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How Reverse Mortgages Affect Heirs and Estate Planning
Reverse mortgages are often marketed as a financial lifeline for older homeowners. But if you’re thinking long-term, about your family, your legacy, and your home, you’re probably wondering: “What happens to the house when I’m gone?” It’s a smart question and one every homeowner (and their heirs) should ask before getting a reverse mortgage. Let’s…
Read MoreThe Role of Credit Scores in Mortgage Approval: Tips to Improve Yours
Your credit score can open doors, or slam them shut. But when it comes to buying a home, too many people assume one bad score means game over. That’s not always the case. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, self-employed, or looking to refinance, your credit score is just one piece of the puzzle. And if…
Read MoreWhy Traditional Banks Fail the Self-Employed & What You Can Do Instead
You’re self-employed, your business is thriving, and you’re ready to buy a home.Then a bank tells you: “Sorry, you don’t qualify.” Wait—what? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Self-employed buyers face more hurdles than they should, not because they can’t afford a home—but because traditional lenders are stuck using outdated approval systems that don’t…
Read MoreCommon VA Loan Myths That Are Holding Buyers Back
Despite being one of the best mortgage options available, VA loans are often overlooked—especially in high-cost areas like Los Angeles. Why? Because myths, outdated information, and misconceptions continue to scare off buyers who could be taking full advantage of this powerful benefit. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned vet, it’s time to clear…
Read MoreWorst Day For Rates in More Than a Year After Jobs Report, But It’s Not as Bad as it Sounds
Feb 02, 2024 6:21 PM ET Interest rates have a long and reliable history of reacting to the jobs report more than any other monthly economic data and the most recent example sent mortgage rates screaming higher at the fastest pace in over a year. Labor market strength = higher rates, all other things being equal,…
Read MoreLet’s Talk About The Spread Between Mortgage Rates And The 10yr Treasury
Seemingly overnight, there is widespread media attention on the spread between mortgage rates and the 10yr Treasury yield. There shouldn’t be. Why are we talking about the 10yr Treasury yield if we’re focused on mortgages and housing? Simply put, the 10yr Treasury note is the most dominant benchmark (touchstone, bellwether, yard stick, etc) for all…
Read MoreHave Rates Improved Too Quickly And Is The Fed Being Rational?
The astonishing pace of the recent drop in interest rates has raised some questions regarding sustainability and justification, but we can clear them up with a single chart. The Federal Reserve doesn’t ultimately dictate rate levels, but it has a huge impact on how rates move. The Fed has been credited with fueling the improvements…
Read MoreThe Dots Put an Exclamation Point on Record-Breaking Drop in Rates
We came into this week expecting the Fed’s Dot Plot to set the tone, or at least to create a good amount of movement in rates, and that’s exactly what happened. The dot plot refers to a chart that appears 4 times a year in economic projections released by the Fed. Projections are not the…
Read MoreWhat’s at Stake With Next Week’s Fed Announcement and Inflation Data?
It was mostly a great week for mortgage rates with the average lender near the best levels in months through Thursday. Friday’s jobs report pushed rates back up a bit, but not excessively. Next week’s two big ticket events could set the tone for the rest of the year. Ultimately, that’s exactly what’s at stake.…
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