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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 20th, 2024

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The prior week showed a surprising display of inflation,  in that for consumers, it was less than expected. This is giving way to some optimism that inflation is on the right track to being under control.

On the other end of the spectrum, for producers, inflation had shown to be slightly higher than expected. But the far higher impact of the two reports is the Consumer Price Index. 

The Federal Reserve had still stuck to their stance as from the last FOMC opting to withhold any rate reduction decisions until late in the year, but the data coming in largely on a positive note has changed the previously highly negative outlooks into a neutral stance.

Consumer Price Index

The cost of consumer goods and services rose 0.3% in April, largely because of higher oil prices and housing costs, as inflation remained elevated in key parts of the economy. Yet the increase in the consumer price index last month fell below the 0.4% forecast of economists polled by The Wall Street Journal.

Producer Price Index

U.S. wholesale prices jumped 0.5% in April in another sign of sticky inflation. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had forecast a smaller 0.3% increase in the producer price index.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

  • 15-Yr FRM rates are seeing a decrease by -0.10% with the current rate at 6.28%
  • 30-Yr FRM rates are seeing a decrease by -0.07% with the current rate at 7.02%

MND Rate Index

  • 30-Yr FHA rates are seeing no change for this week. Current rates at 6.62%
  • 30-Yr VA rates are seeing no change for this week. Current rates at 6.64%

Jobless Claims

Initial Claims were reported to be 231,000 compared to the expected claims of 214,000. The prior week landed at 208,000.

What’s Ahead

Extremely light week ahead after the inflation data releases. Heading up the most influential releases, the FOMC minutes will be highlighting potential plans for the future of rate decisions, among the regular job data releases.

Escrow Analysis: Your Key to Understanding Mortgage Payments

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Escrow might sound like a fancy term, but it’s not rocket science. Let’s break it down into simple terms. In simple terms, an escrow analysis is a review of your escrow account conducted by your mortgage lender. Think of it as a regular check-up for your escrow account. You might be wondering, what is an escrow account? An escrow account holds funds collected with your monthly mortgage payment to cover expenses like property taxes, homeowners insurance, and sometimes even mortgage insurance.

Why It Matters

Without a proper escrow analysis, you might end up short on cash when those tax and insurance bills roll in. While your mortgage payments stay consistent, taxes and insurance costs can fluctuate. So, this analysis helps your lender keep everything in check.

How It Works

When you close on your home, your lender sets up an escrow account. This is where you’ll deposit your monthly payments. Your lender then takes care of paying your mortgage, insurance, and taxes from this account.

What to Expect from Your Analysis Statement

Your lender typically sends out an escrow analysis statement each year. Your lender calculates what you owe for taxes and insurance each month, dividing the total by 12. They might also include a cushion to cover any unexpected increases.

It breaks down:

Summary: Shows your account balance for the upcoming year.

Changes: Highlights any differences in payments.

History: Summarizes the account’s activity.

Projections: Estimates upcoming payments based on past data.

Understanding the Process

Your lender compares projected payments with actual ones. They make sure there are no deficits or surpluses. If there’s too much in your account, you might get a refund. If there’s not enough, your monthly payments might go up.

How to Read Your Statement

It’s designed to be easy to understand. But if you’re unsure, your lender can help. Look out for terms like:

Minimum Escrow Account Balance: The lowest amount needed in your account.

Escrow Surplus: Extra funds in your account.

Escrow Shortage: Not enough in your account.

Common Adjustments: Changes in payments due to tax or insurance changes.

What If You Disagree?

Reach out to your lender if you spot any issues. Providing documentation can help resolve any discrepancies. Understanding escrow doesn’t have to be stressful. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

Exploring Home Improvement Loans

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Want to upgrade your home but short on cash? Home improvement loans can help! They’re like a financial boost for fixing up your place without draining your savings. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one? Let’s review the options.

Home improvement loans are like a cash lifeline for home projects. Unlike some loans, they don’t need your home as collateral. You get the money upfront and pay it back over time.

What’s the difference between home improvement and renovation loans? Improvement loans are more flexible and cover various projects, like a new roof or landscaping. Renovation loans may have specific rules, like for kitchen or bathroom remodels.

Once you’re approved for a loan, the lender gives you the money in one go. You start paying it back right away, usually every month. The interest rate depends on your credit score and other factors.

Interest rates for these loans can vary a lot, usually between 5% and 36%. Your credit score will make a large impact.  Some lenders give discounts if you pay automatically, and you can check your likely interest rate without hurting your credit score.

Here are the main types of home improvement loans:

Home Equity Loan: Good for big projects. You borrow money against your home’s value but watch out for extra fees.

HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit): Like a credit card, it lets you borrow as you need.

