The Wall Street Journal: Discount Points on Jumbo Mortgages are Hot Again. Here’s Why. This month, The Wall Street Journal published an article discussing the discount points on jumbo mortgages during the COVID-19 pandemic. As you may know, a jumbo mortgage is a loan designed to finance high-value properties that exceed the maximum conforming loan […]
Adverse Market Fee – A Surprising GSE Directive It was a typical Wednesday after dinner two weeks ago when I got a notice about the unexpected news. Government sponsored enterprises (GSE), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced a directive known as the Adverse Market Fee. This directive will impose a 0.50% fee on all refinances. […]
Since my last blog, the Covid-19 situation has hit the fan. It’s an unprecedented time with a lot of unknowns for the future. It’s difficult to not get caught up in the fear. As a homeowner, you may be wondering how this will all play out. Having been in this business for over 20 years, […]
House hunting these days? You will be happy to know that 30 year fixed rate at one of lowest historical levels. The key driver is a healthy economy with low unemployment, stable growth with low risk of inflation. Consequently, homebuyers will have access to lower mortgage payments. Additionally, lower rates allow a homebuyer to purchase […]
In late July, the Federal Reserve announced a rate decrease. Many customers wanted to know how that affected their mortgage interest rates. First, what is “The Fed”? Not the exact definition: The Federal Reserve is our central bank. As a matter of fact, there are several Federal Reserve banks, and each has a governor. These […]
Simply put EXPANDED OPTIONS. Let’s face it, Austin and the Austin metro area are highly competitive markets with buyers competing for limited inventory. According to an article published in the Austin Business Journal, we are facing a housing crisis. In a market with low inventory, a buyer finds it more challenging to find her perfect […]
There are a lot of questions about mortgages. Here are answers to the three most common mortgage questions: 1. What is a mortgage? A mortgage is a loan that secures real property with a legal agreement. When a home buyer decides to purchase a home, she may not be able pay for entire purchase up-front. Consequently, […]
What is Driving the Downsizing Trend? Downsizing is a continuing trend. Some key reasons we see this continued trend include: empty-nesters as children graduate from high school or college; lifestyle demands for those desiring a more efficient and smaller home to lock and leave; and obviously the financial benefit of a decreased mortgage or rent […]
2018 Was A Great Year! Reflecting back on 2018, I am so grateful to you, my clients, for your continued patronage of my business. By December 31, we will have helped over one hundred families secure financing for their dream homes and real estate investments this year. Looking at my numbers, most of my customers […]
In the News | The Wall Street Journal
/in jumbo, jumbo loans, Uncategorized /by Joel RichardsonThe Wall Street Journal: Discount Points on Jumbo Mortgages are Hot Again. Here’s Why. This month, The Wall Street Journal published an article discussing the discount points on jumbo mortgages during the COVID-19 pandemic. As you may know, a jumbo mortgage is a loan designed to finance high-value properties that exceed the maximum conforming loan […]
Adverse Market Fee FAQ
/0 Comments/in adverse, Fannie Mae, FAQ, fee, Freddie Mac, GSE, interest rate, interest rates, market, mortgage expert, mortgage rates, Mortgages, Refinance, tips /by Joel RichardsonAdverse Market Fee – A Surprising GSE Directive It was a typical Wednesday after dinner two weeks ago when I got a notice about the unexpected news. Government sponsored enterprises (GSE), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced a directive known as the Adverse Market Fee. This directive will impose a 0.50% fee on all refinances. […]
During Covid-19, We Are Here for You
/0 Comments/in austin, Bond, Covid-19, FHA, FHA Loan, hayes county, Home Buyer Guide, home financing, home improvement, home purchase, home remodel, home renovation, homebuying tips, interest rate, interest rates, jumbo, jumbo loans, loan officer, mortgage, mortgage lender, mortgage professional, rates, texas, top mortgage loan officer, travis county, USDA Loan, VA Loans, williamson county /by Joel RichardsonSince my last blog, the Covid-19 situation has hit the fan. It’s an unprecedented time with a lot of unknowns for the future. It’s difficult to not get caught up in the fear. As a homeowner, you may be wondering how this will all play out. Having been in this business for over 20 years, […]
Happy 2020!
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Joel Richardson30 Year Fixed Rate at Historical Lows
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Joel RichardsonHouse hunting these days? You will be happy to know that 30 year fixed rate at one of lowest historical levels. The key driver is a healthy economy with low unemployment, stable growth with low risk of inflation. Consequently, homebuyers will have access to lower mortgage payments. Additionally, lower rates allow a homebuyer to purchase […]
How Interest Rates are Impacted by Fed
/0 Comments/in annual percentage rates, austin, financing, home financing, interest rate, interest rates, mortgage, mortgage expert, mortgage lender, mortgage rates, Mortgages, new home buyer, Refinance, the fed, Uncategorized /by Joel RichardsonIn late July, the Federal Reserve announced a rate decrease. Many customers wanted to know how that affected their mortgage interest rates. First, what is “The Fed”? Not the exact definition: The Federal Reserve is our central bank. As a matter of fact, there are several Federal Reserve banks, and each has a governor. These […]
Why Renovation?
/0 Comments/in appraisal, austin, cedar park, Contractor, custom construction, dream home, dripping springs, home financing, home improvement, home remodel, home renovation, homebuying tips, interest rate, jumbo, Remodeling, tips, va /by Joel RichardsonSimply put EXPANDED OPTIONS. Let’s face it, Austin and the Austin metro area are highly competitive markets with buyers competing for limited inventory. According to an article published in the Austin Business Journal, we are facing a housing crisis. In a market with low inventory, a buyer finds it more challenging to find her perfect […]
Most Common Mortgage Questions
/0 Comments/in afford, annual percentage rates, credit score, first time home buyer, home purchase, homebuying tips, interest rate, interest rates, mortgage, mortgage calculator, mortgage rates, rates /by Joel RichardsonThere are a lot of questions about mortgages. Here are answers to the three most common mortgage questions: 1. What is a mortgage? A mortgage is a loan that secures real property with a legal agreement. When a home buyer decides to purchase a home, she may not be able pay for entire purchase up-front. Consequently, […]
4 Ways to Make Downsizing Easy
/0 Comments/in downsizing, minimalism, tips /by Joel RichardsonWhat is Driving the Downsizing Trend? Downsizing is a continuing trend. Some key reasons we see this continued trend include: empty-nesters as children graduate from high school or college; lifestyle demands for those desiring a more efficient and smaller home to lock and leave; and obviously the financial benefit of a decreased mortgage or rent […]
Reflections on a Wonderful 2018
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Joel Richardson2018 Was A Great Year! Reflecting back on 2018, I am so grateful to you, my clients, for your continued patronage of my business. By December 31, we will have helped over one hundred families secure financing for their dream homes and real estate investments this year. Looking at my numbers, most of my customers […]