Mortgage Rates Dip Further

Mortgage Rates Dip Further

Mortgage rates declined for a third straight week, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate now 4.45%, with 0.45 discount and origination points, according to Bankrate.com. The record low of 4.42% was set in October and November of 2010.

Existing-Home Sales Down in July but Up Strongly from a Year Ago

Existing-Home Sales Down in July but Up Strongly from a Year Ago

WASHINGTON (August 18, 2011) — Existing-home sales declined in July from an upwardly revised June pace but are notably higher than a year ago, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Monthly gains in the Northeast and Midwest were offset by declines in the West and South.

What You Should Know About Strategic Default

What You Should Know About Strategic Default

Who would risk the negative impact of defaulting on a mortgage if they didn’t really have to? About 17% of Americans who defaulted on their mortgages in the second quarter of 2010 did exactly that, according to a study by Experian.

Mortgage Rates Plunge to 9-Month Low

Mortgage Rates Plunge to 9-Month Low

Renewed economic worries had mortgage rates falling sharply, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate now 4.54%, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.39 discount and origination points.

Fixed Mortgage Rates Inch Higher

Fixed Mortgage Rates Inch Higher

Mortgage rates turned course this week, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising to 4.74%, according to Bankrate.com. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.35 discount and origination points.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage moved up to 3.83%, as did the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate, which is now 5.19%.

Program Helps Troubled Borrowers

Program Helps Troubled Borrowers Reduce Mortgage if They Share Upside with Investors

Foreclosure Activity Down in Most U.S. Metro Areas

Foreclosure Activity Down in Most U.S. Metro Areas

By Alex Veiga

LOS ANGELES — Most of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas are seeing a sharp drop in foreclosure activity as banks take longer to move against home owners who are behind on their mortgage payments.

Pending Home Sales Rise in June

Pending Home Sales Rise in June

WASHINGTON (July 28, 2011) — Pending home sales increased in June following a wide swing down in April and then up in May, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Activity increased in the West and South but declined in the Midwest and Northeast; all regions show strong double-digit gains from a year ago.

Cut Home Owners Insurance Bill by Using Discounts

Cut Home Owners Insurance Bill by Using Discounts

By Phil Mulkins, Tulsa World, Okla.

July 20 — Home owners often think the only ways to save money on home insurance is to put up smoke detectors and insure cars with the home insurance company. But property and casualty companies offer a variety of other discounts, says BankRate.com, some for as much as 25% for obscure improvements.

June Existing-Home Sales Slip, but Prices Stabilize

June Existing-Home Sales Slip, but Prices Stabilize