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	<title>Personal Finance &#187; mortgage rates</title>
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	<description>Personal Finance Tips &#124; Debt Consolidation &#124; Bad Credit Help</description>
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		<title>Underwater Mortgage: More People Walking Away From Underwater Mortgages</title>
		<link>http://theemeraldfinancialgroup.com/1820/underwater-mortgage-more-people-walking-away-from-underwater-mortgages/</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:28:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>James Wahlberg</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[avoid foreclosure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[government mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage help]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[under water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[under water mortgages]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Underwater Mortgage]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[We know it sounds unbelievable, but the truth is that there is life after your underwater mortgage and there is life after foreclosure-and it's not such a bad life after all! After the real estate bubble "popped" in 2007, we found ourselves underwater on several mortgages. We're Realtors, after all, and we believed what the "experts" had to say about how property values would never stop rising.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We know it sounds unbelievable, but the truth is that there is life after your underwater mortgage and there is life after foreclosure-and it&#8217;s not such a bad life after all! After the real estate bubble &#8220;popped&#8221; in 2007, we found ourselves underwater on several mortgages. We&#8217;re Realtors, after all, and we believed what the &#8220;experts&#8221; had to say about how property values would never stop rising.</p>
<p>Homeowners, even those who are able to pay, are far more likely to walk a way from a mortgage when the loss in their home value measures 25% or more. The risk of strategic mortgage default is even greater in states where banks cannot sue for deficiency (what you owe on the loan), however, there are still consequences to the homeowner that considers this action: You may be facing taxation on the balance of your loan by both state and federal government. In states where a deficiency judgment is allowed, you may be facing a lawsuit where the lender can not only sue for the balance of the loan but also sue for foreclosure costs.</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s what you need to do. Once you know you want to foreclose on your <a target='_blank' href="http://obamamortgagereliefplanqualifications.com/mortgage-assistance/government-financial-relief/underwater-mortgage/">underwater mortgage</a>, start planning before you miss a payment. Will you need a new car within the next 5 years? If you&#8217;ll be able to keep up with the payments, get that car now. The next things you can do are to apply for a mortgage modification OR hire a Realtor to list your house and negotiate a short sale on your house. You almost certainly won&#8217;t get a mortgage modification, and there&#8217;s a chance that you won&#8217;t be able to sell your house in the short sale and it will end up foreclosing anyway.</p>
<p>If you are planning to buy another home, it can affect the size of the down payment required on your new home, which could amount to thousands of dollars more than you may anticipate. It can also affect the interest rate that you are charged on credit cards, within contracts and a new mortgage. Of course, if you are well off financially, then none of this will matter, you can always pay cash for what you want, but before making the decision to walk away from your mortgage, it may be wise to get legal advice. </p>
<p>We&#8217;re not arguing that walking away from your mortgage is a sound moral decision. We don&#8217;t think morality is involved here! You have a contract that&#8217;s not in your best interests to continue. Your mortgage is sufficiently underwater and you officially have a bad investment on your hands. What do businesses do with bad investments? They walk away from them! We hope that what you&#8217;ve read here and what you&#8217;ll read elsewhere on our website will help you realize that walking away from your underwater mortgage may be a sound business decision. And morally, you&#8217;re not responsible to your mortgage lender-the lender gets your house, after all! But you are, ultimately, responsible for yourself and your family!</p>
<p>Learn more about <a target='_blank' href="http://ObamaMortgageReliefPlanQualifications.com">Obama Mortgage Relief Plan Qualifications</a>.</p>
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		<title>Lowest Mortgage Rates: Getting Mortgage Quotes Made Simple</title>
		<link>http://theemeraldfinancialgroup.com/1613/lowest-mortgage-rates-getting-mortgage-quotes-made-simple/</link>
		<comments>http://theemeraldfinancialgroup.com/1613/lowest-mortgage-rates-getting-mortgage-quotes-made-simple/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:22:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Melblock</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FHA Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home loan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lowest Mortgage Rates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage rates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage refinance]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[refinance]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Purchasing a new home is a very important decision in a person's life. It is very important to find the right finance and the lowest mortgage rates. Mortgage financing is a very competitive industry with a lot of finance companies in the fray. The <a href="http://obamamortgagereliefplanqualifications.com/mortgage-assistance/government-financial-relief/lowest-mortgage-rates/">lowest mortgage rates</a> are at an all time low in New York but there are a variety of loan programs that a customer can take advantage of. The customers need to educate themselves about the various loans on offer and study the market. It is also advisable to consult a financial expert to assess the various options available in the market and offer genuine advice.