...

Home Buyers

Information and news for home buyers, especially first time homebuyers

Mortgage Rates up for 5th straight week

by

Minneapolis, MN:  Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing fixed mortgage rates climbing higher for the fifth consecutive week on concerns the Federal Reserve may slow its bond purchases amid a strengthening economy. This marks the first time the average 15-year fixed-rate mortgage has gone above 3 percent since the week of May 24th of last year.

check_ratesNews Facts

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.91 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending June 6, 2013, up from last week when it averaged 3.81 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.67 percent.
  • 15-year fixed rate mortgages this week averaged 3.03 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.98 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.94 percent.
  • 5-year adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM) averaged 2.74 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.66 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.84 percent.

Quotes
Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

“Continuing market concerns that the Federal Reserve may slow its bond purchases amid a strengthening economy added upward pressure on mortgage rates this week. In its June 5th regional economic conditions report, known as the Beige Book, the Federal Reserve noted that overall economic activity increased at a modest to moderate pace over April and May in all its districts except for Dallas which indicated strong economic growth. In addition, pending home sales rose in April to its fastest pace since April 2010 and May’s consumer sentiment was revised upwards to its highest reading since July 2007.”

————

Freddie Mac’s survey is the average of loans bought from lenders * last week, including discount points. Applicants must pay all closing costs at these rates. No cost loan rates higher.

Follow this link to view today’s best MN and WI mortgage interest rates.

Wells Fargo and B of A top in complaints

by

St Paul, MN:  This isn’t shocking news to us, but it looks like the big banks, Wells Fargo and Bank of America, top the list of consumer complaints – especially for mortgages.

Read the story from the Washington Business Journal at http://tinyurl.com/ljs3csh 

You can avoid a lot of the problems if you understand who you are working with. Always work with an experienced, professional loan officer. The largest financial transaction of your life is far too important to place into the hands of someone who just quotes rates, but is not capable of advising you properly and troubleshooting the issues that may arise along the way. But how can you tell?

80% of Loan Officers are NOT Licensed

CHECK YOUR LOAN OFFICER OUT on the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry 

http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

Bank Loan Officers (Registered) versus SAFE ACT (Licensed) Loan Officers?
There is a BIG difference YOU need to understand

Washington has been busy protecting consumers from bad lenders right? Wrong! They have only done half the job, and sadly, the general perception by the public as to who is the better lender choice is completely wrong. Most people feel the brokers and the non-bank mortgage lenders have created all the problems. This isn’t true. Just the opposite. Consider the fact that Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and banks make the rules, and the banks review, underwrite, and fund the loans for brokers.

Recent changes to the lending industry requires all loan officers to have a tracking number, known as an NMLS number (Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry). It should be displayed on their business cards, E-Mail, web sites, all correspondence, and most loan documents. The display of the NMLS number may incorrectly make consumers believe the Loan Officer is licensed. Only 20% of Loan Officers are licensed. The rest are simply registered. Working with an unlicensed, untrained Loan Officer is not in a consumers best interest.

Simply put, Loan Officers at Banks, Credit Unions, or Mortgage Companies owned by a bank are NOT REQUIRED to be licensed, take classes, take continuing education, or pass any state or federally mandated tests to be a Loan Officer!

It is hard to determine if the Loan Officer is simply registered, versus licensed. nmls_checkWhen looking up a loan officer, you have to go to the bottom of their NMLS identification page and look under State Licenses/Registrations or Federal Registration heading.

  • A LICENSED Loan Officer will say “State Licenses/Registrations” and will have one or more STATES listed with all their state licensing information listed.
  • An UNLICENSED, but simply REGISTERED Loan Officer will say “Federal Registration” and the something like “Federal Mortgage Loan Originator”.

Now I am not trying to make this into a David versus Goliath story, but I am trying to emphasize the huge differences between Loan Officer training and education.  Look at it a different way. If you are sick and go to the Doctors office. Do you want to be treated by the receptionist, or the Doctor?

Rates Tick Up – Buyers Want to Lock Low Rates

by
Minneapolis, MN: Mortgage interest rates have been near historic lows for a long time. Home buyers have fallen into a feeling that low mortgage rates are normal.  That attitude changed a bit recently as mortgage rates jumped up to the highest level in over a year.
lmrInterest rates on baseline  30-year fixed mortgage  surged 12 basis points to average 3.9% in the week ended May 24, the highest level since May 2012. The upward trend went even slightly higher this week, with most lenders reporting best execution rates at 4.00%
The slight up-tick in rates has caused many potential buyers to jump off the fence, and act now before interest rates go any higher.

