Market Update : home loan rates

It Is Getting Harder to Buy a House

Liane Thomas — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:59:00 GMT

FHA to toughen rules for borrowers

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is proposing raising minimum credit scores for borrowers who receive FHA-backed mortgages, increasing down payment requirements, and limiting the amount of money sellers can provide toward closing costs. The proposed changes are part of an effort to shore up the agency's finances, which have been hit with rising defaults to its mortgage insurance program.

So what does this mean to you?

Historically, the FHA has played a critical role in propping up the housing market by insuring lenders against default after the mortgage market failed. Currently, the agency guarantees approximately 30 percent of all home loans and 20 percent of refinancings. In the past, the FHA has resisted raising down payments or insurance premiums, fearing it would be shutting out qualified borrowers and stunting the housing market's recovery.

The FHA is hoping that the proposed changes, including requiring that borrowers bring more cash to the closing table, will ensure that borrowers are less likely to default on their loans. Officials at FHA have yet to determine how much cash will be required.

Up-front cash can include down payments as well as other payments. Currently, FHA borrowers can put down as little as 3.5 percent. One lawmaker has introduced legislation that would require FHA borrowers to put down a minimum of 5 percent. The agency also currently allows sellers to provide up to 6 percent of the home's value toward closing costs or down payments. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Shaun Donovan has said he wants the maximum permissible level to be lowered to 3 percent, in line with industry norms.

The FHA has decided "for the time being" to raise its minimum credit score requirements for new borrowers. The new requirements have yet to be determined. Presently, borrowers with credit scores as low as 500 may qualify for an FHA loan.

So if you are thinking about buying a home in 12-18 months, and you plan on using an FHA loan, you might want to consider moving that plan up and buying sooner rather than later. It may cost you a lot more next year.

Brought to you by:

Liane Thomas, REALTOR®
The Thomas Group, Keller Williams Realty
1860 Compton Avenue
Corona, Ca 92881
Serving Corona, Norco, Riverside, and Surrounding Communities
951.454.3805
www.AllCoronaHomes.com

Changes in Home Loans May Affect You

Liane Thomas — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:37:00 GMT

Starting July 30, 2009, if the APR on an initial Good Faith Estimate is no longer accurate (within a 0.125% range) at close of escrow, a lender must generally provide a residential borrower with a new disclosure and a three-day right to rescind before consummating the loan. REALTORS(R) are forewarned that, because of this new three-day waiting period, a lender's failure to timely provide corrected disclosures has the potential of delaying funding of the loan and close of escrow.

This new requirement is part of the Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act (MDIA) implementing new loan procedures to protect borrowers and foster greater transparency in mortgage lending. For loan applications submitted on or after July 30, 2009, the new MDIA changes to the Truth In Lending Act are generally as follows:

- Applicability: The new MDIA rules pertain to federally-related mortgage loans covered under RESPA and secured by a consumer's dwelling. The rules apply to both purchase and refinance loans.

- Early Disclosures: A lender must provide a borrower with an initial Good Faith Estimate within three business days of receiving the borrower's written loan application as specified. For this provision, a "business day" is generally defined as a day on which the lender's offices are open for business.

- Upfront Fees Restriction: Neither a lender nor any other person may impose an upfront fee on the borrower (except for credit report) until the borrower has received the early disclosures in person or, if mailed, three business days after the early disclosures are mailed. For this rule, a "business day" is defined as all calendar days except Sundays and legal public holidays as specified.

- Seven-Day Waiting Period: A lender must wait seven business days after providing the early disclosures before consummating the loan. For purposes of this waiting period, a "business day" is defined as all calendar days except Sundays and federal legal holidays as specified. A borrower may waive the waiting period in writing in case of personal financial emergency, such as an imminent foreclosure sale.

