4 Reasons to Buy Before Winter

 

by The KCM Crew on September 8, 2014    
                

It's that time of year, the seasons are changing and with them bring thoughts of the upcoming holidays, family get togethers, and planning for a new year. Those who are on the fence about whether now is the right time to buy don't have to look much farther to find four great reasons to consider buying a home now, instead of waiting.
 

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise

 

The Home Price Expectation Survey polls a distinguished panel of over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts. Their most recent report released recently projects appreciation in home values over the next five years to be between 11.2% (most pessimistic) and 27.8% (most optimistic).
 

The bottom in home prices has come and gone. Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.
 

2. Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase

 

Although Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have softened recently, most experts predict that they will begin to rise later this year. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison projecting that rates will be up almost a full percentage point by the end of next year.
 

An increase in rates will impact YOUR monthly mortgage payment. Your housing expense will be more a year from now if a mortgage is necessary to purchase your next home.
 

3. Either Way You are Paying a Mortgage

 

As a recent paper from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University explains: “Households must consume housing whether they own or rent. Not even accounting for more favorable tax treatment of owning, homeowners pay debt service to pay down their own principal while households that rent pay down the principal of a landlord plus a rate of return. That’s yet another reason owning often does—as Americans intuit—end up making more financial sense than renting.”
 

4. It’s Time to Move On with Your Life

 

The ‘cost’ of a home is determined by two major components: the price of the home and the current mortgage rate. It appears that both are on the rise. But, what if they weren’t? Would you wait? Look at the actual reason you are buying and decide whether it is worth waiting. Whether you want to have a great place for your children to grow up, you want your family to be safer or you just want to have control over renovations, maybe it is time to buy.
 

Bottom Line

 

If the right thing for you and your family is to purchase a home this year, buying sooner rather than later could lead to substantial savings.

Home Mortgage Rates: Where are They Headed?

by The KCM Crew on July 15, 2014 in Interest Rates

Many of our readers ask us where interest rates are headed over the next several months. While no one has a crystal ball, we did want to share what some experts are saying on the subject.

HSH.com

 

“For now, and likely through the summer, we may see data-driven bumps and dips in rates. Although we managed a slight dip presently, a bump is in order before long.”

Freddie Mac

 

“In the next few months, mortgage rates are likely to remain at their current, low level, but will not remain there for long. As the Federal Reserve is expected to ‘taper’ its purchases of long-term Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, and as economic growth picks up, long-term yields will gradually rise. Fixed-rate mortgages are expected to be higher in six months, and may even approach 5 percent a year from now.”

National Association of Realtors

 

“Mortgage rates could move suddenly higher in anticipation of rate increases, much as they did last summer when refinance and transaction activity was high. Steady purchase transaction volume and lower refinance volume could mean that mortgages rates may adjust in a more gradual fashion. In either case, as the economy improves—and today’s data clearly suggests it is improving—the overall trend for mortgage rates is up, not down.” 

Fannie Mae

 

Projects the 30 year fixed mortgage rate to be 4.3% by the end of the year.

Mortgage Bankers Association

 

Projects the 30 year fixed mortgage rate to be 4.7% by the end of the year.

If you are ready to buy or sell and take advantage of the still lower rates, call us and let's get the process in motion.

Noemi Cardoso
William Raveis Real Estate
 Cell: 508-558-1945
www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com

12,575 Houses Sold Yesterday!

 

by The KCM Crew on April 23, 2014 


If you read certain headlines, you might be led to believe that the housing recovery has come to a screeching halt. Naysayers are claiming that rising mortgage rates and a lack of consumer confidence are keeping Americans on the fence when it comes to purchasing real estate. That is actually far from reality.


After all 12,575 houses sold yesterday, 12,575 will sell today and 12,575 will sell tomorrow. 12,575!

That is the average number of homes that sell each and every day in this country according to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) latest Existing Home Sales Report. According to the report, annualized sales now stand at 4.59 million. Divide that number by 365 (days in a year) and we can see that, on average, over 12,500 homes sell every day.

If you are considering whether or not to put your house up for sale, don't let the headlines scare you. There are purchasers in the market and they are buying - to the tune of 12,575 homes a day.

So, if you are ready to sell give me a call and let's get started.

Noemi Cardoso
William Raveis Real Estate
Cell: 508-558-1945
www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com

Buying a Home? Don't Let Fear Get in Your Way

by The KCM Crew on December 9, 2013 in Millennials    

Our founder, Steve Harney, occasionally asks to do a personal post on what he sees as important to our industry. Today we are reposting one of his favorites from this past summer. Enjoy! – The KCM Crew

Last week, I was talking to a young couple I know that was about to close on their first home. They were riding the wild rollercoaster of current mortgage rate swings and were not happy about the mortgage process overall. Yet, when the conversation shifted to finally living in a home that they own, their disposition changed dramatically.

A smile came across their faces as they talked about decorating their son’s bedroom and how much he will enjoy the backyard. They talked about inviting friends over for dinner and their family over for the holidays. The more they talked, the more excited they became.

