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Another milestone reached by the mortgage industry reform: the end of the  disclosure forms confusion! Provided to those applying for a mortgage, these forms were originally created based on two separate federal statutes: Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). The duplicate information as well as erratic language of these two separate documents, lead to an immense amount of confusion. Apart from those two documents, there were also two sets of disclosures: one provided when applying for a mortgage, and the other provided at the closing or just prior to closing on the loan. The consumers weren’t the only ones confused -even the lenders had a difficult time completing the forms. Basically, if the lenders weren’t even able to understand the verbiage, how could they possibly explain the documents to the consumers? 

[Update: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a proposal to delay the effective date of the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure rule until Oct. 1.Click here to read more.]

The resolve (hopefully) . . two new, straight-forward disclosure forms. This change will apply to all consumer mortgage applications received on or after August 1, 2015. The change is currently being referred to as “TRID,” for TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure.

The changes . . In a Nutshell

♦ With TILA, lenders use a uniform system for disclosures, including the same credit terminology.

♦ The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) applies to any federally related mortgage loan, generally including any loan secured by a first or subordinate lien on family residential property (1-4 units).

♦ CFPB was responsible for integrating the existing disclosure requirements with the new amended requirements by combining the RESPA and TILA disclosures.

♦ The integrated mortgage disclosures use language that is designed to help consumers better understand the mortgage loan closing transaction.

♦ The new “Loan Estimate” form integrates and replaces the existing RESPA Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and the initial Truth in Lending forms.

♦ The new “Closing Disclosure” form integrates and replaces the existing RESPA HUD-1 and the final Truth in Lending forms.

♦ The integrated disclosure rule does not apply to HELs, reverse mortgages, mobile homes and dwellings not attached to real property, or for those making 5 or less mortgage loans per year.

♦ The definition of an “application” has been changed; now, an application consists of six pieces of information which are submitted.

♦  Consumers can’t be charged for fees until after they’ve been given the Loan Estimate form and consumers have agreed to proceed with the transaction.

♦ The Loan Estimate is provided to the consumer within 3 business days after submitting a mortgage loan application.

♦ There are only six legitimate reasons for revisions to a Loan Estimate form.

♦ The Closing Disclosure form integrates and replaces the existing RESPA HUD-1 and the final Truth in Lending disclosure forms.

♦ A Closing Disclosure is provided to the consumer so that they have a 3 business day waiting period before closing on the mortgage loan.

♦ There is now a three business day requirement once the consumer has received the Closing Disclosure, representing a waiting period for the consumer to review the disclosure.

♦ The lender now has all the liability for preparation and delivery of the Closing Disclosure form, even if they allow the escrow company to do it.

♦ The new Integrated Disclosures must be provided by a lender or mortgage broker that receives an applicationfrom a consumer for a closed-end credit transaction secured by real property on or after August 1, 2015.

♦ For a Loan Estimate, a “business day” is a day on which the lender’s offices are open to the public for carrying out business functions.

♦ For a Closing Disclosure, a “business day” includes all calendar days except Sundays and legal holidays.

♦ The Loan Estimate must be delivered or placed in the mail no later than the 3rd business day from receipt of the mortgage loan application.

♦ The Closing Disclosure must be placed in the mail no later than the 7thbusiness day before consummation of the loan.

♦ The “Your Home Loan Toolkit: A Step-by-Step Guide” replaces the HUD Settlement Cost Booklet.

Key Points derived from The CE Shop “RESPA/TILA Changes: Are you Ready?” course. Right now the course is completely free when you use the promotional code (respafree) at check out. No credit card info is required.

THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT AND FSI-VAS WAS NOT PAID FOR THIS POST. WE SIMPLY JUST WANTED TO SHARE THIS AWESOME OPPORTUNITY WITH ALL OF YOU. DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW US ACROSS ALL OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AS WELL AS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER!

-Team FSI-VAS

It Takes a Good Plan to be Successful in Rental Property

(Investment Properties: Part 5 of 5)

For people considering a purchase of a rental home this is truly an opportune time. The tremendously low mortgage rates coupled with attractive home prices makes this a buyer’s market.