So why are rates moving higher?  It is complicated, as there are many factors, but the simplest explanation is that the economy is slowly getting better.

Another big reason is that the FED has been propping up mortgages by being the primary buyer of mortgage backed securities. Without them buying these securities, the entire mortgage system would collapse. While they have, and continue to say they will buy the securities for the immediate future, there are signs that this policy may be changing, with a pull back of the buying because of the improving economy

Simply put, rates may be slowly starting to return to where the market should be if supporting itself, and not being propped up by the Fed.

Your cost for new mortgage compliance

by

Minneapolis, MN: We all know about, and most of us have been effected by the real estate and mortgage industry meltdown. The government agencies, many of which have been created since the meltdown, including the Consumer Financial Protect Bureau (CFPB), come at a significant cost to you for their new “protection” and compliance rules.

cfpb_logoDid you know the average cost of originating a mortgage climbed from $2,291 in 2009 to $3,353 in 2013? That’s because today, mortgage lenders must comply with about 350 different federal, state and local rules. Of course those charges are past on to you.

The sad thing, is very little within the new rules have actually made a large difference on the street. Rather, most of the rules have done little to correct anything  except reduce consumers ability to get loans. The increasingly stringent laws and regulations are affecting the mortgage industry and leading to higher costs and risk for lenders.

A great example of the new laws and costs, yet didn’t hit its mark has to do with the difference between licensing requirements for Loan Officers. If your Loan Officers works at a bank, credit union, or mortgage company owned by a bank or credit union, the Loan Officer has no mandated educational requirements, no state or federal requirements, no continuing education requirements, and simply has to get registers into the National Mortgage Licensing and Registry System (NMLS).

On the other hand, if your Loan Officers works for a non-bank lender, or for a broker, they must complete educational requirements, plus pass both state and federal testing requirements. They are also required to have yearly continuing education.

This means that today, roughly 80% of all Loan Officers are unlicensed, with no mandated testing or education, yet the vast majority of consumers believe all of them have a license.

nmls_checkTo check if your Loan Officer is licensed, go to www.NMLSconsumeraccess.org.  Type in the Loan Officers name or NMLS number. At the bottom of the page, it will say Licenses/Registrations.  If there are one or more states listed, that Loan Officer is Licensed.  If it says “Federal National Loan Originator”, that person is NOT licensed.

When getting a mortgage loan, likely the largest financial transaction of your life.  If is probably prudent to work with a licensed professional.

FHA changes drive homebuyers to conventional loans

by
St Paul, MN: FHA mortgage loans are due on June 3rd, 2013 to make a significant change that is driving more clients to conventional loans.  New FHA loans after that date that have less than a 10% down payment or equity for a refinance, will now have mortgage insurance for the life of the loan.  Currently FHA mortgage insurance goes away once the loan is paid down to 78% of the original value.
Eric Metzler, a Senior Mortgage Loan Officer with Cambria Mortgage in St Paul, MN.,  said clients currently in the process who can afford a slightly higher down payment of 5%, versus FHA’s 3.5% minimum down payment are all going with a conventional loan.
He further indicated that it is a pretty simple choice. The difference between 3.5% down, and 5% down for many isn’t much money. But the dramatically higher monthly mortgage insurance, high initial up-front mortgage insurance premium, and now mortgage insurance for life has killed FHA for all better qualified home buyers, leaving only those with weaker credit to need an FHA Loan.
updateThe major reason FHA has increased the costs is an effort to replenish their default pool of money because of recent losses due to the market crash. But now less and less people are taking FHA loans. The pool of FHA clients will no longer have a blend of strong and weak buyers, they will only have weak buyers – resulting in a more risky pool. Something that got them into trouble to begin with.

Those with excellent credit can sometimes even obtain a 3% down conventional loan.

The new rule also effects the popular FHA Streamline Refinance.  Those refinancing their FHA loan will now have PMI for at least 11-years if they are 90% loan-to-value or better, or life of loan if over 90% loan-to-value.

The trend toward conventional had already started over the past few years as FHA made several increases to the cost of their loans with higher mortgage insurance rates.  The “life-of-loan” requirement starting June 3, 2013 is the proverbial straw in the camels back for many home buyers.

CFPB cracks down on builder kickbacks

by

Minneapolis, MN: Have you bought a new construction home and been “forced” or offered an incentive to use the builders lender and title company? It is a big problem that has been round for a long time, that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is finally getting around to look at.

