Don’t rely on ”eeny, meeny, miney, moe”…

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If you are using the internet to search for a real live person to help you with your mortgage, you maybe shouldn’t rely on the ”eeny, meeny, miney, moe” method of choosing… just saying!

Check out our Testimonials page to find out more about us.

Home Buyer University of Idaho — FREE

Click for Free Online Workshops

Welcome to our Free Online Workshops. Here you will find our library of workshops that you may view completely free of charge which will provide valuable information that you will need as you prepare for your home purchase. (Click on the logo…)

Call us with questions about residential mortgages (208) 287-1717.

Dean Tucker and Shanna Wroten-Tucker

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We are strong believers in that the right (or wrong) mortgage can change a person’s financial future… and that there is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” mortgage.

Call us with questions about residential mortgages (208) 287-1717.

Honorees of the BBB Integrity Counts! award

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We are very proud to be an Honoree of the 2008 Integrity Counts! award from the Southwest Idaho Better Business Bureau… as it turns out, honesty is still the best policy!

Call us with questions about residential mortgages (208) 287-1717.

Dean Tucker and Shanna Wroten-Tucker

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We specialize in home loans for first time home buyers, move up buyers, second home purchases, and resort lending.

Call us with questions about residential mortgages (208) 287-1717.

We work with some of Idaho’s best REALTORS®

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After many years in the industry, we know quite a few top notch real estate professionals. We take pride in recommending some of the best Idaho REALTORS® who are knowledgeable, ethical and share our philosophy.

Call us with questions (208) 287-1717.

Feb 16

Want the Lowest Mortgage Rate in Idaho? Read These 4 Tips!

"lowest mortgage rates" best mortgage rates boise idahoI promised you some tips on getting the best interest rate and that is exactly what I have for you today… it will help you get the best deal with ANY mortgage company even if you don’t use me (whoa… I sure hope that doesn’t happen).

Hands down, my #1 FAQ is “What’s your interest rate?” Here’s the funny thing… people ask this question not even realizing that there are lots of other ways mortgage lenders can “stick it to em.”

Here are the top 4 things to consider if you want to keep more of your hard earned money in your own pocket rather than lining the pockets of others:

 

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Feb 24

To Buy or Not to Buy? 3 Things Boise Home Buyers Need to Hear from Real Estate Experts

Real Estate.  To buy or not to buy?  If you are plagued by indecision and insecurity, you’re not alone… and rightfully so.  Here are three things you need to hear from real estate insiders because the media doesn’t always get it right.

 

#1 – The Affordability index is the lowest in decades.  Huh?  In case you haven’t heard, the bubble has burst and the average house in the Boise market is about 1/3 less expensive then it was at the peak of the market a couple years back.  Not only that, but Mortgage rates really are at historic lows… it’s not just media hype.  Put those two things together and Boiseans have the opportunity to spend a whole lot less of their hard earned income on their house payments.

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Mar 01

Five questions you need to ask when considering Short-sale or Foreclosure.

If you are upside down in your property and no longer able to make the payments you may be considering your options.  From short-sale to foreclosure there are many questions you need to be asking qualified tax, legal, real estate and mortgage professionals… here are just a few:

 

1.  What are all my options when facing foreclosure or upside down in my home or both?

  • Forbearance: Temporarily freezing the monthly payment due on your mortgage. This is not a permanent solution and usually the payments have to be made up at some point.
  • Loan Modification:  The bank changes the terms of the loan.  These are notoriously hard to negotiate and can still be damaging to your credit.

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Mar 02

Warning: Don’t Jeopardize Your Loan Approval

Your underwriter is the person who analyzes your loan application and tries to predict whether you will repay the money that is loaned to you.  She’s the person who approves your loan. Her job is part science and part psychic… and she has the discretion to exercise both.

The most important thing to understand about underwriting is that it’s not done until your loan is closed.  Underwriting is a 3 part process, and you have to keep your ducks in a row well after your get pre-approved.

