Kara is a novelist, poet and large-scale sculptor in addition to being a contributing writer for MortgageLoan.com. She lives with her family in Rye, New York and is a graduate of Hampshire College.
A look at the bond market provides insight into what moves mortgage rates up and down.
Mortgage loan modifications have been big news lately. Unfortunately, that's largely because of all the difficulties homeowners are having getting one. What can you do to improve your odds of being approved?
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) aren't as popular as they used to be. But if you look at the numbers, many homebuyers really ought to consider getting one.
(Updated December 2014)
For years, appraisers have complained that they're routinely pressured by mortgage brokers to tweak home values and influence housing prices up or down. But now, fresh regulations are going into effect that are intended to put a stop to this kind of unfair tampering and tinkering.