Many builders offer “incentives” if you use their affiliated companies for mortgage and title senewconrvices. While this is technically legal – the promises they make, or how the incentives they offer are structured to consumers in order to close a deal and make a profit are generally not legal.

Builders can give you a discount or an incentive to a home buyer provided you don’t make it up anywhere else in the transaction.  But that is the issue. They are always making it up somewhere else. The incentives are rarely “real”.

One example of how this plays out is that when a new home buyer is looking around at other mortgage company or title company options, the builder says he will give you a $4,000 appliance allowance, or $4,000 off closing costs, and their rate today is 3.50% if you use their affiliated company. If you use someone else, they won’t give you the allowance or pay some of your closing costs. Pretty compelling reason to use them.

If you still want to use someone else, it can sometimes get pretty ugly. I’ve heard many customers talk about threats, and even the builder refusing to build the home at all if you use someone other providers.

Once you sign the contract, you are bound to use their affiliated companies.

When the time comes to actually lock the loan 3 to 4 months later, their rate is no longer competitive. I’ve seen the initial offer, which was equal to mind, now be as much as 1/2% higher. By providing the higher rate, they have easily paid for the incentive, and a whole lot more.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) last week required that a Texas homebuilder, Paul Taylor, deposit over $100,000 he received in kickbacks from his jointly owned mortgage company into the Treasury. The homebuilder is now banned from future real estate settlement services, including mortgage origination.

The settlement resolves violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), enforced by the CFPB, which prohibits giving and receiving kickbacks for services, and specifies detailed guidelines for affiliated companies.

Dishonest affiliated business arrangements and kickbacks harm consumers by hampering fair market competition and by unnecessarily increasing the costs of getting a mortgage. The CFPB said they will continue to take action against schemes designed to let service providers profit through unscrupulous and illegal business practices.

Builders beware… The CFPB has you on their radar.

20% down NOT needed to buy a home in Minnesota

by

Minnesota Down Payment mortgage loansSt Paul, MN:   Question.  How much money do you think you need to put down to buy a home?

If you answered anything higher than ZERO, your answer is wrong!

Would it surprise you to learn that most people can get a mortgage with a great rate with just 3.5% down, and in some cases, zero down?  For most people, it is about the same amount of money you would spend on the first month, last month, and damage deposit on a rental property… but now, it is your home.

For some strange reason, the myth you need a huge down payment persists.  It simply isn’t true, yet I hear it all the time. I think it is because we hear it on TV.  I know I have. This is mostly from the talking heads on either coast. Many of those areas are what is known as “high cost” locations.  Anytime you go over $417,000 – you are now a jumbo loan, and jumbo loans are typically 20% down.  But for the rest of us…  Heck no, just 3.5% down!

  • FHA Loans are very popular, and only require 3.5% down
  • Good credit conventional loans only require 5% down
  • VA loans are zero down
  • USDA rural housing loans, for rural parts of the country, are zero down
  • Community programs can many times be used for your down payment to effectively get you zero down

Don’t let misinformation derail your dream of home ownership. Contact a local licensed mortgage professional to get pre-approved today.  Once approved, contact a great Real Estate Agent to find your dream home!

 

Minneapolis Weak and bad credit loans down since 2007

by

Minneapolis, MN:  Not much of a shocker here, but weak, and bad credit loans are down dramatically since the lending correction of 2007.   Part of the reason for the housing collapse was an immense community desire to allow everyone to have a home. Clearly, that experiment failed miserably. Simply put,  not everyone who wants a home loan deserves a loan, regardless of what liberal community activists say.

Mortgage loans written today, have some of the highest “quality” seen in underwriting history. New mortgage regulations pretend to provide important protections to borrowers, but have also lead to a permanent increase in the cost of originating loans to all borrowers, and a dramatic decrease in loans to those with poor credit.

deniedBetween 2007 and 2012

  • Home buyers with credit scores higher than 780 declined by 30 percent
  • Home buyers with credit scores between 620 and 680 declined by 90 percent
  • Home buyer with credit scores below 620 were virtually non-existent

Loans harder to get with no incentive

 

All loans are much more difficult to originate, process, and underwrite.  But small loan amounts, and especially small loan amounts combined with credit challenges require a huge amount of time and effort that loan officers can no longer be compensated correctly to work on.

In the past the loan officer and their company were rewarded and compensated for their extra efforts with problem clients. Today, loan officer walk away from them because there simply is no reward or incentive to help challenging clients.

