How will the Federal Reserve Raising Interest Rates Impact You?

On December 16^th,  2016 Chairman Janet Yellen announced that The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (Head of the Bank of the Banks) were raising interest rates. 

http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/monetary/20151216a.htm

Chairwoman Janet Yellen is the first woman to hold this position. Chairwoman Yellen took over the position from Ben Bernanke and was sworn into her office on February 3^rd, 2014 after the senate confirmation in January 2014.

The Prime Rate adjusted in sync with the announcement.  However, most of the loan market already expected this and mortgage interest rates had risen about 0.25% in the 10-14 days before the announcement in anticipation, so there was actually little movement in long terms rates at the time of the announcement.

But, what does this mean for you? What does this mean for your clients? What is the actual cost?

The Federal Reserve has already raised interest rates by 0.25% and plan to continue raising rates 0.25% until next December so there will be a full 1% increase in interest rates. That doesn't sound like much, but for most people it actually adds up. Take a $300,000 home for instance. For each 0.25% increase in the interest rates on a $300,000 loan, that's an extra $43.56 a month. So over, the next year, if you are buying a $300,000 and the interest rates go up by 1%, that's an extra $174.24 a month in interest you'll be paying. That's easily a student loan payment, a car payment or a nice dinner out. If you look at it on an annual basis, it's over $2,090 a year in additional interest costs, which is over $10,400 over the next five years!!  Now, you may think, well, that’s more of a tax deduction for me since it’s interest. Be sure to check with your CPA to see how that change will really impact your bottom line. But I say, a penny earned is a penny save, and even more important, $2,000 saved is by buying now is free money!

So, if you are considering buying a home, do it now! Get pre-approved and start planning now.

These interest rates are for the purposes of example only.  You are not guaranteed these rates, you may or may not qualify for a loan.

For more information, pick up my #1 Best Selling Book at ElysiaStobbeBooks.com

For more mortgage tips check out our website www.bestmortgagebook.info

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July's Real Estate Market

Welcome to July.  It seems that it is a seller’s market, with about 5 months of inventory available.  Once this surpasses 6 months supply we may see a transition to a buyer’s market. But for now, the sellers have the upper hand.

What does this mean for you? Well, it could mean higher sales prices, bidding wars and less contingencies. What’s the best way you can be prepared?

As always, I recommend getting pre-approved instead of pre-qualified. This lets you know your true buying power. Also, a pre-approval is stronger than a pre-qualification.  In some markets, usually the hotter markets, Realtors ® and sellers won’t accept pre-qualification letters, they will only accept pre-approval letters.

In addition, select your team ahead of time so once you are under contract you are not scrambling to put together the pieces.  By team, I mean your Real Estate Agent, your lender, your title company, your home owner’s insurance agent and your home inspector. Take the time to ask questions of each and make sure you are comfortable with their answers. Once you are under contract you will have limited time to make decisions and that’s no fun if you are stressed out.

Here are Key Considerations when Selecting a Real Estate Agent

·        Look for Success and Experience

·        Look for a Listener that Hears YOU

·        Choose Team Sports Over King of the Hill – Look for a Real Estate Agent that works well with Others

·        Are there specialties that are relevant to YOU?  Such as MRP- Military Relocation Professional.  For a complete list of the National Associations of Realtors ® Certification, check out www.realtor.org/designations-and-certifications

For questions to ask your lender, check out my free download, Top 10 Questions to ask your Lender at www.BestMortgageBook.com

All of this information can be found in much more detail in my book on Amazon

To grab my new book, How To Get Approved for the Best Mortgage Without Sticking a Fork in Your Eye™, click here: elysiastobbehomeloans.com

For more mortgage tips check out our website www.bestmortgagebook.info

For video mortgage tips and tools subscribe to our YouTube

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsL6BuJ8b-M

For sponsorship opportunities go to:  sponsorbestmortgagebook.info

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Common Questions Asked By First Time Home Buyers

Wow!  What a ride!  I cannot thank you enough for your support. My book launched on Friday and became the #1 New Release in Mortgage Books on Amazon. Amazon likes it so much they just reduced the paperback price to $8.99!  Grab your copy here: www.elysiastobbehomeloans.com
I consider it a privilege to share this information with you.

I wanted to share with you some of the questions I got yesterday at the FL Times Union Home Buyers Expo. Over 1500 people attended, it was a huge success!  I was honored to be asked to speak to their audience.

