National City Mortgage

August 23rd, 2006

National City Corporation based in 1955 in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the ten largest banks in America in terms of deposits. The company operates through an extensive banking network primarily in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania, and also serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its core businesses include commercial and retail banking, mortgage financing and servicing, consumer finance and asset management.
National City has been on an acquisition spree of late, including its $2.1 billion purchase of Cincinnati-based Provident Financial Group in 2004. In addition, in 2005, National City acquired Allegiant Bancorp to secure a presence in the St. Louis, MO market. In 2006 they acquired Fidelity Bankshares Inc. for an estimated $1 billion dollar deal that is half cash, half stock. Also acquiring Harbor Florida Bancshares Inc. through a $1.1 billion stock deal, both banks are located in Florida. Combined it gives National City 7.4 billion of assets in Florida. It also gives National City 92 branches in a market that is growing quicker than the midwest. On the other side of the ledger, National City sold to Bank of America its 83% stake in National Processing, which earns fees from processing merchant credit card transactions.
Today National City offers much more types of mortgage loans than in the past as the corporation continually strives to provide their customers with loan programs that meet their needs. There’s a wide variety of programs available whether you’re buying a home or refinancing your present one:
Fixed Rate Programs for stability - your interest rate or principal and interest payment will stay the same over the life of your loan.
Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM) for flexibility - ARMs offer a lower interest rate to start, so your monthly payments are generally lower.
Affordable Home Programs for modest budgets increase home ownership possibilities by reducing the necessary down payment and costs.
Jumbo Mortgages for luxury homes allow you to borrow more money for the home of your dreams.
FHA and VA Mortgages for government loans usually offer lower interest rates and down payments to those who qualify.
There are also other mortgage program varieties for home buyers with particular requirements or specific circumstances. 
To find more information on a mortgage program, to apply online or calculate your mortgage you can visit National City Co. web-site: www.nationalcitymortgage.com

 

GMAC MORTGAGE

August 21st, 2006

GMAC Mortgage Corporation is the division of General Motors Acceptance Corporation (or GMAC) or the financial services arm of General Motors, the world’s largest automobile manufacturer. GMAC Financial Services provide a suite of financial programs including automotive financing, insurance and real estate and mortgage operations in 40 countries around the world. This international company has been part of the General Motors family since the late 1910s. GMAC mortgages were first offered in 1985, after GMAC Financial purchased Colonial Mortgage Service and Norwest Mortgage. In the late 1990s, the company bought mortgage services from Wells Fargo and unveiled the newly formed Home Services division, which provided all-inclusive services to potential homeowners from real estate assistance to home equity loans. Homebuyers can apply for GMAC mortgages in any of the company’s 200 offices across the country or through the Internet. As one of the largest mortgage providers in America, the company works with homeowners in all financial situations to help them meet their goals. GMAC mortgages are designed to provide the homeowner with a good financial package and peace of mind. Through its full-service approach, homebuyers hardly have a reason to shop around.
GMAC offers all of the most popular mortgage options, like Fixed Rate Mortgages, Adjustable Rate Mortgages, and balloon mortgages. They also work with homeowners who have little or no money for a down payment or who have had past credit problems. GMAC mortgages are also available for second properties, like a vacation home or investment, and can be used to build a new home. Refinancing your mortgage can help secure a better interest rate, lower monthly payments, or change the type of mortgage you currently have. GMAC mortgages can be refinanced with no cost by using their roll down option; although, using the roll down option may leave you with a higher interest rate. As your home appreciates and more of your mortgage is paid off, you should be able to access the funds tied into your house for necessary expenses. Whether it’s to pay off debt or start a home improvement project, GMAC offers loans and equity credit products to help you. Plus, the interest on a home equity loan is often tax deductible. Besides the backing of one of the country’s largest financial institutions, customers with GMAC get help with moving expenses. GMAC offers their clients discounts on supplies like boxes, tape, and packing material. If you finance a second mortgage, GMAC will reimburse you up to $250 on select moving products. GMAC provides its customers with a seemingly endless supply of resources to help navigate the mortgage process. At its website, GMAC offers FAQs, a glossary of mortgage terms, and comparisons of mortgage options. It also offers payment calculators, a rent versus buy comparison, and a tool to tell you how much of a mortgage you can afford: www.gmacmortgage.com
GMAC Rates on 18/08/2006:
                  Conforming Loans:           Jumbo Loans:  
30 year fixed – 6.750%                       6.875%
15 year fixed – 6.500%                       6.625%
5/1 LIBOR AMR – 6.625%                   6.750%