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Jan 04

Life After Short Sale or Foreclosure

Is it better to give my house back to the bank or short-sale it?  As a mortgage professional, I hear this question all the time from real estate agents and frightened homeowners.

 

It’s easy to be confused because loan guidelines and credit scoring algorithms change frequently – what’s true today might be different tomorrow.  Adding to the confusion is the fact that many lenders impose more restrictive guidelines than those referenced below.  Having said that, here is a basic guide for those facing short-sale or foreclosure:

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Mar 07

Ninja Negotiation Tips for Serious Boise Home Buyers: Mortgage Mojo

Grab your popcorn, here’s a 2 minute video sharing one powerful negotiation strategy used by serious home buyers:

Mar 14

Mystery Mortgage Speak: 18 Mortgage Terms That Make You Say, “Huh?”

mortgage terms boise idahoSometimes it feels like you have to be a licensed mortgage person to understand mortgage terms… especially when it sounds more like alphabet soup than terminology describing the largest financial transaction you will likely undertake in your entire life.

If you see or hear terms like FHA, MIP, VOE, RD, FNMA, VOD, LOX, HUD, PMI, VA, FHLMC… and you scratch your head and say, “huh?” you are not alone.  sigh.

Read on, savvy internet mortgage shopper, as we attempt to demystify the mysterious world of mortgage speak:

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Feb 10

What the Hecksterooni Are These Mortgage Closing Costs?

You get your mortgage closing cost estimate and you say to yourself, “gosh, golly gee whitakers, these fees seem high”… or perhaps you said something a little closer to the title of this blog post.

And you know what, you’re absolutely right. Even those of us who are in the industry think so.

And the bad news is that with increasing legislation to protect the housing market, fees keep increasing. From a “protecting the housing industry” big picture perspective, that’s not all bad, but it doesn’t make it fun for the person writing the check.

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Mar 10

2 Ways To Save Money On Your Mortgage Closing Costs That No One Talks About

So you applied for a mortgage home loan and saw your closing cost worksheet or good faith estimate.  After you recovered from fainting, you probably thought this can’t possible be right.

Then along comes the seller or lender who advertises “no closing costs” and you’re pretty sure someone somewhere made a mistake on your estimate… there must have been a typo.

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Mar 15

Government Help For Underwater Idaho Home Owners (7 Easy Steps).

If only being underwater was always this cool  ——>

 

Effective March 19th the government is offering a new refinance program which offers help for underwater home owners.

 

If you would like to save money on your mortgage, now is the time to get your ducks in a row.

 

Follow these 7 easy steps today to see if you qualify:

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Mar 20

Loans For Underwater Homeowners : HARP 2.0 Now Available

The new, revamped HARP program is now available in Idaho and   nationwide. It was officially released Saturday, March 17, 2012 by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

HARP is an acronym. It stands for Home Affordable Refinance Program. HARP is the conforming mortgage loan product meant for “underwater homeowners”. Under the HARP program, homeowners in Meridian can get access to today’s low mortgage rates despite having little or no equity whatsoever.

HARP is expected to reach up to 6 million U.S. homeowners who would otherwise be unable to refinance.

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Feb 25

Mortgage Stress? Simple Tips to Close Easier, Faster and Happier

Here’s the bad news.  Due to ever increasing Federal Regulations (resulting from the credit crisis), getting your mortgage closed is more complicated than ever.

Here’s the good news.  A good lender will help you through it.  I’m not talking about one of those online lenders or mega banks with a massive mortgage call centers and a “we’ll get to it when we get to it” attitudes.  Find a local Boise lender… someone you can call directly… someone you can drop in on… someone who will toss and turn and lose sleep if things don’t go perfectly.  There are people out there who know that it’s not about the mortgage… it’s about your life and your dreams.  Those are the mortgage folks that will help you.

