What Is FHA Streamline Refinance?

Do You Have an FHA Mortgage?

If you currently have an FHA mortgage, you may be able to refinance with a streamline fha refinance. The streamline refinance process allows for less paperwork and requirements then a regular refinance. You can usually do an FHA streamline refinance without the need to provide an appraisal on the property, and sometimes you can finance your closing costs by taking a slightly higher interest rate. This leaves you the opportunity to lower your mortgage payments or move from an adjustable rate mortgage into a more secured fixed rate mortgage. With an FHA streamline refinance, you would not be able to get cash out of the equity in your home, it is meant to provide homeowners with an easier and quicker way to lower their interest rate and payments.

Benefits of an FHA Streamline Refinance

• Many times no appraisal on the property is required
• Your lender can offer you a “no closing cost” refinance by slightly raising your refinance rate and covering the closing costs themselves
• You can quickly lower your monthly payments by lowering your mortgage interest rate
• You can convert from an adjustable rate mortgage to a fixed rate mortgage

FHA Streamline Refinance Requirements
In order to be eligible for an FHA streamline refinance, you will need to be current on mortgage payments, and you must have an FHA insured home loan.

New Jersey FHA Streamline Refinance

 If you are in New Jersey and wish to refinance your current FHA mortgage, Advisors Mortgage Group, LLC offers FHA streamline refinancing. If you are looking to get cash out of the refinance, we also offer other opportunities to refinance your FHA loan. As you NJ Lenders, we are proud to help our community with their financial needs. Feel free to contact us for a free quote by filling out our 30 second form on our website, www.njmortgageexperts.com.

Low Mortgage Rates May Rise

Mortgage Rates Are Still Low At The Close of 2012

If you have been in the market to purchase a new home, or refinance your current mortgage, take advantage of the current low mortgage rates available while they last. With continuing positive signs in the housing industry, mortgage rates may start to rise again in 2013.

According to HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau, home sales of newly constructed single-family residences reached an increase of 4.4% in November, while showing a 15.3% increase over last year‘s numbers.

While this is great news for the housing industry’s road to recovery, it does mean that home inventory is declining, so if you are planning on purchasing a new home, the options will be less. This also means that as the housing industry continues to improve, mortgage rates will start showing an increase.

Currently in New Jersey, the average sale price of a home has shown a decline month over month, quarter over quarter and year over year, and the overall average of homes sold is at $260,400 as of November 2012. Mortgage rates are sitting at an average of 3.26% for 30 year fixed rate mortgage loans, whereas 15 year fixed rate mortgages are at an average of 2.57% and 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages are sitting at a 2.55% average nationally.

These are still relatively low rates and for current homeowners, taking advantage of mortgage refinancing at this time is still a great idea.

NJ In On Request for Distressed Homeowner Tax Relief

NJ Signs Into National Letter to Congress

By: Brian Kordell

The New Jersey Attorney General, Jeffrey Chisea has signed into a national letter requesting Congress to extend the the expiration of the 2007 Federal Mortgage Debt Relief Act, which allows homeowners who have had mortgage debt forgiven after a foreclosure or short sale, or through loan modification to be excluded from the homeowners taxable income on their primary residence only. Currently, the taxpayer relief is only in effect til December 31st, 2012. Attorney General Chisea is among 42 others to sign the letter addressed to Congress.

With many homeowners across the nation benefiting from the huge National Mortgage Settlement awarded from the 5 largest mortgage servicing companies in the U.S., and while many banks are offering loan modification and debt relief for distressed homeowners.

The New Jersey Attorney General talked about the importance of extending the tax exclusion, to keep from deterring consumers who cannot afford an unexpected tax from participating in the settlement meant to help them.

Are you an underwater homeowner in New Jersey? You may not need a loan modification or debt relief. Another option out there for homeowners who are current on their mortgage but underwater on their home value is available, in the HARP refinance program.

NJ Foreclosure Maintenance Measure

NJ Mortgage Lenders May Be Required to Maintain Foreclosures

By Brian Kordell

Senator Ron Rice is the primary sponsor for a bill making its way through legislature requiring mortgage lenders to keep their foreclosed property inventory in good maintenance.

Reasons listed for this bill is health, safety and neighborhood value. When foreclosed homes go attended, they can deteriorate, be a target for crime and cause the value of the surrounding neighborhood to drop.

Think of it this way - If you are looking to purchase a home, you are going to want to look at the neighborhood around any potential contenders before you decide on the right one for you. If you have a family, you might be looking at nearby parks, school district ratings and potential neighbors. You drive through each neighborhood as you go to view a new possibility, and notice that the home next door to the one you are viewing is vacant with wood over the windows or a sagging porch or  even may be vandalized. The home you are looking at may be beautiful, but with the eyesore next door, you might think twice.

This same house may sit on the market until the owners decide to drop the price to motivate potential buyers. Thus, potentially bringing the overall value of the neighborhood down when another owner looks to sell, and the appraiser reviews recent selling prices of the surrounding properties.

The same issue comes up when another household in the neighborhood is looking for mortgage refinance.  If homes in the neighborhood recently sold for less, it can be taken into consideration in an appraisal causing the homeowner to have a higher loan to value and less opportunity to refinance.

Senator Rice indicated in a statement that mortgage lenders should be taking responsibility for the homes they foreclose on, whether they themselves are located in or out of the state their properties are located. The measure would force mortgage lenders to fix any building violations with their foreclosed inventory within 30 days or pay the same fines a homeowner would. This measure could help not only a future borrower for the foreclosed property keep rehab costs low, but keep neighborhood home values from significantly dropping.

