Tag Archives: mortgage rates

Stable Job Market and Low Mortgage Rates Creating Surge in Homebuilding

Stable Job Market and Low Mortgage Rates Creating Surge in Homebuilding

It seems like 2020 could be a big year for home builders. The U.S. market closed out the last month of 2019 with the highest level of new housing projects since 2006. The surge of home starts was even higher than what economists had predicted – by a decent margin. Economists point to the stable job market and low mortgage rates among the factors contributing to this growth. As we head into the new year, buyers and builders alike are optimistic as the market gains momentum.

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How Much Growth, and What Does That Mean?

So, the last month of 2019 saw the highest rate of home groundbreakings in 13 years. How much is it actually growing? According to Bloomberg economists:

  • Single-family homebuilding has risen 11.2%
  • Residential home groundbreakings rose 16.9% (the biggest in three years)
  • Homebuilding permits rose to 3.9% at the end of 2019

The rise of single-family housing is particularly important because this segment has the largest share of the housing market. An 11.2% increase is higher than the U.S. has seen since 2007! And what does all this mean? More homes (often entry-level or “starter” homes) are coming to the market, bringing in new homebuyers and possibly converting renters.

Good News: Rates Are Likely Staying Low

Of course, mortgage rates and housing prices play a critical factor in the market’s growth. When mortgage payments stay affordable, more people can afford to buy a home. There’s good news on that front for 2020: Keeping in line with 2019’s low rates, 2020 is expected to see 30-year fixed mortgage rates around the 3.8% mark. This could lead to more renters making the leap to buying a home.

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What’s Ahead

Optimism is growing along with the housing market, which is rising alongside a stable job market and low mortgage rates. Groundbreakings have surged at the start of this new year, prospective homebuyers and renters are taking advantage of the low mortgage rates, and the market is looking good. If you’re looking to buy a new home in 2020, keep an eye on rates and new developments in the coming months.

Mortgage Rates Continue To Drop: Is it time for you to refinance your mortgage?

Mortgage Rates Continue To Drop: Is it time for you to refinance your mortgage?

As mortgage interest rates continue to drop, many homeowners are trying to decide whether or not refinancing is right for them. Refinancing a mortgage means paying off an existing loan and replacing it with a new one. Whether for the opportunity to obtain a lower interest rate, the chance to shorten the term of their mortgage or the desire to consolidate debt, there are many reasons refinancing might be right for you!

Mortgage Rates

Benefits of Refinancing

Homeowners refinance for a variety of reasons, but usually they do so to achieve a lower interest rate and lower payment.  Additional benefits to refinance are as follows:

  • To convert an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) to a fixed-rate mortgage
  • To withdraw home equity as cash
  • To cancel monthly mortgage insurance
  • To convert from a 30-year to a 20, 15 or 10-year loan.

Monthly savings is only one factor to consider. Borrowers should also determine the cost of the refinance transaction, the current equity of the home and other pertinent details before making the decision, like the cost to apply for the loan.

Factors to consider before refinancing

If you can lower your interest rate and payment, it may be worth refinancing.  Consider this: A homeowner with a large balance can reduce monthly costs by dropping their rate by just 0.25%. However, someone with a very small loan balance may need to reduce their rate 2-3% before seeing enough savings to justify a refinance transaction.

Closing costs should also be taken into consideration when making the final decision to refinance. If you can save $100 per month in your payment, but it will cost you $5,000 to do so, the time to recoup the cost would be 50 months. That’s more than four years! Unless you plan on being in your home for at least that long, it may not make sense to refinance. However, if your closing costs are $3,000, but you are saving $200 per month, you would recoup the cost of the transaction in just 15 months. Determining how long you plan to be in your home will help in deciding if the value equates to the cost of refinancing.

Additionally, refinancing can sometimes cost you absolutely nothing. If so, it is usually a good idea to do so, even if you’re only saving a fraction of what you currently pay each month.

With exception of a few loan programs, lenders will verify that you have at least a minimal amount of equity to allow a refinance. Generally, the more equity you have in your home, the easier it is to refinance. Therefore, your appraisal must come in higher than the amount of equity you have, and sometimes a low appraisal can be the reason a refinance falls through.

To learn more about refinancing and if it is the best option for you, contact De Young Mortgage today for more information at 559.420.7868. You can also complete the online Mortgage Online Application here.

This is not an offer for extension of credit or the commitment to lend. All loans must satisfy company underwriting guidelines. Information is subject to change at any time and without notice. De Young Mortgage, Inc. NMLS #1026010. De Young Mortgage, Inc. CA Bureau of Real Estate Real Estate Broker License #01926671.