I asked them if many of their friends were also buying. I was shocked to find out that they weren’t. Why not? Their friends believed that homeownership was financially unobtainable right now. Many wanted to own but didn’t think they could afford the monthly mortgage payment. They decided to rent instead.

I said that, with interest rates and prices where they are today, owning a home might not be any more expensive than renting one. The couple agreed but said their friends were afraid; afraid they might not qualify for a loan, afraid to handle negotiations with a seller, afraid of the home buying process itself.

Wow!

People should not make decisions out of fear! I’m not saying that every young person should own a home. I am saying that anyone that is qualified and wants to buy should not be afraid of the process. I realize the process may seem daunting but realize over 10,000 homes sell every day in this country. Sit down and discuss your goals with professionals from both the real estate and mortgage industries. Get the facts. Make an informed decision. Don’t let the fear of the unknown prevent you from living the life of your dreams.

When Will Mortgage Rates Hit 5%?

by The KCM Crew on November 26, 2013 in Interest Rates 

The big question for homebuyers is when interest rates will begin to rise to the 5% mark. The effect of a rise in mortgage rates could be a dramatic increase in the monthly mortgage payment when purchasing a home. In an article last week, HousingWire quoted two different sources regarding this issue.

Most experts are projecting that rates will rise when the Fed decides to taper the purchase of bonds which has acted as a stimulus to the housing market by keeping long term mortgage rates at historic lows.
In the article, Sterne Agee’s managing director and chief economist Lindsey Piegza pointed out:

"Federal Reserve officials said they might reduce their monthly bond buying program from $85 billion 'in coming months' as the economy continues to improve."

The article also quotes Frank Nothaft, chief economist with Freddie Mac:

“By the end of 2014, rates will probably approach and perhaps touch 5%. A reason we see the uptick in rates is that I do think some point the Federal Reserve will start to taper and scale back its very active purchase on long-term Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities.”

Rates will hit 5% sometime in 2014. It might be better to buy sooner rather than later.

If you are ready to make a move before you only think about the good old days call me and let's start looking for you dream home.

Noemi Cardoso
William Raveis Real Estate
Cell: 508-558-1945
www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com

Mortgage Rates after the Bernanke Announcement

by The KCM Crew on September, 2013 in Interest Rates

Last week, Bernard Bernanke startled many by announcing that the Fed will not wind down their bond buying program right now. The program is part of an overall stimulus package geared at bringing back the national economy. The Fed’s purchase of these bonds over the last few years has driven mortgage rates to historic lows. The assumption that there would be a reduction in bond purchases has caused 30 year mortgage rates to spike upward over the last few months.

Surprisingly, Bernanke revealed the Fed will continue bond purchasers at the current pace. What happened and what does it mean to mortgage interest rates?

What would have happened if they reduced bond purchases?

 

According to Bankrate.com:

“The Fed could have caused rates to shoot up this week if it had announced the tapering of its bond-purchasing program.”

Why did the Fed decide not to start winding down bond purchases?

 

Moody’s Analytics reported that there were three reasons:

1. Subpar economic data
2. Tighter financial conditions
3. Uncertainty surrounding fiscal policy

What does this mean to a buyer applying for a mortgage?

 

Those at Bankrate.com explain:

“For now, borrowers have dodged another spike in rates. The Fed's announcement might even cause rates to drop in coming days, says Paul Edelstein, director of financial economics at IHS Global Insight.
‘Mortgage rates should fall back -- not massively, but to some extent,’ he says.
That doesn't mean homebuyers and homeowners should wait for lower rates, mortgage professionals say.
Eventually, once the Fed lets the mortgage market and the economy start walking on their own, rates will probably head back to the 5 percent or 6 percent range, says Scott Schang, manager for Broadview Mortgage Katella in Orange, Calif."

When will the Fed begin winding down bond purchases? 

 

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal:

“Federal Reserve policy makers decided this week that the economy isn't in the right place for them to start winding down their bond-buying program. By the time they meet in December, it might be.
The decision to not start winding down the bond-buying program now was close… The economy only needs to get a little bit better over the next few months for the central bank to get its nerve back. That should be an easy bar for the economy to clear.”

Bernanke himself has not ruled out that the Fed could still scale back the stimulus this year. He stated:

"If the data confirms our basic outlook, then we could move later this year.”

Bottom Line

 

Ed Conarchy, a mortgage planner at Cherry Creek Mortgage in Gurnee, IL had a great quote in the Bankrate article:

"Remember that rates go up like a rocket and fall like a feather."

Still, Bankrate.com itself probably put it best: Grab the gift before it's gone!

Noemi Cardoso
William Raveis Real Estate
Serving MA & RI
www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com

Why Do American Families Buy a Home?

by The KCM Crew on September 9, 2013

in For Buyers, Pricing

There is a plethora of opinions voiced by real estate gurus as to why the dream of home ownership is so important to most Americans. However, study after study reveals the same five reasons families decide to buy a home. They…

1. Want a good place to raise children
2. Want a place where their family feels safe
3. Want more living space
4. Want control of that living space
5. Realize that owning makes better financial sense than does renting

(For those who question the validity of  number five after the recent housing crisis, Harvard University just finished a study on the issue)

If you are considering purchasing a home, look at the five reasons mentioned above. If any of them apply to you and your family, perhaps it is time for you to take the plunge. With both prices and interest rates rising, waiting will only increase your monthly cost as we move forward.

