This blog isn’t really supposed to be about tips, and hints. But, a couple of days ago, the New York Times gave such a good piece mortgage advice that I just have to pass it on. Read the rest of this entry »

On Wednesday I talked about the benefits of re-engineering mortgages. It seems to me that individual borrowers need to experience a period of stability before they’re likely to feel confident enough to trade up to a better home. Read the rest of this entry »

On Monday, I wrote about last week’s figures from the Mortgage Bankers Association. It looked, I said, as if current record rates were boosting loan applications, which were 37.3 percent up on the same week last year.

However, I went on to say that more than three-quarters of all applications had come from those seeking to refinance existing mortgages, and that that might not be such good news.

I haven’t changed my mind. In an ideal world—or even just in a healthy market—there would be a whole lot more people wanting new mortgages, and many fewer wanting to re-engineer their existing ones.

But we already know that the market is not healthy. In fact, it is just the opposite. And, like any invalid, it has to take baby steps before it starts thinking of running anywhere.

Refinancing is just such a baby step. People have to rediscover their confidence before they start trading up or entering the real estate market. And that means an extended period of stability along with much lower repossession, and hardship rates.

We’re getting there. But it’s going to take a while.

In the meantime, I hope you have a very happy holiday.

Being bombarded by the constant (and mostly negative) news on the mortgage industry, many of us are viewing home purchase as a topic not for discussion; however, that approach may not be right for everyone.

The housing market has changed throughout the nation and some areas have been significantly more impacted than others. These fluctuations, on the other hand, have opened up potential opportunities to some buyers who are able to take advantage of the lower housing prices, decreased demand, and their fairly good credit score.

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Mortgage applications dropped for the 3rd consecutive week according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey of applications. Mortgage applications dropped by 19.2% during the week ending February 22. Refinance applications declined by 30%, which appears to highlight the difficulties homeowners are experiencing due to falling home prices and tighter mortgage lending standards.

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Yesterday, a pertinent message to loan holders was published on The Mortgage Reports on the importance to evaluating your current loan situation right away to see if you may be in need of a refinance. Why? If you’ve held your current loan for three years or more, and your credit rating is reasonable, there are two very important reasons to do this as soon as possible.

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