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Lending / Financial

Buying real estate is even more challenging for those of us whose eyes glaze over at the mere mention of decimals, percentages or anything else that even hints of mathematics.


The financial aspect of purchasing the largest investment of your lifetime, though, is the most important. Nobody wants to lose money. Nobody wants to leave money on the table.


If you're in the market for information on mortgages, credit scores and interest rates, you've come to the right place. The financial and mortgage pros here at ActiveRain even tell you how to shop for and compare lenders, how to raise your credit score, how to get a mortgage after a short sale or foreclosure and how to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. Even Mom and Dad can't give the great advice you'll find here at ActiveRain.


Plan to spend some time here because ActiveRain's content library is massive. Lucky for you we've arranged it so that it's über user-friendly. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to put your finger on just the information you're looking for without having to surf a million other pages.

Recent blogs on Lending / Financial
By Kimo Stowell, REALTOR® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i
(HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 )
               Latest rates, based on 20 percent down, $200,000 owner-occupant mortgages. The rates and terms may vary; check with lenders for details. Rates may have changed click here to verify Wednesday, January 1, 2025  Lender Term/Type Interest Rate % Points % *APR American Savings Bank808-593-1226NMLS#423168 15-YR Fixed 5.750 1.750 6.158 30-YR Fixed 6.625 1.750 6.886 5-YR ARM 6.000 1.875 7.013 Bank of Hawaii877-616-2636 15-YR Fixed 6.250 0.875 6.389 30-YR Fixed 6.500 2.000 6.695 5-YR ARM 5.500 2.000 6.698 Central Pacific Bank808-544-0500NMLS#416603 15-YR Fixed 5.625 2.125 6.099 30-YR Fixed 6.375 2.125 6.674 5-YR ARM 6.750 0.000 7.242 Finance Factors808-548-3300NMLS#449916 15-YR Fixed 5.625 1.875 6.149 30-YR Fixed 6.500 1.875 6.833 5-YR ARM 5.875 1.500 7.012 First Hawaiian Bank808-...
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By Bob Elliot, 30Yrs Experience
(eXp Realty)
With Christmas concluding the prior week, there were few reports other than Consumer Confidence, which had come in slightly below expectations. This should prove to have little impact, especially in the following week. With the New Year on the horizon, there are no reports other than the Chicago Manufacturing output report for the entire week. Happy Holidays!Consumer ConfidenceA post-election pop in consumer confidence fizzled at the end of the year, owing to worries about the U.S. stock market and a potentially higher cost of living as a result of new tariffs. The index of consumer confidence dropped 8.1 points to a three-month low of 104.7 in December, the privately run Conference Board said Monday.Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index• 15-Yr FRM rates saw an increase of 0.08% with the...
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By Joe Metzler, Sr Loan Officer
(Cambria Mortgage)
Santa gets all the praise for delivering presents. You get all the debt! A cash out refinance or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) from Cambria Mortgage could be just what you need to provide some relief. Apply today, and let's put the Santa's bill away.JoeMetzler.com/apply or (651) 552-3681. Cambria Mortgage, NMLS 274132 is an Equal Housing Lender serving CO, FL, IA, MN, ND, SD, WI.
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
Mortgage Market Update: Pensacola, Pace, and Gulf Breeze, FloridaAs of today, the Federal Reserve’s recent decision to cut interest rates has sparked a noticeable shift in the housing market, particularly in areas like Pensacola, Pace, and Gulf Breeze, Florida. With mortgage rates declining, prospective homebuyers and current homeowners have a unique opportunity to capitalize on the current market conditions. Here's what you need to know:Recent Fed Rate Cut and Its ImpactThe Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate reduction has directly impacted mortgage rates, making homeownership more accessible for many buyers. Lower rates can mean significant savings over the life of a loan, encouraging more activity in the real estate market.Affordability BoostOne of the most immediate benefits of l...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
Mortgage Market Update: Pensacola, Pace, and Gulf Breeze, FloridaAs of today, the Federal Reserve’s recent decision to cut interest rates has sparked a noticeable shift in the housing market, particularly in areas like Pensacola, Pace, and Gulf Breeze, Florida. With mortgage rates declining, prospective homebuyers and current homeowners have a unique opportunity to capitalize on the current market conditions. In Pensacola, Florida 32514, here's what you need to know:Recent Fed Rate Cut and Its ImpactThe Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate reduction has directly impacted mortgage rates, making homeownership more accessible for many buyers. Lower rates can mean significant savings over the life of a loan, encouraging more activity in the real estate market.Affordability BoostOne of the...
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By Bob Elliot, 30Yrs Experience
