What Do Experts Say About Today’s Mortgage Rates?

September 23, 2021February 16, 2022 Chad Hobot

Mortgage rates are hovering near record lows, and that’s good news for today’s homebuyers. The graph below shows mortgage rates dating back to 2016 and where today falls by comparison.

Generally speaking, when rates are low, you can afford more home for your money. That’s why experts across the industry agree – today’s low rates present buyers with an incredible opportunity. Here’s what they have to say:

Down Payment Assistance Elk River, Mortgage Preapproval Process Elk River, Get Preapproved for a Home Loan Elk River, Mortgage Prequalification Elk River, FHA 203K Lenders Elk River, Mortgage Broker Elk River

Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, points out the historic nature of today’s rates:

“As the economy works to get back to its pre-pandemic self, and the fight against COVID-19 variants unfolds, owners and buyers continue to benefit from some of the lowest mortgage rates of all-time.”

Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, talks about how rates impact a buyer’s bottom line:

“Mortgage rates are generally the same across the country, so a decline in mortgage rates boosts affordability equally in each market.”

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, also notes the significance of today’s low rates and urges buyers to carefully consider their timing:

“Those who haven’t yet taken advantage of low rates to buy a home or refinance still have the opportunity to do so this summer.”

Hale goes on to say that buyers who don’t act soon could see higher rates in the coming months, negatively impacting their purchasing power:

“We expect mortgage rates to fluctuate near historic lows through the summer before beginning to climb this fall.”

FHA Approved Lenders Ramsey, Best Mortgage Rates Today Ramsey, Mortgage Preapproval Ramsey, Apply for VA Home Loan Ramsey, Mortgage Interest Rates Ramsey, Mortgage Broker Ramsey And while mortgage rates are still low today, the data from Freddie Mac indicates rates are fluctuating ever so slightly right now, as they moved up one week before inching slightly back down in their latest release. It’s important to keep in mind the influence rates have on your monthly mortgage payment.

Even small increases can have a big impact on what you pay each month. Trust the experts. Today’s rates give you the opportunity and flexibility in what you can afford. Don’t wait on the sidelines and hope for a better rate to come along; the rates we’re seeing today are worth capitalizing on.

Bottom Line

Mortgage rates hover near record lows today, but experts forecast they’ll rise in the coming months. Waiting could prove costly when that happens. Let’s connect today to discuss today’s rates and determine if now’s the time for you to buy.

For a hassle-free mortgage consultation or a second opinion, contact Aaron Redberg with United Family Mortgage today at 763-568-0973.

Is Buying a Home Today a Good Financial Move?

December 15, 2020February 16, 2022 Chad Hobot

0 down mortgage ramsey, 0 down mortgage ramsey mn, 0 down mortgage, 0 down mortgage Elk River, 0 down mortgage Elk River MN, apply for va home loan ramsey, apply for va home loan ramsey MN, apply for va home loan

There’s no doubt 2020 has been a challenging year. A global pandemic coupled with an economic recession has caused heartache for many. However, it has also prompted more Americans to reconsider the meaning of “home.” This quest for a place better equipped to fulfill our needs, along with record-low mortgage rates, has skyrocketed the demand for home purchases.

This increase in demand, on top of the severe shortage of homes for sale, has also caused more bidding wars and thus has home prices appreciating rather dramatically. Some, therefore, have become cautious about buying a home right now.

The truth of the matter is, even though homes have appreciated by a whopping 6.7% over the last twelve months, the cost to buy a home has actually dropped. This is largely due to mortgage rates falling by a full percentage point.

Let’s take a look at the monthly mortgage payment on a $300,000 house one year ago, and then compare it with the same home today, after it has appreciated by 6.7% to $320,100:

best mortgage rates today elk river, best mortgage rates today, best mortgage rates today ramsey, best mortgage rates today ramsey mn, down payment assistance elk river, down payment assistance, down payment assistance ramsey

Compared to this time last year, you’ll actually save $87 dollars a month by purchasing that home today, which equates to over one thousand dollars a year.

But isn’t the economy still in a recession?

mortgage broker elk river, mortgage broker, mortgage broker Monticello, mortgage broker ramsey, mortgage broker ramsey MN, mortgage broker Otsego, mortgage broker rogers, mortgage broker rogers MN, mortgage broker st. michael

Yes, it is. That, however, may make it the perfect time to buy your first home or move up to a larger one. Tom Gil, a Harvard trained negotiator and real estate investor, recently explained:

“When volatile assets are facing recessions, hard assets, such as gold and real estate, thrive. Historically speaking, residential real estate has done better compared to other markets during and after recessions.”

