3.07.2012

Are You Wasting $471 Per Month On Your Mortgage?

According to Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage rate survey, for 13 straight weeks, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage has held below 4.000% for mortgage applicants willing to pay up to 0.8 discount points plus a full set of closing costs.

These are the lowest mortgage rates in history and now -- with a bevy of loan programs for the nation's 11 million "underwater homeowners" including HARP, the FHA Streamline Refinance, and the VA IRRRL -- millions of U.S. homeowners can exploit the current mortgage rate environment.

In this 4-minute clip from NBC's The Today Show, you'll learn about today's mortgage market and your refinancing opportunities in CA.

The video begins by telling us that 14 million credit-worthy Americans have yet to refinance their respective mortgages, and are leaving an average of $471 in "wasted savings" on the table each month which adds up to more than $5,600 annually.

That's a big number.

Some of the video's other key points include :

  • Refinancing is "worth the hassle" when mortgage rates are as low as they are today
  • The best rates are reserved for homeowners with the highest credit scores
  • Comparison shop -- your current mortgage lender may not offer you the best rates

Furthermore, the video reveals the characteristics of the homeowner type most likely to benefit from a refinance. These traits include having with 20% equity in the home; have plans to live in the home for at least the next 36 months; carrying a current mortgage rate of 5 percent or higher.

It should also be added that, with a zero-closing-cost or low-closing-cost mortgage, even a small reduction in your mortgage rate can make a refinance worthwhile.

Mortgage rates are low but can't stay low forever. If you haven't participated in the Refi Boom, talk with a Loan Specialist at Pinnacle Mortgage Group Anaheim CA Today and review your mortgage options. You may be able to save hundreds of dollars per month with just modest closing costs. 

Call us Today (800) 564-1500 or visit us on the web at www.LowRatesOnline.net

2.23.2012

Existing Home Sales Climb To A 20-Month Record

Existing home supplyJanuary's home resales moved to a 20-month high -- additional evidence that the nation's housing recovery is underway.

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, the January 2012 Existing Home Sales showed 4.57 million units sold last month on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis -- a 4 percent increase as compared to December's revised figures.

An "existing home" is one that's been previously occupied and cannot be categorized as new construction.

Beyond the headline numbers, though, there was plenty about which for today's Orange home sellers to get excited. Demand for homes remains strong, foreshadowing higher home prices through 2012.

First, the national housing stock is at a 5-year low.

In January, the number of homes for sale nationwide slipped to 2.31 million, the smallest home inventory since February 2007, and a 21% decrease from just one year ago.

Falling home supply amid constant home demand leads home prices higher. At the current pace of sales, today's complete home inventory would "sell out" in 6.1 months. 

Analysts say that a 6-month supply is a market in balance. Anything less is Bull Market territory.

Second, the National Association of REALTORS® says that one-third of all homes under contract "failed" last month. This means that many more buyers tried to buy, but couldn't for a number of reasons including mortgage denials; or, insurmountable home inspections issues; or, homes appraising for less than the contract price.

As contract failures subside, Existing Home Sales are expected to rise even faster.

And, lastly, first-time buyers continue to power the home resale market. In January, 33% of all sales were made to first-time buyers, up four points from last year. This statistic suggests that renters are moving into homeownership, an important component in a sustained housing market recovery.  

Given high demand and shrinking supply, we should expect for home prices to rise in the coming months, if they haven't already. Thankfully, mortgage rates remain near all-time lows.

Low mortgage rates make homes more affordable.

Get Pre-Approved for your home Now.....Easy, Quick and Secure at www.LowRatesOnline.net or talk with one of our Loan Specialists toll free (800) 564-1500