Real Estate News Matters

Obtaining a pre-approval for a mortgage is an important step when you're planning to buy a home. It gives you an idea of how much you can afford, helps streamline the home-buying process, and strengthens your position as a serious buyer. However, many people worry that the pre-approval process mi...

Last week’s scheduled economic news included results from Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims. Fannie Mae Survey Shows Lower Home Buyer Confidence in MayFannie Mae reported lower home buyer confidence in housing market conditions in May. H...

One of the stresses of moving to a new area is giving up the familiarity that you have with your old neighbors and starting from scratch. Whether you've just moved to a different locale or you're planning to relocate in the near future, there are some easy ways that you can make a home of your ne...

When buying a home, there are certain steps a buyer should go through before the home sale is official. First the buyer makes the offer, then the offer is accepted. Next the buyer schedules the inspection and home appraisal. Finally, everyone is ready for closing.It’s easy to overlook the impact ...

Last week’s economic reporting included readings from S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices on home prices, reports on U.S. jobs growth, and the national unemployment rate. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.  S&P Case-Shiller: Limited Supply of Available Homes ...

March readings for the S&P Case-Shiller National Home Price Index showed that month-to-month home prices rose by 0.40 percent in March. The 20-City Home Price Index, which is considered a benchmark indicator by U.S. real estate professionals, rose by 0.50 percent month-to-month in March but poste...

When you apply for a new mortgage, the lender will evaluate your creditworthiness to determine whether to approve your application and what terms and interest rate to offer you. Your existing debt can affect your creditworthiness in several ways: Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): Your DTI ratio is the ...

Mortgage points, also known as discount points or origination points, are fees paid by borrowers at closing to reduce the interest rate on their mortgage loan. Each point typically costs 1% of the total loan amount and can lower the interest rate by anywhere from 0.125% to 0.25%.There are two typ...

Last week’s economic news included readings on new and pending home sales and inflation. The final monthly reading for May consumer sentiment was released along with weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims. Shortage of previously-owned homes for sale directs buyers to new homesHomeow...

Home loans are available in an assortment of lending packages, but the big difference that consumers need to pay attention to at a minimum is how the interest charge is calculated. Interest is the margin that represents the profit and risk offset for a lender financing a consumer's home purchase....