Mortgage / Finance

Anybody that's hung around the ActiveRain “water cooler” for any length of time understands the value of the relationships built on the site. AR is so much more than a social networking site, however.


It's also the place to get up-to-the-minute information on topics that affect your clients. Ask yourself: what's the most confusing aspect of buying a home for the real estate consumer? The answer is most likely financing the purchase. Credit scores and how they affect the mortgage rate, types of loan products, points, fees – whew! -- there's a lot to know about mortgages.


To serve your clients effectively you need to know about this stuff and keep abreast of changes in the mortgage industry. Thankfully, ActiveRain is not only popular with real estate agents and brokers but with finance professionals as well.


Whether you're an agent trying to figure out what the Fed's latest move means to your clients or a mortgage pro who needs input on how to build relationships with real estate agents, ActiveRain is the place to tap into a wealth of knowledge.

Recent blogs on Mortgage / Finance
By David Krichmar, DaveYourMortgageGuy.com
(www.DaveYourMortgageGuy.com - Legend Lending)
Conventional 30 year Mortgage: 5.875%Credit score:740LTV:75%Loan Amount: $300kAPR: 6.415%FHA 30 year: 6% Credit Score:740LTV:96.5%loan amount: $300kAPR: 6.915%Conventional 15 year: 5.25%Credit score:740LTV:75%Loan Amount: $300kAPR: 5.335%Rates are Subject to ChangeCall me today if you are thinking of refinancing or buying a home, for the best mortgage rate possible. 
Comments 0
By Charles Ross - (785)-819-6944, Love To Help People
(eXp Realty LLC Salina Group)
Are you thinking about purchasing a home but unsure if your credit is ready? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many people are in the same boat. The good news is that you can do some simple things to get your credit ready for a home purchase.Follow these seven tips, and you’ll be on your way to credit success! Know your credit score. Understand what's in your credit report. Stay current on your payments. Check for errors on your credit report. Pay down your debt. Manage your credit limits. Don't apply for new credit before buying a home. By following these tips, you’ll be ready to get credit ready to purchase a home.Know your credit score Your credit score is one of the most critical factors in determining whether or not you will be approved for a home loan. If you don’t know your credit s...
Comments 1
By Matt Brady, One of San Diego's Best Lenders
(Watermark Capital)
We received unemployment and labor data last Friday and markets rejoiced on the news. Although unemployment ticked lower, there were signs of a weakening labor market that investors focused on.Nonfarm payrolls increased by 223,000. Even though this was above expectations, it was lower than the 256,000 increase from the prior month.Another sign of weakness was wage growth. Wages increased by 0.3% for the month, versus the 0.4% expectation.The Fed has mentioned how they need to keep rates high partially because of the strong labor market. They believe a strong labor force will put pressure on prices for goods and services, thereby keeping inflation high.The labor market remains strong but this is one of the first times we have seen signals of softening, and that is all that was needed fo...
Comments 2
By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
This is an excellent post with great information. Thanks for sharing it.Have a super fantastic week!Joe Jackson, Realtor-KWCP As you plan ahead to sell your house and make your move, you may be wondering what lies ahead for mortgage rates and home prices. Here’s a look at expert insights on where both may be headed so you can make the most informed decision possible.    Mortgage Rates Will Continue To Respond to Inflation   There’s no doubt mortgage rates skyrocketed in 2022 as the market responded to high inflation. The increases we saw were fast and dramatic, and the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate even surpassed 7% in the fall. It was the first time they’d risen that high in over 20 years.   In their quarterly report, Freddie Mac explains just how fast the climb in rates has been...
Comments 2
By Tamra Lee Ulmer, NRBA ~FORCE~ Over 1000 REO Assets SOLD!
(Arizona Resource Realty)
As you plan ahead to sell your house and make your move, you may be wondering what lies ahead for mortgage rates and home prices. Here’s a look at expert insights on where both may be headed so you can make the most informed decision possible.  Mortgage Rates Will Continue To Respond to Inflation There’s no doubt mortgage rates skyrocketed in 2022 as the market responded to high inflation. The increases we saw were fast and dramatic, and the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate even surpassed 7% in the fall. It was the first time they’d risen that high in over 20 years. In their quarterly report, Freddie Mac explains just how fast the climb in rates has been: “Just one year ago, rates were under 3%. This means that while mortgage rates are not as high as they were in the 80s, they have m...
Comments 5
By Emily Medvec, Broker | Realtor | Serving Santa Fe & Northern NM
(eXp Realty LLC)
Mortgage Interest Rates continue to vary from day to day as both Buyer and Sellers adjust to the mortgage rate shock begun in 2022. Here is a general interest rate update for your information and home buying plans as of today. Program                                                         Rate                                     APRConforming 30 Year Fixed                         6.625%                                 6.07%Conforming 15  Year Fixed                         6.000%                                6.128%Jumbo 30 Year Fixed                                  6.375%                                  6.417%Jumbo 15 Year Fixed                                   6.375%                                  6.551%FHA 30 Year Fixed                                       6.250%              ...