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Mar 25

Mortgage Down Payment Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making

You’re excited because contrary to media reports, you found a mortgage program that only requires a small amount of down payment… and you are pre-qualified!   You think, I can do this… I’ll eat beans and rice for a while, have a yard sale, and before I know it I’ll have the down payment!

 

Fast forward a couple months… you’ve got the down payment, you found a house and need to close in 30 days.  Your lender asks for updated pay stubs and bank statements.  No problem.  You send them in.  But wait… all of the sudden the lender is asking about the deposits in your bank account.  You think to yourself, “It’s none of their business… and by the way, why do they even care?”

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Feb 20

3.5 Ways to Purchase a Home with Zero Down

If you’ve heard the media say that you need 20% down, well they’ve definitely got it wrong. For many people there are low down payment options starting at 3% down… and for a select few Idahoans there are even zero down options.

Yes, you read it right. There are zero down mortgage loan options for people who want to purchase a primary residence (no such luck for people wanting to purchase second homes or investment properties). Read on mortgage shopper to see if you might be eligible for one of these programs.

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Feb 05

The Great Consumer Hoax: Different Mortgage Rules For Big Banks?

Prior to 2007, the mortgage world was sort of like the wild west.  Being a mortgage loan originator (a.k.a. sales rep) required no special licensing, no mandatory education, no background checks, no testing, and only minimal insurance and bonding.

 

Many of these sales reps did mortgages “on the side” and treated it like they were selling Sentsy or Monavie (both products I like, by the way).  Unsavory mortgage products were sold to unwitting consumers… sometimes out of ignorance and sometimes out of greed (anything to close a loan and make a commission).

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Apr 06

6 Strategies to Increase Your Credit Scores (and why you want to)

It seems that we as consumers we are increasingly held hostage by our credit scores.  Most people know that lenders offer better loan terms to those with higher scores, but there are other ramifications as well.  An insurance agent once told me that credit scores more highly correlate with insurance claims than does a person’s driving record.  As a result, our insurance premiums are impacted by our credit scores.  More and more frequently employers and government licensing agencies are using credit in their evaluation of prospective workers.  And, I’ve even heard rumors that the I.R.S. uses credit scores to pre-screen for income tax audits.  All good reasons to actively manage your credit scores.

Here are some tips that will help you:

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May 18

Is More Fed-Led Stimulus On Its Way?

FOMC minutesThe Federal Open Market Committee released its April 2012 meeting minutes this week, revealing a Federal Reserve in the ready in the event additional monetary stimulus is needed.

The Fed Minutes function much like the minutes from a business meeting; or, condominium association meeting, for example. It’s a detailed review of the conversations and debates between FOMC members, and is typically published 3 weeks after a Federal Reserve meeting.  

The Fed Minutes is a follow-up statement on the FOMC’s more well-known, post-meeting press release. It’s also much more lengthy.

Whereas the April 25, 2012 press release totaled 444 words, the Fed Minutes spanned 6,618

Those extra words are important, too, because the detail offered within the Fed Minutes lends insight into how our nation’s central bank views the U.S. economy, its strengths and weaknesses, and its threats.

From the Fed Minutes, some of the Fed’s comments includes :

  • On employment : Unemployment may remain elevated through 2014
  • On housing : Tight underwriting is “holding down” the housing market
  • On rates : The Fed Funds Rate should remain low until late-2014

There was also substantial talk about Europe and its role in the U.S. economy. Notably, U.S. financial institutions have been actively reducing their European exposure to contain damage in the event of a full-blown economic crisis abroad.

This has had the net effect of lowering mortgage rates in Idaho. Mortgage bonds often benefit from economic uncertainty.

In addition, because several Fed members acknowledged a willingness to add new stimulus to the U.S. economy, mortgage markets are accounting for the possibility it could happen. It’s unclear whether stimulus would be added after the Fed’s next meeting, or at some point later in the year, or at all.

