The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) concluded its meeting for April 2015 this afternoon. Mortgage rates are responding positively, moving slightly downward. After hitting 6-week highs this week, rates pushed lower this afternoon. The Federal Reserve sets monetary policy…
Seventy-five percent of all homes are bought with the help of a home loan. And if, like the majority of homebuyers, you fall into this group, the best way to prepare for your home purchase is to get a mortgage…
Buying a home can be a daunting process, especially for first-time homebuyers. It’s easy to get tied up in the excitement and emotion of owning your first home, but with such a large purchase, it’s important to take your time…
If you’re selling your home, hiring a real estate agent can be a headache. Not only are good ones hard to find, but they also cost a fortune. If you hire a real estate agent to sell your $300,000 home,…
You know you want a low mortgage rate. But have you ever thought about how mortgage rates are calculated? How do lenders come up with the rates they offer? The short answer is, it’s all about the bond market —…
Today is Earth Day, a day celebrated by many around the world in an effort to broaden support for environmental programs, rekindle public commitment to environmental causes, and build community activism. In the spirit of Earth Day, and with summer well on…
Your social security number (SSN) is an important part of your financial identity. Whether you’re opening a bank account, applying for a credit card, or taking out a mortgage, you’ll need your SSN. Being asked for these 10 numbers has…
Typically, when a lender advertises their current mortgage rates, they are “prime” or “best-execution” rates. These terms usually mean that the rates can only be obtained if the borrower is willing to pay discount points and has optimal financial history.…
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) has existed since 2009. The program goes by other names, such as Making Homes Affordable, the Obama Refi, A better Bargain For U.S. Homeowners, DU Refi Plus, and Relief Refinance. The program was created…
Getting the best deal possible on a home loan or refinance takes work. There’s a lot of research to be done and a lot of people to talk to. Doing the research to get the best deal possible is very…