Shopping For Mortgage Rates Is Part Research Skills, Part Luck

Shopping multiple lenders for a “good mortgage rate” can sometimes save you 1/8 percent on your rate and/or a few hundred dollars in fees. However, when it comes to getting the best mortgage rate, you’re going to more than good research skills. You’re going to need some luck. Mortgage rates are unpredictable, ever-changing, and rarely change as expected. For example, when...
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Markets Ignore The April Jobs Report And It’s Good News For Mortgage Rates

On the first Friday of every month, the U.S. government releases its Non-Farm Payrolls report.  More commonly called “the jobs report”, Non-Farm Payrolls is a major market mover. The number of working Americans is directly tied to the health of the economy which, in turn, drives the stock and bond markets. In general, when jobs numbers improve, it’s good for stocks and bad for...
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The Fed Adjourns From A 2-Day Meeting Today And What It Means For Mortgage Rates

The Federal Reserve adjourns from a scheduled, 2-day meeting today.  It’s one of 8 scheduled Fed meetings for 2010. Upon adjournment, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke & Co. will release a formal statement to the market. In it, the Fed is expected to announce “no change” in the Fed Funds Rate. The Fed Funds Rate is currently in a target range of 0.000-0.250 percent. The Fed Funds...
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New Homes Sales Were Strong in March, But Not As Strong As The News Would Have You Believe

The sales of newly-built homes soared in March. Even more than what was expected. But the news may not be as glowing as what the media is telling us. Take a look at the headlines from last Friday: Sales of new homes rocketed up 27 percent in March (WaPo) New-home sales rise fastest in 47 years (CNNMoney) Sales of New Homes Climb by Most Since 1963 (Business Week) None of these statements is...
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How Iceland’s Volcanoes Are Helping Mortgage Rates Fall

Mortgage rates and home affordability have improved lately, thanks to an unlikely ally — Mother Nature. In the 7 days since Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull erupted, ash clouds have grounded planes, disrupted businesses, and stranded exports in warehouses worldwide. It’s a drag on commerce that’s spilled over onto Wall Street. As experts debate the potential for future seismic...
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