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Home Loan Blog Articles from Golden Pacific Home Loans of San Ramon
Stay informed and learn more about home loan matters and housing market from our home loan blog articles below. Scroll down to the Categories section or to the bottom of this page to see more home loan blog articles.
Contact our Golden Pacific Home Loan agents in San Ramon for questions about best home loan mortgage and refinance opportunities.
Walkability
New home sales are up. Are you ready for new home purchase? Contact our mortgage broker in San Ramon. What Buyers Will Give Up for Walkability Living in areas that are close to shops and restaurants is becoming increasingly attractive for both young and older...
Mortgage Rates Inch Down
Mortgage rates decreased for the second consecutive week but still remain above 6.5%, a far cry from a year ago, muting any celebration from borrowers. Freddie Mac reports the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.69% this week.
Mortgage Rates Rise as Debt Ceiling Deadline Looms
Home buyers faced higher mortgage rates this week as all eyes remain on negotiations in Washington over the nation’s debt ceiling. Economists warn of dire economic consequences if America goes into default on its debt, and that would almost definitely impact borrowing costs.
Mortgage Rates Are Poised To Fall
The U.S. Federal Reserve isn’t expected to announce another interest rate hike in the wake of the banking crisis, especially as the inflation the Fed has been fighting continues to slow. The change in policy could give mortgage interest rates some room to come down. (Mortgage rates are separate from the Fed’s short-term rates, but they have been following a similar upward trajectory.)
Economic data suggests the U.S. economy is only gradually losing momentum
Consumers continued to spend, albeit at a slower pace, and industrial and housing activity are seeing some stabilization.
Home Mortgage for Self-Employed Americans Becomes Easier
Home mortgage for self-employed Americans and freelance or contract workers have long had to struggle to qualify for a mortgage compared with those with W-2 forms or pay stubs that lenders can use to verify their incomes
Refinancing Secret for Homeowners
A recent sharp drop in mortgage rates hasn’t unlocked savings just for those looking to purchase a home—homeowners may also benefit.
Are More Homeowners Cashing In on Their Equity?
Despite increasing equity, fewer homeowners are taking out home equity lines of credit. A March 18 report from ATTOM Data Solutions shows the number of HELOCs issued in the fourth quarter of 2021 was down 5.5% from the previous quarter, and 4.2% below the level issued in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Are Mortgage Rates Finally Stabilizing?
Mortgage rates have remained below 3% for more than two months. And they likely aren’t going to drop much further, according to Freddie Mac.
Lower Mortgage Rates Propel Surge in Loan Applications
Borrowers came in swarms last week to take advantage of another massive drop in mortgage rates. Mortgage application activity, which includes refinances and home purchases, surged 55.4% last week compared to the previous week
Mortgage Prepayments Climb to 6-Year High
Question about mortgage rate and refinancing? Contact our San Ramon mortgage broker Mortgage Prepayments Climb to 6-Year HighMortgage prepayments, a common gauge for housing and refinancing demand, jumped to its highest level since May 2013—a good sign for...
Mortgage Meltdown Unlikely Despite Hike in Risky Loans
Unconventional mortgage lending is on the rise, in 2018 reaching its highest level since the financial crisis of 2008. These mortgages include subprime loans, financing offered to borrowers with blemished credits.
For the Fourth Straight Week, Mortgage Rates Rise
Question about what mortgage lenders can approve? Contact our loan agent in San Ramon. For the Fourth Straight Week, Mortgage Rates Rise Mortgage rates have slowly been inching up over the past month, but they remain below their levels a year ago. “Despite the recent...
Mortgage Rates Rise Again, But Remain Below Yearly Lows
For the third week in a row, mortgage rates inched upward, but economists were quick to reassure home buyers and potential refinancers that rates remain still remain well below year-ago averages.
Drop in Mortgage Rates Could Put Market in 2005 Territory
Know your loan limits. Every borrower is different! We can help you find the right mortgage product for your needs. Drop in Mortgage Rates Could Put Market in 2005 Territory The recent plunge in mortgage rates may help the market for home loans surge to a 14-year...
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MORE HOME LOAN BLOG ARTICLES
Lower Mortgage Rates Propel Surge in Loan Applications
Borrowers came in swarms last week to take advantage of another massive drop in mortgage rates. Mortgage application activity, which includes refinances and home purchases, surged 55.4% last week compared to the previous week
Mortgage Prepayments Climb to 6-Year High
Question about mortgage rate and refinancing? Contact our San Ramon mortgage broker Mortgage Prepayments Climb to 6-Year HighMortgage prepayments, a common gauge for housing and refinancing demand, jumped to its highest level since May 2013—a good sign for...
Mortgage Meltdown Unlikely Despite Hike in Risky Loans
Unconventional mortgage lending is on the rise, in 2018 reaching its highest level since the financial crisis of 2008. These mortgages include subprime loans, financing offered to borrowers with blemished credits.