That thought is substantiated by the fact that homeowners have 40 times the net worth of renters. Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist for First American Financial Corporation, recently said:

“Despite the risk of volatility in the housing market, numerous studies have demonstrated that homeownership leads to greater wealth accumulation when compared with renting. Renters don’t capture the wealth generated by house price appreciation, nor do they benefit from the equity gains generated by monthly mortgage payments, which become a form of forced savings for homeowners.”

Bottom Line

With home prices still increasing and mortgage rates perhaps poised to begin rising as well, buying your first home, or moving up to a home that better fits your current needs, likely makes a ton of sense.

For a hassle-free consultation, contact Aaron Redberg with United Family Mortgage in Elk River at 763-568-0973.

#1 Answer to the Housing Shortage

February 7, 2020February 23, 2020 Chad Hobot

#1 Answer to the Housing Shortage: New Construction

The biggest challenge to today’s housing market is the shortage of housing inventory for sale. A normal market would see a six-month supply of homes for sale. Currently, that number is below four months. This is the major reason home prices have continued to appreciate at higher levels than historic averages.

The good news is that builders are now starting to build more homes in lower price ranges.

Builder Confidence is Up

The Housing Market Index from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveals that builder confidence increased last month. HousingWire quoted NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz about the reason for the increase in confidence amongst builders.

“The HMI measure of future sales conditions reached its highest level since June 2005, a sign of growing consumer confidence in the new home market. Especially as existing home inventory remains tight, we can expect increased demand for new construction moving forward.”

Builders are Meeting the Needs of Today’s Purchaser

Builders are not only jumping into the market – they are doing a better job of matching current demand. The Wall Street Journal recently reported:

“In a shift, new households are overwhelmingly choosing to buy rather than rent. Some 854,000 new-owner households were formed during the first three months of the year, more than double the 365,000 new-renter households formed during the period, according to Census Bureau data.”

The WSJ article went on to say:

“Home builders are beginning to shift their focus away from luxury homes and toward homes at lower price points to cater to this burgeoning millennial clientele.”

The graph below compares 2016 to 2017 new construction sales by price point. As we can see, builders are slowly beginning to shift to prices more favorable to the first-time and non-luxury buyer.

mortgage broker Albertville, mortgage broker big lake, mortgage broker Elk River, mortgage broker Monticello, mortgage broker Otsego, mortgage broker Ramsey, mortgage broker rogers, mortgage broker St. Michael, mortgage broker Zimmerman, veteran home loan Elk River, veteran home loan Ramsey, veteran home loan Zimmerman

Bottom Line

There is a drastic need for a larger supply of home inventory to meet the skyrocketing demand. Builders are finally doing their part to help rectify this situation.

For a Hassle-Free consultation with United Family Mortgage on: Home Refinancing, First-Time Home Buyer Mortgage, Zero-Down Mortgage, Home Construction Loan or VA Home Loan, contact DJ Riley today at 763-276-3960 or via email djriley@unitedfamilymortgage.com.

*Re-posted by: https://www.mykcm.com/2017/05/18/1-answer-to-the-housing-shortage-new-construction/

A Rent Payment is Your Landlord’s Mortgage Payment

July 17, 2019August 1, 2019 Chad Hobot

0 Down Mortgage Ramsey, Apply for VA Home Loan Elk River, Apply for VA Home Loan Monticello, Apply for VA Home Loan Ramsey, Apply for VA Home Loan Zimmerman, Best Mortgage Rates Today Ramsey, Down Payment Assistance Elk River, Down Payment Assistance Ramsey, Down Payment Assistance Zimmerman, FHA Approved Lenders Ramsey, FHA Mortgage Interest Rates Ramsey, Home Construction Loans Ramsey, Home Loans with No Down Payment Ramsey, Mortgage Broker Otsego, Mortgage Broker Ramsey, Mortgage Broker Rogers, Mortgage Broker Zimmerman, Veteran Home Loan Ramsey, VA Home Loan Ramsey, VA Home Loan Monticello, First-Time Home Buyer — What is going to come out our your wallet this year? Your mortgage payment or your landlord’s?

There are some people who haven’t purchased homes because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. However, everyone should realize that unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s.

