Monday, March 17, 2008

Bear Stearns & the mortgage fallout.

Boy I was right! I had predicted that there would be bank troubles. I could not imagine that banks can take these kinds of hits. Banks are losing a lot of money when they go to re sell these foreclosed homes. I was in one Detroit foreclosure on Saturday. The bank had not gotten to the home quick enough and the pipes had frozen. There was tremendous water damage.

The bank was owed over $150,000. They had it up for sale for $39,000. There are all sorts of foreclosed homes that the banks are losing 2/3's of its investments. How can banks take those types of hits? THEY CAN'T AS WE FOUND OUT WITH BEAR STEARNS.

Now here is a prediction from me. There will be another one. It is a West Coast Bank that did a lot of exotic mortgages. They were a bigger seller of option arms. They also did sub prime mortgages. I don't see how they can survive.

For more on Michigan mortgages go to my website www.RussRavary.com or if you would like a Michigan foreclosure list of your city email me at Info@RussRavary.com

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Is it a great time to buy or not

My perspective on this is that home prices will continue to fall this year. BUT WHAT WILL INTEREST RATES DO? Remember that if rates rise one percent the cost savings you save on the price of the house may be lost in higher mortgage payments. Nobody knows where the interest rates will go or when the housing market will bottom out.

So what I recommend to anybody that is thinking about buying a home is watch the area you want. Browse the Michigan homes for sale on my website on and off. There may be a home that comes up. It may be your dream home. It might sell before next year.

You may not see any home you like for 6 months to a year, but you may find the exact home you want 4 months from now. The bottom line is getting the home you want. It may not be at the absolute rock bottom price but if rates are good I would consider putting an offer in on the home you want. For more on Michigan Mortgages, Michigan Real Estate, Detroit Real estate or to search over 70,000 Michigan Homes for sale feel free to go to my website www.RussRavary.com If you want a Michigan Foreclosure list email me at info@RussRavary.com

Saturday, March 15, 2008

How mortgage brokers get paid

I am a mortgage broker. And I am not afraid of telling you how we get paid. Banks and lenders want to sell loans. The more they buy, the more they can sell to bulk mortgage investors. Whether banks sell loans in house or get mortgage brokers to sell them for the bank, the bank pays it's employees or mortgage broker a commission.

I once did a Michigan mortgage for a client. He asked which bank it was going through. I didn't think anything of it. He called me the next day and asked me how I could get a mortgage interest rate cheaper than the bank itself was giving out. He couldn't believe it!

Here is the secret. Banks and lenders sell mortgages to investors. They have to set mortgage interest rates according to what the bulk investors will pay that day for the mortgage. So what the bank and the lender do is send out rate sheets by email and fax to mortgage brokers.

For example a bank or lender may 1% of the loan amount for a 6.0% mortgage. Then they may pay 1.45% for a 6.125% mortgage. They may pay 2.5% for a 6.5% mortgage.

So the mortgage broker decides what he is willing to make on a loan. Some mortgage brokers like me work on volume and are willing to give a lower rate. Where other mortgage brokers may charge a little more. We as mortgage brokers represent 20 -30 banks. We see what they want to charge and we can shop your Michigan loan around.

Remember mortgage brokers and banks are getting a paid a percentage of the loan amount. So usually they like loan amounts over $150,000. Small loan amounts under $80,000 they do not make much money on and can be more trouble than they are worth. Think about it. 1/2% of $60,000 is $300 whereas 1/2% of $200,000 is $1000.

So know you know how banks, lenders, mortgage brokers make their money. That is why different places have different rates and closing costs. Sometimes mortgage brokers pay some of the fees out of their commission. Which is good for you the consumer. You can get a good rate and good closing costs. For more on Michigan mortgages go to my website www.RussRavary.com For Michigan things to do, Holiday trivia, Michigan facts, real estate tips, mortgage information. Or email me at OurMortgageGuy@yahoo.com for Michigan Mortgage rates

Friday, March 14, 2008

Pre-approval letter.

Pre-approval letters
So you were pre-approved last year for a Michigan Home. That approval letter may not be Worth the paper it is printed on! Banks and Lenders have tightened up lending guidelines. In the last year mortgage lending has completely changed. There is no more 100% loans in Michigan. Even 95% loans are getting tougher. Though the alternative is an FHA loan. With an FHA loan you can get up to 97% of the purchase price and have the seller pay some of the closing costs.

Every week banks and lenders are looking at how to stop their bleeding. How to stop foreclosures. That is why they are tightening up the lending guidelines. Banks do not want to take the risk. Some people that bought homes in the last 5 years can not even refinance because many lenders do not do sub prime loans anymore. They do not have the mortgage programs they had last year, or even 6 months ago. Even a 620 score is not considered very good anymore.

