Category: July

INTEREST RATES IMPROVE .25% – 30 YEAR FIXED TO 4.375%

INTEREST RATES IMPROVE .25%  – 30 YEAR FIXED TO 4.375%

July 15th, 2013

Interest rates gained some positive momentum after the worst day for interest rates in over 10 years on Friday, July 5th.  The market is rebounding, which can often happen when rates move one way very quickly, signaling a possible overreaction by the market.

The Mortgage Backed Security market closed last week trading up + 118 bps and closed Monday, July 15th trading up + 35 bps.  Although interest rate pricing is still not at prior to 4th of July levels, interest rates improving 5 of the past 6 days is a step in a positive direction.

Last Wednesday was interesting in that we saw the release of the FED minutes from the June FOMC meeting and Ben Bernanke delivered a speech later in the day.  The FED minutes showed that about 50% of the FED wants to taper the QE stimulus in 2013.  This further confirmed the market’s belief that the FED’s asset purchasing program would soon be coming to an end.  Then later in the day, Ben Bernanke made a vague speech stating that the FED planned to keep monetary policy positive for business and that the US economy was still not where they wanted it.

Basically what we are seeing is Bernanke back tracking a bit because no one though interest rates would move up this quickly. 

On Wednesday and Thursday, Bernanke will be testifying before the House and the Senate.  Expect further volatility depending on how he answers Congress’s questions.  If he gives the impression that QE will last through the end of 2013, I would expect to see rates improve. 

Until the FED plainly states it’s direction, volatility in the market will continue to be the norm.  When the FED finally does end it’s QE stimulus, expect rates to jump quickly. 

Make it a great week!!       

BEST VALUE OF THE WEEK:    

5/1 ARM at 3.375% with 0 points

TODAY’S RATES:

30 year fixed:     4.375% – 1 point,     4.625% – 0 points,     4.75% – $0 costs

20 year fixed:   4.125% – .81 points,     4.25% – 0 points,     4.625%  – $0 costs

15 year fixed:   3.5% – .73 points,     3.75% – 0 points,     4% – $0 costs

5/1 ARM:   2.875% – .98 points,     3.375% – 0 points

7/1 ARM:    3.25% – .96 points,     3.875% – 0 points

10/1 ARM:    4.125% – 1 point,     4.625% – 0 points

30 year fixed FHA:    3.875% – .6 points,     4% – 0 points,      4.25% – $0 costs

15 year fixed FHA:    3.25% – .85 points,     3.5% – 0 points,      3.75% – $0 costs

30 year fixed VA:    4.25% – $0 costs

TR - July 15th, 2013

INTEREST RATES IMPROVE .25%  – 30 YEAR FIXED TO 4.375%

MORTGAGE RATES BREAK YET ANOTHER RECORD!!

MORTGAGE RATES BREAK YET ANOTHER RECORD

July 23rd, 2012

The MBS market closed last week trading up (+ 44 bps) and on Monday morning the mbs market is trading up (+ 19 bps).

Last week the mbs market started off higher, but for most of the week lenders were not pricing better. Monday morning, we are seeing some nice improvement likely due to mortgage backed security market breaking a technical barrier of 1.46%.

Rates have broken yet another record – right now a well qualified buyer can get a 3.375% 30 year fixed for less than .3 pts.

The European debt crisis is again one of the issues that continue to drive investors and mortgage rates. Greece is on the verge of a US 30’s type depression and will likely have to leave the European Union soon. Investors are flocking to safe investments is the Euro is crumbling.

I would recommend locking and taking advantage of these gains if you can.

