By Robert Fishel, on April 7th, 2010 
Interesting results from Fannie Mae National Housing Survey
Fannie Mae released results of the Fannie Mae National Housing Survey, a comprehensive research project that surveyed more than 3,000 consumers to assess their confidence in homeownership as an investment, the current state of their household finances, their views on the U.S. housing finance system, and their overall confidence in the economy.
It appears that Americans continue to value homeownership and think about their homes in ways that go much deeper than the financial investment. The survey also found that the public strongly believes in the importance of upholding the financial commitment involved in buying and owning a home, even during these challenging times when home values have fallen.
Other highlights of the survey:
- 8 in 10 respondents consider homeownership important to the economy
- 31% of the respondents think the economy is on the right track
- 66% of the respondents think it is a good time to buy a house
St. Louis Mortgage Interest Rates – April 6, 2010 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.225% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.50% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.850% no points
- FHA/VA 30-year fixed rate mortgage 5.25%
- Jumbo 5/1 ARM 4.25% no points
- Jumbo 15 year fixed rate mortgage 4.875%
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact me by phone at my direct line, (314) 372-4319, email at rfishel@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit our company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Robert Fishel, on March 31st, 2010 NEW FHA Policies Go Into Effect April 5th
Applications for FHA-guaranteed mortgages exceeded an annual rate of 3 million in October; nearly triple the level in 2007. In 2006, when subprime and other Wall Street programs were at full speed, the annual rate for applications was less than 600,000. As a result the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Commissioner David Stevens recently announced a set of policy changes to strengthen the FHA’s capital reserves. The changes announced are the latest in a series of changes Stevens has enacted in order to better position the FHA to manage its risk while continuing to support the nation’s housing market recovery. The goal is to balance risk management and continue to provide affordable, responsible mortgage products.
On April 5, 2010, lenders must start collecting a 2.25% Up Front Mortgage Insurance (UFMIP). The .50% increase from 1.75% will help shore up the government agency’s reserve fund which dropped to .53% in November. This reserve fund covers losses on the mortgages the agency insures. Congress mandates the agency maintain a minimum 2% ratio. Since the fall of 2008, the reserve fund has dropped steadily from a high of 3% to its low in November.
Some 14.36% of FHA loans were past due in the third quarter, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. This compares to 9.64% of all loans.
St. Louis Mortgage Interest Rates – March 31, 2010 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.125% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.375% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.750% no points
- FHA/VA 30-year fixed rate mortgage 5.25%
- Jumbo 5/1 ARM 4.125% no points
- Jumbo 15 year fixed rate mortgage 4.875%
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact me by phone at my direct line, (314) 372-4319, email at rfishel@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit our company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Dennis Norman, on March 29th, 2010  Dennis Norman Last week HUD announced changes to FHA home loan programs to provide refinancing options to homeowners who owe more than their home is worth. Under FHA’s new plan, existing underwater homeowners can refinance their existing non-FHA loan into a FHA loan as long as they are current on their loan and their current lender reduces their total mortgage debt by at least 10 percent of the loan amount.
The total mortgage amount for the borrower after refinancing cannot be greater than 115 percent of the current value of the home, bring the loan amount for an underwater borrower closer to the actual value of their home. I don’t believe this program is actually in effect yet, but it should be within the next few months.
Program highlights:
- Existing loan must not be FHA-insured
- Esiting lender must agree to writedown the principal loan balance a minimum of 10 percent and the final loan amount cannot exceed 115 percent of the current value of the home (including and second mortgages). The refinanced FHA loan cannot be greater than 97.75 percent of the value of the home.
- The refinanced FHA loan will be on standard FHA terms
- Existing lenders can retain second mortgages on the property, but only up to a combined 115 percent of the current value of the home.
Homeowner Eligibility:
- Homeowners must be current on thier mortgage payments
- Homeowner must occupy the home as their primary residence
- Homeowners must qualify for new FHA loan under standard FHA borrower guidelines
- Homeowners must have a FICO credit score of at least 500
I will write more about this program and give more details as they become available.
By Robert Fishel, on March 24th, 2010 PLASTIC TAKES PRIORITY.
Consumers are paying more attention to their credit card payments and making sure they are current according to a newly released report from TransUnion.
The credit information management company analyzed 27 million anonymous consumer records randomly sampled during the six quarters from 2008 to 2009. Their selection criteria included consumers with at least one credit card and a current mortgage.