Mortgage rates keep falling

August 18th, 2006

Weekly national mortgage survey shows that rates continue falling the 4th week, more people are refinancing their home loans and fewer people are getting adjustable-rate mortgages (just 27.2% applied for adjustable-rate mortgages last week). The 30 year fixed-rate mortgage fell 6 basis points to 6.51%. A basis point is one-hundredth of 1 percentage point. The mortgages in this week’s survey had an average total of 0.33 discount and origination points. One year ago, the mortgage index was 5.88%; four weeks ago, it was 6.89%. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell 2 basis points to 6.23%. The 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage fell 4 basis points to 6.28%. Getting a fixed-rate loan is the logical move for a lot of borrowers, because the rates on ARMs aren’t as competitive as they used to be. A year ago, the average rate on a 5/1 ARM was 5.56%, or 32 basis points lower than the 30-year fixed. This week, the 5/1 ARM is 23 basis points lower than the 30-year fixed.

Jumbo Mortgage

August 16th, 2006

A Jumbo Mortgage is a mortgage with a loan amount above conventional loan limits. Jumbo Mortgages apply when agency (FNMA and FHLMC) limits don’t cover the full loan amount. Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC) are large agencies that purchase the bulk of residential mortgages in the U.S. They set a limit on the maximum dollar value of any mortgage which they will purchase from an individual lender. Currently, the 2006 limit is $417,000; $625,500 in Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This leaves a portion of the market to look elsewhere for placement. Other large investors, such as insurance companies and banks, step in to fill the need with maximum mortgage amounts going to the $1 million or $2 million range. The average interest rates are typically greater than normal for conforming mortgages and vary depending on property types and mortgage amount.
Fixed Rate Jumbo Mortgage is a type of jumbo mortgage with a fixed rate. The characteristics of a jumbo fixed rate mortgage are the same as a conventional mortgage. Depending on the loan amount however, certain loan-to-value restrictions may apply. Consult a qualified loan officer for details.
Adjustable Rate Jumbo Mortgages are those with adjustable rates. The features of a jumbo adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) also depend on the loan amount.
Balloon Jumbo Mortgages are another option for a borrower. The guidelines for this type of jumbo mortgage vary depending on lender/broker.

There are some higher risks connected with Jumbo Mortgages, mostly for lenders. This is because if a Jumbo mortgage loan defaults, it is harder to sell a luxury residence fast for full price. Luxury prices are more vulnerable to market highs and lows. That is one reason lenders prefer to have a higher down payment from Jumbo loan seekers. The interest rate charged on Jumbo Mortgage loans is generally higher than a loan that is conforming due to the slightly higher risk to the lender. IT can vary but is generally .25 to .5 % higher. If you need current jumbo interest rates, you can check www.bankrate.com
Jumbo Mortgage loan options are similar to traditional loan programs. They simply require a slightly higher down payment, of usually an additional 5% for similar program types. No money down programs are generally available, but instead require a minimum of 5% down payment for a jumbo mortgage. Because the loans are large, jumbo lenders frequently offer variable loan programs to the jumbo client. The risk of an interest rate increase can result in a large dollar amount increase. Generally adjustable rate mortgages are popular due to the low payment. It is expensive to refinance a jumbo loan due to the closing costs. Some lenders will offer the service of an extension and consolidation agreement, so that the person who refinances jumbo will not have to pay for mortgage tax again on the same principal balance. In other cases title insurance companies will offer up to a 50% discount often required by law for those refinancing within 1 year to 10 years. The largest discount is for within one year.
There are some recent trends to know. Due to Increased Housing Prices there is a large increase in the number of Jumbo loan applicants. Many consumers are becoming jumbo borrower when simply buying a modest ranch and not the typical luxury residence we often think of when a jumbo loan is needed. New loan programs are now offered to address the large increase in Jumbo Loan applications. Because of the steep housing value increases during the recent years (2000- 2006) mortgage loans are required in excess of the conforming limits in most big city areas or their suburbs. The new loans are either a 40 or even 50 year amortization, or an interest only option. They allow the jumbo loan borrower to pay the loan back over a longer period of time, or to defray any repayment of principal for a few years - thus saving them on their monthly payment. In some cases the banker makes a larger profit if the loan takes more than 30 years to repay.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage

