Texas Mortgage Lender | FHA, VA, USDA, Refinance, Home Equity
Header Image

Is More Fed-Led Stimulus On Its Way?

The Federal Open Market Committee released its April 2012 meeting minutes this week, revealing a Federal Reserve in the ready for additional monetary stimulus.

Tags: , , | Category: Federal Reserve | No Comments »

Single-Family Housing Starts Powers Ahead

The new construction housing market continues to improve.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | No Comments »

Homebuilder Confidence Moves To 5-Year High

After a brief dip in April, the National Association of Homebuilders reports that the Housing Market Index rose 5 points in May to 29.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | No Comments »

Home Affordability Getting A Springtime Boost From Greece

Home affordability is receiving a boost from across the Atlantic Ocean this spring.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | No Comments »

The Deal on Mortgage Rates This Week – May 14, 2012

Conforming mortgage rates edged higher last week.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | No Comments »

Mortgage Rates Make New All-Time Lows (Again)

Conforming mortgage rates continue to drop.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | No Comments »

8-Fold Increase In “Improving Markets” Since September

The economic and housing recovery continues nationwide, but the recovery is an uneven one.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | No Comments »

With LIBOR Low, Don’t Rush To Refinance Your ARM

Is your mortgage scheduled to adjust this season? You may want to let it.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | No Comments »

Reverse Mortgages : Pros And Cons

A reverse mortgage is exactly what it sounds like — a mortgage in reverse. Here’s some analysis on the program and how it could work for you.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Guidelines | No Comments »

The Deal on Mortgage Rates This Week – May 7, 2012

Mortgage rates improved last week for the first time in 3 weeks.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | No Comments »

Planning For A Memorial Day Closing

Planning to close on your home at the end of May? Plan ahead. Memorial Day is coming and the holiday may delay your closing.

Tags: , , | Category: Personal Finance | Comments Off

Make A Mortgage Rate Plan Ahead Of The Jobs Report

Been shopping for a mortgage rate? You may want to lock something down. Tomorrow morning, mortgage rates are expected to change. Unfortunately, we don’t know in which direction they’ll move.

Tags: , , | Category: The Economy | Comments Off

Home Values Start The Year Strong

According to the Federal Home Finance Agency’s Home Price Index, home prices rose a seasonally-adjusted 0.3 percent between January and February 2012.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

Mortgage Guidelines Resume Tightening Nationwide

Despite an improving U.S. economy, the nation’s banks remain cautious about what they will lend, and to whom.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Guidelines | Comments Off

The Deal on Mortgage Rates This Week – April 30, 2012

Mortgage markets were mostly unchanged last week for the second straight week.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | Comments Off

Pending Home Sales Index Crosses The 100 Barrier

After a series of worse-than-expected data last month, the housing market appears to be back on track.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

A Simple Explanation Of The Federal Reserve Statement (April 25, 2012)

The Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged within its current target range of 0.000-0.250 percent Wednesday.

Tags: , , | Category: Federal Reserve | Comments Off

New Home Sales Revised Higher In February; Slip 7% In March

Sales of new homes ticked lower in March, unexpectedly.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

The Fed Starts A 2-Day Meeting Today. Make A Strategy.

The Federal Open Market Committee begins a 2-day meeting today. Mortgage rates are expected to be volatile for the next 48 hours.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | Comments Off

The Deal on Mortgage Rates This Week – April 23, 2012

Mortgage markets were mostly unchanged last week, breaking a three-week winning streak.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | Comments Off

Existing Home Sales Slip In March

In March, for the second straight month, home resales slipped nationwide.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

Nevada Relinquishes “Top Foreclosure State” Title

Last month marks the first time since July 2007 that foreclosure filings numbered less than 200,000 on a monthly basis — a span of nearly 5 years.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

Single-Family Housing Starts Slip 0.2% In March

In March, single-family Housing Starts were down 0.2% from the month prior, or just 1,000 units on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

Homebuilder Confidence Slips 3 Points In April

For the first time in 3 months, homebuilder confidence has slipped.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

The Deal on Mortgage Rates This Week : April 16, 2012

Mortgage markets improved last week as a global flight-to-quality continued.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | Comments Off

Mortgage Rates Fall For Third Straight Week

After a brief surge north 4 percent last month, mortgage rates have settled back near their lowest levels of all-time.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | Comments Off

Tax Tips : What To Do With Your Tax Refund

The typical U.S. taxpayer will receive roughly $3,000 in federal income tax refunds this year, an average of $250 per month. What would you do with an extra $250 per month?

