What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 30th, 2024
With Christmas concluding the prior week, there were few reports other than Consumer Confidence, which had come in slightly below expectations. This should prove to have little impact, especially in the following week. With the New Year on the horizon, there are no reports other than the Chicago Manufacturing output report for the entire week. Happy Holidays!
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How to Buy a Home if You Owe Taxes
If you're considering buying a home while dealing with unpaid taxes, you might be wondering how your tax debt affects your mortgage approval. The good news is, it is possible to buy a home even if you owe taxes. Here's what you need to know about how owing taxes can impact your homebuying process.
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Steps to Secure a Mortgage After Bankruptcy
Experiencing bankruptcy can feel like a significant setback, but it doesn't mean the end of your dream to own a home. With time, effort, and careful planning, you can rebuild your financial foundation and secure a mortgage.
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Looking Ahead with Gratitude and Hope
As the holiday season surrounds us with its warmth and cheer, we reflect on the incredible connections we've made this year.
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When Will Refinancing Pay Off? Calculating Your Break-Even Point
Refinancing can help homeowners save money, but it's essential to determine if the potential savings outweigh the upfront costs. One key tool in making this decision is calculating the refinance break-even point.
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 23rd, 2024
The rate cut by the Federal Reserve was hotly anticipated, and as predicted, they proceeded with the reduction, signaling the possibility of further cuts depending on inflation data. Although markets were generally receptive to the positive news, other government-related issues had dampened the high spirits temporarily. Outside of the rate decision, the PCE Index (the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation indicator) has performed positively by beating the forecast. In addition, the Consumer Sentiment was exactly where it should be as expected.
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Does Your Home Loan Have a Prepayment Penalty?
Buying a home is a huge milestone, and the excitement of closing can lead many buyers to quickly accept any mortgage offer without fully understanding its terms. One important detail to watch for is whether your mortgage includes a prepayment penalty. This fee can be an unwelcome surprise, so it's crucial to know what you're signing up for before finalizing your loan.
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What If My Mortgage Pre-Approval Expires?
A mortgage pre-approval is one of the most valuable tools in your homebuying journey. It's not just a letter stating how much you're qualified to borrow; it's a written commitment from your lender that assures sellers you have the financial backing to make a competitive offer.
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Exploring Down Payment Options for Homebuyers
Saving for a down payment is a common hurdle for many homebuyers, but there are several ways to make it happen. Whether you're tapping into savings, receiving a gift, or utilizing assistance programs, understanding your options can make the journey to homeownership smoother.
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Condo Financing vs. Single-Family Home Mortgages
Purchasing a condo can be an exciting step, offering a more affordable option or an appealing lifestyle in certain areas. However, financing a condo differs significantly from securing a mortgage for a single-family home. These differences arise from the shared nature of condo ownership, affecting the underwriting process, appraisal requirements, insurance needs, and sometimes even the interest rate.
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 16th, 2024
Last week featured a light release schedule, with the key highlights being the CPI and PPI reports. The CPI has proven to be exactly within expectations, signaling the Federal Reserve should be on track for another planned rate cut. However, this was offset by higher-than-expected PPI inflation. Despite these mixed signals, both indicators show stable trends, and overall inflation appears to be moving toward the Federal Reserve's target. The Federal Reserve remains committed to reducing inflation until their goal is achieved.
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Why Getting Preapproved Before Your House Hunt Is Crucial
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make, and you want to make sure you're as prepared as possible. Whether you're just starting to browse homes or are ready to put in an offer, one of the most important steps you can take is getting preapproved for a mortgage.
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The Differences Between Hard and Soft Credit Inquiries
Credit inquiries, also known as credit pulls or checks, are a standard part of assessing creditworthiness. However, not all credit inquiries are the same. They fall into two main categories: hard and soft credit inquiries.
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Will Refinancing Impact Your Credit?
Refinancing a mortgage can provide significant financial benefits, such as lowering your interest rate or accessing home equity. However, it's important to understand how the process may temporarily affect your credit score.
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 9th, 2024
With the CPI and PPI scheduled for release in the upcoming week, the previous week was lightly peppered with a small amount of impactful financial data releases. The highlight was the S&P Manufacturing PMI, which reported final numbers for the year showing better-than-expected improvements in the manufacturing sector. Unemployment data also aligned with expectations, reinforcing the likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut remaining on track. Lastly, the Consumer Credit Report had the expected jump just before the Holiday Season as consumers relied on credit to make holiday purchases for the end of the year.
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Why Refinancing Your Mortgage Before the Year Ends Is a Great Option
As the year comes to a close, it's the perfect time to consider refinancing your mortgage. Whether you've been thinking about lowering your monthly payment, securing a better interest rate, or tapping into your home's equity, refinancing can offer many benefits.
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The Role of the Appraisal Contingency in Real Estate Contracts
When you're buying a home, one important component of the real estate contract is the appraisal contingency. This clause protects the buyer in case the property's appraisal comes in lower than the agreed-upon sale price.
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Mortgage Assistance Programs and Government and Nonprofit Options
Purchasing a home is a significant financial milestone, but for many potential buyers, the upfront costs and down payment can be a barrier. Fortunately, there are a variety of mortgage assistance programs available through government agencies and nonprofit organizations to help low- and moderate-income homebuyers achieve their dream of homeownership.
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Steps to Prepare for Future Home Financing and Year-End Financial Checklist
As the year draws to a close, it's the perfect time to take a step back and review your financial health, especially if you plan to purchase a home next year. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade, proper preparation can make all the difference when securing a mortgage with favorable terms.
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 2nd, 2024
Leading off with the FOMC Minutes, the Federal Reserve has stated once again they will maintain a "gradual" approach to cutting interest rates, which has aligned with their goals of meeting their target 2% inflation goal. The PCE Index release numbers, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation indicator, have shown everything is within expectations. So while the rate cuts may be a gradual process, there is much optimism that they are coming. Following those reports were the Personal Income Spending, GDP Estimates, and Consumer Confidence pending the holidays. Both the Persona Income and Spending have shown very strong results ahead of...
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