We are your Minneapolis St Paul area home mortgage refinancing or purchase money mortgage broker. Our Minnesota mortgage loan programs include Conventional, FHA,VA mortgage loan programs-fixed rate or adjustable(ARM).   

Call Patti  Mazzara or John Mazzara at 952-285-4319 for an interest rate quote on current Minnesota mortgage rates -or- use the mortgage calculators to calculate your debt consolidation savings with a refinanced mortgage payment. 

Minnesota Mortgage Broker- Venture Development - has been committed to your Minnesota real estate mortgage loan needs for over 14 years-whether it be for a home purchase, refinancing to a lower rate, or debt consolidation.   

We offer Minnesota loan financing for first time buyers, move up buyers, home remodel and rehab,  and investment property loans throughout the Twin Cities, MN-Minneapolis St Paul and Greater Minnesota. We are located in Edina, Minnesota.

Our mortgage loan programs offered include: Conventional fixed rates, 30 year, 15 year, 10 year, ARMS, adjustable rate mortgages, Interest Only loans, FHA, VA, Veteran loans, USDA, Reverse mortgages, new construction, second mortgage, lines of credit,  low closing cost & "no closing cost" loans.

Customers First! Satisfied customers are more important to us than anything else. We strive to be your Minnesota mortgage lender/broker for life for all your real estate financing.  Our goal is to make the loan process as simple and worry-free as possible. We at Venture Development pride ourselves in offering the highest level of customer service, and appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. We do it all-whether you want to refinance to a lower mortgage rate, consolidate debt, get a new home mortgage for a purchase, home equity line of credit or second mortgage, or purchase of an investment property.  We have grown our business one loan at a time, based on repeat business and referrals. 

We have the tools you need to make the correct decision regarding your next home mortgage.  We  can help you compare products so that the loan you select will match your goals.  We can create a special report specific to your situation by utilizing a number of special software programs.  We are your "mortgage doctor" we only "prescribe" the correct product after a financial consultation. Whether you are a first time home buyer or have obtained many mortgages throughout your lifetime you will find that the depth of knowledge and products that we have access to will meet your needs.

Are you waiting for a certain interest rate before you refinance your loan?  Would you like to obtain one of the Twin Cities best interest rates on your next Minnesota home loan?  Why not let us track the interest rate for you-and notify you when/if your rate is reached? Our MN mortgage rates are always very competitive-combined with excellent service and extensive product knowledge.

SOLUTIONS: PERFECT CREDIT-POOR CREDIT-DEBT CONSOLIDATION

If your credit score is not quite where it needs to be for a specific loan program, we will use one of our credit analyzer programs to see if there is something we can do to improve your scores.  In some cases, we have dramatically improved the borrower's scores to where the borrower can qualify for a better set of mortgage loan products.  At the same time, we have some clients that are in credit repair mode for the next 6-12 months.  We believe in being proactive.  We can make some suggestions on how you can re-establish credit.  Start now-so you can buy a home in the future! Credit repair just takes time-Let's get started today! The sooner you do, the sooner you will be in a new home.  Not all mortgage brokers will take the time to help you make permanent fixes to your credit.  We take pride in doing business the right way. Use our debt consolidation mortgage calculator to see how much you can save.

Bankruptcy, Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Foreclosures and Short sales-we've seen it all.  Different loan programs have different requirements for re-establishing acceptable credit.  For example, FHA loans can be obtained while in a chapter 13 bankruptcy if certain conditions are met.  The key is to start planning for your future mortgage sooner rather than later.  We can refer you to companies that work with you to restore your credit and we might be able to provide you with some helpful tips.  We understand that bad things can happen to good people-Life Happens.  It's how you deal with the circumstances that matter.  Download a short PDF on Credit Repair

We have FREE e-book entitled "101 Fast Fixes To Boosting Your Credit Score" You can click on the title to get your copy.  Learn about credit repair and how to boost your credit score for a future mortgage and home purchase.   Another E-book of interest might be our book on family budgeting.  Ever end up with-too much month at the end of the money?  That could be due to the failure to establish and stick to a budget.  Our bugeting book will help you get your financial spending in order-- FREE Budgeting book.