My best value of the week:

30 Year Fixed at 3.375% paying .298 points
20 Year Fixed at 3.25% paying .11 points

Below are rates available today paying a point or less:

30 year fixed: 3.375% paying .29 points, 3.5% paying 0 points
20 year fixed: 3.25% paying .11 points, 3.375% paying 0 points
15 year fixed: 2.75% paying .59 points, 2.875% paying 0 points
5/1 ARM: 2.25% paying .76 points, 2.5% paying 0 points
7/1 ARM: 2.375% paying .87 points, 2.625% paying 0 points
30 year fixed High Balance Loan: 3.5% paying .49 point, 3.625% paying 0 points
30 year fixed FHA: 3.375% paying .29 points, 3.5% paying 0 points
15 year fixed FHA: 2.75% paying .59 points, 2.875% paying 0 points
30 year fixed VA: 3.25% paying 0 points

Today’s Mortgage Interest Rates. Current Mortgage Interest Rates and APRs for refinancing and purchasing in Arizona, California, and Colorado. Mortgage Rate Sheets for fixed mortgages, ARM mortgages, Variable Mortgages, Interest Only Mortgages, HARP mortgages, HARP 2.0 mortgages, DU Refi Plus Mortgages, Freddie Mac Open Access Mortgages, Fannie Mae Home Path Mortgage, Freddie Mac Foreclosure Relief Mortgage, VA mortgages, VA Interest Rate Reduction Loans, FHA mortgages, FHA streamline mortgages, Conforming mortgages, Conventional Mortgages, 100% Financing Mortgage, High Balance Mortgages, Fannie Mae mortgages, Freddie Mac Mortgages, No appraisal refinances, 0 point mortgages, 0 closing cost mortgages, paying a point mortgages, Refinance mortgages, purchase mortgages, and Jumbo Mortgages.

MORTGAGE RATES BREAK YET ANOTHER RECORD!!

MORTGAGE RATES REMAIN STABLE – 30 YEAR FIXED AT 3.75%

MORTGAGE RATES REMAIN STABLE – 30 YEAR FIXED AT 3.75%

July 17th, 2012

The MBS market closed last week trading down (-3 bps). Basically a ho-hum week with not a lot of data or change in rates.

This week FED chairman Ben Bernanke testifies before Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday.  On Tuesday, he said that the FED could still use measures to boost economy if it saw fit. While not saying they would use them, he says they are available if they feel the need.

This economic easing could include another round of buying mortgage backed securities and lowering of the interest rate the FED charges it’s reserve banks. He noted that using these measures is an option,but  there a certain risks and side effects that need to be considered carefully before using them.

The FED is still happy with inflation staying below 2%. It will focus on job growth when deciding if more economic easing is necessary. Job growth has been very slow and below projected numbers the past few months.

All in all, there is not much information that we have not already been given. Mortgage rates are remaining at record low levels and it appears the FED will not push to purchase mortgage backed securities unless it absolutely has too.

I predict for rates to stay stable barring anything unforeseen happening in the market.

My best value of the week:

30 Year Fixed High Balance Loans at 3.75% paying 0 points
5/1 ARM at 2.5% paying .0 points

Below are rates available today paying a point or less:

30 year fixed: 3.375% paying .89 points, 3.5% paying 0 points
20 year fixed: 3.25% paying .78 points, 3.375% paying 0 points
15 year fixed: 2.75% paying .7 points, 2.99% paying 0 points
5/1 ARM: 2.25% paying .8 points, 2.5% paying 0 points
7/1 ARM: 2.375% paying .8 points, 2.625% paying 0 points
30 year fixed High Balance Loan: 3.5% paying .90 point, 3.75% paying 0 points
30 year fixed FHA: 3.25% paying 0 points
15 year fixed FHA: 2.75% paying .19 points, 2.875% paying 0 points
30 year fixed VA: 3.25% paying 0 points

Today’s Mortgage Interest Rates. Current Mortgage Interest Rates and APRs for refinancing and purchasing in Arizona, California, and Colorado. Mortgage Rate Sheets for fixed mortgages, ARM mortgages, Variable Mortgages, Interest Only Mortgages, HARP mortgages, HARP 2.0 mortgages, DU Refi Plus Mortgages, Freddie Mac Open Access Mortgages, Fannie Mae Home Path Mortgage, Freddie Mac Foreclosure Relief Mortgage, VA mortgages, VA Interest Rate Reduction Loans, FHA mortgages, FHA streamline mortgages, Conforming mortgages, Conventional Mortgages, 100% Financing Mortgage, High Balance Mortgages, Fannie Mae mortgages, Freddie Mac Mortgages, No appraisal refinances, 0 point mortgages, 0 closing cost mortgages, paying a point mortgages, Refinance mortgages, purchase mortgages, and Jumbo Mortgages.

