As I have mentioned in previous Blog posts recently, the Government’s Program to purchase Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) is nearing the end. This program began in January 2009 as part of the economic recovery act of 2009 and was designed (and has been successfully implemented) to hold down mortgage interest rates.
This week’s purchases of MBS by the Government was $12 Billion, bringing the total to $1.173 Trillion since January, 2009, and leaving $77 Billion to be spent over the next 8 weeks. Leaving an average of $9.62 Billion per week to be spent, I have warned, as have other financial experts, that mortgage rates are going to begin increasing.
This latest week of increased refinance activity (up 21% Nationally) may be an indication of the reality of our situation becoming clear to homeowners who have not yet taken advantage of lower rates. A recent Government report (in a previous Blog Post), indicated that just 30% of eligible homeowners who could benefit from the lower interest rates we are enjoying, have actually taken the steps to refinance.
Also, homeowners wanting to sell their current homes in order to take advantage of the $6500 tax credit scheduled to expire on April 30, 2010 has also dramatically risen recently (National Association of Realtors article I read yesterday).
And finally, the first time homebuyer. What a shining star in the market place this past 12 months! With over 42% of all homes purchased in 2009 attributed to first time home buyer’s, and why shouldn’t these first time home buyer’s take advantage of a “once in a lifetime” benefit?!
First Time Home buyer's are rushing to put homes under contract before April 30th (and close before 6/30/10) to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit!
This is a wonderful time in Mortgage rate history! Please call me if I can help with any Purchase or Refinance Questions you may have!
