CNBC and Bankrate.com just reported that home loan rates are at their all time lows. Yes, all time lows! This is great news for anyone who has yet to refinance to take advantage of the lowest rates ever recorded, or to purchase that new home or investment property more affordable than ever before. Both...

Mortgage markets improved last week on weaker-than-expected jobless figures, ongoing troubles in Europe, and a tame reading on domestic inflation. As a result, conforming mortgage rates for Washington fell last week, drawing loads of new refinance applications. For a brief moment Thursday afternoon,...

Mortgage markets posted four good days last week and one awful one.  Unfortunately for rate shoppers in Washington , that one bad day outweighed the gains of the other four and mortgage rates worsened on the week overall. Despite re-touching all-time lows on Tuesday and Wednesday, Conforming and FHA...

Rate shoppers caught another break last week as mortgage markets improved on weak jobs data. The May Non-Farm Payrolls report fell well short of expectations while ongoing jobless claims rose.  The two combined to cast doubt on the speed of the U.S. economic recovery, hurting stocks and helping bonds. Conforming...

Mortgage markets worsened last week as concerned of a global debt crisis lessened and stock markets rebounded. The gains in stocks came at the expense of bonds — including mortgage bonds. Conforming and FHA mortgage rates rose for the first time in 5 weeks, pulling mortgage pricing off its best...

Another week, same old story. Mortgage markets improved again last week on worsening news out of Greece and the Eurozone. Then, as contagion mentality set in, U.S. mortgage bonds gained and mortgage rates fell. It’s the 4th straight week in which conforming mortgage rates improved and, against...

As lenders tighten mortgage guidelines for home buyers, minimum downpayment requirements are increasing.  Several years ago, you could finance a home with nothing down. Today, most conventional mortgages require at least 10 percent. Anecdotally, guideline changes have led to an increase in the number...

A mortgage approval is never final until it’s funded. A host of things can “go wrong” while your home loan is underway. Some are in your control, many more are not.  And just being aware of some potential pitfalls could help save your loan down the road, and your peace of mind today. MSN...

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...

Mortgage markets improved to their best levels of 2010 last week, aided by events half a world away and ongoing safe haven buying.  Greece’s debt problems continue to help mortgage rate shoppers around the country. Conventional mortgage rates dropped last week, ARMs falling more than fixed....