Posts Tagged ‘Finance’

A shift to a seller’s market is becoming more apparent within many of Seattle’s more popular in-city neighborhoods, which often have low inventory. Here are some helpful tips to help buyers successfully navigate more competitive real estate market areas: 1) Be vigilant – Watch the market like a hawk. If you have a pro-active agent, [...]

While borrowers still have to document income, assets and debt, lenders are starting to loosen loan guidelines. You or someone you know may benefit from the following loan types: ·         3% Downpayment Conventional ·         5% Downpayment Conventional/No Mortgage Insurance   For savvy borrowers who are certain they will only be in a home for a [...]

Tax Benefits on a Refinance – Did you refinance last year? Be sure to make the most of it: http://www.smartmoney.com/taxes/income/the-tax-benefits-of-refinancing-1329845305909/?link=SM_hp_featStory FHA Loan Expense Increase – It’s official, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which insures loans, will be increasing costs by an estimated 57 percent: http://justrealseattle.com/2012/02/fha-premium-increase/ Obama Cuts Costs for Some Loans – For those considering [...]

By Chris Sailus, Umpqua Bank Special Guest Blogger The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has announced a 75-percent increase to one part of its insurance premium program as a way to stave off a potential bailout from the U.S. Treasury.

The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell last week to a record low, the ninth time that has happened in the last year. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the rate on the 30-year loan dropped to 3.87 percent. That is below the previous record of 3.88 hit two weeks ago. The average [...]

We recently received numerous questions from clients regarding postcard information the county tax assessor’s office sends to local homeowners around this time each year. The county’s system for assessing values is quite different than actual market value. Let’s start by ruling out what does not determine a home’s fair market value:

Home mortgage interest rates have hit record lows this year. A one point (1%) reduction in mortgage interest rate can shave 10 percent off a home’s cost. The following two example scenarios show approximately the same monthly payment but with a $50,000 difference in buying power: 4.75% rate for $500,000 value = $2,600 monthly payment [...]

WASHINGTON — Fixed mortgages were mostly flat this week after hitting their lowest levels in decades. The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage stayed at 4.22 percent for the second straight week, Freddie Mac said Thursday. The rate hit 4.15 percent two weeks ago, the lowest level on records dating to 1971. The average rate [...]

While the long term impact of the U.S. credit downgrade from AAA to AA+ rating is unclear at best, the immediate outcome was quite favorable to mortgage lending. Interest rates fell yesterday to their lowest levels this year or 3.88% for a 30-year fixed rate FHA mortgage. The credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) downgraded mortgage finance [...]

In the spirit of freedom this July, the following are a few financing options, requiring little (or no) money down as well as one that sidesteps captial gains: House Key Plus – House Key is a program provided by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. The commission’s purpose is to help low-to-moderate income individuals and [...]