Sunday Drive to Mount Baker

March 6, 2011 by Leave a Comment

We decided to spend the long Presidents Day weekend at Mt. Baker with our kids for a short family vacation.  We rented a condo at Snowater, in Glacier, just minutes from snowboarding, skiing or inner-tubing in the beautiful scenary of Mt. Baker.   The condo at Snowater is located just off the north fork of the Nooksack River and did not have internet access or cable tv…yep, we were unplugged for the weekend and it was wonderful!   Snowater does have other ammenities (indoor pool, ping pong, etc.) which our kids really enjoyed.  A majority of our time was spent on Baker. It takes about 2-3 hours to reach Mt. Baker from Seattle.   Do check driving conditions (chains may be required) for Baker.

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Check out the more of my photos of our Mt. Baker vacation by clicking here.  By the way, I used my new Sony Bloggie (pocket camera) to capture these photos.

Filed Under: Sunday Drive - Neighborhood Tours

Which Fees Can Change on a Rate Quote Worksheet

March 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

When a home buyer is shopping for their next home, they often request written rate quotes from mortgage originators to see a detailed list of closing costs and an estimated total monthly mortgage payment.  Before HUD mandated their Good Faith Estimate in 2010, they could rely on a Good Faith Estimate.  Due to the liability a mortgage originator may incur on issuing a GFE before the buyer has a purchase and sales agreement (in contract to buy a home), a buyer would be hard pressed to find a mortgage originator is allowed to issue a GFE pre-contract.  In addition, HUD's GFE does not include the total mortgage payment nor funds required to close the transaction, so it's not best tool for a buyer. 

In lieu of issuing the Good Faith Estimate, mortgage originators can issue a written "rate quote worksheet" which may have different names by different lenders.  Just like the old GFE, the rate quote worksheets also vary in appearance from lender to lender as they had to be created by lenders as a result of the limitations of the HUD's GFE…they are not a standardized document.    The written rate quote worksheet should contain all the same information as the good faith estimate did prior to HUD's 2010 GFE as well as the APR.

The rate quote worksheet is simply a tool to provide an estimate of closing costs as well as what current rates are available if the home buyer were locking at that moment. 

Some fees on the quote can change, including:

Title Insurance and Escrow.  There are several title insurance companies located within each county.  Home buyers DO have the ability to select their title and escrow providerand some offer discounts when you use title and escrow from the same company.  They may discover that their real estate agents try to control who provides this service.   Often times, listings have a title committment prepared by the listing agents preferred title vendor (sometimes called a "TBD").  Until the mortgage originator knows who the title and escrow company are, this fee is an estimate and the fees do vary.

Property taxes.  Property taxes are in the mortgage payment as well as the prepaids/reserves section of the mortgage quote.  The number of months required to collect for reserves may varies based on when the first month's payment is due…so until there is an established closing date, it's a "best estimate".  NOTE:  I use 1.25% of the sales price divided by 12 months, unless I am provided a different figure to use for taxes.  Property taxes are specific to the property that is purchased…and property taxes may change over the years (impacting your mortgage payment).  

Home owners insurance.  Home owners insurance is in the payment as well as the prepaids/reserves.  This fee can vary based on who the provider is (selected by the home buyer) and the amount/type of coverage they request.

Prepaid interest.  This will be based on the very date of closing, paying interest through the end of the month (because you now own the home and have a mortgage).  Until we have that contract, most lenders will use 15 days of interest for purposes of a rate quote.  Closing earlier in the month increases the days of interest and later in the month reduces the days of interest.

Of course, how the loan is priced once the rate is locked (with or without discount points) may also change as the home buyer may not decide this until they know the what pricing (what rate at what cost) is actually available until the moment they are able to "lock".

This post was written based on a question from a home buyer I'm working with in the Seattle area.  If you have a question regarding mortgages that I can answer on Mortgage Porter, contact me!  You just might read your answer on my blog.

Filed Under: Good Faith Estimate, Residential Purchase

Mortgage Loan Originator Compensation Changing on April Fools

February 25, 2011 by 2 Comments

I’m going to start this post by saying I can bet certain people are going to chime in that this needed to happen and LO’s will still thrive and do fine…and I can also bet that those who will sing that song have not recently been a mortgage originator.  They may be exposed to mortgage originators from being employed in the real estate industry, but in my opinion, they are “arm-chair quarterbacks” at best.  Enough said…on to my post.

Effective April 1, 2011 rules regarding how mortgage originators (anyone who takes a residential loan application) may be compensated will be implemented.  Currently most mortgage loan originators (MLO) are paid by the consumer (points), by the wholesale lender (rebate pricing) or a combination of both.  MLOs may also be paid a salary and receive additional compensation based on volume (many banks pay this way).  These rules are created by the Fed through modifications to Reg Z.  Even though the rule goes into effect on April 1, 2011; lenders will probably enact deadlines in advance (sometime in March). 

