Mortgage Interest Rates are Currently "Prime Day", "Cyber Monday", & "Black Friday" Rolled Together

             Mortgage Interest Rates are 

           Currently "Prime Day", "Cyber Monday", 

          & "Black Friday" Rolled Together

 

Serious shoppers make plans when looking for hot deals, especially around the holidays ... 

Consider all that is done in their pursuit of the perfect gift and monetary savings:

• Conduct and save searches
• Earmark pages
• Cut-out ads
• Compare pricing
• Make bids
• Save rewards
• Utilize money-saving reward sites
• Use every coupon (online and paper) available

 

Some shoppers love the thrill of the hunt so much that they choose to physically stand in line at stores at the break of dawn or midnight. They make holiday shopping an occasion and event to celebrate with family and friends.

Right now, a similar scenario is playing out daily in the lending and real estate industries ...

Current low interest rates have new home and refinancing prospects extremely excited. They're shopping for homes online and then in-person. They're sprucing-up their credit and going over their finances. They're making plans and preparations ... to SAVE, to shorten mortgage terms, to utilize equity, and much much more. 

We're, in essence, experiencing what is interest rate "Prime Day", "Cyber Monday", and "Black Friday" rolled together into one.  Consumers in large number are "getting in line" to take advantage of it.

Unsure about what benefits you could find if you refinanced?

Then the best action to take is also a simple one.  Talk to a lender. It's the only way to get sound reliable information and the facts you need to make a decision.

In the meantime though, consider the following questions if you're a mortgage-holder still on the fence regarding refinancing. These (along with other questions) can provide a more defined and clear path of action for you.

Do you ...

• Want to save money?
• Would you like to lower your interest rate?
• Would you like to lower your monthly payment?
• Shorten your mortgage term?
• Pay off your mortgage note in a shorter time-frame?
• Are you hoping for "cash out" for ????
• Do you hope to eliminate PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance)?
• Do you want to consolidate or pay off credit cards, second mortgages/HELOCs, etc?
• Do you want to convert to/from an ARM?
• Take a Co-Borrower off the prior Loan?
• More ...

Again, the facts and information you need to make a final decision are available only through a mortgage lender, but the questions above are definitely a great place to start.

Now, consider these statistics ...

Did you know that according to a 2019 survey done by Zolo, North American homebuyers spent an average of 124 hours  looking for their home? 

But another survey taken the same year revealed that the average consumer spends only 5 hours shopping for a mortgage?

 

Given the direct influence a mortgage decision bears on monthly finances and overall financial health, 5 hours is staggeringly low. That is a truth when initially buying, and remains a truth when pursuing a refinance as well.

 

Still not convinced it's time to contact a loan officer?

 

Below are two examples that I think clearly prove how very important it can be to:

• Take the time to contact a lender
• Ask questions
• Weigh mortgage options 
• Consider opportunities available via current interest rates 
• Take action

 

Just this last week I refinanced a young couple.  The savings found via their refinance are going to be sizeable and immensely beneficial to their monthly finances and future.  By refinancing now they're going to save over $600 per month.  That's huge.

 

Another older couple I closed will not see quite the same drastic monthly monetary savings as the other couple.  Still, the savings will prove extremely beneficial for them.   

 

The monthly savings reaped via their refi will help pay for an expensive medicine prescribed by their physician.  Payment for that medicine would have not been possible or easily made prior to their refinance taking place.  

 

It's been said that "actions have consequences".  Many times, these words are used as a warning.  

But the two examples shared above prove that consequences can be very positive too ... and even life-changing.  These two clients vastly improved their lives last week.  I can't tell you how gratifying it was for me as their loan officer to assist them in doing that.

 

If you haven't considered or taken steps to discover whether a refinance is possible for you, now may be the time to do so.  Now may be the time to speak with a lender.

 

Why? 

 

Just as with the special shopping days mentioned above, the opportunity to save money via the current low interest rates and a refinance will eventually disappear.  While no one can make that prediction as to when that will occur, history teaches us that the window of opportunity does not remain open forever.  And when it closes, so goes great opportunity.

 

There is NO monetary cost typically associated with asking a lender questions.  There is certainly no risk in holding a conversation.  There is no reason to hesitate to reach out.  

 

You just might find your own personal "Prime Day", "Cyber Monday", and Black Friday" when you do ...

* Are you dreaming of buying or refinancing a home or Investment Property in New Lenox - Will County - Chicagoland ... IL or WI?

Contact me today! I'll put my 40 years of mortgage experience and expertise to work on your behalf. I'm easily found at:

Gene Mundt

Mortgage Originator - NMLS #216987 - IL Lic. 031.0006220 - WI #216987

American Portfolio Mortgage Corp

NMLS #175656

Direct: 815.524.2280

Cell: 708.921.6331

eFax: 815.524.2281

gmundt@goapmc.com

www.genemundt.com

  

             

   

 

  

Gene Mundt, Mortgage Originator, an Originator with 40+ years of #mortgage experience, will offer you exemplary mortgage service and advice when seeking: 

#Conventional, #FHA, #VA, #Jumbo, #USDA, and Portfolio Loans in 

#Chicago and the greater Chicagoland region, including: 

The #LincolnWayArea, #WillCounty, (#NewLenox, #Frankfort, #Mokena, #Manhattan, #Joliet, #Shorewood, #Crest Hill, #Plainfield, #Bolingbrook, #Channahon, #Romeoville, #Elwood, #Lockport, #Naperville, #Wilmington, #Peotone, etc.), #DuPage County, the City of #Chicago, #CookCounty, and elsewhere within #IL & #Wisconsin. 

