Helping Washington State homeowners learn more about their mortgage options.
Washington State home buyers have several various down payment assistance programs available and they’re not just limited to first time home buyers. These funds can go towards closing cost and the down payment of primary residence.
Here’s an updated list of what I have available.
HARP (aka the Home Affordable Refi Program or HARP 2.0) is set to expire at the end of 2015. HARP is a refinance program that was designed to help home owners who have good credit, income and job stability and would qualify for a refi except for the reduced value on their home.
HARP is available to home owners who have a conventional mortgage securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (this is different than where you make your mortgage payments to).
A 10/1 ARM is an adjustable rate mortgage where the interest rate is fixed for the first 10 years and then may adjust at the 121st payment (after the 10 year “fixed period” is over).
After the first adjustment on the 121st month, the rate will adjust annually on the anniversary of the first adjustment date.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has just reduced their forecast for the US GDP from 2.8% to 2.0% due to weaker than expected first half of the year. The bond market seems to be shrugging this off with a much stronger than expected report from the Empire State Index. Mortgage backed securities may also be getting support from increased tensions in the Ukraine. Remember, investors will often seek the safety of bonds over stocks when global issues are causing concerns.
I will be teaching a Home Buyers Education Class with Jim Reppond of Coldwell Banker Danforth on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at the Northeast Public Library. This class is sponsored by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Students will learn about the home buying process and will receive a certificate at the end of the class making them eligible for:
A few weeks ago, HUD announced a new program created for first time home buyers which rewards them with reduced mortgage insurance premiums after they participate in home buyer education and one-on-one housing counseling. HAWK or Homeowners Armed with Knowledge is a pilot program set be released in two phases on a limited basis.
This week’s economic calendar appears to be on the lighter side.
Mortgage rates are still at very low levels. [Read more…]
I am writing this post from the 2014 Flat Coat Retriever Specialty competition in Albany Oregon. This photo is from this morning’s sweepstakes for 6-9 month old puppies and I”m pleased to share with you that Hitch and I took 4th place out of 16 puppies. Not too bad for our first show (both rookies). This has nothing to do with mortgages but I’m so proud of my puppy, that I just had to share this with you.
Okay…back to mortgages and what may impact the direction of rates this week. No economic indicators were released today. Here’s what the rest of the week looks like:
Rhonda Porter is a Licensed Mortgage Originator MLO121324 living in the greater Seattle area. Rhonda began her career in 1986 in the title and escrow industry and began her mortgage career in 2000. She enjoys helping people understand the mortgage process and started writing The Mortgage Porter in late 2006. Read More…
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