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Valerie Springer, Home Loan Officer AL FHA, VA, Conventional and Reverse Mortga

ON ANY GIVEN DAY

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

ON ANY GIVEN DAY

Last evening my husband asked how my day had been. "Outstanding" I replied, and then I started to think how tired my mind was.

A few months ago I was invited to a Financial Seminar at Vestavia Country Club to listen to Doug Lennick, CFP. There was lots of excitement in the air since Doug had not been in Birmingham in years. He spoke about his new book Financial Intelligence. After I decided my mind was "full" I was reminded of of this from chapter 5 Recognizing...
At any given moment, there is a phenomenal amount of activity going on within us -- much of it we're not even aware of. Each day the average person:

  • Thinks 12,000 thoughts
  • Pumps 2k gallons of blood through 60k miles of blood vessels
  • Blinks his or her eyes 17k times
  • Breathes 23,040 times
  • Sheds 14 million particles of skin
  • Replaces 400 billion cells

No wonder! The above, was an average day and mine was above average. My mind was tired but I was thankful, it was an outstanding day!

You think about purchasing or refinancing a home a few times in your life, I think about every day, I am here to help you!

My name is Valerie Springer nmls 198479, Home Mortgage Expert and writer for Dear Val in Birmingham, Alabama. You may contact me by email at valerie.springer@nflp.com or call 205-995-7283 x 305.

NEED A REVERSE MORTGAGE IN ALABAMA?

If you are a senior 62 years or older, you may qualify for a Reverse Mortgage. If your home is paid in full, OR if you have equity in your home this may be the answer to your prayers.


  • NO Monthly Payments
  • NO Credit Report
  • NO Employment Qualifications
  • NO Medical Qualification
  • NO Income Requirements
  • NO Asset Verification
  • NO Recourse
  • NO Tax or Insurance Escrows
  • NO Restrictions on Use of Funds

If you would like more information on Reverse Mortgage, please contact me at 205-995-7283 x 305 or email me at valerie.springer@nflp.com I will be happy to answer your questions and show you a financial opportunity which could be available to you.

My name is Valerie Springer nmls 198479, Home Mortgage Expert and writer for Ask Val in Birmingham, Alabama. You may contact me by email at valerie.springer@nflp.com or call 205-995-7283 x 305

CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE LOANS IN ALABAMA

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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE LOANS IN ALABAMA

If you are purchasing or refinancing a home in Alabama you have several different loan products available to you if you qualify. Today I am going to talk about Conventional Mortgage Loan for Purchase and Refinance.

A Conventional Loan is really the "Cream of the Crop". In most situations they are for folks who have excellent credit, 5% or more for a down-payment and assets.

What is considered excellent credit? By today's standard an excellent credit score is considered to be 740 or higher. Credit scoring models go up to 850. A 740 middle score will yield you the best interest rate available. When I pull credit for approval, I will receive a credit score from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. The middle score is the one I will use. Once your score drops below the 740 mark you will begin to take a hit to the rate based on this number.

How much do I need for a down-payment on a Conventional Mortgage? The minimum down-payment for a conventional loan is 5% of the sales price. The more money you have for a down-payment will also get you a better interest rate and reduce your monthly private mortgage insurance (PMI)if you don't have at least 20% to put down. If you are refinancing your home the percentages on equity are the same. Loan to value may not be over 95% worse case scenario. I do however have a great product to eliminate your monthly private mortgage insurance when you purchase or refinance. This is a single up front premium which is paid by the borrower on a purchase, or rolled into to closing costs if refinancing. This is one of the greatest things since sliced bread.

What is considered an asset? An asset is anything that is or can be liquid. Your checking accounts, savings accounts, IRA's, Money Market, 401k or stocks and bonds. All of these would be considered assets because if push come to shove you could cash out and have money available. The more assets you have the better you look to an investor about to lend you large sums of money.

A few more things to remember...If you are purchasing or refinancing a home between $271k and $417k you will pretty much have to go with a Conventional Mortgage. $271k and below have many other options and $417k and up are considered JUMBO.

It is very important to keep your credit in tip top shape and also have a mortgage loan specialist look at your scenario every year. You may spending hundreds of dollars that could best be put to use in other ways.

Today I closed a Conventional Mortgage refinance and his 15 year mortgage is lessthan the monthly payment he was making on his 30 year mortgage. It takes about 10 minutes for me to assess your individual needs so please let me show you what I can offer.

As always, Yours to Count On. Valerie Springer 205-995-7283 x 305

My name is Valerie Springer nmls 198479, Home Mortgage Expert and writer for Ask Val in Birmingham, Alabama. You may contact me by email at valerie.springer@nflp.com or call 205-995-7283 x 305.

REVERSE MORTGAGE, IS IT SMART?

