Mortgage Rates Forecast

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:39:57 +0000

Any mortgage rates forecast must take into account the fall-out from the sub-prime crisis – now poorly named, because the rot has spread from the high-risk sub-prime sector to even the prime mortgages underwritten By Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

There are several ways in which the sub-prime crisis affects mortgage rates forecasts.

1. Each Mortgage Rates Forecast Rises Due To Increasing Risk

When house prices plummet as a result of forced sales, it makes mortgage lending in general more risky. Even a 20% deposit has not been enough to prevent some home owners from defaulting on their mortgages and being unable to sell for a high enough price to cover the loan. Mortgages classified as “prime” are now showing up as losses on the books of some banks. The investor’s response to increased risk is always to require a higher return – in this case, a higher return means a higher interest rate on mortgages. Interest rate predictions must be for higher interest rates as a result of the mess in the residential real estate markets across the country.

2. Any Mortgage Rates Forecast Rises Due To Falling Supply And Rising Demand

Mortgage interest rates, like all retail interest rates, depend on the general interest rate in the wider economy – the rate at which banks and other financial institutions can borrow funds. This is usually benchmarked by the 90 day bank bill rate. Generally, lenders only have 10% of the funds they lend out as mortgages in deposits – the rest is borrowed. This is why having too many defaults on mortgages can get a bank into big trouble – they can no longer afford to pay their own debts then!

The sub-prime crisis greatly reduced the willingness of other organizations with money to lend it to banks for the purpose of mortgages. This means that the supply of credit has markedly reduced. A low supply and a steady demand will always cause prices to rise, and in this case, the price of money is the interest rate.

The credit squeeze is putting upward pressure on the mortgage rates forecast, and all interest rates in general.

3 Our Mortgage Rates Forecast Rises Due To The Falling US Dollar

As a result of the sub-prime crisis, ant its spread to the prime mortgage market, the entire US financial system is regarded by the rest of the world as unstable. This is resulting in a flight of mobile capital from the US. The only way to entice this capital to remain in the US, and thus halt the slide in the US dollar, is to pay a higher return, which means having a higher general interest rate within the US, including for mortgages.

The government bail-out of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, while necessary to stabilize the property market within the US, will further erode the confidence of international money managers in the US economy, putting further downward pressure on the US dollar.

Until the US dollar stabilizes, there will be significant upward pressure on any mortgage rate forecast, and interest rates in general.

While some are still arguing about the causes of the sub-prime crisis, there is no doubt that its effects are significant and far-reaching. The instability of property prices, the credit crunch, and the loss of confidence in the greenback will take several years to restore to what was previously considered “normal” – and there is a very real possibility that we will never see the US dollar as strong on the global stage again.

For this period, possibly up to a decade in length, the mortgage rates forecast is in one direction only – upward. If you can, fix your mortgage now for 30 years, because you may not see mortgage interest rates this low again for decades.

By: Mark Bennett

Your Options When You Missed Two Mortgage Payments

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:58:54 +0000

Home owners across the country are facing adjustable rate mortgages that having increasing payments that make on time payments next to impossible to make. If you are a home owner that is facing this stress because you missed two or more mortgage payments you need to be aware of how serious of a problem you face and what you can do about it.

Dealing With Multiple Late Payments

The first thought for people with past due mortgage payments is the fear of foreclosure and losing their home. While technically a mortgage lender can start to foreclose after just one late payment many lenders will not start until you are 120 days past due. So even with two missed mortgage payments you should still be in the safe zone, at least for a little while.

When you miss your first mortgage payment you will limit your ability to refinance with a conforming mortgage for a minimum of 24 months. You will also not be eligible for FHA or VA financing for a period of 12 months. The only way you will be able to refinance with multiple late payments is to get a sub prime mortgage, and you will more then likely be limited to borrowing no more then 70% of your homes appraised value.

Once you miss your second mortgage payment your options now almost begin to fade away into nothing. Since the recent sub prime crisis most of sub prime lenders programs for borrowers with multiple late payments have all but disappeared. The best option at this point is to call your mortgage holder and work out a repayment plan with them. If your loan was an adjustable mortgage you should ask them for a loan modification. This is where the lender will either give you a fixed rate mortgage or stop any additional rate increases for a set period of time.

The most extreme option for home owners who are missing mortgage payments is to sell the home and either move into a more affordable home or rent until they can save up a good down payment for a similar home. While no one wants to lose their home sometimes it is the best option, and in many cases it will inevitably happen through foreclosure. At the very least you can save your credit rating by selling the home before a foreclosure happens.

Honesty is going to be your best option when you are in this type of situation. Your mortgage holder will be more the likely to help you if you contact them early and are up front and honest with them about your current situation. But you should also be honest with yourself and never try to save a home you just cannot afford, it will wind up costing you more money, stress and credit points then it is worth.

By: Darin Sewell

Mortgage second » Sub Prime Crisis

Mortgage Rates Forecast

Your Options When You Missed Two Mortgage Payments