HOW TO SHOP FOR THE BEST MORTGAGE RATES

Mortgage rates are still at historically low levels, they haven't changed much this year.  But this may change anytime soon. 

Both home prices and mortgage rates are expected to rise as season changes.  Mortgage rates vary depending on what product you choose and how you shop.  So how do you get the best rate? Here are some tips on how to shop for the best rates. 

Choose a term on your mortgage based on how long you expect to be in your home.  

30-year fixed rate is the most expensive among all mortgage products because the rate is the highest and you are paying for the longest term.  If you are planning to stay in your home for five years or less, then it is advisable to take a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) which is fixed for 5 years - it is a much cheaper option.  If you're conservative, try a 7/1 or 10/1 ARM - both rates are lower than the 30-year fixed rate and you can save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. 

Complete the Required Documents

Make sure that you have the complete documents before even applying for a loan.  A great mortgage rate can turn into a bad rate if you have to extend it because you still need to complete your documents.  Remember, ALL lenders will not waive any of the required documents.

Beware of Hidden Fees 

Make sure that you review the full breakdown of closing costs before even committing to a lender so there will be no surprises come payment time. Also read all the fine prints to understand your contract. 

Compare Zero-closing Cost Mortgage 

At 12.5 basis points (.125 percent) added to your mortgage rate or equivalent of monthly payment increase of $30 to $50 may save you $4000 in closing cost or more. This of course, depends on how long is the term of your loan. 

Get One Credit Report Done

Asking multiple lenders to run your credit score can actually damage your score. Choose one lender to run your credit report,ask them to do a three merge score from Experian, Transunion and Equifax all together.

For a list of lenders, please do not hesitate to contact me.

February Real Estate Update

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Patrick James http://www.anchoragehomedeals.com info@anchoragehomedeals.com 907-865-6594 (Office) Keller Williams Alaska Group 101 West Benson Blvd., Suite 503 Anchorage, AK 99503	February 2012 Market Update 2012 is off to a promising start. Mortgage rates continue to drop and have remained under 4% for nearly two months. Home sales are strengthening and pending home sales, a measure to gauge future sales, are at their highest levels since March 2010. Job growth has been increasing for most of 2011, with unemployment dropping to 8.4%. As more people are getting jobs, consumer confidence has also been increasing. However, underemployment continues to be a problem for a stronger recovery. The underemployment rate is 18.1%, and there are still a significant number of people working part time, who would like to have full-time work. Even with substantial national improvements, this continues to be a "one neighborhood at a time" recovery. Payroll jobs were up in 25 states, but down in 24, demonstrating the delicate state of the U.S. economy. Global factors such as the European debt crisis are also complicating a more robust recovery. Strong guidance is needed from local and global leaders to continue this growth, as well as allow for business to maintain momentum toward building and expanding upon the opportunities that exist. Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Association of Realtors
This Month's Video	Interest Rates
	Another slight drop for mortgage rates as they continue to set historically low records. With homes being so affordable and the economy continuing its recovery, home prices are stabilizing, as increased sales are expected. NAR President Moe Veissi stated, "The American dream of home ownership is alive and well. We have a large pent-up demand, and household formation is likely to return to normal as the job market steadily improves. More buyers coming into the market mean additional benefits for the overall economy. When people buy homes, they stimulate a lot of related goods and services."
Home Sales
Existing home sales continued their rise, up 5% in December, to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.61 million. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for NAR, said, "The pattern of home sales in recent months demonstrates a market in recovery. Record-low mortgage interest rates, job growth, and bargain home prices are giving more consumers the confidence they need to enter the market."
Home Price
Homes prices for December were down 2.6% from a year ago, at a median price of $164,500. One factor contributing to lower prices has been the high level of distressed properties being sold. In December, these properties began to show signs of price stabilization and increase. Foreclosures were selling at 22%, a 2% increase from a year ago, and average prices for short sales prices had risen by 3%.
Inventory
The housing inventory dropped 9.2% in December to a 6.2-month supply, or 2.38 million homes, at the current level of sales. These are the lowest inventory levels of homes for sale since March of 2005. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for NAR, said, "The inventory supply suggests many markets will see prices stabilize or grow moderately in the near future."
7 Tips for Buyers
Interest rates at favorable levels and a good selection of homes provide an opportunity for buyers. Here are a few things to for buyers to keep in mind: 1. Know what you can afford before you fall in love with your dream home. 2. Consider additional expenses that come with owning a home like property tax, insurance, and repairs. 3. Be flexible on the little things. It would be wonderful to find a home with everything you want, but those are hard to come by – distinguish nice-to-haves and must-haves early. 4. Have imagination and look beyond paint colors, wallpaper, or other easy and affordable things you can change. 5. Don't compromise on the big things, such as enough bedrooms to accommodate additions to the family or space for an office if you work from home. 6. Always inspect even if the surface looks great; it's important to know if anything major is wrong and what it will cost to fix. 7. Think about the future in regard to the neighborhoods, surroundings, schools, and developments.
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