It’s no secret that home buyers in the U.S. faced some tough times during 2021. There have been countless news stories about frustrated buyers struggling to find a house due to high competition and low inventory. Many people are now wondering: Will 2022 be a good time to buy a house? Will it be any […]
The Loan Limits Blog
Mortgage Rate Forecasts & Predictions for 2022: Are Higher Rates Ahead?
A pair of recent mortgage rate forecasts for 2022 predicted that we will see higher mortgage rates next year compared to where we are right now. Those predictions were issued by researchers from the government-sponsored home loan purchaser Freddie Mac, along with the industry group Mortgage Bankers Association. Mortgage Rate Forecasts for 2022 Predict Higher […]
Do Jumbo Loans Require a 20% Down Payment?
Do jumbo mortgage loans require 20% down? Sometimes they do, while other times they don’t. Most lenders require at least 10% down, but that’s not written in stone. There are a variety of factors that can determine how much a person has to put down on a jumbo loan. Keep reading to learn all about […]
Do Jumbo Loans Have Higher or Lower Rates Than Conforming?
Key highlights from this article: Sometimes jumbo loans have higher mortgage rates than conforming. Other times, they can offer a lower average rate for borrowers. It partly depends on the demand from investors, which can change. So far in 2021, jumbo loans have higher average rates than conforming. Home buyers tend to have a lot […]
Austin FHA Loan Limits 2021: Bastrop, Caldwell Hays, Travis & Williamson Counties
At a glance: the 2021 FHA loan limit for Austin, Texas is $416,300, for a single-family home purchase. This cap applies to all five counties within the metropolitan area. This is the maximum mortgage amount for loans insured through the Federal Housing Administration. Below, you will find the 2021 FHA loan limits for the Austin […]
Arizona FHA Loan Limits 2021: Phoenix, Tucson, Maricopa County, etc.
The 2021 FHA loan limits for all Arizona counties were increased in response to rising home prices. Federal housing officials announced this change at the end of 2020. Below, you can find the maximum FHA mortgage amount for all counties of Arizona, and for major metro areas like Phoenix and Tucson. 2021 FHA Loan Limits […]
Here’s Why Phoenix Home Prices Won’t Go Down in 2021
Well, we made it to 2021. But there is still a lot of uncertainty out there due to the coronavirus pandemic and economic slowdown. As a result, we’ve begun to publish reports to address common questions and concerns among home buyers nationwide. We call them “Micro Market Reports.” Today, we will zero in on the […]
How Much Does a Mortgage Point Cost, and What Will I Save?
At a glance: This article answers two common questions among home buyers and homeowners. How much does a mortgage point cost, for the borrower? And how much can I save over the long term by paying points? What Is a Mortgage Point, Exactly? When researching home loans, you’ve probably encountered the term “mortgage point.” In […]
Is a 5% Down Payment Enough to Get a Mortgage Loan?
Reader question: “Can I buy a house with a down payment of only 5%? Is that enough money to put down to qualify for a mortgage loan?” This is a common question among home buyers and mortgage shoppers. The short answer is yes, a well-qualified borrower can certainly get a mortgage loan with 5% down. […]
What’s the Most I Can Borrow With a VA Loan?
Key highlights from this article: Mortgage lenders determine the most you can borrow on a VA loan. The government used to set official loan limits, but that ended in 2020. Your income and debt are largely what determine your borrowing limit. Many lenders set a “debt-to-income” limit at around 45%, for VA borrowers. We encourage […]