Archives for March 2015

What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: March 30, 2015

mortgageporter-economyThis week is set to have volatility continue with mortgage interest rates based on what’s on deck for economic indicators scheduled to be released, including the Jobs Report on Friday. Here’s this week’s line up:

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Freddie Mac Mortgage Survey reports Mortgage Rates Lower

Freddie Mac’s survey of what mortgage lenders reported for conforming rates last week revealed that mortgage interest rates trended lower. You can see based on the chart below that rates have been bouncing in a tight range, remaining below 4%.

Freddie_Mac_March_26_2015

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Home Buyer Seminar in Renton

Seattle Home Buyer ClassesI will be teaching a home buyer class in Renton with Ira Sacharoff of Better Properties Real Estate on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at the Fairwood Library.

The class is sponsored by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. Students who attend are eligible for programs like Home Advantage or House Key Opportunity (the Washington state bond program) or Freddie Mac Home Possible. Students are also eligible for various down payment assistance programs and MCC (mortgage credit certificates).

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What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: March 23, 2015 – RATES LOWER

2015-03-19 08.59.05Welcome to the last full week of March! The cherry blossoms are in full bloom in the Seattle. This photo is from one of the cherry trees in my front yard.

We’ve seen volatility this month with rates bouncing around like a March Madness basketball. Currently rates have have been trending lower.

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Affordable homes in Seattle?

2015-03-21_0844This month, Seattle Magazine released their annual edition that covers the best neighborhoods in the greater Seattle area. This year, they featured the “most affordable neighborhoods” near Seattle. It’s no secret that home prices and rents in Seattle have been climbing due to lack of inventory. However, there are neighborhoods that are not located too far from Seattle where home buyers can get more for their money.

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What are Debt to Income Ratios?

seesawLet’s begin by addressing what a debt to income ratio is.  It’s pretty much like it sounds.  It’s factoring in your monthly payments plus the proposed mortgage payment (PITI = principal, interest, taxes and insurance) and home owners dues, if any.   Your monthly gross income that is used for qualifying is divided into the monthly debt which produces your DTI (debt to income ratio).

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Days are numbered for the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)

MortgagePorter-HARP2The Home Affordable Refinance Program (aka HARP or HARP 2.0) is set to retire at the end of 2015. Homeowners who have a mortgage that was securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac with a Note date prior to June 1, 2009 may be eligible for a HARP refinance.

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What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: March 16, 2015 | LIVE Mortgage Rate Post

dundeeMy apologies for being a couple days late on this post which is typically published on Mondays… I had Monday off (it was my birthday) and with taking a day off, I had fun catching up on emails yesterday.

For my birthday, my husband and I went to Pinot country in Oregon – it is absolutely beautiful. If you enjoy pinot noir or crisp white wine, I recommend you check it out!

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