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Mortgage Rates
30 Yr FRM 4.36% -0.06%
15 Yr FRM 3.86% -0.04%
1 Yr ARM 3.52% -0.01%
5/1 Yr ARM 3.56% 0.00%
30 YR Tres 3.72% 0.07%
Fed Prime 3.25% 0.00%

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Has Purchase Loan Demand Hit a Bottom?

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MORTGAGE RATES: Best Lock/Float Advice MND Can Offer Consumers

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Mortgage Rates

I think it's safe to say that, consistently for the last 30 to 45 days, at least one lender (regional, major, or independent) has offered below market "record low" mortgage rates.

Investor demand is consistently healthy for agency MBS, such that their prices are hitting new record highs on a daily basis. No lender faces a shortage of funding, nothing seems to be able to distract mortgage rates from rallying!

This situation has forced us to refocus our attention on the competitiveness of the primary mortgage market, instead of closely monitoring every move in the secondary mortgage market (MBS).

Here's how I would play it....

The "best executed" lock/float strategy comes down to  finding an originator who knows the loan market, studies underwriting guidelines, and just plain old gets the J.O.B done. Victor Burek, the -pittsburgh steelers boston red sox phoenix mercury fan- loan officer who writes on this blog channel everyday, is a good example (1-0).  My dad is another.

SO HERE IT IS CONSUMERS: You have to let the loan officer earn their commission. That's how you "ride the float boat" in this environment...make sure you have a damn good skipper. Plain and Simple.

Now. If you read the above and your first and only response was: LOCK OR FLOAT? (with a numbness in your voice).Then yes. I think mortgage rates can go lower. In fact, I think they just did.

ALERT: There are some lenders out there, if the APP--to-->CLOSING process is flawless, where a borrower could close at 4.25% right now, without paying more than 1 pt.  But you're loan file is gonna have to be a real slam dunk. You must be the definition of "well-qualified".

There it is, I said it! ( as I duck for cover before LOs start tossing stones..)

ps. a message for the professional readers: 3.5s traded yesterday and I've heard of more than one lock desk who is willing to buy 4&aQuarter% loan paper. I've even heard of a few who will bid lower. This might be a limited time offer! Be prepared to pay points!


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on
Great "value added" piece. Potential refi customer called today with quote from on-line (big name) at 4.125 with 1% - but their fees were nearly 0.25 point extra, so there it is...
on
I think this week is gonna be a doozy......Friday will be the capper...looking forward to it......did you catch any fish AQ?
on

lots of flounder and some grunt too...

on
With some economists predicting 10yr tsy yields could go as low as 1.50% next year, I don't think there's going to be any rush to lock in rates for quite awhile. I am an Institutional bond salesman fyi...
on
That's when negative convexity becomes a real concern instead of an imaginary means to trade duration to shorter hedge ratios. The Fed would just LOOOOOOVE that! In that event I wouldnt be worrying about my mortgage...I would be stocking up on ammo and ensuring I had enough food to make it through the Armageddon.
on
funny...I watched the Book of Eli last weekend...water was the most valuable commodity.
on
Ray J wasn't THE BOOK the most valuable commodity....the movie was average until the little twist at the end....seems like a lot of those out there lately....Shutter Island same way..strange, a little interesting, and then the end finishes off nicely...
on
AQ - Read your column for a long time. Thx for the info. My first question is refi-ing a 4.875 15 yr fixed on $265k for a 7/1 ARM (that's how long we intend to stay here). My best credible offer is from a credit union at 3.785% o pts. Should I lock or float? Thx.