However, numerous reports indicate that home prices are rising consistently, although modestly. If you are considering buying a home it is time to take action. Here are a few guidelines to help you plan out your first purchase.

Look to Experts

If you are looking at your first investment property purchase it would be wise to work with a real estate agent that is experienced in these kinds of deals. An agent that intends to work with an investor over the long term will be meticulous about the property recommendations to insure the investor meets their financial goals and comes back to the agent for more homes.

It is also a good idea to speak with other investors. They can provide you some guidance about what to look for in homes, what areas to avoid and other general information that is generally not found in a textbook.

What Type of Investment Do You Wish to Pursue?

Some first investors choose to buy a home at a great price and rent it out on their own. Others use the service of a management firm. And then there are the individuals that buy a home, spend some money on repairs and put the home back on the market at a price to make a profit.

It is important to consider your options and tolerance for risk. Buying a home that you can easily afford while looking for a tenant may be a good opportunity to get your feet wet.

Develop Your Team before the Purchase

If you plan to manage the property on your own, there will be a few individuals you need to contact prior to purchase. First, you will need a lender that can handle investment loans. Second, you should consult with an accountant and attorney to make sure you are covered legally and that you minimize your tax liability. Third, you should speak to an insurance agent about the proper policies to cover your investment. Finally, you will need to talk to a general handyman or one each of plumbers, electricians, roofers, painters and HVAC repairmen. Having these people lined up and ready to work for you will make much of the process go by smoothly.

Choosing the Right Area

It is important to pick a home in an area that is accustomed to rental property. Places with a high population close to schools and shopping districts are usually safe bets. Rural areas can be difficult simply because the number of available applicants is typically small. Keep in mind that you may want to sell the property in a few years. If you buy the smallest, or the largest, home in a neighborhood it can be tough to unload later.

Buying an investment home should be approached as a strictly business transaction. Decide how much you can comfortably invest and how much you hope to make as a return and let those types of items help you with the decision.

Investment/Rental Properties (5 Part Series)

• Preparing to Purchase that First Rental Home (Part 1 of 5)
• Adding the Title of Landlord Behind your Name (Part 2 0f 5)
• Rental Property is Still a Safe Investment (Part 3 of 5)
• How to Pick Profitable Rental Properties (Part 4 of 5)
• Success Plan for Investing in Rental Property (Part 5 of 5)

Thousands of homes Foreclosed; Can you afford a Risky Loan?

The adjustable rate mortgage has been around for a number of years and it has helped a number of people afford the purchase of their first home. However, in the late 90’s and early part of the 2000’s some people took advantage of the low rates offered by ARMS and got in over their head. Before buying a home people should really look at all the factors involved with an adjustable rate loan and make sure it is right for them.

Fixed Period Varies

The vast majority of current ARM’s offer a well-defined period in which the interest rate is fixed. The defined period typically lasts from 3 to 7 years and can be as long as 10 years. After this defined period the interest rate will adjust based on the index used to calculate the interest rate.

Some people have well defined plans and can use the fixed period for meeting their goals. For instance, a military couple that has an assignment to a particular area could purchase a home using a 5 year ARM and use the time to live in the home with no worries about a change in interest rate.

However, people that are just looking at the low rates of the ARM’s and “hoping” that their income will rise in future years are taking a big gamble.

Rates Will Rise

Years ago when the ARM was first introduced it was always explained the same way. When the market took a dip the interest rate would lower accordingly and the opposite would happen when the market improved. However, the last few years have seen nothing but historically low rates. Getting an adjustable rate loan now ensures one thing; the interest rate will rise once the fixed period ends. The current rates cannot get much lower.

Thankfully, an adjustable rate mortgage will have some safeguards to protect borrowers. The amount of increase for the rate is usually capped each year as well as a cap for the duration of the loan. For instance, most ARM’s will not adjust more than 1% in one year and no more than 5% or 7% over the course of the loan. However, a 5% increase in rate on a $250,000 loan can increase a loan payment by over $700. Keep in mind that when the interest rate adjusts the new payment is factored over the remaining loan term. This can drive up the payment as well.

