Review Your ARM Before You Refi

February 20, 2008 by 1 Comment

There is a lot of media and mortgage hype about getting out of your dangerous adjustable rate mortgages.  Mortgage companies stand to benefit every time you refinance and the media thrives on drama.  I’m contacted often by consumers who are horrified of their adjustable rate mortgage–depending on your terms (margin and index) your ARM may be fine!

One of my clients, Scott, who I helped with a refinance almost five years ago just contacted me curious about refinancing out of his current ARM into a fixed rate.  He heard on the news that mortgage rates are low right now.   

Scott obtained a 5/1 ARM with a start rate of 3.75%.  His fixed period is over around July of this year and his caps are 5/2/5 with a 2.25 margin and the index is the 12 Month LIBOR.   His current balance is about $121,500.   

Scott expressed an interest in doing another 5/1 ARM.  He’s not sure how long he will retain this property.   Currently, I can offer the following (both refi’s have closing costs of $1900):

  • 5.25% at 1 point (APR 6.965%) with principal and interest of $717.  Should Scott decide to pay the point, it will take 3 years to break even on the cost.
  • 5.625% at 0 points (APR 7.018%) with principal and interest of $748.

He can also elect to not refinance his ARM and wait to see what the payment will adjust to in July.  He still has a few months to wait this this out, however, if his ARM were adjusting today, here is what his payment would look like:

1 Year LIBOR = 2.85% plus the margin of 2.25% = 5.10%.  Rounded to the nearest rate, the new rate for the next 12 months would be 5.125%.   Taking his current balance of $121,500 at 5.125% for 25 years (the remaining term) would create a principal payment of $719.15.  This is without refinancing or additional cost (out of pocket or equity) to Scott. 

If Scott is comfortable allowing his ARM to adjust and making his payment of $719.15 for the next 12 months, he should not refinance.   Some home owners are "up in arms" over their adjustable rate mortgages and if it’s something that’s going to cause to lose sleep, you may want to check out what your options are for refinancing out of the ARM.  Regardless of what you do, it’s crucial that you understand your mortgage, the terms and how it operates and what your options are.   

If you need help, ask your Mortgage Professional to review your Note with you.  If you need a new Mortgage Professional because they’ve either left the business or have forgotten about you, I’m happy to adopt your Washington State mortgage.

Filed Under: Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), Refinance

I’m happy to adopt your ARM…no refi required!

September 24, 2007 by Leave a Comment

One of the Realtors I work with sent a Seller to me since they were having second thoughts about the lender they were working with for the property they were buying in Arizona.  I reviewed their estimate and discovered their proposed loan had a prepayment penalty that they were not aware of.   Long story short, they decided not to buy (not just because of the lender…I believe their house did not sell in time and they were "bumped").    I’ve told their story in a previous post.

They recently contacted me wanting to know if they should refinance.   They have 5 years left on their 7 year ARM which is currently at 5.5%.     Since their mortgage is not set to adjust until the summer of 2012 and they still hope to move from their current residence, I recommended that they do not refinance at this time.   Even though I’m not her original loan originator, she asked me if I would mind watching her rate and keeping tabs on her ARM.    Managing mortgages is part of my standard business practice for my clients.   I added her information to my database and told her I will gladly add her to the mortgages that I care for…even though I did not originate her current mortgage.

It got me thinking… if you or someone you know have an adjustable rate (or actually mortgage) and you don’t have a Mortgage Professional who is helping you manage that debt (watching current mortgage interest rates and trends, keeping tabs on when your mortgage payment may adjust), and you’re in the beautiful Washington state, I’m glad to include include your existing mortgage to my database.   No refinance required.    If you’re satisfied with your Loan Originator, then ask them to manage your mortgage for you.   I’m sure they’ll be happy to do so (again, no refinance is required).

Now if I could only figure out a way to be paid for all the times I’ve talked people OUT of refinancing!   Seriously, if you have an adjustable rate mortgage, please contact a Mortgage Professional to review the terms. 

Filed Under: Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), Financial Planning, Mortgage, Refinance

Foreclosures slightly up in King County

September 19, 2007 by Leave a Comment

Foreclosure0919fix_2While we continue to fair better than the rest of the country, with many ARMs (adjustable rate mortgages) getting ready to re-set out of their introductory rates, this trend may continue.   

This is why it’s critical that all home owners with adjustable rate or balloon mortgages contact their Mortgage Professional as soon as two years before their mortgage rate is set to adjust.   This (ARMs adjusting) is not limited to those with subprime mortgages.   

The more time you allow yourself to get your credit in check and possibly avoid having home values depreciate, the better off you’ll be should you need to refinance.   Sadly, I’ve been contacted by a couple of home owners in other parts of the country who are not only facing higher payments from their adjusted ARM payments, mortgage balances that exceed their home values and plumeting credit scores.   FHA Secure won’t help them since they’re beyond the 97% loan to value.   It’s too late.

Please don’t put off contacting a Mortgage Professional.   Take action before you’re in trouble.   

Here’s a great article by Sandy Kaduce: Avoid Losing Your Home.

Filed Under: Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), Mortgage, Subprime Lending

Concerned questions from a home owner regarding the “credit crisis”

August 12, 2007 by Leave a Comment

mortgageporter-thinkingThe other day, one of my past clients asked me:

“I was wondering if there are issues that could arise if this credit crisis continues in a downward spiral? The market hasn’t been doing well in the past week with concerns about the “credit crisis”.

Is there any reason for concern that we could have our home loan called in early if our mortgage company gets into trouble? Are there other issues that we should be thinking about if this causes a ripple affect to other areas of the economy?”

