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Buy New Construction or Existing Homes and Foreclosures?

St Paul, MN: New construction is suffering.

The lowest NEW housing construction numbers since 1963 when the USA had 120  million LESS people have just been reported. There are many reasons for this, but the fact remains, right now is one of the best times to buy a house, and first time home buyers are missing the boat standing on the sidelines. Builders are fighting back, and we all should be concerned as new construction is a major economic backbone in this country.

Thoughts? We’d love to hear from you. Login and post!

New Rules for First Time Home Buyers

It is a great time to be a first time home buyer, but some of the rules have changedMortgage interest rates in MN are still amazing, and home prices are super affordable. New mortgage lender and broker rules are making it a little harder to qualify for a home loan, and your costs are going up a little, but don’t let that hold you back. First time home buyers, it’s safe to come out now!

 

Buying a Home in 2011 is a Good Idea

Rent vs Buy minneapolis st paul mn Mortgage first time home buyerBuying a Home in 2011 is a Good Idea

Minneapolis, MN: As we enter the traditional spring home buying market, many people are trying to decide if owning a home is better than renting. Renting may be preferable for some folks… but there’s a reason 68% of Americans choose home ownership over rent.

Here are several very good reasons to own:

  • Mortgage interest and property tax deductions
  • Appreciation
  • Amazingly low mortgage interest rates
  • Home Affordability is at an all time high.
  • Ability to decorate, remodel, modify or enlarge the structure
  • Build up of equity and ability to borrow against that equity
  • Capital gains exclusions (up to $500K for a married couple)

Use this online “Rent vs Buy” calculator – it’s Free!

 

Top Reasons Why Your Should Refinance Today

Joe and Eric Metzler talk about why you should refinance today. Mortgage Interest Rates are set to go up soon  for many reasons. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are both increasing the wholesale costs of mortgage loans, the economy may be improving, and home values may continue to fall slightly, all items that will effect your mortgage interest rates. Searching rates on home loans, or rates for refinancing your mortgage in MN or WI? We have some of the best rates on home loans!

Visit Cambria Mortgage, St Paul, MN at www.MortgagesUnlimited.biz

I want to buy a duplex!

I want to buy a duplex

I hear this every week. Seems like when it is a buyers market, everyone want to be Donald Trump Jr.

OK, so what is my #1 question? How much do I need for down payment!

Buying a duplex, triplex, or quad isn’t really overly complicated on the mortgage side.  You basically have two options:

1) Are you going to live in one unit?

If yes, then you can potentially get an FHA loan with as little as 3.5% down payment.

2) Is every unit going to be a rental?

If yes, then your down payment options are more expensive. Basically you are going to need 20% down. You can usually get a better interest rates with even bigger down payments.

Of course there are many other factors that come into play. Credit scores are a great example, as is trying to get a mortgage if you already have more than 4 mortgage loans.

While 20% down payment is a lot of money, the investment in rental property at today’s prices should realize you double digit returns…  and that is a LOT better than the banks are giving you to leave it sit in their vault!

No Closing Cost Mortgage Refinance? Good or Bad?

No Closing Cost Mortgage Refinance? BUYER BEWARE?
Good or Bad Idea? YOU DECIDE after reading thisJoe Metzler, MMS - (651) 552-3681

St Paul, MN: Mortgage interest rates are currently at historic lows. Your mailbox and the airwaves have become full with mortgage companies competing for your business. Many of these advertisements are for “No Cost” or “No Lender Fee” loans.

Are No Cost Loans a Deal? For most people, usually not.

One of the most confusing areas for consumers in a mortgage loan transaction are closing costs. Here I’ll explain the advantages and disadvantages of the highly advertised “no closing cost” or “low cost “loans.

First and foremost, there is no such thing as a NO Closing Cost Loan! Everyone knows there are costs associated with getting a mortgage loan; appraisal, credit reports, state taxes, county recording fees, title companies fees, lender fees, escrows, and more. Someone has to pay these fees, and it is always YOU. How you pay them is what this article tries to explain.

Homeowners in Minneapolis, St Paul, Madison, Milwaukee, and throughout all of Minnesota and Wisconsin need to understand that in a no lender fee or no closing cost mortgage loan, the lender simply uses “negative” points to offset your costs. In the example below, by having the 5.00% rate (versus the 4.5% rate), you can reduce (or offset through interest rate) $5,000 of closing costs. By choosing this option, it appear as if you saved thousands in closing costs. GREAT! But while lower costs always sounds good, you now have a significantly higher interest rate! OK, now what?

No matter what anyone says, a zero cost, or no lender fee loan is NOT automatically a great deal. Although it may sound so much better than adding thousands in closing fees to your principal balance, you have to analyze each individual loan and client situation to determine the benefits. Many lenders speak highly of the “thousands of dollars” you save in fees. They never discuss the fact that you may spend significantly more in interest over the full life of the loan than you ever saved in up-front closing costs! In the example below, you can pay $12,578 MORE for your no cost loan!

FACT: In a refinance loan, the vast majority of people roll the closing costs into the new loan.

View the following chart, then call us. We’ll run your personal numbers. Then you can decide if a no closing cost home loan is right or wrong for you.

Deal or No Deal? Most Common /
NORMAL
OK short-term
BAD long-term
Most CommonLow Cost Option
OK short-term
Very BAD long-term
Loan Amount $205,000 $203,000 $200,000
Interest Rate 4.50% 4.75% 5.00%
Principal & Interest Payment $1,038 (+$20) $1,058 (+ $45) $1,073 (+$60)
Closing Costs On Estimate $5,000 $3,000 $0
Out of Pocket Closing Cost Paid $0 – all rolled in loan $0. $2k in rate, $3k in loan $0. $5k in rate
Interest Paid over 5 years $48,192 $50,271 $52,054
Interest Paid over 15 years $121,743 $127,744 $133,002
Interest Paid over 30 years $172,932 ($373,935) $182,215 $190,491 ($386,513)

OK, so you are looking at the math, and maybe say “this isn’t so bad”, especially if you are in the home under 5-years.

But wait, here is a giant “Gotcha”

ANY LENDER who sells the no cost mortgage simultaneously sells a client into becoming a “serial refinancer,” which is not looking out for the client. They are “churning” the client and raking in fees year after year by fooling you into refinancing constantly at “no cost”, but always moving you BACKWARDS into a new 30-year loan. How many times have YOU gone backwards?

Factor in the monthly payments on all those additional “backward years” on all those “no cost” refinances, and that “biggest no brainer in history” no closing cost loan has actually cost you dearly.

Churning of home owner mortgages is illegal in most states

I hope this article has helped you to understand the varied measures used to determine the advantages and disadvantages of zero cost loans. Each borrower is different, and the evaluations must be made on a case-by-case basis. As you can see, there are many factors to consider when looking at the available options. With us as your personal Mortgage Consultants, we will be able to answer all of your questions, outline the costs and benefits, and even give you a few new ones to consider!

While everyone’s individual financial situation varies, let us show you the math so you make the correct choice. Of course, if a zero cost loan makes sense for your case, we will be happy to do one for you.