MINNESOTA MORTGAGES & WIDE VARIETY OF HOME LOAN CHOICES

Think of Venture Development when you need a  "Minnesota mortgage" for " Minnesota Real Estate".  We can help.  We are primarily a Minnesota mortgage broker, although we may be able to help you with financing in another state.  Whether you are a first time home buyer, move up buyer, second home buyer, investment property buyer, vacation property, or interested in financing commercial property please call us.  As a mortgage broker, we have access to some products that other lenders and other mortgage brokers simply don't have.  Here are just a few of our products and unique situations:  Fixed rate loans, adjustable rate loans, ARM, Option ARMs, second mortgages, HELOC's, Reverse Mortgages, One time close, new construction loans, cash out refinance, interest only loan, credit problems, no credit score, debt consolidation, 100% financing, investor loans, no cost loans, low cost loans, no ratio, self employed, stated, true no doc, first time buyer, and investment property financing, 110% loans, and 125% loans, FHA secure, FHA, Veteran, and VA loans.

REVERSE MORTGAGES: STAY IN YOUR HOME OR EVEN PURCHASE A NEW HOME

With regards to reverse mortgages-if you are over age 62 and own a home, you are eligible for this type of loan.  There is no financial qualifying! There is a new JUMBO reverse mortgage product that allows you to get a loan of up to 4M.  This can be used for purchasing a new home or accessing the equity on a second home.  WOW!  We are one of the first brokers to have this product available.  ALMOST AN EXCLUSIVE-I don't know anybody else that is offering this program.  Let's review the criteria again-Are you age 62, and would like to purchase a home but either on a fixed income-SS and/or pension, retired, good credit/bad credit?  YES you CAN use a reverse mortgage for a purchase a home in Minnesota.   There is NO QUALIFYING-other than your age, required downpayment, and new loan amount must be over 200K.  Remember, with a reverse mortgage you make no payments.  This means you could purchase a new home without qualifying and have no payments. CALL ME!

NEW STATE OF MN AND FEDERAL MORTGAGE LAWS-ALWAYS CHANGING

Minnesota has some new mortgage laws that became effective on August 1st 2007.  These laws have removed the ability of Minnesota mortgage brokers to offer no documentation loans on primary residences but not for investment property purchases.  We STILL CAN do low/no documentation programs for investment and commercial properties that are not considered residential properties.

Lenders/Investors change programs qualifying criteria on a regular basis.  We keep up to date on what the new laws are and how they affect your ability to get a mortgage. Call us with your loan scenario.

CONVENTIONAL FIXED RATE MORTGAGES AND ARM's (ADJUSTABLE RATE LOANS)

The 30 year fixed rate mortgage is probably the most popular loan that we write for our clients.  At the same time, we offer 10 yr loans and 15 year loans.  In addition, we have all types of Adjustable Rate Mortgages-ARM's.  We try to counsel borrowers to select the correct loan product based on the length of time they will remain in the property.  Both Fixed Rate loans and ARM's can be amortizing-where you pay both interest and principal or just interest only.  Some people prefer to pay down their loan whereas other will want the maximum tax deduction combined with the lowest payment that interest only has to offer.  There is no right answer as everybody has a different situation and specific goal that they would like to accomplish.  We at Venture Development will take the time to inform you of the options so that you can make the correct choice.  Call us and ask us what our most popular program is at this time and why it is so popular. 

FHA LOANS - VA-VETERAN LOANS| FHA MORTGAGES- VA VETERAN MORTGAGES

With FHA loans, we can utilize Down Payment Assistance programs-like Nehemiah, Ameridream and Genesis to help you pay for the downpayment and closing costs so you can purchase a new home.  Don't let the lack of money be an obstacle to home ownership.  Read more about down payment assistance using gifts from qualified charities.

