Finance - Real Estate, Updates, News & Tips

Mortgage Rates Drop to another All-Time Low

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage set a new record again this week as rates averaged 3.13%, the lowest average rate in Freddie Mac’s records, which date back to 1971.The previous low for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was set just a few weeks ago at the end of May, averaging 3.15%.“While the rebound in the economy is uneven, one segment that is exhibiting strength is the housing market,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “P

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Mortgage Applications Surge to 11-Year High

Home buyers are reemerging, and here’s the proof: Mortgage applications to purchase a home reached the highest volume in more than 11 years. Record low mortgage rates are tempting more buyers into the market.Mortgage applications to purchase a home are 21% higher than the same week a year ago, the Mortgage Bankers Association reports. Applications for home purchases ticked up 4% week over week.“The housing market continues to experience the r

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Gov’t Agencies Extend Foreclosure, Eviction Moratoriums Again

The Federal Housing Administration and Federal Housing Finance Agency announced that they are extending foreclosure and eviction moratoriums another two months to help homeowners financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.The government agencies are extending until Aug. 31 foreclosure and eviction moratoriums for homeowners whose single-family mortgages are insured by the FHA and backed by either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The original morator

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Real Estate Continues Its Streak as Favorite Investment

Real estate continues to rank at the top of the list of the best long-term investments for Americans, according to the latest annual poll from Gallup. About 35% of Americans picked it as their favorite investment, which has been the case since 2013.Meanwhile, Americans are less likely to view stocks or mutual funds as the best long-term investment, particularly waning after the COVID-19 pandemic struck the economy this spring. Twenty-one percent

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Mortgage Rates Remain Low for Buyers who can Qualify

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage continued to hover near its all-time low this week, averaging 3.21%, Freddie Mac reports.“The rebound in home buyer demand continued this week, driven by mortgage rates,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “This turnaround in demand, particularly by those who have higher incomes than the typical household, also reflects deferred sales from the spring.”Freddie Mac reports the following nationa

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New ‘Housing Recovery Index’ Shows Rebounding Metros

The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with recent protests and civil unrest, has had a profound impact on the economy and housing market. But some cities at the epicenter of the confluence of storms are already seeing signs of a recovery.Realtor.com® debuted a new weekly Housing Recovery Index, which factors in home search traffic, median list prices, new listings, and median time on the market. The site compares the data to January 2020 market tr

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Record Low Mortgage Rates for the Long Term?

The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it would keep its benchmark interest rate near zero through 2022—a move that could set the course for record low mortgage rates for the next three years. The Fed’s key rate doesn’t directly affect mortgage rates, but it often influences them. The federal funds rate is what banks charge one another for short-term borrowing.The Fed’s decision was a response to the economic impact of the COVID-19

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Mortgage Applications are 13% Higher than a Year Ago

Mortgage applications continued an eight-week streak of gains as home buyers rush back into the housing market. Purchase applications, viewed as a gauge for future home sales, were up 5% last week compared to the previous week.Despite the pandemic, applications for home purchases are now 13% higher than a year ago, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Wednesday. “The recovery in the purchase market continues to gain steam, with the seasona

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Mortgage Rates Tick Up Slightly After Last Week’s Record Low

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage inched up after reaching an all-time low last week. However, mortgage rates continue to hover near the lowest averages ever recorded by mortgage financing giant Freddie Mac.The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.18% this week, up slightly from last week’s all-time low of 3.15%.“While the economy is slowly rebounding, all signs continue to point to a solid recovery in home sales activity heading into the sum

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Mortgage Applications Jump 18% Amid Record Low Rates

Mortgage rates again fell to an all-time low last week and home buyers are rushing out to take advantage. Mortgage applications to purchase a home rose 5% last week, putting applications for home purchases 18% higher than a year ago, the Mortgage Bankers Association reports from its seasonally adjusted index.This marks a strong rebound in applications. Six weeks ago, the COVID-19 outbreak brought mortgage applications down 35% compared to last ye

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