Loan Squawk

Will Retail Sales Increase Mortgage Rates This Week? Pleasanton Home Loan News May 14, 2012

brianlebars — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:45:00 +0000

Mortgage markets worsened slightly last week at weeks end 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.

Mortgage rates Ended UP

Conforming mortgage rates in Pleasanton and across California 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.

The Week Ahead

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.

I’m Here to Help You With Your Purchase or Refinance

I love to work with readers that find my information on the Mortgage and Housing Market helpful in your decision making process. As a Mortgage Planner at Vintage Mortgage Group in Pleasanton I am in a unique position to help you capitalize on historically low interest rates in 2012. Contact me below today to help you with your purchase or refinance.

Pleasanton Mortgage Rates Make New All-Time Lows (Again) May 10, 2012

brianlebars — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:45:00 +0000

Across Pleasanton and all of California Conforming mortgage rates continue to drop. Is this the right time to lock?

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 Pleasanton 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.

Low Mortgage Rates = Purchasing Power

Falling mortgage rates are nothing new throughout California. 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.

I’m Here to Help You With Your Purchase or Refinance

With LIBOR Low, Should You Refinance Your ARM Loan?

brianlebars — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:45:00 +0000

Is your Pleasanton mortgage scheduled to adjust this season? You may want to let it. This year’s ARM-holding homeowners in California 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.

Adjustable Mortgage Rates at ALL Time Lows

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.

If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage that’s due to reset, don’t rush to refinance it. Make sure to analyze the situation and sit down with someone who can guide you through the pro’s and con’s. For at least one more year, you may benefit from low mortgage rates and lower monthly payments.

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

I’m Here to Help You With Your Purchase or Refinance

The Positive And Negative of a Reverse Mortgage- Is it Right For Me?

brianlebars — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:45:00 +0000

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.

What is a Reverse Mortgage?

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.

I’m Here to Help You With Your Purchase or Refinance

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

brianlebars — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:45:00 +0000

After two weeks of no change, mortgage markets improved last week, pushing mortgage rates lower throughout Pleasanton and across California.

Jobs News Drive Mortgage Rats Lower

The majority of the improvements occurred Friday after the April jobs report failed to impress Wall Street. Overall the Jobs Report was underwhelming and, unfortunately, further accommodative monetary policy or even more Bond buying (known as Quantitative Easing or QE3) will have a very limited effect on job growth. The Eurozone continues to struggle with its sovereign debt and the potential softening of our economy have resulted in home loan rates remaining near historic lows. That means now continues to be a great time to purchase or refinance a home.

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 in the News

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.

I’m Here to Help You With Your Purchase or Refinance

One Advantage of a Smart Mortgage Broker- Planning For A Memorial Day Closing

brianlebars — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:45:00 +0000

Planning to close on your home at the end of May? Plan ahead. Memorial Day is coming May 28th and the holiday may delay your purchase or refinance closing.

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer in Pleasanton and the 3-day Memorial Day weekend is a popular vacation time in real estate-related industries.

Real Estate Agents, Brokers, Title and Escrow

Real estate agents tend to take time off because fewer of their clients are actively home shopping on a holiday weekend; mortgage lenders are closed because banks don’t operate on a federal holiday; and, title agents are often away from the office because the former two groups aren’t working.

But what’s supposed to be a 3-day weekend is actually a 4.5-day one. This is because many people leaving for a Memorial Day vacation will not go to work on the Friday 4/25 before the holiday, and then getting back into the “work groove” on Tuesday can be a half-day affair.

Therefore, if you’re under contract to buy a home in Pleasanton , or to sell one; or if you have a refinance in progress that’s expected to close at month-end, there are some steps you should take to get pro-active with your closing. If you’re going to lose 4-and-a-half days at the end of the month, you’ll want to try to make those days up while the month is still young.

3 Steps for a Quality Closing and Approval.

First, get your homeowners insurance policy picked out. Do your comparison shopping, select an insurer, and then prepay your first year of insurance, effective your closing date. Pay by check and not credit card, if possible, to avoid harming your credit score.

Provide your proof of payment to your lender immediately.

Next, if you’re using a Power of Attorney, have your documents signed by all interested parties and submit them to your lender for review. Don’t assume that your attorney’s Power of Attorney documents will be acceptable to a bank — banks require specific verbiage. If the documents are rejected, make the requested fixes and resubmit.

Banks do not compromise on Power of Attorney letters.

