Friday, February 15, 2013

Next phase of recovery is underway - Opportunity is diminishing

The graph below clearly indicates all indicators have made the turn to a steeper yield curve.

This is normal and healthy for the economy.  For the average consumer, it signals the cost of credit is going to rise near term.  For consumers that can qualify and can benefit from a refinance, they should pull the trigger on that decision.  My advice is to focus on a lender than can close fast given a lost lock or expired lock will re-price at a higher level.

 
Why does a Yield Curve Steepen?
A steepening yield curve typically indicates investor expectations for 1) rising inflation 2) stronger economic growth (since improving growth causes the demand for longer-term capital to increase even as the Fed maintains a low-rate policy).

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Southeast Mortgage Ethos since 1993

Southeast Mortgage of Georgia, Inc.
est. 1993
Ethos
 
Provide competent mortgage advice based on client need from Licensed Mortgage Loan Originators you can trust.
 
 
770-279-0222

Thursday, January 31, 2013

The Music is slowing... Time to find a chair


With January coming to an end, we are seeing an increased frequency of indicator movement that suggest rates will rise near term.
Although the financial crisis was an event many would have preferred to forgo, it afforded many consumers great value in mortgage and consumer debt financing.
What I have found over the years is to keep a perspective relative to historical data.  Two cycles back the sustainable low 30 year mortgage rate was 6.25, the next was 5.25, and this cycle should have been 4.25.  The substantial monetary policy has artificially pushed rates into the 3 percent range.
A good way to correlate this is the 2000 – 2005 mortgage cycle should have flattened and consolidated in 2005; however, the secondary mortgage market wanted the boom to continue and artificially kept the run going with unsustainable products that gave consumers a false sense of security in making decisions related to real estate purchases due to the ease of mortgage credit.  We all know how this ended and the period between 2005 – 2008, 3 – years, is mysteriously close to the time frame it took the economy to get back on track.
My advice to consumers that need a new home, bigger home, smaller home, or can qualify to reduce their mortgage payment with current rates is to start the process now.  Although 4%, 5%, and 6% mortgage rates make sense given all boats rise with the tide, today’s artificial low rates is a generational opportunity to benefit from a by-product of the recession.  The music is slowing please find a chair….
New protection was created for consumers as a result of the financial crisis.  Use them!  Choose a Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator and choose a company that can close fast.  Your first interview question during your mortgage selection process should be “Have you passed the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System Competency Test as provided by the S.A.F.E. Act and have you passed the State Competency Test for Mortgage Origination?”  This will ensure you have the protection set forth by your representatives in Washington.
+Cal Haupt, President and CEO, Southeast Mortgage of Georgia, Inc.
770-279-0222
 

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Real Estate Agent, Realtor, and Consumer Must Know about the Mortgage Industry

Try our NEW Awesome APP:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/southeast-mortgage/id1115070771?mt=8


I was meeting with an influential Real Estate Professional the other day at our Club Drive Operations Facility to discuss support of a worthy organization.

What I realized was Real Estate Professionals and consumers know little about the types of Mortgage Companies in Georgia and or the difference in a Licensed Mortgage Originator versus a Registered Mortgage Originator. 

It is important that everyone engaged in the selling and buying of residential housing in Georgia be aware of two important federal laws, The Secure and Fair Enforcement Act, S.A.F.E Act, and Dodd-Frank Act.  The laws were created to protect consumers in mortgage transactions. 


There are fundamental differences in the types of Mortgage Companies that operate in Georgia and the Originators they employ.  These differences may increase risks for Real Estate Agents and consumers.

Most consumers shop mortgages based on rates, closing costs, or a friend’s referral.  In the past, consumers did not worry about the mortgage they were getting because they were told all mortgages were the same and sold by everyone.  The reality was risks were there; however, rising home valuations hid the cracks in loans sold that were only visible once the recession took hold of the economy.  Everyone knows what happened next…..

Now that the financial crisis is mending, all Real Estate Agents and consumers are fully aware of the devastation that mortgages sold the wrong way can create on people and their families.  Education and knowledge is a Real Estate Agent’s and consumer’s best friend in the complex world of mortgage lending.

There are four types of mortgage service providers in Georgia.  Lowest to highest certification and licensing.

Mortgage Broker


Type: Operates as a middle person in the transaction between client and Lender
Loan Recourse: Limited Recourse for mortgages sold
Licensing: Compliant with S.A.F.E Act and Dodd-Frank Act. All Mortgage Originators are licensed with Georgia DBF and NMLS

Mortgage Correspondent Lender

Type: Works on behalf of another Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac seller servicer or a Bank.
Loan Recourse: Recourse for mortgages sold
Licensing: Compliant with S.A.F.E Act and Dodd-Frank Act. All Mortgage Originators are licensed with Georgia DBF and NMLS

Bank

Type: Sells various financial products through sales force 
Loan Recourse: Full Recourse for mortgages originated
Licensing: Operates under a Federal Exemption - Mortgage Originators are Registered, not regulated by DBF, do not take the State or National Competency Exams set forth by Washington.

Direct Non-Bank Lender
Southeast Mortgage is Certified in this Category
 
Type: Certified by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, GSEs, as Seller Servicer.  Delegated Unsupervised Title II with HUD.  Can sell direct to GSEs servicing its mortgages.  Specializes in Mortgage Products. 
Loan Recourse: Full Recourse for mortgages originated
Licensing: Compliant with S.A.F.E Act and Dodd-Frank Act. All Mortgage Originators are licensed with Georgia DBF and NMLS

Banks use their Federal Bank Exemption to employ Registered Mortgage Loan Originators.  The S.A.F.E ACT and Dodd-Frank Act were designed to protect consumers.  Once the requirements were unveiled, many Mortgage Originators left Broker and Correspondent companies to work for banks due to their concern over licensing, character / fitness requirements, and financial responsibility.

Brokers, Correspondents, and Direct Non-Bank Lenders like Southeast Mortgage employ State and Federally Licensed Mortgage Loan Originators that comply with S.A.F.E ACT and Dodd-Frank Act requirements regarding standards for character / fitness, and financial responsibility.

Understanding your mortgage service provider is important for the following reasons:

1.   Working with a Licensed Mortgage Originator is a protection set forth by your government.  Would you buy stock from a non licensed stock broker?  Licensed Mortgage Originators are individually licensed and passed State and Federal competency tests.

2.   Choose a mortgage company that has good operational controls and separates the sales and processing functions.  Why?  This ensures what you put on a mortgage application is verified independently.  If the application is not handled properly, the applicant could have their loan called for reasons unknown to them.  This scenario can cause credit score issues, legal bills, and jeopardize the applicant’s home.

3.   Realtors: Happy Client = More Referrals.  If something goes wrong after the closing, who will the client blame?  Use licensed Mortgage Loan Originators and protect your clients while reducing risk to your referral base.

The mortgage industry has changed.  Consumers are now aware of the importance of getting the right mortgage.  It is not just a mortgage; it protects your family and personal finances.  Real Estate Agents rely on referrals and great service.

Choose your mortgage company based on who employs Licensed Mortgage Originators.  Ensure they focus on the right mortgage suited to your particular needs.  This will eliminate risks to your family’s home and financial security after the closing.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is currently looking into ensuring all Mortgage Originators are held to the same standard and eliminate the differences noted above.
 
Cal Haupt
President and Chief Executive Officer
Southeast Mortgage of Georgia, Inc.
Serving our client's trust since 1993
 
770-279-0222