Plan Accordingly

All of this information points to one simple fact. People considering an adjustable rate loan need to plan accordingly. You should have some type of exit strategy in mind, whether it is selling or refinancing or paying off the loan in order to avoid some potentially hazardous conditions in the near future.

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Assuming an Existing FHA Loan

Most mortgages have a requirement that the loan must be paid in full when the property is sold. However, FHA offers a different option to the seller and buyer. It is possible for the buyer to take over the existing FHA mortgage from the current property owner. This is a very enticing offer for someone that has a mortgage with a great interest rate. Here are the guidelines for an assumable FHA mortgage.

photo credit: 401(K) 2012 via photopin cc[/caption]

Review Existing Loan

The first thing you should do as a potential buyer is review the existing loan documents. Any loan that originated prior to December 1 in 1986 is allowed to go through a “simple assumption” procedure. This means the buyer does not have to qualify for the FHA mortgage. For loans that were originated on after the December date, the buyer will have to qualify for the loan just like any new borrower.

Negotiate a Price with the Seller

Most sellers would like to receive a large part of the equity they paid in to the mortgage over the years since they originated the loan. The price you can negotiate is really dependent on your ability to deal and the seller’s motivation for getting rid of the home. One thing that must be clear; the buyout amount given from buyer to seller cannot be financed in to the existing FHA mortgage. This is money that needs to be paid either in cash or with a loan separate from the mortgage.

It may be possible to convince the seller to finance the buyout amount. This would mean that you have two loans to repay in order to purchase the home.

Talk to a Mortgage Lender

Since you will likely have to qualify for an FHA mortgage loan, it is advisable to talk to a lender experienced with FHA loans. The lender can review your credit file, determine your monthly income per FHA guidelines and find out if you qualify for the loan.

Determine Current Loan Status

You need to find out if the current property owner is up to date on their mortgage payments. If there are any late payments, those payments are transferred to the new buyer. This can be rectified by either paying the amount necessary to get current or requesting a modification of the loan.

Inquire About Down Payment

Since FHA asks for a down payment equal to 3.5% of the price, this rule will apply to someone assuming the loan. In this case, the 3.5% is based on the existing loan balance.

If you are approved for the loan, you may proceed with the closing process. You should ask the lender to contact a local title agency to research the title to ensure there are no liens on the property other than the FHA mortgage. Additional liens will have to be paid in order to transfer the deed in to your name as owner.

VA Mortgage Program Has Good News for Veterans and Their Families

Photo credit: Tony Fischer Photography via photopin cc

Many years ago the United States decided it was a good idea to offer housing benefits for our veterans that were not attainable to other classes of people. The men and women who sacrificed time away from their families and risked their lives in defense of our country deserved the chance to buy a home with attractive features. As time has marched on and the needs of veterans have changed, the VA Mortgage program has made some changes to appeal to even more qualified borrowers.

Spouses of Deceased Veterans

Before the new law, spouses of deceased veterans could only apply for a VA mortgage if the veteran passed away during active duty defending our country or if the veteran passed away due to a disability sustained during duty. However, if the spouse can show that the veteran suffered from a disability sustained during duty for a minimum of 10 years prior to their death, the spouse can now apply for the VA mortgage.

Funding Fee for Certain VA Loans Waived

People in the military are no stranger to paper work. With every VA loan that is approved there is a fee associated with the loan. This funding fee provides money for the new crop of loans, avoiding the use of taxpayer's money.

If a veteran learns that they are eligible for disability pay due to their physical exam prior to discharge then they are allowed to waive the funding fee from the VA mortgage. Previously, a veteran had to receive actual disability pay on a regular basis before the fee could be removed.

Beyond Fixed Rate Loans

Fixed rate mortgages are great for people who are reasonably confident that they will stay in a certain home for many years. Having the mortgage payment set in stone offers stability for the homeowner. However, there are some people, such as veterans and active duty personnel, which may be on the move in a few years. For these people, getting an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) can make sense. They save money by getting a slightly lower interest rate that is fixed for 3 or 5 years. The new law makes it possible for eligible borrowers to apply for an ARM through the VA mortgage plan.