And, lastly, if you’re accepting gifts or using retirement funds for your downpayment, be sure to have your paperwork reviewed and on file with your lender as soon as possible. Do not wait to withdraw funds until just before closing, either. Have everything in the proper checking account at least one week in advance, and ready for your closing.

There are other steps you can take, too, to make sure your end-of-May closing goes smoothly and they all amount to “preparedness”.

When you’re asked for paperwork, provide it quickly. When you’re asked to sign a document, sign it on the same day. When you’re needed to attend a home inspection or an appraisal, do it during your first available opening.

Just leave as little as possible to the “last minute”, and everything should go well.

I’m Here to Help You With Your Purchase or Refinance

Fridays Jobs Report Could Impact Pleasanton Mortgage Rates- Plan Ahead

brianlebars — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:45:00 +0000

Been shopping for a mortgage rate for your Pleasanton Purchase or Refinance? You may want to lock something down. Tomorrow morning, May 4th 2012 mortgage rates are expected to change. Unfortunately, we don’t know in which direction they’ll move.

To Be or Not to Be.., Locked

It’s a risky time for Pleasanton home buyers to be without a locked mortgage rate and a loan approval tied to one.

The action begins at 8:30 A.M. ET Friday. This is when the government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its April Non-Farm Payrolls report.

The monthly Non-Farm Payrolls report is more commonly known as “the jobs report” and provides a sector-by-sector breakdown of the U.S. employment situation, including changes in the Unemployment Rate.

In March 2012, the government reported 120,000 net new jobs created — half the number created during the month prior, and the third straight month of declining job creation. The Unemployment Rate fell one-tenth of one percent to 8.2%.

For April, economists expect to see 160,000 net new jobs created, and no change in the national Unemployment Rate.

Based on the accuracy of those predictions, mortgage rates in Pleasanotn are subject to change. If the actual number of jobs created in April exceeds economist expectations, mortgage rates should rise. Conversely, if the actual number of jobs created falls short, mortgage rates should drop.

Job growth’s link to mortgage rates is straight-forward. Jobs are an economic growth engine and mortgage rates are based economic expectation. Therefore, as the number of people entering the U.S. workforce increases, so do Wall Street’s growth projections for the economy. When that happens — especially in a recovering economy such as this one – mortgage rates tend to rise.

So, for today’s rate shoppers, Friday’s job report represents a risk. The economy has created jobs for 18 straight months, a winning streak that has added 2.9 million people to the U.S. workforce. If that winning streak continues and expectations are beat, mortgage rates are likely to rise off their all-time lows, harming home affordability.

Have a Plan to Lock Your Purchase or Refinance

Dublin, CA Home Values Start The 2012 Year Strong

brianlebars — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:45:00 +0000

Home prices started the 2012 year on an upswing in the Bay Area.

“Rising Home Values”

According to the Federal Home Finance Agency’s Home Price Index, home prices rose by a seasonally-adjusted 0.3 percent between January and February 2012. The index is up 0.4% over the past year, offering a counter-story to the Case-Shiller Index’s assertion that home values are sinking.

Last week, Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller Index said home values had dropped more than 3 percent in the prior 12 months.

As a home buyer or seller in Dublin CA , data showing “rising home values” or “falling home values” may be of interest to you, but we can’t forget that most home valuation trackers — including both the government’s Home Price Index and the private sector Case-Shiller Index — have a severe, built-in flaw.

Both used “aged” data. Today, the calendar reads May. Yet, we’re still discussing February’s housing data.

Data that is two-plus months old is of little value to everyday buyers and sellers wanting to know the “right now” of housing. And, even then, characterizing the data as “two-plus months old” may be a stretch. This is because the home values used in the Home Price index and the Case-Shiller Index are collected from actual transactions, but at the time of closing.

Housing Snapshot

Considering that most purchases require 45-60 days to close, we can know that when we look at the Home Price Index and Case-Shiller Index reports for February, what we’re really seeing is a snapshot of the housing market as it existed two-plus month plus 60 days ago.

Data that’s 5 months old is of little relevance to today’s buyers and sellers. Today’s market is driven by today’s economics.

The Home Price Index is a useful gauge for economists and law-makers. It highlights long-term trends in housing which can be helpful in allocating resources to a particular project or policy. For home buyers and seller throughout California , though, it’s much less useful. Real-time data is what matters to you.

For that, talk to a real estate professional.

