Adjustments to Conventional Mortgage Pricing Means Higher Rates on January 1, 2011

December 30, 2010 by 1 Comment

UPDATE DEC 19, 2013: New (more expensive) LLPA’s have been released.

UPDATE JAN 3, 2011:  Not all lenders are implementing this fee increase (yet).  This is perfect example of an advantage of working with a correspondent lender since we work with more than one bank or one banks products/rates. 

Conventional mortgages (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) are increasing their LLPA, also known as “Loan-Level Price Adjustment” effective on all mortgages with a term greater than 15 years on loans they purchase on April 1, 2011 or later.   Although this doesn’t go into effect until April Fools, wholesale lenders will make these adjustments to their rate sheets well in advance so that they don’t have to take the price hit when the sell the loan to Fannie or Freddie.   I am receiving memos from the lenders we work with stating that these price adjustments will go into effect on loans locked January 3, 2011.

The new price adjustments are outlined in the red box below.  The changed adjustements are in bold in the red box (click on image to enlarge).  You can view Fannie Mae’s complete LLPA schedule here – there are additional hits that may apply depending on your scenario (such as condos, subordinate financing, etc.).

FannieLLPA

LLPA’s are nothing new.  We’ve had them for the past couple of years and the adjustments are typically factored into your rate.  Remember, typically (but not always) 1% in fee equals 0.25% in rate.   So if your “low-mid” credit score is 700 – 719 and your loan to value is 75.01% or higher, your interest rate is going to be about 0.25% higher in rate than someone with a 740 or higher credit score with a loan to value of 60.01 – 75%.

The hardest hit with this adjustment is borrowers with credit scores of 699 – 640 with loan to values over 80%.   These borrowers should consider FHA insured loans for financing which do not have the same level of price hits as conventional (at this time).

The best pricing is for borrowers with credit scores 700 or higher AND a loan to value of 60% or lower.   Borrowers with a 740 or higher credit score and less than 25% down payment or home equity will now be hit with a 0.25% adjustment.

These price hits impacts loan amounts of $567,500 or lower for homes located in King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties.   For a complete list of Washington state conforming loan limits, click here.

Risk based pricing is one more reason why people who are considering a mortgage, regardless of if it’s to purchase a new home in Seattle or refinance their existing home in Bellevue, should start early with the preapproval process.  Just being one digit off on your low-mid credit score may cost you.  A qualified mortgage professional can help you make the right moves with the goal of improving  your credit score if given enough time.

If you need a mortgage for a home located in Washington State, I’m happy to help you.  I’ve been originating mortgages at Mortgage Master Service Corporation since April 2000 and I’ve been licensed since 2007 (when mortgage originator licensing was first mandated in Washington).

Filed Under: Credit Scores and Reporting, Fannie, Freddie and FHFA, FHA

2011 FHA Loan Limits for Washington

December 17, 2010 by Leave a Comment

UPDATE:  Here are the FHA Loan Limits effective October 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 for counties in Washington state.

These loan limits are effective through September 30, 2011.  

King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties

1 Unit – $567,500

2 Unit – $726,500

3 Unit – $878,150

4 Unit – $1,091,350

Adam, Asotin, Columbia, Cowlitz, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln,Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevents, Wahkikum, Walla Walla, Whitman and Yakima Counties