August 10th, 2006

An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) or variable rate mortgage is a mortgage whose interest rate will change periodically or in other words it’s a loan secured on a property (house) and its interest rate and monthly repayment vary over time. Adjustable rates transfer part of the interest rate risk from the lender to the borrower. They can be used where unpredictable interest rates make fixed rate loans difficult to obtain. The borrower benefits if the interest rate falls and loses out if interest rates rise.
Variable rate mortgages are the most common form of loan for house purchase in the United Kingdom and the United States but are unpopular in some other countries. Variable rate mortgages are very common in Australia and New Zealand. For those who plan to move within a short period of time (three to seven years), they are attractive because they often include a lower, fixed rate of interest for the first three, five, or seven years of the loan, after which the interest rate fluctuates.
Adjustable rate mortgages, like other types of mortgage, may offer the ability to repay principal (or capital) early without penalty. Early payments of part of the principal will reduce the total cost of the loan (total interest paid), and will shorten the amount of time needed to pay off the loan. Early payoff of the entire loan amount (refinancing) is often done when interest rates drop significantly.
Each year, borrowers who have taken a fixed rate mortgage have learned that they have paid much more for their mortgage than they ever should have. This is due to poor planning, being too conservative in their approach to a mortgage, or just not having mortgage professional to work with who they trust to give them honest advice and choices. There are advantages and disadvantages to an adjustable rate mortgage, but when a borrower acts correctly the advantages far outweigh any of the disadvantages which help them save thousands of dollars.

Among adjustable rate mortgage advantages are such points as:
1) The Rate is fixed for a period of time of your choice
2) Interest Rates run in Cycles – You can take Advantage
3) Rates and Payments are lower on Adjustable Rate Mortgages

The disadvantages, though, may carry a great deal of uncertainty. The Adjustable Rate Mortgages are difficult to be sold in pooled or security form as there are no standard clauses. It is difficult to find large quantities of anyone kind of ARM, as there is diversity in initial interest rates, index, interest rate reset frequency, periodic or lifetime caps and so on.
There’s always a way out. You don’t need to stick to any certain kind of mortgage. There are, for example, Hybrid ARM mortgages which are a combination of fixed and adjustable rates.
The name “Hybrid ARM” has become less used in recent years as they have become more of the standard rather than the exception. This term came about because originally all ARM’s started to adjust immediately, whether that be after the first month or after the first year. Banks began to offer ARM products that would stay as a fixed rate for a period of time and then become a true ARM and this is where the name hybrid ARM came from. The banks wanted to distinguish their new product from the original ARM that many shied away from because they wanted to have some certainty that their mortgage payment would stay steady for at least some period of time. We now know a hybrid ARM as 3 year ARM’s, 5 year ARM’s, 7 year ARM’s and although the name is still used in certain circles, most borrowers understand that they are getting a product that will only stay fixed for the number of years in the name. In comparison to a true ARM that adjusts immediately, you will pay higher and higher interest rates the longer the period of time that the payment will stay fixed.

In conclusion, an adjustable rate mortgage is a very powerful tool for saving money and you should always use anything in your advantage to get the best deal possible for yourself. However, as with anything powerful, when not used correctly it can be very costly as well. The very best solution is to get an honest mortgage professional, who will truly do the best thing for you, listen to the details of your situation and give you a clear understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each choice.

