The DOW is getting hit hard again today. As I write this (10:16 am PST), the Dow is down 446! Bad news for the stock market equals good news for mortgage interest rates. Investors are seeking safety by pulling funds from stocks and investing in bonds, like mortgage backed securities.
Mortgage Rates drop to lowest of 2016
January 15, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Freddie Mac Reports that Mortgage Rates continue to trend Lower
January 14, 2016 by 1 Comment
The Prime Mortgage Market Survey reports that last week, the 30 year fixed averaged 3.92 percent with an average 0.6 point. The week prior, the reported average was 3.97 percent. A drop in rate of 0.05%.
Steps in the Mortgage Process when you are Refinancing a Home
November 10, 2015 by 19 Comments
The process of getting a mortgage consists of several stages and typically takes anywhere from 30 – 45 days (or more) depending on how prepared you are, what mortgage program you have selected and if it’s a purchase, the closing date may dictate how long the process will take. With this post, I’m focusing on the steps involved with obtaining a refinance (aka refi) which are slightly different than the process when you are buying a home.
The steps below may not take place in the exact order I have listed and some steps may happen simultaneously. In addition, some lenders may have different procedures with how they process a mortgage.
Puget Sound’s Hot Real Estate Market is Good News for Refis
October 22, 2015 by Leave a Comment
It’s no secret the the Puget Sound region has been experiencing a very hot real estate market… so hot in fact that it may be causing some home buyers to feel a little burned from competing with multiple offers as well as renters contending with rapidly rising rents. Recently KOMO 4 News shared that that Seattle currently has the nations hottest housing market. This is not only good news for those who are wanting to sell their homes, it’s also good news for home owners who may benefit from a refinance.
HARP extended through 2016
May 12, 2015 by 1 Comment
Earlier this week, Director of the FHFA, Mel Watts announced that HARP (the Home Affordable Refinance Program) will be extended for one more year. From his prepared remarks:
“The HARP program allows borrowers, including those who are underwater on their mortgage and who are regularly making their mortgage payments, to refinance their loans to take advantage of historically low interest rates.
What would you do with an extra $372?
March 13, 2015 by Leave a Comment
$372 is the average monthly savings that my clients who have closed on their refi’s so far in March. With higher appraised values, thanks to the hot real estate market driving up home prices, many clients are also eliminating mortgage insurance with their refi.
What is Delayed Financing?
February 26, 2015 by 2 Comments
In today’s competitive housing market, we are seeing more buyers using “all cash” to purchase their homes. Delayed financing allows home buyers who pay cash for a home to obtain cash out, using a refinance, without it being treated as a “cash out” refi. A “cash-out” refi has stricter requirements, including having to wait 6 months after closing before being able to refi. Delayed financing allows home owners to recoup the cash used to purchase the home.
Lower FHA Mortgage Insurance + Low Mortgage Rates = FHA Streamline Refi’s
February 3, 2015 by 1 Comment
HUD recently reduced annual mortgage insurance premiums for FHA 30 year fixed rate mortgages by 50 basis points. The annual mortgage insurance premium is part of the monthly mortgage payment and 50 basis is a dramatic reduction. If you have a $400,000 loan amount, this is a monthly savings of $166.67 (400,000 x 0.50% divided by 12 months).
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