Category: Mortgage

Mortgage Borrowing Rates Drop to Unprecedented Record Low

By Mike Colpitts Lower Treasury bond yields and uncertainty over the world economy drove mortgage rates to another record all-time low this week as the 30-year fixed rate mortgage hit an average of 3.62%. The historic drop in rates was also experienced in the shorter term 15-year fixed loan. The drop in rates is unprecedented… Continue reading Mortgage Borrowing Rates Drop to Unprecedented Record Low

Mortgage Rates Hold Steady at Record Lows

By Mike Colpitts Mortgage rates held steady to maintain record low levels, with the 30-year fixed rate mortgage staying at an average of 3.66% for the second week in a row, according to Freddie Mac. The shorter term 15-year fixed loan slipped a single basis point to 2.94%. Many consumers refinancing homes are opting for… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Hold Steady at Record Lows

Mortgages Slow on Refinance Pause

By Mike Colpitts Led by a slowdown in refinancing, mortgage applications slowed last week, despite near record low interest rates as consumers pulled back from trying to obtain cheaper loan payments. Refinancing slowed by 8.0% from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The refinance share of mortgage activity also fell to 79%… Continue reading Mortgages Slow on Refinance Pause

Mortgage Rates Jump After Hitting Record Lows

By Ryan Jackson For the first time in more than two months, mortgage rates jumped higher as lenders reversed course, setting the average rate for a fixed 30-year mortgage at 3.71%, according to Freddie Mac. The shift could signal a change in rates to come. The rate on the 15-year fixed also saw a jump… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Jump After Hitting Record Lows

US Government Moves to Prevent Mortgage Fraud

By Mike Colpitts In an unprecedented move, the agency charged with overseeing the nation’s giant mortgage lenders is taking steps to halt mortgage fraud by the lenders it deals with. The action, by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, is the first of its kind since the financial crisis threw the U.S. economy into chaos. The… Continue reading US Government Moves to Prevent Mortgage Fraud

Home Prices Rise 2 Consecutive Months

By Ryan Jackson U.S. home prices showed two consecutive months of increases in March and April for the first time since the summer of 2010 when the market benefitted from the federal tax credit for home buyers, according to CoreLogic. The firm’s Home Price Index rose 1.1 % year over year in April for the… Continue reading Home Prices Rise 2 Consecutive Months

Another Small Step for Housing as Mortgage Rates Fall

By Mike Colpitts The U.S. housing market is taking one small step forward at a time. Little by little it is improving. The Mortgage Bankers Association report added to the chorus of reports indicating the small steps forward with its mortgage applications survey today, which showed a small increase in applications for mortgages last week.… Continue reading Another Small Step for Housing as Mortgage Rates Fall

Half of US Homes Underwater

A newly released survey shows that more than half of all U.S. homes with a mortgage are underwater or owe more on their homes than the current value of their property. The study is the strongest indicator yet that efforts made by the Obama administration are doing little to aid U.S. homeowners in the worst… Continue reading Half of US Homes Underwater