Noemi Cardoso
William Raveis Real Estate
www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com
Noemi@Distinctivehomes-ne.com
 

The COST of a Home: Last Year, This Year & Next Year

KCM Crew: 26 Aug 2013

The cost of a home is determined mainly by two components: price and mortgage rate. Today, we want to show how the monthly cost of purchasing a median priced home has changed over the last twelve months and how it might change over the next twelve months. For the first two examples, we will be using the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Existing Home Sales Report to establish median price and Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey to establish mortgage rate. We also assumed a 20% down payment in all examples.

LAST YEAR

The median priced home in the country was selling for $187,800. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was at 3.5%. Here is what it would cost to buy a home last year:

TODAY

The median priced home in the country is selling for $213,500. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is at 4.5%. Here is what it would cost a purchaser to buy a home today:



The monthly cost increased by: $190.78!

NEXT YEAR

Projecting into the future in real estate can be rather tricky. To establish future pricing, we depended on the over 100 housing experts surveyed for the Home Price Expectation Survey who called for an approximate appreciation rate of 5% over the next twelve months. For the interest rate, we took the average of the projections from the Mortgage Bankers’ Association, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Here is what these experts project will be the approximate cost of a home a year from now:



The monthly cost will increase by about: $97.32!

Bottom Line

From a financial perspective, why wait if you are thinking about buying?

Timing, that is, the RIGHT timing, has and it has always been an important thing when investing your money. Do you have questions about buying a home in today's market? As your local real estate market expert, we'd be happy to provide you or anyone you know with a free consultation and work diligently to find a great buy that will fulfill your real estate needs, or to answer any questions you may have about today's real estate market.

Noemi Cardoso
William Raveis Real Estate
Cell: 508-558-1945
Noemi.Cardoso@raveis.com

Boomerang Homebuyers Get a Shorter Ride Home

by Jim Sahnger on August 22, 2013 ·

in For Buyers, Foreclosures

 

Today, we are honored to have Jim Sahnger as a guest blogger. Sahnger is a 20 year veteran in the mortgage industry and is widely recognized for his expertise. His thoughts have been noted in Bankrate.com, Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch, Business Week and Investor’s Business Daily. – The KCM Crew

HUD recently announced that people who lost their home through a foreclosure, short sale or bankruptcy, may be eligible to finance a home again in as little as 12 months. This is a reduction from the previously required minimum of 36 months from the date of the “most recent event.”

Released August 15, HUD provided guidelines under “Back to Work – Extenuating Circumstances” meant to ease the path for home ownership for many.

Boomerang  homebuyers, as they are now known, will need to document that the reason they were unable to make their payments was due to a specific Economic Event.  This impact of this event must have resulted in a decline in income of 20% or more for at least six months.

Some boomerang homebuyers who experienced a bankruptcy and simultaneous foreclosure have discovered that the two events may not be recorded at the same time. In cases where the property did not transfer back to the lender at the time of the bankruptcy, the period for the 36 month minimum waiting period as was required by HUD, did not start until the title transferred back to the lender.  In some states, the time for transfer could be months or even years after the discharge of the bankruptcy.

Extenuating Circumstances

Extenuating circumstances for the purpose of these guidelines are as follows. The borrower(s) must have experienced a decline in income of 20% or more for a period of at least six months. This could have been due to a job loss or a loss of income tied to earnings like commissions or other customary bonus or incentive income.

Demonstrated Cure

With any situation of extenuating circumstances, a boomerang homebuyer must be able to document that the event was isolated in nature and not likely to reoccur again in the future. The borrower must also be able to document that they have regained economic stability through timely payments for a minimum of 12 months.

The timely payment history will include rental/mortgage payments, installment payments, and/or revolving payments for the 12 months preceding the mortgage application. There also should not be any new collection accounts.

In addition to re-establishing acceptable credit, the borrower(s) will be required to complete Housing Counseling.

Eligibility Requirements for Documenting Loss of Income

In the event of a loss in employment, the lender will need to document the event by a written Verification of Employment evidencing the termination date, public information documenting the closure of the business if applicable and/or documentation of unemployment income.

The lender will also need to substantiate the loss of income through the verification of tax returns, W-2s and tax transcripts.

Important Definitions

HUD announced several key terms that must be reviewed in accordance with this program.
Economic Event: an occurrence beyond the borrowers control that resulted in a Loss of Employment, Loss of Income or a combination of both which resulted in a loss of Household Income of 20% or more for a period of six or more months.

Onset of Economic Event: the month of the start of or loss of income
Recovery from an Economic Event: the re-establishment of acceptable or satisfactory credit. Satisfactory Credit equates to no derogatory credit for any mortgaged or leased property in the 12 months preceding the mortgage application. This also includes any installment or revolving debt for the same period.
Borrower: “Borrower” includes all parties including primary and/or co-borrower as listed on the loan application.
Borrower Household Income: the income of all parties on the application or Household Members as listed from the previous Economic Event and derogatory credit.
Housing Counseling: Counseling from a HUD-approved housing counseling agency related to home ownership and meets acceptable requirements.

