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Below, you'll find extensive information
on leading todays mortgage rates articles and products to
help you on your way to success.
How To Lower Your Mortgage Interest Rate
Even if you have a relatively low interest rate on your mortgage, the amount that you'll pay in interest on your loan over the entire course of your repayment can be quite significant. In order to save as much as possible, it's important that you try and keep the lowest interest rate that you can. Many people mistakenly believe that once you've received your mortgage there isn't anything that you can do to lower the interest rate that you pay; provided you aren't behind on your payments and have a good history with your lender, though, this isn't the case.
If you're interested in reducing your mortgage interest rate and getting the best deal that you can on the money that you have to pay back, here are some suggestions of how to get started.
On-Time Payments
Making your mortgage payments on-time is an essential first step to being able to lower your mortgage interest rate. By making your payments on-time or early, you not only are reducing the total amount that you owe and avoiding late fees but you're also building a trusting relationship with your lender and showing them that they can count on you to get them their money when it's due. This can make them much more likely to offer you a lower interest rate if you request one (or in some cases to lower your interest rate even without you having to ask for it.)
If possible, paying slightly more than the amount of your due payment can also be a great way to get your lender to lower your interest rate. This will establish a trust in you making your payments even quicker, and will also have the added benefit of reducing the total amount that you owe faster and will ultimately result in your mortgage being paid off well ahead of schedule.
Being Aware of Shifting Interest Rates
Interest rates set at the national level fluctuate frequently, as do the average interest rates that are offered by other lenders. By keeping track of these fluctuations, you may discover that interest rates have significantly dropped since the time when you originally took out your mortgage and that you're paying more in interest than you would be if you had applied for a mortgage more recently. This can be a great time to request a review of your loan in hopes of
Fourth-quarter residential originations by all lenders were an estimated $381 billion, based on an analysis of production activity by Mortgage Daily.
Volume was up from an estimated $317 billion closed by U.S. lenders in the third quarter.
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Fannie Mae reported that its lending partners financed 2,763 multifamily loans for $24.4 billion last year.
Last year's CRE loan production at Prudential Mortgage Capital was the third-best year on record.
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A Mortgage Daily analysis of multiple economic forecasts indicates that home-loan production for all U.S. lenders were down around 15 percent between 2010 and 2011.
But MetLife Home Loans reported to Mortgage Daily that it originated around 7 percent more last year than it did in 2010.
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Last month, PHH warned in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing about a possible reduction in correspondent production.
This week, the company's president and chief executive discussed plans to cut back on correspondent mortgage production.
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The Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 established minimum standards for the individual states to license and register mortgage originators.
Those standards are outlined in new SAFE Act Examination Guidelines.
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getting a lower interest rate, especially if you've been making all of your payments on-time or if you have additional accounts with the bank or lender that holds your mortgage note (provided that those other accounts are current as well, of course.)
This can also help you to know when you're paying below the national average, which is also a very useful piece of information; if you're already paying less than most other people who are applying for mortgages today, then the likelihood of your interest rate being reduced more is significantly reduced.
Negotiations with Your Lender
The best way to get your lender to reduce your interest rate is simply to talk to them… contact one of the loan officers at your bank or loan provider and set up a meeting. Be sure to point out your good payment history, especially if you've been paying more than the minimum payment; mention that interest rates are low elsewhere if that is the case as well. Don't seem desperate, but present a fact-based case to them so that they can review your mortgage rate and see if they can lower it.
Keep in mind that you won't always be able to get your interest rate reduced, especially if it has been adjusted within the past several months already. If you've been making good payments and are otherwise a good customer for the lender, then it's likely that they'll do what they can to keep you happy provided your interest rate isn't locked in (or sometimes even if that is the case.)
Refinancing
If you're stuck with a locked-in interest rate or your lender refuses to consider you for a lower rate for some other reason, then you might want to look into refinancing your mortgage loan completely. You can refinance at the same bank or lender, or choose a different one that will offer you a better deal. Refinancing is basically the process of taking out a new loan that's used to pay off the old one, and ideally provides you with a lower mortgage interest rate than you had on your original loan. Monthly payments may also end up lower than what you were paying, since you've got both a lower interest rate and a smaller amount to repay. Make sure that you're careful when refinancing, though, or you may end up paying more than you expected to.
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Proposed RESPA Reform
Mortgage brokers may have some intrusive rules from HUD to deal with.
