All Articles

Articles by Subject

Funds Again Flow to USDA Mortgage Program

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | Thu, 09/09/2010

Funding has been restored for the USDA’s Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program, meaning that lenders can once again begin issuing mortgages under the popular government program. 

Saving Money on a Mortgage Refinance

By:
Barbara Eisner Bayer - MortgageLoan.com | Wed, 09/08/2010

The key to successful financial management is saving money wherever possible. That’s one of the reasons that mortgage refinancing has become extremely popular. Rates are lower than they’ve been in 50 years, and savvy homeowners are taking advantage of this opportunity by jumping on the refinance bandwagon. In addition to lowering your rate, there are additional ways to save even more money when you refinance your loan.

Cut your closing fees

Mortgage Applications to Buy Homes Show Modest Increase

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | Wed, 09/08/2010

Mortgage applications to buy homes inched upward last week, as the housing market struggles to regain its footing following the end of the homebuyer tax credit program. 

Mortgage Rates Get Tanned, September 8, 2010

By:
David Coster - MortgageLoan.com | Wed, 09/08/2010

Mortgage Rate Trend Direction:     Down

Economic Reports/Rate Impact:    Federal Reserve Beige Book, 2:00 PM ET

Key News:                                           Portuguese Bond Auction

 

Summary

 

Lenders Agree to Give Communities First Crack at Foreclosures

By:
Peter King - MortgageLoan.com | Tue, 09/07/2010

In an effort to stabilize neighborhoods with high foreclosure rates, bank-owned properties in certain targeted areas will be offered for sale first to state and local governments, along with selected nonprofit organizations before they are made available to private investors. 

Mortgage Rates Head Down After Holiday, September 7, 2010

By:
David Coster - MortgageLoan.com | Tue, 09/07/2010

Mortgage Rate Trend Direction:    Down

Economic Reports/Rate Impact:   No Economic Reports Released Today

Key News:                                          European Bank Issues

 

Summary

 

Protect Yourself from HELOC Disaster

By:
Barbara Eisner Bayer - MortgageLoan.com | Tue, 09/07/2010

Sometimes, something that you think is safe can turn into something quite dangerous. Like golfing, one of the safest sports known to man. Or is it? A golfer in California recently hit a routine stroke. The ball hit a rock and actually started a fire, which enflamed 25 acres and required 150 firefighters to tame it.

FHA Short Refinance Offers New Option for Underwater Homeowners

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | Tue, 09/07/2010

Starting Sept. 7, 2010, underwater homeowners have a new option for refinancing their mortgages. The question is, how many will be able to take advantage of it?

Borrowing from a 401k to Refinance an Underwater Mortgage

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | Sat, 09/04/2010

A lot of homeowners would love to refinance at today’s rock-bottom rates but can’t because they’re underwater on their mortgages. One possible solution: borrowing from a 401k plan to pay down the difference. 

Weekly Mortgage Rate Review--End of the Rate Records?, September 3, 2010

By:
David Coster - MortgageLoan.com | Sat, 09/04/2010

Have we Seen the Last Record Low in Mortgage Rates?

 

Evidence is mounting that the trend of ever-lower mortgage rates may be coming to an end.  I will consider the evidence and give you my thoughts after we review mortgage rate activity for the week.

More Expect Home Values to Decline

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | Fri, 09/03/2010

U.S. consumers are taking an increasingly pessimistic view of home values, in the wake of plunging home sales and other bad news from the housing market. 

Mortgage Rates Heading Higher, September 3, 2010

By:
David Coster - MortgageLoan.com | Fri, 09/03/2010

Mortgage Rate Trend Direction:     Up

Economic Reports/Rate Impact:    Non-Farm Payrolls, 8:30 AM ET, High Rate Impact

                                                              ISM Services Index, 10:00 AM ET, Moderate rate Impact

Mortgage Rate Mania – Can’t Trust the Prognosticators

By:
Barbara Eisner Bayer - MortgageLoan.com | Fri, 09/03/2010

If you’ve been thinking about a mortgage refinance or the purchase of a home, you’ve probably been watching the direction of mortgage rates, along with the pundits in the news media. But beware what you read when financial professionals start predicting the future. As legendary CBS-TV newsman Edward R. Murrow said, “A reporter is always concerned with tomorrow.” Therefore, it’s a trap of the trade to assume what lies ahead.

VA Loans and Natural Disasters

By:
Barbara Eisner Bayer - MortgageLoan.com | Thu, 09/02/2010

According to the Center for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters, natural disasters were up 233 percent during the period 2000 to 2009 as compared to 1980 to 1989, and up 67 percent from 1990 to 1999. Whether it’s hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, or lava eruptions, if you’re a homeowner with a Veteran’s Administration (VA) loan, your property is at risk if the unexpected occurs.  Here’s what to do if disaster strikes.

Subdued Inflation Sends Mortgage Rates to New Lows

By:
Peter King - MortgageLoan.com | Thu, 09/02/2010

Low inflationary pressures allowed mortgage rates to fall to new lows again this week, according to today’s weekly rate survey from Freddie Mac.

Articles by Date

National Rates

Loan Type Today
30 yr fixed 4.27
15 yr fixed 3.78
5/1 ARM 3.32

Compare Rates »

Rates may contain points

Internal Calculators

Browse Mortgage Rates