I did two presentations.  Each presentation gave a quick overview of two topics.  The first presentation was 3 Monumental Money Mistakes To Avoid & Why Shopping for the Best Interest Rate can Cost you Money. Common questions pertained to the differences in FHA and Conventional Loans and the different mortgage insurance rates for each as well as the funding fees for government loans.

The second presentation covered 7 Massive Mortgage Mistakes to Avoid & VA, FHA & Conventional Financing Highlights. A common question was, "What if I have a 640 credit score and I am a first time home buyer, can I put down only 3%?"  Yes, if you are a first time home buyer and qualify for conventional loan financing, you can put down as little as 3% with a 640 credit score. However, the monthly mortgage insurance will be more expensive due to the 640 credit score. Here are some highlights from the 2nd half of this presentation.  I hope you find this information useful.

Here are some VA Loan Highlights:

•Minimum Down Payment 3.0% for first time home buyers, otherwise 5%

•No Funding Fee

•Monthly MI varies based on down payment, credit score, type of residence, varies from 0.22%-0.74%

•MI is automatically removed at 22% equity

•Minimum Credit Score 620 with 20% down payment or 640 with 5% down payment

***Veterans, THANK YOU for your Service!!

Here are some FHA Loan Highlights:

•Minimum Down Payment 3.5%

•FHA Funding Fee of 1.75%

•Monthly MI of 0.85% with 3.5% down or .80% with 5% down payment

•MI is for the life of the loan

•Minimum Credit Score 580

Here are some Conventional Loan Highlights:

•Minimum Down Payment 3.0% for first time home buyers, otherwise 5%

•No Funding Fee

•Monthly MI varies based on down payment, credit score, type of residence, varies from 0.22%-0.74%

•MI is automatically removed at 22% equity

•Minimum Credit Score 620 with 20% down payment or 640 with 5% down payment

***Please keep in mind this is only an example for illustration purposes.  These interest rates may not be available and/or you may not qualify for this loan type.

All of this information can be found in much more detail in my #1 Best Selling Book on Amazon

To grab my new book, How To Get Approved for the Best Mortgage Without Sticking a Fork in Your Eye™, click here: elysiastobbehomeloans.com

For more mortgage tips check out our website www.bestmortgagebook.info

For video mortgage tips and tools subscribe to our YouTube

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsL6BuJ8b-M

For sponsorship opportunities go to:  sponsorbestmortgagebook.info

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Why our World Would End if Mortgages Disappeared

Who better than Gary Keller, founder of Keller Williams and Jay Papasan, VP of KW Publishing  to share their opinions about mortgages…this is an excerpt from my new book, How To Get Approved for the Best Mortgage Without Sticking a Fork in Your Eye™

But before we get to that, here are my top 3 reasons to utilize a mortgage to your advantage when buying a home.

1.   Who wants to part with their cash?

No one.  Why would you?  If you can keep your cash in the bank and use the bank’s money to buy a home, why would you part with your cold hard cash? Or what if you don’t have the cash to buy a home? Who has $300,000 laying around?

2.   Interest Rates are at Record Lows

Interest rates are still hovering in the 4.0% range.  Why wouldn’t you grab this money that’s practically free while you can get it? If you’re going to borrower money, the cheaper you can get it, the better.

3.   Mortgage Interest is Still tax deductable

Check with your licensed CPA to make sure you can take advantage of this tax deduction.  Your tax specialist should be able to let you know how much you can save by becoming a home owner with a mortgage.

  

But seriously, why our World Would End if Mortgages Disappeared?  Well, for each real estate transaction with a mortgage, it takes about 25 people to get the job done.  From your licensed loan originator to the appraiser to your real estate agent and closing title company there are many people in the middle.  Also, if people could not use the bank’s money and had to spend their cash to buy a house, the housing industry would slow to a crawl. Which means retail would also be affected.  Such as the big box stores for home improvement and electronics.  Our economy would be seriously crippled if mortgages disappeared.  So, the next time you buy a house with a mortgage, feel great about helping the economy!

And without further ado, here’s the excerpt interview with Gary Keller & Jay Papasan.

