HARP 2.0 UPDATE

My mortgage was initially approved using the computer underwriter. My loan has been sent to a human underwriter to look at to see if it is 100% approved, and then to get a commitment to lend letter. It is nice of my mortgage broker to make sure that I get a 100% concrete approval before he charges me for the appraisal fee.

I will let you all know when I get that final approval letter, and the results of my appraisal when that occurs.

HARP 2.0 LOANS: .75 Higher Interest Rate Penalty for More Than 125% LTV

Why was my rate locked in at 3.875% for a 15 year mortgage when rates are around 3.00%?

Unfortunately if your house is more than 125% LTV you have to pay a premium on your mortgage rate with the Harp 2.0 program due to the higher risk involved in refinancing such an underwater home. I don't mind because 3.875% still beats 6.500% any day.

Hopefully if my condo does come in at 124% LTV during the appraisal my mortgage rate will drop even lower at closing. I highly doubt my appraisal will be that favorable but we will see what happens.

WELLS FARGO HARP 2.0 UPDATE

Good News!

Mortgage guy called and said that Wells Fargo edited their DU Software to allow for unlimited LTV. I went into the office today and I was approved at unlimited LTV.

I decided to go with a 15 year mortgage refinance, and my rate was locked in at 3.875%. I am currently paying 6.50% on a 30 year mortgage so my new monthly payment is roughly the same as my current 30 year payment. I am also taking my mom off the mortgage, which is worth its weight in gold knowing that the condo is in my name only, and that she is no longer responsible for it.

I decided to go with the 15 year mortgage because I am shaving 10 years off my current mortgage, and 15 years off what would have been a 30 year refinance. I am saving myself thousands of dollars in interest, and paying down principal at a much faster rate.

I think I am scheduled to close on this loan around May 15th. I will keep you updated.

Great Housing Market Cartoon

Its 2012 and Ron Paul is Still My Hero

The New Plan: Get a Mortgage on a New Home. Rent Out Condo!

As many of you know who have read this blog since the start I paid about 84,000 dollars for a 1 bedroom condo that is now worth about 30,000 in the economically depressed Michigan Market.

Luckily my month payment on the 84,0000 (I put 20% down) even with a 6.5% interest rate is roughly equal to what month rents are in my area.

I found a renter who wants to sign a 2-year lease on my condo.

I have also found 3 bedroom houses for sale for $60,000 that at one time were selling for 120-150,000 dollars.

The new plan is to get a mortgage for one of these new places and let the renter rent my old condo at a "break even" rate. I am going in to sign the application papers today for a mortgage.

I will let you know how this fiasco works out.

HOUSINGFEAR Humor