- Re-disclosure Requirement: If the final Annual Percentage Rate (APR) at loan consummation varies more than 0.125% (or 1/8 of one percent) from the initial APR on the early disclosures of a regular transaction, the lender must provide the borrower with a corrected disclosure at least three business days before the loan is consummated. For purposes of this waiting period, a "business day" is defined as all calendar days except Sundays and federal legal holidays as specified.

- Three-Day Waiting Period: For corrected disclosures, a lender cannot consummate a loan until three business days after the borrower receives the corrected disclosure in person. If the corrected disclosure is mailed, the borrower is deemed to have received it three business days after it is placed in the mail. A borrower may waive this waiting period in writing in case of a bona fide personal financial emergency, such as an imminent foreclosure sale.

What does this mean to you? Let's say you go to sign loan docs, and find out that the interest rate or fees are higher than quoted. At that point, you are stuck because if you don't sign, you don't get the house, and you are supposed to be moved out of your apartment by the weekend. So you lump it and sign. These new laws will require the lender to notify you when the rate changs, so you won't get a nasty surprise.

Information provided to you by:

Liane Thomas, REALTOR®, CDPE©, Lic # 01704162

The Thomas Group, Keller Williams Realty

Serving Corona, Norco, Riverside, and surrounding communities

(951) 454-3805

www.AllCoronaHomes.com

www.FreeNorcoHomeSearch.com

www.FreeRiversideHomeSearch.com

Do you qualify for an FHA loan?

Liane Thomas — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:16:00 GMT

So we had the joy of sitting with a really great couple over the weekend. This husband and wife were reviewing an offer that came in over the weekend on the home we are selling for them. We got to the part about the buyers loan, and they were really surprised how easy it was for this first time home buyer to finance their home. The buyer is using and FHA home loan with a very small down payment, and they are getting a super low interest rate in the low 5% range.

So, do YOU qualify for this great loan? Here are the details...

In San Bernardino and Riverside county, the loan limit is $500,000.

In Los Angeles and Orange county, the loan limit is $729,750

FHA loans require a minimum 3.5% down payment. This money can be a gift. Yep, mom and dad can give you the money to move out of their house!

FHA allows a seller contribution up to 6%. That means the seller of the house can pay nearly all of the costs associated with your home purchase.

FHA does not require you to have gobs of money in the bank.

FHA allows a non-occupant co-borrower for a single family home.

If you want to know how easy it is to buy your dream home, call us. No cost, no obligation.

Thanks,

Liane Thomas, REALTOR(R)
The Thomas Group, Keller Williams Realty
951 454-3805
www.AllCoronaHomes.com

Interest Rate Snapshot April 03, 2008

Liane Thomas — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:18:00 GMT

Interest Rates are Great

30 Year Fixed 5.81%
15 Year Fixed 5.36%
5/1 Arm 5.59%
30 Year Fixed Jumbo 7.14%
5/1 Jumbo Arm 6.31%

Thank You to Bankrate.com for providing the rates! Rates are subject to change and are based on several scoring factors including buyers' credit. Call for your best rate today!

Thank you for visiting, and have a safe and happy weekend!
Liane Thomas, REALTOR(R)
Keller Williams Realty
Serving Southern California Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino
(951) 454-3805
http://www.lianethomas.com/
http://www.allcoronahomes.com/
http://www.freeriversidehomesearch.com/
Liane@LianeThomas.com

Interest Rate Snapshot January 25, 2008

Liane Thomas — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:09:00 GMT

Interest Rates are at 4 year lows!

30 Year Fixed 5.42%
15 Year Fixed 4.89%
5/1 Arm 5.00%
30 Year Fixed Jumbo 6.51%
5/1 Jumbo Arm 5.49%

Thank You to Bankrate.com for providing the rates!

Can you believe these great rates?? If you are planning to buy a home in the spring, start looking NOW. There are so many great homes to choose from. Get your pick of the litter now or wait until spring and get what is left over.