The FOMC has its next scheduled meeting June 19-20, 2012.

May 17

Single-Family Housing Starts Powers Ahead

Housing StartsThe new construction housing market continues to improve.

One day after the National Association of Homebuilders reported a 5-year high in homebuilder confidence, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that single-family housing starts rose 2 percent for the second straight month last month.

In April, on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis, the government reports 492,000 single-family housing starts. A “housing start” is a home on which ground has broken.

In addition, March’s single-family housing starts were revised higher. What was previously reported as a three percent loss was re-measured and changed to a 0.2% gain.

The April tally marks a six percent increase over the one-year moving average and, along with the March revision, suggests that the springtime housing market may have just been seasonal. 

In March, a number of reports suggested a housing retreat :

Since then, though, low mortgage rates and affordable home prices appear to have sustained the new construction market, which now appears poised for a strong 2012. 

As one mark of proof, active buyers of newly-built homes in Eagle and nationwide are scheduling “model home” showings at the fastest pace since 2007. The burst of foot traffic high has builders upping their sales expectations for the next 6 months.

A scenario like this would normally lead new home prices higher, but the pressure for prices to rise may be offset by the amount of new home supply coming online.

In addition to a rise in Housing Starts, the Census Bureau also reports that, in April, the number of Building Permits for single-family homes rose 2 percent to move to its second-highest level since March 2010 — the month preceding the end of the 2010 federal Home buyer tax credit.

86 percent of homes break ground within one month of permit issuance.

It’s unclear whether housing is on a steady path higher, but there’s a growing body of evidence that suggests the market bottom has already passed.

May 16

Homebuilder Confidence Moves To 5-Year High

NAHB HMI Homebuilder Confidence is on the rise once again.

After a brief dip in April, the National Association of Homebuilders reports that the Housing Market Index rose 5 points in May to 29. The increase marks the sharpest climb in homebuilder confidence on a month-to-month basis in 10 years, and raises the index to a 5-year high.

The Housing Market Index is scored from 1-100. Readings above 50 indicate favorable conditions in the single-family new home market overall. Readings below 50 indicate poor conditions.

The HMI has not been above 50 since April 2006.

The Housing Market Index itself is a composite reading as opposed to a straight-up homebuilder survey. The published HMI figure is a compilation of the results of three specific questionnaires sent to NAHB members monthly.

The survey questions are basic :

  1. How are market conditions for the sale of new homes today?
  2. How are market conditions for the sale of new homes in 6 months?
  3. How is prospective buyer foot traffic?

This month, builders are reporting strong improvement across all three surveyed areas. Current home sales are up 5 points; sales expectations for the next six months are up 3 points; and buyer foot traffic is up 5 points to its highest point since 2007.

With mortgage rates low and home prices suppressed, the market for new homes is gaining momentum, a conclusion supported by the New Home Sales report which shows rising sales volume and a shrinking new home inventory nationwide.

The basics of supply-and-demand portend higher new home prices later this year — a potentially bad development for buyers of new homes in Idaho and nationwide. With demand for new homes rising, builders may be less likely to make sale price concessions or to offer “upgrade packages” to buyers of new homes.

If you’re shopping for new construction in or around Eagle , therefore, consider moving up your time frame. Home affordability is high today. It may not be tomorrow.

May 15

Home Affordability Getting A Springtime Boost From Greece

Greece affects U.S. mortgage ratesHome affordability is receiving a boost from across the Atlantic Ocean this spring.

For the third time in as many years, a weakening Eurozone is pushing May mortgage rates to new lows throughout Idaho and nationwide.

The story centers in Greece and begins in 2010.

2 years ago, it was uncovered that successive Greece governments had purposefully misreported the nation-state’s economic statistics in order to meet European Union standards. The fraudulent data had permitted Greek governments to spend beyond their means while hiding deficits from EU auditors.

