Piggyback Combo Mortgages are Back

June 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment

I’m pleased to announce that we now have second mortgages and home equity loans available in combination with a first mortgage at Mortgage Master Service Corporation. I see this being very useful with keeping loan amounts under conforming limits (especially once they’re scheduled to be reduced on October 1, 2011).  Here’s some quick points on this program:

  • maximum allowed total loan to value is 85% with a mid-credit score of 720 or higher for owner occupied.
  • maximum allowed total loan to value is 70% with a mid-credit score of 700 – 719 for owner occupied.
  • maximum allowed loan to value of 80% with a mid-credit score of 720 or higher for a second home.
  • available for purchases or refinances.
  • maximum allowed debt-to-income ratio of 45%.
  • available as a HELOC (home equity line of credit) or fixed rates.  

Should you consider using a first and second mortgage combo for your home financing? That’s up to you!  What’s important is knowing and understanding what options are available to you so you can make an informed decision.  If you are buying or refinancing a home located anywhere in Washington state, I’m happy to help you with your mortgage needs. 

Filed Under: Home Equity Loans & Second Mortgages, Refinance, Residential Purchase Tagged With: , , ,

Car Art Show in West Seattle

June 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment

An Art Car Party is going on behind the Feedback Lounge (and Zeeks Pizza) until around 8:30 tonight and is worth the visit in you’re in the in West Seattle neighborohood.  NOTE: I’ll post more pictures as soon as I can (I’m in the process of making a Father’s Day dinner for my hubby).  Link posted below to more pictures.

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Hat tip to Marlow Harris, her Elvis Traveling Museum is pictured below.

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This is the “Yarn Car”.

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UPDATE: Check out all of my photos of the amazing art cars by clicking here.

 

Filed Under: Seattle

Happy Father’s Day

June 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment

DadJanetteNikkiBigWheel
Wishing all Dads a very Happy Fathers Day.

 

Filed Under: Interest Rates

Fannie Mae Homepath Buyer Incentive Extended Once Again

June 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Fannie Mae is extending their buyer incentives of 3.5% towards closing cost on qualified Fannie Mae homes through October 31, 2011.  In addition, they're also offering real estate agents a selling bonus of $1,200.   

Here are some details for qualifying for the Fannie's Homepath Mortgage special (from the Homepath website):

  • Buyers and/or selling agents (the agent representing the buyer) must request the incentive upon submission of initial offer in order to be eligible.
  • The initial offer must be submitted on or after June 14, 2011 and close by October 31, 2011. If an initial offer was made prior to the effective date, the offer is not eligible for the incentive.
  • The sale must close on or before October 31, 2011. No exceptions will be made to this deadline.
  • Only buyers purchasing a HomePath property as their primary residence may receive up to 3.5% in closing cost assistance. Second homes and investment properties are excluded from the incentive.
  • Buyer must sign the Owner Occupant Certification Rider to the Real Estate Purchase Addendum.
  • If a buyer's total closing costs are under 3.5%, the difference will not be available as a credit to the buyer.

Don't forget, the Fannie Mae Homepath Mortgage does not require an appraisal and there is no private mortgage insurance for credit scores over 660.   Fannie Mae will lend up to the high balance conforming loan limit, which is currently $567,500 in the greater Seattle area (this loan limit is set to be reduced October 1, 2011).  For more information about Fannie Mae's Homepath Mortgage, click here.

Homepath We are pleased to offer the Fannie Mae Homepath Mortgage for homes located anywhere in Washington.  Here's an example of rates effective as of June 16, 2011 at 9:45 am for this home located in the Crown Hill neighborhood in Seattle offered at $408,000 based on a credit score of 740 or higher and utilizing the 3.5% credit towards closing cost closing in 30 days.  With the closing cost credit, home buyers can purchase qualified Homepath properties with just their down payment.