(eXp Realty)
The rate cut by the Federal Reserve was hotly anticipated, and as predicted, they proceeded with the reduction, signaling the possibility of further cuts depending on inflation data. Although markets were generally receptive to the positive news, other government-related issues had dampened the high spirits temporarily. Outside of the rate decision, the PCE Index (the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation indicator) has performed positively by beating the forecast. In addition, the Consumer Sentiment was exactly where it should be as expected.PCE IndexThe PCE index increased a scant 0.1% last month, the government said Friday. That’s the smallest rise in three months and just half as much as economists polled by The Wall Street Journal predicted. The barometer of U.S. inflation favored ...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
  Navigating today’s mortgage market can feel challenging, but with Charles Stallions as your trusted real estate broker, finding the right mortgage for your dream home becomes much more straightforward. According to Freddie Mac, the Federal Reserve’s short-term interest rates remain steady despite fluctuations in the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, averaging 6.72% this week. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage has similarly increased slightly, averaging 5.92%. These figures indicate a stabilized environment for buyers ready to make their move.   Understanding the Mortgage Market While the Federal Reserve has recently lowered its benchmark interest rate for the third time, mortgage rates have not followed suit. Instead, Treasury yields and broader economic factors, such as inflation and the fe...
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By Charles Ross - eXp Realty (Salina Group) | Broker, Love To Help People
( Salina Group)
Buying a home is an exciting milestone, but understanding how interest rates affect your purchase is crucial, especially in a market like Salina, Kansas. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade, a deeper dive into this topic can save you thousands and help you plan strategically.What Are Interest Rates, and Why Do They Matter?Interest rates represent the cost of borrowing money from a lender, typically expressed as a percentage of your mortgage loan. A small change in interest rates can significantly impact your monthly payments and the total cost of your home over time.For example, a $200,000 loan with a 3% interest rate will cost you far less over 30 years than the same loan at a 5% interest rate. In dollars? That difference can exceed $100,000 in interest payments.How...
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By Bob Elliot, 30Yrs Experience
(eXp Realty)
Last week featured a light release schedule, with the key highlights being the CPI and PPI reports. The CPI has proven to be exactly within expectations, signaling the Federal Reserve should be on track for another planned rate cut. However, this was offset by higher-than-expected PPI inflation. Despite these mixed signals, both indicators show stable trends, and overall inflation appears to be moving toward the Federal Reserve's target. The Federal Reserve remains committed to reducing inflation until their goal is achieved.Consumer Price IndexConsumer prices rose in November at the fastest pace in seven months. Still, the latest inflation report is probably not hot enough to sidetrack the Federal Reserve from cutting interest rates again next week. The consumer price index climbed 0.3...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
  The housing market shows renewed energy, with early-stage homebuying activity picking up after the recent election. Buyers are entering the market despite high home prices, elevated mortgage rates, and low inventory. Charles Stallions, your trusted real estate broker, is here to guide you every step of the way. Mortgage applications have seen a 17% increase month-over-month, reaching their highest levels since January. Additionally, pending home sales rose 6.5% during the four weeks ending December 1, reflecting growing buyer confidence. Several key factors are fueling this momentum: Post-Election Confidence: Many prospective buyers waited for the election to pass before getting serious about purchasing a home. Now that it’s behind us, we’ve seen a surge in home tours and buyer activi...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
The C-Note is a short version of the monthly newsletter where we talk about all things real estate: investing, buying, selling, landlord, and tenant. We are Ambassadors for Pensacola, Pace, and Gulf Breeze, Florida. Whether you're a first-time guest or a frequent visitor, do as the locals do when you need to know something — whether about an excellent place to eat, job opportunities, or a real estate question. Call or text Charles Stallions at 850-476-4494 or email charles@charlesstallions.com. It's Who We "R."  Mortgage 101: Are you thinking of financing, refinancing, or just needing to understand how the process works? We squash the mortgage myths, and it all starts here. We research whether you need a VA, FHA, conventional, or non-traditional owner-financing loan. We can help simpli...
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