Markets Improved Last Week but Rates Only Lowered Slightly

March 14, 2011

Wall Street continued its flight-to-quality last week. Mortgage-backed bonds are now at their best levels since early-February. Mortgage rates have improved 4 straight weeks.

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FHA Streamline Refi Changes : For the Better!

March 11, 2011

FHA Streamline Refinance guidelines are changing. For the better. A lot more homeowners are suddenly eligible to refinance.

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Loan Costs Set To Rise Again on April 1, 2011

March 10, 2011

Beginning April 1, 2011, Fannie Mae is increasing its loan-level pricing adjustments. Conforming mortgage applicants should plan for higher loan costs in the months ahead.

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Federal Income Tax Deadline Extended To April 18, 2011

March 9, 2011

This year, federal income taxes aren’t due April 15.

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Where Does Des Moines Rank in Home Affordability?

March 8, 2011

Home affordability reached an all-time high in 2010’s last quarter. Unfortunately for home buyers, it’s been a different story since, however.

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Military Personnel Can Still Claim The $8,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit

March 7, 2011

For certain members of the military, and for certain federal employees, there’s just 2 months remaining to get use the federal home buyer tax credit.

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Ignore The Case-Shiller Index; Focus On The Future Instead

March 2, 2011

December’s Case-Shiller Index showed major devaluations nationwide. As compared to December 2009, on a year-over-year basis, home values fell in 18 of the Case Shiller Index’s 20 tracked markets, and the U.S. National Index dropped 4 percent overall. The retreat puts December’s home values at similar levels as compared to early-2003.

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Safe Haven Buying vs. Inflation This Week in Mortgage Rates

March 1, 2011

It’s Unclear Which Way Rates Will Go There’s ongoing unease related to protests in Libya and its neighbors, and that’s driving safe haven buying (see below, as I’m freely using jargon in this blog post.). “Safe haven buying” describes when investors flee risky situations and put their money in the safest places possible. Mortgage bonds […]

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Mortgage Markets Improved Again Last Week

February 28, 2011

Mortgage rates dropped last week, but, this week, there appears to be more reasons for rates to rise than fall. Plan accordingly.

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An Increasing Cost of Living is Pushing Mortgage Rates Higher

February 23, 2011

Inflation fears are harming home buyers. The Cost of Living has reached a record level, surpassing the former peak set in July 2008. Mortgage rates would be rising more right now if not for the Middle East unrest.

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