Your Referrals & Testimonials are Greatly Appreciated!

  

Juggling 101: Contract Provisions, Housing Supplies, and Mortgage Volume

 

Juggling 101: Contract Provisions, 

Housing Supply, Mortgage Volume 

Are you actively pursuing homeownership and out looking at homes with a realtor?

If so, I'm sure your realtor has broached many topics with you already. There's a lot to know and stay informed of when buying and financing a home.  It can feel like your juggling lots of things at once.

One facet of the home buying process that's of real importance is the home inspection (which occurs AFTER the contract is agreed upon).  Your realtor has probably recommended that you include an inspection in any real estate contract you're considering.  

That's wise, as a home inspection serves as a form of protection for you.  

A home inspection includes a thorough assessment of the home's current condition.  The home inspector will look for any possible defects that could prove dangerous or costly to fix and identify building code violations that may exist.  

This information can prove immensely beneficial for buyers to possess.  It's important, not only in the short-term as a possible re-negotiating tool with Sellers should the inspection reveal structural or more minor issues, but in the long-term, as well.  

Why?

After the inspection is performed, a buyer has a checklist at their disposal.  They know what issues in their home may need addressing in the future ... whether that be in 1 year, 5 years or 10.  As a result, budgeting or preparation for future upgrades or repairs becomes much easier.  That can prove very advantageous.

The home inspection is typically set-up and performed soon after the buyer signs their real estate contract.  Doing this in a timely fashion is critically important, as most contracts contain a specified time period for the performance of the inspection.

There is another "clause" found within most contracts, as well.  It also requires action be taken (typically 5 to 10 days) of contract "acceptance".  That is the filing of the Loan Application if the Buyer requires Financing.

The importance and adherence to both of these contractual timelines are absolutely critical to meeting the Closing Date agreed upon by both parties within the real estate contract.  This is especially true during a high-loan-volume market such as the one we're experiencing currently.

The Mortgage Application itself leads to the next and important step in the process ... the Appraisal.  The Appraisal must be ordered (unless a waiver of the Appraisal is available) by the Lender.  

Again, time is of the essence, as the demand for homes is currently very strong.  Active buyers are finding that there is often a very limited supply of homes for viewing/sale right now.  

Low housing supply is creating appraisal evaluation issues in many housing markets.  It's driving a flurry of increased competition for homes in these markets.  

That competition is, in turn, elevating housing prices ... or the price that buyers are willing to pay for desirable homes.  

As a result, some appraisals are coming back showing values less than the contract purchase price.  Appraisers sometimes find that the comparables available for their use oftentimes do not "keep up" or justify current listing/sale prices.  

An "unwritten" issue cropping up increasingly often revolves around contract contingencies.  I say "unwritten" because contingencies are seen so rarely in contracts right now.  

That's because (again as a result of the low-inventory/high demand), Sellers don't need to offer any kind of incentives to find a buyer. But it's also true that many Sellers are simply unable to offer closing cost credits, perform repairs, or give concessions to buyers at this time.    

The current high volume of home purchases (and refinances alike) is creating an additional problem too ...  

Appraisal turnaround times have lengthened.  Appraisers are extremely busy right now, as are title companies, attorneys, mortgage providers, inspectors, and etc.

Each of these issues demands that feasible client expectations be set, both for buyer and seller.  They also showcase the importance of placing viable realistic dates on real estate contracts.  

Today's mortgage process has many working parts.  Each part should be in sync with the others for it all to work fluidly and well together.  

To help their own cause and keep stress at bay, clients must remain attentive, responsive, and thoroughly engaged throughout their entire financing process.  Time and timing is everything when seeking a "clear to Close". 

And a "clear to Close" is the ultimate goal and prize ...

* Are you dreaming of buying or refinancing a home or Investment Property in New Lenox - Will County - Chicagoland ... IL or WI?

Contact me today! I'll put my 40 years of mortgage experience and expertise to work on your behalf. I'm easily found at:

Gene Mundt

Mortgage Originator - NMLS #216987 - IL Lic. 031.0006220 - WI #216987

American Portfolio Mortgage Corp

NMLS #175656

Direct: 815.524.2280

Cell: 708.921.6331

eFax: 815.524.2281

gmundt@goapmc.com

www.genemundt.com

  

             

   

 

  

Gene Mundt, Mortgage Originator, an Originator with 40+ years of #mortgage experience, will offer you exemplary mortgage service and advice when seeking: 

#Conventional, #FHA, #VA, #Jumbo, #USDA, and Portfolio Loans in 

#Chicago and the greater Chicagoland region, including: 

The #LincolnWayArea, #WillCounty, (#NewLenox, #Frankfort, #Mokena, #Manhattan, #Joliet, #Shorewood, #Crest Hill, #Plainfield, #Bolingbrook, #Channahon, #Romeoville, #Elwood, #Lockport, #Naperville, #Wilmington, #Peotone, etc.), #DuPage County, the City of #Chicago, #CookCounty, and elsewhere within #IL & #Wisconsin. 

Your Referrals & Testimonials are Greatly Appreciated!