Tag Archive for: first time home buyers

Fixed rate mortgages hit new low

According to a recent article by the Associated Press, Fixed-rate mortgage rates fell last week to the lowest levels in 60 years. The average interest rate for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage is now 4.12%, Freddie Mac said last week. It is the lowest rate on record since 1971, and the cheapest rates since 1951.  Furthermore, the average rate for 30-year fixed mortgages was below 5% for all but two weeks over the past five years. Similarily, the average interest rate on a 15 year fixed rate mortgage is 3.33%, also the lowest rate since the record keeping began in 1991.

HOWEVER…..These record low rates have done very little to re-energize the depressed housing market. Sales of new homes are on track to finish the year as the lowest on record in 50 years. The pace of re-sale homes aren’t doing much better – they are the worst in 14 years.

WHY…….Nation wide, an uncertain economy along with high unemployment have discouraged many Americans from taking advantage of these low rates. Additionally, many Americans have seen little wage increases and as a result of the economic climate, many are saddled by large personal debt. None the less, many can’t even qualify for loans at these low rates. Many banks are now insisting on higher credit scores and a 20% down payment for first-time homebuyers. According to a survey by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling,  just 1/2 of Americans say they will ever be able to saive enough money for any type of down payment, let alone a 20% down payment. Further, only 40% of US households have the necessary credit scores above 700 to receive a prime mortgage rate, according to an Associated Press analysis of Fair Isaac Corp. (FICO) data.   Many repeat buyers do not have enough equity built up in their homes to meet loan requirements. Most alarming, accroding to the real estate research firm CoreLogic, about 1/3 of American homeowners have nearly zero equity or are underwater in their mortgage.

Low interest rates usually encourage many to buy real estate, many middle and lower class Americans can’t take advantage of these record low rates. If you are able to qualify for these prime rates, there are many opportunties available. Here in Jackson Hole, there are several opportunities to purchase bank owned homes or lender approved short sale properties.

Contact us, The Gillespie Real Estate Team at Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty  at garth.gillespie@jhsir.com for a list of bank owned opportunties in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Jackson Hole Bank Update – Mortgage Rates for March 27, 2009

One of the finest loan representatives in the Jackson Hole area is T.R. Pierce from the Bank of Jackson Hole. T.R. Pierce is the senior vice president loan officer at the largest “local” bank in Jackson Hole and for the past few years has been educating the Jackson Hole real estate agents on the current local mortgage rates. As part of our weekly updates we will be posting T.R.’s report about once a week. This should give readers a good idea of local rates. We of course recommend calling T.R. Pierce, SVP Residential Loans, 307.734.8111 for an appointment if you would like additional information on mortgages. Today’s report is below:

Conforming interest rates are down this morning after consumer spending rose in February… rebounding for the second straight month! The Commerce Department reported that spending by individuals rose 0.2% last month after a revised increase of 1.0% in January. Some economists feel that “the majority of the declines in consumer consumption are behind us” and another indication that the economy may be improving is the 20% gain in stocks Wall Street has enjoyed in last three weeks!

Residential Mortgage Rates for March 27, 2009

The following rates are thirty (30) day quotes for fully documented, owner-occupied and/or second home loans for borrowers with a minimum credit score of 700 which feature a one (1%) percent loan origination fee and the escrow of taxes & insurance.

PLEASE NOTE THAT CONFORMING LOAN AMOUNTS OVER $417,000 TO $625,500
ARE AVAILABLE AT HIGHER INTEREST RATES THAN INDICATED BELOW.

PROGRAM CONFORMING

(Loans to $417,000)
JUMBO
(Loans over 417,000)

30 Year Fixed
4.500%
7.875%

15 Year Fixed
4.500%
6.875%

10/1 ARM
5.250%
7.875%

7/1 ARM
4.625%
5.000%

5/1 ARM
4.125%
4.750%

3/1 ARM
5.250%
6.625%

30 YEAR FIXED RATE FHA LOANS TO $693,750: 5.000%
PRIME RATE: 3.250%
ONE YEAR LIBOR RATE: 2.010%

Thanks T.R. for the report. We appreciate the updates. Christy and I are excited about those 4.5% rates on conforming 30 year fixed! This should motivate all of you first time home buyers or owners that want to move up or around in Jackson. Guess what? This weeks movement in the stock market motivated a few buyers. We saw a piece of vacant land go under contract! We also heard of a contemporary townhome that went under contract! Great news…

If you would like additional information on the Jackson Hole Real Estate market please contact us – the Jackson Hole Experts – Garth and Christy Gillespie. Feel free to call us toll free at 877-739-8056.