Consumers who are delinquent on their credit cards and current on their mortgages decreased to 3.6% from 4.1% in the time period of the study.
However, during the first quarter of 2008 a “flip” occurred where the percentage of consumers with current credit card balances and delinquent mortgages rose. This trend continued during the study time period logging an increase to 6.6% from 4.3%.
“Conventional wisdom has always been that, when faced with a financial crises, consumers will pay their secured obligations first, specifically mortgages,” stated Sean Reardon, author of the study in the company’s analytics and decisioning business unit.
This flip was more pronounced in the Florida and California markets and also for the lowest-scoring segment of the consumer market.
Analysts predict that this flip would revert since the worst of the recession has passed, but apparently that has not been the case according to TransUnion .
St. Louis Mortgage Interest Rates – March 24, 2010 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.00% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.375% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.750% no points
- FHA/VA 30-year fixed rate mortgage 5.25%
- Jumbo 5/1 ARM 4.125% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact me by phone at my direct line, (314) 372-4319, email at rfishel@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit our company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Robert Fishel, on March 17th, 2010 LAST CALL FOR HOMEBUYER’S TAX CREDITS!
Prospects are scurrying to sell and/or buy homes before next month’s tax credit deadline.” “It’s been absolutely nuts, I have showings galore and contracts are coming in left and right,” commented one real estate agent. To qualify for the credit, buyers must have fully executed sales contracts in place by April 30 and the deal must close by June 30. First-time home buyers are eligible for up to $8,000. Buyers who have owned a home for five consecutive years within the past eight years can get a credit of up to $6,500.
Other Available Credits!
Real Estate Tax and Energy-Efficiency Incentives are available for Missouri Home Buyers!
Qualified Missouri families who purchase a home in 2010 are eligible for a HOPE incentive equaling the amount of the 2009 real estate tax bill associated with the property they purchased, up to a maximum of $1,250.
MAXIMUM HOPE ENERGY EFFICIENCY INCENTIVE AVAILABLE -$1,750
Homebuyers who are approved for the real estate property tax HOPE incentive may also be eligible to receive up to an additional $500 if they bought a qualified, newlyconstructed, energy-efficient home; bought an existing home and remodeled it; or purchased items for the home, such as Energy Star® appliances, to make the home more energy efficient. The maximum combined total of the HOPE property tax incentive and the HOPE energyefficiency incentive is $1,750.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Homeowner must purchase and occupy a one-to-four unit Missouri home as their primary residence after January 1, 2010.
- MHDC income limits apply to household.
- The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- Property cannot be purchased from a relative, or spouse, if married.
Contact Missouri Housing Development Commission for further information: Phone: 800-246-7973 or check out their webswite: www.MHDC.com.
St. Louis Mortgage Interest Rates – March 17 , 2010 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.875% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.25% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.75% no points
- 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.625% no points
- FHA/VA 30-year fixed rate mortgage 5.00%
- Jumbo 5/1 ARM 4.125% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact me by phone at my direct line, (314) 372-4319, email at rfishel@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit our company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Robert Fishel, on March 10th, 2010
Last Friday’s suprisingly strong payroll figures likely reinforced for many investors that the next time the Fed makes a change to their monetary policy strategy-it will likely to raise short-term interest rates. The actual date of such an event may be months away-but an increasing number of “stronger than expected” economic reports are making it difficult for mortgage interest rates to move lower. A growing number of business economists believe the U.S. central bank’s policy’s are too stimulative and expect the Federal Reserve to raise benchmark interest rates within six months.
The Fed has said continued high rates of unemployment and low inflation warrant holding rates exceptionally low for an extended period. Still, reports show the economy is recovering gradually, and some policy makers believe the Fed should begin to prepare markets for the beginning of the process of tightening financial conditions.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – March 10 , 2010 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.00% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.25% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.75% no points
- 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.625% no points
- FHA/VA 30-year fixed rate mortgage 5.250%
- Jumbo 5/1 ARM 4.125% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact me by phone at my direct line, (314) 372-4319, email at rfishel@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit our company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Robert Fishel, on March 3rd, 2010
Low foreclosures, stable home prices and affordability make eighth-ranked St. Louis a good bet for home buyers, according to a report released by Forbes.com last Friday.
Forbes gathered data from the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo’s Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). The index measures median home prices against median incomes.
Additional data overlays included Moody’s one-year forecast for the Case-Shiller Home Price Index of home prices and RealtyTrac’s 2009 foreclosure report. Rankings from all of these data sources were considered in determining the overall score.