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Purchasing a new home is a very important decision in a person&#8217;s life. It is very important to find the right finance and the lowest mortgage rates. Mortgage financing is a very competitive industry with a lot of finance companies in the fray. The <a target='_blank' href="http://obamamortgagereliefplanqualifications.com/mortgage-assistance/government-financial-relief/lowest-mortgage-rates/">lowest mortgage rates</a> are at an all time low in New York but there are a variety of loan programs that a customer can take advantage of. The customers need to educate themselves about the various loans on offer and study the market. It is also advisable to consult a financial expert to assess the various options available in the market and offer genuine advice.</p>
<p>There are many types of mortgage loans, so it is important for customers to know the amount of money that they can afford to pay back every month. The amount of money that can be offered, as a mortgage, would depend on the set criteria. In case the loan is for a shorter duration, for a fifteen or thirty-year period, then the customer can save a lot of money over the entire course of the loan, even though the monthly payments will rise after a certain period of time. An adjustable rate mortgage can start the customer with a lower interest rate, where the payments increase with rate changes.</p>
<p>Of course, you do not have any direct control over the current average mortgage loan interest rates. However, while you cannot just adjust your credit score up or down in an easy way, you can do certain things to improve your credit score over time. How can I get a sense for what type of rate I may qualify for today?A: The best way to dip your toe into the water of home loan interest rates is to simply apply for one. This does not mean you need to accept an offer today, but by applying for a loan you can get a sense for what rate you can qualify for right now. While there may be an application fee involved, this is peanuts compared to how much money you could save by shopping around with multiple lenders for even a half percentage point lower interest rate.</p>
<p>What is the best way to find the best home loan company in order to secure the lowest-possible mortgage rate? A: Now that you have a baseline quote from one lender, you have in your hand a good reference point for the types of rates for which you can qualify. Next, you need to build a list of at least 3-5 mortgage lenders so that you can shop more rates. Research some online, then check them out by visiting their websites. Finally, as a cross-check, run a few simple searches for their names on online discussion boards to find out if people are talking favorably or unfavorably about them. Then, apply to those that check out.</p>
<p>You could require a mortgage to buy a home or acquire a piece of land or want to pay off your debts or even pay for a huge wedding or medical bills. Getting information for the best and the lowest Mortgage Quotes can get you ahead with choosing the right financial company. There are many people who are very comfortable with the bank they are working with, so they generally approach their own banks for mortgage quotes. Though it is good to work with the bank where you have a good and long working relationship but it is always better to shop around other banks and compare the quotes before you take a decision to sign up for the mortgage.</p>
<p>Learn more about <a target='_blank' href="http://ObamaMortgageReliefPlanQualifications.com">Obama Mortgage Relief Plan Qualifications</a>.</p>
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		<title>Find Out What&#8217;s Going On With Home Loans And Refinancing</title>
		<link>http://theemeraldfinancialgroup.com/1189/find-out-whats-going-on-with-home-loans-and-refinancing/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 30 May 2011 07:56:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amanda Rosehill</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[housing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[miscellaneous]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage rates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, which publishes Weekly Mortgage Application Surveys, the mortgage loan demand rose 1.1 percent after seasonally adjusted while the purchase index also seasonally adjusted increased 1.5 percent during the week ending May 20, 2011. When not adjusted for season, the mortgage application demand increased 0.9 percent compared to the week ending in May 13, 2011. view <a href="http://www.ditech.com/">home loan</a> rates offered by Ditech here.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, which publishes Weekly Mortgage Application Surveys, the mortgage loan demand rose 1.1 percent after seasonally adjusted while the purchase index also seasonally adjusted increased 1.5 percent during the week ending May 20, 2011. When not adjusted for season, the mortgage application demand increased 0.9 percent compared to the week ending in May 13, 2011. view <a target='_blank' href="http://www.ditech.com/">home loan</a> rates offered by Ditech here.</p>
<p>Refinancing has also increased quite significantly. Refinanced mortgages went up 0.9 percent in contrast to the week ending on the 13th. As a result, the refinance portion of the mortgage market increased 66.8 percent of the total demand for mortgages. The week before was 66.7% of total demand. There have not been this many refinances for quite some time.</p>
<p>The Purchase Index for mortgages also increased. Adjusted for season, it ticked up 1.5 percent over the previous week while unadjusted Purchase Index went up 0.8 percent. The number is actually 3.1 percent higher than the same period last year.</p>
