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As we step into 2025, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all my clients and those considering the journey to homeownership.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.