“World's Most Complete Neighborpedia”
Explore:   What's happening in your neck of the woods?

Kathleen Davis

Mortgage Rates now.... WOW!!!

Unbelievealble, Bond market is UP!!! it is almost to the levels it was on Mar 19, 2009 but a few days after that we lost alot of those gains. So honestly we don't know what Friday or Monday will bring, tough to say.

Recommendation.... LOCK if you are closing in the next 30 days. RATES are the lowest they have been since March. Potential reprice for the better today or on Friday but.....I see a drop coming and better to be ahead of it than to REGRET it!

Wed 11/25 Mortgage Rates

Lock Lock Lock.... WHY....

The market could see some volitalite.

There is alot of economic data due out today, some of which has already been released. Jobless claims came in lower than expected. Home sales improved but could this have been due to the First Time Home Buyer tax credit many thought was going to expire so there was the rush to close before the end of Nov. Personal spending came in slighly higher and the saving rate remains high. http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/mortgage_rates/blog/120772.aspx

Alot of good news for the economy which is usually bad news for bonds because it pushes people out of bonds into stocks because they want to captialize on the gains of our economy.

However we are still seeing the improvement in the bond market which is keeping rates in the 4.5% to 4.75% range depending on borrower FICO, donw payment etc; always remember a interest rate is a custom quote for each borrower.

BUT BEWARE... bonds have a long way to fall and it could happen suddenly as the remaining economic reports are released today. LOCK those rates in don't regret later.... GREED in this voititale market can come back to bite you.... As I'm typing this Bonds have already lost some small gains from yesterday with all the good news that was released with more news to come.....

The Tresasury is auctioning off another $32B in 7 year notes, if the auction goes well then bond prices may hold but if the auction doesn't we could see a decline. Remember these notes are our debt and if no one is really interested in purchasing it hurts the bond market. Yesterday's auction of $42B of 5 year notes was well received. GDP and Consumer Confidence came in slightly better than expected which could be part of what pushed the stock market up as this can be a indicator for an improved economy pushing people out of the safe haven of bonds into stocks. http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/consumer_rates/120561.aspx Article on why to LOCK

http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/mortgage_rates/blog/ Mortgage Back Securities Commentary

Real Estate Professionals Giving Back to the Community

VALLY REAL ESTATE NETWORK

The 2009 VREN "Making A Difference" Fund

Last year the Valley Real Estate Network transformed their annual yearend Holiday Party into a fundraising event for the 2nd year and raised $25,000. In the two years of this event, VREN has raised $67,000 for local Tri-Valley Community Organizations such as Tri-Valley Haven, Open Heart Kitchen, Hope Hospice and Axis Community Health. The party is a great event, but the best part is raising these funds to help so many needy families and individuals.

This year the Holiday Event will be held December 9, 2009 from 6-9 PM at the Marriott Pleasanton Hotel. Tickets are $15 and will include a fabulous array of hot and cold appetizers, a live auction, prize drawings, entertainment and dancing!

I'm excited to share with you our financial goal to reach $56,000. Here is how you can help; Any contribution you make will be matched 4 to 1 For example, a contribution of $10 will turn into $40, a $100 will turn into $ 400 and $250 will turn into $1,000.

I hope you will join us this year in contributing directly to the fund and or attending the event. Thank you for helping us, help those in need!

http://www.vmamakingadifferencefund.org/default.html

Sincerely,

Roy Dronkers

President,VREN

925.872.8671

Mortgage Update with Bond auction results

Bonds finished up 25bp as the Fed minutes from their previous meetings indicate no rate hikes anywhere in the near future. The Fed expects unemployment to remain high in the range of 9.3-9.7% in 2010---- that may prove to be very optimistic.

Stocks were down 17pts.

Update.....Auction results were very good, and bonds are up 28bp at $102.28. $102.28 is the exact top reached in early October. It will be interesting to see if bonds have any steam left.

Looking at the bond page bonds have gone up so we this could put some in a posiiton to maybe re-price but maybe not. With rates as good as they are now the banks probably will just hold steady on pricing for today.

Bonds prices are really pushing the next ceiling of resistance which gives bonds a long way to fall.

Earlier posted.....Mortgage Bonds are slightly higher, but off their best levels of the morning. Once prices approached the intraday high from October 2nd, they subsequently backed off. This has us on guard as the market appears overdue for a move lower. What continues to prop prices up? As we have been discussing, it's the weak Dollar and carry trade.

In the news, the Preliminary Gross Domestic Product reading for the 3rd Quarter was reported in line with expectations, while Consumer Confidence was reported slightly better than expected. Also, the Case-Shiller Index for September reported a slight rise in home prices in the 20 largest US cities, marking the 5th consecutive month of price increases.

At 1pm ET, the Treasury will auction a record $42B in 5-year Notes. This follows yesterday's good auction results of 2-Years, which helped push Bond prices higher. Then at 2pm ET, the Fed Minutes from the November 4th meeting will be released. It will be interesting to see if there were any comments from members regarding removing the current accommodative policy. And looking ahead, next Thursday December 3rd, is the day the Senate decides to either approve or disapprove Obama's nomination of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke to a second term. There has been chatter from some, including Chris Dodd, suggesting that Bernanke's nomination is in jeopardy - but we think it will go through.

Based on where Bond prices are right now in relation to resistance and historic highs, I recommend locking in recent gains. There is no rush but bond prices seem to be bouncing back and forth on that 1st line of pricing resistence thus we could see some gains or we could see some sudden losses thus getting a re-price for the worse.

Interest rates are very good holding at around that 4.875% to 5.125% depending on if you are conforming or high balance conforming. If you are closing in the next 10 days lock in and not stress about it as you have a great rate.

Refinance a Conventional Loan into a FHA Loan because owe more than value of home

You can refinance your conventional mortgage into a FHA mortgage.

FHA will allow you to refinance to 96.5% loan to value but there can be no cash out. Loan to value means the amount of your loan as a percentage to the value: example value of home is $200K with a loan of $193K gives you a loan to value of 96.5%.

If you are trying to refinance an into an FHA loan and taking cash out than there are limitations. Most banks will not allow you to take out cash beyond 85% loan to value. What does that mean: If your home is worth $200K you cannot have an FHA loan with cash out beyond $170K.

This is for loans that are $417K and under. The guidelines for loan amounts > $417K to $729,750 maybe different.

FHA has max loan amountsallowed that are based by state and than by county. These limits are set by HUD. The max loan limits are set by HUD and are 120% of the median home price for the county to a max loan amount of $729,750. Example: Calaveras County, CA max loan amount is $462,500 for a single family home versus in San Francisco County, CA the max loan amount for a single family home is $729,750 which is the max amount HUD will allow for FHA.