Predicting Mortgage Rate Fluctuations and Acting Strategically

In home-buying, where the market often favors the average buyer, those in high-priced markets like Los Angeles and Orange counties face amplified impacts from minor changes. With their propensity to oscillate, mortgage interest rates hold a prominent position in dictating home-buying power and long-term financial viability. Let’s delve deeper.

The True Impact of A Small Rate Increase:

Why Small Percentage Changes Matter:

  • Even marginal rate increments can lead to substantial costs over the loan‘s lifespan for buyers dealing with larger mortgages.

Breaking Down the Numbers:

  • Scenario: A $700,000, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at an interest rate of 3.9% will mandate monthly payments of around $3,300. A minor increase of 0.2 points augments the monthly payment to approximately $3,382.
  • Long-Term Implications: This $82 monthly increase, when stretched over 360 monthly payments, culminates in an extra expenditure of $29,520 throughout the mortgage’s life.

Proactive Measures Amid Rising Mortgage Rates:

Locking in Your Rate:

  • For those already in the home searching process, ensuring a locked mortgage rate can shield them from any potential hikes during escrow.

Staying Informed:

  • Are you anticipating a home purchase in the upcoming six months? Establishing news alerts tailored for mortgage and home pricing can be invaluable. While varied mortgage outlets might project different rate trajectories, these alerts can furnish a general overview of potential mortgage rate territory.

Leveraging Expertise for Optimal Decisions:

Interest rates, while mercurial, command a decisive role in shaping your home purchasing capabilities and overarching financial strategies. Collaborating with a reputable mortgage loan specialist paves the way for tailored advice and nurtures an environment of trust, ensuring that one is adequately armored against unforeseen market volatility.

In the expansive ocean of home buying, where even minuscule rate fluctuations can send waves across one’s financial ship, being prepared, informed, and guided by expertise can be the difference between smooth sailing and stormy seas.

 

 

Should You Refinance Your VA Loan? VA Cash Out or VA IRRRL?

For veterans looking to optimize their financial standing, VA loans offer a unique set of positive sides. Two prominent refinancing options veterans can consider are the VA Cash Out Refinance and the VA IRRRL (Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan). Deciding between the two hinges on individual financial circumstances and objectives.

VA Cash Out Refinance:

What is it?

  • This option allows veterans with home equity to refinance their mortgage and receive a cash payout for any desired purpose.

How does it function?

  • Suppose you’ve repaid $50,000 of your mortgage; the VA Cash Out Refinance could allow you to obtain a $50,000 cash payment, potentially even reducing your mortgage interest rate simultaneously.

Usage of the Refinance Cash:

The cash payout can be utilized for various purposes:

  • Clearing high-interest credit card debt.
  • Erasing mortgage insurance from a conventional loan.
  • Financing significant purchases like cars or boats.

VA IRRRL (Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan):

What is it?

  • Designed for veterans who don’t need a cash payout, the IRRRL focuses on reducing the current interest rate of a VA mortgage, subsequently lowering monthly payments.

Advantages of IRRRL:

Minimal Documentation: The process does not demand:

  • Income verification via pay stubs or W2s.
  • Bank statement provision.
  • Home appraisal.
  • Loan-to-value restrictions.
  • Cost Flexibility: Closing costs can be integrated into the loan amount. Furthermore, if receiving any disability pay, veterans might qualify for no funding fees.
  • Accessibility: Even if a home’s market value has decreased below the mortgage value (“underwater”), veterans can still access VA IRRRL. Moreover, if the veteran borrower faces unemployment, as long as a co-borrower (like a spouse) is employed, the IRRRL remains a viable option. Income is not a prerequisite for IRRRL refinancing.

Deciding Between the Two:

  • Cash Requirement: The VA Cash Out Refinance might be the apt choice if you need immediate cash for purposes like debt repayment or significant purchases.
  • Rate Reduction: If the goal is to benefit from a reduced interest rate without needing a cash payout, the VA IRRRL is the ideal route.

Veterans can access these distinct refinancing options tailored to their financial goals. Whether acquiring funds for significant expenses or solely focusing on a reduced interest rate, the VA Cash-Out and VA IRRRL ensure veterans can achieve their objectives.