October 9, 2024
Credit Scores Matter
Unless you’re a cash buyer, credit scores are the most important factor lenders consider in a mortgage application. It...
October 8, 2024
Declining Rates Benefit New Homebuyers in 2024
Extra mortgage payments can chop thousands off your mortgage. Use a good prepayment calculator to determine your...
October 7, 2024
U.S. Labor Market Still Going Strong
The national unemployment rate dropped for the second month in a row, dipping to 4.1% in September. In addition, more...
October 5, 2024
Consider Using a Realtor When Selling Your Home
Home sellers who don’t use an agent are twice as likely as agent-assisted sellers to be unhappy with the results of...
October 4, 2024
How Low Will Interest Rates Go?
Mortgage rates dropped to historic lows during the pandemic, and it’s not likely to happen again. The low 5% range is...
October 3, 2024
U.S. Annual Home Price Growth Inches up in August
Year over year, U.S. single-family home prices rose to 3.9% in August, the lowest rate of growth recorded since last...
October 2, 2024
Fed’s Powell Signals Slow, Steady Rate Cuts
Powell said the economy is largely healthy and the Fed is “recalibrating” its key interest rate, not rapidly cutting it....
October 1, 2024
Buying a Starter Home Cheaper Than a Year Ago
Starter homes in several Florida metro areas went from unaffordable to affordable in the last year, Redfin...
September 30, 2024
Redfin: Buying More Affordable Since 2020
Housing affordability is improving for the first time in four years, an economist said. Buy now because it’s unlikely to...
September 28, 2024
10 Things About the Mortgage, Housing Market Today
Growing home equity is helping homeowners build financial buffers, and mortgage delinquencies have dropped, according to...
September 27, 2024
Average 30-Year Rate Slips to Lowest in 2 Years
The rate on a 30-year mortgage dipped to 6.08% from 6.09% last week. The rate averaged 7.31% a year ago. Rates on...
September 26, 2024
Using Points to Lower Rates – Is it Worth it?
Borrowers should calculate the break-even point when buying discount points. They may lower the mortgage rate, but it...
September 24, 2024
Some Millionaires Opting to Rent
Even though millionaires have more options than average American buyers, many see renting as a better investment for...
September 23, 2024
Fannie Mae: Existing Sales May Hit 30-Year Low
Analysts say many borrowers are waiting for affordability to improve and mortgage rates to decline. They anticipate...
September 21, 2024
Q&A: What Are Tenant Rights With a New Landlord?
When a new landlord steps in, tenants should know their rights regarding rent, utility payments and lease...
September 20, 2024
Average 30-Year Mortgage Rate Falls to 6.09%
The average long-term rate fell to 6.09% from 6.20% last week and 7.19% a year ago, Freddie Mac said. Borrowing costs on...
September 19, 2024
Fed Makes Aggressive Half Point Cut
The unusually large interest rate cut suggests the economy is rebounding. The cut will continue to impact mortgage...
September 18, 2024
Is It Time to Consider a Mortgage Refi?
Lower rates are just one factor when refinancing a home loan. It can cost thousands to refinance so consider all of the...
September 17, 2024
Fed Rate Cuts to Deliver Economic Boost
The rate cuts expected this week will be the first in a series that should make borrowing more affordable. Rates have...
September 16, 2024
U.S. Consumer Sentiment Ticks Higher
Consumer sentiment edged higher for the second month and is at its highest level since May, according to the University...
September 14, 2024
The Upcoming Rate Cut: 5 Things to Consider
The expected Fed rate cut could have positive impacts on the housing market, including lower mortgage rates and easier...
September 13, 2024
Long-Term Rates at Lowest Level Since Feb. 2023
The average rate on 30-year mortgages fell to 6.20% from 6.35% last week. A year ago, it was 7.18%. Rates on 15-year...
September 12, 2024
Calculating a Mortgage Payment Within a Budget
Borrowers can lower their mortgage payments by increasing their credit score, extending their loan term or getting rid...
September 11, 2024
Report: Many Sellers Still Covering Buyer’s Agent Fee Despite NAR Settlement Changes
The commission changes were expected to occur with the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) historic settlement have...
September 10, 2024
Prequalified vs. Preapproved: Key Differences
Just starting to think about buying a home? Get prequalified. Ready to buy? Get preapproved. You don't need a...
