Housing's silver lining
Housing may soon rise from the dead, argue some economists. And, the severity of the slump may in fact accelerate the arrival of a recovery.
Mortgage applications see biggest gain in 3 months: MBA
Applications for both purchase and refinance transactions are up again this week, fueled by falling rates according to Mortgage Bankers Association.
Falling Mortgage Rates Spur Serial Refinancing
Negative economic reports of late have pushed the rate on the popular 30 year fixed to below 4.5 percent, the lowest this year and just about a quarter percent off the 50-year lows we saw last summer; adjustable-rate products are even lower. When investors see bad economic news, they pull money out of the stock market and park it in bonds. The price of bonds goes up, the yield goes down, and mortgage rates follow down.
Mortgage Insurance Cancellation: The Myths and Realities
When it comes to private mortgage insurance (MI), there are several myths that exist that make buyers reluctant to consider a conventional loan with MI as an option when purchasing a home. One of the more common misconceptions is that cancelling MI is a difficult—not to mention time-consuming—process. By understanding these rules and what they mean for homeowners, real estate agents can educate their buyers to help them better evaluate all of their home financing options based on facts rather than myths.
Home clearance sale coming from 'desperate' sellers
In this market anxious Sellers will have to price aggressively to get cautious Buyers off the fence. Selleing real estate? Be certain to work with a local, qualified Realtor who knows how to price your home fora quick sale.
Can Low Rates Spark A Hot Housing Summer?
In recent days, home mortgage interest rates have ticked up very slightly but are still quite low, well below 5 percent. This spring's low rates have helped boost mortgage applications, both for refinancing and purchases. NPR's Chris Arnold reports on the outlook for the housing sector this summer, and the industry's one bright spot: cheap mortgages.