If you are looking for a local, New Jersey Mortgage Company, please contact us for all your home financing needs, we are sure to have a NJ mortgage loan that works with your unique situation.

Refinance Your New Jersey Mortgage Loan Now!

Refinance Your New Jersey Mortgage Loan Now!

By: Brian Kordell

Mortgage rates are hitting an all-time low, and New Jersey homeowners need to take advantage of this historic time! These rates are not only great for potential buyers, but they allow current homeowners to refinance their existing loans into a more advantageous situation. Some of the benefits of refinancing include lower monthly payments and building your home’s equity faster. Refinancing also allows you to move out of a stressful financial situation simply be re-working the terms of your loan, and with the packages available to New Jersey homeowners, there really is no better tie to refinance than now. 

There are several options for refinancing:

• Refinance with the lower interest rates currently available – this will lower your monthly payments, which can be especially helpful for those nervous about foreclosure
• Shorten the length of your loan – changing your loan’s term will give you long-term savings, as it will lessen the amount of interest you are paying over the life of the mortgage.
• Change your ARM (adjustable-rate mortgage) into a fixed-rate mortgage – this will enable you to have the same monthly payment amount over the course of your loan, which though it may mean a higher monthly payment, can provide peace of mind and security for the future.

The low rates that accessible to New Jersey mortgages today will not last forever – and waiting for them to fall lower could cause you to miss them! As the economy improves, mortgage rates will also. So act now! Start looking today at how refinancing your New Jersey home can save you money, and well as provide you with more time to spend with your loved ones and relax!

New Jersey Reverse Mortgages

Reverse Mortgages in New Jersey

 If you have been looking for information on reverse mortgages in New Jersey, this post should give you some general information to consider. If you would like to get more information about your specific situation, feel free to contact us directly.

What is a reverse mortgage?

 A reverse mortgage is a specific kind of loan, designed for those over the age of 62 and retired, that enables them to secure an income by borrowing money against the equity in their homes. The loan can either be delivered to the borrower in the form of a monthly income, tax-free, or all at once in a lump sum. This option allows retirees to remain the owners of their home while incurring an income for their fun and free golden years!

Essentially what happens is much like a normal mortgage, only, as the name implies, in reverse! Instead of you paying the lender for your home, they buy your home equity from you and pay you it’s worth each month. This income is yours to spend as you wish; there are no spending restrictions or stipulations.

In order to qualify for a reverse mortgage, you must meet a few requirements. The candidate must be 62 years of age or above, and the home must be their primary residence. The candidate must also own at least 30% of their home’s equity. Finally, the candidate must not be planning for their heirs to inherit the home.

Another benefit of a reverse mortgage is that is does not come due until you sell your home or pass away. Some potential candidates might be apprehensive about the lender having ownership of the equity, but a reverse mortgage does not give the lender the right to possess your home under any circumstances. You are the owner of your home until you decide to sell or pass away, in which case the balance on the reverse mortgage is inherited by your children or heirs along with your estate. It must be repaid, but this can be simply a matter of your heirs selling the home and using the proceeds to pay the lender.

There are several options for the delivery of the reverse mortgage, and you may decide to combine one or more in order to meet your financial goals. The lender can provide the money in the form of an income, with monthly deposits, or it can be transferred all at the same time in a one-time payment at the closing. Additionally, if you are interested in setting up a new credit line, the lender is able to tie it directly to the equity they purchase from you.

Whether you are in need of income to be put towards living expenses, medical bills, or even that trip you’ve always wanted to take, a reverse mortgage may be a viable option for you!

If you are looking for a reverse mortgage in New Jersey, contact Advisors Mortgage Group today!

Now is the time to get a Morris County, NJ Mortgage Loan!

Now is the time to get a Morris County, NJ Mortgage Loan!

Looking to purchase a home can be an intimidating prospect, particularly in today’s economy. With so many stories of financial crisis and the push-pull of the upcoming election, many people are hesitant even to make the first step in a buying process! However, there are a few areas where now is the perfect time to buy, precisely because real estate prices are at a five-year low.

One such place is Morris County, NJ. This beautiful area of the country is full of rolling hills and cultural heritage, with charming communities and plenty of things to do! It is ideally located just 25 miles west of New York City, allowing not only for a manageable commute to the city for work but also providing a plethora of cultural opportunities such as museums, the ballet, opera, fine dining, shopping and more.

In Morris County, home prices are lower now than at any point in the last five years with an overall average home price of $363,000 as of July 2012. With exceptionally low Morris County, NJ mortgage rates available, it’s an ideal time to get a home and mortgage loan.

In Morris County there is a place for every taste and budget. Harding Township has the highest overall home price in the county at $955,300, with the lowest home price in the city of Dover at $212,800. If you are looking for a single family home in the area, the overall average price is $367,900.

There are several cities in Morris County that offer Condos or Co-op community choices, including Boonton, Montville, Morris Township, Morrisville, Mount Olive Township, Riverdale, Rockaway Township, and Wharton. These Condos/Co-ops are currently at an average price of $265,000, making them an extremely affordable option.

Home prices in Morris County are down 3.7% year-over-year, making now the prime time to purchase a home, and as a local NJ lender, Advisors Mortgage Group, LLC can help you get the best mortgage rate available through one of our many home loan programs, including FHA, VA and Conventional mortgage options.

With many factors presenting a financial landscape that is ripe with possibilities, remember that the current affordable home prices and low New Jersey mortgage rates may not last much longer. So take advantage of Morris County’s beautiful countryside with easy access to the sights and sounds of the city by purchasing a home with one of our many New Jersey mortgage loan options. Whether you are looking at purchasing a home for your family to grow or seeking a place to retire, live, work and play, Morris County could be the home for you!