The realization that Greece was heavy in debt with little means to repay its creditors resulted in a massive bailout from the IMF and the rest of the Eurozone nations. The terms for Greece said that, in order to receive its €110 billion aid package, Greece would be required to enact strict spending controls.

This is known as “austerity” and the deal was met with outrage by the Greek public. There’s been general social unrest ever since and, on May 6 of this year, Greece held a special “early election” to elect all 300 members to its legislature.

No party won majority in the elections.

7 different groups garnered seats in the parliament last week with anti-austerity groups faring well. It’s spurred concern that Greece will end its bid for fiscal restraint, and that Greece may choose to leave the 17-nation Eurozone.

The uncertainty surrounding Greece is helping U.S. mortgage rates to make new lows. As concerns mount for the future of Greece — and the Eurozone, in general — global investors seek safer markets for their money.

The U.S. mortgage-backed bond market is one such market.

With the implied backing of the U.S. government, mortgage-backed bonds are viewed as nearly risk-less and investors clamor for safety of principal during uncertain times. The boost in demand drives bond prices up and bond yields down, resulting in lower mortgage rates for home buyers and refinancing households of Eagle.

So long as Greece struggles to form its government and flirts with a sovereign debt default, mortgage rates should continue to face downward pressure. U.S. rates may not fall week after week, but analysts expect any rise in rates to be muted.

May 14

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : May 14, 2012

Homebuilder ConfidenceMortgage markets worsened slightly last week as positive U.S. economic news overshadowed growing concerns for the Eurozone’s future. Political and economic issues continue to weigh on Greece and Spain, and it’s still unknown how France’s new President will change that nation’s fiscal direction. 

Conforming mortgage rates in Idaho edged higher on the week overall.

Last week was light on economic data, but the figures released suggest an improving U.S. economy.

For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 3.7 million job openings nationwide this past March, marking the highest amount since July 2008. Voluntary separations (i.e. “quit jobs”) increased, too — also at levels not seen since 2008.

Voluntary separations may hint at labor market improvement because employees rarely leave a steady-paying job without the prospect of a new job ahead. Furthermore, the four-week moving average of first-time unemployment claims fell for the first time in a month.

The jobs market is one of two key sectors expected to lead the economy forward this year.

The other is housing and, this week, there will be two key housing reports for Wall Street to review. The first is Tuesday’s homebuilder confidence survey from the National Association of Homebuilders. The second is Wednesday’s Housing Starts data for April.

Mortgage rates may also be affected by the Tuesday release of the Retail Sales report and Consumer Price Index report; and, by the Federal Reserve’s Wednesday release of the FOMC Minutes from its last meeting.

For home buyers and mortgage rate shoppers, mortgage rates remain at all-time lows. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate nationwide is 3.83% for borrowers willing to pay 0.7 discount points and a full set of closing costs — the lowest rate-and-fee combination in Freddie Mac’s recorded history.

However, low mortgage rates may not last much longer — especially if the Eurozone can reverse course on its ailing economies.

Mortgage rates remain volatile and sensitive to changes in market conditions. If today’s mortgage rates fit your budget, consider locking in.

May 11

Mortgage Rates Make New All-Time Lows (Again)

Mortgage rates

Conforming mortgage rates continue to drop.

For the second straight week, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell to a new, all-time low nationwide. According to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate dropped 1 basis point to 3.83% this week for borrowers willing to pay 0.7 discount points plus a full set of closing costs.

The 15-year fixed rate mortgage also set a mortgage rate record, registering 3.05% with an accompanying 0.7 discount plus closing costs.

Discount points are a one-time, up-front closing cost, based on loan size. 0.7 discount points is equal to 0.7% of the borrowed amount. A home buyer in Eagle opening a $200,000 mortgage and paying 0.7 discount points, therefore, would be subject to a one-time $1,400 fee paid at closing.

Borrowers wanting to avoid paying discount points can expect higher mortgage rates than Freddie Mac’s reported national average.