I’m Here to Help You With Your Purchase or Refinance

Mortgage Guidelines Resume Tighten As Bay Area Housing Booms

brianlebars — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:45:00 +0000

With an upsurge in demand, banks resumed tightening standards for residential mortgage loans, the Federal Reserve reported Monday in its quarterly survey of bank lending standards. Our nation’s banks remain cautious about what they will lend, and to whom.

Mortgage Standards for “Prime” Borrowers

Last quarter, by a margin of 3-to-2, more banks tightened residential mortgage lending standards for “prime borrowers” than did loosen them.

A “prime borrower” is defined as one with a well-documented credit history, high credit scores, and a low debt-to-income ratio. The insight comes from the Federal Reserve’s quarterly survey of its member banks.

Last quarter, of the 54 responding banks :

0 banks tightened mortgage guidelines considerably
3 banks tightened mortgage guidelines somewhat
49 banks left guidelines basically unchanged
2 banks eased mortgage guidelines somewhat
0 banks eased mortgage guidelines considerably

By contrast, in the quarter prior, not a single surveyed bank reported tighter residential mortgage guidelines. The period from January-March was a step backwards, therefore, for the fledgling U.S. housing market.

Overall, getting approved for a mortgage in the Bay Area is tougher than it used to be. Banks enforce higher minimum credit score standards; ask for larger downpayment/equity positions; and require higher monthly income relative to monthly debt obligations.

It’s one reason why the homeownership rate is at its lowest point since 1997.

Another reason why homeownership rates may be down is that prospective home buyers believe the hurdles of today’s mortgage approval process may be impassably high. That’s untrue.

There are many U.S. homeowners and renters — even here in the Livermore, Bay Area– that were approved for a home loan last quarter — prime borrowers or otherwise. Some had excellent credit, some had modest credit. Some had high income, some had moderate income. Many, however, took advantage of low-downpayment mortgage options such as the FHA’s 3.5% downpayment program with CHADAP, and the VA’s 100% mortgage program for military veterans.

Despite a general tightening in mortgage standards, loans are still available and many mortgage banks remain eager to lend.

It is harder to get approved today as compared to 5 years ago, but for those that try and succeed, the reward is access to the lowest mortgage rates in a lifetime. Mortgage rates throughout California continue to push home affordability to all-time highs.

If you’re in the market to buy a new a home or refinance one, your timing is excellent.

I’m Here to Help You With Your Purchase or Refinance

What’s Ahead For Pleasanton Mortgage Rates This Week : April 30, 2012

brianlebars — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:45:00 +0000

Mortgage markets were mostly unchanged last week for the second straight week. Spain made few moves to allay concerns from its investors, the Federal Reserve did little to change its message on the U.S. economy, and newly-released economic data was in-line with expectations.

Recap of Last Week

Conforming mortgage rates in Pleasanton, California idled last week, remaining near all-time lows for the 30-year fixed rate mortgage, the 15-year fixed rate mortgage; and the 5-year ARM.

According to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey, last week’s mortgage rates, as averaged from more than 125 banks nationwide, were as follows :

30-year fixed rate mortgage : 3.88% with 0.7 discount points
15-year fixed rate mortgage : 3.12% with 0.6 discount points
5-year adjustable rate mortgage : 2.85% with 0.6 discount points

A discount point is a one-time closing cost and is equal to one percent of your overall loan size. This means that a mortgage applicant with a $100,000 mortgage and an accompanying 0.7 discount points would be responsible for paying an upfront charge of $700 at the time of closing.

Freddie Mac’s mortgage rates assume full closing costs, too.

So Whats Ahead For This Week

This week, it’s unclear whether Pleasanton mortgage rates will rise or fall.

There are few economic data points due for release so mortgage markets are expected to take their cues from Europe where there’s no shortage of story lines.

In Spain, there are protests over new austerity measures. In France, a new President may be elected — one whom opposes austerity. In the Netherlands, a new budget passed that includes austerity measures, but barely.

Each storyline generates uncertainty about the future of Europe and its unified economy. As the uncertainty grows, global investors seek safety in the U.S. mrotgage bond market, a move that helps mortgage rate shoppers. When demand for mortgage bonds is high, mortgage rates tend to improve.

Also affecting mortgage rates this week will be Friday’s Non-Farm Payrolls report.

The economy is expected to have added 165,000 net new jobs in April and the Unemployment Rate is believed to have remained unchanged at 8.2%. If there is a deviation from either of these expectations, mortgage rates will change. If the actual jobs data is stronger than Wall Street expectations, mortgage rates are likely to rise.

If the jobs report is weak, mortgage rates should fall.