Friday, May 15, 2009

Rates + Market Update + Tax Credit as Down Payment

Please make note that Nova Home Loans still allows FICO scores as low as 580 for FHA & VA loans.

Tax Credit
I am sure that many of you have been hearing a lot about the tax credit now being available for use as a down payment on a home, which is great! However, the media spoke a little too soon because we have not received any guidance from HUD as to how it can exactly be used. This should be specified in a new mortgagee letter in the very near future, but as of right now the subject is still grey (see attcahed Mortgagee letter).

Market Update
Mortgage bond prices rose last week helping mortgage interest rates fall. Most of the gains came early in the week prior to the surprise inflation data. Weaker than expected retail sales data along with concern about the health of the banking industry helped mortgage bonds improve. Unfortunately stronger than expected producer price and core consumer price data Thursday and Friday stoked inflation fears which erased some of the earlier gains.

For LSR's or 2nd opinions on loan scenario's over the weekend, please call me on my mobile at 480-225-2987.

Rates for May 8th, 2009. Rates Change Daily. Call for current pricing. #0902429
PROGRAM

30 Year Fixed Conventional 4.625%, 4.738%
30 Year Fixed Interest Only 6.00%, 6.113%
15 Year Fixed Conventional 4.25%, 4.383%
7/1 LIBOR ARM Conventional 4.25%, 4.363%
5/1 LIBOR ARM Conventional 3.75%, 3.863%
5/1 LIBOR ARM Interest Only 4.00%, 4.121%
30 Year FHA/VA 5.00%, 5.252%
*30 Day Lock

JUMBO $417,001+
30 Year Fixed (to $600K) 5.75%, 5.851%
15 Year Fixed (to $600K) 5.625%, 5.726%
5/1 Treasury ARM 4.75%, 4.851%
7/1 Treasury ARM 5.00%, 5.252%
*30 Day Locks

ONE-TIME CONSTRUCTION
Conforming & Jumbo (to $8,000,000)

3/1 LIBOR ARM (Conforming) 5.625%, 6.007%
5/1 LIBOR ARM (Jumbo) 6.625%, 6.977%
*60 Day Locks

6,9,12 and 24 month construction phases available. Construction phase interest only rate = PRIME (5%) + up to 1.25%. Perm. rates guaranteed through construction.Prior to modification, a free one-time float down is available. (30 Year Amortization)
For Realtor purposes only; not for distribution to potential borrowers. Rates are calculated based on no discount points and one origination fee. Conforming rates based on loan amounts greater than $200,000, minimum FICO score 720.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Market Update + Rates, 580 Fico Still Available!

Please make note that Nova Home Loans still allows FICO scores as low as 580 for FHA & VA loans.

Mortgage bond prices remained unchanged for the week keeping mortgage interest rates steady. Trading remained volatile with rates improving the first portion of week. However, some of the data came in surprisingly better than expected Thursday and Friday which caused mortgage bond prices to fall and rates to rise.

There is a Chinese proverb that states, "May you live in interesting times." It is often argued that the word interesting is meant to be a synonym for turbulent or dangerous. This phrase hits the bull’s-eye given the current state of the financial markets. While stocks and bonds are swinging around wildly there is some good news. Interest rates for conforming and FHA/VA loans are still historically low by many standards.

However, low rates are not a given considering the escalating inflation fears that reemerged recently. Oil prices rose most of last week and Fed Chairman Bernanke expressed concerns about "how to wind down the federal balance sheet" and "avoid inflation." When a Fed official mentions inflation it is generally not positive for bonds. Inflation, real or perceived, erodes the value of bonds causing bond prices to fall and rates to rise. The last thing the economy needs now is rising mortgage interest rates. If inflation emerges that very well may happen despite the continued Fed efforts to keep rates low.

Pending home sales jump 3.2%

Dow up 165 as hopes build for a recovery

Please give me a call if you have any financial questions or if you need a second opinion on a loan scenario.


