Category: Mortgage Rates Charleston South Carolina

Jumbo Mortgage Loans Charleston SC

Jumbo Mortgage Loans Charleston SC

 

Here in the Charleston, SC area it is no mystery that we have some very expensive residential luxury real estate, and unless borrowers have the cash to pay for it, often times they need jumbo loans. There are countless beach and water front homes on Kiawah, Seabrook Island, Daniel Island, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach and Mt Pleasant as well as homes downtown Charleston SC that exceed $3Million.  Click see the latest updates on interest rates and lowest current mortgage rates.

 

 

Charleston, SC mortgage Loan Officerjumbo mortgage loan is one where the amount borrowed is above conventional conforming loan limits. This standard is set by the two government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and sets the limit on the maximum value of any individual mortgage they will purchase from a lender. Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC) are GSEs (government sponsored entities) that purchase the bulk of U.S. residential mortgages from banks and other lenders along with the FHA, allowing them to free up liquidity to lend more mortgages. When FNMA and FHLMC limits don’t cover the full loan amount, the loan is referred to as a “jumbo mortgage” in which private investors are in the marketplace to provide these necessary funds. The average interest rates on jumbo mortgages are typically higher than for conforming mortgages due to the inherent risk the investors are taking on riskier backed assets. On October 1, 2011 the jumbo conforming limit of $729,750 in “high cost” areas was reduced to $625,500.As of 2010, the limit on a conforming loan in “general” areas was $417,000 for most of the US, apart from Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where the limit was $625,500. The limit in “high cost” areas was $729,750 and $938,250, respectively.

 

 

Jumbo mortgage loans are a higher risk for lenders. This is because if a jumbo mortgage loan defaults, it may be harder to sell a luxury residence quickly for full price because less of the population can afford pricier homes. Luxury prices are more vulnerable to market highs and lows in some cases. That is one reason lenders prefer to have a higher down payment from jumbo loan seekers. Jumbo home prices can be more subjective and not as easily sold to a mainstream borrower, therefore many lenders may require two appraisals on a jumbo mortgage loan. The interest rate charged on jumbo mortgage loans is generally higher than a loan that is conforming, due to the higher risk to the lender. It can be more expensive to refinance a jumbo loan due to the closing costs, because taxes, insurance and other related costs are so much greater.  Some lenders will offer the service of an extension and consolidation agreement, so that a jumbo refinancer will not have to pay for mortgage tax again on the same principal balance. In other cases, title insurance companies will offer up to a 50% discount, often required by law for those refinancing within 1 year to 10 years. The largest discount is for refinancing within one year. Some consumers seeking a jumbo mortgage choose to seek advice from a competent professional familiar with jumbo mortgage loans.

 

OPTION 2 – Some investment brokers and/or large investment firms will lend money to their clients for jumbo luxury loans but secure it against liquid assets they manage for them. Often times these loan are lower in cost since their is collateral backing the loan to the borrower.

Mortgage Rates on the Rise

USA Today reported that mortgage rates are rising and if you have checked recent mortgage websites you’d see the changes for yourself. WASHINGTON (AP) — The nationwide average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose for the third straight week May 23, hitting their highest levels since mid-March.The Fed has been buying treasuries for over three years now to keep rates   lower  and boost the not only the housing market but also the economy. It’s only reasonable that this can’t continue forever, considering the fiscal problems in Washington. The average on the 15-year loan jumped to 2.77%, up from 2.69% last week. The record low of 2.56% was hit on May 2. Moreover,  as the economy improves investors are more likely to purchase equities versus MBS (mortgage backed securities)  the driver of how the mortgage market trends.As investors, and traders get more comfortable with the economy as a whole their likelihood of staying conservative in treasuries weakens into more aggressive strategies. Thus they pull capital out of MBS and into stocks, and equities resulting in higher mortgage rates.Mortgage rates rose sharply this week because they tend to track the yield on the 10-year Treasury note.The yield rose above 2% Wednesday for the first time since March 14 and was at 2.02% Thursday. Investors began selling government bonds Wednesday after minutes of the Federal Reserve’s last meeting showed several policymakers favored slowing the Fed’s bond purchases, perhaps as early as this summer. 

Mortgage Rates Even Lower

Good new for all; mortgage rates fall once more in Charleston, SC along with the rest of the U.S. 30 Year mortgage rates dropped to 3.40% last week, down from 3.41% the week before and although not a huge drop, anything lower is better than an increase. Last year this time rates were at 3.88% for a 30 year fixed. Even better, for those who qualify, the average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage hit a record low 2.61% this week, down from 2.64% in the prior week. Freddie Mac began keeping nationwide average records in 1971.

“The housing market is getting a boost with mortgage rates hovering at or near record lows,” said Frank Nothaft, a vice Charleston SC Current 30 Yr Mortgage Ratespresident and chief economist at Freddie Mac. On the housing front, existing home sales averaged an annualized pace of 4.9 million the first three months of the year, the most since the fourth quarter of 2009. Furthermore, new home sales jumped to 424,000 during the first quarter, strongest showing since the third quarter of 2008.

These lower interest rates are almost sure to improve the Charleston, South Carolina housing market and send prices further higher. With the lack of inventory coupled with very low rates many prospective homebuyers are finding it increasingly difficult to find the home they want as supplies dwindle.

For those who know they may only be in their home for 5 years or less; considering an short term adjustable rate mortgage could be the best option as the 5 year treasury ARM have hit a record low at 2.58% down from 2.6% last week which could equate in considerable savings if your rate is anywhere above 4.5%.

