Remodeling Your Home: Financing Options to Consider for a Major Renovation

remodeling your seattle homeRecently, I spoke with a Seattle homeowner who is planning a major remodel. Like many homeowners, he initially reached out asking about a HELOC — which is often the first option people think of when they want to improve their home. They currently have a very low rate with their existing mortgage, which is one reason why they’re considering a home equity line of credit.

As we talked through his plans, budget, and long-term goals, it became clear that there were several ways to approach financing a remodel, each with very different advantages and limitations.

If you’re considering remodeling your home — whether it’s a kitchen overhaul, an addition, or a full transformation — understanding these options upfront can help you choose the strategy that fits your project best. [Read more…]

Do You need to sell your House before You can buy your next Home?

selling a home in washington stateMany homeowners in our area may be sitting on quite a bit of home equity that they could use to purchase their next home. When it’s not a “buyer’s market”, you may have lower odds of a seller wanting to accept an offer if it’s based on needing to sell and close on an existing home. In order to have your offer accepted, it’s helpful to put forward an attractive offer that will make it easier for the seller to select your offer over others.

Here are some programs that can help! [Read more…]

It’s Fed Day! [Live Post] NO CHANGE to the Fed Funds Rate

8:15 a.m.  Today around 11:00 am PST, we’ll have the decision from the FOMC on whether they are making any adjustments to the federal funds interest rate. Odds are very strong (99.5% per the CME Group) that there will be no change at this meeting. This is what the markets are anticipating. If the Fed surprises us, then markets will react dramatically. The Fed’s actions and market reactions are what may impact mortgage rates today as mortgage rates are based on bonds (mortgage-backed securities).  The Fed does not directly control mortgage interest rates.

Following the Fed announcement today, Fed Chair Powell will hold a press conference. What he says (or what the market interprets from his press conference) may also impact the direction of mortgage interest rates. The markets are watching for signs that inflation is cooling (good for mortgage rates) or if inflation is being stubborn (bad for mortgage rates).

Right now, MBS 30 year is pretty flat (down 4 basis points). [Read more…]

Home Improvement and Construction Loans

There are many options available for financing home improvements not to mention using cash or available funds.

What type of program is used may depend on the scope and amount of funds needed for the project. We can help you with everything from a home equity line of credit where you can do the work yourself or a full construction loan if you’re working with a vacant lot or a complete tear-down property. Larger projects may require a general contractor and/or to have the contractor approved by the lender.

Loans that do not require a general contractor are our home equity line of credit, stand-alone second mortgage or a cash-out refi. With the home equity loan of credit or second mortgage, you could keep your existing first mortgage (if there is one).

Here are some possible programs to consider: [Read more…]

It’s Fed Day! [Live Post] No Change to the Fed Funds Rate!

Good morning! It’s just before 7:00 am PST as I’m writing this post. In a couple of hours, we’ll hear the announcement from the FOMC wrapping up their two day meeting on measures they will take to get inflation in line, which includes adjustments to the Fed Funds rate. The Fed Funds rate does not directly impact mortgage interest rates (except for HELOCs attached to the Prime rate), however the action the Fed takes does influence the direction of mortgage interest rates. Mortgage interest rates are based on bonds (mortgage-backed securities or MBS) and react similarly to stocks. Inflation is the “arch enemy” of bonds, which is a big part of why mortgage rates have been higher these past few years. Should the Fed indicate that inflation is taming and investors believe what the Fed is saying, we should see mortgage rates improve…and of course, the opposite is true. [Read more…]