Jim Barker Team - Arizona Wholesale Mortgage Inc.

03/11/2025

📈 Mortgage rates are hitting a 4-month low! 🏡💰

If you’ve been waiting for a better time to buy, this might be it. Rates have dropped 0.5% in just two weeks, the fastest decline in months. That means more purchasing power and better deals for buyers.

Here’s what that looks like:
✅ A buyer with a $2,500 monthly budget for principal and interest can now afford a $417,000 home up from $395,000 just days ago.
✅ The monthly payment on a median-priced home has dropped by $105.85 in two weeks.
✅ If economic data stays weak, rates could drop even more—but if not, they could bounce back up.
✅ Bonus - More inventory means more options and room to negotiate.

Give me a call if you’ve been standing on the sidelines waiting for better rates.
Jim

01/31/2025

Why Wait for Spring? Buying Now Has Its Perks!
Many buyers assume spring is the best time to move, but here’s the truth: winter can offer some major advantages.
With fewer buyers in the market, home prices often hit their lowest point just before spring competition drives them up.

Why wait and pay more later? Let’s connect and explore how buying a home this winter could work in your favor! ❄️🏡

01/07/2025

If you or someone you know is planning to buy or sell real estate in the next 6 months, here’s what many buyers (and sellers) are missing out on by focusing only on rates:

1️⃣ TRUTH: Rates are currently at their highest point in the past six months. While this might seem like bad news, many uneducated consumers stop here and decide to wait for lower rates, sidelining themselves.

2️⃣ TRUTH: We now have the most inventory since 2020. However, we are still far below the “normal” level needed to meet population and demand. Real estate is hyper-localized, so it’s critical to pay attention to neighborhoods. Homes in desirable areas with fair pricing and decent condition are not sitting around waiting for rates to drop.

3️⃣ TRUTH: Time on the market is longer, but remember, a “normal” market isn’t one where homes sell in 2 days with 12 offers. Historically, 30-45 days is typical.

4️⃣ TRUTH: When rates go ⬆️, buyers decrease ⤵️. But when rates drop 📉, buyers flood 📈 the market. Those winning in today’s market are the ones looking beyond rates to opportunity.

5️⃣ Payment is what matters.
I recently spoke with a buyer who was able to secure a home for $64,000 less because the market is slower right now. While his monthly payment is about $125 higher due to current rates, he understands that this temporary increase is minor compared to the $64,000 in savings.
🧠 Here’s the strategy: A 1% lower refinance rate in the future could save him $328/month, while owning the home at a lower price. If he had waited for rates to drop, he’d likely face a bidding frenzy, higher prices, and less inventory—all because demand would skyrocket.

The takeaway:
Work with advisors in mortgage and real estate, not just “salespeople.” Ask for detailed projections—not just the rate or price—but numbers over 3, 7, and 10 years at modest appreciation rates (we start with 3%).

Let us help!
If you’re considering a move, ask your Realtor to connect with us. We’ll guide you through the math and opportunities so you can make confident decisions.

Jim Barker
VP - Loan Advisor
NMLS 242000
Arizona Wholesale Mortgage Inc.
NMLS 19254 MB 0902107
📧 [email protected]
📱 (602) 686-1885
🌐

Whether your goal is to finance your first home or your last home or want to use your current housing wealth to sustain your retirement lifestyle, Reverse Focus has the right loan for you.

12/25/2024

The Home Alone House Financed: 🎄🎄

671 Lincoln Ave
Winnetka, IL 60093

Value: $5.25M
Down Payment: $1,312,500 (25%)

P&I: $24,888 (6.5%)
Taxes: $4,156
HOI: $408
Total: $29,452 😳

Alarm System:

- Swinging Paint Cans
- Heated Doorknobs
- Fuzzy Tarantula
- Glued Feather
- Iron Drop
- Marbles
- Tar

Keep the change you filthy animal.😉

12/05/2024

🌟 Good News on the Horizon! 🌟

The housing market is showing signs of improvement, and 2025 could bring exciting opportunities for both homeowners and buyers! 🏡

📉 Mortgage Rates: Experts predict rates may begin to gradually decrease, making homeownership more affordable for first-time buyers.
🔄 Refinance Opportunities: Current homeowners might find new chances to refinance and lower their monthly payments.

