Staying On Top of Mortgage Interest Rates

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With all the changes going on in the real estate industry – almost on a daily basis – it makes perfect sense to want to stay ahead of the game and know what the interest rates are doing on the market.  One way is to search online, where countless generic interest rate calculators will tell you nothing more than a range that you can go by.  But if you want a more accurate reading, one of the best-known industry secrets is to use the ten-year Treasury bond as a gauge.  By tracking the ten-year Treasury note, you get an insider’s view of how interest rates are moving.

How Do You Calculate the Current Interest Rate?

The formula is very simple.  Determine what the ten-year bond is at – and simply add two hundred basis points to that number to find out the current interest rate.  So for example, if the ten-year note were at 200 basis points, then you would add 200 more to get to 400 – which translates to a 4% interest rate.  When you notice the bond going up – you can safely assume that so will interest rates.  Conversely, when the ten-year bond note goes down, the same thing will likely happen with interest rates.

What Other Factors Affect Interest Rates?

Keep in mind that while this is a great way to stay on top of interest rates, it does not translate to the exact rate you might receive on a loan.  Other factors that determine what the interest rate will be include things like the borrower’s credit score and profile, the amount of down payment put on the house, the type of loan (FHA, conventional, other) and also the loan to value. The price of mortgage bonds, of course, indicates interest level activity as well. On a general level, interest rates are also largely determined by the unemployment outlook as well as consumer confidence.

How Does This Benefit Most People?

One of the best things about knowing where things seem to be headed is of course if there are any questions about the interest rates you may see advertised you can confirm actual rates with this tool.  If you see something that does not look right or need better accuracy, this is the way to go to base where the market needs to be.  It is important not to consider the ten-year bond price – rather it is the yield that indicates interest rate levels.
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This technique is ideal for almost anyone. Consumers, buyers, sellers, Realtors and financial planners – all utilize the ten-year Treasury bond as a measuring tool to be able to gauge in advance how the market might be performing in terms of interest rates.

Savvy Mortgage Shopping –Three Key Questions To Ask Lenders

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For many potential homeowners looking to buy a home, especially in today’s market, once they find themselves sitting in front of their loan officer they have no idea what to ask.  Oftentimes they succumb to whatever is told to them rather than realize that they should inquire in great detail about the products and services available.

To help homebuyers obtain the best mortgage possible in the market today where there are a host of options being offered to consumers, here are three very essential questions to ask.  Being prepared will yield excellent results, a great interest rate and a mortgage that will most likely be tailored to meet your specific situation and needs.

What Types Of Loans Are Being Offered?

Believe it or not, despite the tight mortgage lending practices the industry is going through nowadays, the mortgage lending industry is very busy.  With more than several options offered to most clients it is essential that homebuyers know what their choices are.  It is important to ask whether the lender is offering an FHA or conventional loan; is the application for a jumbo loan or is it an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)?  There is also the possibility that there is an interest-only mortgage on the table.  All these options will result in different interest rates directly impacting your monthly, annual and overall bottom line.

How Much Will It Cost To Borrow From This Lender?

Lender fees are a major component when it comes to comparing one lender to the next.  Borrowers should ask up front what it would cost to borrow the amount they are considering for the home purchase.  When all aspects of the loan are factored in, including the appraisal fee, credit report fee, documentation and recording fees, application processing and other miscellaneous fees – what is the total amount?  If the lending fees seem exorbitant then it may be a good idea to shop around for at least a few other quotes on the same amount and same product type for an accurate comparison.

Are You Paying Discount Points To Get a Low Rate?

Many homebuyers that are lured by super low interest rates but have not read the fine print end up being shortchanged in terms of overall value of the loan.  Where lending fees and initial costs may cost several thousand dollars for a rate of 3.5% for example, you may be paying more than you need to in order to obtain that low rate.  It is very important to ask the lender if you are paying discount points in exchange for the low rate you are getting on the mortgage.  If that is the case, once again it is a good idea to shop for more options.

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The best move any prospective homebuyer can make is to be prepared with as much knowledge as possible.  It is important to obtain that information from reputable sources rather than relying on questionable sources.  Talk to preferred lenders that have worked with others in your social and professional circles.  Engage in conversations with industry experts.  Research quality sources online to find out what is happening in the mortgage industry at present.  The more you know about the process, the less chance there will be that you will miss out on the best opportunities out there!

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Taking Care of Those Who Take Care of Us – New Benefits of VA Home Loans

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One of the ways the US government takes care of its own military personnel, both active and retired or honorably discharged, is to provide VA home loans with significant benefits over traditional home loans.  This week there have been some new changes to the program that make it even better for our military service men and women to become homeowners.  First, here is some information about the program and eligibility. Then we will share the new benefit that was just announced October 1, 2011.

What Are the Benefits of a VA Home Loan?

The primary benefit of a VA home loan is that there is no required down payment. The loan can be financed up to 100%. Even better, there is no limit on the seller’s assist; therefore, it can cover the full closing costs. Another major advantage is that the VA guarantees the loan and does not require monthly mortgage insurance, an expense that can add up to $200 or more each month on top of the mortgage payment.

The primary difference from a traditional loan is that a VA requires a funding fee for the loan. (Disabled veterans are exempt from the funding fee if they receive disability benefits.) The good news is that this too can be financed into the loan and the factor for the funding fee has just recently reduced!

If you already have a VA loan, you can take advantage of the VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan (IRRRL). You may use this program up to 90% LTV to lower your rate and term, take cash out of your home, or even refinance from an existing VA ARM loan to a fixed rate. An IRRRL may be done with little or no money out of pocket by including all costs in the new loan.


New Benefit Announced and Effective October 1, 2011

One of the requirements of the VA loan is that the homeowner must pay a funding fee that amounted to 2.15% of the loan amount.  This figure was drastically reduced on October 1, 2011.  The fee is now 1.40%, adding up to significant savings to the homebuyer.  Not only that, if a five to ten percent down payment is made the funding fee is reduced even more to 0.75% of the total loan amount. And if the borrower puts more than 10% down, the factor is only 0.50%.

Keep in mind that the funding fee can be financed into the loan, meaning almost no money out of pocket to be able to move into your home.
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To apply for the loan you will need a certificate of eligibility.  Specific requirements are available on the official US Department of Veterans Affairs website on the FAQ page.  This loan is a great way to give back to our veterans so if you are reading this and you know someone who is in the military or is retired military personnel be sure to share this with them.  When you factor in the low prices on homes these days plus the great interest rates that can be locked in for 5 – 10 – 30 years, this is an opportunity that you or they simply cannot afford to miss!

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