When I read the news on HUD?s proposed reform of the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act (RESPA) I was skeptical. Cathy from Sequim challenged me to read the 96-page federal register document so we could all figure out what?s going on. I am here to tell you that there is one very good change coming out of this proposal. In fact, it?s so good that I am borderline hopeful that this change might do what legislation is suppose to do and what HUD forgot to do when they signed the original version of RESPA in 1974. But first, the changes that will have many, but not all mortgage brokers screaming bloody murder:
Read more: Proposed RESPA Reform
]]>
Neocon-omics
How much can the Fed and the U.S. government do in the face of declining housing prices?
That?s been my worry since I saw the housing bubble peak in 2005. Historically, declines in housing prices take 3-4 years to bottom, which means we still should be at least half a year away. But after that, the economy doesn?t rebound instantly. It yo-yos for a bit - essentially running horizontal.
Read more: Neocon-omics: the Emperor’s Club that screwed us all
]]>
A Mortgage Fraud Solution
A look at appraisers, mortgage brokers, and fraud.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have entered into cooperation agreements with New York?s attorney general to only purchase loans that meet a new home valuation protection code, the state announced. The code is effected on Jan. 1, 2009. Under the new code, mortgage brokers and loan originators are prohibited from choosing or communicating with appraisers.
Read more: This Is A Mortgage Fraud Solution, But!
]]>
Choosing Second-best
How to leverage your second choice into seller concessions and a better deal.
So, rather than competing for the best house and paying top dollar, you can use it as leverage to get a lower price and seller concessions on a home that could be even more ideal for you ? after you do a little work.
Read more: Choosing second-best could get you the best possible home
]]>
Price Depression
A forecast for more housing price depression.
My theory is that housing prices will continue to wilt as long as large levels of foreclosures and new home inventories run high. These are not traditional homeowners, and are motivated to slash prices, thus continuing to depress prices.
Read more: Wilt the Silt
]]>
Can I Afford A Mortgage
A good tip on getting concessions from the seller.
You should try to get pre-approved by a lender prior to shopping for a home. A pre-approval is a strong marketing tool when making an offer that may contain many a number of seller concessions. Telling a seller that you are already approved for a loan makes the acceptance of a low offer or one where he may be paying the closing costs much more palatable.
Read more: Can I Afford a Mortgage
]]>
Time To Purchase A House?
Housing prices are off their highs, but mortgages are harder to find.
US News and World Report implies (hopes?) we may be nearing a bottom in housing prices but with a mountain of resets coming in the next few months, it?s difficult to see how a bottom can be seen or even predicted.
Read more: Time to purchase a house?
]]>
Filing Your Home Insurance Claim After The Disaster
Here are 5 steps to follow when you need your home insurance.
Here are 5 steps you should do to prepare and file your home insurance claim after the disaster.
Read more: 5 Steps To Preparing & Filing Your Home Insurance Claim After The Disaster
]]>
Strike One
A look at role of mortgage insurance in FHA loans.
Regarding the second point: By not raising the loan limits they fail in one of the 11 ways they can help. I believe they will fail in almost all, but let us have hope. To be specific as to why I support this: FHA is not a government gimme. It is a government guarantee the mortgage will be paid or the lender compensated for losses. The program pays positive cash flow to the government in that there is a type of mortgage insurance fee charged the borrower. It is reasonable and more than pays for the reimbursements made to the lenders that suffer a default.
Read more: Strike One, How Many More To Go President Bush - Congress?
]]>
Who's To Blame
Mortgage brokers share the blame with the rest of the industry in the current real estate mess.
Who is not to blame for the mortgage mess? Take one step back. As lenders, money was flowing from the spigot like there was no tomorrow. As mortgage brokers, there was money to be made by cranking the faucet, and it was a foot race to see who could get to the sink first. As agents, we sang the ?Houses are expensive, but money is cheap? refrain until we were blue in the face. And, as for the consumer, it really doesn?t matter in the final analysis whether they were motivated by necessity, opportunity or unadulterated greed. We all helped make this bed in which we now must lie.
Read more: Chicken Soup to Social Responsibility - Damn, I’m a Paradox
]]>
Trying To Move
Hard to move when you're house loses value.
I will continue to work from Los Angeles while we work on selling our house, which unfortunately is bad timing as housing prices have taken a bit of a dive around here. Once we have things settled over here, we?ll pack our things and move up to Seattle.
Read more: Why Is Microsoft Removing My MVP Status?
]]>
Housing Slump 'Forces' Pair To Open Whorehouse?
