Monthly Archives: September 2009

For the second month in a row, 18 of the 20 Case-Shiller real estate markets posted higher home values. It’s the 6th consecutive strong showing for the benchmark private-sector housing index. Combined with falling home supplies and rising sales figures, … Continue reading →

Getting approved for a mortgage is about to get harder. For the second time in less than 3 months, Fannie Mae announced changes to its mortgage guidelines. In its official announcement, Fannie Mae details the updates, meant to reduce the … Continue reading →

The mortgage market resumed its winning streak last week after a 1-week hiatus. Markets rallied into the weekend and mortgage rates eased lower overall. It’s the third week out of four that rates improved and, ironically, rates may have dropped … Continue reading →

As reported by the National Association of REALTORS

The Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate within its target range of 0.000-0.250 percent. It also reiterated plans to support the mortgage market to the tune of $1.5 trillion. In its press release, the FOMC … Continue reading →

As reported by the government, home prices are rising nationwide, up 0.3 percent in July. Furthermore, versus November 2008, the Home Price Index has clawed back to unchanged. The housing market appears to be holding its own. However, we have … Continue reading →

The Federal Open Market Committee starts a 2-day meeting today in Washington. The scheduled get-together ends at 2:15 PM ET Wednesday after which the FOMC will issue a press release to the markets. Consider locking your mortgage in advance of … Continue reading →

After improving in the two prior weeks, mortgage markets finished last week unchanged overall. Mortgage rates were down early in the week but managed to give up all of their gains late-Friday afternoon. It’s the same volatility variety we’ve seen … Continue reading →

Housing Starts on single-family homes took a step backwards last month, falling month-over-month for the first time since January. A “housing start” is new home on which construction has started. Don’t let the slowdown fool you, however — the housing … Continue reading →

According to home builders around the country, the housing market is looking good. Each month, the National Association of Home Builders releases its Housing Market Index report, a survey meant to “take the pulse of the single-family housing market”. Respondents … Continue reading →