Other Requirements and Information

HUD establishes a base line for lenders to underwrite and approve mortgage applications. Some lenders may choose to require baseline standards that exceed the minimum guidelines listed here with regards to time from short sale, foreclosure or bankruptcy.

Lenders may also choose to enact additional overlays with requirements to evaluation acceptable credit regarding payment history, collection accounts and/or judgments.

In the event a prior defaulted mortgage was endorsed by FHA, the lender will need to request a waiver which may require additional time for processing. For anyone this pertains to, they would be wise to alert the new lender to this as soon as possible in the loan process.

Boomerang homebuyers whose prior hardship was economically driven should be excited by this announcement from HUD. For many, it is now recognized the worst is behind them and the time to buy a new home is here.

*Additional Resource: HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

Ready to start it over? If so give me a call and let's get moving.

Noemi Cardoso
William Raveis Real Estate
508-558-1945
Noemi.Cardoso@Raveis.com

Buying a Home? Don’t Let Fear Get in Your Way

Our founder, Steve Harney, occasionally asks to do a personal post on what he sees as important to our industry. Today is one of those days. Enjoy! – The KCM Crew

Last week, I was talking to a young couple I know that was about to close on their first home. They were riding the wild rollercoaster of current mortgage rate swings and were not happy about the mortgage process overall. Yet, when the conversation shifted to finally living in a home that they own, their disposition changed dramatically.

A smile came across their faces as they talked about decorating their son’s bedroom and how much he will enjoy the backyard. They talked about inviting friends over for dinner and their family over for the holidays. The more they talked, the more excited they became.

I asked them if many of their friends were also buying. I was shocked to find out that they weren’t. Why not? Their friends believed that homeownership was financially unobtainable right now. Many wanted to own but didn’t think they could afford the monthly mortgage payment. They decided to rent instead.

I said that, with interest rates and prices where they are today, owning a home might not be any more expensive than renting one. The couple agreed but said their friends were afraid; afraid they might not qualify for a loan, afraid to handle negotiations with a seller, afraid of the home buying process itself.

Wow!

People should not make decisions out of fear! I’m not saying that every young person should own a home. I am saying that anyone that is qualified and wants to buy should not be afraid of the process. I realize the process may seem daunting but realize over 10,000 homes sell every day in this country. Sit down and discuss your goals with professionals from both the real estate and mortgage industries. Get the facts. Make an informed decision. Don’t let the fear of the unknown prevent you from living the life of your dreams.

Prices are slowly creeping up again, interests are no longer at the 3% range and inventory is lower than it have been. If you are ready, pre-qualified to buy a home, don't wonder when it is the right time, because the right time is starring at you.

Is this the time for you to make a move and start looking for a place to call home? If so, contact me and let me start looking for your new home.

Noemi Cardoso
William Raveis Real Estate
Cell: 508-558-1945
www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com
Noemi@ncardoso.com

by Steve Harney on July 24, 2013

in For Buyers

Buying a House: The Cost If You Waited

by The KCM Crew on July 8, 2013

in For Buyers, Pricing

 

We often talk about the potential cost of waiting to buy a home. Today, we want to look at the actual cost for someone who waited over the last year. We used a 10% increase in house values as prices have gone up by double digits in the country on average. We looked at approximate mortgage rates last year compared to this year. Here is the impact on a monthly mortgage payment (principal and interest):

 

 

We are on a point that it is not if the prices and rates will increase anymore, but when. If you have been contemplating the idea of buying a home, today is not as good as yesterday but it look much better than tomorrow, so give me a call and let's get you on the home you have been dreaming of.

 

Noemi Cardoso

William Raveis Real Estate

508-558-1945

www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com

 

How Difficult Is the Mortgage Process for Buyers?

by The KCM Crew on May 8, 2013

TD Bank recently announced the results of their inaugural Mortgage Service Index. The index was designed to identify best practices and trouble areas in home financing and act as a service indicator for lending institutions. Below are some of the key findings of the survey.

Positive Experiences

The index identified the percentage of respondents who had a positive (“excellent” or “very good”) experience in certain parts of the home buying experience:

• 64% had a positive experience during the home buying experience
• 55% finding a good Realtor
• 55% with the home appraisal/inspection process
• 53% finding the right lender
• 53% with the length of the entire home buying process

What Creates an Overall Positive Experience?

Certain key aspects of the relationship with the lender were important to those who said they had a very positive overall home buying experience. They rated their lender as “excellent” or “very good” in the following categories:

• Responsive 74%
• Accessible 76%
• Honest and transparent 76%
• Instilled confidence throughout the process 73%
• Helped buyers understand the process 73%
• Kept buyer informed during process 73%
• Explained the mortgage and available options 72%

 

Other Key Findings:

1. On average, home buyers considered approximately two banks or lenders when applying for a mortgage
2. An equal number of those surveyed (43%) obtained information on the lending process from their bank and from their Realtor, demonstrating that Realtors are used as informative resources by consumers during the mortgage process
3. Only 34% of home buyers obtained a mortgage at their primary bank
Michael Copley, Executive Vice President, Retail Lending at TD Bank concluded:

“As the housing market continues to rebound, the growing number of buyers should be aware of what to look for in a mortgage partner and seek out a lender who will best guide them through the home financing process in order to create a positive home buying experience.”

