Blog – Page 160 of 783 – Fred Gruber - First Rate Financial Group

04

May

Mortgage

Refinancing: Check Your Financials First

Refinancing: Check Your Financials First Although interest rates continue to rise, they are still low and you have probably heard that refinancing could help you save money on your home loan. Even though you are probably focused on current mortgage interest rates, feverishly comparing them to your own interest rate, you need to check your financials first. What are a few important indicators of your financial health that you need to check before you go through the refinancing process?

Check Your Credit Report

During the refinancing process, you will essentially replace your current home loan with another one. Therefore, the lender is going to check your credit report, so you should do so before your lender does. You can request one free copy of your credit report from each of the major credit bureaus every year. Be sure to check your credit report for any mistakes. Correct them before you go through the refinancing process, and maximize your credit score.

Look At Your Most Recent Mortgage Statement

Next, you should also check your most recent mortgage statement. You need to understand your current interest rate, your unpaid principal, and the maturity date of your loan. This will help you figure out if it is worth it for you to go through the refinancing process. You can figure out what interest rate you need to have on the new loan to make it worth it.

Pay Down Other Debt

During the refinancing process, you need to avoid applying for other lines of credit. This includes credit cards. You may also want to pay down other sources of debt to improve your debt to income ratio. This can help you get the best possible terms on your new home loan.

Check Your Home’s Value

Your lender will order an appraisal to check your home’s value. Ideally, it has gone up in value, which will make it easier for you to qualify for a new home loan. There are free tools you can use online to get a quick estimate of your home’s value.

Consider Refinancing Your Home Loan

If you want to save money on your mortgage, it might be worth it to go through the refinancing process. You should reach out to a professional who can help you evaluate your opportunities and make the best possible decision.

03

May

By First Rate Financial Group

Home Care Tips

The Top Issues Homeowners Cannot Ignore

The Top Issues Homeowners Cannot Ignore Owning a home can be a major investment, but it is also a significant responsibility. From time to time, issues can pop up, and it is important that homeowners do not to ignore them. Ignoring these issues can lead to significant repair bills down the road. What are some of the top issues that homeowners should not ignore?

1. Mold

Mold is a sign that the humidity level in the home is off or that there is standing water present somewhere. Mold thrives in warm, moist conditions. If homeowners do not address mold as quickly as possible, it will proliferate throughout the house, damaging the structure. Mold can also lead to significant health concerns, particularly for people who suffer from chronic respiratory conditions.

2. A Warped Floor

If there is a warped floor present, it needs to be investigated quickly. A floor begins to warp when there is water trapped underneath it. Water damages the integrity of the floorboards, causing them to bend and buckle. The problem will get worse if the water source is not identified and rectified. Homeowners need to fix this as quickly as possible.

3. Missing Roof Shingles

The roof is responsible for protecting the rest of the home from precipitation. If there are any shingles that are damaged or missing, they will not do their jobs. Water can get in through this area, spread throughout the rest of the roof, and lead to major damage. Homeowners need to get the roof inspected to identify and fix missing shingles.

4. Unusual Noises From The HVAC

If there are unusual noises coming from the HVAC, it could be a sign of a tremendous amount of stress on the unit itself. This could cause the HVAC unit to burn out quickly, leading to a major bill. When unusual noises are addressed, the HVAC unit can be fixed, extending its lifespan.

Take Care Of The Home

These are a few of the many issues that homeowners should not ignore. If homeowners do not identify these issues and fix them as quickly as possible, they will simply become more expensive and cumbersome down the road. These signs need to be addressed by a major professional, and many of them can be avoided with routine maintenance.

02

May

By First Rate Financial Group

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 2, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings from S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, the Federal Housing Finance Agency House Price Index, and the Commerce Department on sales of new homes. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also reported.

S&P Case-Shiller, FHFA Report Near-Record Home Price Growth

February home prices continued their rapid growth, but analysts hinted at a coming slowdown in-home price growth as would-be buyers were faced with rising mortgage rates and affordability concerns. S&P Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index reported year-over-year home price growth of 19.80 percent as compared to January’s national home price growth rate of 19.10 percent. The 20-City Home Price Index reported the top three cities for year-over-year home price growth were Phoenix, Arizona with 32.90 percent growth, Tampa, Florida reported 32.60 percent growth in home prices, and Miami, Florida reported year-over-year home price growth of 29.70 percent. All cities reported in the 20-City Home Price Index had double-digit growth in February and the pace of home price growth was faster for all 20 cities than in January.

In related news, the Federal Housing Finance Administration reported that home prices for homes owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rose by 19.40 percent year-over-year and were 2.10 percent higher month-to-month.

Pending home sales were lower in March by -1.20 percent, as compared to the expected reading of -1,80 percent and February’s reading of -4.00 percent. Rising inflation and home prices created affordability concerns for first-time and moderate-income homebuyers.

Mortgage Rates Mixed, Jobless Claims Fall

Freddie Mac reported a lower average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages dropped by one basis point to 5.10 percent; rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.40 percent and were two basis points higher. Rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 3.78 percent and three basis points higher. Discount points averaged 0.80 percent for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and 0.90 percent for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages. Points for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 0.30 percent.

New jobless claims fell last week with 180,000 initial claims filed as compared to 185,000 first-time claims filed in the previous week. Continuing jobless claims held steady with 1.41 million ongoing claims filed and matched the prior week’s reading.

The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell by one-half point in April with an index reading of 65.2. The expected reading of 65.7 matched the March reading. Concerns over rising inflation, fuel prices, and the war in Ukraine contributed to lower consumer sentiment.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic news includes readings on public and private-sector jobs growth, the national unemployment rate, and a news conference by Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be published.