As Entrepreneur Magazine, a premier source for small business explained in their article, “12 Practical Steps to Getting Rich”:

“While renting on a temporary basis isn’t terrible, you should most certainly own the roof over your head if you’re serious about your finances. It won’t make you rich overnight, but by renting, you’re paying someone else’s mortgage. In effect, you’re making someone else rich.”

With home prices rising, many renters are concerned about their house-buying power. Mike Fratantoni, Chief Economist at MBA, explained:

“The spring homebuying season is almost upon us, and if rates stay lower, inventory continues to grow, and the job market maintains its strength, we do expect to see a solid spring market.”

As an owner, your mortgage payment is a form of ‘forced savings,’ which allows you to build equity in your home that you can tap into later in life. As a renter, you guarantee the landlord is the person building that equity.

As mentioned before, interest rates are still at historic lows, making it one of the best times to secure a mortgage and make a move into your dream home. Freddie Mac’s latest report shows that rates across the country were at 4.46% last week.

Bottom Line

Whether you are looking for a primary residence for the first time or are considering a vacation home on the shore, now may be the time to buy.

For a hassle-free first-time home buyer mortgage consultation, contact DJ Riley today at 763-276-3960 or via email @ djriley@unitedfamilymortgage.com.

One More Time… You Do Not Need 20% Down to Buy a Home

February 8, 2019 socialadmin

First-time home buyer mortgage programs, 0 Down Mortgage Ramsey, Apply for VA Home Loan Elk River, Apply for VA Home Loan Monticello, Apply for VA Home Loan Ramsey, Apply for VA Home Loan Zimmerman, Best Mortgage Rates Today Ramsey, Down Payment Assistance Elk River, Down Payment Assistance Ramsey, Down Payment Assistance Zimmerman, FHA Approved Lenders Ramsey, FHA Mortgage Interest Rates Ramsey, Home Construction Loans Ramsey, Home Loans with No Down Payment Ramsey, Mortgage Broker Otsego, Mortgage Broker Ramsey, Mortgage Broker Rogers, Mortgage Broker Zimmerman, Veteran Home Loan Ramsey, VA Home Loan Ramsey, VA Home Loan Monticello — 3% down payment and for some borrowers, ZERO down payment options are available!

The largest obstacle renters face when planning to buy a home is saving for a down payment. This challenge is amplified by rising rents, which has eaten into the amount of money renters have leftover for savings each month after paying expenses.

In combination with higher rents, survey after survey has shown that non-homeowners (renters and those living rent-free with family or friends) believe they need to save upwards of 20% for their down payment!

According to the “Barriers to Accessing Homeownership” study commissioned in partnership between the Urban Institute, Down Payment Resource, and Freddie Mac, 39% of non-homeowners and 30% of those who already own a home believe they need more than a 20% down payment.

The percentage of those who are aware of low down payment programs (those under 5%) is surprisingly low at 12% for non-homeowners and 13% for homeowners.

In a recent Convergys Analytics report, they found that 49% of renters believe they need at least a 20% down payment.

The median down payment on loans approved in 2018 was only 5%! Those waiting until they have over 20% may already have enough saved to buy now!

There are over 45 million millennials (33%) who are mortgage ready right now, meaning their income, debt, and credit scores would all allow them to qualify for a mortgage today!

Bottom Line

If your five-year plan includes buying a home, let’s get together to determine what it will take to make that plan a reality. You may be closer to your dream than you realize!

For a hassle-free first-time home buyer mortgage consultation, contact DJ Riley today at 763-276-3960 or via email @ djriley@unitedfamilymortgage.com.

Paying Rent = Paying Your Landlord’s Mortgage

February 8, 2019July 17, 2019 socialadmin

As Entrepreneur Magazine, a premier source for small business explained in their article, “12 Practical Steps to Getting Rich”:

“While renting on a temporary basis isn’t terrible, you should most certainly own the roof over your head if you’re serious about your finances. It won’t make you rich overnight, but by renting, you’re paying someone else’s mortgage. In effect, you’re making someone else rich.”

With home prices rising, many renters are concerned about their house-buying power. Mike Fratantoni, Chief Economist at MBA, explained:

“The spring homebuying season is almost upon us, and if rates stay lower, inventory continues to grow, and the job market maintains its strength, we do expect to see a solid spring market.”

Bottom Line

Whether you are looking for a primary residence for the first time or are considering a vacation home on the shore, now may be the time to buy.

For a hassle-free first-time home buyer mortgage consultation, contact DJ Riley today at 763-276-3960 or via email @ djriley@unitedfamilymortgage.com.

