Friday’s weaker than expected Jobs Report surprised the market, causing mortgage rates to improve. This week appears to be a little light on economic calendar for indicators scheduled to be released. Watch for the FOMC minutes to be released on Wednesday. You may also want to watch the Seattle Mariners first game of the season this afternoon against the Angels. For the record, I will not be at the game today…it’s a typical work day for me, helping my clients buy and refinance homes around the greater Seattle area. 😉
What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: April 6, 2015 – MORTGAGE RATES IMPROVED
April 6, 2015 by 1 Comment
Not all Home Buyer Classes are the same
April 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Home Buyer Classes or Seminars are popping up every where. They are often taught by a Mortgage Originator paired with a Real Estate Agent, both with hopes they will earn a chance to help students with the purchase of their home. Sometimes home inspectors or escrow officers may take part in teaching as well. Class content can vary as well as the length of the class. Some classes will even help students become eligible for down payment assistance programs and/or tax credits (MCC).
How do you know which home buyer class is the right one for you?
My Happy Anniversaries
April 1, 2015 by Leave a Comment
15 years ago today, I left my title and escrow career of fourteen years behind for a career in the mortgage industry at Mortgage Master Service Corporation. When I told the real estate agents that I worked with as their title rep for many years that I was “retiring” to become a loan officer, many thought I was playing an April Fools joke on them!
Freddie Mac Mortgage Survey reports Mortgage Rates Lower
March 27, 2015 by Leave a Comment
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%.
Home Buyer Seminar in Renton
March 25, 2015 by Leave a Comment
I 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).
What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: March 23, 2015 – RATES LOWER
March 23, 2015 by 1 Comment
Welcome 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.
Affordable Homes in Seattle?
March 22, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This 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.
What are Debt to Income Ratios?
March 21, 2015 by 1 Comment
Let’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).
