May 11, 2011 from Realty Times
Slow Economic Recovery Produces Lowest Mortgage Rates by Ed Ferrara
After releasing various reports of economic data this past week, it was evident that the economic recovery is at a slower pace than anticipated which, in turn, produced the lowest mortgage rates so far for this year 2011. Towards the end of the week, Freerateupdate.com's daily survey of wholesale and direct lenders showed that conforming 30 year fixed mortgage rates had dropped .125% to a new low of 4.375%. Remaining the same at last week's lows, 15 year fixed mortgage rates are at 3.750% and 5/1 adjustable mortgage rates are at 3.000%. Conforming fixed rate mortgage loans are popular with borrowers who want the same mortgage payment for the life of the loan. Available with 0.7 to 1% origination fee, these are the lowest mortgage rates for borrowers who have good credit and can obtain lender approval.
FHA 30 year fixed mortgage rates are at 4.250%, still lower than conforming 30 year fixed mortgage rates. FHA 15 year fixed mortgage rates are at 4.000% and FHA 5/1 adjustable mortgage rates are at 3.375%, both slightly higher than the comparable conforming mortgage rates. FHA mortgage loans are often used by borrowers, especially first time home buyers, who enjoy the benefit of low down payment requirements. Borrowers who have less than perfect credit also turn to FHA for their mortgage needs. In return for these benefits, FHA closing costs (APR) are higher because of various FHA fees and the upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Holding their own, jumbo mortgage rates are still at favorable lows which is a major benefit for high end borrowers. Current jumbo 30 year fixed mortgage rates are at 5.125%, jumbo 15 year fixed mortgage rates are at 4.500% and jumbo 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages are at 3.625%, all remaining the same this past week. Jumbo mortgage loans are necessary for mortgage financing above the conforming loan limit which is $417,000 to $729,250, depending on location of the property. These are the lowest jumbo mortgage rates available with 0.7 to 1% origination fee to borrowers who have maintained outstanding credit.
MBS prices (mortgage backed securities) fluctuated over the past week. Mortgage rates move up and down in the opposite direction of MBS prices. With lower mortgage rates in the limelight, there has been an increase in both purchases and refinances as reported by the Mortgage Bankers Association. It was reported that private sector jobs increased which was positive news. On the other hand, jobless claims increased as well as the unemployment rate for the month of April. While the positive news indicates an economic recovery, the negative news reflects a weaker and slower recovery. These mixed reports have continued to create uncertainty for investors trying to determine which ones reflect the true state of the economy. At the end of last week, the price of crude oil dropped significantly bringing about more questions. Crude oil prices quickly rebounded today. In the end, negative economic news has been resulting in lower mortgage rates which is a plus for borrowers, especially as the home buying season is under way.
FreeRateUpdate.com surveys more than two dozen wholesale and direct lenders’ rate sheets to determine the most accurate mortgage rates available to well qualified consumers at a standard .07 to 1% point origination fee.
Click here for today’s new york mortgage rates.
Copyright © 2011 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Affordability Reaches Generational High
May 5, 2011 from Realty Times
Affordability Reaches Generational High by Carla Hill
If you have good credit and savings, now is a great time to buy. According to Zillow.com, "Homes are more affordable than they’ve been in the past 35 years."
Not only have home values fallen in many key markets, making homeownership more accessible to the average buyer, interest rates are at historic lows, meaning that once a home is purchased, monthly payments are smaller than in our recent past.
Zillow notes that "today’s median home buyer can expect to pay about 17% of his monthly gross income on his mortgage, compared to a 25% average since 1975."
In the 1980's, when interest rates were dangerously near 20 percent, this would take up nearly 45 percent of a buyers gross monthly income. In comparison, today's rates are an extreme bargain.
The main road block to homeownership at this time is access to credit. Although nearly one-third of all home purchases in recent months have been all-cash, that leaves the majority of the market shares requiring financing.
The tightening of lending standards in recent years, though, has been in direct response to the subprime lending trend during the housing boom.
