Mortgage and Refinancing Information Channel:

We would like to thank the local libraries, schools, and universities for recommending students to visit us when doing research on any of our information topics.
 Please check back frequently as new topics are added and current topics are updated daily.

Home Equity Increases $1 Trillion in Five Years - Is the Market Peaking?

A new survey reveals that in the last five years, the equity in the California real estate market has increased by more than one trillion dollars. A trillion dollars is a large number to ponder, but put in concrete terms, it can be represented by a stack of one hundred dollar bills that is six hundred thirty one miles high! This astronomical increase in California home values isn't all that unique, however. Prices on the East Coast, particularly in the Washington, D.C. area, are increasing just as rapidly. There are areas on both coasts where home prices have tripled during the last five years. This, along with the dramatic increase in interest-only mortgages among homebuyers, suggests that home prices may be peaking.

In California, 35% of all mortgages written are interest-only mortgages. In Washington, the figure is a whopping 48%. With an interest-only mortgage, the homeowner pays only the interest on the home loan for the first few years of mortgage payments. After the agreed-upon period of time ends, the amount of the payment is adjusted to include a portion of the principal. This typically increases the amount of the payment by about one-third. Interest-only mortgages have gained in popularity as home prices have increased, mostly because buyers otherwise would not be able to afford to buy homes. The problem with these mortgages is that for the first few years of payments, the buyers aren't actually paying anything for the home itself!

What these statistics tell us is that in California, more than one third of buyers cannot afford a mortgage that allows them to actually contribute to paying for the home when they move in, and in Washington, the figure is nearly one half. Experts disagree on exactly when the hot real estate market will collapse, but it would seem to the casual observer that when half of all buyers can't actually afford to make payments on the home they've just purchased, the collapse may be near.

What does this mean for potential buyers? Anyone considering purchasing a home in the red-hot markets in California or on the East Coast should carefully consider whether or not they can actually afford to purchase a home. Qualifying for a loan isn't good enough if you can't actually make payments that will reduce your principal. If may be wiser to buy in a cheaper outlying area and commute. Others may wish to rent in the short term in hopes that the prices will soon decline. It is always difficult to predict which way the real estate market will go, but a market where one-third to one-half of buyers can't actually reduce their principal should set off an alarm for anyone considering a real estate purchase.

©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.

Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a Website devoted to debt consolidation information and HomeEquityHelp.net, a site devoted to information on home equity loans.

MORE RESOURCES

used office furnishings-supplies-equipment-desks-cubicles-service-counters for sale in Akron Ohio   Die cast model cars for sale in Akron Ohio  
used cars for sale in Akron Ohio   unfurnished homes for rent in Akron Ohio

RELATED MORTGAGE AND REFINANCING ARTICLES: Poor Credit Home Mortgage Loans - The Role of the FICO Score If you have bad credit history and are looking to get a home mortgage loan, then chances are you are going to need to know all about how the FICO credit scoring system works. FICO - Fair ISAAC & Company - is the leading credit reporting agency that lenders turn to when it comes time to credit scoring your home loan mortgage application; so if you do have bad credit history, these guys will know. Refinancing Your Mortgage Can Really Save You Money Refinancing a mortgage is simply taking out a new mortgage. It means paying off one or more old debts by getting a new loan. Secured Homeowner Loans to Reiterate that a Home Provides More than a Roof Over Your Head "The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."It is a challenge to find a place like that. What is a Mortgage? A mortgage is a loan, usually from a bank, finance company or building society to help you buy your home. A mortgage is a loan, from a bank or building society that is secured against your house or flat. Types Of Home Equity Loans There are two broad types of home equity loans: Term loans: Home equity loans of a fixed nature are also called second mortgages. For example, if you have bought a home for $10,000, and made a down payment of $1,000, and taken a mortgage for the rest and have managed to repay another $2,000, then you can apply for a home equity loan of $3,000. Home Mortgages: Up, Up and Away! Refinance NOW-before it's too late. If you haven't found the time to refinance your existing home mortgage, it's time to take action-like yesterday! Every time Alan Greenspan, Federal Reserve Board Chairman, opens his mouth, you can bet that the federal funds rates will rise by at least a quarter of a point, or by 25 basis points in investorese. What that means to you is that home mortgages will rocket as well. Types of Financing for Your Mortgage When financing a home purchase, the kind of mortgage you choose determines your monthly payment and the interest rate you get on your loan. There are four main ways of financing the mortgage for your home: 30-year fixed rate, 15-year fixed rate, adjustable rate, and interest only. First-time House Buyers: to Buy or Not to Buy; that is the Question Buying your first house is always a difficult time. There are so many important decisions to make, and problems to be solved, which combine to make it one of the most stressful events that will occur in most people's lives. Know Your Mortgage Options While trying to find the lowest rates, many homeowners fail to examine the type of mortgage, and which type of mortgage is best suited to their needs. Whether you are buying a new home or refinancing, it is important to understand the different mortgage types, and evaluate which one best meets your needs. Home Refinancing Scam - Thieves Use Identity Theft to Steal Your Equity Since the demise of the stock market in 2000, the real estate market has been booming. Investors who are justifiably cautious about investing in stocks have been investing in homes. FHA Mortgage: What's the Best Way to Show an Underwriter that You're Ready to Buy a House? Mortgage underwriters can be a suspicious bunch. If you have bruised or even bad credit, you have your work cut out for you. Guide to Interest Only Mortgages Here is a useful guide to interest only mortgages. An interest only mortgage is one where your regular payments only go to pay off the interest on the money you borrow. Jumbo Home Mortgage Loans - What They Are and Where To Get Jumbo Loan Financing A jumbo mortgage is different than a conforming loan. A jumbo loan amount exceeds that limit set by FNMA. Carolina Mortgage Loans You're selling your home and are looking to relocate to the Carolinas. While researching homes in your new community you discover that you do not know of any mortgage lenders in the area. Save Time With a Bridge Loan Why You Need a Bridge Loan. You have to move fast in today's housing market if you want to get into the home of your dreams. In cities such as Seattle or San Francisco it's not uncommon for a buyer to receive half a dozen offers within the first day or two after putting the house on the market. Home Equity Loans Online If you are in the market for a home equity loan, consider an online lender. Home equity loans online are fast and easy. Refinancing Your Home - How and Why? Chances are you may need a little extra money to get some work done around the home or perhaps your current interest rate is 7.5% and the prime interest rate is 6. Mortgage Loan Information - Know The Basics When You Refinance or Purchase a Home If you are currently looking for a new home, chances are that in all the excitement you won't really give any thought to the type of home loan mortgage you take out, instead going with the first one offered to you. This could be a serious mistake - costing you thousands, if not tens of thousands. Refinancing Online - Tips For Getting a Low Interest Rate When Applying Online Refinancing online is a great opportunity to find low interest rates. Online mortgage lenders provide information about rates and fees for easy comparisons. Home Loans: What You Should Know! Finding home loans can be a daunting task, whether you're a first time home buyer or an existing homeowner. The good news is that there are more options than ever to help you find the loan that's right for you.

HOME | SITE MAP © 2012 - 2022 All Rights Reserved Increase pagerank with HitsSurfer