Mortgage Rates Plunge to Lowest Level in Over a Year

Mortgage rates fell to their lowest level in over a year, a welcome development for the housing market.The average rate on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 6.47% from 6.73% last week, Freddie Mac reported on Thursday. A year ago, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate loan was 6.96%.Separately, the average rate for the 15-year fixed […]

3 Things to Negotiate when Buying a House, Experts say

The housing market continues to be affected by elevated mortgage rates into 2024. In 2020 and 2021, when rates averaged 3.20% and 3.06%, homeowners opted to stay put and maintain their historically low interest rates. Many homebuyers are looking for ways to save money on their home purchase due to the housing shortage and high […]

Buying Down Mortgage Rates

Buying Down Rates En Vogue As Higher Rates Persist Should I Buy Down My Interest Rate? Assuming the Federal Reserve cuts mortgage rates as investors expect, the housing market appears to be heading for a recovery this year. Borrowers may choose to buy down their interest rate when interest rates are high in order to […]

Texas Mortgage Refinancing See Uptick

The Federal Housing Finance Agency eliminated something called the “Adverse Market Refinance Fee,” a huge incentive for  homeowners looking to refinance their mortgage. The refinancing fee was rolled out in December as a way to pay for some of the COVID mortgage relief.  How it worked was, the agency calculated the fee by taking 0.5% of a […]

What questions will a mortgage lender ask?

Millions of mortgage applications are completed and sent to lenders each year. Part of the steps required include the lender gathering information about you—and sometimes those questions can seem invasive. Most of the questions are required as part of your approval. Let’s take a look at the things a mortgage lender will ask. Credit Lenders […]

How to use your 401(k) for a down payment

Setting aside funds for a down payment for a home loan isn’t easy. Buyers obtaining a traditional loan need at least 20 percent as a down payment; otherwise, private mortgage insurance (PMI) will be required. That can add a significant amount to pay on top your mortgage payment. Today, the median home listing price in […]

Honesty on Your Mortgage Application: Your Future Depends On It

While it may seem harmless to alter your information on your mortgage application, you don’t want to over inflate your income or fail to reveal where the down payment funds originated. Everyone wants to get the best loan they can afford at the best rates. But if you lie on that mortgage application you risk […]

You Really Can Be A Homeowner

Buying a home is a major life milestone, and with it comes a lot of financial scrutiny and planning. The initial part of the process of getting your mortgage is paying close attention to your finances. It is crucial you don’t do anything that will cause your mortgage to be denied. You need to have […]

Homebuying Preparedness

Do you dream of one day owning your own home? You need to be prepared. If you buy before you’re able, you can find you owe more on your property than what it’s worth. But when is the best time to buy a house? It is important to buy a home for the right reasons, […]

Do You Need A Realtor?

The short answer is no, but not using a realtor, instead thinking you can use the internet as your only means of information is short-sighted. From researching the projected cost of utilities to local zoning restrictions, you’re going to invest countless hours in research before making an offer. As a buyer, and especially as a […]