Debbie and I are keeping a close eye on these trends to ensure you’re always in the know and ready to make the most of what’s ahead.

Thinking about buying your first home, refinancing, or exploring your options? Let’s chat—we’re here to guide you every step of the way!

📞 Send us a message or comment below to start the conversation.

11/25/2024

Homebuyer Black Friday Advice:⁣
⁣
You can’t refinance “paying $25k - $50k over the list price” next year when the market picks up again...⁣
⁣
But, you CAN refinance a 6.875% interest rate once rates come down...⁣
⁣
Shop wisely 🏡

10/16/2024

Average net worth:

-Renter: $10,000

-Home owner: $396,000

“But Jim, my uncle Tony said the rates are too high…” 🤦‍♂️

09/06/2024

The conversation isn’t about rate.
According to CoreLogic data, the average American homeowner has seen a 9.6% increase in home equity over the past year! Along with the average homeowner gaining around $28,000 in equity during that time period.🏡

09/03/2024

Quick “poll”: do you want to buy an investment property but aren’t sure of the in’s and out’s?

Would you consider it if you had someone to guide you through it?

Yes/No.

Thanks!🏡

08/02/2024

Big mortgage rate drop. Let me know if you want to take advantage of it.
Message me for a quick quote!
. .

07/21/2024

God bless 'merica, and God bless all the Realtors who encourage their buyers to become preapproved early on, even if their buyers don't think they need one.

06/16/2024

Happy Father’s Day to all the awesome Dads out there.

06/11/2024

🚨 Important VA Update for Real Estate Agents 🚨

The VA has just announced a game-changer for Veterans using the VA-guaranteed home loan benefit. Starting August 10, 2024, a temporary local variance will allow Veterans to pay certain buyer-broker charges. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Temporary Local Variance for Buyer-Broker Charges:
- Veterans can now pay reasonable and customary buyer-broker charges.
- Applies in areas where:
-- Listing brokers are prohibited from setting buyer-broker compensation through multiple listing postings.
-- Buyer-broker compensation cannot be established by or flow through the listing broker.
- Charges paid by the Veteran are considered in their liquid assets assessment.
- These charges are recorded in section H (“Other”) on the Closing Disclosure.

2. Key Points:
- Veterans should negotiate the amount to be paid to their buyer-broker.
- Sellers can still pay for the Veteran’s buyer-broker charges, which is not considered a seller concession by the VA.

3. Why This Matters:
- Ensures Veterans remain competitive buyers in the rapidly shifting real estate market.
- Helps Veterans and their agents navigate the complex compensation landscape more effectively.

4. Action Steps for Agents:
- Familiarize yourself with the details of this variance.
- Educate your Veteran clients about their options for negotiating buyer-broker charges.
- Ensure all relevant agreements and charges are properly documented and disclosed.
This temporary variance reflects the VA's commitment to adapting policies to better serve our Veterans. Make sure your Veteran clients are aware of these changes and leverage this opportunity to better support their home-buying process.

For more information, please contact me at 1-602-686-1885 OR the VA at 1-877-827-3702 OR submit a request through the VA’s ServiceNow customer portal.

Let's continue to serve our Veterans with the excellence they deserve! 🇺🇸

06/11/2024

🏡 Did you know? Almost one-third of all homebuyers are first-timers! According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 32% of homebuyers are making their very first purchase, up from 26% last year.

That’s why putting education first is at the heart of what I do every single day. Understanding the mortgage process is key to feeling confident and excited about your new home.

Whether you’re a real estate agent or a first-time buyer, never hesitate to ask questions. I’m here to dive into all the details and guide you every step of the way.

Ready to start your journey to homeownership? I'm happy to help! Reach out today.

05/17/2024

🏡🏡. Did you know that owning a home can be more affordable than renting?

Our Down Payment Assistance programs are here to help you make the switch. 🏡🏡



















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