Have you heard the news? Bank owned foreclosure homes are HOT! Smart homebuyers know these homes can be priced way under market value. As specialists in this type of sale, we get a list every week. If you want your FREE copy, please call today.

Interest Rate Snap Shot January 18, 2008

Liane Thomas — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:57:00 GMT

Interest Rates are Great!

30 Year Fixed 5.43%
15 Year Fixed 4.93%
5/1 Arm 5.14%
30 Year Fixed Jumbo 6.48%
5/1 Jumbo Arm 5.62%

Thank You to Bankrate.com for providing the rates!

Can you believe these great rates?? If you are planning to buy a home in the spring, start looking NOW. Inventory is high, and most people wait until spring to start shopping. Imagine getting the pick of the litter!

Interest Rate Snapshot January 14, 2008

Liane Thomas — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:01:00 GMT

Interest Rates are Great!

30 Year Fixed 5.52%
15 Year Fixed 5.03%
5/1 Arm 5.26%
30 Year Fixed Jumbo 6.49%
5/1 Jumbo Arm 5.72%

Thank You to Bankrate.com for providing the rates!

Have you heard the news? Bank owned foreclosure homes are HOT! Homebuyers know these homes can be priced way under market value. As specialists in this type of sale, we get a list every week. If you want your FREE copy, please call.

Thank you for visiting, and have a safe and happy week!
Liane Thomas, REALTOR(R)
Keller Williams Realty
Serving Southern California Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino
(951) 454-3805
http://www.lianethomas.com/
http://www.allcoronahomes.com/
http://www.freeriversidehomesearch.com/
Liane@LianeThomas.com

Interest Rate Snapshot January 7, 2008

Liane Thomas — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:56:00 GMT

Interest Rates are Great!

30 Year Fixed 5.57%
15 Year Fixed 5.11%
5/1 Arm 5.36%
30 Year Fixed Jumbo 6.61%
5/1 Jumbo Arm 5.89%

Thank You to Bankrate.com for providing the rates!

Interest Rate Snapshot January 4, 2008

Liane Thomas — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:50:00 GMT

Welcome to our first update of the New Year!

Interest Rates are Great!

30 Year Fixed 5.66%
15 Year Fixed 5.17%
5/1 Arm 5.41%
30 Year Fixed Jumbo 6.66%
5/1 Jumbo Arm 5.92%

Thank You to Bankrate.com for providing the rates!

Want a house for the New Year? It is time to shop. There are a lot of homes on the market and very few buyers are looking at them. Get the pick of the litter and your BEST deal of the year NOW!

Thank you for visiting, and have a safe and happy New Year's Day!
Liane Thomas, REALTOR(R)
Keller Williams Realty
Serving Southern California Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino
(951) 454-3805
http://www.lianethomas.com/
http://www.allcoronahomes.com/
http://www.freeriversidehomesearch.com/
Liane@LianeThomas.com

Interest Rate Snapshot December 31, 2007

Liane Thomas — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:49:00 GMT

Interest Rates are Great!

30 Year Fixed 5.84%
15 Year Fixed 5.38%
5/1 Arm 5.55%
30 Year Fixed Jumbo 6.73%
5/1 Jumbo Arm 6.06%

Thank You to Bankrate.com for providing the rates!

Want a house for the New Year? It is time to shop. There are a lot of homes on the market and very few buyers are looking at them. Get the pick of the litter and your BEST deal of the year NOW!

Interest Rate Snapshot December 27, 2007

Liane Thomas — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:39:00 GMT

Interest Rates are Great!

30 Year Fixed 5.91%
15 Year Fixed 5.46%
5/1 Arm 5.63%
30 Year Fixed Jumbo 6.76%
5/1 Jumbo Arm 6.11%

Thank You to Bankrate.com for providing the rates!

Want a house for the New Year? It is time to shop. There are a lot of homes on the market and very few buyers are looking at them. Get the pick of the litter and your BEST deal of the year NOW!