Blog — James Whitener - Whitener Team

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 6, 2022

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - September 6, 2022 Last week’s economic reporting included readings on home price growth, federal data on public and private sector job growth, the national unemployment rate, and data on consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.

S&P Case Shiller: Home Price Growth Slows in June

The S&P Case-Shiller National Home Price Index reported slower home price growth in June as home price growth slowed to a year-over-year pace of 18.0 percent as compared to May’s reading of 19.9 percent. The 20-City Home Price Index posted 18.6 percent growth in June as compared to May’s reading of 20.50 percent year-over-year growth in May.

The top three cities in June’s 20-City Home Price Index were Tampa, Florida, which posted the fastest year-over-year home price growth rate for the fourth consecutive month with a reading of 35.00 percent, and Miami. Florida with a year-over-year home price growth rate of 33.00 percent. Dallas, Texas completed the top three cities with year-over-year home price growth of 28.20 percent.

While all 20 cities reported double-digit percentages for year-over-year home price growth, 19 of 20 cities reported slower rates of home price appreciation in June. Craig J. Lazzara, Managing Director of S&P Dow Jones Indices, explained the difference between the deceleration of home price growth and home price decline. A deceleration in home price growth indicates that while home prices continue to increase, they’re doing so at a slower pace. A decline in home prices means that home prices are falling.

Analysts expect rising mortgage rates to negatively impact home sales as affordability issues increase. As demand for homes falls, home prices may also fall as the housing market cools.

Mortgage Rates Rise, Jobless Claims Fall

Freddie Mac reported higher average mortgage rates last week as rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose by 11 basis points to 5.66 percent. Rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.98 percent and 13 basis points higher. Rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 4.51 percent and 15 basis points higher than in the previous week.

Initial jobless claims fell last week with 232,000 initial claims filed as compared to the previous week’s reading of 237,000 first-time claims filed. Analysts expected 245,000 new jobless claim filings last week. Job growth reports from ADP and the government’s Non-Farm Payrolls report showed sharp drops in job growth; ADP, which reports on private-sector payrolls, reported 132,000 jobs added in August as compared to July’s reading of 268,000 private-sector jobs added in July. The Non-Farm Payrolls report

The national unemployment report rose to 3.70 percent in August from July’s reading of 3.50 percent. Analysts expected a reading of 3.50 percent unemployment for August.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic reporting is spare due to the Labor Day Holiday. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will give a speech and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will be released.

September 6, 2022/by whitenerteam_admin

Understanding Your FICO Score and Why Small Credit Mistakes Can Cause Huge Headaches

Home Mortgage Tips

Understanding Your FICO Score and Why Small Credit Mistakes Can Cause Huge Headaches Many people all over the world are dealing with issues involving debt or poor credit history, but most aren’t necessarily aware of what exactly makes up their credit score. Unfortunately, it might seem like it’s the big stuff that counts when it comes to credit, but little things can have a significant impact on your financial health. If you’re looking to improve your understanding and your finances, here’s what you need to know about small mistakes and your FICO score.

Making Late Payments

The due date on your bills might seem like an advisory, but whether we’re talking about a student loan, a credit card payment or your telephone bill, late payments can add up. Your payment history constitutes 35% of your total FICO score, which means that even a couple of late payments can have a marked impact on your overall credit. Instead of leaving this to chance, set aside a day each month before your bills are due to ensure they’re all paid off.

Applying For New Credit

It’s often the case that a store will offer special deals if you sign up for their own in-house credit card, but this can cost you big since the amounts you owe make up 30% of your credit score. Also, because lenders will often assume that you’ve run out of credit if you apply for a new card, applying for new credit can be a red mark against your FICO score.

Forgetting Credit Altogether

It might seem like the best possible option for avoiding credit issues is to avoid using credit altogether, but your credit history constitutes 15% of your FICO score. This means that you should have at least one credit card in your possession so that you can use it to build a history of lending success. While you won’t want to use more than 30% of your credit limit, it’s important to show proven experience in paying back your lenders.

Many people think that bad credit is the result of overspending and huge debt amounts, but your FICO score is largely determined by your payment history and your available credit. If you’re trying to buy a home in the near future, contact your local real estate professional for more information.

September 2, 2022/by whitenerteam_admin

Consider A Home Renovation Loan To Navigate A Challenging Housing Market

Mortgage

Consider A Home Renovation Loan To Navigate A Challenging Housing Market Today, there are many people who are having a difficult time purchasing a house. Even though interest rates have gone up, sales are still happening quickly. Therefore, it can be difficult for people to qualify for a mortgage, purchase a house, and get to the closing table before the property is sold. One potential way to get around the hot housing market is to consider a home renovation mortgage. How can a home renovation mortgage help you?

A Renovation Loan Can Help People Buy A Less Desirable Home

If you want to close on a home, you might be interested in a house that is not as desirable as some of the others. That way, you don’t have to worry about a bidding war. A renovation loan can help you purchase a less desirable home. If you are interested in buying a home that requires some repairs, but you do not have a lot of cash available for repairs, a renovation mortgage is a special loan that gives you the money you need to repair the house.

How Does A Renovation Loan Work?

Typically, the amount of money you can borrow for a renovation loan will depend on the value of the home after the renovations are completed. Therefore, the appraisal process is a bit different. This is the only type of mortgage that will give a homeowner credit for the future value of the property. Therefore, you can borrow more than you would be able to with a traditional mortgage. You can use the extra cash to perform repairs, which can increase the value of the home.

How Many Renovation Loans Are There?

Just as there are different types of conventional loans, there are different types of renovation loans as well. Each has a different set of requirements, but all of them require you to use the extra money to repair the home. Furthermore, all the work you do on the house has to add to the value of the property. If you have questions about how you can use the money that comes with a renovation loan, you should reach out to a professional who can help you.