Tags: , , | Category: Taxes | Comments Off

The Top 10 Cities In Which To Raise A Family

Looking for a great place to raise a family? Forbes Magazine has a list that may help you.

Tags: , , | Category: Rankings | Comments Off

Homes Get More Affordable On March Jobs Data

Last Friday, in its Non-Farm Payrolls report for the month of March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced 120,000 net new jobs created, plus combined revisions in the January and February reports of +4,000 jobs.

Tags: , , | Category: The Economy | Comments Off

The Deal on Mortgage Rates This Week – April 9, 2012

In a week of up-and-down trading, mortgage markets improved for the second consecutive week last week.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | Comments Off

FHA Announces Several Underwriting Changes

FHA recently announced several changes that will impact underwriting in several areas. These changes are effective April 1, 2012. Here’s a quick summary of these changes: For self-employed borrowers: P&L statements are now required if the last business tax return is more than 3 months old; in addition, statements must be audited if P&L income…Read the Rest of Article

Tags: , , , , | Category: FHA Guidelines, FHA Mortgages, Mortgage Guidelines | Comments Off

Jobs Report Due Friday; Mortgage Rates Expected To Change

If you’re out shopping for a home this week, or trying to lock a mortgage rate, with Friday comes home affordability risk. Consider locking your mortgage rate today.

Tags: , , | Category: The Economy | Comments Off

Fed Minutes Causes Mortgage Rates To Rise Suddenly

The Federal Reserve has released the minutes from its last FOMC meeting. Mortgage rates are rising on the news.

Tags: , , | Category: Federal Reserve | Comments Off

FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums Increasing April 9, 2012

Planning to use an FHA-backed mortgage for your next home loan? You might want to get your application in gear today.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Guidelines | Comments Off

The Deal on Mortgage Rates This Week – April 2, 2012

Mortgage markets improved last week on renewed concerns of a European debt default, and Federal Reserve rhetoric.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | Comments Off

Mortgage Rates Fall Back Below 4%

After a brief run-up two weeks ago, mortgage rates are back below 4 percent.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | Comments Off

Case-Shiller Shows Uneven Recovery For U.S. Housing

Recent data suggests that the U.S. housing market is in recovery, albeit an uneven one.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

Pending Home Sales Index Remains Strong Into Spring

The housing market took a step back in February, but remains near post-Recession highs.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

New Home Sales Slip In February

Sales of new homes fell to the lowest levels in four months last month.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

The Deal on Mortgage Rates This Week – March 26, 2012

Mortgage markets carved out a wide range last week before eventually closing close to unchanged on the week.

Tags: , , , , , , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | Comments Off

Building Permits On The Rise

The new construction housing market appears primed for growth.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

Existing Home Sales Stay Strong; Spring Season Underway

Despite sparse home inventory, the National Association of REALTORS reports that 4.59 million “existing homes” were sold in February on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

Buyer Foot Traffic Through New Construction Up Nearly Threefold Since 2009

Home builder confidence in the newly-built, single-family housing market remains high.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

Loans For Underwater Homeowners : HARP 2.0 Now Available

The new, revamped HARP program is now available. It was officially released Saturday, March 17, 2012 by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Guidelines | Comments Off

The Deal on Mortgage Rates This Week – March 19, 2012

Mortgage markets worsened last week as the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee suggested economic recovery may be closer than its originally expected, and that inflation may be a near-term economic concern.

Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | Comments Off

Foreclosure Volume Slated To Rise This Spring

After a series of months during which volume was low, foreclosure filings have started to rise again.

Tags: , , | Category: Housing Analysis | Comments Off

Mortgage Rates Climb Sharply After Retail Sales Report

The U.S. economy is expanding, fueled by a renewed consumer optimism and increased consumer spending.

Tags: , , | Category: The Economy | Comments Off

A Simple Explanation Of The Federal Reserve Statement (March 13, 2012)

Tuesday, the Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged within its current target range of 0.000-0.250 percent.

Tags: , , | Category: Federal Reserve | Comments Off

The Fed Meets Today : Protecting Your Housing Payment

The Federal Open Market Committee meets today,its second of 8 scheduled meetings this year. As a home buyer or would-be refinancing household, get ready for changing mortgage rates.

Tags: , , | Category: Federal Reserve | Comments Off

The Deal on Mortgage Rates This Week – March 12, 2012

Mortgage markets were mostly unchanged last week despite a series of positive developments. In addition to Greece successfully reaching a deal with its private creditors, the U.S. economy turned out strong reports — most notably the Non-Farm Payrolls report.

Tags: , , | Category: Mortgage Rates | Comments Off