1 Unit – $271,050

2 Unit – $347,000

3 Unit – $419,425

4 Unit – $521250

Benton and Franklin Counties

1 Unit – $275,000

2 Unit – $352,050

3 Unit – $425,550

4 Unit – $528,850

Mason County

1 Unit – $310,000

2 Unit – $396,850

3 Unit – $479,700

4 Unit – $596,150

Kittatas County

1 Unit – $328,750

2 Unit – $420,850

3 Unit – $508,700

4 Unit – $632,200

Chelan and Douglas Counties

1 Unit – $342,700

2 Unit – $438,700

3 Unit – $530,300

4 Unit – $659,050

Thurston County

1 Unit – $361,250

2 Unit – $462,450

3 Unit – $559,000

4 Unit – $694,700

Skagit County

1 Unit – $373,750

2 Unit – $478,450

3 Unit – $578,350

4 Unit – $718,750

Whatcom County

1 Unit – $375,000

2 Unit – $480,050

3 Unit – $580,300

4 Unit – $721,150

Island County

1 Unit – $381,250

2 Unit – $488,050

3 Unit – $589,950

4 Unit – $733,150

Clallam County

1 Unit – $384,100

2 Unit – $491,700

3 Unit – $594,350

4 Unit – $738,650

Clark and Skamania Counties

1 Unit – $418,750

2 Unit – $536,050

3 Unit – $648,000

4 Unit – $805,300

Jefferson County

1 Unit – $437,500

2 Unit – $560,050

3 Unit – $677,000

4 Unit – $841,350

Kitsap County

1 Unit – $475,000

2 Unit – $608,100

3 Unit – $735,050

4 Unit – $913,450

San Juan County

1 Unit – $593,750

2 Unit – $760,100

3 Unit – $918,800

4 Unit – $1,141,850

Filed Under: FHA

Buying a Condo or Townhome?

November 12, 2010 by 1 Comment

iStock_000061440694_MediumCondos come in many forms including high-rises, converted apartment buildings and even some town-homes may be condominiums depending on how they are legally described.  If you’re planning on buying a condo and not paying cash for your purchase, here are a few things to look out for where lenders may have an issue with.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Condos, FHA, Residential Purchase Tagged With: , , ,

One More Week before FHA Changes Mortgage Insurance Premiums

September 24, 2010 by Leave a Comment

I've written about the upcoming changes to FHA's upfront and annual mortgage insurance premiums which is effective on all case numbers obtained October 4, 2010 and later.  This impacts both purchases and refinances.  If you're considering utilizing FHA for a refinance and you're going to retain your home for more than four years, you may want to consider taking now.

Here's a comparison between the two mortgage insurance scenarios based on an FHA streamline refinance with no appraisal based on the current 30 year fixed rate of 4.250% (apr 5.013) as of today, Sept. 24, 2010, at 12:30 p.m. with a $528,695 base loan amount:

FHA mortgage insurance with FHA case number issued by October 1, 2010 or earlier:

Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium of 2.25% = $11,895.00

Base loan amount of $528,695 plus $11,895 (most borrowers finance the ufmip) = $540,590.  Amoritzed for 30 years at 4.25% provides a principal and interest payment of $2,659.38.

Annual mortgage insurance premium of 0.55% of the base loan amount ($2907.82) divided by 12 months = $240.46.

$2,659.35 plus $240.46 = $2,899.91 principal, interest and mortgage insurance payment.

FHA mortgage insurance with case numbers issued October 4, 2010 or later:

Upfront mortgage insurance premium of 1.00% = $5,286, creating a total loan amount of $533,981.  Amortized for 30 years at 4.35% provides a principal and interest payment of $2,626.87.

Annual mortgage insurance premium of 0.90% of the base loan amount ($4758.26) divided by 12 months = $393.48.

$2,626.87 plus $393.48 = $3,020.35 principal, interest and mortgage insurance payment.

THIS IS AN INCREASE IN PAYMENT OF $120.44 PER MONTH IF WAITING UNTIL OCTOBER TO OBTAIN YOUR FHA CASE NUMBER.  

What can you do if you're considering an FHA loan?  If you're "tight" on qualifying with your debt-to-income ratios, you may want take action PRIOR TO OCTOBER.  Obtaining an FHA case number has nothing to do with when  you take your application or lock in  your rate.

If you are interested in an FHA purchase, refinance or streamline refi and your home is located in Washington state, I am happy to help you!  Mortgage Master Service Corporation is a Direct Endorsed, HUD approved FHA lender and I've been originating FHA loans for over 10 years.  Just click on the apply tab above or send me an email!