More Flexibility for Military Families and Individual Parents

For as long as the VA mortgage program has been around, one of the main requirements to the loan has been the veteran's occupancy. A VA loan states that the veteran must live in the home as their primary residence after the loan is completed. The veteran is given some time to move in to the new home, but the requirement is there. For military families in which both spouses are active duty, this can be impossible. Even harder for families that have only one parent who is serving in the military.

The Camp Lejeune act makes it possible for the children of the veteran to meet the requirement of occupancy. This means that dependents can live in the home purchased by their parent or parents through the VA mortgage while the parents sacrifice their time away from loved ones serving our country.

Many of you may not be aware that in this new year, the mortgage lending industry will begin to abide by some new rules / regulations / laws that will surely reduce the amount of mortgage loans given out.

The one rule that seems to sum up all of the new legislations is, lenders will be required to verify and inspect borrower's financial records. Granted, this doesn't sound like a bad rule at all, in fact, it's one I could get behind myself because it seems like it's nothing but common sense however, it's not what the industry has been practicing, even after the housing bubble burst. You see, many people who have the credit score, get the loan, with little to no actual "inspection" of their financial records or in other words with no real "inspection" of the consumers ability to pay back the loan.

As a Realtor, I see this lack of true underwriting every day when I meet the buyer's appraiser at the property for the appraisal. He walks in, walks around, takes some pictures, looks under some cabinets, spends about 30 minutes to an hour there, goes back to his truck, says "thanks" out the window...waves and drives off. A couple days later, I see a copy of the appraisal from the lender and to my surprise, it's exactly the same amount of the purchase price. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? This makes me mad each and every time I see it. Why.....well, it means the appraisal is a sham, a farce, a magic show. I have been doing property evaluations for banks for years now. NO, I am not an appraiser, I do Broker Purchase Opinions, similar to an appraisal but, not the same. None the less, I know that it's impossible...absolutely, undeniably, impossible for a property evaluator to appraise or provide an opinion of value that is exactly the amount of the purchase price. Why is this, you might be wondering...why would it be so impossible for that to happen? Because if I am providing an unbiased opinion, I wouldn't know what the purchase price was. In short, if the buyer has the credit...the fico score, many banks....all of them....could care less how much the buyer spends or how much the property is really worth because, the buyer is getting the property based on a number, not his true ability to pay back the loan. This happens because these banks are making so much money on the total number of loans they do, taking a hit on a few who can't pay back...well, not such a big deal, that was until 2007 - 2008, that is.

The housing bubble burst taught us all a lesson.......one that we should have learned from the banking crash of the 80's but, we ignored. Banks aren't doing a good job making sure the consumer can pay back the loan, they are doing a excellent job at making themselves money.

Make no mistake, I am not an advocate for more regulations, more laws, more government intrusion in our lives, I am explaining this so that consumers wake up. As friendly as your mortgage lender is, as much as he tells you he likes your shoes and ask your husband if he saw the game this weekend, he gets paid more if you borrow more. You are personally accountable for your decisions so, if you are a taxi cab driver, making $24,000.00 a year.....NO, YOU CAN'T AFFORD A INTERST ONLY LOAN OF $250.00 A MONTH AND IN 12 MONTHS YOU GET A BALOON PAYMENT OF $15,000.00. Have you ever had $15,000.00 in your checking account waiting to be spent? Seriously?

This new rule goes a bit further and says, lenders can't obligate consumers with more than 43% of the person's annual income in the loan. Yes....that means now we have a cap. If you are out there looking for a mortgage loan, you will not be able to get one that is more than 43% of your annual income. In my opinion, this goes a bit too far. Who is the government to tell consumers what they can or can't do? Sure....the government tells us everyday what we can and can't do but, should they be in the business of telling us what we can and can't borrow? I don't think so.