Rates for May 8th, 2009. Rates Change Daily. Call for current pricing. #0902429
PROGRAM

30 Year Fixed Conventional 4.625%, 4.738%APR
30 Year Fixed Interest Only 6.00%, 6.113%APR
15 Year Fixed Conventional 4.25%, 4.383%APR
7/1 LIBOR ARM Conventional 4.25%, 4.363%APR
5/1 LIBOR ARM Conventional 3.75%, 3.863%APR
5/1 LIBOR ARM Interest Only 4.00%, 4.121%APR
30 Year FHA/VA 5.00%, 5.252%APR
*30 Day Locks

JUMBO $417,001+
30 Year Fixed (to $600K) 5.75%, 5.851%APR
15 Year Fixed (to $600K) 5.625%, 5.726%APR
5/1 Treasury ARM 4.75%, 4.851%APR
7/1 Treasury ARM 5.00%, 5.252%APR
*30 Day Locks

ONE-TIME CONSTRUCTION
Conforming & Jumbo (to $8,000,000)

3/1 LIBOR ARM (Conforming) 5.625%, 6.007%APR
5/1 LIBOR ARM (Jumbo) 6.625%, 6.977%APR
*60 Day Locks

6,9,12 and 24 month construction phases available. Construction phase interest only rate = PRIME (5%) + up to 1.25%. Perm. rates guaranteed through construction.Prior to modification, a free one-time float down is available. (30 Year Amortization)
For Realtor purposes only; not for distribution to potential borrowers. Rates are calculated based on no discount points and one origination fee. Conforming rates based on loan amounts greater than $200,000, minimum FICO score 720.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Weekly Rates + FHA/VA Down to 580 Still!

Please make note that Nova Home Loans still allows FICO scores as low as 580 for FHA & VA loans!! We are now also able to underwrite In-House for a much speedier process.

Month of April was best month for S&P since 2000. Economy showing signs of recovery.

Mortgage bond prices fell last week applying upward pressure on mortgage interest rates. Trading remained extremely volatile with daily swings of 3/8’s in discount points a common occurrence. The economic data released was mixed with no clear indication of the direction of the US economy. The Federal Reserve met last week and the governing body indicated the pace of economic deterioration is slowing.

The employment report to be released next Friday will be the most significant data this coming week. Productivity data will be important also. Additional debt supply hits the market this week with the Fed auctioning $71 billion of 3, 10, and 30 year Treasuries. It will be interesting to see if the market can continue to absorb the additional debt.

So far the Fed has been able to keep mortgage interest rates relatively low while not destroying the functioning secondary market where investors buy and sell mortgage bonds. The potential negative is that the Fed has become the primary purchaser of these bonds. In the short term take advantage of these advantageous rates. There is uncertainty how things will play out once the Fed begins to unwind those positions in the futures.

Please give me a call if you have any financial questions or if you need a second opinion on a loan scenario.


Rates for May 1st, 2009. Rates Change Daily. Call for current pricing. #0902429
PROGRAM

30 Year Fixed Conventional 4.625%, 4.738%APR
30 Year Fixed Interest Only 6.00%, 6.113%APR
15 Year Fixed Conventional 4.25%, 4.383%APR
7/1 LIBOR ARM Conventional 4.25%, 4.363%APR
5/1 LIBOR ARM Conventional 3.75%, 3.863%APR
5/1 LIBOR ARM Interest Only 4.00%, 4.121%APR
30 Year FHA/VA 5.00%, 5.252%APR
*30 Day Locks

JUMBO $417,001+
30 Year Fixed (to $600K) 5.75%, 5.851%APR
15 Year Fixed (to $600K) 5.625%, 5.726%APR
5/1 Treasury ARM 4.75%, 4.851%APR
7/1 Treasury ARM 5.00%, 5.252%APR
*30 Day Locks

ONE-TIME CONSTRUCTION
Conforming & Jumbo (to $8,000,000)

3/1 LIBOR ARM (Conforming) 5.50%, 5.882%APR
5/1 LIBOR ARM (Jumbo) 6.25%, 6.632%APR
*60 Day Locks

6,9,12 and 24 month construction phases available. Construction phase interest only rate = PRIME (5%) + up to 1.25%. Perm. rates guaranteed through construction.Prior to modification, a free one-time float down is available. (30 Year Amortization)
For Realtor purposes only; not for distribution to potential borrowers. Rates are calculated based on no discount points and one origination fee. Conforming rates based on loan amounts greater than $200,000, minimum FICO score 720.