Major Lender Increases Cost to Extend Rate Lock Commitments

Yesterday we received a memo from one of the big 3 banks notifying us of an increase to extension fees on all conforming mortgages on locks effective August 9, 2012 by 0.125%.  An extension fee is an additional cost associated with extending the rate lock period of your mortgage loan. For example, if your loan is locked for 30 days, and it takes more than 30 days to close the loan, there will more than likely be a fee to extend the rate lock commitment long enough to close the transaction. Just like a rate lock, the longer the time period that is needed, the higher the cost is. It is typically more cost effective to have a longer lock period than to pay for an extension.

Each lender we work with has their own rate lock and extension policies.  Here is what it cost to extend with this lender:

It’s important to note that this is NOT Mortgage Master Service Corporations general extension fees. We work with several lenders and what ever their fees are to extend are passed on to the transaction. One lender that we work with currently offers extensions on a daily basis (instead of blocks of time) so at a cost of 0.025% per day. If we only need 5 days for an extension, the cost would be 0.125%.

Everyone likes to keep cost down and avoid extension fees. This is why it’s critical to provide your mortgage professional with requested documentation promptly, especially once your loan is locked.

What May Impact Mortgage Rates the week of July 23, 2012

mortgageporter-economyThere are no scheduled economic indicators due to be released today. However, mortgage rates are trending lower this morning due to steepened worries from the Euro-zone, namely Spain and Greece. How could Greece and Spain’s pain cause lower mortgage interest rates? Investors are seeking the safety of bonds, like mortgage backed securities. As I write this post (6:35 PST), the DOW is down about 121 and the Euro has fallen to a two year low.

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What May Impact Mortgage Rates: July 2 – July 6, 2012

Seattle_fireworksWe have a short week packed with economic data with Independence Day on Wednesday and the Jobs Report on Friday.  Here are some of the economic indicators that are scheduled to be released this week:

  • Monday, July 2: ISM Index.
  • Wednesday, July 4: Happy Independence Day!
  • Thursday, July 5: ADP National Employment Report, Initial Jobless Claims and ISM Services Index
  • Friday, July 6: THE JOBS REPORT

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What May Move Mortgage Rates the week of May 29, 2012

This past weekend, we made an addition to our family, a flat coated retriever pup who we call Scupper.

2012-05-27 14.52.46While this has nothing to do with mortgages or how low rates are right now, I just wanted to share this cute fella with you.

Mortgage rates continue to be a very low levels. Many home owners are taking advantage of this and refinancing now – especially if they qualify for FHA streamline or HARP 2.0.

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What May Move Mortgage Rates the week of May 15, 2012

mortgageporter-economyAs I write this morning’s post (7:45 am) the DOW continues to slide down 125 points to 12695. When the markets are getting beat up, investors tend to seek the safety of bonds (like mortgage backed securities) which is what we happening right now. Mortgage rates continue to be very low.

If you would like me to provide you with a mortgage rate quote for your home located anywhere in Washington, please click here. [Read more…]

What May Move Mortgage Rates the week of April 30, 2012

mortgageporter-economyThis week is packed with economic indicators that tend to impact mortgage rates. Remember, mortgage rates are based on mortgage backed securities (bonds) and may change throughout the day. Signs of inflation tend to cause mortgage rates to rise higher. The release of economic data is not the only thing that impact rates – unplanned (and planned) world events may also impact mortgage rates. Typically, investors will seek the safety of bonds when the stock market is deteriorating and the reverse is true. When the DOW is tanking, mortgage rates tend to improve.  During a volatile day, it’s not unusual to have 3 – 5 rate changes.

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What May Move Mortgage Rates the week of April 9, 2012

mortgageporter-economyThis morning, mortgage rates are trending lower from Friday’s Jobs Report coming in with weaker than expected data. As I write this post (10:15 am) the DOW is down about 115.

Watch for possible signs of inflation this week, which may reverse the downward trend in rates, with the scheduled economic indicators referenced below:

Wednesday, April 11: Fed’s Beige Book

Thursday, April 12: Producer Price Index (PPI) and Initial Jobless Claims

Friday, April 13: Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Consumer Sentiment (UoM)

If you would like your personal rate quote for your Washington State home, click here.

What may impact mortgage rates this week: April 2 – April 7, 2012

2015-04-01_0922If you’re one of my long time readers, you probably know that April Fools is an extra special day for me. Not only is it the day I my husband and I married six years ago, it also marks the day that I began my mortgage career at Mortgage Master Service Corporation back in 2000. Yesterday we celebrated our happy anniversaries with a walk through Sculpture Park in Seattle, lunch at Latona Pub (seriously the best hamburgers in Seattle) and a stop at Daniel Smith’s to pick up some more paint and supplies during their clearance sale…and wrote a preapproval letter for a couple who are getting ready to buy their first home using an FHA insured mortgage.

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