The top ten best housing metro areas:
Pittsburgh, PA
Louisville – Jefferson County, KY – IN
Houston – Sugar Land – Baytown, TX
Minneapolis – St. Paul, Bloomington, MN – WI
Indianapolis – Carmel, IN
Columbus, OH (Tie for 6th)
Memphis, TN – MS – AR (Tie for 6th)
St. Louis, MO – IL
Dallas – Ft. Worth, TX
Austin – Round Rock, TX
St. Louis families in the market for a house are shopping at the right time. Homes are near the most affordable they’ve been in 18 years.
At a national level in the fourth quarter of 2009, housing was 62.4% more affordable than the same time a year earlier, according to the HOI which is published quarterly.
The Midwestern cities of St. Louis, Indianapolis and Minneapolis made the list even though their housing price forecasts are essentially flat, but “housing in these places is eminently affordable” according to Forbes reporter Francesca Levy.
Just under 85 percent of all families in St. Louis who make the median income have access to affordable, decent housing.
“The recession has weighed down home prices, but mortgage rates are still at historic lows, giving families a chance to get in on the ground floor,” states Levy.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – March 3 , 2010 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.00% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.25% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.75% no points
- 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.750% no points
- FHA/VA 30-year fixed rate mortgage 5.250%
- Jumbo 5/1 ARM 4.125% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact me by phone at my direct line, (314) 372-4319, email at rfishel@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit our company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Robert Fishel, on February 24th, 2010
When considering historically low interest rates, competitive home values along with the $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer and $6,500 Repeat Homebuyer Tax Credits, potential homebuyers still have a great opportunity.
THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW.
The Federal Reserve indicates it will stop buying mortgage-backed securities toward the end of the first quarter. Most mortgage experts believe that mortgage interest rates will rise when mortgages go off “Fed support” as private investors require higher rates to compensate for the risk.
The deadline for the First Time/Repeat Homebuyer Tax Credits is an executed contract by April 30, 2010 with a closing no later than
June 30, 2010.
Contact your lender to review your options and prospects.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – February 24, 2009 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.00% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.25% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.75% no points
- 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.750% no points
- FHA/VA 30-year fixed rate mortgage 5.250%
- Jumbo 5/1 ARM 4.125% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact me by phone at my direct line, (314) 372-4319, email at rfishel@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit our company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Robert Fishel, on February 17th, 2010
More than 380 mortgage lending operations nationwide have ceased operation since 2006, according to the Mortgage Lender Implode-O-Meter website.
However in spite of a tough and demanding economic market, Paramount Mortgage this week celebrated it’s 40 year anniversary!
“Expect Excellence” has been our corporate motto and the driving force in our philosophy of providing exemplary customer service,” states H. John Frank, Jr., President of Paramount Mortgage Company. “We have never forgotten that this is a people business and we treat our clients with respect. We take the time to get to know their home purchasing goals and communicate with them throughout the entire mortgage process,” continued Frank. The company’s customer-first attitude is a main factor in Paramount’s sustained operation over the past 40 years since 1970.
Frank cites his company’s corporate approach as what generates the repeat business that has fueled their growth. Frank adds that “Paramount has continued to expand nationwide since 2008 from St. Louis to Seattle, adding offices in Seattle, Chicago and Northern Idaho.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – February 17, 2009 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.00% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.25% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.75% no points
- 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.750% no points
- FHA/VA 30-year fixed rate mortgage 5.250%
- Jumbo 5/1 ARM 4.125% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact me by phone at my direct line, (314) 372-4319, email at rfishel@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit our company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Dennis Norman, on February 16th, 2010 Dennis Norman
Back in July, 2009 when speaking in North Carolina President Barack Obama announced “we may be seeing the beginning of the end of the recession“. My thoughts then were that was very optimistic and I didn’t agree (for whatever that is worth). Since then some economists have announced the recession is officially over. Technically based upon a few bits of data the recession may be over, but for us real people that are actually living and functioning in this economy I don’t think it is over; at least not for the one market I know best, the housing market.
 Today, TransUnion had more sobering news for the real estate market; the mortgage loan delinquency rate (the ratio of borrowers 60 or more days past due) increased for the 12th straight quarter, hitting an all-time national average high of 6.89 percent for the fourth quarter of 2009. The fourth quarter marks the first time the mortgage delinquency rate increase did not decelaerate after doing so in the three prior quarters.
