MORTGAGE BLOG

The Importance of an Emergency Fund When Planning on Buying a Home

Blog posted On December 05, 2024

If you’re looking to buy a home, do you have an emergency fund? And if you’re like many prospective first-time home buyers, this question may have sent a chill of anxiety down your spine. You’re not alone. This is a big financial regret for Gen Zers and Millennials; according to CNBC, “not saving enough for emergencies ranks at the top of their lists.” But don’t worry! We’re here to provide you with helpful information about emergency funds and calm any homeowning anxieties you may have, ensuring that your homeownership journey is a successful one.

Cozy Up Your Home: 6 Trends for Winter 2024

Blog posted On November 21, 2024

A crackling fireplace, the whole family gathered cozily in the living room after a night of feasting, scattered wrapping paper blanketing your throw rugs and cream carpets: does this fit your vision of a perfect home for the holidays? With a few thoughtful touches, any room can be turned into a comforting space this winter. Let’s take a leisurely tour through some of the most inviting home trends this season, setting you and your family up for success when the cold sets in.

What the Election Means for the Housing Market and Mortgage Rates

Blog posted On November 14, 2024

The upcoming administration turnover is raising a lot of questions and concerns about the future of the economy, housing industry, and mortgage rates. Though nothing is set in stone, there are some predictions about what could happen in coming years. Here are some of the major concerns and potential outcomes.

Mortgage Rates Spike: Affordability Strains, But Opportunities Remain

Blog posted On November 08, 2024

Market Update: With rates now averaging 7.13%, buyers face higher costs while builders navigate an affordability crunch. Here’s how we can turn these challenges into sales opportunities.

Mortgage rates increased to 7.13% after the election, a jump that highlights the financial pressures impacting buyers and builders alike. The recent rise in rates reflects broader economic trends, including inflation concerns and Treasury yield shifts, which have kept rates elevated. This high-rate environment is dampening buyer affordability and weighing on builders, with monthly payments on a $400,000 home now up 11% since early September.

Are Sellers Pulling Back? Examining Recent Inventory Challenges

Blog posted On October 31, 2024

Is it true that some sellers are throwing in the towel? Due to the rising mortgage rates of last year and this year, the percentage of price cuts for homes have risen. Along with the price-cut increase, listings are also receding, which has led to this surge of sellers calling it quits. Thankfully, there are loan programs out there that can benefit sellers and buyers alike.

Homeowners Are Cashing In: Exploring the Recent Home Equity Boom

Blog posted On October 24, 2024

Recently, growing numbers of homeowners have been taking advantage of their home equity. Due to home values soaring, many are starting to understand the importance of dipping into the equity they’ve built up over the years.

Is Now the Right Time to Refinance?

Blog posted On October 17, 2024

If you’re a homeowner, you’ve likely been paying attention to the news, waiting for any positive shifts in the housing market. And with the Fed’s recent benchmark rate drop, you’re probably wondering, is now the right time to refinance? Let’s help you figure out when a refi could make the most financial sense for you to pursue and when to hold off and evaluate your other options.

Navigating the Challenges of Selling in a Shifting Market

Blog posted On October 10, 2024

In today’s real estate market, selling a home can feel like an uphill battle, especially when faced with fluctuating interest rates and a variety of buyer circumstances. Some sellers find themselves waiting months to secure an offer, while others are challenged by unpredictable bids and shifting buyer demand. As the market continues to change throughout the fall, here are some factors that could help sellers and some ways they can improve their listing’s success.

A Bountiful Autumn: What to Expect with Seasonal Mortgage Trends

Blog posted On October 04, 2024

The end of summer heralded a shift in the real estate market. The recent Fed rate cut announcement caused ripples throughout the industry, cutting the benchmark interest rate by 0.5%. Home buyers and real estate professionals alike have been celebrating as this announcement marked the first rate reduction in four years. After a languid summer and a dragging housing market, this economic shift has aligned perfectly with the changing season. Autumn has now been injected with buying energy, and potential home buyers may finally feel ready to leap off the sidelines into the golden leaves of homeowning.

CMG Financial Raises Conforming Loan Limits to $802,650 ahead of FHFA’s Increase

Blog posted On September 27, 2024

CMG Financial has increased its agency conforming loan limits to $802,640, a 4.71% increase from this past year’s limits. Though the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has not officially announced the new conforming loan limits, CMG wanted to give home buyers early access in an effort to ease some of their affordability challenges.

Fall Into Comfort: 5 Ways to Cozy Up Your Home

Blog posted On September 26, 2024

As the air turns crisp and leaves begin to fall, it's time to embrace the warmth of autumn at home. This season brings a unique opportunity to refresh your living space, making it a safe space for comfort and relaxation. Here are five easy ways to transition your decor for the cozy months ahead:

How Falling Interest Rates Could Reignite the Housing Market

Blog posted On September 20, 2024

With mortgage rates tumbling to their lowest levels in recent times, priced-out potential home buyers may start to hope again. Due to the recent lower-trending rates, refinance applications jumped starting in August. Now, with the Fed beginning its long-awaited rate cuts, home buyers could be in luck in the coming months.

Market Update: Fed Cuts Benchmark Interest Rate by 0.5%, Marking the First Reduction in Four Years

Blog posted On September 18, 2024

This afternoon, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to cut the benchmark interest rate by 0.5%. The cut comes as welcome relief to consumers after 2.5 years of rate increases.

