Mortgage Roundup (4/5/21) – Credit, Speed & Yield

Good morning! Today is Monday, April 5. The Pope called for broad vaccinations in his Easter message. Thousands of Florida residents were evacuated after a reservoir filled with radioactive waste neared collapse. J&J’S one-dose vaccine offers a big advantage in serving transient and homeless people who are difficult to find for second jabs.

And in mortgage and housing news …

PRISTINE CREDIT: The mortgage market is humming, but getting approved for a home loan is as difficult as it has been in years.

RECORD SPEED: Redfin reports that 59 percent of listed houses are under contract within two weeks.

YIELD-CHASING INVESTORS: Big investors are snapping up single-family homes, competing with ordinary Americans and driving up prices.

SELLER’S MARKET: It’s easy to make money selling property in this market, but there are still plenty of pitfalls. Here’s what to watch out for. 

HOME PRICES: Asking prices of newly listed homes reach all-time high.

BANK LENDING: The U.S. has increased bank lending by 9 percent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

HOME INSPECTIONS: Home inspections are still important in a hot housing market.  

VOUCHER DISCRIMINATION: A lawsuit accuses 88 New York City brokerages and property owners of widespread voucher discrimination. 

DEBT LIMITS: Should there be a limit to how much debt a young person takes on?  

INVESTMENT VALUE: Your home may be your most valuable asset, but that does not mean it is your best investment.