Falling mortgage rates are nothing new throughout Idaho. Since peaking in February 2011, mortgage rates of all types have been in steady decline. The 30-year fixed rate mortgage has shed 122 basis points since that date, falling from 5.05%; the 15-year fixed rate mortgage has shed 124 basis points, falling from 4.29%.

Low mortgage rates give today’s home buyers additional purchasing power, stretching home affordability to new heights.

Low rates also help existing homeowners to lower monthly mortgage payments. For example, as compared to mortgage rates just 15 months ago, homeowners refinancing into today’s 30-year fixed rate mortgage stand to save 13.4 percent on their respective mortgage payments. 

A comparison :

  • February 2011 : $539.88 principal + interest per $100,000 borrowed
  • May 2012 : $467.67 principal + interest per $100,000 borrowed

A homeowner with a $300,000 mortgage at February 2011 30-year fixed rate mortgage rates would save $2,600 annually with a refinance to this week’s low rates. Even accounting for discount points and closing costs, the “break-even point” on savings like that comes relatively quickly.

Mortgage rates can’t be predicted so there’s no guarantee of low rates forever. If today’s rates meet your budget, consider locking something in. Speak with your loan officer about your options.

May 10

8-Fold Increase In “Improving Markets” Since September

Improving Markets IndexThe economic recovery continues nationwide, but the recovery’s an uneven one.

Some metropolitan areas are faring very well this year, posting measurable gains in both employment and housing. Other metropolitan areas, by contrast, are struggling.

To help identify those markets in which growth is occurring, the National Association of Homebuilders created the Improving Market Index, a metric analyzing three separate, independently-collected data series “indicative of improving economic health”.

The IMI’s three collected data series are :

  1. Employment Growth (as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  2. Home Price Growth (as published by Freddie Mac)
  3. Single-Family Housing Growth (as published by the Census Bureau)

A metropolitan area is considered to be “improving” if all three indicators show growth at least six months after the respective area’s most recent trough, or “bottoming out”.

In May, there are exactly 100 U.S. markets that qualify for the NAHB’s Improving Market Index, down from 101 last month but higher by more than 800% from the reading in September 2011, the index’s inaugural release.

17 areas were added to the Improving Market Index list this month including Phoenix, Arizona; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Bend, Oregon. 18 areas were removed from the May IMI.

83 metropolitan areas remained from April.

There is little actionable information in the Improving Markets Index but the report does a good job of highlighting how “real estate markets” can’t be summarized on a national level and remain relevant to everyday home buyers and sellers across Idaho and nationwide. For example, Fort Collins, Colorado is listed as an Improving Market. However, Greeley, Colorado — located just 30 miles away — was just downgraded from the same list. 

Home values and economies vary by region, by state, by city, by neighborhood, and even by street.

The complete Improving Markets Index can be viewed at the NAHB website but for the best read of what’s happening in your neighborhood, talk to a local real estate agent.

May 09

With LIBOR Low, Don’t Rush To Refinance Your ARM

Pending ARM Adjustment

Is your mortgage scheduled to adjust this season? You may want to let it. This year’s ARM-holding homeowners in Idaho are finding out that an adjusting mortgage may be the simplest way to get access to today’s low mortgage rates — without paying the closing costs.

Currently, conventional adjustable-rate mortgages are adjusting to near 3.00 percent.

If your home is financed via an adjustable-rate mortgage, you’re likely cognizant of your loan’s life-cycle. At first, your ARM’s initial mortgage rate is agreed upon between you and your lender, a rate that both parties agree will remain in place from anywhere from one to 10 years, with periods of five and seven years being most common.

Then, after the initial “teaser rate” expires, the mortgage’s mortgage rate adjusts according to a pre-determined formula — one that’s also agreed upon at closing. The loan is then subject to an identical mortgage rate adjustment every 12 months thereafter until the loan is paid in full.