PS:  Many home owners who currently have an FHA mortgage are able to take advantage of today's low interest rates with an FHA streamline refi without an appraisal.

Filed Under: FHA, Mortgage Insurance, Refinance, Residential Purchase

FHA Streamline Refi’s with No Appraisal

August 20, 2010 by Leave a Comment

When HUD changed the guidelines for FHA streamlines last fall,I thought they had pretty much stuck a fork in a program that has been very beneficial to home owners who have an FHA insured mortgage loan.  You see, HUD made it to where if a borrower opted to not have an appraisal, they cannot finance their closing cost or reserves/prepaids.  Back then I never thought we would see rates at their current levels.  With today's rates, many home owners can opt for a slightly higher than "par" rate to have the lender pay for a portion of their closing costs.   In addition, it doesn't matter what your home's current appraised value is since there is no appraisal!

With an FHA streamline refi, if the loan has less than 36 payments, there may be a credit of the balance of the upfront mortgage insurance premium if it was financed (99% of loans have the ufmip financed).  The credit is on a sliding scale (the earlier in the loan, the larger the credit). 

Closing costs are reduced since there's no appraisal fee (and no worry about what your home may appraise for).  The loan amount is limited to the current principal balance plus the new upfront mortgage insurance premium.   With today's pricing, many Seattle area home owners are typically bringing in the mortgage payment they would have "skipped" or funds to start their reserve account at closing and enjoying the benefit of a much lower payment due tot he reduced rate.   Borrowers will receive a refund of the balance of their reserve account a few weeks after closing from their existing mortgage servicer.

FHA mortgage insurance premiums are set to change in weeks (October 4, 2010).  Although the upfront premium is decreasing, the annual (monthly) is increasing and the net effect is more expensive that the current formula.

At Mortgage Master Service Corporation, we are a HUD Endorsed Lender with our own in-house FHA underwriters.   I've been originating FHA loans for over 10 years and I'm happy to provide you a free rate quote for your home located in Washington state.

UPDATE:  In order to qualify for an FHA streamline refinance, the borrower must:

  • have an FHA insured mortgage
  • have made a mimium 6 mortgage payments (seasoning) by the time they apply
  • have a minimum mid-credit score of 620 640 (or higher)
  • document income and employment
  • document assets needed for closing
  • Last but not least, the proposed refinance must create a "net-tangible" benefit to the borrower.
Filed Under: Appraisals, FHA, Refinance Tagged With:

HUD Announces Possible Principal Reduction: The “FHA Short Refinance”

August 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment

HUD has been busy!  They just issued another press release stating that starting September 7, 2010, FHA will offer "certain 'underwater' non-FHA borrowers who are current on their existing mortgage and who's lenders agree to write off at least ten percent of the unpaid principal balance of the first mortgage, the opportunity to qualify for a new FHA insured mortgage".   This program will be available on FHA case numbers issued on or after September 7, 2010 and must close before December 31, 2012.

The biggest catch that I see is that this voluntary program requires that all mortgage lien holders consent to the refinance.  Any first mortgage being paid off must agree to reduce their principal balance by a minimum of 10% and the second mortgage must agree to be subordinated.   There's a maximum combined loan to value limit of 115%.  It will be interesting to see how the banks embrace this program.

Here are some other requirements for the FHA Short Refinance:

  • the home owner must have negative equity
  • the home owner must be current on their existing mortgage that's being refinanced.
  • owner occupied (primary residence) only
  • the mortgage being refinanced may not be an FHA insured loan (NOTE: if you're upside down on your FHA insured loan, you can do a streamline FHA with no appraisal).
  • existing lien holder must write off at least 10% of the principal balance
  • first mortgage maximum loan to value is 97.75% for the new FHA loan and 115% combined loan to value when there is a second mortgage.