For the Fourth Straight Week, Mortgage Rates Rise
Question about what mortgage lenders can approve? Contact our loan agent in San Ramon. For the Fourth Straight Week, Mortgage Rates Rise Mortgage rates have slowly been inching up over the past month, but they remain below their levels a year ago. “Despite the recent...
Mortgage Rates Rise Again, But Remain Below Yearly Lows
For the third week in a row, mortgage rates inched upward, but economists were quick to reassure home buyers and potential refinancers that rates remain still remain well below year-ago averages.
Drop in Mortgage Rates Could Put Market in 2005 Territory
Know your loan limits. Every borrower is different! We can help you find the right mortgage product for your needs. Drop in Mortgage Rates Could Put Market in 2005 Territory The recent plunge in mortgage rates may help the market for home loans surge to a 14-year...
Mortgage Rates Hold Steady After Last Week’s Big Drop
After posting their biggest drop in a decade last week, mortgage rates remain at multi-month lows—and borrowers are rushing to take advantage. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.08 percent this week.
Mortgage Rates Post Biggest Drop in a Decade
Learn more about the latest mortgage rates. Contact our mortgage broker in San Ramon. Mortgage Rates Post Biggest Drop in a Decade The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage plunged 22 basis points this week, the largest one-week drop in 10 years, Freddie Mac reports in its...
Mortgage Rates Dropped ‘Dramatically’
15 Year Fixed or 30 Year Fixed mortgage loan? Contact our mortgage broker in San Ramon. Mortgage Rates Have Dropped ‘Dramatically’ Since Start of the YearMortgage rates edged lower to kick off the start of the spring homebuying season this week. Borrowing costs are...
Mortgage Rate – Fed Says It’s Done Raising Rates for This Year
Boomerang home buyers. Are you ready to become home owners again? Contact our mortgage broker in San Ramon. Fed Says It’s Done Raising Rates for This YearThe Federal Reserve announced Wednesday after its March meeting that it will leave its short-term interest rates...
Lower Mortgage Rates Give New-Home Sales Best Month Since Spring
Consider to pay off mortgage using your 401K? Contact our mortgage broker in San Ramon to understand more. Lower Mortgage Rates Give New-Home Sales Best Month Since Spring Sales of newly built single-family homes picked up at the end of last year, reaching...
Mortgage Rates Mostly Holding Steady
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage barely inched up this week Mortgage Rates Mostly Holding Steady Mortgage rates haven’t been this stable since the fall of 2016. Rates did inch up this week, but only slightly and are still offering prospective buyers a window of...
Mortgage Rates Mostly Holding Steady
Mortgage rates haven’t been this stable since the fall of 2016. Contact San Ramon Mortgage Broker for refinancing or new home loans. Mortgage Rates Mostly Holding Steady Mortgage rates haven’t been this stable since the fall of 2016. Rates did inch up this week, but...
Benchmark Interest Rates Unchanged
New home sales are up. Are you ready for new home purchase? Contact our mortgage broker in San Ramon. Benchmark Interest Unchanged, But Hikes Coming The Federal Reserve voted on Wednesday January 31 to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged, but it continues to...
Loan Demand Stalls in Volatile Week
The highest mortgage rates in four years caused a pause in mortgage applications from home buyers and refinancers during a time when the market generally starts picking up in preparation for the spring season.
Rising Rates Cause Loan Demand to Teeter
Rising rates for mortgages for the second consecutive week, causing some borrowers to show reluctance.
Mortgage Rates Dip in January
Borrowers kicked off 2018 as mortgage rates dip. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is now down a quarter of a percentage point from a year ago.
Mortgage Rate Projections: 4.5%
The recent tax bill could cause the Federal Reserve’s rate increases to come faster—mortgage rate projections display an increase of three or four times in 2018. This could push 30-year mortgage rates up past 4 percent in the new year.
Higher Loan Limits: January 1
Real estate professionals have some good news to share with their clients. On Jan. 1, buyers will be able to get much larger mortgages, whether they’re applying for conventional or FHA-backed loans due to higher loan limits.
FHFA Seeks Credit Score Input
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are weighing an update or switch to its credit score requirements from Classic FICO to possibly another scoring model.
Prevent Costly Wear and Tear With 3 Tips
The winter season brings more foot traffic, which can be risky on a home—holiday parties, family gatherings and even open houses in the winter can bring tears and marks on the floors. How do you prevent costly wear of scratches and stains that result in costly floor repairs?
Fixer-Upper: A Money Pit?
With inventories so tight, some home buyers may be giving a fixer-upper home a second thought. The price point and location may attract more buyers to bite, even though the home itself may need some TLC.
Deeper Debt for Millennial Buyers
Millennials are taking out the greatest share of all new mortgages and buying homes across price ranges. But a new study also shows they’re going more into deeper debt at an alarming rate.