Federal Reserve research indicates that a quarter of all mortgages in 2006 were subprime. This means that these loans were made to borrowers with credit scores below 620-660 and who were unable to put down the traditional 20 percent.
Today, buyers need credit scores in the 700s, with the higher the better. According to Zillow, "Applicants with FICO scores under 620 were virtually unable to get loans at any rate, thus being effectively excluded from the home-buying market. And those with FICO scores below 620 represent almost a third of the population."
There has also been a return of the 20 percent downpayment. This is in your best interest, as it means savings when it comes to closing costs. "The difference between a 10% and 20% down payment means she now has to save up another $17,220 in addition to any closing costs." (Zillow)
So, while it is more difficult for many homeowners to get into the market in today's economy, for buyers who have good credit and adequate savings, homes may never have been more affordable.
Copyright © 2011 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.
Affordability Reaches Generational High by Carla Hill
If you have good credit and savings, now is a great time to buy. According to Zillow.com, "Homes are more affordable than they’ve been in the past 35 years."
Not only have home values fallen in many key markets, making homeownership more accessible to the average buyer, interest rates are at historic lows, meaning that once a home is purchased, monthly payments are smaller than in our recent past.
Zillow notes that "today’s median home buyer can expect to pay about 17% of his monthly gross income on his mortgage, compared to a 25% average since 1975."
In the 1980's, when interest rates were dangerously near 20 percent, this would take up nearly 45 percent of a buyers gross monthly income. In comparison, today's rates are an extreme bargain.
The main road block to homeownership at this time is access to credit. Although nearly one-third of all home purchases in recent months have been all-cash, that leaves the majority of the market shares requiring financing.
The tightening of lending standards in recent years, though, has been in direct response to the subprime lending trend during the housing boom.
Federal Reserve research indicates that a quarter of all mortgages in 2006 were subprime. This means that these loans were made to borrowers with credit scores below 620-660 and who were unable to put down the traditional 20 percent.
Today, buyers need credit scores in the 700s, with the higher the better. According to Zillow, "Applicants with FICO scores under 620 were virtually unable to get loans at any rate, thus being effectively excluded from the home-buying market. And those with FICO scores below 620 represent almost a third of the population."
There has also been a return of the 20 percent downpayment. This is in your best interest, as it means savings when it comes to closing costs. "The difference between a 10% and 20% down payment means she now has to save up another $17,220 in addition to any closing costs." (Zillow)
So, while it is more difficult for many homeowners to get into the market in today's economy, for buyers who have good credit and adequate savings, homes may never have been more affordable.
Copyright © 2011 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Mortgage Rates Keep Going Lower
May 4, 2011 from Realty Times
Mortgage Rates Keep Going Lower
Each time economic data is released or major events happen anywhere in the world, markets react in some sort of way. Lately, markets have been somewhat subdued as the reports have been mixed with both good and not so good data, although it has been positive for mortgage rates which keep going lower. Freerateupdate.com's daily survey of wholesale and direct lenders show that mortgage rates changed this past week for the better.
Conforming 30 year fixed mortgage rates started the week at 4.750%, dropped by .250% and now are at 4.500%. 15 year fixed mortgage rates also dropped by the same .250% and are at 3.750%. 5/1 adjustable mortgage rates are at 3.000%, a drop of .125%. These are the best mortgage rates available with 0.7 to 1% origination fee for well qualified borrowers. After remaining stable for some time, mortgage rates seem to be heading lower at what is usually one of the busiest seasons of the year.
FHA mortgage rates also repriced for the better. FHA 30 year fixed mortgage rates are at 4.250%, and FHA 15 year fixed mortgage rates are at 4.000%, both down .250%. FHA 5/1 adjustable mortgage rates are at 3.375%, down .275%. FHA mortgage loans offer a low down payment, but borrowers must be prepared to pay additional FHA fees and an upfront mortgage insurance premium which results in higher FHA closing costs (APR). FHA's recent increase in the annual mortgage insurance premium has resulted in a slow down of recent FHA mortgage applications.