Why Lower Interest Rates Won’t Solve the Affordability Challenge for Home Buyers

Blog posted On September 13, 2024

Mortgage rates may have come down slightly, but affordability remains a significant challenge for home buyers, particularly as home prices continue to climb. Typically, rising rates cause home prices to cool, however the current market is anything but typical. The latest U.S. National Home Price Index from S&P CoreLogic and Case-Shiller shows that home prices reached record highs in June, despite rising interest rates.

How Pets Are Shaping Home Buying and Renovation Decisions

Blog posted On September 12, 2024

Pets are becoming a significant factor in home buying and renovation decisions. With over 66% of households including at least one pet, buyers are increasingly prioritizing pet-friendly features when choosing homes and making renovations.

Down Payment Costs Rise by 15% Annually: Here’s How to Keep Yours Low

Blog posted On September 06, 2024

According to Redfin, home buyers are now putting down an average of $67,000, which marks a nearly 15% increase compared to a year ago. This put the typical home buyer’s down payment at a whopping 18.6% of the purchase price, the highest level in over ten years. With this recent surge, prospective homeowners, realtors, and lenders alike are all wondering what this means for the future. And how can we still succeed in the home buying market despite record highs?

How to Spot and Avoid Real Estate Scams as a Home Buyer

Blog posted On August 29, 2024

Buying a home is probably one of the biggest financial investments you’ll make in your life, making you an appealing target for hackers and fraudsters. From wire fraud to email fraud to solicitation calls, there are several ways people might try to get your personal information and/or money. So in this blog, we’ll explore some of the most common real estate scams and how to avoid them.

Market Update: Fed Chair Jerome Powell Says it’s Time to Start Cutting Rates

Blog posted On August 23, 2024

The time has come! Today marks the second-to-last day of the Jackson Hole Symposium, which is a big central banking conference that takes place this time each year. This morning, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell took the stage for a highly anticipated speech about the current economic state and future Fed outlook. Though Powell is known for his elusive answers during press conferences, he had a straightforward message this morning: “The time has come for policy to adjust.” In other words, it’s time for rates cuts.

The Importance of a Real Estate Agent in Today's Market

Blog posted On August 22, 2024

A staple of the mortgage industry is the need for a REALTOR® during your home buying (or selling!) process. Many potential homeowners are questioning whether utilizing a real estate agent is even needed these days, believing they can just save the money and do the legwork themselves. Fortunately, there are still a multitude of reasons to work with a REALTOR® — why don’t we tackle a few of them?

Effective August 17th: Preparing for NAR's Upcoming Industry Changes

Blog posted On August 15, 2024

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) are implementing practice changes, effective on Saturday, August 17^th. Some of these changes include updates to compensation offers, written agreements, and communications with communities and consumers. These updates will affect anyone involved with real estate, including home buyers and real estate professionals. With this deadline fast approaching, let’s take a look at these practice changes one by one and what to expect going forward.

Market Update: Refinance Applications Surge Following Rate Drop

Blog posted On August 09, 2024

Following last week’s downward trend in mortgage rates, the number of refinance application submissions surged 16% week-over-week. Compared to the same period last year, the Refinance Index was up 59%. Lower rates mean more people could benefit from refinancing their mortgage and saving on their monthly mortgage payment

Key Things Buyers Should Consider When Purchasing a Home

Blog posted On August 08, 2024

After years of saving bit by bit, chipping away at debt, and boosting your credit score in preparation for buying a home, you’ve finally gotten to a good place. It’s time to wave goodbye to landlords and purchase your new home! Where do you even begin? It’s such a big life decision, and you want to make sure you find a home that checks your most important boxes while avoiding money-draining surprises. To help you determine your future home with confidence and clarity, let’s look through home buying green and red flags.

5 Strategies for Navigating a Low Affordability Housing Market

Blog posted On August 02, 2024

What are some of the biggest homeownership hurdles holding you back? Well, high interest rates and historically high home prices to start! It’s understandable to ask, “WHY are people buying now, and HOW are people affording homes?” Instead of holding off and continuing to wait for rates to drop, this may be the best time to buy, especially with the help of loan programs like Rate Rebound. According to MarketWatch, buying now is key—once the Fed finally starts cutting interest rates, the lack of home supply will remain, meaning that “high home prices today could soar.” Let’s tackle five strategies that can put you ahead of the game in this low affordability market.

Market Update: Rates Drop to Lowest Levels of the Year After Fed Announcement

Blog posted On August 01, 2024

We rounded out the last few days in July with a nice downward trend mortgage rates. Though we’re still waiting for some key employment reports to come out tomorrow, this week has been full of good news for rates and housing. Let’s dive in!

Addressing Affordability Challenges in Today's Housing Market: Effective Financing and Marketing Strategies for New Home Builders

Blog posted On July 31, 2024

By Contributing Author Anthony Grasst, VP National Builder Division

Current Market Issues and Challenges

The housing market is facing significant challenges. According to a recent survey by the Mortgage Bankers Association, many potential home buyers are waiting to purchase in hopes that interest rates will go down. The decision for many to wait is causing an overall drop in mortgage demand. This trend is exacerbated by rising home prices and high mortgage rates, both of which have contributed to a decrease in affordability and buyer hesitation.