Refinances down but new mortgages are up. I’m not at all convinced that the recent indifference toward mortgage refinancing has anything to do with rising interest rates. I’m more inclined to assume that because low mortgage rates have been around for an extended period of time, most everyone who wanted to refi has already done… Read More
Mortgage and Finance
Foreclosure, Short Sale or Bankruptcy? Buy Again Faster!
A reader asks: We were told we have to wait 7 years after our Foreclosure to purchase another home. Is there any way we can buy a home sooner? A: Short answer… Yes, you can buy a home faster. Funny you should ask. Just last week I was talking with one of the lenders that… Read More
The Gig Economy – Mortgage App Tips for Contractors and Self Employed
The Gig Economy – Mortgage App Tips for Contractors and Self Employed The Gig Economy has been a hot topic lately. As the work-from-home concept cycles yet again into the fashionable zone, freelance and contract entrepreneurs are flourishing. But current mortgage regulations in our country are not self-employment friendly. That doesn’t mean you can’t get… Read More
Video: Applying for a Mortgage? Be Prepared.
Video: Applying for a Mortgage? Be Prepared. When you apply for a mortgage, your lender will take a good hard look at the last two years of your life. From names and addresses of employers to child support and alimony payments, everything even remotely related to your personal finances will be an open book. Start… Read More
Fed in No Hurry to Raise Rates Again… for Now
Fed in No Hurry to Raise Rates Again… for Now. As of today, mortgage rates are running on average 4.25 – 4.35 for 30-year fixed and 15-year fixed are ranging from 4.313 to 4.445, and though higher than a few weeks back, still remarkably reasonable. A few online banking systems are reporting lower rates however… Read More
Home Buying 101 – 1 Question, 5 Research Tips
Home Buying 101 – 1 Question, 5 Research Tips. As market conditions and mortgage regulations change, and without a doubt they do frequently, it becomes more and more important that you do your research before jumping right into the home buying market. This FAQ page is a good beginning, but I’d really like to elaborate… Read More
A Rare Balance: Mortgage Rates Hit a New Low, Home Prices Remain Stable
A Rare Balance: Mortgage Rates Hit a New Low, Home Prices Remain Stable. I realize this isn’t the season that most folks choose to move. Kids are settled into classrooms, ‘bad weather’ season is on its way in most parts of the country, and the holidays are creeping up fast. I get all that, I… Read More
Active Adults Playing a Huge Role in Home Builder’s Positive Outlook
Active Adults Playing a Huge Role in Home Builder’s Positive Outlook. Baby Boomers are entering the housing market in droves, some as first time buyers, others downsizing or relocating to a more retirement-friendly climate. The vacation home market in Arizona has seen a deluge of Boomers on the cusp of retirement, looking to bring a… Read More
Report: Multi-Family Homes as Investment or Residence?
Report: Multi-Family Homes as Investment or Residence? Folks shopping for a place to live have rarely considered multi-family homes in the past, but maybe they should start. Investors long ago realized the value of multi-family properties as a more efficient, more profitable way to cover their mortgage and investment costs. Multi-Family doesn’t need to imply… Read More
Video: What’s the Word on Mortgage Lending Standards? Better.
Video: What’s the Word on Mortgage Lending Standards? Better. Mortgage lending regulations, along with mortgage interest rates, are fickle. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on them, they will change. Fortunately for home buyers mortgage lending standards have recently been changing for the better. At the end of last year and the first… Read More