Some Info  Provided by USEToday.com

Charleston SC Mortgage Rates Near Record Low

Mortgage Lenders Charleston, SC

What to Know How Much You Can Afford?

The average U.S. rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has fallen to near its record low set earlier this month bringing down the rates for those of us here in Charleston, SC as well.The rate on the most popular mortgage dipped to 3.37% from 3.39% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. Two weeks ago, the rate reached 3.36%, its lowest level on records dating to 1971.The average rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage, often used for refinancing, set a record low of 2.66%, down from last week’s 2.7%.Cheaper mortgages are helping fuel a modest but steady housing recovery, coupled with falling inventory the Charleston SC housing market has seen a dramatic uptick in recent months.The average rate on the 30-year loan has remained below 4% all year. And rates have fallen even further since the Federal Reserve started buying mortgage bonds in September to try to encourage more borrowing and spending.The Fed said it would continue buying bonds until the job market shows substantial improvement. When home prices rise, people tend to feel wealthier and spend more freely. And consumer spending drives nearly 70% of economic activity. Charleston, SC real estate agent and ex-mortgage professional states:  ” be prepared for mortgage rates to eventually increase as soon as the fed realizes they can’t afford to continue to purchase bonds in order to fund the housing market recovery.  A natural housing recovery not based on artificial measures is what will achieve a proper recovery; buying bonds is simply a band-aid”.Home sales have risen from last year, and prices are rising more consistently in most areas. Charleston SC home builders as well as those around the U.S. are more confident and starting more homes. Lower rates have also persuaded more people to refinance. That typically leads to lower monthly mortgage payments and more spending.Not only builders in Mt. Pleasant SC, but also throughout the nation last month started construction on single-family houses and apartments at the fastest rate in more than four years, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. And they laid plans to build homes at an even fast pace in coming months — a signal of their confidence that the housing rebound will last.Other recent reports have shown marked improvement in the housing market five years after the bubble burst.Still, the housing market has a long way to a full recovery. And many people are unable to take advantage of the low rates, either because they can’t qualify for stricter lending rules or they lack the money to meet larger down payment requirements.To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country on Monday through Wednesday of each week. The average doesn’t include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1% of the loan amount.The average fee for 30-year loans was 0.7 point, unchanged from last week. The fee for 15-year loans also held steady at 0.6 point.The average rate on a one-year adjustable-rate mortgage edged up to 2.60% from 2.59%. The fee for one-year adjustable rate loans was stable at 0.4 point.The average rate on a five-year adjustable-rate mortgage rose to 2.75% from 2.73%. The fee was unchanged at 0.6 point.

 EASY MORTGAGE CALCULATOR

Some Content By: USAToday.com
 

Mortgage Rates in Charleston, SC Stay Low – Lenders, Banks

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – Average mortgage rates on fixed mortgages fell this week and are just slightly above record lows reached earlier this year. The low rates have contributed to a modest housing recovery.

GSE Freddie Mac said Thursday that the rate on the 30-year loan declined to 3.59%, down from 3.66% last week. Five weeks ago, the rate fell to 3.49%, the lowest since long-term mortgages began in the 1950s.
Mortgage Lenders Charleston, SC

Latest Mortgage Information, Rates, News, Trends, Calculators

The average on the 15-year fixed mortgage, a popular refinancing option, slipped to 2.86%. That’s down from 2.89% last week and from the record low of 2.8% five weeks ago.Cheap mortgages are a key reason the housing market is finally started to rebound five years after the bubble burst. However, another large factor is banks are not releasing the foreclosed homes they have on their books, and are sitting on them thus reducing the inventory and increasing demand. Sales of newly built and previously occupied homes are well above last year’s levels. Prices have increased consistently, largely because the supply of homes has shrunk while sales have risen. And Charleston SC builder confidence is at its highest level in five years, mean while home builders in areas like Mount Pleasant, SC are seeing very good signs of growth. Scott’s Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC neighborhood has 18 homes under construction currently and more under contract.Still, the  Charleston SC housing market has a long way back to full health. Some national economists forecast that sales of previously occupied homes will rise 8% this year to about 4.6 million. That’s well below the 5.5 million annual sales considered healthy. Many people are still having difficulty qualifying for home loans or can’t afford larger down payments required by banks. If you need help with home financing in Charleston South Carolina and need advice contact me at.

Charleston SC Mortgage Rates

National overnight averagesToday+/-
30 yr fixed mtg3.54%
15 yr fixed mtg2.89%
5/1 ARM2.86%
$30K home equity loan5.68%
$30K HELOC4.58%
About these rates
Mortgage rates in Charleston SC are low because they tend to track the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. A weaker U.S. economy and uncertainty about how Europe will resolve its debt crisis have led investors to buy more Treasury securities, which are considered safe investments. As demand for Treasurys increase, the yield falls.To calculate average rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country on Monday through Wednesday of each week.The average does not include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1% of the loan amount.The average fee for 30-year loans was 0.6 point, down from 0.7 point last week. The fee for 15-year loans also slipped to 0.6 point from 0.7.The average rate on one-year adjustable rate mortgages fell to 2.63% from 2.66% last week. The fee for one-year adjustable rate loans was unchanged at 0.4 point.The average rate on five-year adjustable rate mortgages declined to 2.78% from 2.80%. The fee held steady at 0.6 point.
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