In addition, many subprime lenders have either left the business or the loan programs that used to be offered have gone away.  The government is trying to create some new solutions by revamping old programs and creating new programs.  These proposed adjustment primarily are occuring in the FHA programs, but there may be some in VA (Veteran loans) too.  Call me for details as these changes are evolving.  Click under the tab FHA to your on the side bar for updates on FHA.  This may be a solution to stemming the foreclosure crisis in the Minnesota housing market. 

If you have an existing FHA loan there is also the FHA Streamline refinance that is available for a lower cost refinance.  This program may not require an appraisal, credit check or proof of employment-but must have made your last 12 months payments on time.

There is an FHA 203K loan available for rehabilitation of an existing home for an owner occupant.  There is the "lite" version allowing up to 35K and an expanded version allowing for greater repairs.  The investors available to purchase this loan come and go-we may or may not have an outlet for this loan.  Would you like more info on the 203K?  We have created a downloadable PDF that covers a lot of the highlights-Streamline 203K

Existing FHA programs allow the seller to pay some of your closing costs-usually up to 6%.  There are down payment assistance programs too.  We are creative, so call us with your situation.

As a side note, do you know what the anacronym stands for? FHA stands for "Federal Housing Administration." The mandate of the FHA is to be an agency of the federal government that will insure private loans that are issued for new and existing housing.  In addition, FHA loans can be granted for approved  home repairs. The entity FHA was actually created by congress in 1934 and subsequently became part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Housing (HUD) in 1965.  The recent passage of a vote by the House of Representatives gives us hope that the FHA will become a more modernized agency that will provide programs that are more risk based and responsive to today's lending environment.  We'll have to wait to see if the Senate can pass the bill without to many modifications.  In any event, the FHA will come out a better and stronger organization than they are today. 

KEY FHA LOAN ADVANTAGES:

*Total buyer contribution required is 3.5%

*Fixed rate loans, ARM's and Buydowns

*Buyer contribution can be a gift from a relative or qualified charity DPA program-up to 100% of the amount for down payment and closing costs

*Credit scores as low as 620 (possibly lower w/manual underwrite)

*Credit can be non-traditional credit with manual underwriting

*No cash reserves required unless 3-4 unit

*Sellers can contribute up to 6% towards closing costs w/minimum down payment

*Increased FHA loan limit w/ 2008 Stimulus package

*Relaxed appraisal requirement in comparison to the past

*Cash out refy to 85% loan to value-consolidate first & second to 97%

*Borrower can have an open Chapter 13 w/12 months of on time payments

*Non occupying Co-borrower allowed-come together as one on the application

*Mandatory loss mitigation by the loan servicer-not automatic foreclosure-if asked

*31/43 qualifying ratios- compensating factors allowed for additional flexibility

*U.S. Citizenship not required

*FHA loans can be assumed at the note rate with full qualify (credit & income)

*Streamlined refinance for existing FHA loans-less documentation, limited qualifying criteria and less expensive.

*Condominiums are acceptable with 51% owner occupancy within the project and high rises are allowed-project must be on approved list-other factors may apply

*1.75 % mortgage insurance can be financed in the loan, then .55% monthly

VA LOANS-VETERAN SPECIAL OFFER

If you are a Veteran, you are eligible for 100% financing with a VA loan.  VA loans are insured through something called the funding fee.  This protects the administration against loan defaults.  The funding fee can be added to the back of the mortgage but is a reasonable trade off, when you consider that the loan is financed at 100% of the properties value. 

When all things are compared, it may turn out that a conventional loan or FHA loan might be a better fit.  Veteran loans take a little more time to process, so if that is the route you want to pursue, please allow ample time. The nice thing is that you have more mortgage finance options to evaluate. If you have served our country in the armed forces since 9/11 or are currently serving full time or in the guards, let us know.  From time to time, we run various specials for exclusively for veterans and active duty participants.  Call us for details.  We want to honor those who make this country safe.  Thank you for your sacrifice.

