Sunday, September 11, 2011

Mortgage Rates Fall To New Record Lows

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via: MissionHillsPrudential - Shane Pliskin

Industry data released Thursday show borrowing costs for home loans falling to new lows, slipping further from what was already reported as the lowest level for mortgage interest rates in more than a half-century. Economists attribute the continuing declines to ongoing employment concerns and economic uncertainty.

 

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Freddie Mac reports that all fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgage products covered in its regular market study hit all-time record lows for the week ending September 8th.

The GSE now puts the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage at 4.12 percent (0.7 point), a drop of 10 basis points from 4.22 percent last week. As a point of reference,

Freddie says last year at this time the 30-year rate was averaging 4.35 percent.

The 15-year fixed rate came in at 3.33 percent (0.6 point) this week in Freddie’s survey. That’s down from 3.39 percent last week. A year ago at this time, the 15-year rate averaged 3.83 percent.

The 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) was unchanged this week, matching its all-time low set last week at 2.96 percent (0.6 point). This time last year, the 5-year ARM carried an average rate of 3.56 percent.

Freddie Mac’s study shows the 1-year ARM is now averaging 2.84 percent (0.6 point), down from last week’s average of 2.89 percent. It was 3.46 percent 12 months ago.

“Market concerns over Eurozone sovereign debt default and a weak U.S. employment report for August placed downward pressure on Treasury bond yields and allowed fixed mortgage rates to hit new lows this week,” explained Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

He notes that last month’s jobs data showed no net gains, the poorest showing since September 2010, with the national unemployment rate holding above 8 percent for the 31st consecutive month. That’s the longest stretch of such elevated joblessness in 70 years, according to Nothaft.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Why Use a REALTOR®

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young couple with REALTOR

Many consumers consider selling their home directly but eventually turn to REALTORS®. Smart home sellers realize they need the expertise in pricing their home, making connections with REALTORS® working with buyers, arranging and staffing open houses, and coordinating with other professionals in the sales process.

Only about half of all real estate agents are REALTORS® - the top half, in our not-so-humble opinion. REALTORS® work independently, for small agencies, or for large brokerages. They help people buy and sell residential or commercial properties, vacation homes, and land; they conduct appraisals; they operate in the United States and in other countries; some specialize in auctions; and others are buyer's representatives.

Move or Remodel
Are you considering a move? Check out HouseLogic, NAR's new consumer site, to analyze the pros and cons of moving or staying put, plus lots more information about owning a home.


REALTORS® Are Experts


Eighty-five percent of sellers were assisted by a real estate agent when selling their home, according to NAR Research, and 79 percent of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker.


Why Use a REALTOR®?
Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Here are 12 ways a REALTOR® will make your home buying or selling experience better.


REALTORS® Are Part of the Community


REALTORS® Work to End Housing Discrimination - during April, which is Fair Housing Month, and all year long. REALTORS® are active members of their communities.


REALTORS® Protect You

 

Only REALTORS® Follow a Code of Ethics
To be a member of NAR and a REALTOR®, a real estate agent must abide by a set of professional principles and serve clients fairly.

Learn how the Code of Ethics affects everyday real estate practices


Specialty Mortgages: What Are the Risks and Advantages?
A growing number of home buyers are deciding to use one of several new types of specialty mortgages that let them "stretch" their income so they can qualify for a larger loan. Before you decide whether a specialty mortgage is for you, read this brochure

via: National Association of Realtors - Realtor.org

HUD Extends Application Period for EHLP

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via: DSNews.com by Krista Franks

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is once again accepting applications for its Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP). The new deadline for applications is September 15.

The original deadline of July 22 was extended to July 27, but HUD announced Monday that it is extending the application process again because the agency believes it has enough resources to help more homeowners than have currently applied.

EHLP was designed to help homeowners who have encountered financial hardship due to involuntary unemployment or underemployment and are at risk of losing their homes.

The program is available to homeowners 90 or more days delinquent on their mortgage payments.

Eligible homeowners will receive an interest-free loan to pay a portion of their monthly mortgage payments for up to two years or up to $50,000, whichever occurs first.

EHLP also helps homeowners with past due charges, taxes, insurance, and attorneys’ fees accumulated due to their delinquency.

Homeowners can apply for EHLP through participating counseling agencies, such as NeighborWorks America.

HUD aims to help 80,000 homeowners through the program, which is available in the following 27 states and Puerto Rico: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Assistance is granted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

HUD received $1 billion for the program through the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.