Find answers to your financial questions. Now you can make smart decisions about purchasing, refinancing and debt consolidation.

 
 

How Much of a Down Payment Do I Need?
Use the following calculator to determine the maximum monthly (P+I) and the maximum loan amount for which you may qualify. The figures in this calculator are based on programs that require full documentation of income. These programs may require verification of W-2's, 1099's, and/or paystubs. If you cannot prove your income we have many programs that do not require any income documentation.

 
  Loan Information  
  Sale Price of Home
  Down Payment % %
  Estimated Interest Rate %
  Discount Points Paid at Closing %
  Mortgage Term
  Monthly Housing Expense  
  Estimated Annual Property Taxes
  Estimated Annual
Homeowners Insurance
      
 
  Mortgage Results  
  Mortgage Amount
  Down Payment Amount
  Discount Points
  Closing Costs
  Prepaids
  Total Cash
  Mortgage Payments  
  Monthly Principal &
Interest Payment
  Estimated Monthly
Property Tax Payment
  Estimated Monthly
Insurance Payment
  Totals  
  Estimated Monthly Payment
  Estimated APR %

Disclaimer: The calculated results shown above are based on conventional loan program guidelines. Other loan programs are available and may provide results that better fit your individual needs. Calculations completed within this tool are estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.

 
 

European Concerns Increase

Increased concerns about Europe helped mortgage rates improve this week, although the impact of the recently passed extension to the payroll tax reduction is beginning to push up mortgage rates for certain loans (discussed below).

The news from Europe was mostly negative this week. Economic growth in Germany was slower than expected. Negotiations on restructuring Greek debt did not progress as planned, increasing the risk of default. S&P is downgrading the debt of several European countries, including France. Finally, the European Central Bank (ECB) provided no relief, as it gave no indication that it would increase the level of aid available to troubled countries. As a result, investors shifted funds to relatively safer investments, including US mortgage-backed securities (MBS), which helped mortgage rates move lower.

The recently passed extension to the temporary payroll tax reduction contained a lightly publicized revenue raising provision to increase the guarantee fees charged on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans. This fee results in higher rates for borrowers, and mortgage rates for loans not expected to close within the next month or so have begun to reflect this coming increase in guarantee fees.