by Irene Moustakas | Mar 20, 2009 | Tips
If you’re waiting to lock an interest rate because you think that rates will continue to decrease, please remember to consider decreasing values. I’ve had some clients decide that it was best to hold out, and now when they’re ready to lock, their...
by Irene Moustakas | Mar 19, 2009 | Rates, Tips
After news on the Fed’s announcement yesterday to continue to purchase mortgage-backed securities, interest rates started improving significantly. This morning’s rates were the bottom of what I’ve seen. If you were on my Watch List, you got a call...
by Irene Moustakas | Feb 11, 2009 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Tips
Many home buyers take a look at their proposed total homeowner payment responsibilities (mortgage, property taxes, insurance and Mortgage Insurance, if applicable), and think, “There’s no way I can make that payment; I barely have enough take-home pay from...
by Irene Moustakas | Feb 4, 2009 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Industry News, Loan Programs and Products, Tips
I received a lot of additional questions to my January 26th post regarding the 5% down payment option, so I would like to go over down payment requirements for other property types and loan amounts. The following is limited to conventional loans. Down payment...
by Irene Moustakas | Jan 30, 2009 | Loan Programs and Products, Tips
I’ve received many calls recently from referrals and new clients asking about refinancing out of their ARM and into a Fixed Rate Mortgage. Depending on the value of their house, their credit score and qualifying, sometimes I can help them, sometimes I can’t. But...
by Irene Moustakas | Jan 26, 2009 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Industry News, Loan Programs and Products, Tips
UPDATED JANUARY 13, 2010: Please refer to my most recent post regarding minimum down payment requirements. They are based on loan amount range as well as property type....