When buying a home look for a Realtor who has experience and a network of trustworthy professionals.

Noemi Cardoso
William Raveis Real Estate
911 Main Rd - Westport MA 02790
Cell: 508-558-1945
www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com
Fluent in Portuguese and English
Licensed in MA & RI

Stop Paying Your Landlord's Mortgage!

It's   staggering when you think about the cost of living, especially if you're a renter and not a home owner. If you are currently paying $1,000 a month for rented housing, then over the next three years, your property management company will effectively have reaped   $36,000 of your hard earned cash! You're paying their mortgage when you could be building equity in your own property. What if I don't have the money to buy a home right now? There are loan programs available that offer low and no down payment options. Some programs permit gift money as a down payment, and often sellers are willing to make a contribution to your purchase if they want to sell the home quickly. There are many benefits of home ownership to consider, most of all, tax deductions. Let's take a look at how advantageous this can be as a homeowner: How much is tax deductible? Tax deductions vary, but the IRS has laid out solid rules. They also have several tax publications full of helpful information worth taking the time to read. Publication 530,  Tax Information for First-Time Homeowners,  is very thorough, as is Publication 936, Home Mortgage Interest Deduction. For quick reference, you can refer to Tax Topics 505,  Interest Expense, and 504,  Home Mortgage Points.   These publications often refer to local and state guidelines, so you may want to consult a CPA to answer all the questions that arise from reading these materials. Here are a few tips you should know up front: Real Estate taxes are deductible on a primary residence. Real Estate taxes are paid at settlement or closing, or through an escrow account. Mortgage interest is deductible on a loan to purchase, build or improve your home. Your lender will provide you with a Mortgage Interest Statement (Form 1098) to list the total interest paid during the year. This   should include any deductible points paid for that year. Pre-paid interest is deductible in the year it is paid. At the close of a real estate transaction, borrowers usually pay for the interest on their loan that falls between the closing period and the first of the next   month. Mortgage payments are made "in arrears" so when a loan is closed mid-month, there is interest due to the new lender which must be paid in advance. If you are building a home, the interest on the construction loan is deductible. The construction period cannot exceed 24 months prior to the date that you move in if you claim this as your primary residence. (*) If you are thinking of buying a home in Westport or surrounding areas please visit www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com for a free list of homes for sale in Westport and Bristol County MA and RI. If you are thinking of selling your home contact me for a FREE Current Market Analysis and to learn about our Market Plan to get your home SOLD! We work with one going in mind, YOURS!

Noemi Cardoso
Local Office. Local Agents. Local Knowledge.
William Raveis Real Estate
911 Main Rd - Westport MA 02790
Cell: 508-558-1945
www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com
noemi@DistinctiveHomes-NE.com 


(*) © 2013 Mortgage Success Source, LLC. All rights reserved. Courtesy of Bobby Kayrouz - Sr. Mortgage Consultant
Sales Manager  at Envoy Mortgage Ltd - Phone 401.465.3628








Sr. Mortgage Consultant - Sales Manager
Envoy Mortgage, Ltd. 

3 Financial Reasons to Buy a Home NOW! (Part II)

by The KCM Crew on March 26, 2013

 

This week, we are going to look at the three financial reasons to buy a home now instead of waiting: prices are rising at an accelerated rate, interest rates are increasing and rents are skyrocketing. – The KCM Crew

Part II – Interest Rates Are Increasing

A big component in the cost of a home is the mortgage interest rate a purchaser pays. Understanding where rates are headed will help in making a decision whether to buy now or wait.

So, Where Are Rates Headed?

No one can know for sure. The Fed has been artificially holding rates down to stimulate the economy. However, as the economy improves, many experts expect rates to creep up. As an example, HSH Associates, the nation’s largest publisher of mortgage and consumer loan information, recently explained:

“The stronger the economy becomes, the higher rates may grind; the Federal Reserve is keeping them low to goose the economy, but an economy responding to the Fed’s medicine will soon see less of a need for it in order to function. If not otherwise manipulated, higher rates are the natural result of a growing economy, as rising demand for available credit supply and concerns about inflation allow costs to rise.”

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) agrees. They were quoted in HousingWire late last year regarding their thoughts on where rates would be headed in 2013.

“After reaching record lows in 2012, mortgage rates are expected to creep up slowly in 2013, the Mortgage Bankers Association predicted.”

In the MBA’s latest Mortgage Finance Forecast they forecast that the 30 year interest rate will be 4.3% by the end of the year. This represents an increase of almost a full percentage point from the 3.4% rate available at the end of 2012.

For example, we show the impact a one percent increase in rate will have on the monthly principal and interest payment on a $200,000 mortgage.

Freddie Mac’s Weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey reveals that rates have increased by 2/10ths of a percentage point already this year.