Ok...sure, we have some in our society who are uneducated, un-intelligent, just stupid and yes, they should be protected.......or should they? In many ways, protecting the idiots amongst us who go to a lender, tell the lender they want to buy that $250,000.00 and they think they can afford it on a part time job at McDonalds........then, if the bank is willing to do it.....part of me says, step back, let it happen and watch the situation teach. That's right, some of us just aren't going to learn without going through the fire ourselves. My point is, can you legislate good behavior...I don't think so.

The real estate industry is being flooded with new marketing tools, platforms and strategies, which are being rolled out in anticipation of a new housing boom and explosion of new Realtors but is this doing more damage than good?

The real estate business has long been plagued by endless expensive and ineffective lead generation tools aimed at Realtors. Now there is a new surge to cash in on all of the players entering and reentering the business from Zillow and the acquisition of Buyfolio to The Real Estate Book’s new internet marketing makeover of old and overdone tools to Listingbook and others.

In fact, one of the biggest risks to new real estate agents, brokers, investors and even mortgage companies is training and spending themselves into bankruptcy before they even really get going, despite the slick pitches of how ‘great’ the next exotic marketing ploy is.

Savvy real estate professionals know that they need to be constantly seeking the best possible ROI for their marketing budgets, while putting their blinders on to block out these distractions, yet keeping one eye on real future trends and emerging lead generation tools which are truly revolutionary and valuable.

After all, why give up your hard earned capital to overpay for others’ experiments in advertising or give up your highly valuable leads and referrals to someone else to work for you and no doubt cash in on in other ways? Or why blow big money on complex advertising campaigns which don’t improve results or speed up production?

This is especially true when effective and affordable solutions are at hand for delivering fast results for finding distressed multifamily properties, REOs and other real estate which needs to be listed and sold.

After all, winning in the real estate game today is all about controlling the listings or at least having off market properties to offer. Fortunately the latest software, like BankProspector has made this much easier, faster and affordable to do. This tool in particular means no need to waste time and dollars on fielding calls from unqualified prospects and being able to leap gatekeepers to lock up distressed properties for sale from institutions.

Don’t underestimate opportunities like this, which present the chance to get ahead of the competition, while improving speed and profit margins to continually compound and increase success. Only those who innovate and demand top results will be able to separate themselves and stay in the game long enough to really achieve what they set out to.

2012 has been dubbed by some as ‘Year of the Short Sale’, with even more short sales expected to be completed than last year. However, are they really a smart move for investors or is investing in distressed property notes a better way to go?

There has been a lot of buzz in the last few weeks about mortgage institutions cutting down on the time it takes to process short sales. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have announced new guidelines requiring loan servicers to now make decisions on short sales within 30 to 60 days. While Bank of America has sliced its short sale processing time back to 20 days from 45 or much, much longer via their new, improved online platform.

However, while short sales may be a great deal for sellers and even offer the feeling of nice discounts for those buying new residences or investing in the odd property here and there, they do pose some issues for full-time or more active investors. Let’s take a look…

5 Reasons Distressed Property Notes are better than Short Sales

1. Short Sale Fraud

Banks angry at real estate investors profiting while they take a hit by reducing and writing off principal balance debt have engineered flipping houses which are short sales for profit into becoming ‘short sale fraud’. Whether you agree with it or not, the disclosures and affidavits now required for those involved in short sales pretty much makes it illegal to immediately turn them around for profit. Considering the number of tasks forces and regulators hunting down real estate fraudsters (when they’re not partying it up in Cartagena, Colombia or Las Vegas) it just isn’t worth the risk to even be accused of such a thing.

2. Buying Notes Eliminates Hassles

Buying distressed property notes gets rid of a lot of hassle that comes with acquiring short sales. Besides the bizarre and trying upfront paperwork and negotiations short sales can come with big property management headaches and even tougher problems for those buying into the new fantasy breed of REOs to rentals on offer.

3. Reducing Costs & Risks

Investing in distressed property notes means slicing out soaring costs associated with closings, financing and points and rehabbing. Then there are the huge liabilities that can come with these properties as a direct owner which can threaten your investments including personal injury.

4. Resales

Distressed property notes can actually be a lot easier to sell and cash out in any market. A little seasoning and you can pump up their value and if you like cash out just a portion of the payments while retaining the note.

