Getting Safely Out Of ARMs Way

Here’s another great way to protect yourself from the current meltdown in the housing market. If you own a home and have an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) set to adjust higher you need to:

• Know your credit score.
• Know the contents of your credit report.
• Clean up your credit report and remove inaccuracies to maximize your credit score.

With the recent changes to the housing market the lenders have made changes to underwriting guidelines. Underwriting guidelines are based on your credit. When underwriting guidelines get more stringent it is the people with the better credit that continue to qualify for good home loans.

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Top 10 Markets With Highest Mortgage Risk, Summer 2007

The PMI Group has come out with their summer analysis of the metropolitan regions that have the highest risk of housing losing it’s value in the next two years. The Inland Empire region of Southern California is leading the way followed closely by Phoenix and Las Vegas. All 3 of these regions experienced huge housing gains during 2004 – 2005 so expectations of a flat or negative period are not expected.

PMI Group is one of the largest underwriters of Private Mortgage Insurance so it is in their best interest to know and understand markets and calibrate their PMI rates to counter the risk that is faced.

Top 10 Markets With Highest Mortgage Risk, Summer 2007

1. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (652)
2. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ (646)
3. Las Vegas-Paradise, NV (614)
4. West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Boynton Beach, FL (607)
5. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA (586)
6. Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA (577)
7. Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, CA (572)
8. Orlando-Kissimee, FL (563)
9. Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville, CA (560)
10. San Diego-Carslbad-San Marcos, CA (555)

The Bond & Home Loan Markets Are In Turmoil

Is Your Financial Future Secure?

Interest rates, including those tied to home loans, soared sharply last week across several markets, alarming consumers and investors alike. Let’s examine what caused rates to increase, how it could impact you, and what you should do about it.

The sharp rise we saw last week was the result of an economic shift in the global market. Two different foreign central banks, similar to the Federal Reserve in the US, increased their short-term interest rates in an effort to fend off inflation. The first increase took place in Europe, with New Zealand following soon after. The results, while dramatic worldwide, were particularly so here in the United States, where interest rates increased across the board.

This had an immediate impact on those seeking home financing, as rates rose to the highest levels seen since last summer. While interest rates are currently under 7.00% , they may not remain there for long. As past years have demonstrated, a rapid rise in interest rates sometimes serves as merely a pre-cursor to even higher rates in the coming months.

Could we see a repeat of 1993-1994, when 30-year fixed interest rates rose from 6.69% to 8.23% in just five months? (These figures are according to HSH Associates.)

If you are considering a new home purchase or a refinance, act now. Waiting could cost you significantly. If we were to experience a similar increase on a mortgage amount of $250,000, the monthly payment would increase by over $263 a month.

While no one can predict exactly what will happen, experts in the bond arena have expressed concerns that rates will continue to increase throughout the rest of the year. Some believe that the Federal Reserve will be forced to raise interest rates prior to year end. This would increase interest rates for existing Home Equity loans, credit card loans, and potentially existing ARMs.

Please contact us as soon as possible. We will provide you with a Free, No Cost Analysis of how we can improve your financial position today and save you from a potential increase in monthly payments.

Don’t Let Your Lender Run Away With Your Equity!

Say you, as the Borrower, fall behind on your Mortgage. You need to catch your delinquent mortgage amount up to ward off going into default and eventually foreclosure.

Did you know that before foreclosure occurs, a repayment plan can be proposed to your mortgage holder/lender to satisfy the amount owed?

A Loss Mitigation Specialist can propose several plans or strategies to the lender to put the loan back in good standing.

Lenders always want to avoid the foreclosure process when at all possible. It’s much more equitable if a “meeting of the minds” can occur and an agreement made on a repayment strategy in which you, the homeowner and your lender can benefit.

Loss Mitigation can prevent your home from going to foreclosure. This solution to your mortgage problem is based on your ability to pay, not your credit score.

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Buyer’s Best Interest . . . Rates That Is!

In researching the market, it may be a wise move for all you Buyers take a few minutes to have lenders re-qualify them. In the last few weeks we have seen mortgage rates jump as much as .75%. This can change a Buyers whole financial picture by greatly diminishing his borrowing power.

Re-qualifying is a great way to ensure you aren’t disappointed once you fine a home that you could have afforded last week; but this week’s interest rate has priced you out of the market for!

If you’re out looking to buy a home, securing a rate lock commitment from your lender is vital.

• Identify when your rate will expire
• Close timely
• Request an extension

Rates locked two weeks ago are golden in today’s market. Be sure the mortgage professional you are working with is keeping a close eye on the bond market. A bond-savvy mortgage professional can spot price changes before lenders announce them. Locking ahead of an interest rate hike can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.