Tag Archive for: refinance

Why I HATE Permanent Rate Buydowns

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“Homebuyers prefer permanent buydowns rather than temporary buydowns.” That was a headline today in this National Mortgage News article. So, even though I just blogged about this in November, I am hitting it again because “I hate permanent interest rate buydowns.” According to the article, 57% of buyers in the third week of January paid […]Read More

Much Lower Interest Rates By March; Why & What It Means

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On Thursday, CPI (inflation data) came in lower than expected – and we saw one of the largest one-day rate drops ever. I of course blogged about it here: THIS IS HUGE! Inflation & Rates PLUMMET. My biggest takeaway though wasn’t just that inflation and rates dropped; it was to point out how correct the […]Read More

Free Refis Aren’t Free

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An agent recently told us he only refers his clients to “one loan officer” because that loan officer “offers a ‘free’ refi to all of his clients in 6 months, if rates fall.” We tried to explain to the agent that there is no such thing as a free refi, and that every lender in […]Read More

Is Inflation “Over?” (and boy does it matter!)

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Inflation Is Here To Stay! (or not) After telling us that inflation was transitory or temporary for months in 2021, many if not most economists changed their tune and declared that inflation was here to stay. This is why the Fed changed course so quickly and aggressively this year, and it is largely why interest […]Read More

Huge Opportunity From High Rates!

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Grizzled Escrow Officer Sets Me Straight! While aimlessly wandering the hallways lamenting the industry slowdown, I ran into a very grizzled escrow officer who runs the title company next door. She is one of those utterly fearless women who has been around forever and has literally seen it all. She handled George Washington’s escrow when […]Read More

Attention Nervous Homebuyers: Rates Likely to Fall! Dr. Lacy Hunt Explains

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Even though rates are still lower than where they were in 2018 (and for much of the last 10 years), homebuyers are still often very upset that rates have climbed so much in recent months. We frequently remind readers that homebuyers stress too much about rates in any case because so few of them keep their loans as long as they think they will (usually less than 7 years).Read More

Eliminating PMI – With Appreciation, Paying Down Loan, or Refinancing!

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A client who bought in 2019 emailed me this week, asking how to get out of PMI. Because appreciation has been so massive over the last few years, there is no reason anyone should have kept their PMI in place for more than two years.Read More

Why Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?

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What Is Refinancing Refinancing is an excellent opportunity for homeowners to change their mortgage rate and terms to lower their interest rate, monthly payment, or cash out some of their property’s accumulated equity.  There are two types of refinances available for homeowners:  Rate/Term Refinance: A rate and term refinance is the refinancing of an existing […]Read More

The Difference Between Purchase and Refinance Mortgages

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  Purchase mortgages and refinances are both home loans, but they serve very different purposes. A purchase mortgage is a type of loan that homebuyers apply to finance the purchase of a new home. A refinance mortgage is the process homeowners go through to change their mortgage rate and terms. While purchase and refinance loans […]Read More

How Likely Are You to Get an Appraisal Waiver? Hint: Not Very :)

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Why We Refused Refinances In 2020 This is a quick aside but a reminder that we stopped accepting refinance applications in 2020. It cost us millions in lost revenue but we did so anyway because we wanted to make sure we could maintain our service levels for purchase business. This is because we knew that […]Read More

How Monkeys Close Loans in 10 Days; Purchases? Not So Much…

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30-MINUTE LOANS Closing a conforming (Fannie/Freddie) refinance for a W2’d employee with good credit can take less than 30 minutes of effort on the part of a lender. This is because lenders can now use artificial intelligence to underwrite clean files, and verifications of employment and assets are pulled automatically via the lender’s loan application […]Read More

DANGER! Home Equity Lines & Inflation

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A borrower reached out to me for a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) recently, and I referred her to a local bank that we work with that offers the best service and rates. She came back to me the next day and said: “my friends say I should consider a cash-out refi instead…” And […]Read More

Record Equity + Certain Inflation + Uncertain Economy = Cash-Out Now (4 Reasons Why)

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TOTAL HOME EQUITY SURGES TO INSANE RECORD Prior to the 2008 meltdown, total home equity (the value of all homes minus all mortgage debt) in the U.S. peaked in 2005 at $14.4 TRILLION. Last year, total home equity hit $21.1 trillion – crushing the 2005 record (here is a table showing total home equity from […]Read More

What Is A Cash-Out Refinance In Texas?