<p>Interest rates have also changed quite a bit, let&#8217;s examine the changes. The 30-year rate moved to 4.69 percent from 4.60 percent while the 15 year rate crept up to 3.78 percent from 3.75 percent. Points decreased to 0.69 from 0.93 for thirty year fixed and decreased to 1.04 from 1.22 for 80 percent LTV loans.</p>
<p>So, regardless that rates ticked higher somewhat, they are still at six month lows. This seems to follow early predictions about 2011. On the other hand, the demand for loans have not increased as expected.</p>
<p>Experts say that these numbers show that there is a slight increase in the refinance segment of the primary mortgage market. However, these same analysts are saying that the secondary market has remained constant. Many prospective home buyers missed out on the low rates and do not want to repeat the same mistake again. So it is said that there is a lot of pent up demand.</p>
<p>Analysts also explained that the larger percentage of the mortgage market being in refinancing is due to actions by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department&#8217;s that ended Federal Housing Administration (FHA) streamlining and increased Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) fee last year. This has caused many existing FHA clients from meeting net benefit rules.</p>
<p>Single home families sales increased quite significantly; up by seven percent to be exact. Record numbers were reached in April with 323,000 homes sold in total. This is higher than what most experts predicted; analysts expected the numbers to fall around 300,000.</p>
<p>All states saw an increase in home sales as a whole. However, there was a 23% decline in annual rate sales over all when compared to April of last year. Around 420,000 homes were sold last year. Average selling price for a home was $217,900 which is up from $208,300 from the same period last year. The average sales price was $268,900.</p>
<p>Another positive aspect is that homes are becoming more affordable and within reach for the average family. Analysts say that 74.6 percent of all homes sold in the country were affordable to a family with an income of $64,400. These are some fabulous numbers. It also marks the ninth quarter in a row in which the affordable home price bettered 70 percent. Low rates also have an impact on making home ownership more affordable.</p>
<p>Analysts add that despite homes being more affordable, home sales are still underwhelming due to tight mortgage credit. It is said that lenders are demanding strong credit histories and large down payments. In addition, buyers appear to be holding back expecting home prices will decline. The nation&#8217;s least affordable housing was in the New York City region (including White Plains, N.Y. and Wayne, N.J. Other cities with least affordable homes included the San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City area and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale and Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, California areas.</p>
<p>Gmac Mortgage offers <a target='_blank' href="http://www.gmacmortgage.com/home-loan.html">30 year fixed mortgage</a> and access to competitive home loan rates.</p>
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		<title>What Caused It and Who Is To Blame? &#8211; The Subprime Mortgage Crisis</title>
		<link>http://theemeraldfinancialgroup.com/1094/what-caused-it-and-who-is-to-blame-the-subprime-mortgage-crisis/</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 13 May 2011 08:16:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Harris Smith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2nd mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fixed mortgage]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Finding a good manufactured home lender online can make buying a new home a somewhat pleasurable experience. They can often expedite the loan process while offering competitive interest and the type of customer service you'd expect from your local bank.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Finding a good manufactured home lender online can make buying a new home a somewhat pleasurable experience. They can often expedite the loan process while offering competitive interest and the type of customer service you&#8217;d expect from your local bank.</p>
<p>When you begin your search be sure to research all prospective lenders thoroughly. Look for lenders that come highly recommended; talk to people that have had good success with online loans and see what they say and who they recommend. Ask the online representatives about interest rates, loan terms, fees and closing costs. This will help narrow down the search until you find the mortgage that works for you.</p>
<p>Many, if not all, of the loan programs that used the above mentioned tactics are no longer offered today. In addition, lenders offered adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) that had negative amortization, rate adjustments occurring as often as every six months, and exorbitant interest rate caps. These risky loan programs were often offered to &#8220;subprime&#8221; borrowers, those who may have poor credit history, higher debt, lower income, previous bankruptcy, short employment history, and other less than ideal characteristics.</p>
<p>These subprime loans frequently resulted in a high rate of delinquency and foreclosure. When mortgage backed securities declined in value due to the bursting of the real estate bubble, Wall Street investors quit purchasing them which tightened the entire credit market around the world. The impact of such a credit crunch on the current market is significant:</p>
<p>Next issue discussed is whether or not to exempt someone who has been in the business of originating loans over an extended period of time from taking tests or attaining the education requirements. The regulators agreed to this through 2010, but in 2011 all would be required to participate no matter how long they have been doing their job. These individuals who this part of the law applies to, need to comply with the requirements of the new legislation and rules to maintain compliance with HUD.</p>
<p>As a result of these restrictions, many borrowers found it difficult to obtain mortgage loans. In addition, new federal and state laws passed to prohibit predatory lending, regulate high cost loans, amend foreclosure procedures, set national standards for mortgage professionals, and define suitability requirements for borrowers.</p>
