Mortgage rates jumped quickly higher today following a series of headlines/tweets regarding the probability of a US/China trade deal ahead of Sunday’s tariff deadline. What does all that mean? Let’s break it down. The status of the US/China trade relationship is a big deal for financial markets, including the bond market that dictates interest rates like those…
Black Friday is behind us and holiday gifts are flying off the shelves in stores and online. Unlike last year, however, there’s another type of buyer that is very active this winter – the homebuyer. Each month, ShowingTime releases their Showing Index, which tracks the average number of appointments received on active U.S. house listings.…
It may seem hard to imagine that the home you’re in today – whether it’s your starter home or just one you’ve fallen in love with along the way – might not be your forever home. The good news is, it’s okay to admit if your house no longer fits your needs. According to the…
Mortgage rates moved up modestly today as bond markets weakened in response to trade headlines. This week’s key consideration on the trade front is whether or not the planned December 15th tariff increase is delayed, canceled, or confirmed. In general, a delay or cancelation would be bad for rates, but markets are already expecting a delay…
Over the past year, mortgage rates have fallen more than a full percentage point. This is a great driver for homeownership, as today’s low rates provide consumers with some significant benefits. Here’s a look at three of them: Refinance: If you already own a home, you may want to decide if you’re going to refinance.…
Mortgage rates reacted somewhat harshly to an incredibly strong jobs report last Friday. At the time, I noted that such a jobs report would typically have done much more damage to rates, but that the current environment mitigates its impact for a few reasons. First off, labor market strength is taken for granted to some extent,…
Saving for a down payment is a key step in the homebuying process, and it’s not the only piece you need to include in your budget. Another factor that’s important to plan for is the closing costs required to obtain a mortgage. What Are Closing Costs? According to Trulia, “When you close on a home, a…