Comments 3
By Joseph Orabona, Your defense against the IRS
(Vector Tax & Accounting LLC)
Tax season can be a time of great anticipation for millions of Americans with dreams of a nice, big, refund check coming soon. Yet this year, many Americans may find themselves surprised and coming up short on their refunds.Many taxpayers have been shocked to find that this year, instead of a big tax refund check arriving in the mail, they are being saddled with an unexpected bill from Uncle Sam. The combination of recent tax law changes and updated employer withholding tables has left individuals scrambling to figure out how to pay for their new IRS obligations due at filing time.If you're worried about a looming tax bill, never fear. There are measures you can take to ensure that your taxes don't unexpectedly balloon. From budgeting tips to what do when the worst happens, these strate...
Comments 0
By Otis Duffy, Otis Duffy Centum Broker of Record NY, NJ & FL
(Centum Real Estate Group)
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) loans are a financing option for property owners to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements. C-PACE loans are attached to the property, rather than the owner, which means that if the property is sold, the loan stays with the property and is repaid by the new owner. This feature of C-PACE loans, combined with strict underwriting standards, has resulted in a low risk of default. Studies have shown that C-PACE loans have a low default rate, with one analysis finding a default rate of just 0.1%. This low default rate can be attributed to the fact that C-PACE loans are only available to property owners with good credit and sufficient equity in their property. In addition, C-PACE loans are only approved for projects that are...
Comments 0
By Otis Duffy, Otis Duffy Centum Broker of Record NY, NJ & FL
(Centum Real Estate Group)
As a commercial property owner, you may be interested in making energy-efficient upgrades to your building. One financing option that can help you pay for these upgrades is Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). PACE financing allows you to borrow money from a lender to pay for energy-efficient improvements to your property, and then pay back the loan through a special assessment on your property tax bill.While PACE financing can be a great option for many commercial property owners, it's not always easy to get banks to consent to it. Banks may be hesitant to lend money for PACE projects because they are not as familiar with the program and may be concerned about the risks. However, with a little persistence and the right approach, it is possible to convince banks to support ...
Comments 0
By Otis Duffy, Otis Duffy Centum Broker of Record NY, NJ & FL
(Centum Real Estate Group)
Off-balance sheet capital refers to financing arrangements that are not reflected on a company's balance sheet, but still impact its financial position. One form of off-balance sheet capital that has gained popularity in recent years is commercial property assessed clean energy (CPACE) financing.CPACE financing allows businesses to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to their commercial properties through long-term assessments on their property tax bills. Because the financing is tied to the property rather than the company, it is considered off-balance sheet capital.One of the main benefits of using CPACE financing is that it can help a company to maximize its capital structure. By using off-balance sheet financing, a company can preserve its on-balance sheet cr...
Comments 0
By Otis Duffy, Otis Duffy Centum Broker of Record NY, NJ & FL
(Centum Real Estate Group)
If you own a commercial or multifamily property, you may be looking for ways to increase the capital of your development. One option to consider is C-PACE (commercial property assessed clean energy) financing. What is C-PACE? C-PACE is a financing tool that allows property owners to fund energy-efficient and renewable energy upgrades to their properties. The financing is provided through private capital providers and is repaid through a voluntary assessment on the property's tax bill. How can C-PACE help boost the capital of my development? There are a few ways that C-PACE can help boost the capital of your development: Energy-efficient upgrades can reduce energy costs, which can increase the profitability of your property. C-PACE financing can be used to fund a wide range of upgrades,...
Comments 0
By Joseph Orabona, Your defense against the IRS
(Vector Tax & Accounting LLC)
Ignoring your obligation to pay taxes can lead the federal government to conduct severe legal action against all your existing assets, current and future income, and assets you acquire in the future; this form of punishment is called a federal tax lien.If you have received a certified letter indicating that the federal government has placed an unwelcome Federal 'tax lien' on your assets, this article can provide insights into what it means and how to remedy the issue. What is a Federal Tax Lien?When a taxpayer falls behind on their federal taxes, they are at risk of having an official public notification filed against them. This document is known as a Notice of Federal Tax Lien and can cause grave consequences for the individual's ability to enjoy any financial security.A federal tax li...
Comments 0
By David Krichmar, DaveYourMortgageGuy.com
(www.DaveYourMortgageGuy.com - Legend Lending)
Conventional 30 year Mortgage: 6.125%Credit score:740LTV:75%Loan Amount: $300kAPR: 6.29%FHA 30 year: 6.125% Credit Score:740LTV:96.5%loan amount: $300kAPR: 6.665%Conventional 15 year: 5.5%Credit score:740LTV:75%Loan Amount: $300kAPR: 5.585%Rates are Subject to ChangeCall me today if you are thinking of refinancing or buying a home, for the best mortgage rate possible.