<p>In closing, the goal of Safe Mortgage Licensing system was to reduce law breakers who had a criminal history in one state, from moving to another. The major benefit of this system is the transparency created on a national scale, allowing identification of deceitful individuals and eliminating this illegal activity that they practice. This is done through a couple of checks including background checks, credit checks and finger prints on all loan officers that register, all of which are requirements for licensing.</p>
<p>Wall Street investors are also to blame for foolishly investing in products that were not stable. Fund managers were simply not able to look beyond short term profit and gain to realize the true long term risk that was taking place. Finally, and arguably most importantly, the consumer is to blame for demanding these products. Because, if there is no demand for subprime mortgages, then lenders and Wall Street investors would not need to supply them. A culture of high leverage and a &#8220;keep up with the Joneses&#8221; mentality was a recipe for disaster.</p>
<p>Hi readers my name is Harris Smith, thanks for reading this article I hope I will be useful to find <a target='_blank' href='http://www.home-equity-line-of-credit-online.com'>home equity line of credit</a> . <a target='_blank' href='http://www.get-debt-consolidation-help-today.com/'>Debt Consolidation</a>, negotiation, and settlement.</p>
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		<title>Is Now the Time to Refinance Home Mortgages?</title>
		<link>http://theemeraldfinancialgroup.com/5/is-now-the-time-to-refinance-home-mortgages/</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:05:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage rates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage refinance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[refinance home loan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[refinance your mortgage]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Should you refinance your mortgage on your home? This is a tough question many home owners face each and every day. However, the answer to should you refinance your home is not an easy answer. There are lots of situations that a homeowner would want to investigate refinancing their home.There are times when the interest [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Should you <strong>refinance your mortgage</strong> on your home? This is a tough question many home owners face each and every day. However, the answer to should you refinance your home is not an easy answer. There are lots of situations that a homeowner would want to investigate refinancing their home.There are times when the interest rate drops or if the homeowners credit score improves, or if there is a significant change in income. While refinancing your home mortgage may not be the best option in all of these cases, you might want to at least investigate it.</p>
<p>A drop in the mortgage loan interest rates often send homeowners searching for the lowest interest rate in order to refinance. But you should carefully look into how much the interest rate has dropped before signing the papers to refinance.</p>
<p>When you refinance, you will be paying closing costs again. The closing costs could be fees and charges for appraisals, paperwork and origination fees. Not to mention all of the required insurance and other prepayments might be due again. You really need to look into how long you plan on staying in your home to weigh the upfront costs and determine how long you will be staying in the home.</p>
<p>If you aren&#8217;t sure if it is worth <strong>refinancing your mortgage</strong>, chances are it isn&#8217;t. As a general rule, the closing fees that you will be required to pay should not be more than the savings you would realize on the property based upon how long you are going to remain in the home.</p>
<p>For example, if you are going to pay $2,500 in closing costs, but the savings is only $100 per month, you will need to stay in the home for 25 months to realize the savings and &#8220;break even&#8221;.</p>
<p>Another reason to consider refinancing is when your credit score improves. When you originally took out your mortgage loan, your interest rate was calculated using your credit score. Mortgage companies are in business to make money and often times will charge a higher interest rate for lower credit scores.</p>
<p>If your credit score has improved, you should check into the possibility of refinancing your mortgage. If the savings are enough on a new interest rate, using the above example as guidance, then it might be a good idea to refinance.</p>
<p>If you are looking to refinance your mortgage and your credit score is still not the best, there are several options to <a title="Improve Your Credit Score" href="http://theemeraldfinancialgroup.com/3/4-tips-to-improve-your-credit-score/">improve your credit score</a>.</p>
<p>If your financial situation has changed for the better, then you might want to consider refinancing your mortgage. Sometimes this can be a wise decision, however you need to take into consideration an important factor.</p>
<p>If you are making considerably more money and can easily afford your current mortgage payment and have other debts, there might be a smarter move. Chances are your other debts, such as credit cards or car loans, could be at a higher interest rate than your current mortgage. By taking the extra money you are earning and paying off those debts, you are helping to build a better credit score, eliminate debt and preparing yourself to pay off your mortgage faster in the future.</p>
<p>You need to take into consideration a lot of different factors about <strong>refinancing your home mortgage</strong>, and each situation is unique. If you are in doubt, you can always check with your bank or original mortgage company about the current mortgage interest rate and if it will save you money by refinancing your mortgage.</p>
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