If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

The Fed reiterated once again that their Mortgage Backed Security (MBS) purchase program…the program that has helped keep home loan rates low for much of the last year…will end on March 31, 2010 as previously stated. Here’s the lowdown on what this means, and all the latest news impacting home loan rates and the markets.

Last Wednesday during their regularly scheduled meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the Federal Reserve kept the Fed Funds Rate unchanged. But history has shown that when the Fed has left rates too low for an extended period of time, there is a price to be paid, via higher inflation. Yet if the accommodation is removed too early, it can derail an already fragile recovery. The Fed continues to walk this tightrope, trying to get it “just right.”

Along with this decision, the Fed emphasized and reminded that their MBS purchase program will still end on their already revised deadline date of March 31, 2010. Why is this significant? Let’s look at the numbers from last week to get an idea. The Fed purchased $16B in MBS in the latest week bringing the year-to-date total to $1.087T. This means there is $163B left to purchase before March 31, which in turn means the Fed will purchase about $11.5B on average each week through the end of the buying program. This is less than half of what the Fed was buying regularly throughout 2009 and a 1/3 less than what the Fed has been buying in recent weeks.

So why does this point to higher rates around the corner? When there is lots of supply and diminishing demand, the price of that item will subsequently go down – it’s Economics 101. So, when Bond prices start to decrease from the diminishing demand of the Fed’s purchases, home loan rates will naturally be likely to increase.

There is much give and take involved in negotiating a property purchase. That’s why it’s important to have a checklist of what you want to get out of the deal as a buyer. Bear in mind, the home must be appraised and the lender will be looking at the fair market value on a given property. Since property values fluctuate, your Real Estate Agent should do a comparative market analysis so you are aware of what the trends are for the area in which you are shopping. This will give you an idea as to whether the seller’s asking price is realistic. You will also want to know how long the property has been on the market, and if any price reductions have occurred during that time.

Make sure your Real Estate Agent is on the same page with you so he/she is able to represent you properly. You also want to know that you are working with an agent that is experienced in representing the buyer. Not all agents have the ability to provide strong representation for both a buyer and a seller. If you have not yet selected a Real Estate Agent to represent you, my team and I can provide you with contacts that have a proven track record of success with our clientele.

Remember a good deal is mutually beneficial.

The seller will also have a wish list of what they want out of the negotiation. Listen attentively to determine what their hot buttons are. You can use this information to leverage what you want out of the deal at some point along the way.

Find out if the seller has a deadline. Perhaps they have already purchased their new home, or have to Read the rest of this entry »

The Benefits of a Professional Consultant

Choosing the right lender is a key element to managing your mortgage. As a mortgage consultant, my goal is not just to provide you with a loan, but also to help select the one most beneficial to you and your long-term goals, and then, help you manage that debt over time. There are not many lenders out there who provide this type of personalized service.

My job is just beginning when your first loan closes. I will continuously monitor rates on your behalf, and stay in touch with you to make sure we remain on target with your financial goals.

Seek Pre-Approval

What’s the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?

Pre-qualification is the starting point in your search for mortgage financing. A quick snapshot is taken which includes income, existing debt, savings, length of employment, etc. All of these factors will then be analyzed to determine your loan eligibility.

Pre-approval is written documentation that shows you have the support of a lender who is willing to finance you. It means an underwriter has reviewed your loan application. Based on your income, debt ratio and savings, the underwriter provides the dollar amount you are eligible to borrow. Now you can shop around for houses that Read the rest of this entry »

There’s been a lot of talk about extending the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit lately.

Senate leaders released more details about their compromise on the home buyer tax credit today. Among other things, the deal would give the IRS more authority to spot cheaters in advance and set an $800,000 price limit on all homes eligible for the credit.

The existing $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers (meaning those who have not owned a home in the previous three years) expires after Nov. 30.

The compromise would extend the existing credit and create a new $6,500 credit for move-up buyers. Both types of buyers must sign a binding contract to purchase a new or existing primary residence between December 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010. Buyers would have until June 30 to close the deal.

Move-up buyers will be eligible if the home they are leaving has been their principal residence for five years or more.

The cost of the newly purchased home may not exceed $800,000 for new or move-up buyers. There is no partial credit for homes over $800,000, said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.

The income limits for all buyers would rise to $125,000 for single returns and $225,000 for joint returns, up from $75,000 and $150,000 respectively, under the current program.

Isakson, one of the sponsors of the credit extension, whether $6,500 will motivate existing homeowners to go to the time and expense of buying a new home or Read the rest of this entry »

It’s staggering when you think about the cost of living, especially if you’re a renter and not a home owner. If you are currently paying $1,000 a month for rented housing, then over the next three years, your property management company will effectively have reaped $36,000 of your hard earned cash! You’re paying their mortgage when you could be building equity in your own property.

What if I don’t have the money to buy a home right now?

There are many loan programs available that offer low and no down payment options. Some programs permit gift money as a down payment, and often sellers are willing to make a contribution to your purchase if they want to sell the home quickly.

There are many benefits of home ownership to consider, most of all, tax deductions. Let’s take a look at how advantageous this can be as a homeowner:

How much is tax deductible?

Tax deductions vary, but the IRS has laid out solid rules. They also have several tax publications full of helpful information worth taking the time to read. Publication 530, Tax Information for Read the rest of this entry »

Here are the statistics that will give you an idea of how the market is doing in your area.

The stats are the percentages of the houses that are in escrow compared to the total

number of houses in the market per area.

Here are the numbers for the week ending 9/13/08.
The following is considered the rule of thumb:

Buyers market if: Less than 25% of the houses in inventory are in Escrow

Sellers market if: 25% or more of the houses in inventory are in Escrow

Class 1= Single Family Homes Only as of 9/13/08:

Zone % of listings in escrow Active # of Listings

1 South County 25.8% 687

2 Santa Teresa 30.7% 115

3 Evergreen 27.3% 429

4 East Valley 29.4% 731

5 North Valley 36.8% 253

6 Milpitas 35.7% 126

8 Santa Clara 28.3% 210

9 Downtown 29.0% 313

10 Willow Glen 19.1% 250

11 South San Jose 31.3% 396

12 Blossom 34.2% 239

13 Almaden 18.5% 110

14 Cambrian 34.5% 175

15 Campbell 24.3% 174

16 Los Gatos 17.6% 168

17 Saratoga 18.6% 131

18 Cupertino 29.7% 109

19 Sunnyvale 41.3% 122

Read the rest of this entry »

Has the Housing Market Hit Bottom??!! Did you know most home buyers miss the market turn by 6 months?! Don’t miss out on your opportunity to buy with record low rates and record low prices….. and ton’s of inventory to choose from!!!!!

The signs are there. Ignoring them will cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

Watch and find out how!

“Hindsight is only a decision viewed through the lens of experience”

-By Brian Rodgers

This quote is so true for me. I’ve heard, and even said, that hindsight is 20/20, but it’s really a skewed vision based on what previous decisions we’ve made to get us to that moment of reflection.

Have you had a “defining moment” or vision of clarity, or even a little bit of doubt lately? Comment below and tell me YOUR story.