This Mortgage Rates Report is a SPECIAL EDITION: Why it makes sense to refinance...TODAY.
If remortgaging has been on your mind, two things just happened which should compel you to do just that:
1- 30 year fixed rate mortgages dropped below 6% for the first time since October, 2005. While I am a staunch advocate of ARMs, as the least expensive mortgage, Wall Street seems to be rewarding the credit-worthy borrowers who are willing to lock-into a fixed rate mortgage. Wall Street may be trying to push people into locking into loans, because they believe that rates are dropping, but I think that a fixed rate loan under 6% is about as good as it gets.
2- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are about to make borrowers jump through more hoops...again. Next month, borrowers who do NOT have a FICO score of at least 680 will be assessed with a healthy penalty; 1-2% of the loan amount. What that means is that the interest rate charged could be as much as .75% higher than the rates offered to borrowers with stellar credit (or the cost of the loan will be 1%-2% more).
If you are holding out for lower mortgage rates, that may happen next month. You might be left out in the cold if your credit score isn't high enough. I've seen people who have perfect credit histories with a credit score under 680 so don't get cocky; this could happen to you ! While rates could drop another .25%, you could be forced into a rate that is .25 higher than you could get today.
ACTION PLAN: Call me today at 858-699-4590 for a mortgage rate review.

Brian.... this is so true in regards to both aspects of what you mentioned. Hence why I think you will see even more FHA loans.... which I am writing about this by tomorrow.....
I agree. But, you know and I know and you know that I know that many, many, many home owners will wait and wait and keep waiting for "just the right time". Like they would actually know what the right time is.
I had a buyer drop out of the market this week because he saw that a foreclosure in the neighborhood was less expensive than the new home. He wanted the builder to compete in price with a foreclosure. Not going to happen.
He dropped out waiting for the builder to drop prices farther. This builder is not going to and I fully expect them to raise rates next month.
Buyers who try to outsmart the market just fool themselves.
Mario,
I think that the answer is, neither. Rather than tighten guidelines, they will continue to employ the risk-adjusted pricing they're using now. We expect full-doc borrowers to get lowr rates in the next 2-3 months with no doc borrowers paying more.
Hi Brian,
Good info for consumers.
Any clue about whether lower rates will finally translate to Jumbo loans.. seems as if they are still rather high..
Refinace now if you are going to do it and come out ahead. I agree.
Donna Zorn
I agree in part (otherwise, if you have equity, and the ability to refi, you can always pay the rate down), but what about FHA? I see a migration towards FHA rather than Freddie and Fannie.
I got two calls yesterday from folks who are looking to refinance out of their ARMs. One has a 5.75 rate and since that's where 30 year fixed money is she'll probably just refi into the fixed product. The other person not so lucky since it looks like the condo value is down 18%.
Sent them both off to one of my favorite lenders locally.
aaaghhhh... I keep being logged out and don't notice until after I've commented! That would be me above...
Great Info I will be sharing this with my buyers.
Thanks Again
Adam
Jumbo rates will narrow in relation to conforming, Lisa. Wall Street is starting to buy that paper, again. While I hear that Morgan Stanley is eschewing it (what's new?), Merrill, Lehman and Bear think there's a void that the portfolio lenders are cleaning up on.
Look for spreads to narrow after 1/1/08
Brian,
I think the fed is trying to create another 'wave' of refis...by getting people now to lock in at around 6%, so when rates fall to 4% they will be flocking to refi!!! The FHA 1 yr. ARM is still the best program going! IMHO, Thanks, Fran
Sounds good. Will you give up your source?
Not on a blog but I'll gladly let you listen in on conversations I have with my old trading buddies. Be forewarned though, those revelations are interspersed among talk about the NFL, Big East Hoops, Vegas bachelor parties of years past, and 20 year old college antics