Many homebuyers seeking a mortgage are perplexed about the current state of available mortgage products. This is not surprising when considering all that has been in the media over the last several months.
At the heart of the issue are subprime borrowers and how they have affected global financial markets. Subprime Mortgages are a type of loan that is offered to individuals who do not qualify for prime rate loans. Quite often, subprime borrowers are often turned away from traditional lenders because of their low credit ratings or other factors which suggest that they have a reasonable chance of defaulting on the debt repayment. Over the past year many of these borrowers have defaulted on their mortgages which, in turn, affected financial markets worldwide.
Most U.S. mortgages are tied to global investment markets on Wall Street, where investment banks bundle them up and convert them into securities. These mortgage backed securities (MBS) are, in turn, sold to private and government institutions both in the U.S. and abroad. With the rise in mortgage defaults, a wave of financial loss has spread worldwide. This “crisis” has caused many mortgage lenders to go out of business including some nationally recognized companies that were deeply involved in subprime lending.
The good news now is that it is one of the best times in the last 40 years to secure a mortgage with interest rates at near historic lows. Homebuyers who can qualify for a conventional mortgage have a vast array of products from which to choose. Those who already have a mortgage will also find that now is a great time to refinance into a long term low interest mortgage.
Homebuyers should join with their REALTOR® and meet with a mortgage professional to obtain a pre-qualification for their mortgage. This will expedite the buying process and strengthen the buyer’s negotiating position. The procedure is simple and takes just a few minutes to complete. Decisions made by a quality lender are often provided in a matter of minutes. A reputable lender should also provide a “pre-qualification letter” to use for the home buying process.
Now is a great time for homebuyers to secure a mortgage.
At the heart of the issue are subprime borrowers and how they have affected global financial markets. Subprime Mortgages are a type of loan that is offered to individuals who do not qualify for prime rate loans. Quite often, subprime borrowers are often turned away from traditional lenders because of their low credit ratings or other factors which suggest that they have a reasonable chance of defaulting on the debt repayment. Over the past year many of these borrowers have defaulted on their mortgages which, in turn, affected financial markets worldwide.
Most U.S. mortgages are tied to global investment markets on Wall Street, where investment banks bundle them up and convert them into securities. These mortgage backed securities (MBS) are, in turn, sold to private and government institutions both in the U.S. and abroad. With the rise in mortgage defaults, a wave of financial loss has spread worldwide. This “crisis” has caused many mortgage lenders to go out of business including some nationally recognized companies that were deeply involved in subprime lending.
The good news now is that it is one of the best times in the last 40 years to secure a mortgage with interest rates at near historic lows. Homebuyers who can qualify for a conventional mortgage have a vast array of products from which to choose. Those who already have a mortgage will also find that now is a great time to refinance into a long term low interest mortgage.
Homebuyers should join with their REALTOR® and meet with a mortgage professional to obtain a pre-qualification for their mortgage. This will expedite the buying process and strengthen the buyer’s negotiating position. The procedure is simple and takes just a few minutes to complete. Decisions made by a quality lender are often provided in a matter of minutes. A reputable lender should also provide a “pre-qualification letter” to use for the home buying process.
Now is a great time for homebuyers to secure a mortgage.
Tony Knapp is a loan officer at Mortgage Network, Hilton Head Island’s largest and most respected mortgage lender. He is also a member of the John Robinson Team. For more information, Tony can be reached at 843-341-0111 or tknapp@mortgagenetwork.com.
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