A critical look at a story about mortgage brokers turned sex workers.
What else can you say to such a ridiculous report, such obvious sensationalism? The sad thing is, many people will read this wild hyperbole and imagine that the TV station?s salacious report has a ?point? to it.
Read more: Housing Slump ‘Forces’ Pair to Open Whorehouse?
]]>
Home Buyers Returning This Fall
This blogger says lower mortgage rates will drive buyers to the residential real estate market soon.
Ten days ago after the Fed calmed the markets' credit panic with a 1/2 point cut in the Discount rate, I postulated that home buyers will come back this fall when the Fed finally drops the Fed Funds rate, and mortgage rates drop. It's now almost certain to happen. Here are the parameters in play now:
Read more: Home buyers are returning this fall - part 2
]]>
Lead Scrub Rates
A look at the cost of a lead for a mortgage broker.
Joel has a good interview with Dave Wengel of TargusInfo around Mortgage lead scrub rates. Specifically that lendingtree and lowermybills have a 15% scrub rate whereas the free ipod guys (lure people in with promise of a free ipod but they and their friends have to signup for credit cards, netflix and talk to mortgage brokers to get it) have around a 50-60% scrub rate.
Read more: Lead Scrub Rates
]]>
Why I Have Endorsed FHA
A look at FHA compliance for mortgage brokers.
Having been an FHA lender I can attest it is a pain at times. FHA requires annual financial audits of the mortgage brokers financial condition and more. We always have survived the several day pain, and the expenses tied to it, but only FHA drags brokers through this. The actual banks that sponsor the mortgage broker go through even more red tape and grief. Loan officers have to know more rules. FHA doesn?t rely on the easy automated underwriting or the quick answer from a subprime lender. FHA restricts how the borrowers pay for certain expenses and how much the lender can charge.
Read more: I Have Endorsed FHA, Why Specifically?
]]>
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Best Mortgage Rates
Reverse Mortgage Calculator
Todays Mortgage Rates
Proposed RESPA Reform
Mortgage brokers may have some intrusive rules from HUD to deal with.
When I read the news on HUD?s proposed reform of the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act (RESPA) I was skeptical. Cathy from Sequim challenged me to read the 96-page federal register document so we could all figure out what?s going on. I am here to tell you that there is one very good change coming out of this proposal. In fact, it?s so good that I am borderline hopeful that this change might do what legislation is suppose to do and what HUD forgot to do when they signed the original version of RESPA in 1974. But first, the changes that will have many, but not all mortgage brokers screaming bloody murder:
Read more: Proposed RESPA Reform
]]>
Neocon-omics
How much can the Fed and the U.S. government do in the face of declining housing prices?
That?s been my worry since I saw the housing bubble peak in 2005. Historically, declines in housing prices take 3-4 years to bottom, which means we still should be at least half a year away. But after that, the economy doesn?t rebound instantly. It yo-yos for a bit - essentially running horizontal.
Read more: Neocon-omics: the Emperor’s Club that screwed us all
]]>
A Mortgage Fraud Solution
A look at appraisers, mortgage brokers, and fraud.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have entered into cooperation agreements with New York?s attorney general to only purchase loans that meet a new home valuation protection code, the state announced. The code is effected on Jan. 1, 2009. Under the new code, mortgage brokers and loan originators are prohibited from choosing or communicating with appraisers.
Read more: This Is A Mortgage Fraud Solution, But!
]]>
Choosing Second-best
How to leverage your second choice into seller concessions and a better deal.
So, rather than competing for the best house and paying top dollar, you can use it as leverage to get a lower price and seller concessions on a home that could be even more ideal for you ? after you do a little work.
Read more: Choosing second-best could get you the best possible home
]]>
Price Depression
A forecast for more housing price depression.
My theory is that housing prices will continue to wilt as long as large levels of foreclosures and new home inventories run high. These are not traditional homeowners, and are motivated to slash prices, thus continuing to depress prices.
Read more: Wilt the Silt
]]>
Can I Afford A Mortgage
A good tip on getting concessions from the seller.
You should try to get pre-approved by a lender prior to shopping for a home. A pre-approval is a strong marketing tool when making an offer that may contain many a number of seller concessions. Telling a seller that you are already approved for a loan makes the acceptance of a low offer or one where he may be paying the closing costs much more palatable.
Read more: Can I Afford a Mortgage
]]>
Time To Purchase A House?
Housing prices are off their highs, but mortgages are harder to find.