As we mentioned, no one knows for sure where rates will be a year from now. But, many experts think they may be as much as a point higher. With rising residential real estate prices and the possibility of higher mortgage rates, waiting to buy a home makes no sense in our opinion.

Tomorrow, we will look at skyrocketing rents.

If you are thinking of buying a home in Westport or surrounding areas please visit www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com for a free list of homes for sale in Westport and Bristol County MA and RI.

If you are thinking of selling your home contact me for a FREE Current Market Analysis and to learn about our Market Plan to get your home SOLD!

We work with one going in mind, YOURS!

Noemi Cardoso
Local Office. Local Agents. Local Knowledge.
William Raveis Real Estate
911 Main Rd - Westport MA 02790
Cell: 508-558-1945
www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com
noemi@DistinctiveHomes-NE.com 

FHA: More Expensive Than Expected

by Pat Zaby on February 19, 2013 

.

We are happy to post this great information from our good friend Pat Zaby’s InTouch program which is an automatic contact system creating top of mind awareness through personalized email and social networking. - The KCM Crew

The 3.5% down payment on FHA loans could be more expensive for buyers than expected. Beginning April 1, 2013, the mortgage insurance premium will go up by .1% to 1.35% which may not even be noticeable to most would-be homeowners.

The staggering increase will occur on 6/3/2013 when FHA’s policy on the duration of the required mortgage insurance will be increased for the life of the mortgage. It basically doubles the amount of total MIP if the loan is paid to term.

Below is an example with a purchase price of $175,000 with 3.5% down payment at 4% mortgage rate on 30 year term.

(Regarding the current MIP duration: When the unpaid balance reaches 78% LTV of original purchase, the MIP can be released. In any event though, the minimum time must be five years.)

Currently, the MIP is required for approximately 9 years 9 months with normal amortization. The new program would require the MIP for the life of the loan. In this example, the initial monthly MIP is $196.88 which decreases based on amortization.

There are buyers that qualify on income and credit who may not have the necessary additional down payment required for 80% and 90% conventional loans. The 3.5% FHA program has provided a great vehicle to get into a home with a minimum amount of cash.

For homeowners that expect to stay in their home for ten years or less, the new changes might not have much financial impact. Homeowners who expect to be in their home long term can refinance with a conventional loan without mortgage insurance once the equity has increased due to amortization and appreciation.

For buyers to avoid these increases, they will need to act now to get the FHA commitment issued prior to these change dates.

If you are thinking of buying a home in Westport MA visit www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.comfor a free list of homes for sale in Westport MA.

If you are thinking of selling your home contact me for a FREE Current Market Analysis and to learn about our Market Plan to get your home SOLD!

We work with one going in mind, YOURS!

Noemi Cardoso
Local Office. Local Agents. Local Knowledge.
William Raveis Real Estate
911 Main Rd - Westport MA 02790
Cell: 508-558-1945www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com
noemi@DistinctiveHomes-NE.com

Will 20% Soon Be the Minimum Down Payment on a Home?

by The KCM Crew on January 23, 2013 ·

 

Several government agencies are reviewing data to determine what will be the minimum down payment required under the new Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM) guidelines scheduled to be revealed in the next few months. In the original Mortgage Market Note issued by the FHFA, it was suggested that loan-to-value (the percentage of the overall purchase price which was being borrowed) was a major factor in determining if a loan would default:

“For most origination years, requirements for borrower credit score and loan-to-value ratio are the factors that most reduce the ever-90-day delinquency rate of mortgages acquired by the Enterprises that would have met the proposed QRM standards.”

The note then made the following proposal:

“An LTV ratio qualified residential mortgage must meet a minimum LTV ratio that varies according to the purpose for which the mortgage was originated. For home purchase mortgages, rate and term refinances, and cash-out refinances, the LTV ratios are 80, 75, and 70 percent, respectively.”

Basically, the original note suggested that a 20% down payment should be the new guideline. We realize that there has been much debate on this issue since and that the minimum down payment required under the new QRM guidelines will probably be less than 20%. However, we can’t know for sure.
Bloomberg reported last week:

“The six regulators drafting the separate QRM rule, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Securities and Exchange Commission, must decide whether to include such a requirement — and whether to make it less than the 20 percent they originally proposed.”

Will it be more difficult to qualify for a mortgage after the new QRM rules are announced? Probably
As David Stevens, President of the Mortgage Bankers Association said during a speech in Washington on Jan. 16:

“I have consistently warned of the regulatory tidal wave to come and it’s finally upon us. These changes will impact business operations and the future of mortgage access for years to come.”
 

If you are thinking of buying a home in or around Bristol County MA or RI, please visit www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com for a free list of homes for sale in Westport MA and surrounding towns.

Would you like to receive a current market update of your specific area? Contact me with your request.

If you are thinking of selling your home contact me for a FREE Current Market Analysis and to learn about our Market Plan to get your home SOLD!

We work with one going in mind, YOURS!

Noemi Cardoso

Local Office. Local Agents. Local Knowledge.

