HURDLES SHRINK FOR JUMBO LOAN SHOPPERS

You’ll pay more for a big home nowadays, but a big mortgage should be less of a reach.

For the first time in over 20 years, rates on jumbo mortgages — loans of more than $417,000, or $625,500 in pricier areas — are at or below rates on conventional mortgages. Jumbo rates usually run one-quarter to one-half of a percentage point higher, but lenders eager for wealthier customers are making deals.

Available Now! In Denver

In 2013, Wells Fargo and Bank of America cut minimum down payments to 15% from 20%; some competitors did too.

Related: What will your mortgage payment be?

“It’s a good time to be a jumbo borrower,” says Guy Cecala, CEO of Inside Mortgage Finance.

Want a large loan?

Related: Rich people are getting mortgages cheaper than you

Currently, rates for a 30-year fixed jumbo are averaging 4.25%, compared to 4.35% for a conventional 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. For ultralow rates, check out adjustable-rate jumbos: Wells Fargo recently offered a five-year adjustable for 2.375%. Get an ARM, though, only if you expect to move on during the fixed period. 

Source:  Money Magazine First Published: February 7, 2014: 4:08 PM

Mortgagemates, your friend in the business for a Jumbo Loan.

5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional

5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional
Originally posted by  The KCM Blog

Posted: 03 Feb 2014 04:00 AM PST

We are often asked if it makes sense to hire a real estate professional when buying or selling a home. We always emphatically answer – YES!

Here are five reasons why:

PAPERWORK

An agent will help with all disclosures and paperwork necessary in today’s heavily regulated environment. This helps remove much of the liability a buyer or seller could face.

EXPERIENCE

Navigating today’s real estate and mortgage processes can be like walking through a minefield of challenges. Real estate professionals are well educated in and experienced with the entire sales process.

NEGOTIATIONS

Negotiating such a large financial transaction can get tricky. Agents act as a ‘buffer’ in negotiations with all parties throughout the entire transaction.

PRICING

Real estate professionals help buyers and sellers understand the true real estate value of a property in today’s market. This is crucial when setting the price on a listing or on an offer to purchase.

UNDERSTANDING OF CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS

There is a plethora of housing information available today. The challenge is that some information appears to be in direct conflict with other pieces of information. A true real estate professional can simply and effectively explain today’s real estate headlines and decipher what they mean to you.

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GET PRE-APPROVED FOR A LOAN

Choose a Lender that can get you pre-approved quickly and painlessly.  Whether you are choosing an FHA loan, a VA loan, a Jumbo loan or a specialty SEC 184 Native American Loan, we have the experience to keep the process simple.

Where are they going?

Where are they going?  I love sitting on my deck on the Red Hawk golf course in Castle Rock , Colorado looking north toward Denver and at any one time I can count 20 or more airplanes in the air.  Some are jumbo jets, some are 2 seaters but they are all up there together.

Ok, so when I see a jumbo jet high in the the sky heading west, I assume the highly empowered travelers are heading to destinations like San Diego, California or somewhere in Alaska.

Someday I'll write a book with details of "where are they going?"  Today, this is a blog so it will be short.

Let's take a look at some San Diego pics:

So here we are, 70 degrees in January.  Ok, so that's a few degrees warmer than we have in Denver but all the same, I see those jets and this is where my mind goes.  Vacation!

There are several really cool San Diego destinations, the Zoo, Sea World, your friend in the business likes this one:

Ok, so San Diego is HOT! in January.

WHAT ABOUT APRIL?  This is my idea of a great vacation!!!

BASEBALL   --   Padres style.  Let's take a look:

.Petco Park  --  pretty cool huh?  Rockies Win!  Rockies Win!!!

Ok, so I sit here watching the jumbo jets.  They fly south west to San Diego and they fly north west. Really, north west---where.  how about Alaska?

If I were heading to Alaska, it wouldn't be for baseball but it would be for this:

Fall in Alaska --  Awesome right?

But I'd like to take a cruise -- you with me here? -- check this out!

That's what I'm talking about!

I have spent many a beautiful Denver night sitting on the deck wondering where the lucky people in the jumbo jets are going.  These are just a few thoughts.  WHERE WOULD YOU BE GOING?

Well, back to reality, it is January in Denver and it's cold but Pitchers and Catchers report in less than a month.  Soon we will be wondering who will be at the top of the rotation for the Rockies.  Gotta be Jorge right?

Here's a view of my favorite place:  

Looking forward to Friday, April 4 Home Opener

I can't do a The Todd Blog without at least mentioning one of my favorite Denver real estate listings, you know the kind, the ones that require a jumbo loan or a least a trip through the 2014 WISH MACHINE.

We have done homes with wine cellars, homes on golf courses, and homes with a pool, now it is time for a Google search for Homes with a tennis court.

Here it is!  17 Huntwick Land, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado.

As is often the case, this one is listed by Edie Marks of Kentwood Real Estate.

Let's take a look:

Now for shots of the tennis court and pool:

Does this work for you?

Living in this house, with these luxury amenities and highend lifestyle is like living each day on vacation.  We don't need to sit on the deck and watch the sky, just be Empowered and live the passion of blog. and a great jumbo life.

Contributors to this Blog:

 Mortgagemates

The Todd Blog

Friend in the Business

Native American Dream

Todd McManigal

2014 WISH MACHINE

720 or higher credit scores--key to Jumbo loans

Ok, so this blog will be a little boring but if you are in the market to purchase a home or a car listen up!

This information comes to us via 720creditscore.com so take a look:

I Called Todd!  Now I'm at 720

Which is better for your FICO score: Paying off your credit cards, or paying off your mortgage?

Most people say they would pay off their mortgage to increase their credit score the fastest. But when it comes to FICO scores, eliminating charge card debt is far more powerful than eliminating mortgages and car loans.

And if you think about it, it makes sense. When assigning a credit score, the scoring bureaus assess risk by asking one question: How likely will this borrower default in the next two years?

Most people prioritize their mortgage payments; they would rather skip a few meals than lose their home. So having a balance on your mortgage isn’t really that risky. But people aren’t quite as responsible with their Visas and MasterCards. In fact, even the most financially responsible people make a few bad decisions when it comes to the allure of credit card spending.

So keeping a low balance (or no balance at all) on your credit cards is a far better indicator of your financial situation, and your ability to pay upcoming bills.

The moral of the story: If you want to increase your FICO score, get your credit card balances under control!

Anyone looking to get approved for a loan, whether it is a SEC 184 Native American Dream loan or a jumbo loan that empowers buyers, the process is simple.  Please click on the "GET PRE-APPROVED" tab and we will be happy to help.

Oftentimes, we find that buyers in the market for a home are hesitant to find out what their credit scores are and see if they qualify.  The process is actually quite simple and painless.  

If your credit needs a lot of work, we can always run it through the 2014 WISH MACHINE  check it out in action.  Our job is to give you information necessary to improve your credit.

If you are simply looking for a vehicle to add some extra monthly income to your current paycheck we have that covered as well--Empower Network is the vehicle for so many, including me.  Take a look

My life doesn't change whether you get pre-approved or not, I will still drive the same car and live in the same house but you life can change depending on the credit.

If you already have impeccable credit and looking for a Jumbo loan, we are jumbo loan specialists.

Contributors to this Blog:

 Mortgagemates

The Todd Blog

Friend in the Business

Native American Dream

Todd McManigal

2014 WISH MACHINE