Refinance Second Mortgage

August 10th, 2006

Today more and more lenders are offering home equity lines of credit or second mortgage closed-end loans. These types of loans may offer a sizable amount of credit, available for use when you need and at an interest rate that is relatively low. A second or junior mortgage is a closed-end loan and provides you with a fixed amount of money repayable over a fixed period. This type of loan advances all funds at the time the loan is closed with no further advances. You might consider a traditional second mortgage loan instead of a home equity line if, for example, you need a set amount for a specific purpose, such as an addition to your home.
What you must do is look carefully at the credit agreement and examine the terms and conditions including the annual percentage rate (APR), the costs you’ll pay to secure the loan and prepayment penalties. The disclosed APR will not reflect the closing costs and other fees and charges, so you will need to compare these costs among lenders, as well as the APRs. Remember that the APR for a home equity line is based on the periodic interest rate alone and it does not include points or other charges. You can compare the closed-end “note” rate with the line of credit APR and their other charges.
Let’s suppose you made up your mind to refinance. So, if you are a homeowner who was lucky enough to buy when mortgage rates were low, you may have no interest in refinancing your present loan. But perhaps you bought your home when rates were higher or perhaps you have an adjustable-rate loan and would like to obtain different terms. When can your refinancing be worthwhile? A general rule is that refinancing becomes worth your while if the current interest rate on your mortgage is at least 2 percentage points higher than the prevailing market rate. This figure is generally accepted as a safe margin when balancing the costs of refinancing a mortgage against the savings. If you finally decided to refinance you must know that there are costs to pay for second mortgages. Those are:
1) Application Fees that are charged by your lender and which cover the initial costs of processing your loan request and checking your credit. 
2) Loan Origination Fees and Points are charged for the lender’s work in evaluating and preparing your mortgage loan. Points are prepaid finance charges imposed by the lender at closing to increase the lender’s yield beyond the stated interest rate on the mortgage note. One point equals one percent of the loan amount. For example, one point on a $65,000 loan would be $650. 
3) Other Closing Costs  are listed below with average costs:
Appraisal Fee $ 75 to $300
Survey Costs $150 to $400  
Home Inspection Fees $175 to $350  
Lender’s Attorney’s Fees $75 to $200  
Title Search & Insurance $450 to $600  
Homeowner’s Insurance $300 to $600  
Mortgage Insurance (one year + 2 months premium depending on amount and type of loan) 
4) Prepayment Penalty on your present mortgage could be the greatest deterrent to refinancing. Prepayment penalties are forbidden on VA and some other types of loans. Second mortgage loans cannot have a prepayment penalty imposed on loans refinanced by the same creditor, accounts paid by the proceeds of credit insurance, or if paid after three years. 
5) Escrowed Funds are funds sufficient to pay for taxes or insurance that is coming due shortly.
A homeowner should plan on paying an average of 3 to 6% of the outstanding principal in refinancing costs or 3 to 10% on second mortgage loans plus any prepayment penalties.
And in conclusion let’s try to answer the following question: “Since it costs money to refinance, how do I know whether or not I will end up saving money?”
Let’s try to do some calculation. To save money, you must stay in your house longer than the “break-even period” – the period over which the interest savings just cover the refinance costs. The larger the spread between the new interest rate and the rate on your existing loan, the shorter the break-even period. The more it costs to obtain the new loan, the longer the break-even period. But beware! The break-even period is not the cost of the new loan divided by the reduction in the monthly mortgage payment. The rule of thumb does not allow for the difference in how rapidly you pay off the new loan as opposed to the old one.  Let’s say that in 1992 you took out an 11% 30-year fixed rate loan, which now has a $100,000 balance and 21 years to run. You refinance into a 7% 15-year loan at a cost of $3,750.
Monthly payment on the old loan = $1019
Monthly payment on the new loan = $899
Reduction in monthly payment = $120
$3750 divided by $120 = 31 months
The rule of thumb says that you break-even in 31 months. However, because of the shorter term and lower rate on the new loan, in 31 months you would owe $7,041 less than you would have owed on the old loan. So, the rule of thumb in this case seriously overstates the break-even period. Taking account of differences in the loan balance, you would actually be ahead of the game in 12 months, as shown below:
Savings in monthly payment: $120 for 12 months = $1440
Plus lower loan balance in month 12: $2620
Equals total saving from refinance: $4060
Less refinance cost: $3750
Equals net gain: $310
Next consider the case where an 11% loan taken out in 1992 was for 15 years and now has only 6 years to run, while you plan to refinance into a 30-year loan. With the remaining term shorter on the old loan and longer on the new one, the difference in monthly payment rises to $1238. Using the rule of thumb the $3750 cost would be recovered in only 3 months. But this fails to consider the slower loan repayment on the new loan. Due to a slower repayment, you don’t actually come out ahead until 14 months out.
 
Anyway, to calculate your refinancing you need to take to consideration such points as the time value of money, taxes and differences in the cost of mortgage insurance between the old and new mortgage. Various calculators are available online (e.g.: www.interest.com).