With a 3% down payment of $12,240, the 30 year fixed rate is currently 5.00% (apr 5.232). The principal and interest payment is $2,124.53 – remember there is NO private mortgage insurance!  

With a little extra down payment of $20,400 (5% down), the rate improves to 4.750% (apr 4.978) with a principal and interest payment of $2,021.91.

A down payment of 10% currently provides a rate of 4.625% (apr 4.584) with a principal and interest payment of $1,887.92.

Adjustable rate mortgages are available with this program too.

If you would like a rate quote or are interested in getting preapproved for a Fannie Mae Homepath mortgage, please contact me! 

Filed Under: Fannie, Freddie and FHFA, Homepath, Residential Purchase

Clark Howard Suggests 5/1 ARMs for Refinancing

June 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Clark Yesterday morning on CNN, "Money Expert" Clark Howard recommended that home owners who are considering selling their home in the next five years investigate refinancing into a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage.  Why would he suggest such a "risky" product? Interest rates for adjustable rate mortgages are extremely low right now and if you're not going to have the home for more than 5 years, you could save a significant amount of money.

I will be using worse case adjustments for this post, assuming that the index (12 months LIBOR) has climbed incredible to where the the rates have hit the lifetime caps (ceiling) of 5% at the first adjustment and have remained their at each adjustment.  The 12 months LIBOR is incredibly low right now and those who have ARMs setting at their first adjustment are probably in a good position.

These rates as of June 15, 2011 at 10:30 am based on 740 or higher credit scores and a loan to value of 80% or lower.  NOTE: We do have several programs available if for Seattle area home owners who have diminished home equity.   This scenario is based on a rate-term owner-occupied refinance and a loan amount of $327,500.

3.00% for a 5/1 ARM (fixed at 3.00% for 60 months) with a principal and interest (p&i) payment of $1,381. APR 3.285.  The "caps" that limit how much this rate can adjust are 5/2/5 so the highest this rate can ever be is 8.00% (worse case scenario) and the lowest is the margin (2.25%).

  • At 61 months, assuming worse case scenario, the rate would adjust to 8.000% with a p&i of $2248 and an approx. principal balance of $291,600.
  • At 85 months, assuming worse case scenario, the rate would still be 8.000% with a p&i of $2248 and an approx. principal balance of $283,228.

3.375% for a 7/1 ARM (fixed at 3.375% for 84 months) with a p&i payment of $1,448. APR 3.417.  The highest this rate could ever be with 5/2/5 caps is 8.375% at the 85th payment and the lowest is the margin of 2.25%.

  • At 61 months, the rate is still 3.375% with the same payment of $1448 and the balance is approx. $293,122.
  • At 85 months, assuming worse case scenario, the rate would adjust to 8.375% with a p&i of $2270 and an estimated balance of $277,650.

4.500% for a 30 year fixed rate with a principal and interest payment of $1,659 for the entire term of the mortgage.

  • At 61 months, the balance is approx. $298,500.
  • At 85 months, the balance is approx. $285,000.

NOTE: the above rates are from June 2011 – if you would like a mortgage rate quote based on current pricing for your Washington home, click here.

What is crucial when selecting your mortgage is considering what your financial goals are. If you're not certain that you'll be selling your home in 5 years and you do not want to risk the adjustment that will take place in 61 months,  you might want to consider the 7/1 ARM, which will "buy" you two more years of a fixed period for a slightly higher rate. If having an adjustable rate mortgage is going to keep you up worrying at nights, than a fixed product, like the 30 year or 15 year is probably a better option for you. If an adjustable rate mortgage is suitable for your financial scenario, the savings can really add up.

Personally, if you're considering an adjustable rate mortgage, I would recommend seriously considering the next longest term just to "buy" some wiggle room.  I was honestly a little surprised that Clark Howard was pushing a 5/1 ARM when the 7/1 is currently just a little higher.  Whatever choice is made, it belongs to the home owner and it is their responsibility to understand the risk, rewards and terms of what ever mortgage product they select. 