US News and World Report implies (hopes?) we may be nearing a bottom in housing prices but with a mountain of resets coming in the next few months, it?s difficult to see how a bottom can be seen or even predicted.
Read more: Time to purchase a house?
]]>
Filing Your Home Insurance Claim After The Disaster
Here are 5 steps to follow when you need your home insurance.
Here are 5 steps you should do to prepare and file your home insurance claim after the disaster.
Read more: 5 Steps To Preparing & Filing Your Home Insurance Claim After The Disaster
]]>
Strike One
A look at role of mortgage insurance in FHA loans.
Regarding the second point: By not raising the loan limits they fail in one of the 11 ways they can help. I believe they will fail in almost all, but let us have hope. To be specific as to why I support this: FHA is not a government gimme. It is a government guarantee the mortgage will be paid or the lender compensated for losses. The program pays positive cash flow to the government in that there is a type of mortgage insurance fee charged the borrower. It is reasonable and more than pays for the reimbursements made to the lenders that suffer a default.
Read more: Strike One, How Many More To Go President Bush - Congress?
]]>
Who's To Blame
Mortgage brokers share the blame with the rest of the industry in the current real estate mess.
Who is not to blame for the mortgage mess? Take one step back. As lenders, money was flowing from the spigot like there was no tomorrow. As mortgage brokers, there was money to be made by cranking the faucet, and it was a foot race to see who could get to the sink first. As agents, we sang the ?Houses are expensive, but money is cheap? refrain until we were blue in the face. And, as for the consumer, it really doesn?t matter in the final analysis whether they were motivated by necessity, opportunity or unadulterated greed. We all helped make this bed in which we now must lie.
Read more: Chicken Soup to Social Responsibility - Damn, I’m a Paradox
]]>
Trying To Move
Hard to move when you're house loses value.
I will continue to work from Los Angeles while we work on selling our house, which unfortunately is bad timing as housing prices have taken a bit of a dive around here. Once we have things settled over here, we?ll pack our things and move up to Seattle.
Read more: Why Is Microsoft Removing My MVP Status?
]]>
Housing Slump 'Forces' Pair To Open Whorehouse?
A critical look at a story about mortgage brokers turned sex workers.
What else can you say to such a ridiculous report, such obvious sensationalism? The sad thing is, many people will read this wild hyperbole and imagine that the TV station?s salacious report has a ?point? to it.
Read more: Housing Slump ‘Forces’ Pair to Open Whorehouse?
]]>
Home Buyers Returning This Fall
This blogger says lower mortgage rates will drive buyers to the residential real estate market soon.
Ten days ago after the Fed calmed the markets' credit panic with a 1/2 point cut in the Discount rate, I postulated that home buyers will come back this fall when the Fed finally drops the Fed Funds rate, and mortgage rates drop. It's now almost certain to happen. Here are the parameters in play now:
Read more: Home buyers are returning this fall - part 2
]]>
Lead Scrub Rates
A look at the cost of a lead for a mortgage broker.
Joel has a good interview with Dave Wengel of TargusInfo around Mortgage lead scrub rates. Specifically that lendingtree and lowermybills have a 15% scrub rate whereas the free ipod guys (lure people in with promise of a free ipod but they and their friends have to signup for credit cards, netflix and talk to mortgage brokers to get it) have around a 50-60% scrub rate.
Read more: Lead Scrub Rates
]]>
Why I Have Endorsed FHA
A look at FHA compliance for mortgage brokers.
Having been an FHA lender I can attest it is a pain at times. FHA requires annual financial audits of the mortgage brokers financial condition and more. We always have survived the several day pain, and the expenses tied to it, but only FHA drags brokers through this. The actual banks that sponsor the mortgage broker go through even more red tape and grief. Loan officers have to know more rules. FHA doesn?t rely on the easy automated underwriting or the quick answer from a subprime lender. FHA restricts how the borrowers pay for certain expenses and how much the lender can charge.
Read more: I Have Endorsed FHA, Why Specifically?
]]>
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Counseling And Hope For Sub Prime Mortgage Holders
You may think that holders of a sub prime mortgage need more than just counseling - true! But there is a new program out which includes counseling as part of its scheme to help distressed Read more...
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Being Way Behind In Payments Doesn't Mean You Are Beyond Mortgage Help
By Ed
This real estate downturn, or any real estate downturn for that matter, sees many people get behind on their mortgage payments. Sometimes this even Read more...
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