So don't get caught with your pants down. Get your pre-approval today from a qualified lender. If you are thinking of buying a Michigan home give me a call. I will help you get pre-approved, straighten your credit out so you can buy a home of your own. For more on Detroit Real Estate, Michigan Real Estate, Wayne County real Estate, Oakland county real estate go to my website www.RussRavary.com I have lot of great Michigan mortgage information, credit report information, Michigan home buyers tips

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Michigan Foreclosures

Michigan Foreclosures, Northville Foreclosures, Farmington Hills foreclosures - what to remember

When buying a Michigan foreclosure, REO, or any bank owned property around Michigan, Oakland County, Wayne County, or Livingston county you need to remember a few things.
1) When buying a Michigan foreclosure remember to read and re-read the contract and addendums from the bank. Many times the bank has language protecting them. Sometimes they push some of the title closing costs on you. Beware. Anything you do not understand ask your Realtor to explain.
2) When buying a Michigan foreclosure remember that the bank is not going to fix anything. You are buying the home "as is".
3) When buying a Michigan foreclosure you should always have an inspection clause and have a professional inspect the property. Don't let uncle Joe inspect your Michigan foreclosure. You need to be aware of all the possible problems with the home.
4) When buying a Michigan foreclosure remember it takes time to get the deal closed. Most foreclosure departments are only open during the week Monday through Friday. Be patient when bidding on a Michigan foreclosure.
There are many Michigan foreclosures out there. There are many bargains in the Michigan foreclosures. If you would like a list of Michigan foreclosures sent to you email me at info@RussRavary.com or email me at OurMortgageGuy@yahoo.com I will send you a list of Michigan foreclosures in the city you request that you can open and browse through at your leisure.
For more on Michigan foreclosures, Michigan Real estate, and Michigan Mortgage go to my website www.RussRavary.com see my website for Michigan real estate investing (Flipping) or to search over 70,000 Michigan homes for sale free

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Michigan mortgage rates

Michigan mortgage rates are once again on the rise. The reason being is that investors are shying away from buying mortgages and mortgage back securities. Investors are wary of putting money into mortgages.

What that means to mortgage companies and consumers is that rates may continue to rise even though the Fed continues to cut the rates. You can see my article on the difference between the Fed rate and the mortgage interest rate at www.activerain/blogs/russravary It explains a lot why it happens.

The bottom line is that mortgage rates do not always go down when the Fed cuts the rate. Especially right now when big investors are afraid of buying mortgages. No pension fund manager want to take a chance on putting somebodies retirement at risk because of the mortgage fiasco. Not many foreign investors want to take the chance at this time either. What that means is that mortgages are getting harder for the banks and lenders to sell. Rates may continue to rise this year.

For more on Michigan mortgages, Michigan real estate go to my website www.RussRavary.com Search over 70,000 Michigan Homes for sale at your leisure. Email me for a Michigan foreclosure list in your city at info@RussRavary.com

Friday, March 7, 2008

What has happened in the last week

Detroit mortgage market and Michigan mortgages. A lot has happened in the last week in the mortgage world. That what happens when you go on vacation in Florida and try to keep up by phone and glimpsing at the news.

Most of Southeastern Michigan real estate has been determined a "declining market." What that means to you as a consumer in Michigan is that banks and lenders are going to loan less on your property. Some banks are reducing the amount they will do for home equity loans. They used to loan up to a 100%, now some banks will not even loan 75% of your homes value. One of the ladies at my wifes office was upset with their loan officer and bank because of the "declining market" situation. The bank was making them come up with an extra 5% to buy the home. The ladies husband thought he was going to be able to talk the bank out of it. But they didn't. They had to put more money down. It doesn't matter even if you have the greatest credit you have to put more down.

It is not about the credit. It is about the value of the house. Why would a bank loan 95% on a house and have the chance that it may be only worth 90% next year! You the borrower would owe more than it is worth. The bank doesn't want those types of loans. It wants to protect it's assets. It wants you to have a financial interest in what you buy.

One of my fellow realtors got an email from his mortgage broker quoting that by March 1 most banks are only going to loan 90%. That means buyers will have to come to the table with 10% down or do a FHA Loan. Most buyers don't have 10% to put down, so FHA may be the loan of choice for many people. FHA loans may be the only choice for many people. If you are thinking of buying a Michigan home and want to see your mortgage choices.

Many people will be trapped in their Michigan mortgages and will not be able to refinance because of the lower loan limits. The key for many people now is to work harder at paying off their second mortgage. Reduce that higher payment. Get rid of that high interest payment. Pay extra on your second mortgage.

For more on Michigan mortgages and Michigan real estate go to my website www.RussRavary.com