mortgage rates

Mortgage Markets In Review : December 29, 2008

December 29, 2008

In a week defined by low volume and lack of conviction, mortgage markets idled ahead of the holiday last week.

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For Real Estate Investors, Finding Good Loans Is Tougher Than Finding Good Deals

December 26, 2008

With home prices falling across most parts of the country, investors in real estate are finding good value in certain rental properties. Unfortunately, they’re also finding it harder to get approved for a home loan.

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A Great Combination : Too Many Homes For Sale And Low Mortgage Rates

December 24, 2008

For the first time in over a year, the sales of “used homes” fell below the 5-million unit trendline, helping to push the total home inventory higher by 0.1 percent nationwide. Based on the rate at which homes are selling nationwide, it would take 11.2 months for the existing housing supply to be exhausted.

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The Unexpected "Tax" That The Refi Boom Places On Borrowers

December 23, 2008

In late-November, the Federal Reserve pledged $600 billion to buy mortgage-backed securities. The announcement drove down mortgage rates and started the Refi Boom. Then, the Federal Reserve made a second series of statements after its scheduled meeting last Tuesday, causing mortgage rates to plunge again

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Mortgage Markets In Review : December 22, 2008

December 22, 2008

Mortgage markets improved last week for the second week in row.

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STOP! Before You Open That Store Charge Card To Save 15 Percent…

December 19, 2008

During the holiday season, retailers bombard shoppers with at-the-register offers to “open a charge card and save 15%”.

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You’ll Get The Best Mortgage Rates If You Watch Certain Patterns

December 18, 2008

When it comes to mortgage rates, sometimes it’s better to “act now”.

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Explaining The Federal Reserve In Plain English (December 16, 2008)

December 16, 2008

The Federal Open Market Committee voted to cut the Fed Funds Rate by at least three-quarters percent today. The benchmark rate now rests in a range of 0.000-0.250 percent.

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The Fed Funds Rate May Fall, But Mortgage Rates May Not

December 16, 2008

The Federal Open Market Committee adjourns from its 2-day meeting at 2:15 P.M. ET today. It’s widely expected that the Ben Bernanke-led FOMC will reduce the Fed Funds Rate by a half-percent to 0.500 percent.

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Mortgage Markets In Review : December 15, 2008

December 15, 2008

Mortgage markets improved last week, riding a steady stream of negative news into its best levels of the year.

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Simple Real Estate Definitions : Refinance

December 12, 2008

A mortgage is a contract between a bank and borrower, defining the terms by which a home loan must be repaid. The paperwork, signed by both parties, includes provisions for things like: The interest rate The length of the loan The amount of money to be borrowed But, like all loans, a mortgage loan can be paid off at any time.

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Conforming Fixed Rate Mortgages Are Now Priced Better Than Comparable ARMs

December 11, 2008

It’s the age-old question for home buyers in need of a mortgage: Which is better: Fixed or ARM? Historically, the answer has hinged on a homebuyer’s desire to meet one of two mutually-exclusive mortgage financing goals: Get low mortgage payments for better cash flow Get long-term payment stability for better budget planning But because of government intervention and lingering questions about the economy, fixed-rate mortgages are now pricing cheaper than their adjustable-rate counterparts.

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Get Extra Tax Deductions In 2008 — Pay Your Mortgage A Few Days Early

December 10, 2008

For most Americans, mortgage interest paid on a home loan is tax-deductible in the year in which it was paid. With advance planning, therefore, homeowners can increase their 2008 tax deductions and limit their tax liability on April 15

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What It Means When More Than Half Of The Delinquent Homeowners Go Delinquent Again

December 9, 2008

Earlier this year and under pressure from the government, mortgage lenders made more than 200,000 loan modifications to delinquent homeowners. The modifications came in one of three forms, or a combination: Interest rate reduction Loan term extension Principal forgiveness But despite the modifications, as of October 1, more than half of the homeowners that received assistance were already two months behind on their modified monthly payments.

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Mortgage Markets In Review : December 8, 2008

December 8, 2008

In a week in which mortgage markets struggled to find direction, mortgage rates edged higher overall. The weekly increase was the first since mid-November and it may signal higher rates as we head into 2009. The week’s most talked-about story hit the wires Friday.

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1 Penny = 1 Billon Dollars

December 4, 2008

The global recession has caused significant demand destruction of all commodities around the world. Arguably the hardest hit has been crude oil, down significantly from it’s peak. With the fall in crude oil prices, distillate prices have come down as well.

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The Truth About Those "4.500 Percent Mortgage Rates" You Keep Hearing About

December 4, 2008

Business television is abuzz this morning with talk of “four-point-five percent mortgage rates”; the clip above ran on NBC Today. The news stems from a leaked story that the U.S. Treasury will intervene in the mortgage market, lowering rates a full percentage point below their current levels

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"Franksgiving" And Other Black Friday Facts

November 28, 2008

The day after Thanksgiving is a busy shopping day nationwide and, this year, analysts are paying extra attention to sales figures. Dubbed “Black Friday” in reference to red ink representing loss and black ink representing gain, today’s start to the Holiday Shopping season is believed to be the day that retailer balance sheets finally cross over to profitability

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The 2009 FHA Loan Limits For Every U.S. County

November 18, 2008

In March 2008, HUD temporarily raised FHA loan limits around the country. Effective January 1, 2009, FHA loan limits revert

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