If you have questions about mortgages for homes located anywhere in Washington, please contact me.  By the way, if your mortgage originator is no longer in the business (many have found new careers with the higher standards now required), I'm happy to adopt your mortgage – no refinance or transaction is required - your mortgage does need to be on a home located in Washington.

Filed Under: Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), People, Refinance

My First Post “In Flight” on Alaska Airlines

June 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment

I'm actually in route to Denver as I type this post.  I'm a speaker at the first ever Mortgage Tech Summit which will be taking place tomorrow. I'm going to be showing fellow mortgage professionals how I create "talking" rate quotes and good faith estimates.  If I've helped you with a refinance or buying a home in the past few years, then you're familar with this tool that I provide my clients.  I've received wonderful feedback since my clients can refer back to their talking quotes and good faith estimates at their convenience and share them with their trusted financial advisor, real estate agents or family members.  It's been an instrumental part of my business practice.

Even if I wasn't invited to speak at this event, I'd be on my to Denver for this event. I'm looking forward to all of the sessions and to learning from mortgage professionals from across the country whom I respect. 

It's not too late to sign up if you're interested in joining us and you can follow the event by watching #MTS11 on Twitter.

I will be checking email and voice mail on breaks and will be back in Seattle on Friday.

Filed Under: Events

How Much Does My Home Need to Appraise with a Refinance?

June 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

This is a question that I'm reviewing for a client in Seattle who's current mortgage was a non-conforming loan amount in 2005. Non-conforming (aka jumbo) mortgages do not qualify for the home affordable refinance program which offer expanded loan-to-values. The current mortgage balance is $400,000 (in 2005, the conforming loan limit was $359,650). In King County, the current high balance loan limit is $567,500 (soon to be reduced to $506,000 on October 1, 2011).

Here are some examples of what programs are available based on how much the home may appraise for (loan to value) with a mortgage payoff of $400,000.

  • appraised value of $508,000 or higher = 80% loan to value and no private mortgage insurance = conventional mortgage with closing costs and prepaids financed.
  • appraised value of $500,000 or 80% loan to value = conventional mortgage with closing costs and prepaids paid out of pocket or with rebate pricing.
  • appraised value of $475,000 or 85% loan to value = possible combo mortgage with first mortgage at 80% loan to value or lower (to avoid private mortgage insurance) and second mortgage at combined loan to value at 85%. Yes, second mortgages are starting to come back. This scenario would require a minimum mid-credit score of 720.
  • appraised value of $450,000 or 90% loan to value = mortgage insurance
  • appraised value of $415,000 or 97% loan to value = FHA insured mortgage with upfront and annual (monthly) mortgage insurance.
  • appraised value below $415,000 means that the borrower will need to consider a cash-in refinance if they want to proceed.

NOTE: If the mortgage that was being paid off was eligible for home affordable or if it was an FHA underlying mortgage, there would be more options…because it was originally a jumbo loan in 2005, the options are limited.

How much this home appraises for will impact whether or not a refinance is possible…I really believe that if Congress is sincere about a housing recovery, we need to eliminate appraisals on certain rate-term refinance where the borrower qualifes based on their income, employment and credit.

Would you like a mortgage rate quote for your home located anywhere in Washington? Click here.

Filed Under: Appraisals, Refinance

Financing a “Kiddie Condo” for your College Student

June 2, 2011 by 1 Comment

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A few weeks ago, I helped a Kent couple purchase a condominium located in Seattle for their daughter to live in while she attends college at Seattle University. They were prequalifed with their credit union, however the credit union was treating the transaction as if it were an investment property even though the couple (we’ll call them Mr. and Mrs. Kent) were not going to rent the property.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Condos, Family Opportunity Mortgage, Fannie, Freddie and FHFA, Financial Planning, Interest Rates, Investment Property Tagged With: , ,
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