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Homeowners in Texas continue to see an increase in home value and are now finding themselves with more equity in their homes. Many Texas homeowners are eligible to utilize a cash-out refinance to convert some of their equity into cash, but what exactly is s cash-out refinance? What is a Cash-Out Refinance? A cash-out refinance […]Read More

6 Reasons Why Refis Are SO MUCH EASIER Than Purchases

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We often see borrowers who are reluctant to refinance into a lower rate – even when the new loan will be “no cost” and save them hundreds of dollars every month. Unfortunately, this reluctance is sometimes fostered by the stress those borrowers endured during their purchase. As a result we like to emphatically remind everyone […]Read More

BEST NEWS EVER! Fannie And Freddie Eliminate “Adverse Market Fee;” Reduce Rates By 1/4%!

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I can think of many examples of things that would constitute “the best news ever.” Hearing “snow day/school canceled” announced on the radio when I was a kid on Western Minnesota’s prairie is definitely up there. And, so is the time my friend’s older brother scored us not one but TWO kegs of beer for […]Read More

Mortgage Applications Down 30%; What Does It Mean For Borrowers? Refi Boom Coming?

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2020 = BEST YEAR EVER FOR MORTGAGE INDUSTRY The mortgage industry had its best year ever last year (over $4 trillion of funded loans), as rates fell to all-time lows and both purchases and refis shot up to record levels. Industry capacity could not come close to meeting demand, and lenders were able to charge […]Read More

Student Loan Cash-Out Refinances

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Millennials are one of the largest demographics and have taken the housing market by storm. Millennials accounted for 38 percent of home purchases in 2020 and more than half of all new mortgages. Yet, while millennials make up a sizeable portion of the housing market, over 45% of millennials have student loan debt. For homeowners […]Read More

Fed Speaks – Rates Up; Paying Off Student Loans With Mortgage; Interest-Only Loans

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Fed Chair Powell spoke yesterday and sent the bond market into a tizzy, as investors sold off their bonds and pushed rates sharply higher. What crazy thing did Powell have the audacity to say? He acknowledged that the economy is strengthening and that there is an uptick in inflation. In addition, a statement by the […]Read More

Your Home Just Appreciated 25% – Now What?

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Home values in the U.S. increased an average of almost 12% over the last 12 months, according to Zillow. But, in some markets – like Austin, TX – we saw appreciation of over 25%! Dallas saw almost 11%, while Sacramento saw 15%. Poor San Francisco was the outlier with DEPRECIATION of almost 3%! So – […]Read More

There’s A HUGE GLUT OF WOOD, So Why’s Lumber So Expensive?

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On Friday, I blogged about whether or not borrowers can roll their closing costs into their loans. Several savvy agents responded and pointed out that I forgot one more way borrowers can get credits for closing costs: agents can credit a portion of their commissions too if they so desire.  We never recommend that to […]Read More

What Credit Score Is Needed To Refinance A House?

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What Credit Score Do You Need To Refinance? Many borrowers want to know what credit score they need to refinance. Credit scores play a significant role in determining what mortgage rate you qualify for when refinancing. There is no “one interest rate” that lenders quote each day because of the many factors that affect individual […]Read More

Why Refi Into A Higher Rate? Debt Consolidation!

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BORROWER REFIS INTO HIGHER RATE We recently had a borrower who had over $110,000 of consumer debt (credit cards and personal loans). The borrower had a very low fixed-rate mortgage too that we could not match b/c rates have gone up and b/c the borrower’s credit score had dropped so much b/c of the consumer […]Read More

Mortgage Rates Way UP; Refi Now… Or Forever Hold Your Peace

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Remember last year when I said rates could either go up, go down or stay the same? Well, I was right. 😊 OK – I was actually right about the rates going up part. And I was just repeating what Barry Habib was saying. Habib thought rates would go up early this year and then […]Read More

Are Home Equity Loans Tax Deductible?

