Mortgage Information

If you're like most buyers, a home is the most expensive purchase you'll ever make, and you'll probably need some form of financing.

There are many lending institutions that offer a variety of mortgage products. Financing options and rates can vary widely, so it is important to do your research and shop around to ensure you get the mortgage that best meets your needs at the best price.

I would be happy to refer you to some very good mortgage contacts I have in the Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin or San Ramon areas, or to help you in any other way I can to secure the best possible rate for your home purchase. 

 

Tuesday is an especially important day to stay tuned to the markets as two reports...the wholesale inflation measuring Producer Price Index and the state of the housing market measuring Housing Starts and Building Permits Report...could impact the direction of Bonds and home loan rates.

Thursday is another important day to note as the Philadelphia Fed Report will be released. This monthly survey of manufacturing purchasing managers conducting business around the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware is one of the most-watched manufacturing reports. If manufacturing is stronger than expected in this area, Stocks could move higher at the expense of Bonds and Home Loan Rates.

Remember when Bond prices move higher, home loan rates move lower...and vice versa. As you can see in the chart below, Bonds and home loan rates were able to battle back and end the week near where they started. However, a new level of resistance at the 50-day Moving Average (seen as the solid Black Line) may have an affect on the direction of home loan rates. I will be watching to see whether Bonds and home loan rates can beat out their next opponent to reach even better levels.

Chart: Fannie Mae 6.0% Mortgage Bond (Friday Aug 15, 2008)

 

Use the mortgage calculators below to assist you in making some decisions around financing your new home.

Mortgage Qualification Calculator

This calculator will help you determine how much money you qualify to borrow. The results are informal. You will be subject to a credit approval from your financial institution taking into consideration existing debt load, amount of down payment, income and other variables.

Mortgage Payment Calculator & Amortization Table

This calculator will help you determine what your mortgage payments will be based on purchase price, interest rate and mortgage term, as well as other factors. The amortization table shows what the interest and principal payments will be over the term of the mortgage.