Highlights from the fourth quarter report:
- Mortgage delinquency rates continued to be highest in Nevada (16.19 percent) and Florida (14.93 percent)
- Mortgage delinquency rates were lowest in North Dakota (1.84 percent), South Dakota (2.46 percent) and Alaska (2.84 percent)
- Areas with the greatest growth in delinquency rates from the previous quarter were the District of Columbia (+20.2 percent), Louisiana (+17.7 percent) and Delaware (+14.8 percent).
- No state showed in a decrease in mortgage delinquency rates from third quarter.
- Average national mortgage debt per borrower increased (0.29 percent) to $193,690 from $193,121 in 3rd quarter.
- The area with the highest average mortgage debt per borrower was the District of Columbia at $372,869, followed by California at $352,688 and Hawaii at $317,599.
- The lowest average mortgage debt per borrower was in West Virginia at $99,028.
The Forecast for 2010 is not pretty
TransUnion is forecasting the 60-day mortgage delinquency rate to “peak between 7.5 and 8 percent over the course of 2010.” So we could be looking at an increase of anywhere from 8.8 percent to 16 percent in mortgage delinquencies from the record level they hit in the 4th quarter of 2009.
Ugh…I’m glad the recession is over, think how bad it would be if it wasn’t.
 Source: TransUnion
By Robert Fishel, on February 10th, 2010
There is time left for qualified buyers to take advantage of the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer’s $8,000 Tax Credit & Repeat Home Buyer’s $6,500 Tax Credit. Binding sales contract must be executed by April 30, 2010, the closing can be extended until June 30, 2010.
The newly expanded first-time homebuyer and repeat homebuyer tax credit was signed into law a few months ago, but many married, unmarried, or soon to be married tax filers, are confused about claiming these credits. Understandably so. There are numerous scenarios that can come up, e.g. “I am a long-time principal homeowner but my spouse has lived there for only 3 years. Can we qualify for the long-time homeowner’s credit if we purchase a new principal residence?” Marcy Stolle, Sr. Mortgage Banker at Paramount Mortgage Company recommends to her clients and prospects to “make sure” and consult with their tax professional or check with the IRS if they are not clear about their eligibility.
The IRS website is very helpful and addresses these questions and various scenarios.
There’s not much time left. If you are seriously considering a home purchase, April 1st is coming fast.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – February 2, 2009 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.00% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.375% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.875% no points
- 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.750% no points
- FHA/VA 30-year fixed rate mortgage 5.250%
- Jumbo 5/1 ARM 4.125% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact me by phone at my direct line, (314) 372-4319, email at rfishel@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit our company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Robert Fishel, on February 3rd, 2010
FHA loans gained in popularity for borrowers as applications for FHA-guaranteed mortgages exceeded an annual rate of 3 million in October; nearly triple the level in 2007. In 2006, when subprime and other Wall Street programs were at full speed, the annual rate for applications was less than 600,000.
As a result the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Commissioner David Stevens recently announced a set of policy changes to strengthen the FHA’s capital reserves. The changes announced are the latest in a series of changes Stevens has enacted in order to better position the FHA to manage its risk while continuing to support the nation’s housing market recovery. The goal is to balance risk management and continue to provide affordable, responsible mortgage products.
Announced FHA loan Policy Changes:
- Mortgage insurance premium (MIP) will be increased to build up capital reserves and bring back private lending
- Update the combination of FICO scores and down payments for new borrowers. (tougher standards)
- Reduce allowable seller concessions from 6% to 3%
- Increase enforcement on FHA lenders
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – February 2, 2009 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.00% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.375% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.875% no points
- 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.750% no points
- Jumbo 5/1 ARM 4.125% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact me by phone at my direct line, (314) 372-4319, email at rfishel@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit our company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Robert Fishel, on January 27th, 2010 The mortgage market will be besieged this week by a wave of worry…demand concerns related to Treasury auctions to the question about what happens if Fed Chairman Bernanke is not confirmed for another term… uncertainty seldom pushes rates lower.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – January 27, 2009 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.00% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.375% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.875% no points
- 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.750% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact me by phone at my direct line, (314) 372-4319, email at rfishel@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit our company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Dennis Norman, on January 13th, 2010 St. Louis mortgage rates this week remain unchanged on fixed rate loans this week but dropped slightly on ARM’s according to St. Louis-based Paramount Mortgage Company.
