Good morning! Today is Tuesday, May 25. The U.S. issued a warning against travel to Japan due to the country’s rising Covid cases and low vaccination rates. Amazon nears a deal to purchase MGM. The New York City schools will fully reopen in the fall with no virtual option. And in mortgage and housing news … FORBEARANCE REPORT: The Mortgage Note reports that forbearance levels in the United States continued their decline in the latest report released by the Mortgage Bankers Association. FHFA REFINANCE: FHFA’s new mortgage refinance option could cut payments by hundreds of dollars for some homeowners. MORTGAGE COSTS: Here are the four costs that make up your monthly mortgage payment. DRIVING FORCES: What factors are driving mortgage rates this week. MAGIC 800: Do you need an 800 credit score to get…
Good morning! Today is Friday, May 21. Israel approves cease-fire plan to end hostilities with Hamas. President Biden signed a bill to address an increase in Asian hate crimes. Tesla drivers are posting videos of themselves overriding safety functions to self-driving modes. And in mortgage and housing news … MORTGAGE RATES: The Mortgage Note reports that mortgage interest rates inched up to three percent. BIGGER MORTGAGES: Homebuyers are applying for ever bigger mortgages as home prices soar. MORTGAGE VOLUME: Mortgage volume dropped in April. Despite interest rates trending downward across all mortgage products, the decreases did not seem to be enough to bring borrowers — particularly refi borrowers — back to the table. SELLER PROFITS: Sellers are taking advantage of today’s highly competitive house-hunting environment. Data researchers at…
Good morning! Today is Thursday, May 20. Investors have shunned riskier assets including bitcoin, dogecoin and ether this week. Europe has agreed to reopen to vaccinated travelers. Massachusetts will lift all Covid-19 restrictions for fully vaccinated people May 29. And in mortgage and housing news … MORTGAGE APPS: The Mortgage Note reports that mortgage applications increased 1.2 percent for the week, according to the latest report released by the Mortgage Bankers Association. COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE: Undeterred by empty offices and hotel rooms, investors continue to bet on commercial real estate. TAPPABLE HOME EQUITY: Home equity is at a record high. Here’s how to tap your house for needed cash. CFPB COMPLAINTS: Homeowner complaints to federal mortgage regulators have one thing in common. INSURANCE REFORM: Senators still can’t find common ground…
Good morning! Today is Wednesday, May 19. The FAA reports an alarming increase in unruly passengers and is proposing almost $350,000 in fines this year. The Golden Gate Bridge may soon fix its odd screeching sound. A Tom Brady reality show is coming to Fox TV. And in mortgage and housing news … MORTGAGE APPS: The Mortgage Note reports that the mortgage market was considerably stronger in April than last year at the height of the pandemic. FADING BOOM: A decline in demand is fueling price wars across the mortgage industry and pushing down profits. REFINANCE OPTION: A new refinancing option is coming for low-income homeowners. HOME VALUES: U.S. ZIP codes where the median home price is less than $100,000 have posted a 42% jump in home values in the past…
Good morning! Today is Tuesday, May 18. President Biden joined in calls for a cease-fire, as Israel-Hamas clash rages. Delta Airlines will require new hires to get a Covid-19 vaccine. California won’t lift its mask mandate until June 15. And in mortgage and housing news … FORBEARANCE REPORT: The Mortgage Note reports that forbearance levels continue to decrease in the United States, the Mortgage Bankers Association said in its latest weekly report. DIP WON’T LAST: Mortgage rates sink deeper below 3%, but experts say the dip won’t last. VANISHING CONTRACTORS: Homeowners and agents across the country can’t find contractors to make repairs and renovations. Why? TENANT RIGHTS: Colorado’s ambitious tenant rights bill has been whittled down by industry groups. Here’s where it stands. ALL-CASH: The metros where all-cash offers are scoring…
Good morning! Today is Monday, May 17. Bill Gates left the Microsoft board amid a probe into a prior relationship with a staffer. Israel launched a new round of heavy air strikes on Gaza City. A wildfire near Los Angeles continues to grow and evacuations were ordered. And in mortgage and housing news … BANK JOB CUTS: U.S. banks could cut 200,000 jobs over next decade, top analyst says. LOW-TECH APPS: Half of big lenders still get most mortgage applications on paper. TOO MUCH: Some questions to consider if you are thinking of going beyond your original budget to buy a home. SELLER’S MARKET: Some tips for navigating a hot housing market. FIRST-TIME BUYERS: The housing market is a tale of two Americas and first-time buyers are struggling. LOW MORTGAGE PAYMENT: Four ways…
Good morning! Today is Friday, May 14. The CDC says that fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear a mask or physically distance during outdoor or indoor activities, with a few exceptions. Colonial Pipeline paid nearly $5 million in ransom to hackers. A NASA astronaut tweeted photos of the Charleston area from International Space Station. And in mortgage and housing news … MORTGAGE RATES: Mortgage rates remain parked below 3 percent. WELLS FARGO EXODUS: Wells Fargo is experiencing an exodus of mortgage bankers. Insiders explain why. LIBOR REPLACEMENT: While large banks and mortgage lenders like Fannie Mae have started actively using the LIBOR benchmark, some large U.S. corporations and other borrowers held off, seeking a benchmark that could fix rates over longer time spans. CUTTING MARGINS: Why…
Good morning! Today is Thursday, May 13. The owner of the primary fuel conduit for the East Coast said it would take several days for deliveries to get back to normal, following a cyber attack. The CDC is recommending Covid-19 vaccines for children ages 12 to 15. Tesla stopped accepting Bitcoin as payment for car purchases. And in mortgage and housing news … MORTGAGE APPS: The Mortgage Note reports that mortgage applications increased 2.1 percent for the week amid low rates and high demand for homes, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported. CHEAPEST HOUSES: The red-hot U.S. housing market is giving an extra boost to the cheapest houses, including many in historically stagnant neighborhoods that have suffered from a lack of investment. LIBOR LETTER: If you have…
Good morning! Today is Wednesday, May 12. A gas pipeline hack is leading to panic buying and fuel shortages on the East Coast. Ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft will make all rides to and from vaccination sites free until July 4 under a new White House transportation partnership. An unusual fish normally found thousands of feet deep in the ocean floor washed ashore on a California beach last week. And in mortgage and housing news … MORTGAGE CREDIT: The Mortgage Note reports that the mortgage credit market opened up a bit more in April. SCARY PRICES: U.S. home prices are surging and scaring off buyers. UWM DECLINE: United Wholesale Mortgage expects a big margin decline in Q2. CREDIT CARD DEBT: Credit card debt keeps falling and banks are on edge…
Good morning! Today is Tuesday, May 11. The first Covid-19 vaccine has been cleared for use by adolescents. The International Olympic Committee chief postponed his trip to Japan amid a spike in the country’s Covid-19 rates. Animal shelters report that people are returning pets they adopted during Covid. And in mortgage and housing news … MORTGAGE RATES: The Mortgage Note reports that the share of US mortgages in forbearance decreased again this week. DÉJÀ VU 1970’S: Inflation and rising mortgage rates will add pressure to real estate markets, says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. HOMEOWNERSHIP GROWTH: Houses of color are expected to dominate the homeownership growth rate. REFINANCE COST: How much does refinancing cost? AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Credit scores affect affordable housing eligibility. New Jersey lawmakers consider a bill to help renters…
