mortagesandforeclosures

by Amy Nutt

In an effort to keep people in their homes and encourage more home purchases, the Federal Reserves actions to reduce interest rates have been a success. Many homeowners have taken advantage of low interest rates and have purchased homes or refinanced their current mortgage. However, prospective homeowners who have not taken advantage of the savings should consider acting soon because many industry analysts say the low interest rates may soon end.

Mortgage interest rates have seen an astounding drop to as low as 4.5 percent after President Obama's mortgage refinance stimulus plan was announced as well as the Federal Reserve announcement last November about their plan "to buy as much as $500 billion of securities backed by Fannie Mae (FNM.P), Freddie Mac (FRE.P) and Ginnie Mae." Mortgage experts are now warning that the low interest rates for mortgages are not going to last. Celia Chen, senior director of housing economics at Moody's Economy.com in West Chester, Pennsylvania says, "The downward trend we have seen in mortgage rates will not last beyond the first half of this year." She continued to say, "By then, the Federal Reserve's program will have run its course and other issues will move to the forefront that could push mortgage rates higher." Chen also said, "By the first quarter of 2010, rates should be at 5.87 percent."

The reasons the interest rates will start to increase include an increase in government debt and a positive outlook that the economy is beginning to rebound. This may be the perfect time to secure a mortgage or refinance an existing mortgage because as the economy begins to recover, interest rates will begin to rise. For instance, economic analysts have recently reported that "last year, the yield on the 10-year treasury was only about 2%. Recently, there has been an increase to over 3.5%." The result will be that interest rates on loans and mortgages will start increasing again. As well, 30-year loan interest rates have seen a jump. Recently, the average interest rate rose to 5.27%. This is up from about 4.75%.

Greg McBride, senior financial analyst at Bankrate, Inc, in North Palm Beach, Florida, says, "Expectations of a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 4.50 percent are too ambitious. Inflation worries may begin to spook investors and that could send Treasury yields higher, which would cause a corresponding move in higher mortgage rates."

Cameron Findlay, chief economist at online loan broker LendingTree.com in Charlotte, North Carolina, says "mortgage rates at 4.50 percent remained possible, but not probable." As well, Moody's Economy.com has forecasted interest rates at "4.5% by mid 2009 after dipping to a low of 4.37% in the second quarter. In the third and fourth quarter, rates are expected to rise to 4.57% and 5.18 %."

If the increase in interest rates continues, people who are considering refinancing an existing mortgage, buying a new home, or selling their new home, may miss out on a great deal if they wait too long. This may be the best time to lock into a low interest rate mortgage.

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