Home Builders See More Sales, Higher Prices Ahead

Homebuilder confidence is soaring. For the fourth straight month, the National Association of Homebuilders reports an increase in its Housing Market Index. The index climbed 4 points to 25 this month – its second four-point gain since October. With home sales activity increasing across all four...

Foreclosure Filings Fall To 49-Month Low

Foreclosure filings are fewer these days, according to foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac. In December 2011, the number of foreclosure filings nationwide fell 9 percent from the month prior. Not since November 2007 has foreclosure activity been this sparse across the country. The drop does not appear to...

Home Affordability Set To Worsen On Thursday’s Retail Sales Data

Consumer spending continues to rise nationwide, fueled by jobs growth and a rosier outlook for the U.S. economy. Unfortunately for mortgage rate shoppers |*STATE in % STATE**|, it may also lead to higher mortgage rates later this week. Thursday morning, the Census Bureau will release its U.S. Retail Sales...

Lock Your Mortgage Rate : New Loan Fees Expected Within Days

Starting soon, nearly all home buyers and refinancing households throughout Washington and nationwide will pay higher mortgage loan fees. Congress has made it law. 13 months ago, as part of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, Congress enacted a one-year cut...

Are You Locked ? Friday’s Job Report Will Make Mortgage Rates Move.

If you’re floating a mortgage rate, or have yet to lock one in, today may be a good day to call your loan officer. Friday morning, the government releases its Non-Farm Payrolls report at 8:30 AM ET. The Non-Farm Payrolls report is more commonly called the “jobs report“ and, lately,...

Housing And Mortgage : The Experts Make Their 2012 Predictions

As the new year begins, there are no shortage of stories telling us what to expect in 2012. Housing finished 2011 with momentum and mortgage rates closed at the lowest rates of all time. Some expect those trends to continue through the first quarter and beyond. Others expect a rapid reversal. Who’s...

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