Local Lender Offers Thousands To Buyers

Local Lender Offers Thousands To Buyers

First Time Home Buyers: A local Orlando, FL lender is currently offering a $10,000 forgivable grant at closing. There are guidelines for this grant and one such requirement is that it is only available with a Conventional Loan 97% (Fannie Mae).  Additional requirements include: Buyers must have 640+ FICO, be a first time home buyer with no ownership of a principal residence in the past 3 years, obtain a FTHB Education Certificate, satisfy income limit ($87,500 for most counties), and find a home you like for less than $331,423 – purchase price limit for most counties.

This offer is through the lender, not Alpha Real Estate of Central Florida, LLC.

Here’s the lender’s example of what you could expect if you qualify:

Sales Price: $250,000
Loan Amount 97%: $242,500
Down Payment: $7,500
4% GRANT: $10,000 FREE

For more information and guidelines about the program, please contact Bill Moore ASAP.

William “Bill” Moore
Licensed Real Estate Sales Associate
REALTOR®
FL License: SL3386034
Cell: ‪(407) 680-3670‬

Alpha Real Estate of Central Florida, LLC
1423 W. Fairbanks Ave.
Winter Park, Florida 32789
FL License: CQ1039886

#openhouse #realtor #realtorlife #homes #fthb #firsttimehomebuyer

Fed Meets In March 2019

Fed Meets In March 2019

 

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meets in March

    The FFed Meets in March – this month! The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve System will meet later this monthThe Federal Reserve Flow Chart on March 19, 2019 and March 20, 2019. The FOMC will provide a “Summary of Economic Projections” report at this meeting and projections in the report may be the deciding factor on whether or not to raise the Federal Funds Target Rate (FFTR), which will in turn, trigger a rise in interest rate offerings by financial institutions.  The report considers projections for GDP growth, the unemployment rate, inflation, and the appropriate policy interest rate. 

On January 30, 2019, the Federal Open Market Committee met for the first monetary policy meeting of 2019. The committee, at that time, voted to leave the Federal Funds Target Rate (“FFTR”), the rate that banks charge each other for overnight lending, at 2.25% – 2.50%. The Federal Funds Target Rate is a benchmark rate and is used to calculate the United States (Fed) Prime Rate.  The United States (Fed) Prime rate is calculated by adding the FFTR + 3%. As of January 30, 2019, the United States Prime Rate is 5.50%.

The FOMC has indicated plans to raise the rate to 3.6% by 2020 and 3.8% by 2021. This means that by 2020, the United States Prime Rate could be 6.5%, or possibly higher, and lenders will increase mortgage interest rates lock-in-step with the increases by the FOMC.

For additional information on this topic and how interest rates are calculated, please read my article titled, Mortgage Rates Stay Low, written earlier this year. Questions? Contact me anytime.

Mortgage Rates Stay Low

Mortgage Rates Stay Low

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MORTGAGE RATES STAY LOW

    On January 30, 2019, the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve System “FOMC” had its first monetary policy meeting of 2019. The committee voted to leave the Federal Funds Target Rate (“FFTR”), the rate that banks charge each other for overnight lending, at 2.25% – 2.50%. The Federal Funds Target Rate is a benchmark rate and is used to calculate the United States (Fed) Prime Rate.  The United States (Fed) Prime rate is calculated by adding the FFTR + 3%. As of January 30, 2019, the United States Prime Rate is 5.50%.

Determining Your Interest Rate

    Banks utilize the target range, the “FFTR,” for the federal funds rate as a starting point to establish the interest rates they want to charge for loans. Banks also use other factors to set their interest rates. The bottom line is that banks want to maximize profits, through the Net Interest Margin. The Net Interest Margin is simply a ratio that measures how successful the bank is investmenting funds compared to the expenses on those investments. Banks want to show shareholders gains, not losses. However, banks also realize consumers and businesses seek the lowest rate possible

    It’s no secret banks adjust interest rates based on risk and the lower the risk, the better the interest rate for a borrower. When borrowers have a high credit score, put up collateral or a large down payment, and use services from the same bank (checking, savings, brokerage, mortgage) they may get a discount on the interest rate. Another strategy may be for a borrower to borrow during a down economy or when uncertainty is high, such as inflation or a volatile interest rate environment, in order to get a favorable rate. So, under these circumstances, a bank may be especially motivated to make a deal or give you the best rate possible. Borrowers who seek out a loan or rate with government backing can also secure the lowest rate possible. The U.S. weekly averages as of February 7, 2019, as reported by Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac, are:  30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage, 4.41%, 15-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage, 3.84%; 5/1-Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage, 3.91%.  This is a 10-month low; however, the current rates are still above last year’s rates by .09%; 30-year Fixed Rate Mortgage rate averaged 4.32%, compared to the current 4.41% rate for a 30-year Fixed Rate Mortgage rate.

