Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Winners and Losers


It’s an election year and the Fed would love to deliver on their promise to raise interest rates even higher.  A lot of folks would stand to gain with a rising dollar (banks, corporate investors, and life insurance companies), but some folks are going to get hit hard by the Fed’s move to raise rates (the Euro, gold, and oil).  This is a good article that explains the delicate balance the Fed has to strike to grow our economy (CLICK HERE).

 

Some are very critical of the Fed, saying that they are retreating from their monetary policies – that they are freaking out right now because the markets aren’t reacting the way they want – unemployment has not improved, oil prices are very low, and European and Asian markets are weak (CLICK HERE).  In fact Japan shocked the world when they lowered their cost of funds rate to a negative number - .1%.  That means that they’re lending money to banks at a loss to stimulate their economy – OUCH!  (CLICK HERE).

 

But HERE in the good ol’ USA, things aren’t that bad on the housing front.  We have more demand than supply and rates should stay low through Spring and some predict longer (CLICK HERE) – YOU’RE A WINNER!!! (if you are connected to real estate in any way).

Check out OUR rates, we’ve got some of the best in town!
Based in Folsom, California, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has 112 offices nationwide. The Easterbrook Team at Sierra Pacific is associated with the #1 office in the nation for SPMC for 2015.  We want to thank you so much for the support.  Come by and visit our office at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom.  Keep the loans coming and we’ll keep closing them at lightning speed with a positive, smooth, and transparent experience.  Call us at (916) 850-6050.    



Do You Sell Real Estate?


Then this article will be of particular interest to you.  We reported this Monday in Realty Market Insider on a nationwide level, but locally, the Sacramento Business Journal reports that Sacramento has one of the highest apartment rent increases in the nation – 10% in 2015 and is expected to rise an additional 8.8% in 2016.  The national average was also higher than average at 6.4%.  If you sell real estate, with the low rates that we are enjoying, then you may want to solicit the presently fed-up apartment dwellers if they are able to buy (for detail,CLICK HERE).




Based in Folsom, California, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has 112 offices nationwide. The Easterbrook Team at Sierra Pacific is associated with the #1 office in the nation for SPMC for 2015.  We want to thank you so much for the support.  Come by and visit our office at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom.  Keep the loans coming and we’ll keep closing them at lightning speed with a positive, smooth, and transparent experience.  Call us at (916) 850-6050.    

Monday, February 1, 2016

Yikes! 6 Reasons Home Deals Can Go Straight to Hell

You fell deeply in love with an updated Victorian, knocked a few grand off the asking price, and maybe even bought a spiffy camelback sofa for your new living room. Sweet! Still, until you close and the keys are in hand, there’s a sliver of dread in your mind: What if your dream of homeownership falls apart at the last minute?
This possibility does exist: A survey by the National Association of Realtors® found that 1 in 16 home deals falls through. Here, Realtors® explain why it happens—so you, dear home buyer, can learn how to keep these curveballs from crashing into your dreams.

Reason No. 1: A change in credit score

Credit scores can fluctuate between loan approval and closing. Just one missed bill payment could lower your FICO score and increase your mortgage payment, or even make you ineligible for the mortgage.




To Continue Reading this Article Click Here!




To discuss your home buying needs please contact The Easterbrook Team Today!
John Easterbrook-916.224.7653
Patty Aguon-916.833.5063
EasterbrookTeam@spmc.com



Tuesday, January 19, 2016

75 Apps to Optimize Your Time at Work


Whether you're rushing between showing prospective buyers a home or hurrying out the door to go view comparable sales for your new listing, these applications could be the key ingredient in getting you to your 2016 goals faster. CLICK HERE



Call the Easterbrook Team

For Purchase, Refinance, and Pre-Purchase Loan Counseling
916.850.6050
John Easterbrook & Patty Aguon

Freddie is Friendly


  • Some flexibility with cash on hand (the Sealy stash)
  • Borrower’s no long need the required 5% of their own funds when they use a co-borrower
  • No seasoning on refinance after a cash purchase – refinance immediately after close of escrow (it used to be that the borrower had to “season” the purchase 6 months)


Call the Easterbrook Team
For Purchase, Refinance, and Pre-Purchase Loan Counseling

Fannie is Your Friend





At the end of 2015, Fannie Mae made some changes to their loan programs that will make it easier to qualify for conventional loans.  These changes include:


  • This one is our fav: Up to 95% loan to value on high balance loans ($474,950 in our area – it used to be only 90% on high balance and 95% up to $417K)
  • Non occupant co-borrowers (…Mom & Dad) can now blend their income with the primary borrower, allowing the borrower to qualify for more.  In most cases the maximum a borrower can go when co-borrowing will be 95% loan to value ratio.
  • Self-employed borrowers will now get the opportunity to submit only one tax return, instead of two (subject to automated approval). 
  • HomeReady is Fannie Mae’s new affordable conventional lending product (it used to be My Community) to help low to moderate income borrowers purchase or refinance their first home.
  • Here are some highlights:
    • 97% loan to value on purchases
    • Non-occupant coborrower allowed – coborrower income does not count against income limit eligibility
    • Lower mortgage insurance
    • Education is required for this product


Call the Easterbrook Team


For Purchase, Refinance, and Pre-Purchase Loan Counseling
John Easterbrook NMLS#226555 916.224.7653 Patty Aguon NMLS#994635 916.833.5063
EasterbrookTeam@spmc.com 916.850.6050

Best of Both Worlds!


We have a growing economy and rates really should be higher.  Let me repeat that – rates really should be higher, but, due to the Chinese economy and low inflation (mainly due to low gas prices), our rates are smokin’ hot right now – mid 3’s on government and high 3’s / low 4’s on conventional.

We could go on about the economy shifting from equity to earnings and a “stealth bear market”, but that would be boring.  Let’s sell some homes – that’s more fun!

So many buyers (1.7 million nationally in 2015 and 2016) that weren’t able to buy have now exceeded their minimum timeframes for a significant derogatory event (foreclosure, BK, etc.). 

Higher demand usually translates to high rates, but not right now – we have the best of both worlds.  Let US help YOU sell as much real estate before the Fed and Wall Street figure this economy out. 




Call the Easterbrook Team
For Purchase, Refinance, and Pre-Purchase Loan Counseling
John Easterbrook 916.224.7653
Patty Aguon 916.833.5063