Park Ridge TodayPark Ridge Illinois Real Estate and More

This was reported today by the AP:

Rates for 30-year home loans surged last week, rising to the highest level in eight months due to the improving economy and the end of a government push to keep rates low. The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 5.21 percent this week, up from 5.08 percent a week earlier, Freddie Mac said Thursday. That’s the highest since mid-August, when the average rate was 5.29 percent.

Most REALTORS have been banging the drum for a while about how interest rates will go up eventually and this is a start. Nonetheless, rates in the 5’s are still very low. If you have any interest at all in purchasing real estate, now is still the time. 

I was doing some research on the HARP program and other mortgage plans that have been introduced and I stumbled onto a message board for people that are purposely walking away from their mortgages and mailing the keys to the lender, thus Jingle Mail.

Researching (sometimes called surfing) I found more on “Planned Foreclosures” in other parts of the country that have been affected the most by the housing markets.  I have to say, the argument is a good one, albeit one with many repercussions, mostly negative.

Without a doubt, this affects not just that homeowner, it affects the entire neighborhood. I’m sure most would agree that our lives have been affected by this; bad mortgages, overzealous lenders and fictional applications for homes. On the other hand, it is impossible to have 10% – 12% appreciation annually on a home, so something had to give.

We’re in the midst of pulling out of the worst of this, thankfully Park Ridge hasn’t been hit as hard as other parts of the country.

Here’s an option out there for refinancing homes that have lost market value.  This brief eligibility questionnaire from the US government might be able to help.

If you are a homeowner who is current on your mortgage payments but unable to refinance to a lower interest rate because your home value has decreased, you may be able to refinance.  Click Here for the Home Affordable Refinance Program. 

Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.