Auto loans – the things to know

July 28th, 2006

If you are applying for an auto purchase or refinance you should know that there’s no any application fee. There are simple interest installment loans for the purchase of new and used autos or motorcycles. The rates differ and you can calculate them using any calculator given on many Internet web-sites. If you want to purchase or refinance a vehicle, you can’t use the application from your mortgage loan. First of all you will need to re-apply for the auto or motorcycle loan product you are interested in, so that the lender could make accredit determination based on information contained within your credit report. You are able to refinance the existing payoff balance from your current lender. In this case you’ll have to contact your current lender to obtain payoff balance information and an address to send the payoff. As a rule there are no hidden fees to apply. Each state usually imposes a title transfer fee which will be added into your final loan amount once you use a so-called Power Check (which works just like a personal check) to payoff your existing vehicle loan. The fee ranges from $5 to $65 depending on the state in which you live. After submitting your purchase or refinance application, you will get a response within 15 minutes if you applied during business hours. You Power Check can be used at any licensed dealer who is authorized by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to sell new or used vehicles. When you apply for vehicle financing at your lender, check the list of states where the financing is available. In case you have bad credit or a bankruptcy, there are lenders that offer a range of products to meet the needs of customers with strong credit histories as well as those who have experienced credit problems.
One of the most frequently asked questions is what GAP insurance is. New cars depreciate as much as 20-30% in the first 2-3 years (actual rates of depreciation may vary on a number of factors). As a result, insurance payouts can be much lower than the vehicle purchase price-even for those with full coverage. GAP (Guaranteed Auto Protection) insurance is additional protection to cover this “gap” between what one owes on a financed vehicle and its actual cash value, which is usually lower. For example, let’s say you borrow $26,000 for a new car and it’s totaled one month later. In the eyes of the insurance company, that vehicle has likely depreciated up to 30% (or about $7800) immediately after you drove it off the lot. Without GAP insurance, you could pay the full difference between what you owe to your lender and what your insurance company pays out to you. Please note that GAP insurance is cancelled after refinancing a vehicle. Those who plan to refinance for greater savings and are currently covered, will need to reapply to maintain it.
Another thing to know what simple interest is. It’s a method of allocating monthly loan payments between interest and principal. The amount of your payment allocated to interest is calculated based on your unpaid principal balance, the interest rate on your loan and the number of days since your last payment. For example, if we receive a payment and it has been 29 days since your last payment, then you will be charged 29 days of interest on the unpaid principal balance of your loan. The remainder of your payment is credited to principal and reduces the unpaid principal balance on your loan. Any interest rate is guaranteed for a maximum of 45 days after the date your application is approved. Once you write your power check and your loan is activated, you are locked into that interest rate for the life of the loan or until it is paid off.
Different lenders don’t finance certain kinds of vehicles, for example, motor homes, commercial vehicles, vehicles for business use, boats, taxis, limousines, camper vans, tow trucks, freight liners, tractor trailers, dump trucks, armored vehicles, conversion vans. Make sure to check that information.
When getting a purchase loan there’s a certain sum of money you can get. You are able to apply for a loan amount up to $100,000. However, you should apply for a loan based on your need. Loans over $100,000 are considered home equity loans. If you’re, for example, approved for a maximum $25,000 but write the check for $20,000, your loan will be activated for the amount that was filled in on your Power Check. Your monthly payment will be re-calculated based on the amount you use.

Mortgage rate changes

July 28th, 2006

Last week mortgage market took back most of the rate decreases that were so welcome the week before. The Mortgage Bankers Association, however, recorded rate drops stretching into a second week. The Weekly Mortgage Market Survey of average contract interest rates indicated that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgages increased from 6.74% during the week of July 13 to 6.80% for the week of July 20. This was one basis point higher than the rate the week of July 6. Fees and points were down 0.1 to 0.5.
The 15-year fixed rate mortgage was up four basis points to 6.41% with fees and points unchanged at 0.4. This was still an improvement over the July 6 rates of 6.44 and 0.5 points.
The 5/1-year hybrid adjustable rate mortgage increased only slightly from 6.33% with 0.5 points to 6.36% with 0.6 points, again less than the 6.39 with 0.6 points reported two weeks ago.
The traditional 1-year adjustable rate mortgage moved up 5 basis points to 5.80; fees and points increased from 0.6 to 0.7. Again the July 6 rates were higher at 5.83% with 0.8 points.
It was also indicated that rate increases reflected a market that was still spooked by the specter of increasing inflation. The MBA’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ended July 21 and revealed different results. The average contract rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages dropped four basis points to 6.69% and points decreased from 1.13 to 1.07, including the origination fee. 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased from 6.38% to 6.31% and points were also down to 1.02 from 1.07. The one-year ARM was also lower by 3 basis points to 6.25% with points decreasing to 0.83 from 0.85.  Mortgage activity continues to trend down - the application volume decreased by 1.3%. Compared to the same week in 2005, however, the pace was off 28.2 percent.
Refinancing as a share of all mortgage activity was up to 35.6% compared to 35.0 the previous week and adjustable rate mortgages represented 28.6% of total applications compared to 29.0% the week before.
30 Yr fix: 6.72%  0.08%
15 Yr fix: 6.34%  0.07%
1 Yr ARM: 5.78%  0.02%
30 Yr Tres: 5.11%  0.00%
Fed Prime: 8.25%  0.25%

How to choose the right loan?