September 9, 2024
2024 Multifamily/Commercial Lending to Rise 26%
Commercial and multifamily mortgage lending is expected to reach $539 billion, driven by lower interest rates and...
September 7, 2024
Home Mortgage Lending Rebounds Nationwide
Residential lending saw a 23.2% increase in Q2 2024 over the prior three-month period, marking the first gain in a year...
September 6, 2024
Housing Payments at Lowest Level Since Jan.
Brokerage Redfin said national pending home sales are falling despite declining housing payments because buyers hope...
September 5, 2024
Helping the Self-Employed Tackle Mortgage Hurdles
Nearly 50% of self-employed mortgage applications are denied but helping them look to alternative lenders can put them...
September 4, 2024
Redfin: 'Lock-In Effect' Continues to Ease
In Q1 2024, 86% of owners had a rate below 6%, down from the 2022 high of 93%. Rates need to dip more for the lock-in...
September 3, 2024
Older Adults Moving in With 'Boommates'
Retirement-aged adults are increasingly sharing housing arrangements due to rising taxes, insurance and mortgage...
September 2, 2024
Consumer Sentiment Inches Up
After four straight months of declines, consumer sentiment in August increased 1.5 index points above July, according to...
August 31, 2024
Down Payments at Record High
Nationwide, buyers are putting down more money to offset high mortgage rates. Two Florida cities, however, rank among...
August 30, 2024
Average 30-Year Mortgage Rate Eases to 6.35%
It’s the second drop in 2 weeks, keeping the 30-year FRM at its lowest level in over a year, which is good news for...
August 29, 2024
Saving Strategies for Financial Goals
When saving for a down payment, experts recommend using multiple CDs with staggered maturity dates or setting up savings...
August 28, 2024
FHFA: U.S. Home Prices Up 5.7% in Last Year
Home prices across the nation were up 0.9% from Q1 2024. Florida has seen a 4.8% four-quarter appreciation and 79.3%...
August 27, 2024
Fed Rate Cuts Ahead: What It Means for Mortgages
A Fed cut in interest rates could lead to lower mortgage rates, boosting homebuying and refinancing activity. Already...
August 26, 2024
In policy speech, Harris calls for $25K incentive for first-time homebuyers
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election, included initiatives to deal...
August 24, 2024
Surprise Lift for July New Home Sales
Sales of newly build homes rose 5.6% from a year earlier. Gradual improvements in the home building sector are forecast...
August 22, 2024
Built-for-Rent Construction Posts Gains
NAHB’s economist said single-family built-for-rent starts are almost 10% higher in 2024 Q2 than 2023 Q2.WASHINGTON –...
August 21, 2024
What Would a Rate Cut Mean for You?
An interest rate cut could be on the table when the Fed meets Sept. 17-18. A rate cut could mean a drop in mortgage...
August 20, 2024
3 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers
First-time buyers face a more challenging real estate market today than a half-decade ago. They should expect to move...
August 19, 2024
Impact of Lower Fed Rates on Spenders & Savers
With inflation nearing the Fed's 2% target, economists expect rate cuts starting in September. Homebuyers could see big...
August 17, 2024
Zillow: Lower Rates May Revive Competition
Buyers in Florida’s bigger metros gained an upper hand in July 2024, Zillow said. Nationwide, homes have been lingering...
August 16, 2024
Investor Purchases Surge to 2-Year High
Investors bought 1 of every 6 U.S. homes that sold, purchasing $43 billion worth of properties, and 1 of every 4...
August 15, 2024
Updated 2024 Forecast: Mortgage Relief Soon
Lower rates, a strong economy and the easing lock-in effect means 2024 home sales will close stronger than 2023 and...
August 14, 2024
White House Unveils $100M Plan to Boost Housing
The plans also include expanding low-cost financing and reducing federal regulations to help construction...
August 13, 2024
Rental Marketing Cooling, Concessions Offered
Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa are among the top rental markets in the state offering concessions. The U.S. rental...
August 12, 2024
Saving for a House?
Buyers may hear they need a 20% down payment to buy a home, but that’s not set in stone. Many mortgages require as...
August 10, 2024
Homeowners Race to Refinance Home Loans
As mortgage rates retreat from 23-year highs, home loan applications rose 16% last week, the highest level in two years....
August 9, 2024
Rates Fall to Lowest Level in Over a Year
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage fell to 6.47% from 6.73% last week. Costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages fell to...
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