Freddie Mac announced that for the week ending January 7, 30-year fixed rates averaged 5.09%, down from 5.14% the week before.

Make a list of important things before getting ready to move....

Consumers are often baffled by the home appraisal process. They may feel their home is worth a certain dollar amount, and therefore, the appraised value doesn't make sense to them. It is important to know that appraisal guidelines are dictated by the lenders. In many states, the lenders must disclose the purpose of the appraisal, as each situation carries its own set of rules.

When it comes to mortgage loans and interest rates, it's never a good idea to gamble. That's why I typically advise my clients to lock in an interest rate at the earliest opportunity. This is just one step of the standardized system we have put in place to ensure the best possible loan experience for each borrower that we work with.

Once your loan application is filled out and sent to the lender for review, the first thing they will look for is your ability to payback the loan you are requesting. My team and I have a streamlined loan process to help you get your ducks in a row prior to this review. A grand slam loan package is in perfect order and answers all the important questions up front.

The Federal Reserve constantly evaluates the US economy and, when necessary, takes steps to address inflationary concerns and avoid economic recession or depression. The mass media, in turn, reacts by providing a wide range of opinions and interpretations of the Fed's monetary policy. This can make it very difficult for consumers to decipher how such actions will influence interest rates in...

A good credit score translates into lower interest rates for home-shopping borrowers. In a mortgage lender's eyes, the higher your score is, the less risk you are, and the more likely it is you will pay off your debt. For this reason, borrowers with lower scores usually end up paying higher interest rates on their loans.

Did you know that the major credit bureaus sell your personal information? It's true! Known as "trigger leads", the files of borrowers applying for a home loan are immediately flagged, packaged, and sold by the credit bureaus to the highest bidders.

There is much give and take involved in negotiating a property purchase.That's why it's important to have a checklist of what you want to get out ofthe deal as a buyer. Bear in mind, the home must be appraised and thelender will be looking at the fair market value on a given property.

Finding a mortgage that's right for you should be easy. There are literally hundreds of options to choose from, including Fixed Rate, Adjustable Rate, Hybrids, Interest Only, Monthly Option ARMs, and Pay Select Mortgages, to name just a few. Mortgages are available at rates ranging from an introductory rate of 1.00% to well over 10.00%. You can finance up to 100% of your home's value and, in