Special offer

When Rates are the RAGE!

By
Mortgage and Lending

When is it good to quote a Rate? Without fail, "What is today's rate?" is the first thing we are asked on a daily basis. Naturally mortgage professionals don't want to disappoint folks, so rates are usually the last thing we can offer. Your interest rate really depends on what you want to accomplish, how quickly, for how long and so many other factors not the least of which include some complicated price adjustments for risk factors.

OK...We Do Have Some Amazing Pre-Christmas  Mortgage Rates!  Below is a loan comparison for 5.0% Purchase and 5.25% Refinance Rates, Based on classic 680 FICO, Full Documentation, 80% Loan to Value.  Not everyone will qualify for these terms of course. Jumbos, cash out, low down payments, impaired credit or unusual properties and life's other little challenges add pricing hits.

For the lucky square pegs, read on:

$320,000 Refinance loan at 5.25%*    

=Monthly Principal and Interest Payment: $1,767.05  *APR: 5.45%   

$400,000 Purchase (20% down) = $320,000 loan at 5.0%** 

= Monthly Principal and Interest Payment: $1,717.83  **APR: 5.205

(reflects insurance+tax/ impounds of approximately $200 per month and closing costs).  

After January 1, we anticipate that our new Fannie/Freddie guidelines and rates will be geared toward 1st time buyers and distressed borrowers. It's anybody's guess what trends will be expressed after Obama's Inauguration. Usually rates go up with a frenzy of enthusiasm during such sea changes...we shall see. Meanwhile, if you want a low low rate now is really really the time to lock your terms. Most lenders will allow you to lock for 30 days at no charge and up to 90 days for a price. Might be worth getting out your crystal ball!

susan templeton 360.220.2997
www.loannetter.com

washington branch license 510-MB024707-50145, and 510-MB-24450, lo license 510-LO-31434

 * and ** both reflect 30 year fixed conventional loans

 

Posted by

 

 

SUSAN TEMPLETON IS A LICENSED LOAN ADVISER IN WASHINGTON

NMLS# 94045

                 

 

Interest rates and products are subject to change without notice and may or may not be available at the time of loan commitment or lock-in. Borrowers must qualify at closing for all benefits. Loannetter is a private brand owned and copyrighted by Susan Templeton.

 

 © 2005-2015 susan templeton copyright

 

Robert Havana
Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking - Calgary, AB
Alberta Real Estate License Parking

With mortgage lending criteria tightening up, rate shopping might soon be a thing of the past.  Soon consumers may be stuck with which ever lender will take them at whatever rate is offered.  The luxury of shopping around might disappear.

Dec 10, 2008 05:52 PM
Susan Templeton
Bellingham, WA

I agree Robert, We may as well enjoy the flutter of attention while it lasts! Frankly whatever it takes to get people off the fence. I quoted a VA rate today to someone who was obviouly not the least bit interested in my service. When rates go up... so does our ability to serve consumers.

Dec 10, 2008 05:56 PM
Tim Bradley
Contour Investment Properties - Jackson Hole, WY
Commercial Real Estate Expert in Jackson Hole, WY

Good luck getting them off the fence! I was lucky enough to get a loan in 2004 at 5.125%, so you're not tempting me yet...

BTW, you might want to revise the blog a tiny bit. "Principle" means a rule, standard, guideline, or doctrine. "Principal", when used as a noun, is the one that means borrowed money.

Dec 11, 2008 01:56 AM
Susan Templeton
Bellingham, WA

Interesting Freudian slip, my father was a high school principal so i avoid that word! don't hold your breath for 4.5%...those will be for 'special cases'. Susan

Dec 11, 2008 05:04 AM
Susan Templeton
Bellingham, WA

Hey Tim, Here's a twist: Book titled: Principle and Interest: Thomas Jefferson and the Problem of Debt...obviously he was talking ethics here.

I googled both words and banks and lenders use either so back to my wikipedia!

Dec 11, 2008 05:08 AM
Paul McFadden
Responsive Pest Control - Seattle, WA
Pest Control, Seattle, WA.

Susan: Although it's nice we have such low rates, it seems like most borrowers are stuck in neutral. Perhaps if rates stay low through the first, we'll see some activity.

Dec 11, 2008 09:21 AM
Susan Templeton
Bellingham, WA

Yes Paul, I think these rates are making people "think too hard". With news that the likes of Bank of America is cutting 35,000 jobs -- that much cutback in the worlds of Chase and Countrywide mergers will be 'velly intellestink.' for those of us still brokering....art least we have options!

Dec 11, 2008 11:33 AM