Michael Kraus asked:




For much of the past year, mortgage rates have been at or near record low points. Unfortunately, many homeowners have been unable to take advantage of these rates due to declining home equity. Many homes have lost significant amounts of value since the housing market peaked in 2006. As a result, many homeowners now owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth (this condition is known as being “underwater” or “upside-down” on one’s mortgage). Homeowners who lack equity in their homes are frequently unable to meet the loan-to-value (LTV) ratios required by lenders in order to refinance their mortgages. These borrowers may be missing out on thousands of dollars worth of savings.

In response to this situation, the government created the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). HARP was designed to allow homeowners with little to no home equity to refinance into lower mortgage rates. HARP loans are available to borrowers with LTVs of as much as 125 percent, although the maximum LTV it varies by lender.

Some of the eligibility requirements for HARP are:

• The borrower’s mortgage must be owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac
• The home must be the borrower’s primary residence
• The borrower must be current on their mortgage with no late payments in the last 12 month period
• The new loan must lower the borrower’s monthly payments

For a complete listing of the HARP eligibility requirements, check out the Making Home Affordable Webpage here.

The HARP loan program has been extended through June 11, 2011.

Tracy

Jozogo asked:


We are currently considering building an addition on our home but go back and forth with whether it would be better to just move. We are looking at converting an existing attached 2 car garage into a large rec room and building a new 2-car garage in front of the old one. We have the available space to do this. We’re also thinking about remodeling the kitchen at the same time and building a full bathroom (we currently have a half bath that would then become a walk-in pantry and/or coat closet? We don’t have a basement.

The next step up in homes in the area that might have a basement and are about 15-20 years newer than our current home are about $100k-$250k more in price.

It might also be noteworthy that we currently have a 5% 30-year mortgage with equity available for a home equity loan.

GILBERTO

shawn w asked:


to me that is really dumb. Why would you pay all interst for your house. I woulnd’t even do a thiryt year mortgage. First fifteen years is all most.ly intrest. I can’t figure it out. Are these same people naive and listen to real estate agents or mortgage brokers. there like any other salesman. Out to make the sale and that’s it.
I understand you can use the money for another investment. However your not likely to get an investment return higher than your interest rate. Without risk anyway. I also know that people can take the arm and try to sell higher than they bought it for. However, how much can a home go up? Homes more than doubled since 2001. My opion is there are alot of naive (dumb) people out there. They listen to the agent that says it will keep on going up and just take any amount of mortgage. I see these insane prices for homes. But average salary’s haven’t gone up much. Also how can you buy ridicuoulsy priced house hoping to get a promotion in the future to pay for it. It sounds insane to me. Or maybe i’m the one crazy

ELTON