How to Review a Loan Estimate

By Jason Neuffer |   Dec 10, 2024

If you’re in the process of buying a home or refinancing your mortgage, one of the most important documents you’ll encounter is the Loan Estimate. This document, provided by your lender, gives you a detailed breakdown of the costs and terms associated with your loan. Knowing how to review it can save you money and help you make a confident decision. Here’s what you need to know. Please note the loan estimate images used in this post are just an example and should not be used to estimate costs or quote a rate. Please click here to complete an application if you would like a loan estimate.

Understanding Blended Interest Rates: A Comprehensive Guide

By Jason Neuffer |   Nov 02, 2023

Interest rates play a fundamental role in the world of finance. Whether you're taking out a loan, saving money in a bank account, or investing in the stock market, interest rates have a significant impact on your financial decisions. Blended interest rates are a concept that often arises in various financial situations, and understanding them is crucial for making informed financial choices. In this blog post, we'll explore the concept of blended interest rates, how they work, and their relevance in different financial scenarios.

Navigating Rate Volatility: The Step-by-Step Approach to Cash-Out Refinancing for Financial Security

By Paul Blaylock |   May 17, 2023

In today's economic climate, many households are grappling with epic amounts of consumer debt, with the average exceeding 23%. Secured debts like auto loans have pushed the debt burden even further, surpassing 10%. Inflation and stagnant incomes have fueled the use of credit, causing savings to dwindle and household balance sheets to evaporate. While record levels of home equity offer some hope, property values are tapering off. In the midst of these challenges, credit scores remain intact, but borrowers must be cautious. 

February Mortgage Rates on the Downslope by End of Month

By Holden Lewis |   Jan 31, 2023

Mortgage rates could decline in February as the Federal Reserve writes the next chapters of its inflation-busting campaign.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage hit it's January peak in the first week of the year and fell thereafter. It's too early to conclude that the 30-year mortgage has already reached its 2023 zenith, but it's quite possible.

The housing market wakes from the dead

By Emily Peck |   Jan 30, 2023

The housing market is showing signs of life after veering into a dead zone late last year.

Why it matters: These green shoots are a good sign for the economy overall, and run counter to some of the dire predictions made last fall when mortgage rates were skyrocketing.

What's happening: Home buyers are making peace with higher mortgage rates, and sellers are making peace with the need to cut prices and make concessions.

Weekly mortgage demand jumps 7% as interest rates drop to lowest level since September

By Diana Olick |   Jan 25, 2023

Mortgage interest rates fell for the third straight week, while mortgage demand also rose again.

Total application volume increased 7% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index.

Mortgage rate buydowns are on the rise as homebuyers cope with high interest rates

By Bailey Schulz |   Jan 23, 2023

Anna Raymond was ready to make the switch from renting to owning a home last spring. But after five failed offers, she and her husband decided to take a step back from house hunting.  

Then, in December, their real estate agent presented an offer too good to pass. A home in Longmont was up for sale, and the seller was willing to offer a 2-1 interest rate buydown.

Foreign investment floods into Miami real estate after pandemic dip

By Deirdra Funcheon |   Jan 20, 2023

International investment in Miami's real estate market has spiked over the last year after dipping during the pandemic.

Driving the news: Foreign buyers picked up $6.8 billion of South Florida residential real estate between August 2021 and July 2022, according to a new report from the Miami Association of Realtors.

Relief for homebuyers in 2023? Mortgage rates at lowest levels since September

By Bailey Schulz |   Jan 19, 2023

A dip in mortgage interest rates is spurring demand from homebuyers, according to a new report from the Mortgage Bankers Association, or MBA.

Mortgage applications last week jumped 28% from the week prior, according to seasonally adjusted data. The MBA’s refinance index also spiked 34% from the previous week.

Real estate gurus: It may be time to buy a home—now

By Dylan Croll |   Jan 18, 2023

The housing market is cooling as consumers grow weary of higher mortgage rates. In December, the number of newly-listed homes sold had fallen about 37% from a year ago, according to Redfin data.

What are real estate professionals seeing on the ground?