 30 years = $2572.52.

Monthly mortgage insurance based on this example is the same 0.5% = $166.67 (monthly mortgage insurance is calculated off the base loan amount and not the adjusted loan amount).

Total payment not including taxes and insurance = $2739.19

$12.64 a month may not be enough to have you jump off the fence to buy a home or refinance if the above scenario resembles you.  I know that I would rather have the lower financed upfront mortgage insurance ($2000 lower based on this example).

I prefer the risk based pricing model.  It makes the most sense to me.  Reward more down payment and higher credit and compensate HUD for taking on loans with higher risk (lower down payments and lower credit scores).

FHA’s popularity continues to grow with convetional (Fannie/Freddie) guideines tightening and with the risk based pricing increasing.   Do make sure that your Mortgage Professioanal is qualified and approved to do FHA loans–not all originators are.

Filed Under: FHA, Legislation, Mortgage Insurance

The Ruby Room

August 24, 2008 by Leave a Comment

I just received an invite from on of my clients to attend a fashion show at The Paramount.  This isn’t just any fashion show–it’s for The Ruby Room.   The Ruby Room is a local non-profit that helps provide teens in financial need with gowns, shoes and accessories for their high school prom.   

The event (which is The Ruby Room’s only fundraiser) takes place September 6, 2008 from 7:00-11:00 pm.  For more information or to purchase tickets, click here and create memories for a young lady by helping her attend her high school dance.   

Filed Under: Charity

How Will the New Jumbo Limits Impact You?

August 21, 2008 by Leave a Comment

If you’re buying a home $520,000 or below over the next year, you won’t really be impacted by the reduced FHA Jumbo and Conforming Jumbo limits.   However, if you’re considering buying a home with minimum down, you’re losing $45,000 of financing power on January 1, 2008 with a $522,100 loan limit.

I wrote an article at Rain City Guide in June about how much home $17,550 can buy you in King, Pierce and Snohomish County with the current loan limit of $567,500.  The answer: $585,000 utilizing a FHA Jumbo.   Once the new loan limit is in place for our region, the most you can buy with minimum down will be closer to $540,000.   Although the new minimum required investment at 3.5% (effective October 1, 2008) will increase the amount required to $18,900 (based on a $540,000 sales price).

Want to do conventional 20% down and stay away the "true jumbo" rates by utilizing the maximum conforming jumbo?  Currently, a sales price (or appraised value in the case of a refinance) of $709,000 will get you pretty close to the existing limit at $567,200.  As of January 1, 2009, that sales price (or appraised value) is reduced to $652,500 for a loan amount of $522,000.

Refinances may also be impacted depending on what the payoffs are on the existing balances and if it’s classified as a "cash out" refinance (second mortgages not obtained from when you purchased your home is considered cash out) which have tougher guidelines than a "rate term" refinance.  Underwriting guidelines continue to tighten and will continue as well.

As always, I highly recommend that if you are considering buying or refinancing in the next year, to contact a local Mortgage Professional at your earliest convenience.   The loan limits may not even impact you, it’s never to early to prepare considering our current climate. 

Filed Under: FHA, Jumbo/Non-Conforming, Refinance, Residential Purchase

Extensions: When Your Time is Up on Your Lock

August 20, 2008 by 2 Comments

moneyclockmortgageporterWhen you lock in a mortgage interest rate, it is for a specific period of time, such as 30, 45 or 60 days. Your mortgage professional should make sure it is for an adequate amount of time to close the transaction. If it’s a purchase, the lock may be for a few days after the transaction and if it’s for a refinance, 30-45 days should be plenty of time in a “normal” market for the lock period. Purchases, depending on the type of transaction can be closed from two weeks or more (or more is preferred, less can happen too).

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Filed Under: Interest Rates Tagged With: ,

FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums to Increase October 1, 2008

August 19, 2008 by 1 Comment

Yep…another bi-product of HR 3221, The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.  We don’t have the final figures yet…this should be coming out any time from HUD.  The ceiling for FHA’s upfront mortgage insurance will increase after October 1, 2008 from 2.25% to 3% for 30 year fixed programs. 

Currently FHA’s mortgage insurance is risk based (tiered based on credit score and loan to value).  This will be put on hold beginning October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009.  During this time, FHA’s mortgage insurance will be a flat fee.

I will update you as soon as information becomes available.  HUD should be issuing a Mortgagee Letter with the final rules in the next 30 days.

Other posts regarding HR 3221:

FHA Minimum Down Payment Payment Increasing January 1, 2009

Down Payment Assistance Programs Days Are Numbered

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Conforming/FHA Jumbo Loan Limits to Decrease January 1, 2009

Filed Under: FHA, Mortgage Insurance

Don’t Forget to Vote Tomorrow

August 18, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Vote

Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow you can should vote in Washington State’s Top 2 Primary.   

This election will determine which two candidates will advance to the November General Election. 

So vote…and vote often! 

For more information, click here.

Filed Under: Legislation
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