William Raveis Real Estate
911 Main Rd - Westport MA 02790
Cell: 508-558-1945
www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com
noemi@DistinctiveHomes-NE.com
 

6 Don’ts After You Apply For A Mortgage

by Dean Hartman

I learned a long time ago that “common sense is NOT common practice“. This is especially the case during the emotional time that surrounds buying a home, when people tend to do some non-commonsensical things. Here are a few that I’ve seen over the years that have delayed (and even killed) deals:

1. Don’t deposit cash into your bank accounts. Lenders need to source your money and cash is not really traceable. Small, explainable deposits are fine, but getting $10,000 from your parents as a gift in cash is not. Discuss the proper way to track your assets with your loan officer.
2. Don’t make any large purchases like a new car or a bunch of new furniture. New debt comes with it, including new monthly obligations. New obligations create new qualifications. People with new debt have higher ratios…higher ratios make for riskier loans…and sometimes qualified borrowers are no longer qualifying.
3. Don’t co-sign other loans for anyone. When you co-sign, you are obligated. With that obligation comes higher ratios, as well. Even if you swear you won’t be making the payments, the lender will be counting the payment against you.
4. Don’t change bank accounts. Remember, lenders need to source and track assets. That task is significantly easier when there is a consistency of accounts. Frankly, before you even transfer money between accounts, talk to your loan officer.
5. Don’t apply for new credit. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a new credit card or a new car, when you have your credit report run by organizations in multiple financial channels (mortgage, credit card, auto, etc.), your FICO score will be affected. Lower credit scores can determine your interest rate and maybe even your eligibility for approval.
6. Don’t close any credit accounts. Many clients have erroneously believed that having less available credit makes them less risky and more approvable. Wrong. A major component of your score is your length and depth credit history (as opposed to just your payment history) and your total usage of credit as a percentage of available credit. Closing accounts has a negative impact on both those determinants of your score.

The best advice is to fully disclose and discuss your plans with your loan officer before you do anything financial in nature. Any blip in income, assets, or credit should be reviewed and executed in a way to keep your application in the most positive light.

About The Author

Dean Hartman is a 25-year veteran of the mortgage banking industry. He has achieved the designation of Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS), and also specializes in sales leadership, seminar presenting, and team building.

If you are thinking of buying a home in Westport MA visit www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com for a free list of homes for sale in Westport MA.

If you are thinking of selling your home contact me for a FREE Current Market Analysis and to learn about our Market Plan to get your home SOLD!

Noemi Cardoso

RE/MAX Welcome Home

Cell: 508-558-1945
Home Office (Westport) 774-264-9085
www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com
noemi@DistinctiveHomes-NE.com

Buying a home? Buying a home? Things to know before starting driving around...

If you are currently in the market for your first home, you probably have lots of questions. You are about to be making an important decision for your future, a great investment of both money and time. I have a wealth of experience helping first time buyers like you make sound, informed decisions. Here are some tips that can help make your home buying process successful:

• Tip #1: Do Your Homework - The perfect home won't find you by itself. The key step in buying a home is doing the proper research. Educate yourself on local schools, neighborhoods, and the kinds of homes available. By reading available materials and talking with experts, you can start to put together your idea of the perfect home.
• Tip #2: Start Planning - Most decisions benefit greatly from proper planning, and home buying is certainly no exception. Start a filing system with sections such as home buying, home financing, and service providers. By forming a home buying plan you can more easily focus on the most important factors and help give structure to the entire process. My website is a great resource for property information.
• Tip #3: Shop Around for Your Mortgage - Deciding on the financing for your home can be as important as choosing a home itself. The first step is deciding what kind of loan best fits you: a fixed rate mortgage, or an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). There are benefits to each form of loan, and your real estate professional can provide you with more information. Next you'll want to begin to shop around for different lenders. Learn and understand about your closing costs and down payment expenses. Even a 100% financing still have costs involved.
• Tip #4: Get PreQualified - Getting prequalified for a loan normally only requires a short phone conversation with a local lender, and can greatly help your home search. Prequalification does not guarantee you a loan, but it does provide you with an estimated monthly payment and a price range to use as a guide when shopping for homes. Being prequalified can also often indicate to sellers that you are a serious, prepared buyer.
• Tip #5: Get a REALTOR - Having an experienced full time REALTOR, who is familiar with the neighborhood where you plan to move to is a great way to avoid frustrations and misrepresentations. off course the listing agent can submit an offer in your behaf the bottom line is, they still have obligations to the seller's and will look for the best deal for the seller. A Buyer's agent will represent you, looking for THE BEST DEAL FOR YOU. Read past clients testimonials, ask for references, if necessary, discuss upfront if there are fees involved with their services (usually there are no costs to it). Your agent will assist you through the process making it much easier on you and the family. Besides protecting your insterests, a buyer's agent will do all the leg work for you, sifting through hundreds of listings and getting to know you to find you that 'home' you have been looking for. A Realtor will also provide you with statistics on recent sales and sale prices in the area, assiting you from setting up showings, preparing paperwork, following up on dates and documents, protecting your deposit and sharing a network of services, if needed, to closing and beyond.
• Tip #6: Look for Value - When shopping for homes, it's important to consider potential value. Even if you're not planning to sell the home some time down the line, it's a good idea to consider the future value of the home. Protect yourself against things like falling prices and gradual shifts in the nature of the neighborhood. You may not think of a new home as a means to make money, but it's an important investment that requires caution.
• Tip #7: Decide What You're Looking For - Settle on the home features that are important to you (covered parking, hardwood floors, architectural style, etc.) and make an ordered list. Having well established guidelines will help narrow down your search and will prevent you from being shown properties that lack your key amenities. It can help you make the decision not to buy an attractive property that doesn't really fit your needs. My website has a search feature that allows you to filter thousands of listings based on attributes that you select. If you know you want a brick house with gas heat and a garage, you can get the results you're looking for.
• Tip #8: Relax - You don't have to make an offer on the first home you see. Make sure to look at other listings in the area to get a feel for the marketplace. When you decide to make an offer on a house, consult with your real estate professional so that all of your questions are answered.
• Tip #9: Protect Yourself - Be careful when signing a contract on a home that allows you to find financing, have the home inspected, and work through any problem areas that may arise. Paying for a quality home inspection is absolutely crucial! You can save yourself thousands in repair costs by being sure of what you're getting into.