Chart of interest rates 2018 to 2019- Freddie Mac

 

The Outlook

    The decision by the FOMC to not increase the Federal Funds Target Rate means banks will keep their interest rates steady as well. This means the Spring of 2019 will be a great time for borrowers to secure mortgages from lenders at historic low interest rates before interest rates increase in the coming months or year.

    The next meeting for the FOMC is March 20, 2019 and economic projections will be heard at this meeting. The FOMC meets at least 8 times per year and have a published schedule for the remainder of 2019. It should be noted that the FOMC has indicated plans to raise the rate to 3.6% by 2020 and 3.8% by 2021. This means that by 2020, the United States Prime Rate could be 6.5%, or possibly higher, and lenders will increase mortgage interest rates lock-in-step with the increases by the FOMC.  The FOMC meets at least 8 times per year and have a published schedule.

    Historically speaking, the FOMC of the Federal Reserve System kept the Federal Funds Target Rate (“FFTR”), the rate that banks charge each other for short-term loans, at zero between 2008 and 2015. The recession ended in June 2009.  The Federal Reserve raised the target level of the federal funds rate in 2018 on the following dates by the following percentages:

Date FFTR U.S. (Fed) Prime Rate (+3%)
Mar 22, 2018 1.75% 4.75%
Jun 14, 2018 2.00% 5.00%
Sep 27, 2018 2.25% 5.25%
Dec 19, 2018 2.50% 5.50%

The Federal Funds Target Rate History from 1990 to present is available to view by clicking here. 

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Tax Refunds Buy Homes

Tax Refunds Buy Homes

Tax Refunds Buy Homes

A substantial tax refunds, or even a small tax refund, could buy homes for many Americans. According to FreddieMac, the Internal Revenue Service began accepting tax returns on January 29, and estimates nearly 155 million individual tax returns will be filed for the 2018 tax filing season.

Here are three ways it could bring you closer to home-ownership.

Save for a down payment

One of the biggest barriers to home-ownership is the lack of savings on hand for a down payment. Don’t overestimate the size of the down payment you may need. Your credit history, along with other factors, will dictate how much of your money is needed for a down payment. Many borrowers are permitted to make a down payment of about 5 to 10% — not 20%, which is often the percentage borrowers confuse with the amount of equity needed to avoid Property Mortgage Insurance (“PMI”). For example, Freddie Mac’s 3% down mortgage, known as the Home Possible Advantage®, helps qualified borrowers make a down payment of as little as $6,000 for a $200,000 home.

Down Payment Assistance Logo

 

Down payment assistance programs can also be leveraged too fill thecash gap. Get in contact with me about the many programs across the country that can help you save on your down payment and closing costs. In fact, Orange County Government and the City of Orlando offer some programs to qualified borrowers and some are offered based on the location of the home. Check to see what Down Payment Assistance programs you may be eligible for by clicking here.

 

Pay for closing costs

A home-buyer will typically pay between about 2% and 5% of the home purchase price in closing fees. However, these fees can fluctuate depending on the interest rates, incentives offered, etc. The average for closing costs, by state, can be viewed here and further understand your costs.

Lower your interest rate

You can use your tax refund to pay discount points in order to “buy down” your mortgage interest rate. A “point” equals one percent of the loan. This is commonly used to lock in a lower interest rate on your fixed–rate mortgage. For example, if you are borrowing $100,000, paying one discount point would mean paying $1,000 upfront at closing. Here’s the great part. By having a lower interest rate you may even end up saving more in interest payments over the life of the loan. FreddieMac’s Mortgage Calculator can give you an idea of how paying extra points might lower your rate.

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