NO MONEY DOWN VA MORTGAGE FOR VETERANS

February 8, 2019April 8, 2020 socialadmin

For a Free Phone Consultation, Contact DJ Riley Today at 763-276-3960

Dispelling the Myth About Home Affordability

January 6, 2019January 6, 2019 socialadmin

mortgage broker Monticello, mortgage broker Ramsey, mortgage broker Elk River, mortgage broker Otsego, mortgage broker Rogers, mortgage broker Big Lake, mortgage broker Zimmerman, mortgage broker Albertville, mortgage broker St. Michael — Pull Back the Curtain on the Myth

We have all seen the headlines that report that buying a home is less affordable today than it was at any other time in the last ten years, and those headlines are accurate. But, have you ever wondered why the headlines don’t say the last 25 years, the last 20 years, or even the last 11 years?

The reason is that homes were less affordable 25, 20, or even 11 years ago than they are today.

Obviously, buying a home is more expensive now than during the ten years immediately following one of the worst housing crashes in American history.

Over the past decade, the market was flooded with distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales) that were selling at 10-50% discounts. There were so many distressed properties that the prices of non-distressed properties in the same neighborhoods were lowered and mortgage rates were kept low to help the economy.

Low Prices + Low Mortgage Rates = High Affordability

Prices have since recovered and mortgage rates have increased as the economy has gained strength. This has and will continue to impact housing affordability moving forward.

However, let’s give affordability some historical context. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) issues their Affordability Index each month. According to NAR:

“The Monthly Housing Affordability Index measures whether or not a typical family earns enough income to qualify for a mortgage loan on a typical home at the national and regional levels based on the most recent monthly price and income data.”

NAR’s current index stands at 138.8. The index had been higher each of the last ten years, peaking at 197 in 2012 (the higher the index the more affordable houses are).

But, the average index between 1990 and 2007 was just 123 and there were no years with an index above 133. That means that homes are more affordable today than at any time during the eighteen years between 1990 and 2007.

Bottom Line

With home prices continuing to appreciate and mortgage rates increasing, home affordability will likely continue to slide. However, this does not mean that buying a house is not an attainable goal in most markets as it is less expensive today than during the eighteen-year stretch immediately preceding the housing bubble and crash.

The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.

75% of Renters Have Been Misinformed

January 6, 2019January 6, 2019 socialadmin

Recently, multiple headlines have been written asserting that homeownership is less affordable today than at any other time in the last decade. Though the headlines are accurate, they lack context and lead too many Americans to believe that they can’t partake in a major part of the American Dream – owning a home.

In 2008, the housing market crashed and home values fell by as much as 60% in certain markets. This was the major trigger to the Great Recession we experienced from 2008 to 2010. To come back from that recession, mortgage interest rates were pushed down to levels that were never seen before.

For the last ten years, you could purchase a home at a dramatically discounted price and attain a mortgage at a historically low mortgage rate.

Affordability skyrocketed.

Now that home values have returned to where they should be, and mortgage rates are beginning to increase, it is less affordable to own a home than it was over the last ten years.

However, what is not being reported is that it is MORE AFFORDABLE to own a home today than at any other time since 1985 (when data was first collected on this point).

If you take out the years after the crash, affordability today is greater than it has been at almost any time in American history.

This has not been adequately reported which has led to many Americans believing that they cannot currently afford a home.

As an example, the latest edition of Freddie Mac’s Research: Profile of Today’s Renter reveals that 75% of renters now believe it is more affordable to rent than to own their own homes. This percentage is the highest ever recorded. The challenge is that this belief is incorrect. Study after study has proven that in today’s market, it is less expensive to own a home than it is to rent a home in the United States.

Thankfully, some are starting to see this situation and accurately report on it. The National Association of Realtors, in their 2019 Housing Forecast, mentions this concern:

“While the U.S. is experiencing historically normal levels of affordability, potential buyers may be staying out of the market because of perceived problems with affordability.”

Bottom Line

If you are one of the many renters who would like to own their own homes, let’s get together to find out if homeownership is affordable for you right now.

Zero Down Payment Mortgage Option

January 6, 2019 socialadmin

mortgage broker Monticello, mortgage broker Ramsey, mortgage broker Elk River, mortgage broker Otsego, mortgage broker Rogers, mortgage broker Big Lake, mortgage broker Zimmerman, mortgage broker Albertville, mortgage broker St. Michael