Mortgage rates have taken off ever since lenders found out last Wednesday night that they’ll be charged a new fee on most refinance loans.
Average rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages skyrocketed and are above 3% for the first time in months, according to Mortgage News Daily.
“Mortgage lenders don’t like surprises, and they don’t like suddenly being forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars they hadn’t budgeted for,” says Matthew Graham, MND’s chief operating officer. “When that happens, they are going to raise rates to offset the newfound losses. And that’s exactly what they did.”
know how to find them.” data-reactid=”35″>But one of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders is offering a 30-year loan with rates as low as 1.999%, so deals are still out there. You just need to know how to find them.
What’s happened to mortgage rates?
30-year mortgage rates dropped to a record-low average of 2.81% in the Mortgage News Daily survey of lenders. On Friday, the site showed rates had climbed sharply and were up to an average 3.14%.” data-reactid=”61″>It was less than two weeks ago — on Aug. 4 — that 30-year mortgage rates dropped to a record-low average of 2.81% in the Mortgage News Daily survey of lenders. On Friday, the site showed rates had climbed sharply and were up to an average 3.14%.
The current rates are the highest since early June, according to MND’s data.
Mortgage rates already were climbing last week in reaction to news of stronger-than-expected inflation. But it was the new 0.5% refinance fee from two government-sponsored mortgage giants that pushed things to the next level.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy or guarantee most U.S. mortgages. They informed lenders that they need the refi fee — which starts Sept. 1 — to protect themselves from higher risks and costs related to the coronavirus pandemic.
An extra $1,400 cost, on average
historically low mortgage rates have made refinancing a hot pursuit for homeowners, who have eagerly swapped out their loans to save hundreds of dollars a month and tens of thousands over time.” data-reactid=”87″>This year’s historically low mortgage rates have made refinancing a hot pursuit for homeowners, who have eagerly swapped out their loans to save hundreds of dollars a month and tens of thousands over time.
Refinances are so popular that last week they’ve been accounting for almost two-thirds of all mortgage applications, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported last Wednesday.
But the new fee will essentially “raise interest rates on families trying to make ends meet in these challenging times,” says Bob Broeksmit, the MBA’s president and CEO. He’s urging Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to change their minds.
His trade group says the average borrower will pay an additional $1,400 for a refi loan. But Graham, of Mortgage News Daily, estimates that the new charge coupled with the jump in mortgage rates just made the average refinance $3,000 more expensive.
writes.” data-reactid=”95″>”There’s also a very low chance that this decision could be retracted and re-implemented with a healthier delay, but I wouldn’t count those chickens,” he writes.
What’s a borrower to do?
rates are still dirt-cheap, historically speaking.” data-reactid=”117″>If you’ve been hoping to get around to refinancing your mortgage but just haven’t done it, it’s probably still a good idea and will cut your housing costs. After all, even at an average 3.14%, rates are still dirt-cheap, historically speaking.
all the way down to 1.999%.” data-reactid=”118″>And if you’re a good comparison shopper, you might find much lower mortgage rates than the average. United Wholesale Mortgage — America’s second-largest home lender — is still advertising a 30-year loan it announced last week, with rates ranging from 2.875% all the way down to 1.999%.
Research from Freddie Mac has found that almost half of all borrowers never bother to shop around for their mortgage rate and grab the first offer they see. That’s not the way to get a low rate.
find the best rate in your area that you qualify for.” data-reactid=”120″>Rates can vary widely from one lender to another. So, experts say you’ve got to go online and compare rates from at least five lenders if you want to find the best rate in your area that you qualify for.
Get rate quotes from multiple insurance companies each time, so you’ll be certain you’re paying the best price for your coverage.” data-reactid=”121″>This tactic also can reward you with major savings next time you receive your homeowners insurance renewal notice. Staying too loyal to your insurer can be costly. Get rate quotes from multiple insurance companies each time, so you’ll be certain you’re paying the best price for your coverage.