5. Better Bargains

There are good deals to be found among short sales. They may not all be turning in profits but buying a home that was once sold for $6 million for just $2 million can feel great. However, commercial and construction distressed property notes currently often offer even better discounts and bargains as there may be even more of these being held by banks than single family residences. Plus there is far less competition for them.

Understanding the New Rules for Jumbo Mortgages

It is true that mortgage rules have become stricter in the last few years.  However, getting a jumbo mortgage in Wisconsin is still a very real possibility.  Borrowers need to understand up front the basic requirements and also how to compare loans to make sure they are getting the best deal.

In the not so distant past homebuyers could get approved for a jumbo mortgage with only a 5% down payment.  In addition, there were no strict requirements for proof of income.  As long as the credit score was 700+, the loan was as good as done.  Things have changed a lot in the past 4 years, not just in Wisconsin but all over the country.  Here are the basic requirements for anyone that wishes to borrow more than the standard $417,000 amount:

• Borrower must pay 20% of the home’s purchase price as a down payment.  The money must come from their own funds, meaning it cannot be a gift.  Borrowers should be prepared to provide copies of bank statements and investment account reports to document where the down payment came from.
• Borrowers will need to provide adequate documentation that reflects their income.  This may come in the form of paystubs and W-2 forms.  For self-employed individuals, the most recent two years tax returns will be required.
• Borrowers should be prepared to look at loans with adjustable rates.  Long term fixed Jumbo loans are possible but the rates are usually significantly higher than the adjustable loan.

Current Property Values

Before buying a home it is a good idea to talk to a Realtor® to find out about trends in property values in the area.  Many places have seen declines in the past 5 years. However, recent reports show that the overall sales in Wisconsin are keeping pace with last year’s numbers.  And the drop in values seems to have hit a low point.  This means that most places like Madison should see at least stable values for the upcoming year and hopefully a rise in values in coming years.

Limits on Intended Purpose

People can only get a jumbo mortgage on a home that they intend to occupy as their primary residence.  This means that for people looking to buy a vacation home or a rental property will not be able to use a Jumbo mortgage for their purchase.

Focus on Other Debt

One of the biggest changes for approving jumbo mortgage applications is the attention given to debt-to-income ratios.  The current guideline is 38%. This number is calculated using the borrower’s gross, monthly income before taxes are deducted.  Lenders want to make certain that borrowers can comfortably afford the large house payment and still have discretionary income left over.

For those borrowers that are considering a jumbo mortgage in Wisconsin the current mortgage rate climate seems like a good fit for buyers.  Low rates along with lenders who are still pushing these loans make it a good investment for a savvy buyer who has a good handle on their finances.

This communication is provided to you for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon by you. Rock Realty is not a mortgage lender and so you should contact a lender directly to learn more about its mortgage products and your eligibility for such products.

Original Post - Understanding the Rules for Jumbo Mortgages

Qualifying for VA Mortgage

For Wisconsin residents that have previously served our country in the armed forces or in the reserves, the VA mortgage is a great way to purchase a home.  This loan is offered to qualified veterans with no money down and no mortgage insurance, making it very affordable.  And the rules for determining who is eligible are quite liberal as well.

Minimum Service Times

People who have served in the Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Army can be considered eligible for a VA loan if they have been discharged and met at least one of the following service times

• At least 181 days of military service during peacetime
• At least 90 days of military service during wartime.

This rule is slightly different for people that enlisted past September 7, 1980 as well as any officer whose service began past October 16, 1981.  For these people they must have completed 24 months of service.

Current Enlisted Military

People that are currently enlisted in full duty for one of the branches of the armed forces can also use the VA mortgage.  After the person has completed 90 days of active service they can apply for a loan.

Service Time for Reserves

Wisconsin residents who have served in the various reserve branches can also be eligible for a VA mortgage.  This applies to any of the Reserve components established with the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, or Navy as well as the Air National Guard, Coast Guard Reserves and Army National Guard.  For these people they must serve at least 6 years in their chosen Reserve before they are eligible for the VA certificate.