September 1, 2022/by whitenerteam_admin

Expenses To Consider When Buying A Home

Mortgage

Expenses To Consider When Buying A Home When you are in the process of buying a home, it can be intimidating to take a look at so many factors. A home has a big price tag, and you need to make sure that you budget accordingly. Fortunately, this is not a process that you have to go through on your own. There are several items that all experts will say that you have to consider as you budget for your next home purchase.

The Down Payment

Your biggest expense is probably going to be your down payment. In general, it is a smart idea to put 20 percent down on your house. That way, you can avoid having to purchase private mortgage insurance. If you are purchasing a house for the first time, you might be able to put less money down, but you might face a higher interest rate and private mortgage insurance (PMI) payments if you do so.

The Earnest Money Payment

You should also be prepared to put down some earnest money. The exact amount of earnest money, also called due diligence money, that you have to put down will vary depending on the market. You should have a trusted professional who will let you know how much earnest money you should include with your offer. This is money that you use to hold the house in your name as you decide whether you want to go through with the purchase. If you end up buying the house, your earnest money will be put toward your down payment.

Closing Costs

You should also budget money for closing costs. Some of the items that will be included in your closing costs include a loan origination fee, a title examination, title insurance, an attorney’s fee, an escrow deposit, and a possible survey. In general, you should plan on budgeting approximately two percent of the loan’s value for closing expenses.

Don’t Forget About Possible Home Repairs

After the inspection, you may have a few items that you need to repair. You may want to have some extra money on hand to cover some quick repair costs. If you budget accordingly, you can streamline the process of buying a home, helping you get to the closing table more quickly.

August 31, 2022/by whitenerteam_admin

The Different Foundation Options For Your House

Real Estate

The Different Foundation Options For Your House Are you thinking about purchasing a home in the near future? Or, are you thinking about building one? If so, you must think carefully about the foundation of the home. It is responsible for supporting the rest of the structure, so you need to find the right foundation to meet your needs. What are a few of the top options available?

Basement

One of the first options you should consider is a basement foundation. This is a popular choice because it can create additional living space in your home. It can also act as an additional entrance, which can be useful in some situations. On the other hand, a basement does not always contribute to the square footage of your house. In addition, it can be a bit more susceptible to leaks when compared to other types of foundations. You must make sure you take care of your basement to prevent mold and mildew from growing.

Crawl Space

Another very common type of foundation you may encounter is a crawlspace foundation. A crawl space is not nearly as tall as the basement, so it does not provide any additional living space. On the other hand, it can be used as additional storage space, and it can provide some protection against environmental hazards. You must make sure the crawlspace is ventilated to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Furthermore, it requires routine maintenance to provide structural issues from developing with the house. Always take a look at the quality of the crawl space before you decide to make a purchase.

Slab Foundation

You should also consider a slab foundation for your house. A slab foundation is very quick to build, very difficult for infestations to access, and incredibly durable. The biggest downside is that it does not provide you with any additional storage space. In addition, it may make it hard to access the plumbing if there is a problem that has to be addressed.

Find The Right Foundation

Ultimately, these are just a few of the many options available if you are looking for a new house. Familiarize yourself with the benefits and drawbacks of different foundation types. Then, do not hesitate to reach out to a professional who can help you find the right house to meet your needs.

August 30, 2022/by whitenerteam_admin

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 29, 2022

Financial Reports

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - August 29, 2022

Last week’s economic news included readings on pending home sales, new home sales, and readings on monthly and yearly inflation rates. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published along with the University of Michigan’s final monthly and year-over-year readings on consumer sentiment.

Commerce Department Reports Fewer New Homes Sold in July

Sales of new homes fell by 12.60 percent month-to-month and were 29.6 percent lower year-over-year in July. The Commerce Department reported a year-over-year sales pace of 511,000 new homes sold in July as compared with June’s revised pace of 585,000 new homes sold. June’s reading was revised from its original year-over-year pace of 590,000 new home sales and was the lowest pace of home sales reported since January 2016.

Fears of rapidly rising inflation and mortgage rates impacted would-be homebuyers as construction costs and labor shortages contributed to rising home prices. Pending home sales decreased by one percent in July as compared to June’s reading of -8.9 percent fewer pending sales reported in June.

Mortgage Rates Mixed, Jobless Claims Fall

Freddie Mac reported higher average rates for fixed-rate mortgages as the average rate for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages fell. Rates for 30-year fixed mortgage rates averaged 5.53 percent and 42 basis points higher. Rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.85 percent and were 0.30 basis points higher. The average rate for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages was three basis points lower at 4.36 percent; discount points averaged 0.80 percent for fixed-rate mortgages and 0.40 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

Initial jobless claims fell to 243,000 first-time claims filed as compared to the previous week’s reading of 245,000 initial claims filed.

Inflation readings for July showed the first decrease since April 2020 as the month-to-month reading decreased by 0.10 percent as compared to June’s month-to-month reading of a one-percent increase in inflation. The core personal consumption rate, which does not include food or fuel costs, rose by 0.10 percent as compared to the expected reading of 0.20 percent and June’s reading of 0.60 percent inflation.

Inflation rose by 6.30 percent year-over-year in July as compared to June’s year-over-year reading of 6.80 percent. Core inflation rose by 4.60 percent year-over-year in July as compared to June’s reading of 4.80 percent. Decreasing inflationary growth suggests that relief may be on the way for consumers.

What’s Next

This week’s scheduled economic reporting includes readings on home prices, construction spending, public and private-sector job growth, and the national unemployment rate. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be released.

August 29, 2022/by whitenerteam_admin

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