11
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates, ,

FICO Scores and Your Mortgage: How to Bump Your FICO Score to Secure a Better Mortgage Rate

Is your credit score holding you back from getting the best rate on your next mortgage? The good news is that there are actions that you can take to increase your credit score and improve the interest rate offered on your next home loan. Here are a few easy and effective tips to help you get your credit score to where you want it to be. Increase The Amount Of Credit Available To You The easiest way to increase your credit score is to increase your credit limit, as this reduces your utilization ratio. To do this, you can either…
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26
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates, ,

Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slows in April

The S&P Case-Shiller Index for April shows that while home prices continue to grow, they are doing so at a slower pace as compared to April 2013. The Case-Shiller 20 city index reports that home prices expanded at a year-over-year annual rate of 10.80 percent as compared to 12.40 percent in April 2013. Month-to-month data showed that home prices rose for the second consecutive month. The seasonally- adjusted month-to-month growth rate for the 20 city home price index was 0.20 percent against March's month-to-month home price growth rate of 1.20 percent. Slower Home Price Growth: A Silver Lining? According to…
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02
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates, , , ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 2, 2014

Last week's economic news was fairly quiet due to the Memorial Day holiday on Monday and no scheduled news released on Wednesday. Home Prices Post Modest Gains, But Growth Rate of Home Prices Slows Tuesday's release of the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index for March showed that home prices are edging up, but at a slower pace than last year. Home prices increased by 12.40 percent year-over-year as compared to February's reading of 12.90 percent year-over-year. Analysts expected prices to fall as construction picks up and more homes are listed for sale. Lower demand due to strict mortgage lending standards…
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28
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 28, 2014

Last week's economic news supported recent reports that home sales were fewer and home prices increased, but did so at a slower pace. The NAR reported a slower pace of existing home sales, and FHFA reported a slower year-over-year rate of growth for home prices on properties financed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The U.S. Commerce Department reported that new home sales fell to their lowest level since July 2013. Mortgage rates rose for fixed rate mortgages, but were unchanged for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages. Here are the details: Existing Home Sales Slow, Moderate Growth In Home Prices March…
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21
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 21, 2014

Last week's economic news supported the general outlook for moderate economic growth. Housing related news included the National Association of Home Builders / Wells Fargo Housing Market Index for April and Housing Starts for March. NAHB: Builder Confidence Holds Steady Amid Concerns The NAHB/Wells Fargo HMI for April ticked upward by one point to a reading of 47 against the March revised reading of 46. Home builders surveyed expressed concerns about high home prices, a lack of available lots for development and a labor shortage. Some desirable markets have been held back due to low inventories of available and/or affordable…
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14
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 14, 2014

While little housing-related news was released, last week's economic news showed signs of a brighter economic picture. Labor statistics were stronger, with job openings up and new jobless claims filed lower than expected. Mortgage rates fell, and the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index was higher than expected. More Jobs Available, Fewer New Jobless Claims The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that February job openings rose to 4.20 million, which exceeded January's reading of 3.9 million jobs. New jobless claims were lower than expected with 300,000 new jobless claims filed against expectations of 316,000 new jobless claims and the…
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