Rate Update: Week of February 28th

Let's have a great week, Spring is 3 weeks away! We'll start our Monday by recapping last week and forecasting this week for mortgage rates. CLICK HERE for the full story.

Changes to FHA and Possibly Fannie and Freddie

FHA is preparing to hike their insurance rates (their form of PMI) in April. Back in October of 2010, FHA raised their monthly mortgage insurance premiums from .55% on a 30 year mortgage to .90%. This cost homeowners an increase of about $40 per month on a $100,000 mortgage. They are at it again...this time bumping rates an additional .25% or about $25 per month on a $100,000 mortgage.

New regulations are also calling for a potential increase to Conventional Loan business (loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Currently Conventional loans can be provided for as little as 3% down...but more commonly 5% down. The proposal would raise the minimum down payment to 10%.

If you are interested in buying, it makes sense from a monthly payment perspective to buy in the next few months given these new pending increases (not to mention interest rates have gone up a full 1% since last November---3 short months ago).

Click Here for a more in depth article and more detail.

Outlook for 2011:

What you Should expect in 2011. Forecasts for Inflation, the Housing Market and Home Loan Rates:

Part 1
http://bit.ly/fGAQB9

Part 2
http://bit.ly/gsvss1

Ryan