Great news for Veterans!  The Minnesota state legislature has just passed a new state law that allows disabled vets to receive a permanent property tax exemption on their primary homestead.  Here is how you qualify-if you have a service related disability that is between 70-100%, you can get a $150,000 exclusion.  If you have a service related disability that it 100% and qualified as total and permanent, then you can get a $300,000 exclusion.  You need to file a form with the county assesor in order to qualify.  The form is CR-DVHE100.  You can find out more at http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/  Read property tax fact sheet #13

KEY VA LOAN ADVANTAGES

*100% Purchase financing possible

*Funding fee can be financed in the loan

*Funding fee may be waived for disabled vet

*90% ltv cash out refinance

*Sellers can contribute 4% towards buyers closing costs

*41% qualify ratio

USDA GUARANTEED RURAL HOME LOAN PROGRAM

The USDA offers a program to finance single family homes in rural areas.  So it won't work in major population areas, but might on the fringe.  Here are some of the highlights and things to consider:

*The loan is a fixed rate for 30 years

*Up to 100% of the appraised value can be financed.  This needs to include the 2% guarantee fee.

*Sellers are allowed to contribute up to 6% towards the closing costs

*Only 1 unit single family residences allowed

*Purchase and Refinances-OK.  The refinance is ONLY for rate and term improvement, not cash out.

*Full documentation loan underwriting

*$417K is the maximum loan size allowed

*No cash reserves required

*No minimum contribution from the borrowers funds required (FHA loans require 3.5% for example)

*NO PMI-there is an upfront USDA Guarantee fee of 2% required which can be financed into the home loan.  On a refinance, the cost of the guarantee is .5%

MINNESOTA CORPORATE MORTGAGE BENEFIT

Patti Mazzara is our corporate real estate benefits director.  She will be happy to review this program with you if you have any questions.  Here is the internal link to an overview of the program- Minnesota corporate mortgage  

The formal website for this program is located at http://www.minnesotacorporatemortgage.net/

Common mortgage questions answered at our site!

Throughout our website you can find tools available to answer virtually any mortgage question. Trying to decide if now is a good time to refinance? Check out our Refinance Mortgage Calculator. Wondering if a new home equity loan or second mortgage can lower your monthly payments? Use our Debt Consolidation Mortgage Calculator! Confused by all the loan programs from which to choose? Our Loan Program page will help you find the right type of loan for you. Also, we'll be happy to prepare a personalized mortgage quote for the home mortgage program of your choice. 

WIN A FREE MONTHS MORTGAGE PAYMENT-SWEEPSTAKES

Please check out all the tabs on the left.  Under the "Venture Development" tab you can enter the mortgage payment sweepstakes.   How would you like to win a one month's mortgage payment-up to $5K?  You have to enter to have a chance at winning!

Venture Development Inc is owned by John Mazzara - President & Patti Mazzara - Vice President.  We can be reached at 952-285-4319.  We schedule appointments out of the RE/MAX Associates Plus office at 7300 France Ave S Suite 410, Edina, Minnesota 55435.  Call us for directions and to schedule a time to take your loan application. 

If you are looking for real estate information on any of the communities within the 7 county metro area, just ask John Mazzara.  We recently wrote a series of reports on the various cities in and around Minneapolis and St Paul.  You can find them on the tabs to the left.  Just click and read up on the cities to see which community you might want to call home.  We  have specific reports about the real estate activity in each city at John's real estate site under "press releases/reports".  Visit http://www.minneapolisstpaulhomes.com/  to find out more.

MINNESOTA MORTGAGES AND REAL ESTATE

We are more than just a Minnesota mortgage broker, we are able to help you with all aspects of a Twin Cities relocation. John has been successfully selling Twin Cities real estate since 1986.  The first 9 years were with Burnet Realty and the balance has been with RE/MAX.  John sells homes throughout the metro area.  We live and work in Edina and know the Edina real estate market extremely well.  John has lived in Edina MN since 1986 and in Minnesota his entire life.

You can visit our real estate site at http://www.minneapolisstpaulhomes.com/  and go to reports and press releases to get a ton of information or start your ON LINE HOME SEARCH for a new home IMMEDIATELY.  If you are moving from out of state, not working with another real estate agent, and need a relocation package we can help-call us.   If you are leaving Minnesota-we can refer you to a top Realtor in your new community.