Jumbo mortgage rates also did well this past week which should be a boost for high end home buyers. Jumbo 30 year fixed mortgage rates decreased by .250% and are at 5.125%. Jumbo 15 year fixed mortgage rates went from 5.000% in the early part of the week to 4.500% in the latter part of the week. Jumbo 5/1 adjustable mortgage rates are at 3.625% which is a decrease of .250%. With outstanding credit, borrowers can obtain these low jumbo mortgage rates with 0.7 to 1% origination fee. This week's economic data had mixed results on MBS prices (mortgage backed securities) as data continued to roll in. MBS prices affect mortgage rates which move in the opposite direction. While new home sales came in stronger, home prices continued to decline. Consumer sentiment increased and personal income rose at the same time that unemployment claims increased. With gas prices heading up, everyone will be watching to see what impact this is going to have on the already slow economic recovery.
FreeRateUpdate.com surveys more than two dozen wholesale and direct lenders’ rate sheets to determine the most accurate mortgage rates available to well qualified consumers at a standard .07 to 1% point origination fee.
Copyright © 2011 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.
Mortgage Rates Keep Going Lower
Each time economic data is released or major events happen anywhere in the world, markets react in some sort of way. Lately, markets have been somewhat subdued as the reports have been mixed with both good and not so good data, although it has been positive for mortgage rates which keep going lower. Freerateupdate.com's daily survey of wholesale and direct lenders show that mortgage rates changed this past week for the better.
Conforming 30 year fixed mortgage rates started the week at 4.750%, dropped by .250% and now are at 4.500%. 15 year fixed mortgage rates also dropped by the same .250% and are at 3.750%. 5/1 adjustable mortgage rates are at 3.000%, a drop of .125%. These are the best mortgage rates available with 0.7 to 1% origination fee for well qualified borrowers. After remaining stable for some time, mortgage rates seem to be heading lower at what is usually one of the busiest seasons of the year.
FHA mortgage rates also repriced for the better. FHA 30 year fixed mortgage rates are at 4.250%, and FHA 15 year fixed mortgage rates are at 4.000%, both down .250%. FHA 5/1 adjustable mortgage rates are at 3.375%, down .275%. FHA mortgage loans offer a low down payment, but borrowers must be prepared to pay additional FHA fees and an upfront mortgage insurance premium which results in higher FHA closing costs (APR). FHA's recent increase in the annual mortgage insurance premium has resulted in a slow down of recent FHA mortgage applications.
Jumbo mortgage rates also did well this past week which should be a boost for high end home buyers. Jumbo 30 year fixed mortgage rates decreased by .250% and are at 5.125%. Jumbo 15 year fixed mortgage rates went from 5.000% in the early part of the week to 4.500% in the latter part of the week. Jumbo 5/1 adjustable mortgage rates are at 3.625% which is a decrease of .250%. With outstanding credit, borrowers can obtain these low jumbo mortgage rates with 0.7 to 1% origination fee. This week's economic data had mixed results on MBS prices (mortgage backed securities) as data continued to roll in. MBS prices affect mortgage rates which move in the opposite direction. While new home sales came in stronger, home prices continued to decline. Consumer sentiment increased and personal income rose at the same time that unemployment claims increased. With gas prices heading up, everyone will be watching to see what impact this is going to have on the already slow economic recovery.
FreeRateUpdate.com surveys more than two dozen wholesale and direct lenders’ rate sheets to determine the most accurate mortgage rates available to well qualified consumers at a standard .07 to 1% point origination fee.
Copyright © 2011 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Sales Across the Nation
May 2, 2011 ON Realty Times
Real Estate Outlook: Sales Across the Nation by Carla Hill
It's all about sales this week, with the most recent reports coming out on existing-home, new home, and pending home sales.
According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), existing-home sales rose in March, up 3.7 percent. The NAR expects existing-home sale to rise around 5 to 10 percent this year, thanks to high levels of affordability, rising rent costs, and job growth.
In new homes, a segment of the market that took a big hit during the recession, sales were up a healthy 11.1 percent in March.
