mortgage updates: First Time Homeowners and Kauai Distressed Properties - 03/18/10 04:11 AM
Time is running out for the extended first-time homebuyer’s tax credit.Join the experts from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Title Guaranty Escrow, Hawaii Life Real Estate, and 101 Financial who are co-sponsoring four free first-time homebuyer seminars on March 22, 24th and 26th and the following week on April 1st. Register online →Sometimes when buying a first home, home buyers can get overwhelmed by the paperwork and the process. By attending this seminar, you ‘ll get a great head start on understanding this process of home ownership and acquire the knowledge that will help you be more confident when purchasing. Attendees are … (0 comments)

mortgage updates: FHA and VA rates are upped for Hawaii - 03/08/09 06:38 PM
 The loan limits for FHA and VA have increased again and that is helpful for buyer's using those types of programs. There are additional incentives in the government's new programs to make it easier to buy homes using these programs. FHA only requires 3.5% down PLUS they have programs where you can also finance any upgrades or improvements you wish to make to the home.
Some of our Kauai lenders have more experience and focus on these types of FHA and VA loans. If you qualify for any of these programs, it may be worth checking out.
Check out the requirements … (2 comments)

mortgage updates: Is this the limbo or what? - 12/17/08 01:21 PM
When I was a kid when i went to parties we used to do a dance called the limbo. Two people would hold a post or rod or something and the person dancing would contort themselves and attempt to scoot under the "limbo bar". Each time the bar would be lowered until one could not go under it. For three days in a row, I have been bombarded by lenders promoting their new lower, lower, lowest rates. Could we begin to see interest rates in the 2's or 3's. Kind of like the limbo, the question is "how low can you … (0 comments)

mortgage updates: Mortgage Rates Headed Up - 10/09/08 04:39 PM
Here's a perspective from a mainland lender who keeps it short and simple. I just saw his blog post and whatdya' know, interest rates jumped almost 7/8 of a point today. Gosh, that really hurts. I'm sure those who are in escrow with interest rates locked in are feeling pretty good tonight, but it's not good for the overall market.

I am not one that likes to make negative predictions, but the recent financial news leads me to conclude that mortgage rates will be going up.  For those who are ready to buy or refinance, I believe now is a good … (3 comments)

mortgage updates: Hawai`i Mortgage Loans reflect industry tightening. - 05/30/08 05:32 AM
According to numbers published by Title Guaranty, one of Hawai`i's leading title and escrow organization, the total value of new loans and re-fis across the residential and commercial markets dropped to $5.2 billion during the first quarter of '08, from 10.4 billion in the year-earlier period. The slowing housing market is one reason. The contraction of loan products, particularily in the no-doc category of loans, is another contributor to the reduced volume in mortgages.In some parts of Hawai`i, I'm talking about the state now, not the Big Island, HELOC, Home Equity Lines of Credit, are being pulled as property values continue … (0 comments)