Lower interest rates, low prices and the extension and expansion of the home-buyer tax credit should be pretty tempting to buyers out there.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – January 13, 2009 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.125% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.00% no points
- 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.875% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 4.000% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact John Frank by phone at (314) 372-4300, email at hjfrankjr@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit his company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Dennis Norman, on January 7th, 2010 St. Louis mortgage rates this week bounced around a bit with 30 year fixed rate mortgages and ARM’s decreasing slightly while 15 year fixed rate mortgage rates increased according to St. Louis-based Paramount Mortgage Company.
Lower interest rates, low prices and the extension and expansion of the home-buyer tax credit should be pretty tempting to buyers out there.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – January 6, 2009 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.125% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.00% no points
- 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage 4.00% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 4.125% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact John Frank by phone at (314) 372-4300, email at hjfrankjr@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit his company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Dennis Norman, on December 30th, 2009 St. Louis mortgage rates inreased again this week bringing 30 year rates above 5 percent according to St. Louis-based Paramount Mortgage Company.
Lower interest rates, low prices and the extension and expansion of the home-buyer tax credit should be pretty tempting to buyers out there.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – December 30, 2009 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.25% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.75% no points
- 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage 4.25% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 4.50% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact John Frank by phone at (314) 372-4300, email at hjfrankjr@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit his company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
This information is provided by this author and this site for informative purposes only and is not warranted or guarteed in any way.
By Dennis Norman, on December 15th, 2009 St. Louis mortgage rates inched up slightly this week but remained at near record-lows according to St. Louis-based Paramount Mortgage Company.
Lower interest rates, low prices and the extension and expansion of the home-buyer tax credit should be pretty tempting to buyers out there.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – December 15, 2009 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 5.00% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.75% no points
- 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.75% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.875% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact John Frank by phone at (314) 372-4300, email at hjfrankjr@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit his company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
By Dennis Norman, on December 9th, 2009 St. Louis mortgage rates remained at near record-lows this week, with only the 30 year fixed rate mortgage rates increasing slightly, according to St. Louis-based Paramount Mortgage Company.
Lower interest rates, low prices and the extension and expansion of the home-buyer tax credit should be pretty tempting to buyers out there.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – December 9, 2009 *
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.875% no points
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage 4.375% no points
- 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.625% no points
- 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage 3.875% no points
For more information or if you have questions on mortgage rates in St. Louis you may contact John Frank by phone at (314) 372-4300, email at hjfrankjr@paramountmortgage.com or you can visit his company website at http://www.paramountmortgage.com.
*Note- The above rates are based upon a typical sale price of $187,500 with a 20% percent down payment leaving a loan amount of $150,000 to a borrower with a 720 credit score for a loan with no discount points charged. Rates and terms will vary depending upon loan amount, home value, credit and income of borrower.
By Dennis Norman, on December 2nd, 2009 St. Louis mortgage rates remained at near record-lows this week according to St. Louis-based Paramount Mortgage Company.
Lower interest rates, low prices and the extension and expansion of the home-buyer tax credit should be pretty tempting to buyers out there.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – December 2, 2009 * Continue reading “St. Louis Real Estate News – St Louis mortgage rates unchanged this week“
By Dennis Norman, on November 25th, 2009 St. Louis mortgage rates remained at near record-lows this week according to St. Louis-based Paramount Mortgage Company.
Lower interest rates, low prices and the extension and expansion of the home-buyer tax credit should be pretty tempting to buyers out there.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – November 25, 2009 * Continue reading “St. Louis Real Estate News – St Louis mortgage rates stay low this week“
By News Desk, on November 21st, 2009 
Joy Jackson Personally Responsible for Over $16 Million in Losses to Mortgage Lenders; Used Over $800,000 of Fraudulently Obtained Proceeds to Pay for Her Wedding
U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus sentenced the president of the Metropolitan Money Store, Joy Jackson, age 41, of Fort Washington, Maryland, today to 151 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme that falsely promised to help homeowners facing foreclosure keep their homes and repair their damaged credit, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Judge Titus also entered a judgement ordering Jackson to pay restitution of $16,880,884.86 and to forfeit three residential properties in Oxon Hill, Capitol Heights and Laurel, Maryland and three vehicles. Continue reading “President of Metropolitan Money Store Sentenced to Over 12 Years in Prison for $37 Million Mortgage Fraud Scheme“
By Dennis Norman, on November 17th, 2009 St. Louis mortgage rates dropped this week to almost record lows according to St. Louis-based Paramount Mortgage Company.