There are 5 key points to think about when you decide a HECM Reverse Mortgage may be your best option. Most important find an expert loan officer willing to help you make a determination.

1. Why do you feel a reverse mortgage would benefit you? If you are thinking of taking a vacation or reinvesting the money it would be very costly. If someone is trying to sell you something and suggests you take out a reverse mortgage you should be very cautious of their intent.

2. Can you even afford a reverse mortgage? A reverse mortgage is very expense, You do not make monthly payments but interest will accrue on the loan every month. The younger you are when you take out a reverse mortgage (min age 62) the longer the interest will grow which in essence will increase the amount you owe.

3. Can you afford to use your
home's equity? If you are not facing a financial emergency you may consider another option.

4. Do you have other options? If you have the means to take out a home mortgage and make the monthly payments this would be a less costly option than a reverse mortgage. Have you thought of downsizing and selling your current home to buy one with lower costs or in an area that offers more services?

5. Do you understand how a reverse mortgage works? You need to find out up front if this could benefit you or if there is a better option. You must complete couseling and receive a certificate to move forward. Your
HECM Reverse Mortgage Loan Officer can give you the names of counseling agencies in your area.

A reverse mortgage can be the best thing since sliced bread if you understand and limited income. It gives you the opportunity to use your home's equity while you need it. It can help supplement an income, help with medical expenses or long term care. You can make repairs on your home or purchase a vehicle and not worry about adding high debt to your monthly budget. The money is yours to spend as you wish but wisdom is important.

If you are interested in a HECM Reverse Mortgage in Alabama, call
Valerie Springer . 205-995-7283 x 305

BIG QUESTION, WHAT IS YOUR INTEREST RATE?

WHAT IS YOUR INTEREST RATE TODAY? EASY QUESTION, RIGHT?

It always amazes me when my phone rings and on the other end their is a voice who says, "What is your current interest rate?" Through the years I have had many different answers, but today I answer that question with several questions of my own.


  • What is your middle credit score?
  • What is your debt to income ratio?
  • What is your loan to value?
  • How much money do you have is your accounts?
  • What type of loan product are you interested in?

  • What type of loan transaction will this be?

The list could go on and on. If you do not know the answer to the above questions, then how can I quote you a rate?


There are so many details that go into truthfully quoting an interest rate that without the full picture, shoppers are wasting their time. The same could be said for those that ask for a GFE without giving all of the details. The Good Faith Estimate is full of "estimates" and the bottom line may look better from one lender but the truth is, it is only as good as the person estimating. Some will estimate low to secure the deal and worry about the explanations of increase later and some will estimate higher so there are no questions.


What determines my rate?


Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) move the market. This market moves much as the Stock Market. Generally mortgage bonds are a safer investment than stocks and if stocks are worse, usually MBS is better therefore as money goes in, rates come down. In reverse, if the stock market is thriving usually money is coming out of MBS and as it goes down, rates go up.


Emotion drives these markets in both directions based on consumer and investor emotions.


When the FED changes interest rates, what does this mean for me?


The Federal Reserve influences short term rates aka Fed Funds Rate. Example of short term rates are Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) where rates change monthly. The Federal Reserve Board meets every six weeks and this always causes speculation.


Remember, when short term rates drop, we can usually look for long term rates (fixed mortgage rates) to go higher creating potential for inflation.


Do different loan programs and products have different interest rates?


Sure they do, otherwise every loan would be identical and no need for different programs. Conventional, FHA and VA loans can all have very different rates on the same 30 year fixed product. FHA and VA loans are insured by the Federal Government. Conventional loans are insured by Private Mortgage Insurance companies (PMI) if loan amount is over 80% loan to value.


Most investors view government backing as less of a risk so FHA and VA financing usually have a lower interest rate. Once again rate may be lower with FHA but overall it takes a skilled loan officer to compare the two and give you the long run benefits of each based on your individual needs.


Why did my friend get a better rate than I did? Did I get ripped off?


Mortgage interest rates are based on risk based pricing. This allows pricing adjustments to par pricing for, credit scores, loan to value, type of property, occupancy and mortgage type, loan product etc...


This allows the investor who lends money for mortgages to receive a higher interest rate for taking additional risk lending to less than perfect borrowers.


If your rate is higher or lower than your friend, it is probably because your overall picture was better or worse. Also keeping in mind rates could be lower today than they were yesterday so timing could have made a difference. To effectively compare, you must know what you are doing and that takes years of practice. Stick with the expert, integrity and honesty will shine through and the whole process will be much easier.


Yours to Count On,


Valerie Springer


My name is Valerie Springer nmls 198479, Home Mortgage Expert and writer for Ask Val in Birmingham, Alabama. You may contact me by email at valerie.springer@nflp.com or call 205-995-7283 x 305.