[Equity might have been the only thing preventing foreclosure a decade ago, said Hsieh, but these days most borrowers understand the importance of maintaining their credit score.] Studies show that if you're a credit worthy borrower, you will do everything in your power to keep your credit high, ... That in itself is skin in the game. |
[Few people will argue that consumers haven't benefited from these changes.] Keep in mind that 20 years ago you couldn't buy a house unless you had a 20 percent down payment, ... You had three choices of loans, adjustable, 15-year or 30-year. |
[With the report now out, rates could come up even more.] Most lenders will increase rates by a quarter to three-eighths of a percent today, ... Remember, rates move up of a lot faster than they come down. |
[You may be able to get the best deal on rates and closing cots from your current lender.] But don't just call your lender out of the blue, ... See what others are offering and then go to your own lender. They'll dig into their discounts if they feel they are going to lose you as a customer. |
Anytime the 30-year fixed rate goes over 6 percent, consumers start asking for an alternative product. |
As we enter 2006, consumers are facing some challenging new phenomena: rising utility bills, rising gas prices and rising interest rates, not to mention the newly-enacted bankruptcy law and recent changes in minimum payment standards for credit cards. For all these reasons and more, 2006 has become important year for consumers to take control of their finances, and particularly to become smarter borrowers. |
But don't just call your lender out of the blue. See what others are offering and then go to your own lender. They'll dig into their discounts if they feel they are going to lose you as a customer. |
Clearly these loans aren't for everyone. Unless you've been disciplined about saving the difference you're setting yourself up for sticker shock at the end of five years. |
From a fixed-income point of view, which I'm looking at, it's a little bit disappointing. We have seen the bottom on longer-term rates; everybody is assuming this may be the end of this party. |
I can tell you that the older generation is more programmed to go with a 30-year fixed, in part because they remember how high rates were in the 1970s. |
I have seen debt ratios as high as 70 percent or 80 percent. But somehow these people have found a way to pay their housing debt and keep their credit score high. |
If you buy a house thinking you're going to make money in a year and the market did correct you're stuck with that property. It's great if you can make money, but at the end of the day a home is where you live. |
If you drive down a street and see that every other house is for sale that is a direct reflection of supply and demand. |
If you own your own home free and clear, people will often refer to you as a fool. All that money sitting there, doing nothing. |
It makes sense for almost everyone. |