Lower interest rates, low prices and the extension and expansion of the home-buyer tax credit should be pretty tempting to buyers out there.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – November 17, 2009 * Continue reading “St. Louis Real Estate News – St Louis mortgage rates drop again this week remaining below 5 percent“
By Dennis Norman, on November 10th, 2009 St. Louis mortgage rates dropped this week to almost record lows according to St. Louis-based Paramount Mortgage Company.
Lower interest rates, low prices and the extension and expansion of the home-buyer tax credit should be pretty tempting to buyers out there.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – November 10, 2009 * Continue reading “St. Louis Real Estate News – St Louis mortgage rates drop this week below 5 percent“
By Dennis Norman, on November 4th, 2009 St. Louis mortgage rates dropped this week according to St. Louis-based Paramount Mortgage Company.
Low interest rates and the homebuyer tax credit, which is close to getting extended beyond the current expiration date of November 30th, should be tempting to buyers.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – November 4, 2009 * Continue reading “St. Louis Real Estate News – St Louis mortgage rates drop this week“
By Charles Hugh Smith, on November 4th, 2009 Loose lending standards in government-backed mortgages is setting up the next wave of defaults and sharp declines in housing prices.
 Charles Hugh Smith, Of Two Minds Beneath the hype that housing has bottomed is an ugly little scenario: lending standards are still loose and the low-down payment, high-risk loans being guaranteed by government agencies are setting up the next giant wave of defaults and foreclosures.
You might have thought that the near-demise of risky-mortgage mills Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would have cooled the supply of highly leveraged government-guaranteed mortgages–but you’d be wrong, for the Feds have compensated for the implosion of the Fannie/Freddie housing-bubble machines by ramping up their other two mortgage mills: FHA and Ginnie Mae. Continue reading “Setting Up the Next Leg Down in Housing“
By Dennis Norman, on October 27th, 2009 By: Dennis Norman
St. Louis mortgage rates inched up a little this week according to St. Louis-based Paramount Mortgage Company.
Between these low rates and the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit that is available until Nov 30th, I would think there is a lot of incentive for a first-time buyer to buy a home now if they are in a position to do so.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – October 27, 2009 * Continue reading “St. Louis Real Estate News – St Louis mortgage rates inch up this week“
By Dennis Norman, on October 20th, 2009 By: Dennis Norman
Mortgage interest rates are already low, but dropped a little further this week, according to Paramount Mortgage Company.
Between these low rates and the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit that is available until Nov 30th, I would think there is a lot of incentive for a first-time buyer to buy a home now if they are in a position to do so.
St. Louis Mortgage Rates – October 20, 2009 * Continue reading “St. Louis mortgage rate drop to 5 percent this week for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage“
By Dennis Norman, on October 20th, 2009 Dennis Norman By: Dennis Norman
Yesterday the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) reported that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s trial mortgage loan modifications under the Obama Administrations Home Affordable Modification Plan (HAMP) were up more than 40 percent in September 2009 from the previous month. According to the report, mortgage loans that are 60-plus-days delinquent increased to 1,401,000 borrowers in July, up a whopping 147 percent from July, 2008 when there were 566,000 borrowers 60 plus days delinquent.
Here are highlights from the report (all the data, unless noted otherwise is from July 31, 2009): Continue reading “HAMP loan modifications up 40 percent in September; Serious mortgage delinquencies up 147 percent in past year“
By Dennis Norman, on October 14th, 2009  Dennis Norman By: Dennis Norman
In the past I have been doing weekly posts with updated current mortgage rates based upon national data from either Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae or the Mortgage Bankers Association. However, just like real estate, mortgage rates are “local” to some extent and do vary in different markets.
In an effort to help people in the St. Louis metro area get a more accurate picture of what mortgage interest rates are doing here, not to mention data that is accurate up to the minute I publish rather than delayed several days or a week as the national data is, I wanted to find a local source for timely, accurate rate information and have done just that. Continue reading “New! Local St. Louis Mortgage Rates“
By Dennis Norman, on August 8th, 2009 Dennis Norman By: Dennis Norman
Previously I did an article on avoiding foreclosure rescue scams which have unfortunately become rather common in recent months.
This week the FBI arrested two people that the FBI alleges has done just that. I wanted to share the press release from the FBI to heighten people’s awareness of scams such as this and hopefully help prevent more victims of such scams. The press release describes in detail how they allege this scam was carried out. To read the FBI press release click here, or just read below as I have published it in it’s entirety. Continue reading “FBI Arrests Two People in Foreclosure Scheme“
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