The Fed Prime Rate drops 0.50%. That's a significant low. Meanwhile, following the release of the September 18th minutes of the Fed's Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, financial markets reassessed the likelihood of another rate cut at the upcoming October 31st meeting. The market currently is looking for about a 30 percent chance of a 25 basis point rate cut rather than the 50 percent chance that they had previously expected.
A HomeBuyers Market?
Homebuyers paid 7% or 8% during the mid- to late-'90s, and double-digit rates were the norm throughout the '80s and early '90s. Compare that to todays rates and the talk about rates cuts and it's easy to see why it may still be a homebuyers market.
Can homeowners still save when refinancing? Refinancing savings all depends on when you bought your home and what rates were at the time. Currently homeowners can realize a savings if refinancing rates are 30 or more base points lower that ones current rates.
30 Yr Fix 6.37% 0.03%
15 Yr Fix 6.03% 0.05%
1 Yr ARM 5.58% -0.07%
5/1 ARM 6.11% -0.10%
30 Yr Tres 4.87% 0.10%
Fed Prime 7.75% -0.50%
To find out how much loan you can afford use the refinance calculator at
http://refinanceloanrates.fimark.net
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Foreclosure Prevention Help
The federal government and major industry players are taking a hard look at an what seems to be an impending foreclosure tsunami.
A recent announcement by the federal government and participating lenders regarding the formation of a group called "Hope Now" indicates relief may well be on the way. The group, consisting of banks and major lenders will help to improve assistance to troubled mortgagors.
The Mortgage Loan Search Financial Network reports growing use of resources designed to help home owners experiencing mortgage default. The sites located at http://www.bcpl.net/~ibcnet/index-foreclosure.html features step-by-step guides to prevent foreclosure.
The Hope Now alliance is made up of all major mortgage servicers. These servicers handle 60 percent of the mortgages in the U.S. Federally approved credit counseling organizations are an important part of the network. The website is located at www.hopenow.com. Users are helped to ID their servicers (i.e., look on your mortgage statement). Several approved credit counselors are provided along with links to foreclosure information.
A recent announcement by the federal government and participating lenders regarding the formation of a group called "Hope Now" indicates relief may well be on the way. The group, consisting of banks and major lenders will help to improve assistance to troubled mortgagors.
The Mortgage Loan Search Financial Network reports growing use of resources designed to help home owners experiencing mortgage default. The sites located at http://www.bcpl.net/~ibcnet/index-foreclosure.html features step-by-step guides to prevent foreclosure.
The Hope Now alliance is made up of all major mortgage servicers. These servicers handle 60 percent of the mortgages in the U.S. Federally approved credit counseling organizations are an important part of the network. The website is located at www.hopenow.com. Users are helped to ID their servicers (i.e., look on your mortgage statement). Several approved credit counselors are provided along with links to foreclosure information.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Popular Financial Dictionaries Online
This blog will list useful dictionaries, Q&A's and Wiki reference guides as they become available.
Wiki A website or similar online resource which allows users to add and edit content collectively.
www.tvb.org/multiplatform/Multiplatform_Glossary.asp
One of the more popular Wikis is Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia than can be edited by anyone with access to it. It provides an easy method for linking from one page to another. This is a good place to find extended definitions to difficult financial terms. http://wikipedia.org/
Business Plan Glossary/Dictionary
I must include a dictionary I consider very useful for those putting together a business plan. The Business Plan Dictionary meets my criteria for usability. This dictionary allow you to lookup terms using a search box or scroll down. The terms and definitions are extended where possible to give the user a multi-faceted look at the word in order to better appreciate it.
Wiki A website or similar online resource which allows users to add and edit content collectively.
www.tvb.org/multiplatform/Multiplatform_Glossary.asp
One of the more popular Wikis is Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia than can be edited by anyone with access to it. It provides an easy method for linking from one page to another. This is a good place to find extended definitions to difficult financial terms. http://wikipedia.org/
Business Plan Glossary/Dictionary
I must include a dictionary I consider very useful for those putting together a business plan. The Business Plan Dictionary meets my criteria for usability. This dictionary allow you to lookup terms using a search box or scroll down. The terms and definitions are extended where possible to give the user a multi-faceted look at the word in order to better appreciate it.
Loan Demand Rises - 5/1 ARM Dips
Demand for loan applications to purchase homes and refinance existing mortgages rose last week. In the week ending October 5, the seasonally adjusted index of home loan application activity increased 2.4% to 652.0, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Refinancing requests accounted for 46.2% of total applications last week, up slightly from 46.0% and adjustable-rate mortgages accounted for 13.6% of the total, down from 13.8%.
30 Yr Fix 6.37% 0.03%
15 Yr Fix 6.03% 0.05%
1 Yr ARM 5.58% -0.07%
5/1 ARM 6.11% -0.10%
30 Yr Tres 4.87% 0.10%
Fed Prime 7.75% -0.50%
Refinancing as a share of all mortgage activity increased to 46.2 percent from 46.0 percent the previous week while the ARM share continues to drop, representing only 13.6 of all applications compared to 13.8 percent one week earlier.
30 Yr Fix 6.37% 0.03%
15 Yr Fix 6.03% 0.05%
1 Yr ARM 5.58% -0.07%
5/1 ARM 6.11% -0.10%
30 Yr Tres 4.87% 0.10%
Fed Prime 7.75% -0.50%
Refinancing as a share of all mortgage activity increased to 46.2 percent from 46.0 percent the previous week while the ARM share continues to drop, representing only 13.6 of all applications compared to 13.8 percent one week earlier.
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