Karen Cox's (karencoxlandmark) Blog

Yesterday was an incredible day in the mortgage industry.  We saw the opening rates at 4.375% for some scenarios first thing in the morning. Which after the Fed meeting and lowering the Fed Fund rate is incredible all in itself. In normal economic times, historically, mortgage rates increase afte...

Since the Fed announced a plan to purchase $500 billion of mortgage-backed securities on November 25, mortgage rates have moved progressively lower, and the trend continued last week. Conforming fixed-rate mortgage rates dropped to levels last seen in 2003. Weak Retail Sales data and low inflatio...

Thank you to all our clients, friends and business partners that made our first ever Client Appreciation night at Northern Lights in Salem a great success!!!  Seeing everyone and re-connecting with good food, movies and conversation was incredible.  Be on the look out for our next event in the Sp...

With all the media and hype this past week that rates are going to be 4.5%, I thought that I would put my two cents worth in. This comment made on the Today Show last week sure made the phones ring.  Rates were excellent last week at 5.125-5.25% but low and behold, that wasn't good enough for peo...

The time to buy or refinance is now! Rates are approaching the lows we saw in early January for a few short hours. I think that rates will continue to improve and more people will be able to take advantage of the lower rates this time around. It is truly a buyers market out there again, home pric...

Until July 2009, first time buyers (or buyer's who have not owned a home in the past three years) are eligible for up to $7500.00 rebate from the Federal Government.  This rebate is actually a no interest loan to be repaid in the next 15 years.  Combine that with interest rates we are seeing and ...

  While many loan programs and products are shrinking on a daily basis and becoming more restrictive, the Federal Government is committed to helping our Veterans. On October 10, 2008, President Bush signed into law, the Veterans' Improvement Act of 2008.  With the passage of the bill, Veteran's c...

Loan limits for Marion & Polk County were increased as part of the stimulas package earlier this year. These higher loan limits helped many borrowers refinance their homes and get into a good, conservative, fixed rate loan.  FHA has just announced limits for 2009, unfortunately, these limits for ...

Market Overview Through October 2008    In the month of October 2008, there were 1278 new listings that came on the market and a total of 7674 listings available.  In the month of October 2007 there were 1571 new listings that came on the market and a total of 6953 on the market.  That is a 10.4%...

I thought I could address a few more details for those of you who may be looking at or have clients looking for homes in a rural area or know someone that really wants to get into a home but doesn't have a down payment. What: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a loan program t...