More information for first time buyers can be found on my website, or by giving me a call. I'm confident that I can provide the kind of exceptional service that will make this process an exciting one. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have, I would love to be of assistance to you.

Noemi Cardoso
RE/MAX Welcome Home
Serving Westport, Dartmouth, Fall River, MA
Little Compton, Tiverton, RI and surrounding towns.
www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com

Portions of this blog are extracted from First Time Home Buyers Mailing Campaign from REMAX.Com

3 Easy Steps to Getting a Mortgage

Examine your finances and shop around before you apply for a mortgage. Shopping for a mortgage is the first step toward owning a home and perhaps the most daunting, especially if you are not prepared.

Once a simple task that meant comparing fixed rates from among perhaps a dozen or fewer savings and loan companies, the mortgage hunt today is like finding your way through a maze.

There are dozens of loan types and hundreds of loan programs available through thousands of mortgage brokers, bankers, lenders, finance companies, credit unions and even stock brokerage firms.

Contrary to popular belief, finding a mortgage doesn't begin with an application.

Education is a better first choice. Mortgage information sources are as vast as the number of mortgages available: Web sites, topical newspaper articles, mortgage books, consumer seminars and workshops, financial planners, real estate agents, mortgage brokers and lenders are all available to assist you along the way.

First and foremost, you must determine how your mortgage payment will fit your current budget and, to some extent, your future obligations 15 to 30 years down the road.

If you discover too late that you can't afford your mortgage, you'll not only face the possibility of losing the roof over your head, but you could also damage your ability to purchase a home in the future.

Step 1: Examine Your Finances

If you can afford to buy a home, you must then determine how much mortgage you can afford.

Lenders are apt to put your loan application in the best light and qualify you for as much as they are willing to lend, which can be more than you can afford.

It's up to you to take stock of your income and expenses, both current and projected, to determine what you can comfortably manage each month. Along with your mortgage payment, don't forget related insurance, taxes, homeowner association dues and any other costs rolled into the mortgage payment.

Step 2: Shop for a Loan

When you are ready to shop for a loan you have two basic types of mortgage stores to shop from: direct lenders and mortgage brokers.

Direct lenders have money to lend. They make the final decision on your application. Lenders have a limited number of in-house loans available.

Mortgage brokers are intermediaries who, like you, have many lenders from which to choose. Brokers shop from many lenders, each with their own offering of loans.

If you have special financing needs and can't find a lender to suit them, an experienced broker may be able to ferret out the loan you need. Mortgage brokers, however, are paid with a slice of the amount you borrow - some more than others, so it pays to compare rates. Internet brokers today perhaps receive the smallest cut, sometimes none at all, and can prove to be a real bargain.

Along with shopping the source, you'll also have to shop for loan costs, including the interest rate, broker fees, points (a point is an amount paid to the lender and is charged at one percent of the amount you borrow), prepayment penalties, loan term, application fees, credit report fee, appraisal and a host of others.

Step 3: Apply for a Loan

The application process is the easy part - provided you've gathered the documents necessary to prove claims you make on the application.

The application will ask for information about your job tenure, employment stability, income, your assets (property, cars, bank accounts and investments) and your liabilities (auto loans, installment loans, mortgages, credit-card debt, household expenses and others).

The lender will run a credit check to determine your credit status, but you'll have to supply additional documentation including paycheck stubs, bank account statements, tax returns, investment earnings reports, rental agreements, divorce decrees, proof of insurance and other documentation. A lender that deems you creditworthy will likely hire a professional appraiser to make sure the value of the home you are about to buy is truly worth your loan amount.

Looking to Buy a home? Call for a face to face meeting and to learn about our V.I.P. program for buyers.

Noemi Cardoso
RE/MAX Welcome Home
Serving Westport, Dartmouth, Fall River, MA
Little Compton,Tiverton, RI and surrounding towns.
www.DistinctiveHomes-NE.com