Benefits for Spouses

The spouses of veterans who perished in wartime may also be eligible to apply for a VA mortgage loan. The person would have to meet the other requirements regarding credit and income in order to be approved for the mortgage.

Other Exceptions

There quite a few exceptions for veterans who were not able to complete the minimum service requirements.  If you fall in to one of these categories then you may also be eligible for a Wisconsin VA loan.

• Any person that became disabled during service and received a discharge due to the disability
• People who were discharged after completing only 20 months of a 2 year agreement may be eligible if their discharge was at the convenience of the federal government.
• Discharged due to a personal hardship and have completed either the 181 days in peace or 90 days in war
• Discharged due to a pre-existing medical issue and the person completed either the 181 days in peace or 90 days in war

As you can see from the previous listing, several different people that have served in the military can be eligible for a VA mortgage.  With rates so low, it is a great time to buy a home in Wisconsin and enjoy low payments for years to come.

This communication is provided to you for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon by you. Rock Realty is not a mortgage lender and so you should contact a VA lender directly to learn more about its mortgage products and your eligibility for such products.

Original Post - Qualifying for VA Mortgage

30-year fixed-rate mortgage: Averaged 4.95 percent with an average 0.6 point for the week ending February 24, 2011, down from last week when it averaged 5.0 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.05 percent. .

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage: Average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.27 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.40 percent.

Five-year indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages ARMs: Averaged 3.8 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.87 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 4.16 percent.

One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs: Averaged 3.40 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.39 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 4.15 percent.

Freddie Sayz
Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac

Fixed mortgage rates eased again this holiday week amid mixed inflation data reports. Although the core consumer price index for January rose slightly above the market consensus, house prices fell 4.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller National Index In addition, the level of the index was the lowest since the fourth quarter of 2002

Low mortgage rates and home prices are sustaining affordability in the housing market. Existing home sales rose for the third consecutive month in January and were at the strongest pace in eight months, the National Association of Realtors reported; only the Northeast region experienced a slowdown in sales

30-year fixed-rate mortgage: Averaged 5.0 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending February 17, 2011, down from last week when it averaged 5.05 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.93 percent.

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage: Averaged 4.27 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.29 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.33 percent.

Five-year indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages ARMs: Averaged 3.87 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.92 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 4.12 percent.

One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs: Averaged 3.39 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.35 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 4.23 percent.

Freddie Sayz

Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac

Fixed mortgage rates eased slightly this week and continue to be very affordable. Prior to 2009, interest rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages had never been at 5 percent since our survey began in April 1971. In both 1981 and 1982, the rates were over three times as high as they are today.

The housing market is struggling to regain traction despite still historically low rates. New construction on one-family homes dipped slightly in January to an annualized pace of 413,000 units, which was the fewest number since May 2009. In addition, homebuilder confidence didnt improve for the third consecutive month in February.

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30-year fixed-rate mortgage: Averaged 5.05 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending February 10, 2011, up from last week when it averaged 4.81 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.97 percent.

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage: Averaged 4.29 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 4.08 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.34 percent.

Five-year indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages ARMs: Averaged 3.92 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.69 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 4.19 percent

One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs: Averaged 3.35 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.26 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 4.33 percent.

Freddie Sayz

Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac

Long-term bond yields jumped on positive economic data reports, which placed upward pressure on mortgage rates this week.

For all of 2010, nonfarm productivity rose 3.6 percent, the most since 2002, while Januarys unemployment ate unexpectedly fell from 9.4 percent to 9.0 percent. Moreover, the service industry expanded in January at the fastest pace since August 2005. As a result, interest rates on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to the highest level since the last week in April 2010

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30-year fixed-rate mortgage: Averaged 4.80 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending January 27, 2011, up from last week when it averaged 4.74 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.98 percent.

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage: A veraged 4.09 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 4.05 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.39 percent.

Five-year indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages ARMs: A veraged 3.70 percent this week, with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.69 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 4.25 percent.

One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs: A veraged 3.26 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.25 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 4.29 percent. 