It’s no surprise to me that there are two different sets of rules based on if the mortgage loan originator is employed by a bank or true corresponent lender (like Mortgage Master Service Corporation) verses a mortgage broker.  MLO’s who are employed by a bank or true correspondent are not paid directly by the consumer, they are paid by their employer (also referred to as the “creditor”).  Mortgage Brokers are once again kicked in the teeth with the changes to Reg Z.  I do wish we all had the same set of rules (including all being licensed) as consumers should not have to determine the type of originator and varying set of the regulations that apply.

Mortgage Brokers will no longer be allowed to receive “dual compensation”.  This means that MLOs employed by a mortgage broker will only be able to recieve compensation paid by the consumer OR paid by the wholesale lender.  Let’s say that today, a rate priced with zero points is 5.000% (rebate pricing is 1 pt to the broker) and priced with 1 point origination fee paid by the consumer buys the rate to 4.75% (zero rebate from the lender), a mortgage broker could offer these scenarios.  If the consumer decided they would like to have the rate of 4.875% and are willing to pay 0.5% in origination fee with the broker receiving 0.5% from the wholesale lender in rebate, this is not allowed per Reg Z.  From my understanding, retail mortgage loan officers (employed by banks and true correspondents) will still have this option because the consumer is not directly paying the mortgage originator.  I’m very thankful that I work for a correspondent lender, however it’s really not fair for the mortgage brokers.

Mortgage Loan Originators may not be paid based on the terms and conditions of the loan.  The loan amount is not considered a term or condition however the interest rate is.   This rule also prohibits “steering” a consumer to lender offering less favorable terms in order to increase the loan originator’s compensation”.  

Owners of mortgage companies are currently scrambling trying to figure out how to compensate their mortgage originators.  

In my opinion, changes to RegZ seem to favor how many big banks have been paying their mortgage originators: volume.  How does a consumer benefit when the MLO who is taking care of their purchase or refinance is compensated by how many loans they can close in a specific period of time?  Banks will continue to pay their MLOs less per transaction as they complete as many loan applications as possible as they sit and wait for next trusting bank customer to walk into the branch.  In my opinion, banks want to pull the industry (quality of mortgage originator) down to their level so they have less competition.

I’m wondering which industry will our government get into next to control how one is paid?  With what’s gone wrong in the housing industry, are the commissions paid to a real estate agent low hanging fruit?

Related post:

If your bank doesn’t charge an overage or points, what do you call this? 

How am I paid? (2007)

Filed Under: Mortgage, The Fed - FOMC

Presidents Day

February 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Mortgage Master Service Corporation is closed today in observance of Presidents Day.  We will reopen for business as ususal tomorrow morning, Tuesday, February 22, 2011.

As the markets are closed, I will not be posting mortgage rates today.  If you would like a personal interest rate quote based on your scenario for your home located in Washington state, send me an email or dm me on Twitter.  

Happy Presidents Day!

Filed Under: Current Affairs

Your Mortgage Insurance may be a 2010 Tax Deduction

February 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Did you know that mortgage insurance premiums you paid during 2010 may be tax deductable?  This is eligible for mortgage insurance contracts that were issued after 2006 for the use of purchasing your home (primary residence or second home) and is not limited to what you may traditionally think of as "private mortgage insurance". 

Qualified mortgage insurance may include:

  • private mortgage insurance (may be paid monthly, lump sum at closing or both)
  • FHA annual mortgage insurance (paid monthly)
  • FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium (paid upfront at closing)
  • VA Funding Fee (paid upfront at closing
  • USDA Guarantee Fee (similar to a funding fee; paid upfront at closing)

Qualified mortgage insurance is reported in box 4 on your 1098 Mortgage Interest Statementwhich you should have received from your mortgage servicer (who you make your mortgage payments too).  This deduction is treated essentially the same as deductible mortgage interest.   You will need to file an itemized tax return in order to claim this deduction.  If your adjusted gross income is more than 109,000 ($54,000 if married filed separately) you cannot claim this deduction.   You can refer to Line 13 (of the Instructions for Schedule A of the 1040 (on page 7) and IRS Publication 936 more information.

Remember, please seek the advice of your tax professional or CPA.  I am licensed to originate mortgages on homes located in Washington State. 

Related post: 

Mortgage Insurance Tax Deduction Extended (again) through 2011

Are Mortgage Points Tax Deductible?

Filed Under: Mortgage Insurance

FHA Mortgage Insurance to Increase in April

February 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Yesterday HUD issued Mortgagee Letter 11-10, making it official that FHA annual mortgage insurance will increase another 0.25% basis points on case numbers issued on or after April 18, 2011.   The annual mortgage insurance is included in the monthly mortgage payment.  There is no change (at this time) to the upfront mortgage insurance which is paid for at closing (typically financed or may be paid as a closing cost).  This is in line with the Obama Administration's plan for reforming mortgages which was revealed on Friday.