Mortgage Rates Remain Stable – 30 Year Fixed at 3.75%

MORTGAGE RATES SURPASS ALL TIME LOWS AGAIN!!

MORTGAGE RATES SURPASS ALL TIME LOWS AGAIN!!!

July 2nd, 2012

The MBS market closed last week trading up (+28 bps).  So far on July 2nd, the MBS market is trading up (+31 bps ).

Mortgage Rates have again surpassed their lowest levels ever.  It sounds like a broken record as we have seen 3 records over the past few weeks.  The concern is also still the same – investors are seeking safe investments due to the increasingly gloomy look on Europe’s economy.  This is helping keep rates low and helping them go even lower.

I mentioned this a couple weeks ago, but when you get down this low, lenders aren’t as willing to give out as much better pricing as they usually would when the MBS market trades up.  The market is up close to + 60 bps over the past week, but you are not seeing as much change in pricing as you usually would.

I recommend locking as rates are unbelievable and lenders aren’t going to give out much better pricing unless the MBS market breaks a new barrier. 

My best value of the week:

30 Year Fixed at 3.5% paying .31 points

Below are rates available today paying a point or less:

30 year fixed: 3.5% paying .31 points, 3.625% paying 0 points

20 year fixed: 3.25% paying .76 points, 3.375% paying 0 points

15 year fixed: 2.75% paying .83 points, 2.99% paying 0 points

5/1 ARM: 2.25% paying .89 points, 2.625% paying 0 points

7/1 ARM: 2.375% paying 1 point, 2.75% paying 0 points

30 year fixed High Balance Loan: 3.625% paying 1 point, 3.875% paying 0 points

30 year fixed FHA: 3.25% paying 0 points

15 year fixed FHA: 2.75% paying .21 points, 2.875% paying 0 points

30 year fixed VA: 3.25% paying  0 points

Today’s Mortgage Interest Rates.  Current Mortgage Interest Rates and APRs for refinancing and purchasing in Arizona, California, and Colorado.  Mortgage Rate Sheets for fixed mortgages, ARM mortgages, Variable Mortgages, Interest Only Mortgages, HARP mortgages, HARP 2.0 mortgages, DU Refi Plus Mortgages, Freddie Mac Open Access Mortgages, Fannie Mae Home Path Mortgage, Freddie Mac Foreclosure Relief Mortgage, VA mortgages, VA Interest Rate Reduction Loans, FHA mortgages, FHA streamline mortgages, Conforming mortgages, Conventional Mortgages, 100%  Financing Mortgage, High Balance Mortgages, Fannie Mae mortgages, Freddie Mac Mortgages, No appraisal refinances, 0 point mortgages, 0 closing cost mortgages, paying a point mortgages, Refinance mortgages, purchase mortgages, and Jumbo Mortgages.

MORTGAGE RATES SURPASS ALL TIME LOWS AGAIN!!

 

MORTGAGE RATES LOWER – POOR JOBS REPORT

MORTGAGE RATES LOWER:

The bond market closed last week up +72 basis points, fueled mainly by a strong surge on Friday of +47 basis points. Friday the monthly job reports came out and the news wasn’t good. August had no new job creation. There are a reported 58,000 less jobs in August than there were in June and July. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.1%.

Until the housing foreclosure and short sale problem starts shoring up, the economy will continue to struggle. Expect another eventful week coming up after Labor Day culminating in a “major address” by President Obama on Thursday. The President is supposed to outline new initiatives to get the economy back on track. The market will likely over react to the speech, pushing rates one way or the other.

