Fewer Minnesota Homes for Sales per Minnesota Home Buyer

Currently, the inventory of Minnesota homes for sale is at a 4 year low with only 5 homes available for every Minnesota home buyer. While this may sound like a lot, it is lower than usual and will start to drive multiple offers on the good houses. This could be the beginning of home prices rising in Minneapolis, Minnesota metro area.

With rates still at historic lows, and time running out on the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit, now might be a good time to start seriously looking for a home.

If you are interested in getting pre-qualified for a Minnesota home mortgage, contact Dominic DesMarais at 612-247-8322

Minnesota Mortgage Rates Dip Again

Minnesota mortgage rates came out of the 4th of July weekend in good shape. Both FHA and conventional, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are offering Minnesota mortgage rates at around 5%. A great rate if you are looking to refinance or if you are a Minnesota first time home buyer.

For more information contact Metropolitan Financial Mortgage Company and Dominic DesMarais at 612-247-8233. To see MLS listings in Minnesota and all 50 states, visit www.mlsmaps.com

FHFA AUTHORIZES FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MAC TO EXPAND HOME AFFORDABLE REFINANCE PROGRAM TO 125 PERCENT LOAN-TO-VALUE

This is great news for most American who did 100% mortgages at the top of the real estate market and now they owe more than their house is worth. This will give all those people who qualify a chance to refinance into today's low rates giving them a lower house payment.

If your loan is held by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and you are current on your mortgage payments, you may be eligible to refinance your mortgage loan even if your LTV is up to 125%. LTV, or loan-to-value-ratio, is a measurement that compares the principal balance of your loan (the amount you currently owe) to the actual value of the house. For example, if your loan amount is $300,000 and the current value of your home is $240,000, your LTV is 300/240, or 125%.

This applies to Minnesota mortgages so if you are in this boat and you want to explore your options, call Dominic DesMarais at 612-247-8233 at Metropolitan Financial Mortgage company or you can click on this link to read the FHFA news release

Minnesota FHA Mortgage Rates Improve

Minnesota mortgage rates have seen a little improvement at the end of this week. Both the Minnesota FHA and a conventional 30 year fixed Minnesota mortgage are at around 5.25% (apr 5.672). Minnesota Mortgage rates were higher earlier in the week and have come down by about .375% since then.

Fewer Minnesota Foreclosures On The Market

According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors, NAR, the number of foreclosed homes for sale in Minneapolis, Minnesota has seen a steep decline since one year ago. If you haven't heard, Minnesota is one of only 6 states that have seen the number of home sales rising. This coupled with the fact that Minnesota mortgage rates are still very low and as recently as 5 weeks ago, the Minnesota mortgage rate for a 30 year fixed mortgage dipped below 4.5% are possible reasons for the supply of foreclosed homes in Minnesota going down.

There are still a ton of great deals on the market, especially for the Minnesota first time home buyers, who are still eligeble for the $8,000 tax credit. If you are a Minnesota first time homebuyer you may want to start getting serious about buying a home as the $8,000 tax credit is set to expire on November 30th, 2009.

For free access to Minnesota MLS listings visit www.mnonlinemls.com. For more information contact Dominic DesMarais at 612-247-8233.

Minnesota Mortgage Rates Dip

Minnesota mortgage rates have seen a nice dip today which is good because as of last Wednesday, the 30 year fixed rate mortgage in Minnesota hit 6% for a brief period. Today, Monday June 15th, you can find a 30 year fixed Minnesota mortgage rate at around 5.375% conventional (apr 5.893%) , or 5.375% FHA (apr 5.936%). Again, these are very good rates and they may go up or they may go down so if you can afford the home you want at these rates, you may want to contact a Minnesota mortgage broker and lock your rate.

For more information contact Dominic DesMarais at 612-247-8322.

Minnesota Mortgage Rates Won't Stay Low Forever

Minnesota mortgage rates have been on the rise lately but it' not to late to lock into a great rate. A few weeks ago, the 30 year fixed rate was at about 4.625% and if you can believe it, there were still a lot of people who said they wanted to wait for a lower rate. Sometimes greed can cost you big time!

Today, June 11th, the Minnesota Mortgage rate for a 30 year fixed is at about 5.625%. I can all but guarantee you that if the rate gets back down to 4.625%, those people who wanted to wait are going to jump in in a hurry. Problem is what will they do if the rates keep going up?

Bottom line is this, no one can time the bottom of the market and if you think you know someone who did, it was luck. I'm not lucky enough to gamble and if your like me, the best way to shop for mortgage rates is know your budget and lock your mortgage rate in when you get to a house payment you can afford. Trying to time the market is for Gamblers, are you a gambler?