Cash-out Refinance: You get a new, bigger mortgage and cash in hand.

FHA 203(k) Rehab Loan: Great for buying homes that need fixing up.

Unsecured Personal Loan: Quick cash without using your home as collateral.

In short, home improvement loans can make your renovation dreams come true. Whether you’re thinking of solar panels or a new bedroom, there’s a loan that fits. Just read the fine print and choose wisely and always use a trusted mortgage professional to help guide you.

Strategies for Single Homebuyers

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Are you a single individual ready to take the plunge into homeownership? Congratulations! While the journey might seem overwhelming, especially when it comes to securing a mortgage, there is no need to worry. With the right strategies and tips, you can navigate the process with confidence and success. As a mortgage lender with years of experience helping single homebuyers achieve their dreams, I’m here to share some valuable insights to guide you on your path to homeownership.

Know Your Finances Inside Out: Before diving into the housing market, take a deep dive into your financial situation. Understand your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and how much you can comfortably afford to spend on a home. Remember, being single doesn’t mean you’re at a disadvantage, but often means you have more control over your finances and can make decisions that align solely with your needs and goals.

Save, Save, Save: As a single homebuyer, you may not have the advantage of dual incomes to rely on. That’s why it’s crucial to have a robust savings plan in place. Aim to save for a substantial down payment to reduce your monthly mortgage payments and potentially qualify for better interest rates. Additionally, having a healthy savings cushion can provide peace of mind and financial security during unexpected circumstances.

Explore Loan Options: There’s no one-size-fits-all mortgage solution. As a single homebuyer, you have various loan options to choose from, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans (if applicable), and more. Each loan type comes with its own set of benefits and eligibility requirements. Work closely with your mortgage lender to explore all available options and choose the one that best suits your financial situation and homeownership goals.

Consider Co-Buying or Co-Signing: While buying a home solo is empowering, you don’t have to go it alone. Consider co-buying with a trusted friend or family member to share the financial responsibilities and make homeownership more attainable. Alternatively, if you have a close family member willing to co-sign the mortgage, you may qualify for a higher loan amount or better terms.

Factor in Additional Costs: Owning a home involves more than just making monthly mortgage payments. Be prepared for additional costs such as property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, and repairs. As a single homeowner, it’s essential to budget carefully and set aside funds for these expenses to avoid financial strain down the road.

Build a Strong Support Network: While you may be tackling the homebuying process solo, that doesn’t mean you can’t seek support along the way. Surround yourself with trusted professionals, including a reliable real estate agent and mortgage lender, who can provide guidance and expertise throughout the journey. Additionally, don’t hesitate to lean on friends and family for emotional support during what can be a stressful but rewarding time.

As a single homebuyer, you have the freedom to make decisions that align with your lifestyle and goals. By implementing these mortgage strategies and tips, you can navigate the homebuying process with confidence and pave the way to homeownership success.

How Do Mortgage Points Cut Your Interest Costs?

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Those who are involved in the real estate industry likely know that mortgage rates are at an all-time low. At the same time, nobody wants to pay more for a house than they have to. Some of the most important factors that dictate how much someone is going to pay for a house include points and interest rates.

While interest rates are incredibly low, there is a way to make them lower. This comes in the form of points. This is additional money that is paid upfront to get a better deal over the life of the loan. Even though this sounds great in theory this might not be the best option for everyone. There are a few important points to keep in mind.

What Are Points?

Often, the lender is going to offer someone the option of paying points when the mortgage is created. This should be viewed as paying interest on the loan in advance. In exchange for paying interest upfront, the lender should offer to lock in a lower interest rate over the life of the loan. The more points someone purchases, the better the rate.

For example, paying one point of interest may reduce the interest rate on the loan by 0.25 percent. This is standard. Take, for example, a $200,000 home. One point on this loan would cost someone about $2,000. In exchange, the interest rate on the loan is going to drop by 0.25 percent. This might be worth it in the long run.

Discount Points

Other people might have heard about something called discount points. This is another term for mortgage points. The two terms can be used interchangeably. Typically, people can purchase as many discount points as they want, up to the limit of the lender. 

An Overview Of Origination Points

Another type of point that people might have heard about is origination points or origination fees usually expressed by a percentage of the loan amount. These are points that are charged to the borrower to cover the processing, or originating fees for the mortgage loan. These fees are included in the total closing costs disclosed when you apply for your home loan.

Origination points are almost always negotiable. The number of origination points that a lender is going to charge can vary from place to place. Therefore, always be sure to ask about origination points. There might be a way to get these points waived, saving the borrower a significant amount of money.

As always, your trusted mortgage financing professional is the best source of information for your personal mortgage situation.