National Association of Home Builders' Chief Economist, David Crowe, reports, "The March pace of new-home sales more accurately reflects current market conditions than the extremely low pace we saw in the first two months of this year, when unusually poor weather likely kept buyers away. That said, the average sales pace for the first quarter of 2011 held at about the same level seen for the last half of 2010. A limiting factor is the extremely thin inventory of new homes for sale, which is now at its second-lowest level in history. Builders continue to confront major challenges in obtaining financing to build new homes, and the shortage of new product makes it that much tougher for them to compete with existing homes on the market. At the same time, tighter lending conditions are making it more difficult for qualified buyers to obtain a mortgage."
Regionally, all areas except the South saw a rise in sales of newly built homes. The Northeast led the way with a 66.7 percent gain. The West posted a distant second at a 25.9 percent gain, and the Midwest saw a still impressive rise of 12.9 percent.
The inventory of new homes for sale fell to 183,000 units in March, which is the second-lowest level on record. This represents a 7.3-month supply at the current sales pace.
Pending home sales were also on the rise. After an uneven recovery the past nine months, the NAR's Pending Home Sales Index saw contract signings rise 5.1 percent. This is still down over 11 percent from March 2010.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home sales activity has shown an uneven but notable improvement. “Since reaching a cyclical bottom last June, pending home sales have posted an overall gain of 24 percent and demonstrate the market is recovering on its own,” he said. “The index means modest near-term gains in existing-home sales are likely, which would be even stronger if tight mortgage lending criteria returned to normal, safe standards.”
Regionally, all regions except the Northeast saw rises, though every region is still below last year's levels. Most are between 10 and 20 percent below March 2010 levels.
The largest increase month over month was seen in the South, rising 10.3 percent.
Continued strides in the job market and economy will help to foster more growth in the housing sector. If recession recovery continues, the housing market should continue to post gains in the months ahead.
Copyright © 2011 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.
Real Estate Outlook: Sales Across the Nation by Carla Hill
It's all about sales this week, with the most recent reports coming out on existing-home, new home, and pending home sales.
According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), existing-home sales rose in March, up 3.7 percent. The NAR expects existing-home sale to rise around 5 to 10 percent this year, thanks to high levels of affordability, rising rent costs, and job growth.
In new homes, a segment of the market that took a big hit during the recession, sales were up a healthy 11.1 percent in March.
National Association of Home Builders' Chief Economist, David Crowe, reports, "The March pace of new-home sales more accurately reflects current market conditions than the extremely low pace we saw in the first two months of this year, when unusually poor weather likely kept buyers away. That said, the average sales pace for the first quarter of 2011 held at about the same level seen for the last half of 2010. A limiting factor is the extremely thin inventory of new homes for sale, which is now at its second-lowest level in history. Builders continue to confront major challenges in obtaining financing to build new homes, and the shortage of new product makes it that much tougher for them to compete with existing homes on the market. At the same time, tighter lending conditions are making it more difficult for qualified buyers to obtain a mortgage."
Regionally, all areas except the South saw a rise in sales of newly built homes. The Northeast led the way with a 66.7 percent gain. The West posted a distant second at a 25.9 percent gain, and the Midwest saw a still impressive rise of 12.9 percent.
The inventory of new homes for sale fell to 183,000 units in March, which is the second-lowest level on record. This represents a 7.3-month supply at the current sales pace.
Pending home sales were also on the rise. After an uneven recovery the past nine months, the NAR's Pending Home Sales Index saw contract signings rise 5.1 percent. This is still down over 11 percent from March 2010.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home sales activity has shown an uneven but notable improvement. “Since reaching a cyclical bottom last June, pending home sales have posted an overall gain of 24 percent and demonstrate the market is recovering on its own,” he said. “The index means modest near-term gains in existing-home sales are likely, which would be even stronger if tight mortgage lending criteria returned to normal, safe standards.”
Regionally, all regions except the Northeast saw rises, though every region is still below last year's levels. Most are between 10 and 20 percent below March 2010 levels.
The largest increase month over month was seen in the South, rising 10.3 percent.
Continued strides in the job market and economy will help to foster more growth in the housing sector. If recession recovery continues, the housing market should continue to post gains in the months ahead.
Copyright © 2011 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.
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