Let’s say that around the first of this month you checked mortgage rates to see if a refinance was in your future. Rates have been on a steady decline so far this year so it’s no wonder that you did make a quick check. And rates have fallen to the point in early March that […]
The Seesaw World of Stocks and Bonds- And Mortgage Rates
If you’re like most people, you really don’t pay much attention to Wall Street on a daily basis. Sure, you’ll check your 401(k) when you statement comes in and peek at your IRA but in general, Wall Street is left for the so-called “experts” who buy and sell stocks every single day. But as you’re […]
Four Tips to Cash Flow on Rentals
Real estate is one of the unique asset classes that appreciates over time while at the same time providing the owner a monthly dividend. Name any other investment that does the same. Active real estate investors seek out rental properties that point to long term appreciation while getting paid each month to own it. Not […]
Is the Fed Changing Its Tune?
It appears that, while not backtracking, the Federal Reserve has indeed changed its tune regarding interest rate policy. The Federal Open Market Committee, or FOMC, wrapped up its most recent two-day meetings this past January 30. The FOMC meets about every six weeks to review the current state of the economy, review recent past and […]
Should You buy Now or Wait? Q1 and Q2 Mortgage Rate Forecast
It’s now closer to the time when holidays and days off are further in the rear view mirror and it’s back to the standard routine. Investors are back in the markets packing their portfolios with stocks, mutual funds and bonds and analysts are moving back in the guessing game as to the state of the […]
Inflation Data Higher Than Expected: Are Higher Mortgage Rates on the Horizon? Why Buying or Refinancing Now Might Be Your Best Financial Move This Year
Economists follow all sorts of economic data. Some data they follow more closely than others and some reports quite frankly are mostly ignored. These reports are released at varying times of the month and economists as well as investors across the board anxiously await these numbers as an indication of the health of the economy. […]
The Fed Just Raised Rates: What It Means to You
You probably heard the Federal Reserve raised a key interest rate this week by 0.25% to 1.50%. This key rate, the Federal Funds rate may not be an everyday term consumers refer to but lenders certainly do. What is the Federal Funds, or Fed Funds rate? The Fed Funds rate is the rate charged to […]
Asset Utilization Loan
Have you heard of an asset utilization loan? Not many have. Most mortgages issued today fall into two distinct categories, conventional and government-backed. Conventional loans include those approved using guidelines set forth by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while government-backed loans include VA, FHA and USDA programs. An asset utilization loan is mortgage program that, […]
Mortgage Rates Hit Three Year Lows
Mortgage Rates Hit 3-Year Lows, Foreclosure Rates Continue Dropping Good news for home buyers—this month mortgage rates officially hit a 3-year low. As of May 10th, rates were 3.5-3.635% for 30-year fixed loans. This is the lowest that they have been on average over the entire 3-year time period (last year, the rate was 3.84%). […]
Mortgage Rates May Push Upward
Mortgage Rates May Push Upward Later This Week Dependent on Retail Sales Data Mortgage rates managed to drift slightly downward last week, with no big surprises to press rates significantly in any direction. The ISM indices split direction, with the manufacturing index posting a decline, and the services index moving upward. Both indices remain above […]
