New Albany Ohio Real Estate

The procedure for obtaining a loan continues to tighten as the banks, investors, and HUD figure out how best to insure that jumbo mortgages are secure investments.  The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on April 1, 2008 that jumbo mortgages (loans exceeding the conforming loan limit of $417,000) may require 2 appraisals in order for a buyer to obtain a loan commitment.   According to the HUD Mortgagee Letter, a 2nd appraisal may be required when 3 requirements are met:

• The loan amount, excluding the upfront mortgage insurance premium, will exceed $417,000, and
• The Loan-to-Value equals or exceeds 95%, and
• The property is determined as being in a declining market.  A declining market is determined by either the appraiser or the lender.

Every time I speak with one of our lenders, it seems there are more and more changes that need to be understood and incorporated into the mortgage approval process.  However, this is probably a good change… though it could slow down or add additional cost to the process.  I find myself counseling our buyers that there is a little bit of a learning curve as everyone becomes more familiar with the sweeping changes that have taken place in the mortgage industry.

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It’s no secret that real estate and banking have been in the news for all the wrong reasons during the past 12 months. Yesterday, we received great news from our preferred lender, Scott Miller, at National City Mortgage.  Interest rates are at long time lows right now.   Yesterday, the rates for a 30 year fixed rate dropped to 5.49% and the rate for a 15 year fixed mortgage dropped to 4.99%. According to The New York Times, most economists don’t believe rates will decline much more in the near future.

We’re not sure if we will see another time in the next 10 years where extremely low interest rates are coupled with lowered home prices.   This unusual alignment of low interest rates and low sale prices makes for a very opportunistic time to BUY a home, particularly if you would like to trade up to a larger home.   If you are planning on SELLING, the lower rates allows more people to qualify to purchase your property…producing a larger potential pool of buyers.

Tony and I would love to talk to you about any questions you may have about your current home or the market in a neighborhood that interests you.  Just call us or email us to arrange a confidential consultation.  We look forward to hearing from you.

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