The most common conforming mortgage adjustment formula is to add 2.25 percent to the then-current 12-month LIBOR rate.

Today’s 12-month LIBOR is 1.05% so, as a real-life example, an adjustable-rate mortgage that’s leaving its teaser rate period this week would adjust to 3.30%.

If you’re a homeowner who took a 7-year ARM in 2005, or a 5-year ARM in 2007, your newly-adjusted mortgage rate should be roughly 2 percent lower than your initial teaser rate. On a $250,000 mortgage, a 2 percent mortgage rate reduction yields $298 in monthly savings.

Therefore, if you have an adjustable-rate mortgage that’s due to reset, don’t rush to refinance it. For at least one more year, you can benefit from low mortgage rates and low payments.

As for next year’s adjustment, however, that’s anyone’s guess.

May 08

Reverse Mortgages : Pros And Cons

Despite several big-name banks pulling the product from their respective home loan offerings, reverse mortgages remain a popular mortgage choice among homeowners aged 62 or over.

A reverse mortgage is exactly what it sounds like — a mortgage in reverse. Rather than borrow a fixed amount of money then pay that loan balance down to zero as with a “forward” mortgage, a reverse mortgage starts at a given loan balance and works its way up as scheduled payments are added to the existing loan balance.

This 4-minute piece from NBC’s The Today Show highlights a few pros and cons of reverse mortgages, and the reasons why you may want to consider one, including :

  • No mortgage payments are ever due on your home
  • There is no credit check required for a reverse mortgage
  • There is no income requirement to qualify for a reverse mortgage

There are some basic qualification standards for the reverse mortgage program including a requirement that all borrowers on title must be 62 years of age or older; and that the subject property be a primary residence. Loan fees can also be higher than with a conventional-type mortgage.

If you meet the qualification standards, though, with a reverse mortgage, you have flexibility in how your home equity is distributed to you. You can receive a lump-sum payment, elect for monthly installments over time, create a line of credit, or a combination of all three. 

Like all mortgages, reverse mortgages are complex instruments. That’s one reason why all reverse mortgage borrowers are required to attend counseling — the government wants you to be certain that you understand the nuances of the reverse mortgage program.

Your lender will want you to understand the program, too.

May 07

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : May 7, 2012

Unemployment RateAfter two weeks of no change, mortgage markets improved last week, pushing mortgage rates lower throughout Idaho.

The majority of the improvements occurred Friday after the April jobs report failed to impress Wall Street, and after it became clear that the Eurozone’s struggles with sovereign debt would continue.

According to Freddie Mac, conforming 30-year fixed rate mortgage rates fell to 3.84% nationwide, on average, for borrowers willing to pay 0.8 discount points at closing plus a full set of closing costs. 

1 discount point is equal to 1 percent of your loan size such that one discount point on a $200,000 loan would require $2,000 to be paid at-closing.

Freddie Mac’s reported rates for the benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage are the lowest in recorded history.

The 15-year fixed rate mortgage is also at its lowest point in history. According to Freddie Mac’s survey, the 15-year fixed averaged 3.07% with 0.7 discount points last week. One year ago, the rate was 3.89%.

This week, with a data-sparse economic calendar, mortgage markets will likely take cues from events in Europe. Notably, France has elected a new leader, one that prefers growth over austerity; and voters in Greece have “punished” austerity-backing leaders, in the process creating a split parliament.

Each event adds uncertainty to an already unstable economic environment and uncertainty favors U.S. rate shoppers.

Doubt spurs investors to seek “safe” assets and U.S. government-backed bonds — including mortgage backed bonds — meet that criteria. As demand for mortgage bonds rise, mortgage rates tend to fall.

This week, rates are starting the week improved. Whether it’s a knee-jerk reaction to Eurozone news from the weekend, or low rates are here to stay is tough to know. Therefore, if today’s mortgage rates look good to you, consider locking something in. There’s more room for rates to rise than to fall.

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