Potential borrowers of this program will be subject to "Borrower Certification" which was enacted by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act on July 21, 2010.  If the borrower has been convicted in the last ten years of any of the following: (a) felony larceny, theft, fraud, or forgery; (b) money laundering; or (c) tax evasion.  More details are expected to follow.

Last but not least, the Mortgagee Letter advises that borrowers need to be aware that, as with any loan forgiveness action, short refinancing under this program may be reflected as a negative feature on a borrowers credit score and that anyone who is considering this type of transaction should contact their tax advisors regarding the cancellation of debt and possible tax consequences.

It will be interesting to see how many banks will participate in reducing principal balances and how this will work with the Home Affordable refinances.  This could be a nice resource for home owners who don't have Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac securitized mortgage but want to take advantage of our current historic low interest rates.

Stay tuned…I'll keep you posted.

 

Filed Under: FHA, Refinance

FHA Making Promised Changes to Mortgage Insurance Premiums

August 5, 2010 by Leave a Comment

UPDATE August 10, 2010:  HUD just announced they are delaying the changes to FHA mortgage insurance until case numbers issued on or after October 4, 2010.

Federal Housing Commissioner David Stevens has issued a "Special Edition" press release confirming that FHA mortgage insurance will be adjusting  on all case numbers beginning next month.  

"It is our intention that effective on September 7, 2010, FHA's upfront mortgage insurance premium will be adjusted down to 100 basis points on all amortization terms and the annual mortgage insurance premium will increase to 85-90 basis points on amortizing terms greater than 15 years…"

Currently upfront mortgage insurance on an FHA insured loan is 2.25%.  Effective on new case numbers September 7, 2010 October 4, 2010 and later, the new upfront mortgage insurance premium will be 1.00%.   On a $400,000 loan the 2.25% premium pencils out to $9,000 which is typically financed (added to the FHA base loan amount); in a month the upfront premium will be reduced to $4,000.

At first, this sounds great–however, there's a trade-off.  The annual mortgage insurance (paid monthly) is increasing to 85-90 basis points (currently it's 50-55%).   An increase of 0.3% of the annual premium will increase the monthly payment (based on  a $400,000 loan amount) to $300 (0.90 x $400k =$3,600/12) from $183 (0.55 x $400k =$2,200/12) an increase of $116.47 per month.

Using an interest rate of 4.25% and a based loan amount of $400,000; it looks like this:

FHA Case Number BEFORE September 7 October 10, 2010:

$400,000 plus $9,000 = $409,000 amortized for 30 years at 4.25% = principal and interest of $2012.03 plus the annual mortgage insurance of $183 = $2,195.03

FHA Case Number issued September 7 October 4, 2010 and after:

$400,000 plus $4,000 = $404,000 amortized for 30 years at 4.25% = principal and interest of $1,987.44 plus the annual mortgage insurance of $300 = $2,287.44.

The new FHA mortgage insurance premiums have an increase in payment of $92.41 based on this example.   This impacts both purchases and refinances using FHA insured mortgages.

Stevens acknowledges that this is "short notice" however this shouldn't surprise anyone who's been a subscriber to The Mortgage Porter, this has been in the works.   A mortgagee letter is expected to follow soon.

Mortgage Master Service Corporation is a Direct Endorsed HUD approved lender.  I've been originating FHA insured loans for over ten years.  If I can help you with your mortgage needs on a home located in Washington, please contact me.

Filed Under: FHA, Mortgage Insurance

Paying Alimony? You May Want to Consider an FHA Insured Mortgage

July 15, 2010 by 3 Comments

UPDATE: You no longer have to FHA if you’re paying alimony... Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have updated their guidelines. Check it out here!

Most mortgage originators know that if you have less than 10 payments remaining with alimony or child support payments, it may not have to be factored into your qualifying ratios (debt to income) as long as the payment doesn’t impact your ability to pay the mortgage following closing.  A borrower needs to be well qualified with plenty of savings for an underwriter to support this guideline. [Read more…]

Filed Under: FHA, Underwriting and Qualifying Tagged With: , , , ,
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