If you find yourself needing to sell your home in light of a distressed situation that might involve letting the home go to foreclosure, I would encourage you to consider ALL of your options first-then decide what is right for you-loan modification, forebearance repayment plan, as well as a short sale may work as well or better.  There are a number of tax and credit implications to whatever your decision will be-so you are highly advised to contact an attorney and accountant and possibly the IRS at http://www.irs.gov/ If you do decide that a short sale is the route to pursue, then contact John Mazzara to help sell your home.  John has completed the CDPE-Certified Distressed Property Expert program-and can share his knowledge of how to proceed with the short procedure.  You can learn more as well at Short Sale Option

REAL ESTATE INVESTING BOOK- "REALITY BASED" REAL ESTATE INVESTING

John Mazzara recently wrote a book about investing in investment real estate.  The book covers over 23 years of his personal experiences and insights into selling/owning/managing rental real estate.  You can find out more about the book and investing in real estate at our investment property book's website.  While the book is based upon Twin Cities Minnesota real estate, much of the lessons and information is applicable across the US. Visit http://www.realitybasedrealestateinvesting.com/ and get your personal copy today.

  This is the cover of the book.

FIRST TIME BUYER AND LANDLORD EDUCATION CLASSES

We offer classes throughout the Twin Cities through various community education and corporate locations. Call us to see what class location and time would be most convenient for you. Our class topics include:  the importance of credit, obtaining a mortgage, purchasing a home, selling a home, and becoming a successful landlord.  These classes are always offered in the evenings.  For those of you who are unable to attend our classes but would like home buying and landlording education, let me offer the FREE online classes offered by MGIC.  MGIC is a leading private mortgage insurer and underwriter.  They have created a two online classes that you can take.  Upon the successful completion of the course and passing a test online, you will obtain a certificate.  Besides obtaining knowledge, you MIGHT be required to complete a home buying class under certain first time buyer mortgage programs.  This class MAY be acceptable.  Here is how you get to the classes:  go to http://www.mgichome.com/  sign up and take the class, when you are done, you will need the lender code-here it is:  learning@ventureloanapp.com 

You don't have to be a MN home buyer to take the class.  Feel free to share this resource with anyone that will be looking to become either a home owner in need of understanding the process or a landlord looking to do landlording successfully.  The best part is that you can take the class from the convenience of your home or office online at on your time line. 

If you are a landlord-let me give you a link to a Free landlord website.  This site allows you to enter data and photo's about your property.  Once you have your site built, you can advertise your URL on Craigslist, the newspaper or even online on your website. Go to my Twin Cities real estate site and scroll down under Investment Property in Minnesota-click on the link that offers the website

MORTGAGE CALCULATOR WIDGET

We just created the widget you see below. It allows you to calculate a mortgage payment or see an amortization schedule.  Would you like a copy for your blog or website?  Just visit mortgage payment calculator and get yours today-it's free!

We help sell and finance mortgage loans throughout Minnesota in cities such as Minneapolis, St Paul and all surrounding suburbs such as Edina, Eden Prairie, St Louis Park, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Robbinsdale, New Hope, Crystal, Chaska, Chanhassen, Waconia, Savage, Prior Lake, Shakopee, Richfield, Bloomington, Mendota Heights, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Fridley, Columbia Heights, Shorview, Vadnais Heights, Lino Lakes, Roseville, Falcon Heights, North East Minneapolis, St Anthony, Stillwater, Inver Grove Heights, Lake Elmo, Afton, Cottage Grove, So St Paul, West St Paul, Woodbury, Oakdale, and Greater MN Minnesota.  We are your Minnesota mortgage broker and we finance Minnesota homes all throughout the State of MN.

