Durable Goods Orders soared in July, scoring their largest gain in about a year. This report is volatile from month to month, so Bonds didn't react much on the strong economic news.
The New Home Sales report was better than expected. The monthly sales inventory came in at 7.5 months, which is less than last month's reading and well below March's reading of 8.3. Overall this is a pretty good housing report considering the present landscape in the lending industry.
Due to the events in the mortgage and housing sector, a number of economists believe the economy is moving toward a recession. My sources believe the Fed will soon begin to cut short-term interest rates in an effort to help the economy avoid this.
Bonds are trading in a sideways pattern along key levels of support.
to good reads:
Mad Dash for Housing Help
Gross VS. Bush & Econ
Friday, August 24, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Fed Discount Window Cut
The Federal Reserve has taken significant action in the last few weeks due to the credit crunch. And now they've made an unexpected move by cutting the discount window rate – which is great news. I'll get to that in a minute, but first let's look at recent events and understand what they mean.
Market movement:
To date, over 120 mortgage companies have closed their doors due to reduced liquidity.
The result: Borrowers who want to take out non−conforming loans have fewer, more expensive options.
Many media outlets have incorrectly added fuel to the fire by stating that mortgage lending has stopped altogether and that borrowers can't get a loan without a 20% down−payment.
This is not true.
Conforming interest rates and loan programs, those backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have not been significantly impacted by recent events. Even better, interest rates have come down from recent highs.
While this is good news, the market is experiencing unprecedented volatility and changes could come at any time. Borrowers need to act swiftly and decisively in today's climate.
What did the Fed do?
Now back to the discount rate. This is the interest rate charged to commercial banks and other depository institutions on the loans they receive from their regional Federal Reserve Bank's lending facility. The Fed's decision to cut this rate provides stability in the financial markets and this can be good for all of us. How exactly does this provide stability? Here's an example: Imagine you just wrecked your car and it requires $5,000 worth of repairs. You have a short−term need for cash to pay your mechanic. Even though you know you will eventually be
reimbursed by your insurance company, you still need the cash now. So do you sell off stocks to get the cash, or tap into an equity line of credit? Most likely, you draw from that line of credit rather than liquidating a long−term investment. This is what the banks are facing in today's liquidity crisis. And Bernanke's move helps them avoid long−term damage by
supplying access to short−term cash. It's important to note that the discount rate is different than the Fed Funds Rate, which directly impacts interest rates that you pay for Home Equity Lines of Credit, credit cards, and automobile loans. Most importantly, the discount window rate cut does not directly impact mortgage rates.
What should you do now?
Information, knowledge, and expertise are the building blocks of sound financial decision making. If you are considering financing or are in the process of financing a home, you should tap into the resources of a skilled mortgage professional. I strongly encourage you to contact me as soon as possible. I would welcome the chance to help you navigate these choppy waters.
Market movement:
To date, over 120 mortgage companies have closed their doors due to reduced liquidity.
The result: Borrowers who want to take out non−conforming loans have fewer, more expensive options.
Many media outlets have incorrectly added fuel to the fire by stating that mortgage lending has stopped altogether and that borrowers can't get a loan without a 20% down−payment.
This is not true.
Conforming interest rates and loan programs, those backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have not been significantly impacted by recent events. Even better, interest rates have come down from recent highs.
While this is good news, the market is experiencing unprecedented volatility and changes could come at any time. Borrowers need to act swiftly and decisively in today's climate.
What did the Fed do?
Now back to the discount rate. This is the interest rate charged to commercial banks and other depository institutions on the loans they receive from their regional Federal Reserve Bank's lending facility. The Fed's decision to cut this rate provides stability in the financial markets and this can be good for all of us. How exactly does this provide stability? Here's an example: Imagine you just wrecked your car and it requires $5,000 worth of repairs. You have a short−term need for cash to pay your mechanic. Even though you know you will eventually be
reimbursed by your insurance company, you still need the cash now. So do you sell off stocks to get the cash, or tap into an equity line of credit? Most likely, you draw from that line of credit rather than liquidating a long−term investment. This is what the banks are facing in today's liquidity crisis. And Bernanke's move helps them avoid long−term damage by
supplying access to short−term cash. It's important to note that the discount rate is different than the Fed Funds Rate, which directly impacts interest rates that you pay for Home Equity Lines of Credit, credit cards, and automobile loans. Most importantly, the discount window rate cut does not directly impact mortgage rates.
What should you do now?
Information, knowledge, and expertise are the building blocks of sound financial decision making. If you are considering financing or are in the process of financing a home, you should tap into the resources of a skilled mortgage professional. I strongly encourage you to contact me as soon as possible. I would welcome the chance to help you navigate these choppy waters.
Monday, August 13, 2007
It takes more than good credit to get a mortgage these days.
The Days of shopping for a Mortgage are over; with fewer and fewer lenders in the market what you are quoted is most likely the best product out there. With the caveat you are working with a Mortgage Planning Professional.
Mortgage Credit Tightening for Even Credit-Worthy Borrowers
Mortgage Credit Tightening for Even Credit-Worthy Borrowers
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Credit Crisis Cripples Markets
The purpose of this communication is not to alarm you but to alert you to drastic and irreversible changes currently taking place in the mortgage market. If you or anyone else you know will need mortgage financing in the next 18 months, you need to read this!
