246 articles and videos on mortgage rates, the housing market and smart home financing, in plain English.
▶ VideoThe political visual shared today perfectly captures the current tension in Washington. However, when we look beyond the political headlines and strict economic dynamics, a very different picture emerges for the mortgage market. Historically, capital markets, specifically secondary mortgage yields, operate efficiently under a split government. In short: political gridlock is often a stabilizing force…
▶ VideoWith housing affordability near historic lows across California, ballot initiatives promising to assist homebuyers naturally attract significant attention.Proposition 37—the Second Mortgage Homebuyer Program initiative—proposes to utilize up to $25 billion in state revenue bonds to help middle-income buyers purchase newly built homes. On the surface, assisting buyers with secondary financing appears to be a direct…
▶ VideoFinding your ideal home before selling your current property is a classic homebuying dilemma. You have substantial equity locked in your current residence, but you need liquid cash for the down payment on the new property. In a competitive market, waiting for your home to sell before making an offer often means losing out on…
▶ VideoIf you have been following mortgage interest rates over the last few months, you know that yields have faced consistent upward pressure. To understand why rates move the way they do, it helps to examine the core driver behind mortgage pricing: the bond market. This week provided a textbook case study in how inflation, supply…
▶ VideoWhen shopping for a home, most buyers focus on two key numbers: the purchase price and the estimated monthly mortgage payment. While these figures are critical, they only tell part of the story. One of the most significant—yet frequently overlooked—financial advantages of purchasing a primary residence is the tax savings that come with it. Depending…
▶ VideoIn today’s housing market, high home prices and elevated interest rates have many mature homeowners feeling stuck. If you are 62 or older, the thought of moving out of a large family home and into a property that better suits your current lifestyle can feel daunting—especially if you want to avoid taking on a large…
▶ VideoIf you’ve been paying attention to the news lately, you’ve likely noticed a lot of chatter about interest rates and housing market shifts. It leaves many prospective buyers and homeowners asking the same question: Why is this happening, and what is actually driving these changes? To understand interest rates, you first have to understand inflation. Here…
▶ VideoThe Federal Reserve recently announced a 0.25% increase to the key short-term rate. For many prospective home buyers and sellers, news like this immediately triggers alarm bells: Does this mean mortgage rates just went up again? In a recent market breakdown with Karl Kooser of Monarch Title Insurance, we addressed the widespread confusion surrounding central bank…
▶ VideoIt is easy to look at current mortgage rates and assume that holding off on a home purchase is the safest play. However, smart real estate decisions often come from looking at the full financial picture rather than a single headline. Recent real estate market data shows a trend that deserves a closer look: while…
▶ VideoIt is no secret that today’s real estate market presents real challenges. Affordability is tight, rates fluctuate, and potential buyers often feel priced out or intimidated. But if you take a step back and look at history, a clear pattern emerges: getting into your first home has always felt difficult. During a recent multi-generational family dinner, we…
▶ VideoWhen evaluating the housing market, most buyers focus on home prices, local inventory, and Federal Reserve benchmark announcements. However, a much larger macro factor quietly shapes borrowing costs every day: the U.S. national debt. With total federal debt topping $40 trillion, understanding how government spending influences your home financing options is crucial for making informed…
▶ VideoThe recent release of the Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes confirmed what many market observers have felt for months: inflation is proving remarkably persistent. With several Fed governors advocating for sustained pressure on the Fed funds rate, consumers are left asking tough questions about their money. Is it safer to sit on the sidelines, or is…