Comments 0
By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
This is an excellent post with great information. Thanks for sharing it.Have a super fantastic week!Joe Jackson, Realtor-KWCP How to Get Rid of PMI on Your Mortgage    Want to drop your private mortgage insurance (PMI) payments like a pair of cheap sunglasses?  Don't know where to start?    Look, when interest rates were moving lower and property values were moving higher, the headache of canceling PMI took a back seat. And why not? In that climate, homeowners typically just refinanced and both dropped PMI and got a lower rate.   But when interest rates move higher and home values flatten or even go lower, many owners strive to preserve their great mortgage rates and focus on getting rid of that extra monthly insurance payment through cancellation.     Whether borrower-requested, lender...
Comments 3
By Rob Spinosa, SVP of Mortgage Lending, Marin County
(Guaranteed Rate, Marin County, CA)
How to Get Rid of PMI on Your Mortgage  Want to drop your private mortgage insurance (PMI) payments like a pair of cheap sunglasses?  Don't know where to start?  Look, when interest rates were moving lower and property values were moving higher, the headache of canceling PMI took a back seat. And why not? In that climate, homeowners typically just refinanced and both dropped PMI and got a lower rate. But when interest rates move higher and home values flatten or even go lower, many owners strive to preserve their great mortgage rates and focus on getting rid of that extra monthly insurance payment through cancellation.   Whether borrower-requested, lender-required or value driven, let's rock all the ways you can eliminate PMI!  Got me under pressure,  Rob SpinosaSVP of Mortgage LendingG...
Comments 1
By Matt Brady, One of San Diego's Best Lenders
(Watermark Capital)
It’s time for another Weekly Rate Watch. My goal is to help navigate you through the world of finance and how it relates primarily to the real estate industry. Should you ever have any questions at all, please do not hesitate in reaching out. I’m always here to help. Let’s begin!  We were able to peek into some housing numbers last week. The Pending Home Sales Index was down along with the Case-Shiller Home Price Index. The FHFA Home Price Index was unchanged. These reports continue to suggest that there is more pain ahead before things get better.We have another short week as everyone gets back from the New Year holiday. We get unemployment numbers on Friday which is one of the bigger data points the Fed has been relying on.Here is what is in store for this week.Tuesday Construction S...
Comments 1
By David Krichmar, DaveYourMortgageGuy.com
(www.DaveYourMortgageGuy.com - Legend Lending)
Conventional 30 year Mortgage: 6.25%Credit score:740LTV:75%Loan Amount: $300kAPR: 6.415%FHA 30 year: 6.5% Credit Score:740LTV:96.5%loan amount: $300kAPR: 7.04%Conventional 15 year: 5.625%Credit score:740LTV:75%Loan Amount: $300kAPR: 5.71%Rates are Subject to ChangeCall me today if you are thinking of refinancing or buying a home, for the best mortgage rate possible.
Comments 1
By Pierre Raymond, Quant investing and risk management
When it comes to investing we are all after a single thing - profit. After all, what is the point of giving a company your money if they are not going to grow that investment and put more money back in your bank account? We all know we want to make money with our investments. We have all seen the books, infomercials, and websites that promise overnight gains of monumental proportion. So, if these tactics work, why isn't every investor using them? The short answer is that get rich quick schemes rarely result in participants generating any real wealth.So, what is the answer to making gains in the market without trying every new scheme that comes along? Which companies offer the best passive income opportunities to investors? The answer to both of these questions is to invest in companies ...
Comments 2
By Matt Brady, One of San Diego's Best Lenders
(Watermark Capital)
Last week we saw a slight uptick in rates as investors digested economic data. There was conflicting housing data. Existing home sales dropped while new home sales (aka new builds/new construction) surprised to the upside. The kicker this week was the move the Bank of Japan (BOJ) made. The BOJ raised rates from 0.25% to 0.5%, essentially doubling the cost of borrowing. This was significant for a few reasons and we'll go over two of them here. First, the BOJ was the last central bank practicing dovish policies. While the world was raising rates and unloading their balance sheets, the BOJ kept rates low and were buying bonds/treasuries. The market was nervous that this signaled a shift in policy.  Second, the BOJ is the largest non-US holder of US treasuries. With the increased cost to b...
Comments 2
By Tamra Lee Ulmer, NRBA ~FORCE~ Over 1000 REO Assets SOLD!
(Arizona Resource Realty)
If you’re a current homeowner, your net worth got a big boost over the past few years thanks to rising home prices. That increase in your wealth came in the form of home equity. Here’s what you need to know about how equity works and how it can help you address your changing needs if you want to make a move.Why Your Equity Has Grown in Recent Years Because there was a significant imbalance between the number of homes available for sale and the number of buyers looking to make a purchase over the past few years, home prices appreciated substantially. And while inventory has grown in 2022, housing supply is still low compared to more normal years for the market. That’s why, according to the latest Homeowner Equity Insights from CoreLogic, the average homeowner equity has grown by $60,000 ...
Comments 0
Back to Top