The housing market in LA appears to be bucking the trend in the rest of the state and average prices are on the up. So although many experts thought that the downturn would affect the whole state, the high priced market in LA is holding steady and the mid to low ranges are holding up. Sellers have learned the lessons from 2006 and are pricing their homes realistically which is enticing buyers into the market. This is a positive sign as it shows that demand is still there.
The refinancing market is also looking healthy. Although the subprime sector is getting all the headlines at the moment, the fact remains that the vast majority of people who buy a house do so with a straightforward mortgage. Only 11% of California subprime loans are delinquent which is a small percentage. The rest of these people will be looking to refinance to take advantage of better rates. This means that California refinance loans are still in high demand. Some owners may feel that this is the best time to refinance not only to lower their current rate but also to release some cash from their property for debt consolidation or home improvement. Essentially, home refinancing is taking out a new mortgage loan.
As with any loan, before taking it out, do your research and try and work out what your objectives are. The main reasons for refinancing are:
- Release equity in your home into cash
- Lower your current interest rate and thereby reduce your monthly payment
- Consolidate your outstanding debts into one payment
- Convert ARM into a permanent fixed rate
- Convert fixed rate into an ARM
- Eliminate Mortgage Insurance
The refinancing market has changed and lenders are far more selective and more careful about who they lend to now. The days of easy credit loans are over and people have to expect more scrutiny from potential lenders. Some people may find that their credit status has changed in the last couple of years.
Due to the hammering that some lenders are taking from the sub prime market, lenders are getting tough when looking at loan applications. We are beginning to see a credit realism entering the market.
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