Interviews with Gary Keller and Jay Papasan of Keller Williams Realty

As chairman of the board for Keller Williams Realty, Gary Keller helps provide strategic direction for the company at large. In addition to his leadership role with the company, Gary and his writing team have penned several national bestsellers: The Millionaire Real Estate Agent, The Millionaire Real Estate Investor, SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times and The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results.

Jay Papasan, who after a successful publishing career in New York, co-authored the Millionaire Real Estate series with Gary Keller, collaborated on the best seller FLIP, and serves as Keller Williams VP of Publishing.

Elysia: Please share two pieces of advice you have about mortgages.

Jay Papasan: A mortgage is a serious responsibility and warrants very careful attention to what you can truly afford and what kind of mortgage can best help you reach your financial goals. However, a mortgage is a tremendous privilege. Imagine: if you couldn’t borrow the money to buy your home, you’d have to pay cash. If you thought coming up with a down payment was challenging, imagine what it would be like to save the whole purchase price!

In general, you’ll probably discover that mortgage loans are less confusing than you might imagine. Actually, what appears as a vast array of loan choices in the mortgage market today are all just simple variations on a few major types.

Elysia: Gary, what are your top three guiding principles for client service?

Gary Keller: Win, win or no deal. Integrity: do the right thing. Customers always come first. When we talk about client service, the definition of a professional is someone who knows what they know and knows what they don’t know. When you are faced with a situation with a client and you’re not sure of the answer, it’s not about looking like a professional, it’s about being a professional. Just be honest, and say, “That’s a great question. I want to give you the best answer. Would it offend you if I got back to you later today/tomorrow with an answer? I work with an amazing team and I’d love to run my thoughts by them and make sure you’re getting the best possible information.” Understand your strengths and leveraging the team around you and in your brokerage to give your clients the best service.

Elysia: Thank you Jay & Gary, I understand why you have raving fans and a successful growing international real estate company!

***Please keep in mind this is only an example for illustration purposes.  These interest rates may not be available and/or you may not qualify for this loan type.

To get on our waiting list for my new book, How To Get Approved for the Best Mortgage Without Sticking a Fork in Your Eye™, go to our website www.bestmortgagebook.info

For video mortgage tips and tools subscribe to our YouTube

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsL6BuJ8b-M

For sponsorship opportunities go to:  sponsorbestmortgagebook.info

©

Zillow vs.Trulia

How many of you use Zillow or Trulia?
What's so great about these real estate websites?
Should you use them as part of your home buying process?
For one reporter's opinion (as well as my comments!) check out this article:
zillow-vs-trulia
For more mortgage tips, tools and information check out bestmortgagebook.info 
Subscribe to our youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsL6BuJ8b-M

How to Get Approved for the Best Mortgage? Get Pre-Approved for Your Mortgage!

What’s the difference between Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval for a Mortgage?

The differences between pre-qualification and pre-approval may seem minor, but they can be huge when it comes to actually closing on your dream home. Not all lenders offer the more thorough pre-approval. If your lender only offers pre-qualification, or you choose to start with pre-qualification, make sure that you are as thorough as possible with the information that you supply. Pre-qualification is the process of determining what you may qualify to purchase with a home loan. Pre-approval is the thorough process of providing your name, address history, work history and income documents for the last two years, along with your asset statements. It may not seem like a big difference, just more documents and a few more questions to answer. However, it can save you lots of disappointment and heartache during the loan process. In my book, How to Get Approved for the Best Mortgage Without Sticking a Fork in Your Eye (Available April 2015), I strongly recommend that you at minimum pre-qualify. Get pre-approved if it’s an option!

Mortgage Pre-Qualifying or Pre-Approval Make Home Shopping Much Easier

You should get pre-qualified to find out what price range your dream house needs to be within according to your current financial budget. Pre-qualifying allows you to find out exactly how much money a lender is willing to give you based on your income, assets, and other data. Having a pre-qualification will also give you confidence to make an offer when you find the right home. Pre-qualifying or pre-approval can empower you and take the stress out of your home search— you’ll know which homes to consider and which homes to avoid.

3 Monumental Mortgage Money Mistakes to Avoid

☐ Not getting pre-approved

☐ Not understanding your loan options

☐ Not planning/asking the right questions

I explain these mistakes in full detail in How to Get Approved for the Best Mortgage Without Sticking a Fork in Your Eye (Available April 2015). For a FREE EXCERPT from the book, go to BestMortgageBook.info.
For video mortgage tips, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsL6BuJ8b-M