	Mortgage News Daily MBS CLOSE: What Can Today Tell Us About Tomorrow? - 6 hours ago Posted To: MBS CommentaryThis is always the question right? I mean, after all, we already know what is available on our rate sheets at the moment, but the most valuable question always asks for tomorrow's MBS prices today. Forgetting for a moment that you'll usually LOSE more money thinking that way than you'll make, let's suspend GUTFLOP and see if we have any hints at tomorrow's action according to today's events. First, the fundamental arguments... What do we know? 10yr auction built up a decent concession going in and stopped pretty much on the screws (meaning that rates went up ahead of the auction, then we saw strong demand at those rates) Strong demand AT THOSE RATES is evidenced by the relatively high "offers accepted at high" metric from the auction, meaning that most of the...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. Mortgage Rates Rise Ahead of Treasury Auction. Fail to Recover Afterward - 7 hours ago Posted To: Mortgage Rate WatchMuch like Monday, yesterday was a data-less day in the marketplace, leaving me at a loss for words and new guidance. Mortgage-backed securities prices did managed to move higher following a very strong 3 year Treasury debt auction, unfortunately MBS price appreciations were not strong enough to warrant reprices for the better and lenders left mortgage rates unchanged on the day. The economic calendar picked up today, but not much. This morning the Mortgage Bankers Association released their Weekly Loan Applications Index. The MBA survey covers over 50 percent of all US residential mortgage loan applications taken by mortgage bankers, commercial banks, and thrifts. The data gives economists a look into consumer demand for mortgage loans. A rising trend of mortgage applications indicates an increase...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. MBS AFTERNOON: Mortgages Playing Follow the Leader with Benchmarks - 8 hours ago Posted To: MBS CommentaryHeading into the 5pm "what a slow day in the mortgage market" marking period... The FN 4.0 is -0-03 at 98-01 yielding 4.189% and the FN 4.5 is flat on the day at 101 the rock yielding 4.39%. The secondary market current coupon is 4.33%. The CC yield is 61bps over the 10yr TSY note yield and 58.6 basis points over the 10 yr swap rate. Static current coupon yield spread valuations are TIGHTER AGAIN! Holy relentless yield spread tightening! LOOK HOW SIDEWAYS FN 4.5 PRICES WERE TODAY! The MBS NINJA shares his thoughts on the recent stability of "rate sheet influential" MBS coupons in the face of rising benchmark yields: Mortgages, trading in the secondary market (soon to filter back to the primary and rate sensitive one), are tightening daily as more money is put to work along...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. FICO: Americans More Likely to Default on Mortgages than Credit Cards - 9 hours ago Posted To: MND NewsWireAmerican consumers are now defaulting on their mortgages in even greater numbers than they are walking away from credit card debt. According to FICO's® Score Trends Service, this is a phenomenon that is historically unique. FICO said the mortgage default risk for consumers with high FICO scores now exceeds their credit card default risk, even though most credit cards are unsecured credit and mortgages are secured by real estate. There is a parallel rise in mortgage delinquencies for these high scoring consumers. The company said that their analysis of trends in FICO scoring shows that recent repayment behavior has shifted significantly from what has historically been expected. In 2005 bankcard accounts were more than 3 times more likely to become seriously delinquent, that is 90+ days...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. MBS LUNCH: 10 Year Treasury Auction Results and Reactions - 10 hours ago Posted To: MBS Commentary10 year auction has impressive demand, but at higher rates. 3.45 Bid To Cover, but 3.735 % high yield with 70.94% of the bids at high yield MBS and Treasuries both slightly better on the announcement 4.5's are now down only 2 ticks on the day at 100-29 and 10yr yields are back down to 3.72+ from 3.74+ Here is a breakdown of the auction results: 9-YR 11-MO NOTES YIELDS High 3.735 pct Median 3.700 pct Low 3.636 pct PRICE/ACCEPTANCES Price 99.090493 Accepted at high 70.94 pct Bid-to-cover ratio 3.45 AMOUNTS TENDERED AND ACCEPTED (dollars) Total accepted 21,000,013,800 Total public bids tendered 72,466,493,000 Competitive bids accepted 20,829,510,800 Noncompetitive bids accepted 70,503,000 Fed add-ons 248,452,700 Primary Dealer Tendered 49,661,000,000 Primary Dealer Accepted 9,857,410,000 Primary...