Refinance Mortgage California Guidelines For Homeowners

This BLOG On Refinance Mortgage California Guidelines For Homeowners Was UPDATED And PUBLISHED On May 27th, 2020

Generally, housing prices in California are one of the highest in the country. The average loan size in the state of California is $534,500 where it is $221,430 in the rest of the country.

Housing values in California have historically been higher than other parts of the country
California has probably the highest housing prices on the West Coast and has one of the highest home prices in the nation
Certain areas like Los Angeles, San Diego, Irvine, and San Francisco has one of the most expensive housing prices in the nation
If homebuyers compare California and Florida housing prices, buyers can get twice as much home in Florida for the same square footage home in California

In this article, we will discuss and cover Refinance Mortgage California Guidelines For Homeowners.

California Real Estate Market Crash

The real estate and credit collapse of 2008 has really crushed real estate prices for the whole state of California. The drop in home values in California was more so than any parts of the country.

There were areas of San Diego, Irvine, Los Angeles, and San Francisco where home prices have dropped 50%
California, like many parts of the country has had double-digit real estate appreciation for over 12 years until the Great Housing and Financial Collapse of 2008
Foreclosure rates, bankruptcy rates, and unemployment rates in California was one of the highest in the country
Thousands of homes have witnessed their hard-earned equity in their California homes not just evaporate, but have their mortgages underwater
Those seeking refinance mortgage California could not even think about it due to their California homes being underwater
Underwater mortgages means that their mortgage balances are higher than the value of their homes
California faced a real estate crisis
Many California homeowners who counted on the equity in their homes for their retirement were left stuck in their homes for many years to come
Others had no choice but to go through a bank foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, or short sale

Yet others filed for bankruptcy.

Homeowners With Negative Equity Can Now Think About Doing A Refinance Mortgage California

For homeowners who had mortgage balances that were higher than the value of their homes in California, they should see if they qualify for a refinance mortgage California.

Many underwater homeowners do not realize that California home prices have been appreciating double digits the past several years
Those who wanted to move or planned on moving with homes with underwater mortgages never thought they would be able to sell their homes due to being upside down
Due to the fact that their California home was underwater and thought that they would be stuck there their whole lives never in their dreams did they think they will recoup the equity lost
Many homeowners are surprisingly shocked when they find out that their homes have appreciated 20% or more in the past couple of years
There are still homeowners in California who have their mortgage rates in the high 7%
Some California homeowners have mortgage rates as high as in the 8% range
Many California homeowners could not qualify for the Home Affordable Refinance Program, also known as HARP, due to the fact that their mortgages were not owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
For these hard-working California homeowners, they can now see the light at the end of the tunnel
Due to the appreciation of their California home, now they have an opportunity to do a refinance mortgage California or sell their homes at a profit

California homeowners can refinance to lower their mortgage rates or to do a refinance mortgage cash-out.

Refinance Current FHA Loan To A Conventional Loan In California

FHA Loans are a loan program for first time home buyers as well as home buyers who have prior bad credit, higher debt to income ratios, and can only afford a minimal down payment.

FHA loan programs only require a 3.5% down payment for a home purchase with a minimum credit score of 580 to qualify for home purchases

California homeowners who were fortunate enough to purchase their home when California home prices were at their low after the 2008 Real Estate Market Collapse with an FHA loan can now qualify for a refinance mortgage California with a Conventional loan and eliminate FHA MIP.

Why Refinance FHA To Conventional Loan?

FHA loans have mandatory FHA monthly mortgage insurance premium which is 0.85% of the mortgage balance. FHA homeowners need to pay this monthly FHA mortgage insurance premium for the duration of the term of 30 year FHA Loans.

Average California mortgage balances are at $500,000
Many homeowners with FHA Loans still have the 1.35% FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium
For a California borrower with a $500,000 FHA mortgage balance, the borrower needs to pay the 1.35% annual mortgage insurance premium of ($500,000 mortgage loan balance, multiply by $1.35% annual FHA mortgage insurance premium, divide by 12 months ) of $6,750 per year
This is $562.50 per month for the duration of their FHA insured mortgage loan
By refinancing FHA to a conventional loan, homeowners can eliminate paying the mortgage insurance
Homeowners without 20% equity in their home can take advantage of LMPI, Lender paid mortgage insurance, conventional loan program

Homeowners with at least 20% equity can get very best conventional mortgage rates in California with no private mortgage insurance required.

Has California Home Appreciated In Value?

There are many California homeowners who purchased their homes a couple of years ago and their homes have appreciated by 20% or more.

Even if the home has not appreciated 20%, there are conventional mortgage loan programs that do not require private mortgage insurance
California homeowners who purchased home a year or longer ago with an FHA Loan may want to explore the idea of doing a refinance mortgage with a conventional loan to eliminate the FHA required annual insurance premium
FHA MIP needs to be paid for the duration of FHA 30 year fixed rate mortgage loan

Gustan Cho is a mortgage banker and correspondent mortgage lender that specializes in refinance mortgage California as well as California purchase mortgage loans. Gustan Cho Associates does not have any mortgage lender overlays on government and/or conventional loans. We go straight off DU or LP FINDINGS. An approve eligible through Fannie Mae’s or Freddie Mac’s Automated Underwriting System is the loan commitment if borrowers can clear conditions on AUS. All of our pre-approvals are full loan commitments that have been fully underwritten and signed off by our underwriters. Visit us now by clicking the APPLY NOW icon on the top right. Borrowers with any questions concerning a refinance mortgage California, please contact us at Gustan Cho Associates at 800-900-8569 or text us for faster response. Or email us at gcho@gustancho.com.