 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), Mortgage, Refinance, Residential Purchase

What’s going on in the mortgage industry? A must see graph spells it out.

August 11, 2007 by Leave a Comment

This graph from the New York Times paints a picture that I can’t call pretty.   

"So what’s gone wrong in the last few months?  An unfortunate combination:  more loans in default (many borrowers were never in a position to pay them off), risky bets worth billions made by some investors (deals now gone sour), and the reversal of the housing boom."

A big hat tip to Behind The Mortgage.

Filed Under: Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), Mortgage, Subprime Lending

Don’t let your ARM smack you (or your friends)

August 4, 2007 by 2 Comments

Arm_2

If you currently have an adjustable rate or balloon mortgage that is scheduled to adjust within the next 12 months, I strongly encourage you to contact a Mortgage Professional as soon as possible.    Especially if you are considering keeping your home beyond the adjustment date. 

Don’t wait.  Here’s why:

  • Odds are your payment will increase significantly (depending on your caps) and you won’t want the new mortgage payment.
  • Underwriting guidelines have tightened significantly.   If you have issues with your credit, it is best to start work on repairing or improving your scores now instead of waiting until it’s time to refi (that’s too late).
  • Lenders are pulling back on programs.   Especially non-conforming loans (loan amounts over $417,000 or credit, assets, income or employment not meeting traditional guidelines) and ARMs.   
  • Some lenders are shutting their doors as they are not able to fund loans they’ve committed to. 
  • Less available loans may translate to fewer buyers for properties.   This will impact sales comps for appraisals.   You cannot count on huge appreciation or values on your home to bail you out of your ARM.   We’ve been fortunate in Seattle so far; I cannot see how this won’t impact our local market home values.

This is truly an urgent situation that requires your immediate attention.   The more time you can give yourself and your Mortgage Professional to determine the best strategy for your next mortgage, the better off you’ll be.   And, if you know that your friends or family members have ARMs that are due to adjust anytime soon, please encourage them to contact a Mortgage Professional as well. 

Take control of your ARM or it just may leave you stinging.

Filed Under: Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), Refinance

Are You Preapproved for an Interest Only Mortgage?

July 20, 2007 by Leave a Comment

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You better double check with your Mortgage Professional.  As of Sunday, July 22, 2007 underwriting guidelines are tightening up for interest only conventional (loan amounts $417,000 and lower) mortgages.

  • Fixed Rate Mortgages (ex. 30 year fixed with 10 year interest only payments) will be based on the full PITI payment using the Note Rate.  (If there is a temporary buy down, the qualifying is still based on the Note Rate).
  • Interest Only ARMs:  Qualifying is based on the full principal and interest payment (PITI) at the fully indexed rate (index + margin).
  • Negative Am. (deferred interest) ARMs:  Qualifying will be based on the full PITI at the fully indexed rate amortized over the full repayment term using the loan amount based on the amortization cap.   (I am not a fan of Option ARMs and I have never provided one to any of my clients.  For some people, they have probably been very successful tools…most of my clients, once they understood how the mortgage works, would opt for an interest only ARM instead of this mortgage).

So what does this mean?

Previous Guidelines:  If a buyer was preapproved using a 5/1 Interest Only LIBOR ARM based on an interest rate of 6.125% (note: this is NOT a rate quote and is only for purpose of illustrating the guideline changes) earlier this week qualified for a payment in the amount of $2041 (plus taxes and insurance), they could borrow $400,000.

New Guidelines:  The current index for LIBOR is 5.4 plus the margin of 2.375% for this particle loan program = a fully indexed rate of 7.775% for the same ARM mentioned above.   Qualifying the borrower for a $2041 payment based on a 30 year amortization at 7.775% means the borrower now qualifies for a loan amount of $284,200.

This will obviously have a dramatic impact on purchases and refinancing out of interest only products.   This is still very new and we’ll see if non-conforming products follow suit.

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Agents:  Contact your Mortgage Professional today to see if you have clients who are preapproved for conventional financing with any interest only payments.   Confirm your buyer is still qualified.  (Your LO may need to check Fannie Mae guidelines).
  2. Buyers/Borrowers:  If you’re using interest only products with loan amounts of $417,000 or less, contact your Mortgage Professional to verify you are still approved.
  3. Buyers:  Now more than ever, it’s crucial that you meet with a Mortgage Professional prior to buying a home to become preapproved.   With mortgage programs and underwriting “tightening”, there will be less options compared to just a few months ago.
  4. Buyers/Borrowers:  Having solid credit is also more important.   You should review your credit a couple times a year.  If your scores are below 680, work on improving your credit.
  5. Borrowers who currently have ARMs:  Do not wait until just before your ARM is about to adjust if you are considering retaining your home.   Contact your Mortgage Professional six months in advance to review your credit in case you need to make adjustments and/or repairs.

This is not the time to be hiding or not dealing with your mortgage…guidelines are changing quickly and you need to be proactive and responsible with your largest investment.   If you need help, find a qualified Mortgage Professional such as a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist, who has been acquired additional training and education or get a referral from someone you trust and respect.

Filed Under: Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), Interest Rates, Mortgage, Refinance, Residential Purchase

My Community is now more expensive

June 28, 2007 by 2 Comments

Earlier this month, Fannie Mae changed the pricing on their My Community program across the board to all lenders by 1% increase to fee.    If you’re using a My Community program and you’re transaction is not yet closed, you may want to check with your Loan Originator to make sure your lock is still valid.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), Mortgage, Residential Purchase
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