I still hold that rates will not go lower than they were about 2-3 weeks ago. Below are current rates available paying a point or less.

30 year fixed: 4% paying .9 points, 4.25% paying 0 points

20 year fixed: 3.75% paying .45 points , 3.875% paying 0 points

15 year fixed: 3.25% paying .6 points, 3.375% paying 0 points

5/1 ARM: 2.75% paying .4 points, 2.875% paying 0 points

7/1 ARM: 2.875% paying .8 points, 3.125% paying 0 points

30 year fixed FHA: 3.75% paying .175 points, 3.875% paying 0 points

15 year fixed FHA: 3.25% paying 0 points

30 year fixed VA: 3.75% paying .1 points, 3.875% paying 0 points

30 year fixed High Balance Loan: 4.375% paying .2 points, 4.5% paying 0 points

Mortgages for refinances and purchases in Arizona, California and Colorado.  Current interest rates for fixed loans, ARM loans, conforming loans, conventional loans, VA loans, FHA loans, HARP loans,  interest only loans, high balance conforming loans and jumbo loans.

Mortgage Rates Lower – Poor Job Reports.

TODAY’S MORTGAGE RATES – MORTGAGE RATES DROP TO LOWEST LEVELS OF THE YEAR / LOAN LIMITS DECREASING ON OCTOBER 1st

TODAY’S MORTGAGE RATES / MORTGAGE RATES DROP TO LOWEST LEVELS OF THE YEAR:

The US debt deal looks like it will be completed.  Most of us expected this to get done in the 11th hour, but when you don’t know, the markets get nervous. Even though the deal looks to be done, the stock market is down 100 points on Monday morning, pushing the bond markets up and mortgage rates lower.

Last week was a see-saw all week. Luckily we had a huge day on Friday with the bond market closing 81 bps up, pushing mortgage rates and pricing to the lowest levels of the year. Last week, the bond market closed 91 bps up. Right now is a great time to lock a loan, below is the approximate pricing for a well qualified borrower on a variety of loan products.

30 year fixed: 4.375% paying .1 pts, 4.49% paying 0 pts

20 year fixed: 4.25% paying 0 pts , pricing rises over 1 pt below 4.25%

15 year fixed: 3.5% paying .9 pts, 3.75% paying 0 pts

5/1 ARM: 2.75% paying .7 pts, 3% paying 0 pts

7/1 ARM: for 3.125% paying .8 pts, 3.375% paying 0 pts

30 year fixed FHA: 4.25% paying 0 points, pricing rises over 1 pt below 4.25%

15 year fixed FHA: 3.375% paying . 6 pts, 3.625% paying 0 pts

30 year fixed VA: 4.25% paying 0 points, pricing rises over 1 pt below 4.25%

30 year fixed High Balance Loan: 4.375% paying .8 pts, 4.625% paying 0 pts

CONFORMING LOAN LIMITS CHANGING: On October 1st of 2011, loan limits are expected to decrease substantially for CONFORMING and FHA loans.

In many high priced areas, CONFORMING and FHA loan limits were temporarily increased with the Economic Stimulus package of 2008. For example, in most parts of Southern California, you can now do a CONFORMING and FHA loan with a loan amount up to $729,750. Since CONFORMING loans price substantially better than JUMBO loans, many customers have been able to refinance or purchase with high balance loans at a very low rate.

These temporary loan limits are expected to decrease substantially on October 1st of this year. FHA loan limits in many areas will also decrease lower than their current allowable loan amount.

If you want to take advantage of these temporary loan limit increases, I would act before August 15th, 2011. The loan has to be completed and delivered before October 1st to get the old guidelines. Even though refinance typically only take 2-3 weeks, purchases can take 4-8 weeks. I would not wait if you are a consumer that can take advantage of the current program.

Today’s Mortgage Rates – Down to lowest levels of the year.  August 1st, 2011.

Licensed in Arizona, California, and Colorado.

