New Home Sales Rise Despite 7% Mortgage Rates: Economist Optimistic Amid challenges like low supply and high prices, prospective homebuyers are paying attention to new construction, which offers more incentives and availability than previously owned homes. Sales of new single-family houses surged by 8.3% in March from a year earlier, with a median sales price…

Read More

In the ever-evolving landscape of real estate, securing a mortgage as a self-employed individual has historically presented unique challenges. However, with the shifting dynamics of the workforce and the rise of entrepreneurship, lenders are adapting to accommodate the needs of self-employed borrowers. If you’re a self-employed Californian looking to buy a home, understanding the guidelines…

Read More

New-Home Sales Surge, Biggest Jump Since Dec. 2022 Sales of newly built homes in the U.S. surged in March, marking the most significant increase since December 2022. The robust demand propelled sales to their highest level since September 2023, just before mortgage rates began to climb to 7%. According to the Commerce Department’s report, new-home…

Read More

Refi Demand Surges Despite Rates Above 7%: Here’s Why Mortgage demand remained steady for the third consecutive week, with a slight uptick in total application volume. However, there was a notable divergence between those seeking new home purchases and those opting for refinancing to save money. While applications for home purchases decreased by 5% compared…

Read More

Experts’ Take on Mortgage Rate Impact of Fed Rate Cuts The economy experienced significant volatility from 2020 until the first half of 2023, with the Fed initially dropping the fed funds rate to zero due to the pandemic, leading to a surge in housing demand and a subsequent increase in home values. However, inflation began…

Read More
HELOCs and Refinancing

In the realm of personal finance, consumer debt is a formidable adversary that many individuals grapple with on a daily basis. In recent times, this challenge has been amplified by consumer debt reaching unprecedented levels. While this may sound alarming, there are strategies available to help individuals manage and even alleviate their debt burdens. One…

Read More

Freddie: Elevated Mortgage Rates Amid Inflation Concerns Freddie Mac’s latest economic forecast anticipates mortgage rates to stay at 6.5% for the first half of the year due to concerns over inflation. The Federal Reserve’s response to economic growth and inflation expectations suggests that rate cuts are unlikely until at least the summer, maintaining elevated treasury…

Read More

US Existing Home Sales Soar to 1-Year High Sales of previously owned US homes saw a remarkable surge in February, hitting the fastest in a year, indicating a market adjustment to higher mortgage rates. According to National Association of Realtors data, contract closings rose 9.5% from the previous month, reaching an annualized rate of 4.38…

Read More

US Housing Costs Soar as Listings Surge The median monthly housing payment in the US nearly reached its historical peak, hitting $2,686 by March 10, only $30 less than the record high last October when mortgage rates surged above 7%. This surge in housing costs is primarily attributed to persistently high mortgage rates and escalating…

Read More