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Posts Tagged ‘housing market’

Could the low mortgage rates boost the condition of the US housing market?

May 13th, 2011 No comments

According to the recent report by the Mortgage Bankers Association, it has been studied that in the week that ended on the 6th of May, the mortgage activities throughout the US rose 8.2% as the long term interest rates went through a massive fall. The interest rates on the 30 year fixed rate mortgage fell to 4.68% from 4.78% with the points going through a rise from 0.75 to 1.1. The rates on the 15 year fixed rate mortgage contracts fell to 3.81 from 3.96% with the points increasing from 0.84 to 1.06, as per the Mortgage Bankers Association. If you’re someone who is in the market for getting mortgage help, hire a broker before taking the plunge so that you don’t commit the most common mistakes that are related with taking out a mortgage loan.

According to the association, the refinancing applications have also risen by about 19% due to the better mortgage rates than before. As per the vice president of the Mortgage Bankers Association, the mortgage interest rates dropped sharply after the US Federal Reserve kept continuing with its quantitative easing program. Being a mortgage borrower, you must make sure that you take the required steps so that you avert the risk of committing the most common mortgage mistakes.

What are the most common mortgage mistakes committed by the borrowers?

If you are in the market for getting a mortgage loan, stay away from committing the most common mistakes while taking out a mortgage loan. A small error may lead you into grave financial mess in the long run and therefore, here’s help for you. Check out some mortgage mistakes and stay aware of them.

  • Misunderstanding the mortgage points: According to a survey, nearly 45% of the borrowers believe that they should buy mortgage discount points while taking out a mortgage loan. Since the discount points have an upfront cost that can be rolled over through your interest rates over the term of the loan, the decision should be taken on deciding how long you tend to stay in your home. Using a discount points calculator can help you determine the numbers.
  • Ignoring the mortgage interest rates: There are many ignorant borrowers who go out shopping for a mortgage loan without knowing the prevalent rates in the market. You can easily be duped by your lenders if you remain unaware of the rates. Stay updated about the changes and fluctuations in the mortgage rates so that you may take an informed and measured decision.
  • Failing to compare quotes from various lenders: Many people fail to compare the rates that are offered by most mortgage companies and they end up choosing the wrong rates that make them go through financial problems in the near future. This is the reason why the mortgage experts always recommend the borrowers to compare the mortgage quotes from at least 4-5 mortgage companies before selecting a particular loan.

Do low rates signal a strengthened housing market in the US?

The news of the lower mortgage rates can easily be a sign of the strengthened housing market in the US. As per the figures showed by the US Census Bureau and the HUD, new home sales have been on an upward rise and have increased by 11.1% in March 2011 from the month of February. The average median sales price for the new homes was at $214,800 while the average sale price was at $247,800.

Whether the low mortgage rates are actually affecting the housing market in the US, is still to be decided. Some 70% of the citizens of America feel that this is perhaps the perfect time to purchase a home, according to recent studies. However, you must get mortgage help from a broker so that you can take the best decision while taking out a loan.

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Why homebuilders may never fully recover

March 24th, 2011 No comments
The housing market, to put it mildly, still stinks. But have homebuilder stocks finally hit bottom?

New home sales tumble to record low

March 23rd, 2011 No comments
New home sales fell 16.9% in February, to the lowest level since the government began keeping records in 1963, as the reeling housing market failed to generate any momentum.

Home prices: The double-dip is near

March 22nd, 2011 No comments
That big sucking sound you heard last week? That was the air being taken out of the housing market by a slew of bad reports followed by some dire predictions by an industry bubble-spotter.

A bright spot in housing’s bad market: Rentals

February 24th, 2011 No comments
Housing bear David Rosenberg says that apartment REITs should continue their streak for the foreseeable future.

2011 housing market will be flat

January 26th, 2011 No comments
Housing markets will remain flat, flat, flat in 2011, according to forecasts from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

America’s most overvalued cities

January 16th, 2011 No comments
Can a housing market simultaneously be the most undervalued in the nation and one of the worst housing buys? It can if it's Las Vegas.

Rent vs. own ratio to flip in 2011?

January 4th, 2011 No comments
Many Americans are content to rent after witnessing the housing market crumble. But with rents on the rise and home prices continuing to fall, a reversal is in sight.

Kiss 4% mortgage rates goodbye

January 1st, 2011 No comments
The era of near 4% mortgage rates has ended after a quick rate rise since early November. But some industry experts think that may be a good thing for the flagging housing market.

More big paydays at Fannie, Freddie

December 31st, 2010 No comments
The housing recovery has stalled, but the gravy train rolls on for the government-appointed saviors of the housing market, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.