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Homeowners cannot claim tax deductions on home equity loans in some cases. However, they can still benefit from cash-out refinancing programs to use the equity they’ve accrued in their homes. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed by President Trump in December 2017, introduced this change. Interest paid on home equity loans is no longer […]Read More

This Decade’s Popular Home Upgrades

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If you compare a home from 2010 to one from 2020, you will notice quite a few significant contrasts. The American home is ever-changing, the most recent shifts being more technological home upgrades. Keep reading to find out what home features have become increasingly popular in today’s home design. 1. Smart Home Upgrades As more […]Read More

How To Refinance Without Closing Costs

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Refinancing is an excellent way for homeowners to benefit from low-interest rates, saving themselves a lot of money in the long run. There are two options borrowers have when refinancing with JVM to avoid closing costs: a “No Cost Refinance” and a “No Money Out of Pocket” loan. No Cost Refinance When a lender offers […]Read More

Shopping For A Mortgage With JVM Lending

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Whether you’re purchasing a home or refinancing an existing mortgage, it’s crucial to get the best deal possible. At JVM Lending, we make it easy with our Mortgage Calculator. Enter the details of your loan to receive rates and closing costs instantly and specific to your situation. We’re a local, unique, and experienced mortgage firm […]Read More

Real Estate Definitions: The Right To Cancel

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Your Right To Cancel A Loan Here is one of a few real estate terms you should know if you are receiving a loan. The Federal Truth-in-Lending Act allows three days for homeowners who are refinancing to reconsider a loan during which they can cancel their refinance without penalty. The Right to Cancel protects homeowners […]Read More

Is It A Good Idea To Refinance My Mortgage To Pay Off Credit Cards?

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Many homebuyers think that refinancing and taking cash out from their home’s equity may be a good way to pay off any credit card debt. But – homebuyers should be cautioned, financing credit card debt through a refinance may not be the right move for everyone. While your total monthly expenses will drop significantly, the […]Read More

Fannie Mae Re-Slams Mortgage Industry With 1/2 Point Refi Fee

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In August, I blogged about Fannie Mae Slamming Refi Borrowers With A New 1/2 Point Fee. And then later in August, I blogged about Fannie Mae Yanking Its 1/2 Point Fee In Response to Industry Pressure. But, Fannie only postponed its refi fee until December 1st. So all refinance loans sold to Fannie Mae and/or […]Read More

Beware Of Fake Vendors Pretending To Be Us; Paying Off HELOC = Cash Out

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BEWARE OF VENDORS IMPERSONATING LENDERS This is a quick reminder that some vendors, particularly sellers of “mortgage protection insurance” or other insurance products, often reach out to new homebuyers shortly after close. These vendors often see the name of the funding mortgage bank on county records and then reach out to homebuyers, pretending to be […]Read More

Different Types Of Mortgage Loans For Homebuyers

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Homebuyers have many options when it comes to mortgage loans. Whichever loan you choose should be the best fit for your specific situation. Each program has particular qualifications and requirements. This blog will explain the details of the different types of loans that most homebuyers will encounter when planning their home purchase. FIXED-RATE LOANS Fixed-rate […]Read More

How To Refinance A Home With Low Income

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Here’s a common situation many homeowners face: the old mortgage has a much higher interest rate than the rates available today, and you could save hundreds of dollars each month by refinancing. Your home has built up plenty of equity, so no problems there. However, there is one issue; you don’t have enough income to […]Read More

Fires, Hurricanes, Appraisals & Delays; Agent Resource Guide

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In Friday’s Blog, I mentioned how we were losing Appraisal or Property Inspection Waivers (PIWs) b/c of the fires in NorCal, but I made an error. Underwriters are not always requiring full appraisals in lieu of PIWs in fire areas; in most cases they are just requiring simple inspections, with no value attributed, that certify […]Read More

Fannie Mae’s New 50 Basis Point Fee Slams Refinance Borrowers

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As I mentioned yesterday, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac imposed a new fee of 1/2 point, or 50 basis points, on all refinance loans – catching the entire mortgage world completely off guard. What the new fee means in reality is that all refinance borrowers will now face 1/8 to 1/4 percent higher rates when […]Read More

Explaining The Basics of Refinancing A Mortgage

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There are many possible benefits to refinancing your home mortgage. You may have heard from friends or neighbors who have already refinanced about some of the various advantages connected to refinancing your mortgage. For instance, refinancing can lead to a lower mortgage payment, a quicker timeline for paying off your mortgage, a lower interest rate, […]Read More