Simply put, if you worked on a project for 10-hours, and got paid the exact same amount as you do on a 1-hour project, would anyone ever work on the 10-hour projects anymore?  Of course not… The government and community activists may disagree, but Loan Officers and lenders are in this business to make a living, not work for free.

Twin Cities home prices rise again

by

St Paul, MN: The most recent reports and data for the Minneapolis St Paul real estate market shows continuing signs of rebound with both increased home prices and increased building permits for new construction.

newconThe University of St Thomas’ monthly residential real estate price report index shows that the mediam sales price was up 6% over March of 2012, with the current average now 209,900.

Improvements to the housing market are attributed to an

New construction builders are also complaining about a lack of quality lots within the metro area that have current access to utilities. This forces builders to pay premium prices for prime lots, which of course increases the price of the new home.

 

FHA loans potentially most costly after June 3, 2013

by

FHA Mortgage Insurance & Streamline Refinance in MN and WI

FHA Loans More costly after June 3, 2013
Minneapolis, MN: FHA loans are having another change starting June 3rd, 2013.  The change comes in two areas:

1) Monthly mortgage insurance is being added to some loans that previously didn’t have it. For the vast majority of FHA loans, this is a change that will effect next to nobody, as most FHA loans have mortgage insurance. For example, if you had a 15-yr FHA loan, and you put at least 22% down, you currently wouldn’t have PMI.  Under the new rules, you will.

2) FHA mortgage insurance, which currently goes away once your loan reaches 78% loan-to-value, will now be on most FHA loans for the entire term of the loan.  Here is a quick breakdown of the new mortgage insurance guidelines:

FHA Mortgage Insurance (PMI CANCELLATION – ALL FHA loans after June 3, 2013

  • UNDER 90% loan-to-value at START of loan: 11-years
  • 90% loan-to-value of higher at START of loan: Life of loan – never goes away

While this sounds terrible, two items jump to my mind:

  • Whenever possible, try moving to a 5% down conventional loan.  Just a little more out-of-pocket will currently save you a LOT of money in PMI monthly,AND it can still go away as early as 80% loan-to-value.
  • Standard FHA loans with just 3.5%, on average, will have PMI for about the first 10-years anyway. So for most people, the new life-of-loan mortgage insurance on FHA loans is meaningless unless you are still in the house after 10-years.

As always, contact a local LICENSED mortgage professional to assist and answer questions. Don’t assume.

 

FHA streamline refinance loans are great for refinancing to today’s low fixed mortgage rates! We are an approved FHA Lender that allows more people to qualify under the flexible credit guidelines. Our clients love the low fixed rates and security of a government-insured loan.FHA Streamline Refinance Rates / Quote

Fast Closings / MN based lender
NO Appraisal Option

NO Closing Cost Option
Refinance into the Minnesota’s Lowest rates
Fixed Rate Payments for 15 or 30 Years
Reduce Your Mortgage Payment or get Cash Out too
FHA STREAMLINE REFINANCE – LEARN MORE
Special refinance program if you currently have an FHA home loan

Average Home Buyer Numbers

by

fico_graphMinneapolis, MN:  According to a recent information from EllieMae, the average mortgage customer today has the following status:

  • Average credit score: 743
  • Average down payment: 19%
  • Average housing debt ratio: 25% of income
  • Average overall debt ratio: 35% of income
  • Average score of a denied client: 702

Where do you fit?

Do NOT let this fool you.  I was rather shocked to read this information. That doesn’t sound like my average customer!

Best advice? Contact a local licensed mortgage professional.  Provide them with a full application, and let them determine if you qualify for a mortgage loan with your credit score, your income, and your down payment size.

Average home price in St Paul Minneapolis up 18.9%

by

St Paul, MN: The median price of a home in the Twin Cities rose 18.9 percent in the past year and stood at $192,557 in March, according to a study by an online real estate website.

The study, released Thursday, April 25, reflects a well-documented shortage of homes for sale in the Twin Cities, which has contributed to an increase in prices.

READ THE FULL STORY

 

Minnesota Real Estate – A Sellers Market

by

St Paul, MN:  The latest report from the Minnesota Association of Realtors shows what we mortgage lenders already knew… That lower quality inventory is sparking higher prices across the state, but primarily in the Minneapolis / St Paul area.

real1The report for March showed the lowest number of homes currently on the market, at 11,784, since 2005. The report also shows the highest March average price for homes in four years, at $155,000 statewide.