July 20th, 2006

There are many types of loans and, of course, you need to choose the one that suits you best. To do so you need to briefly look through the types of loan and to get a clear idea of them.
Debt consolidating mortgage can provide you with the extra cash you need to consolidate your debts at a relatively low rate. Your new loan’s interest rate will be based on the value of your home, your credit score and national rates. This mortgage is for those who want to use their home equity to pay off a large amount of debt. Basically, your home is attached to this loan and if you can’t make your loan payments, the lending institution can foreclose on your home as repayment.
Home refinance loan allows you to change the terms of your loan. Usually people refinance to lower the interest rate or extend the repayment term of their mortgage. Refinancing can be rather expensive. If you have a high interest rate, variable rate or short term, you can save money by switching to a new loan. In most cases you to remain with the same lender for a certain number of years or months.
Home Equity loan provides you with some extra cash needed for your home improvement, travel or education. The costs depend on the value of your home, your credit score and national rates. It’s amiable for the homeowners who want to use their home equity to finance a major purchase or expense. Your home is attached to this loan and if you can’t make your loan payments, the lending institution can foreclose on your home as repayment.
There are also some helpful services that can help, such as Realtor Finder for home buyers/home sellers (a service that helps people to quickly buy/sell homes) and Home value estimate - a service that helps you determine the value of your home with no credit check. A home price evaluation is very useful if you plan to sell your home, refinance or increase your property value. You may be contacted by mortgage brokers and realtors after completing this application.

ACORN Housing Program

July 17th, 2006

ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) is the largest non-profit community organization established to help low-to-moderate-income people become and remain homeowners in the United States. It’s made up of local community groups working together. ACORN has an active membership of over 75,000 families in more than 85 cities across the United States. The organization was born out of the American Civil Rights Movement. ACORN was founded by Wade Rathke, a community organizer, in1970. The current president of ACORN is Maude Hurd.
The main partners of ACORN Housing are Citibank and Bank of America and this housing program provides low market interest rate mortgages. The ACORN mortgages require lower down payment and settlement costs than typical loans. In addition, private mortgage insurance is not required which allows for a greater purchase price, plus more liberal credit scores are permitted under the ACORN lending criteria. ACORN also provides foreclosure avoidance services and assistance to victims of predatory lending.
For sure the home buying process seems hardly possible to low and moderate income Americans. ACORN Housing’s mortgage program makes it much easier. ACORN also assists existing homeowners to avoid foreclosure and preserve their homes, including victims of predatory lending and those who’ve faced unexpected financial hardships. ACORN makes the home buying process more accessible to first-time buyers. Instead of approaching bankers or brokers, first-time homebuyers can meet the ACORN counselors in the local ACORN Housing office and find out as much as possible about the necessary mortgage.
The ACORN program enables the following favorable mortgage terms:

  • Lower down payment and closing costs
  • No private mortgage insurance
  • Banks require 3 months of mortgage payments at settlement. With ACORN they don’t require that, so you buy a home sooner
  • Most banks won’t count public assistance and voluntarily child support when you apply for mortgage. With ACORN all permanent income counts.

Today’s mortgage national interest rates:

Program
Rates
Points
30 years
6.86%
0.27%
15 years
6.41%
0.18%
1 year
5.93%
0.28%

The latest research showed that mortgage rates fell for the second week in a row. Rates dropped after a disappointing employment report, which had investors thinking that economic growth is slowing down, so inflation won’t be a problem. The average 30-year fixed rate dropped to 6.86% from 6.91%. The average 15-year fixed rate, which is a popular option for refinancing, fell 7 basis points, to 6.41%. On bigger loans, the average jumbo 30-year fixed fell to 7.03% from 7.06%. The popular 5/1 ARM fell to 6.52 percent, while the one-year ARM continued lifting upward to 6.12. The leading housing economists reported their forecasts this week, concerning the 30-year fixed program. They predict that it will remain below 7% this year.
The rates may increase or decrease throughout the course of one day. There are many places where you can check the current rates: the local and national papers, at the lending institutions and on the Internet at sites such as: www.bankrate.com or www.hsh.com

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