7 Ways To Increase Your Home Value

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Everyone wants to increase the value of their home, but many are stumped by where to start. So, we’ve included practical tips and tricks to inspire you to create a plan today. Congratulations! You’ve just purchased a home and made one of the most significant purchases of your life. Within the walls and roof surrounding […]Read More

Refinancing After Forbearance; Credit Inquiries

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Over 4 million borrowers went into mortgage payment “forbearance” during the COVID-19 crisis, and many are now starting to end their forbearance periods – and wondering if they can refinance. Here are some of the guidelines. AUTHORIZED FORBEARANCE – PAST BALANCES PAID If borrowers with a formally authorized (by their servicer) forbearance formally end their […]Read More

Are Cash Out Refinances A Good Idea?

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When homeowners purchase a new home, they instantly start to accumulate equity in their new home. For some homeowners, taking cash out from their home equity can be a great way to pay off credit card bills, purchase a new home, pay for college, or invest in home improvement projects. HOW DO CASH OUT REFINANCES […]Read More

Why “Now” Is Always The Best Time To Refi; Jumbo Returns :)

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GREAT NEWS – JUMBO HAS RETURNED! As expected and hoped for, one of our best jumbo investors returned to the market today with far lower rates. We are now very close to where we were prior to the COVID-19 crisis. WHY “NOW” IS A GOOD TIME TO REFI – IT IS NOT JUST B/C WE […]Read More

Refinancing FAQs; Essential Info for EVERY Borrower

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With rates this low, $4 to $5 trillion of mortgages are now eligible for refinancing. This is more than twice the mortgage industry’s annual capacity and rates look to stay low for some time. Because refis are now such a hot topic and will continue to be for months (if not years), we recently added […]Read More

Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?

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Mortgage rates are trending down, and many homeowners are considering refinancing their mortgage. Homeowners should reach out to a Mortgage Analyst about refinancing their mortgage if rates have dropped significantly lower and if their home value has increased. THE MYTH OF STARTING AMORTIZATION OVER Amortization is the process of spreading out a loan amount into […]Read More

5 Bold Predictions For The Post COVID-19 World; COVID-19 Updates; Reason to Refi

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Forbes Publisher, Rich Karlgaard, published 5 Bold Predictions for the Post COVID-19 World. He imagined what we might see by the Spring of 2021 and predicted the following: A rebounding world economy with a fantastic global growth rate of 4%. Fully resumed global travel b/c human nature makes people want to travel no matter what. […]Read More

Rates 1/2 Percent HIGHER Than On Monday; Early Pay-Off Penalties

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Mortgage Interest Rates remain a full 1/2% higher than where they were on Monday, and 5/8% higher than where they were last week. So, while the 10-Year Treasury Bond (government debt) remains in record-low territory, mortgage rates are up considerably as the industry tries to stem excess volume. EARLY PAY-OFF PENALTIES – HOLDING ON TO […]Read More

The Myth of “Starting Amortization Over” When Borrowers Refinance – Save the Savings!

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I received the below email from a borrower this week: “I’m about 3 years into my current loan, and am looking into another refi. My monthly payment savings will be about $400 per month. How do you figure out the savings overall when you consider a new loan will cost about $80k in additional interest […]Read More

Low Rates & Early Pay Off Penalties; Six Months Is All We Ask

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Rates have fallen about 1/4 percent over the last few weeks and they are almost 1% lower than their peak only a few months back. As a result, everyone is rushing to refinance again, as I mentioned in yesterday’s blog. Mortgage lenders love the onslaught of business even though it fosters some major risks. One […]Read More

When Does It Make Sense to Refinance? Rules of Thumb

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When I was researching today’s blog, I came across a December of 2010 blog of mine that said: “The refi boom is officially over.” I found that amusing b/c rates were about 1/2 percent higher than they are today, b/c rates fell almost a full percentage point in 2011, and b/c we have had so […]Read More

Cash-Out Refinance in California

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House values are continuing to increase across the state of California, and homeowners are now finding themselves with more equity in their homes. Many homeowners utilize a cash-out refinance to convert some of their equity into cash. What is a Cash-Out Refinance? A cash-out refinance loan refers to the refinancing of an existing mortgage into […]Read More