The low inventory, combined with increased consumer confidence, and historically low mortgage rates, has created bidding wars on many properties, with the homes selling quickly, and ABOVE asking price.  This goes against the grain of what many home buyers think, that they can still make low ball offer on homes.  For the most part, low ball offers are a thing of the past.

More homes are expected to come on the market as we finally get some spring weather, but expect the fury of multiple offers on great, well priced homes to continue.

Your best bet to make a successful competitive offer is to be fully Pre-Approved, from a LOCAL reputable lender, and to be working with experienced knowledgeable real estate agents.

 

Economy stimulated by low mortgage rates

by

Minneapolis, MN:  As mortgage rates continue to hover near the all-time historic low rates that we saw last November (2012), the nation’s overall economic outlook has seemed to improve.

saveIn November 2012, rates fell down to levels that had not been seen since 1971. While current rates are not at all-time lows, they are just slightly above those rates, and at levels that have not been seen since January.

The low mortgage rates are helping to stimulate the recovery of the housing market. They low rates have helped to increase home sales and home refinances. Many current homeowners have taken advantage of the low rates by refinancing their home loans, freeing up money to be spent elsewhere.

While the Federal Reserve plans to continue to keep mortgage rates low through the purchase of mortgage-backed security bonds, mortgage rates are not likely to stay this low forever. CNN Money expects that as the economy continues to improve over the course of the year, mortgage rates will begin to rise this fall – but just slightly.

Taking advantage of mortgage rates while they remain low is essential. First time home buyers can afford to purchase a property that is on average 20 percent more expensive than they were when mortgage rates were in the 4-5 percentile range. Refinancing to shorter term can also help buyers pay off their home in less time and lower their monthly mortgage payments.

Low down payment mortgage loans on the rise

by

hammer_bankMore mortgage lenders are offering conventional loans with down payments well below the 20% or higher levels of recent years.

In another sign of the housing market’s brightening outlook, more home buyers are discovering conventional loans with down payments well below the 20% or higher levels of recent years.

Until recently, many borrowers had to go through a government guaranteed loan program, such as the Federal Housing Administration (FHA Loans) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA Loans), to get a mortgage with less than a 10% down payment.

READ THE FULL STORY ON USA TODAY

Is it OK to make a lowball offer?

by

welcome2_FTHB_1

Minneapolis, MN:  The spring real estate market is is upon us. The past few years have been tough in the real estate market, but like a roller-coaster, the market has plenty of ups and downs.  So where is the market today?  Can you make a lowball offer anymore?

As a general rule of thumb, it’s a bad idea for potential home buyers to make a low offer in the spring market, as multiple offers and increased sales activity mean sellers are more confident in rejecting your offer. In some cases, though, you might still be able to get away with making a low offer, depending on the specifics in your area and the home you’re considering.

Remember – all real estate is local.   In the Minneapolis / St Paul area, good inventory is low. Any home priced under $200,000 in good condition is going fast with multiple offers.

Local Sales Activity:  If sales activity in your region is low, you may be able to make a low offer on a home and actually have it accepted. The real estate market is in recovery phase in much of the country, but in some places, houses are still staying on the market for a long time, and sellers may be more willing to take a low offer in order to move the home. Your real estate agent can advise you on sales activity in your region. Are homes selling? How long are they on the market? Low activity may support a lower offer.

Inventory:  Inventory is a huge factor in whether you can get away with making a low offer. If there’s a surplus of inventory in your region, homes will sit on the market significantly longer, and sellers may be willing to entertain lower offers. If inventory is scarce or in high demand, though, sellers are probably getting multiple offers, so your low offer is likely to quickly be rejected.

neg_termPrices:  If homes are selling in your region, at what price point are they selling? It’s possible for a real estate market to be brisk, but a home that’s priced higher may sit on the market for months while the homes around it sell quickly. Evaluate the prices at which homes are selling, and if you’re willing to take a risk, make an offer on the home that is comparable to other sales. This is more likely to be successful if a seller had originally priced a home high to begin with.

Mortgage rates:   With current mortgage rates hovering at history lows, more people are able to afford homes, hence more people are in the market.  More people, more competition.

Phychological Warfare:  We all feel the need to “win”.  You want to win with your lower price, and the seller wants to win with their higher price. Don’t let emotions and personality interfere.

Also consider overall payment before being stubborn causes you to lose your dream house. At a  3.50% interest rate, $5000 more in purchase price is just $22.50 more a month.  Talked to your Loan Officer, or review the overall mortgage payment with a mortgage payment calculator.