Just last week, American Home Mortgage and its wholesale counterpart, American Brokers Conduit, became the latest casualties of the credit crisis. Last year, this company closed over $58 billion in home loans. Despite being, by all accounts, a well-run business, market conditions forced them to file for bankruptcy, leaving billions of dollars in loans in their pipeline unable to close. Tens of thousands of borrowers have now been left without financing as a result of companies like this going under.
Clearly, with over 100 national lenders having now closed shop in the last eight months, this is no longer simply a subprime lending issue. The credit market is experiencing unprecedented turmoil. According to Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, "Financial markets have been volatile in recent weeks, credit conditions have become tighter for some households and businesses, and the housing correction is ongoing."
What does this mean to consumers?
Potential borrowers cannot wait any longer. For those who are considering buying a home, be aware that the volatile credit market can change overnight, leaving fewer options available to borrowers attempting to qualify for a mortgage. This is even more true for those looking to refinance. With decreases in home values and fewer available mortgage instruments, delaying any longer could get significantly more expensive.
Borrowers with applications in process must not delay. Applicants should work with their mortgage professional to complete all paperwork quickly, especially on non-conforming, stated-income, and stated-asset loans. Even minor delays can result in funds being yanked at the closing table!
Sellers can no longer be reluctant to accept offers or reduce prices. Tightening credit and diminishing mortgage products will continue to reduce the pool of qualified buyers. This, along with the increase in national housing inventories, means now is not the time to hold out for the "best" price possible.
Buyers with credit issues or who have difficulty providing required documentation can no longer sit on the fence. If market conditions change, buyers who qualify for a loan today may not qualify a few weeks from now for the same exact loan. Just this week, many lenders have stopped offering No-Doc loans, and some lenders have even pulled back on all forms of stated loans. As market conditions continue to change, a buyer's pre-approval status can disappear even more quickly, delaying or spoiling the deal.
Subprime and Alt-A refi candidates, especially those with ARMs scheduled to reset over the next 12 months, need to act now - even those with a pre-payment penalty. ARMs borrowers struggling with monthly payments now might be shocked to know that monthly payments can double in some cases once an ARM resets.
What does this mean to you?If you or someone you know has any ongoing real estate transaction, I would be glad to help. Please call me right away. As an educated mortgage professional, I will utilize my experience and resources to help you and your loved ones to navigate through these turbulent times. Don't leave your future in the hands of some random mortgage provider. I'm local, accountable, and you can trust that I'll do everything in my power to help you succeed.
Just last week, American Home Mortgage and its wholesale counterpart, American Brokers Conduit, became the latest casualties of the credit crisis. Last year, this company closed over $58 billion in home loans. Despite being, by all accounts, a well-run business, market conditions forced them to file for bankruptcy, leaving billions of dollars in loans in their pipeline unable to close. Tens of thousands of borrowers have now been left without financing as a result of companies like this going under.
Clearly, with over 100 national lenders having now closed shop in the last eight months, this is no longer simply a subprime lending issue. The credit market is experiencing unprecedented turmoil. According to Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, "Financial markets have been volatile in recent weeks, credit conditions have become tighter for some households and businesses, and the housing correction is ongoing."
What does this mean to consumers?
Potential borrowers cannot wait any longer. For those who are considering buying a home, be aware that the volatile credit market can change overnight, leaving fewer options available to borrowers attempting to qualify for a mortgage. This is even more true for those looking to refinance. With decreases in home values and fewer available mortgage instruments, delaying any longer could get significantly more expensive.
Borrowers with applications in process must not delay. Applicants should work with their mortgage professional to complete all paperwork quickly, especially on non-conforming, stated-income, and stated-asset loans. Even minor delays can result in funds being yanked at the closing table!
Sellers can no longer be reluctant to accept offers or reduce prices. Tightening credit and diminishing mortgage products will continue to reduce the pool of qualified buyers. This, along with the increase in national housing inventories, means now is not the time to hold out for the "best" price possible.
Buyers with credit issues or who have difficulty providing required documentation can no longer sit on the fence. If market conditions change, buyers who qualify for a loan today may not qualify a few weeks from now for the same exact loan. Just this week, many lenders have stopped offering No-Doc loans, and some lenders have even pulled back on all forms of stated loans. As market conditions continue to change, a buyer's pre-approval status can disappear even more quickly, delaying or spoiling the deal.
Subprime and Alt-A refi candidates, especially those with ARMs scheduled to reset over the next 12 months, need to act now - even those with a pre-payment penalty. ARMs borrowers struggling with monthly payments now might be shocked to know that monthly payments can double in some cases once an ARM resets.
What does this mean to you?If you or someone you know has any ongoing real estate transaction, I would be glad to help. Please call me right away. As an educated mortgage professional, I will utilize my experience and resources to help you and your loved ones to navigate through these turbulent times. Don't leave your future in the hands of some random mortgage provider. I'm local, accountable, and you can trust that I'll do everything in my power to help you succeed.
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