Latest Refinance News

Underwater refinance without HARP?

Kirk Haverkamp — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:55:59 +0000

A lot of homeowners with underwater mortgages would like to refinance, but they don’t qualify for HARP (the federal Home Affordable Refinance Program). Do they have other options?

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Don’t Give Up On a HARP Refinance

Kirk Haverkamp — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:52:06 +0000

For homeowners who are underwater on their mortgage, a HARP refinance is like the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Unfortunately, it can be just as elusive.

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An In-Depth Guide to HARP 2.0

Kirk Haverkamp — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:33:30 +0000

You may have heard that there were some changes made recently to the government’s Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). Known as HARP 2.0, the new rules are designed to make it easier for certain homeowners with little or no equity to refinance their mortgages.

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

New HARP Rules Could Boost Underwater Refinancing

Peter King — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:54:54 +0000

If you haven’t been able to refinance your underwater mortgage yet, now might be the time to do it.

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New Rules Easing HARP Refinances

Kirk Haverkamp — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:11:19 +0000

There’s a big change coming in the HARP 2.0 program that will make it easier and faster for homeowners to refinance their underwater mortgages, and possibly save them several hundred dollars as well.

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

The New FHA Streamline Refinance

Kirk Haverkamp — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:39:40 +0000

President Obama has announced new guidelines to make it cheaper and easier for homeowners to refinance FHA mortgages. So what does it mean for you and how do you know if you qualify for it?

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

Don’t Overlook ARMs When Refinancing

Kara Johnson — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:14:44 +0000

If you’re thinking about refinancing your mortgage, don’t overlook the possible advantages of an ARM (adjustable rate mortgage).

Although they’ve largely fallen into disfavor these days, in part because interest rates on fixed-rate mortgages are so low, they do offer advantages that may appeal to certain homeowners. At the very least, you owe it to yourself to consider them as an option for getting the best mortgage rate when refinancing.

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

Cash-Out Refi or Home Equity Loan?

Kirk Haverkamp — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:08:12 +0000

Thinking about a home equity loan or line of credit? You might be better off with a cash-out refinance of your current mortgage instead.

Lenders are once again offering home equity loans and lines of credit (HELOCs), after many suspended such offerings a few years ago with the crash of the housing market. But they’re still hard to come by and have steep equity requirements, a far cry from the days when lenders were actively encouraging borrowers to use their homes as seemingly bottomless piggybacks.

Advantages of a cash-out refinance

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

More on the Foreclosure Settlement

Kara Johnson — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:13:20 +0000

More details are emerging on how the $26 billion settlement over mortgage abuses will benefit homeowners. Here’s an update.

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HARP Refi May Delay PMI Cancellation

Kirk Haverkamp — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:10:21 +0000

The federal HARP mortgage refinance program can be a huge boon for underwater homeowners. But if you have PMI, there’s a little hitch you should know about.

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

The New Obama Refinance Plan

Kirk Haverkamp — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:59:44 +0000

The White House has made available details of its newest proposal to help underwater homeowners refinance their mortgages to lower interest rates. Will you be able to qualify?

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

Rate Locks and How They Work

Kirk Haverkamp — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:46:04 +0000

Mortgage rates remain at historic lows for the time being, but they could start creeping up at any time. So if you’re planning to take out any kind of a mortgage loan anytime soon, you’ll want to get a rate lock.

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

Consider Refinancing Into a VA Loan

Kirk Haverkamp — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:57:41 +0000

Thinking about refinancing your mortgage? If you’ve a veteran or qualifying member of the reserves, don’t overlook a VA loan.

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

New HARP May Not Gear Up Until March

Kirk Haverkamp — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:43:34 +0000

December 1 is when lenders are scheduled to begin implementing the new HARP guidelines for refinancing underwater mortgages. But you might not be able to refinance that underwater loan just yet.

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

New HARP Guidelines Released

Kirk Haverkamp — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:33:22 +0000

Homeowners can start applying to refinance their underwater mortgages under new HARP guidelines as soon as Dec. 1, according to new program rules released late yesterday.

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

Act Soon on New HARP Refinance

Peter King — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:25:04 +0000

Hoping to qualify for a government-backed refinance of an underwater mortgage under the new rules for the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)? Better act fast.

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

Understanding the New HARP Refinance

Kirk Haverkamp — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:59:18 +0000

So what do the new changes to the government’s Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) mean for you? If you’re an underwater homeowner, it could mean a lot.

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

What About a 20-Year Refinance?

Kirk Haverkamp — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:35:02 +0000

Thinking about refinancing? Don’t overlook the 20-year mortgage loan option.

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Self-Employed and Can’t Refinance?

Kirk Haverkamp — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:26:05 +0000

Refinancing a mortgage can be a challenge these days, particularly if you’re self-employed or have other types of irregular income.

Read More at MortgageLoan.com

How Often Can You Refinance?

Kirk Haverkamp — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:20:36 +0000

How soon can you refinance your mortgage again if you’ve already done it recently? With interest rates in a free-fall and setting new records, it’s a highly relevant question.

Read More at MortgageLoan.com