Author: Regan Hagestad

8 Rules of Refinancing When Mortgage Rates are Falling

Mortgage rates are the lowest we’ve seen in three years. While many folks are considering buying or selling, it’s also a great time to refinance. Here are some tips from Inman on how to properly refinance a home loan: Slow down. Yes, you might miss the boat, but better to do it right. When refinancing a primary residence, remember that

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How Brexit Could Push Mortgage Rates to Historic Lows

Among the largest and most immediate effects from the vote by Britain this past week to sever its economic and political ties with the European Union are how it will alter mortgage interest rates and U.S. real estate prices. According to Redfin, here’s what you need to know about buying, selling and borrowing with the recent advent of the Brexit

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Fannie Mae’s Second Quarter 2016 Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey

Lender attitudes toward the housing market are positive heading into third quarter 2016, having recovered from a significant decline in recent quarters, according to Fannie Mae’s second quarter 2016 Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey. Conducted in May, the survey shows that lenders reporting demand growth for GSE (government-sponsored enterprise) eligible purchase mortgages in the past three months rebounded to 70 percent

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Mortgage Rates Officially Hit Three-Year Lows

Mortgage rates crept just barely lower on June 10, but it was enough to leave the average lender’s rate sheet in its best shape since May 2013. Unlike the early February time frame, rates have moved lower in a steadier way, according to Mortgage News Daily. Although that doesn’t mean they can’t bounce higher, it does mean there’s less risk of a

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Four Loans That Affect Your Mortgage Worthiness

When shopping for a mortgage, your credit score is paramount—ultimately making or breaking your mortgage approval and determining whether or not you snag your dream home. According to trulia.com, here are four key consumer loans that can affect your mortgage worthiness, along with ways to improve your credit if you already have (or are considering) these loans—all with the goal of

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U.S. New-Home Sales Rise at Fastest Pace in Eight Years

U.S. new home sales posted their strongest month in more than eight years in April, while prices jumped to a record level. That suggests healthy demand alongside limited supplies across the housing market, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report. Here are some highlights: • Purchases of new, single-family homes jumped 16.6 percent from a month earlier to a

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Existing-Home Sales Rise in April

With the Central Valley leading the way, California’s statewide pending home sales reversed a three-month slide and posted higher in April, but an ongoing shortage of homes on the market may diminish the upcoming home-buying season, according to the California Association of Realtors (CAR). CAR’s April Market Pulse Survey also reflected a slowdown in market activity, with a decrease in

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State Warns Homeowners to be Wary of Mortgage Loan-Modification Scams

California homeowners need to be on the lookout for scammers offering to alter and decrease their mortgage payments, according to the California Department of Justice, which has received numerous complaints from homeowners and mortgage servicers expressing concern about fraudulent mortgage loan modifications. How does it work? Masquerading as mortgage servicers or representatives from the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), these

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Mortgage Rates Trending Lower Going into Home-Buying Season

If you’re looking to buy a home this spring, you’re timing couldn’t be better. Mortgage rates are hitting their lowest levels in years, according to Freddie Mac’s recently released Primary Mortgage Market Survey. “The Fed’s decision to stand pat, followed by a week of assorted unsettling news drove Treasury yields lower,” says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “As a

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Home Prices Gain Ground in March

In March 2016, U.S. home sellers reaped the highest prices since the onset of the Great Recession in December 2007, according to RealtyTrac, which provides comprehensive housing data nationwide. Sellers across the nation received $30,500 more (an 17 percent average gain in price) than they purchased their homes for in March, according to the organization’s March and first-quarter 2016 U.S.

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