A mortgage is a loan that is taken for buying a house or a property by using the same property as collateral. Home mortgages are very common in many countries, and are generally used for buying a house. Taking a mortgage allows the borrower to defer the payment of the house for a few years. The borrower has to pay a part of the principal and some amount as interest every month to the lender. Home mortgage refinancing is an option where the borrower exchanges one loan for another. He can sell off the loan, or a part of the loan, and take another loan at a lower rate of interest. This is an effective way to reduce the burden from existing loans.

Home mortgage refinancing is ideal when the current interest rates are lower than the rate of interest on the existing loan. With increasing real estate prices and more options for mortgage loans at lower prices, refinancing is increasingly being considered as an option by many borrowers. There are several advantages to home mortgage refinance loans apart from the lower interest rates: lower monthly payments, conversion of an adjustable rate mortgage into a fixed rate mortgage or a long-term mortgage into a short-term mortgage, consolidation of debt and generation of additional cash that can be used for home improvement, which would increase the value of the house. With refinancing, the borrower can save hundreds of dollars every month.

Refinancing can be ideally considered when the current interest rates are at least 2% less than the rates on the loan. However, even a 1% difference can mean significant savings. There are certain aspects to be contemplated while considering home mortgage refinancing: the value of the house may actually come down, instead of going up, thus making repayment difficult; there could be additional costs of refinancing; or you may have to move out of the house sooner than expected. Home mortgage refinance costs include application costs, appraisal costs, and legal fees. Nevertheless, with increasing competition, most lenders are offering low-cost and no-cost refinance options for home mortgages. However, waiver of these costs may mean accepting a slightly higher interest rate.

Home mortgage refinance loan rates are different in different states and range between 5.875% and 6.375% or higher, depending on the kind of loan.

By: Marcus Peterson

You hear quite a bit lately that “the Fed is cutting the interest rate.” Maybe you’ve been considering a refinance, and you’re waiting to move forward till the Fed takes action again. But be smart about waiting and watching. A Fed cut doesn’t directly affect long term rates (for instance a 30 year fixed mortgage), but it does impact long term mortgage rates. The problem is the impact might not have the result you’ve been waiting for.

Who is the Fed? Well, it’s really the Federal Reserve. And when the Fed cuts rates, it usually cuts the Fed Funds Rate, which is the rate banks lend each other money. However, when the Fed lowers the Fed Funds Rate, Prime Rate, the rate banks give their best customers, usually drops as well. Ok, that’s great. But what does that really mean to the average person on the street? It means that anything that has an interest rate tied to Prime is directly affected by the Feds’ rate cut. Typically, these are short term loans. For instance: a credit card or a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). In general, these rates decline when the Fed lowers rates. On the flip side, a Fed rate cut means your savings will perhaps not yield as much interest and your CD (certificate of deposit) won’t be at such a great rate. So, it’s not all good.

Why aren’t mortgages directly affected? Because mortgage rates are typically longer term rates and are influenced by buyers and sellers in the bond market. Daily movements in the bond market cause mortgage rates to change. That’s why you might get a quote from a loan officer on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, your quoted interest rate has increased .125%. The Fed lowers rates to help stimulate the economy. Ultimately a healthy economy is good for the real estate market. Jesse Lehn, Senior Vice President for Mortgage Investors Group, believes, “…a liquid real estate market is beneficial for the mortgage market and that keeps rates competitive.” So, when the Fed lowers rates, indirectly it can help mortgage rates, but there is no direct correlation.

Another misconception is that mortgage rate changes occur in direct relation to when a Fed rate cut happens. In actuality, most mortgage rate changes, positive or negative, occur regardless of whether the Fed is actually meeting. That’s because the mortgage market anticipates what the Fed is going to do.

A good loan officer should have their finger on the pulse of the market, but again it’s a gamble. Remember to have a target interest rate in mind if you want to lock a loan but are watching the market. Trying to lock an interest rate on the day the mortgage rates have reached their lowest point in a year is like trying to get a royal flush in poker. It happens, but it’s not a realistic goal. It just means you were lucky. Just stick to your home financing goals and consider the big picture, and you’ll be fine.




By: Kristin Abouelata – Home Loans