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. Loan Demand Stagnates. Only One Bright Spot in the Production Slowdown - 11 hours ago Posted To: MND NewsWireThe Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending March 5, 2010. The survey covers over 50 percent of all US residential mortgage loan applications taken by mortgage bankers, commercial banks, and thrifts. The data gives economists a look into consumer demand for mortgage loans. A rising trend of mortgage applications indicates an increase in home buying interest, a positive for the housing industry and economy as a whole. Furthermore, in a low mortgage rate environment, such a trend implies consumers are seeking out lower monthly payments which can result in increased disposable income and therefore more money to spend on discretionary items or to pay down other debt. From the release: The Market Composite Index, a measure of...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. MBS MORNING: Losing Ground As Benchmarks Back Up - 11 hours ago Posted To: MBS Commentary4.5 MBS down 6 ticks to 100-26 10yr Tsy about 5bps higher at 3.743 (vs. 5pm yesterday) Wholesale Trade Improves from -.8% to -.2%, but misses expectation of +.2%, no one cares Pre-Auction Concession + range dynamics weigh on 10's, MBS follow The movements in bonds this AM tells us just how focused the market is on the upcoming auction. Granted, the econ data earlier today isn't exactly "top shelf" (or even middle shelf for that matter), but without a microscope, it's hard to tell if it was even traded. The "room to run" that AQ discussed this AM in conjunction with the standard pre-auction concession is dominating the movements in the benchmark, which itself, is forcing MBS prices lower. Somewhere between an eighth and a quarter of a point has left the YSP building...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. Underwriters: Loan Quality Still in Need of Improvement; Interesting FICO Score Data; Will the Fed sell their MBS Holdings? - 12 hours ago Posted To: Pipeline PressAt the last company Christmas party, loan agents lined up on one side of the room and the underwriters on the other side. The loan agents throw fire cracker at the underwriters...and the underwriters lit them and threw them back. A long-time underwriter wrote to me and opined, "Consumers always want more than what they can afford and we gave them exactly what they wanted for the last 10 years (without any prudent financial advice). I actually like the guideline changes and feel it is necessary to eradicate some of the lackadaisicalness that I hear in some underwriter's voices. Manufacturing quality is still a problem for the Agencies, and originating mortgage companies are still closing loans that are not 100% purchasable by the aggregators upon delivery. Fannie and Freddie have technology...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. MBS OPEN: Rates Ticking Higher Just Because They Can - 15 hours ago Posted To: MBS CommentaryGood Morning. I've had some great coaches in my lifetime...none better than my high school/juniors hockey skipper. Many of the messages he bestowed upon me have carried over from the locker room into my professional life. One of my favorites is the K.I.S.S principle. KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID This is incredibly relevant to the current market environment. The econ calendar isn't providing much meaningful guidance at the moment. Stocks are still showing an unwavering inclination to do what they want, when then want. Politicians are counting votes, leaving some of the most important reform debates of our era at the mercy of party lines. Fiscal affairs abroad are falling victim to heavy scrutiny AND speculation. Overall, this doesn't paint a very clear BIG PICTURE perspective. Well actually...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. The Day Ahead: Inventories, Budget Statement, Treasury Auction - 15 hours ago Posted To: MND NewsWireInvestors this morning await the first real data to be released this week. But wholesale trade inventories isn’t a major market mover, nor is the afternoon’s budget statement, so it could be a quiet day if investors prefer to postpone trading until retail sales figures hit the headlines on Friday. One hour before the opening bell, the market is pretty flat. Dow futures are down 1 point at 10,563 and futures on the S&P 500 are up 0.00 points to 1,140.50 Meantime, WTI crude oil is up 31 cents to $81.80 per barrel, and Spot Gold is trading $5.15 higher at $1,127.00. Earlier today the Mortgage Bankers Association said its index of mortgage application rose 0.5% in the first week of March, but it remains down 12.5% from last year. Key Events Today: 10:00 ? Wholesale Trade Inventories...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.