Top Three Holiday Hazards
A new study from insuranceQuotes has identified the top three holiday hazards to homes this holiday season: porch pirates, decoration vandals, and house fires. The survey was based on responses of more than 1,000 consumers.
Autonomous Cars Change Housing
New home sales are up. Are you ready for new home purchase? Contact our mortgage broker in San Ramon. Autonomous Cars Change Housing Experts predict the advent of autonomous cars will radically change homes and towns alike. By 2021, major automakers, like Ford, Volvo,...
Density: An Issue with Inventory
Total mortgage application volume for refinancings and home purchases tumbled last week, plunging 7.4 percent from the previous week, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Wednesday.
New Program to Help Buyers Bypass Appraisals
Mortgage giant Freddie Mac has announced a new program allowing some home buyers to skip a traditional appraisal, which could lower the fees the buyers pay and speed up the closing process.
Mortgage Rates Aren’t Budging
30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.93 percent, with an average 0.5 point, rising from a 3.92 percent average
Mortgage Rates are Stagnant, Stalling Loan Demand
Home purchase applications are now at the lowest levels since March. The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was unchanged at 4.17 percent last week.
Freddie: Lean Inventory Won’t Stop Housing
Buyer demand remains strong amid low mortgage rates, even though home prices this year are expected to be about 6 percent higher than last year.
Mortgage Rates Fall Below 4% After Brief Hike
30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.96 percent, with an average 0.6 point, dropping from last week’s 4.03 percent average
Mortgage Demand Weakens as Rates Jump
Total mortgage application volume for refinancings and home purchases tumbled last week, plunging 7.4 percent from the previous week
Mortgage Rates Hit Another Low for 2017
30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.88 percent, with an average 0.5 point, dropping from last week’s 3.90 percent average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.48 percent.
Use Escrow Accounts for Paying Real Estate Tax and Insurance
Nearly 80 percent of all borrowers are paying for real estate taxes and home insurance through escrow accounts.
Reverse Mortgage – What is it? and Is it Helpful?
With a reverse mortgage, the homeowner is leveraging the home equity they’ve built up, and the loan is paid out in a lump sum, line of credit, or set monthly payment.
Lenders Easing Up Credit Standards
More mortgage lenders are reporting that they have lowered their credit standards and expect to continue to do so in the coming months.
Mortgage applications hold steady as rates remain low
Total mortgage application volume rose 0.6% on a seasonally adjusted basis from the previous week. Volume was nearly 14 percent lower compared with the same week one year ago.
Credit Score of 12M Consumers May Get a Boost
In a survey by the Federal Trade Commission, one in four people say they spot errors in their credit reports, most commonly concerning tax liens and civil judgments.
Steadier Mortgage Rates Buoy Loan Demand
Mortgage rates continued to give consumers incentive to make a move, resulting in mortgage applications for refinancing and home purchases remained elevated last week.
Mortgage Rates Hit Lowest Averages of the Year
Mortgage rates dipped to their lowest averages of the year this week. 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.95 percent, with an average 0.5 point, falling from last week’s 4.02 percent average.
Calculating Home Mortgage Interest
How much mortgage interest am I paying? Read more about ways to calculate home mortgage interest you are paying.
Mortgage Rates Got Cheaper This Week
30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.14 percent, with an average 0.5 point, falling from last week’s 4.23 percent average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.71 percent.
Closing Times Are Speeding Up
Home purchase loans took an average of 45 days to close in February, down from 48 days in January. Refinanced loans took an average of 47 days to close in February, down from 53 days
Higher Mortgage Rates are Impacting Borrowers
For the second consecutive week, mortgage rates were on the rise. 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.30 percent, with an average 0.5 point, rising from last week’s 4.21 percent average.
FHA Strong Enough for MIP Cut?
Is now a good time for FHA to reduce hurdles to homeownership with a lower mortgage insurance premium? NAR says yes, but the Trump administration and some members of Congress aren’t so sure.
Mortgage Rates Are Mostly in a Holding Pattern
Mortgage rates continue to defy expectations, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate barely budging for the fourth consecutive week.
Mortgage Refinancing Pullback Stalls Loan Demand
As mortgage rates have inched up, refinance applications have continued to fall, dropping 3 percent last week. Volume is about half what it was a year ago, when mortgage rates were lower.
Big Down Payment Myth
Having the spare capital to put 20 percent down on a home purchase is great, but it’s certainly not the norm. Still, many people think it is and that belief may be holding some would-be home buyers back, particularly young adults.
‘Bank of Mom and Dad’ Funds Young Renters
Nearly half of people in their early 20s still receive help from their parents in paying their rent, according to a new analysis by the New York Times of more than 2,000 young people from 2007 to 2013.
Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI) Increased in January
Fannie Mae’s 2017 Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) increased in January by 2 percentage points to 82.7. The HPSI is up 1.2 percentage points compared with the same time last year.