How to Catch a Falling Interest Rate

Mortgage interest rates have been VERY volatile with all the movement in the stock market. Typically, when the stock market is plummeting, we see mortgage rates improve. This is because mortgage rates are based on bonds and investors will seek the safety of bonds. In the markets we recently have been experiencing, the lower mortgage rates may be available for moments before moving higher.

If you’re considering refinancing to obtain a lower interest rate, you need to be prepared to take action. [Read more…]

Mortgage Rate Update for the week of August 26, 2024

Mortgage rates continue to trend lower! Will this trend continue? Check out my latest video to learn more.

Marry the House. Date the Rate.

I can’t take credit for the catchy phrase “Marry the house. Date the rate”. It’s being posted by mortgage professionals and real estate agents all over social media. What does this phrase mean? [Read more…]

There Once was a Renter

I was just reviewing one of my client’s mortgages and thought I’d share a happy story with you. I’m REALLY proud of them. I first met Ryan and Rachel Renton (yes, I made up the names…but the rest of the story is true), at a home buyers class that I was teaching. Home buyers interested in the down payment assistance programs offered by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission are required to take a “live” class or an online class in order to qualify for the down payment assistance (dpa). [Read more…]

Changes to Limited-Cash Out Refinances

A limited-cash out refinance is a refinance where typically, the home owner receives little to no-cash back at closing. It’s also referred to as a “rate-term” refinance. A limited cash-out or rate-term refinance offers better interest rates and/or pricing for interest rates than a true “cash out” refinance. [Read more…]

Days are numbered for the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)

MortgagePorter-HARP2The Home Affordable Refinance Program (aka HARP or HARP 2.0) is set to retire at the end of 2015. Homeowners who have a mortgage that was securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac with a Note date prior to June 1, 2009 may be eligible for a HARP refinance.

[Read more…]

Money Saving Tips You Can Do Now for the New Year

mortgageporterraiseThe other day, Get Rich Slowly published 14 Smart Money Moves to Make Before the End of the Year which I liked enough to share on my Facebook page and to also included here on my blog. 🙂  There are a couple “smart money moves” that are missing on this post that I would like to suggest for home owners.

[Read more…]

One month left before FHA mortgage insurance is permanent…SO WHAT??

Borrowers not wanting to have FHA mortgage insurance as part of their mortgage payment for the life of the loan have about thirty days to take action. This shouldn’t be a reason to panic. 🙂

Effective FHA case numbers issued June 3, 2013 and later, FHA mortgage insurance will become a permanent part of the FHA mortgage payment.

Why do I say “SO WHAT?”

[Read more…]