HUDmip 

Here's how this will pencil out for a 30 year fixed mortgage based on a sales price of $400,000 with a minimum down payment of 3.5% (base loan amount of $386,000).

FHA mortgages with a case number issued prior to April 18, 2011 (current as of this post):

386,000 x .90% = 3,474/12 months = $289.50.

FHA mortgages with a case number issued April 18, 2011 or later:

386,000 x 1.10% = 4,246/12 months = $353.83

Difference in monthly payment: $64.33.

This will also impact FHA 203k rehab loans.

Remember, FHA annual mortgage insurance remains on the loan for a minimum of 60 payments regardless of loan to value.  Even if a home buyer is putting down 20% towards the purchase of their Seattle area home, they will still have FHA mortgage insurance.   FHA mortgage insurance will also remain on the home until the loan balance reaches 78% of the loan to value based on the original appraised value or purchase price of the home (which ever was less).

I have been originating FHA insured loans for the past eleven years at Mortgage Master Service Corporation (a Direct Endorsed HUD approved lender).  I am licensed to originate mortgages for homes located in the State of Washington.  If I can help you with your mortgage needs, please let me know!

Filed Under: FHA, Mortgage Insurance

Obama Administration Proposes Tougher Mortgage Guidelines and Increased Pricing (Rates) to You

February 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In a time where our housing marketing is not out the woods and many who want to keep their home are having a difficult time refinancing; the Obama Administration released their proposal for "winding down" Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  They plan on phasing the government out of the GSEs over the next 5 to 7 years.  

Here are some of the highlights of the reform plan as released by the Treasury Department on Friday:

Phasing in Increased Pricing at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to "level the playing field".  The Obama Administration believes that if they increase conventional mortgage rates, it will help private lending have a fair chance at originating mortgage loans.  If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fannie and Freddie have been increasing their pricing by their LLPA's (Loan Level Price Adjustments).   Adjustments to pricing translates to higher mortgage rates in addition to what the market pricing would be.  Higher rates means that Seattle area home buyers and those seeking to refinance will qualify for less.

Reducing Conforming Loan Limits.  Currently in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, we have a temporary high balance conforming loan limit of $567,500.  This plan confirms the governments intent to "rest as scheduled on October 1, 2011 to levels set in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA).

Phasing in Minimum 10% Down Payment.  In my opinion, this isn't a huge deal for Fannie and Freddie mortgages…as long as we still have FHA.   Speaking of FHA…

"Returning FHA to its Traditional Role".   FHA has become the mortgage du jour in many cases when a borrower doesn't have 20% down payment…you never know what you're going to get with a PMI underwriter.   The Administrations proposal for FHA includes:

  • allowing current high balance loan limits to expire on October 1, 2011
  • increase the annual mortgage insurance (again) by 0.25 basis points
  • "lowering the maximum loan to value ratios…and adjusting pricing".  FHA plans on increasing the minimum down payment from 3.5%.

Increased mortgage disclosures for consumers.  What happened to simplifying the process?  I've found that HUD's Good Faith Estimate and the Fed's Truth in Lending have not helped consumers.  New disclosures are being worked on and hopefully what ever our government creates, will be more clear and concise than what I've seen.

Here is the entire 32 page Reforming America's Housing Finance Market – A Report to Congress.

 

 

Filed Under: Interest Rates

Are Mortgage Points Tax Deductible?

February 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

It's that time of year when people are thinking about their income taxes and many who bought a home last year are wondering what the can deduct on their income taxes.  Let me start by stating:  I am not a tax advisor;  I am a NMLS Licensed Mortgage Originator.  Please review your tax scenarios with your CPA or professional tax advisor.

A mortgage point is a percentage of the loan amount and is used to reduce the mortgage interest rate.  A mortgage priced with zero points has a higher rate than a mortgage priced with a point.  Typically, but not always, one point (1 percent of your loan amount) equates to 0.25% in interest rate.  Points are prepaid interest, and like the interest your pay on your home mortgage, are currently deductible for your primary residence.   

If you paid points to purchase the home you live in (owner occupied/primary residence), you may deduct the full point on your itemized 1040.  If you paid points for a refinance, the point must be deducted over the term of the loan.   However if your refinance was for home improvement, you may be able to deduct the full point instead of spreading over the life of the loan. 

If you purchased a second home and paid points, the points may be deducted over the life of the loan (similar to a refi that was not obtained for home improvement). 

If the seller paid for your points when you purchased your home, you may be able to deduct them as well as long as the transaction meets IRS guidelines.

For more information on what is required for points to be deductible, see IRS Publication 936: Mortgage Interest Deductions page 5.

In order to claim these deductions, you will need to itemize your tax return.  Tax Form 1098 will disclose the mortgage interest paid and the deductible points paid.  You may also want to review your HUD-1 Settlement Statement to see an itemized list of closing costs and points paid. 

Don't forget, the due date for your 2010 Federal Income Tax Returns (and requests for extensions) is on April 18, 2011 this year.

Filed Under: Financial Planning
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