ARIZONA HOUSING STATISTICS – BREAKING RECORDS!!

ARIZONA HOUSING  STATISTICS  :  BREAKING RECORDS!!

June was a record month for Arizona housing.  10,868 home sales occurred in June of 2011, surpassing the previous record of 10,252 units sold in June of 2005.

June was also a record month for home leases of Single Family Residences.  2,280 new leases were executed last month, beating the previous record of 2,002 leases in July of 2008.

Typically home sales and leases go in the opposite direction, but with all the short sales and foreclosures occurring – there are a lot of people changing residences. 

Arizona short sales also set a record, contributing to 2,734 sold units – up 33% from May.

We are still very much in a market fueled by investors.  41% of Single Family Residences sales were purchased in cash.  29% with conforming loans, 24% with FHA loans, 4% with VA loans, and 2% with others.

Lastly, the median home price in Arizona increased in June to 111,000 from 109,000 in May. 

(Arizona Housing statistics – breaking records – from Reggie Green @ Crossline Capital)

Licensed in Arizona, California and Colorado.

TODAY’S MORTGAGE RATES:

TODAY’S MORTGAGE RATES / MORTGAGE RATES RISE:

The bond market finished last week 16 bps down, pushing mortgage rates/pricing slightly higher.

Right now a well qualified borrower can get:

30 year fixed for 4.49% paying .6 pts, 4.625% paying 0 pts, 4.75% paying 0 costs

15 year fixed for 3.75% paying 0 pts, 3.99% paying 0 costs

7/1 ARM for 3.25% paying .9 pts, 3.5% paying 0 points, 3.75% paying 0 costs

30 year fixed FHA for 4.25% paying . 4 pts, 4.375% paying 0 pts, 4.5% paying 0 costs outside of FHA upfront MI

15 year fixed FHA for 3.5% paying . 6 pts, 3.75% paying 0 pts, 3.875% paying 0 costs outside of FHA upfront MI

30 year fixed VA for 4.25% paying .33 pts, 4.375% paying 0 pts, 4.49% paying 0 costs outside of VA funding fee

The markets are continuing to be fueled by the possibility of defaults in Europe and Congress working on increasing the debt ceiling. Even if the US deal gets done, America’s debt rating could lower from AAA.

The market is volatile right now so you could see large swings in mortgage pricing even during the same day. I still believe that rates will not go lower than the 4.375% – 4.5% 30 year fixed rates that we have seen for the past couple months.

Today’s Mortgage Rates.

Homes loans for Arizona, California, and Colorado.

 

MORTGAGE RATES DROP FOR 2nd STRAIGHT WEEK; BUT BE CAUTIOUS – July 18th, 2011

MORTGAGE RATES DROP FOR 2nd STRAIGHT WEEK; BUT BE CAUTIOUS:

The bond market finished last week 31 bps up, pushing mortgage pricing down for the 2nd consecutive week.

A well qualified borrower can get a 30 year fixed at 4.375% for about .6 points, and a 4.5% with 0 points. 15 year fixed rates at 3.75% are now at 0 points, and 20 year fixed rates at 4.25% are at 0 points.

Even though rates and pricing are improving, we are seeing a benchmark rate that the market is not going below. For example, you can get a 4.375% for .6 points, but then if we go down to 4.25%, the pricing goes up to over 2 points. The cost difference is so large that for most loan amounts it makes no sense to pay that much more in fees. The same goes for 15 and 20 year fixed rates. There is a large pricing increase below a 3.75% 15 year fixed and a 4.25% 20 year fixed.

This will be a pivotal week for the U.S. stock market which means this could be a volatile week for interest rates. 20% of the S&P 500 are reporting earnings and 50% of the DOW Jones are reporting earnings this week.

Many experts believe that corporate earnings will be quite good, but many investors are uneasy about the debt ceiling negotiations in Washington. If the debt ceiling gets resolved and corporate earnings are positive, look for the stock market to shoot up, which will usually cause rates to rise.

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