Freddie Sayz

Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

Mortgage rates followed bond yields a little higher this week amid positive data reports from  The Conference Board that suggest the economy is strengthening. The index of leading indicators rose 1.0 percent in December, nearly twice that of the market consensus forecast and represented the sixth consecutive monthly increase, according to the Board. They also reported a stronger gain in consumer confidence for January, rising to an eight-month high. In addition, the share of households who said jobs were plentiful rose to the highest level since May 2009.

Consumer demand in the housing market is also showing some positive gains. Sales of  existing homes  rose in December to the strongest pace since May and sales of  new homes jumped to the highest since April. At their current sales rate, the expected time on the market fell from 9.5 to 8.l months for existing houses and fell from 8.4 to 6.9 months for new home

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Market Composite Index: (loan application volume) increased 2.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 47.5 percent compared with the previous week

Refinance Index: increased 4.9 percent from the previous week. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index decreased 3.7 percent from one week earlier

Purchase Index: increased 41.9 percent compared with the previous week and was 10.5 percent lower than the same week one year ago. The four week moving average for the seasonally adjusted Market Index is down 5.3 percent. The four week moving average is down 1.0 percent for the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index, while this average is down 7.5 percent for the Refinance Index.

Refinance Share of Mortgage Activity: increased to 72.1 percent of total applications from 71.0 percent the previous week

Arm Share: decreased to 4.9 percent from 5.0 percent of total applications in the previous week.

MBA outlook: (Excerpted from mbaa.org)

The financial markets response to the announcement of QE2 on November 3 has likely been a disappointment to the Fed. Equity prices have risen, but long-term rates have backed up considerably, with the yield on the 10-year Treasury pushing up past 3%. And turmoil in Europe has led to an increase in the value of the dollar in exchange markets, not the decline that had been expected in response to QE2. Had the Feds proposal for renewed large-scale asset purchases been well received, Fed officials might now be considering increasing the announced rate of purchases to $100 billion per month or more. But dong so under present circumstances would likely evoke a political firestorm.

The percentage of loans on which foreclosure actions were started during the third quarter was 1.34 percent, up 23 basis points from last quarter and down eight basis points from one year ago. The percentage of loans in the foreclosure process at the end of the third quarter was 4.39 percent, down 18 basis points from the second quarter of 2010 and down eight basis points from one year ago. The seriously delinquent rate, the percentage of loans that are 90 days or more past due or in the process of foreclosure, was 8.70 percent, a decrease of 41 basis points from last quarter, and a decrease of 15 basis points from the third quarter of last year.

We expect that mortgage originations will decrease to $967 billion in 2011, the lowest level of originations since 1997. This is a decline from $1.5 trillion in 2010 and a little under $2.0 trillion in 2009. Purchase originations should increase to $615 billion in 2011 up from $473 billion in 2010. Refinance originations, primarily impacted by the level of mortgage rates, are expected to drop sharply in 2011 to $352 billion and fall further in 2012 to $237 billion. We expect that the refinance share of originations should fall from 69 percent in 2010 to 36 percent in 2011, and then 24 percent in 2012 as rates climb above the 6 percent mark.

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30-year fixed-rate mortgage: Averaged 4.71 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending January 13, 2011, down from last week when it averaged 4.77 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.06 percent.

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage: Averaged 4.08 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.13 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.45 percent

Five-year indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages ARMs: Averaged 3.72 percent this week, with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.75 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 4.32 percent.

One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs: Averaged 3.23 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.24 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 4.39 percent

Freddie Sayz
Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

Bond yields drifted lower following the release of the December employment report , which was weaker than the market consensus forecast and implied that the labor market is still in a sluggish recovery. Fixed mortgage rates followed bond yields lower for a second consecutive week, bringing them to a four-week low.

In its January 12th regional economic review, the Federal Reserve noted that activity in residential real estate and new home construction remained slow across all Districts over the last two months of 2010 due to concerns about the pace of economic recovery, especially in employment. In addition, the outlooks for residential real estate were mixed, with contacts in most Districts described as expecting continued weak conditions

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