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☆ Here's what's happening with home prices as mortgage rates fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

According to two separate indices existing home prices rose to the highest level in 6 years. Joe Raedle | Getty ImagesThe U.S. housing market cooled off pretty dramatically last year, after mortgage rates more than doubled from historic lows. Now, as demand appears to be coming back into the market, due to a slight drop in mortgage rates, prices are pushing back. But mortgage rates began to fall in December, and prices reacted immediately. Lower mortgage rates are driving the new demand.

☆ A 23-year-old teacher got $25,000 to buy a house so she could live and work in the same city as her students
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The school district is now offering grants to qualifying staffers to lower its turnover rate. The school district is trying to change that by awarding grants to teachers so they can afford homes in the community where they teach. Lillian Snoeyink, 23, is the first grant recipient, receiving a check in January from the Holland Public Schools. Holland Public Schools launched the grant program in January after struggling to attract and retain educators. Holland Public Schools is not the only school district taking drastic measures to help employees afford housing.

As rates continue to fall, the average monthly mortgage payment should shrink as well, making homeownership more affordable for more buyers. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect.

☆ The Phoenix housing bubble spectacularly popped in 2008. Countless signs point towards a similar struggle now. Here's how bad it really is.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Phoenix's housing market is quickly deteriorating as a pullback in demand triggers home price declines. And as Phoenix's housing market performs an about-face from the dramatic rise it had witnessed from spring 2020 through summer 2022, experts across the country are debating the possibility of the whole market imploding. And as of January 2023, area home sales are down 74% year-over-year, according to John Burns Real Estate Consulting. The Phoenix Valley — a sprawling desert metropolis that's home to nearly 5 million people — is no stranger to speculative real estate bubbles. Phoenix's housing market could be on track to normalizingDespite the numerous indicators of a weakening housing market, Phoenix may simply be facing a correction versus a crash, several experts told Insider.

Most major forecasts have predicted that mortgage rates will drop in 2023, and so far that prediction has been correct. Mortgage rates typically increase when the economy is good, but slowing inflation has helped them come down. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Average 30-year fixed mortgage rates started the week hovering just below 6%, but they've since dropped around 20 basis points. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

☆ Tech, housing, and manufacturing might already be in a recession. They could bring the US economy down with it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But the tech, housing, and manufacturing industries might be already. "We have a manufacturing recession, a housing recession, a tech recession," she said in a Bloomberg post last week. In this scenario, parts of the economy would "take turns suffering rather than simultaneously" — and the broader economy would never reach recession status. There were over 55,000 reported tech layoffs during the first 20 days of January, more than the entire first half of 2022. It's led some to declare that a "tech recession" is already upon us.

Add to that mix the classic 60/40 portfolio model — a standard investing benchmark — that helps investors achieve that last point. Below, CNBC Select spoke to two financial professionals about how novices can put a 60/40 portfolio strategy in action. Once you're ready to invest, here are four simple ways to start putting money into a 60/40 portfolio. Vanguard Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected. Wealthfront Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected.

During the pandemic, mortgage rates plummeted below 3%, flooding the real estate market with homebuyers trying to snag a good rate. "Mortgage rates have trended down in the past couple of months," he says. So... [for] someone waiting for a 3% or 4% mortgage rate, it's not going to happen." For example, Rocket Mortgage is currently offering a mortgage rate buydown program called Inflation Buster. Evaluate whether you're buying for the right reasons and determine if you and your budget are ready for this important milestone.

☆ Mortgage rates fall for fourth week in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates fell slightly this week, as a smaller rate hike by the Federal Reserve signaled promising improvement on inflation. Mortgage rates have not been this low since September and are now nearly a full point below last year’s peak of 7.08%, last reached in early November. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. “The Federal Reserve controls short-term rates, but long-term rates, including 30-year mortgage rates, are a function of market expectations for the path of the economy,” said Mike Fratantoni, senior vice president and chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association. Even with lower rates in recent weeks, mortgage applications dropped 9% last week from the week before, according to MBA.

☆ Mortgage demand took a big step back last week, even after interest rates fell further
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

After a stronger start to the year, mortgage demand plunged last week, despite another drop in interest rates. Total mortgage application volume fell 9% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Mortgage applications to buy a home fell 10% for the week and were 41% lower year over year. While both home prices and mortgage rates are coming down steadily, the supply of homes for sale is still quite low, and that may be keeping mortgage demand under pressure. The central bank is expected to raise its interest rate, but that doesn't necessarily raise mortgage rates.

Mortgage rates have trended down over the past few months, providing a small boost to homebuying demand. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage refinance rates todayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage calculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect.

Mortgage rates inched down throughout January and have been holding steady over the past few days. Just keep in mind that HELOC rates are variable, so if rates start to trend up further, yours will likely increase, as well. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Mortgage rates dropped for the third week in a row last week, according to Freddie Mac. If Powell indicates that the Fed isn't ready to stop raising rates, mortgage rates could inch up. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage calculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

☆ Pending home sales increased last month for the first time since May
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington, DC CNN —Pending home sales increased in December for the first time since May, a sign that lower mortgage rates are bringing some buyers back into the housing market. The pending sales index, based on signed contracts to buy a home rather than the final sales that are accounted for in existing home sales, improved by 2.5% from November to December, according to data released Friday from the National Association of Realtors. Pending sales dropped in the Northeast, where the index was down 6.5% in December from November; and in the Midwest, where the index was down 0.3%. Pending sales were up 6.1% in the South in December from November and rose 6.4% in the West. “Mortgage applications have been trending higher alongside lower rates, pending home sales are up, and builder confidence increased in January,” Kushi said.

☆ People want to move to Florida's more affordable smaller towns, which some brokers predict will be more popular than cities like Miami this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Cities with small-town charm are seen as the places to be in Florida this year. Like many who were moving to the Sunshine State, it wasn't the big, expensive cities like Miami or Tampa that drew the Jones family. Small Southern cities within driving distance of major ones — and suburbs right outside big cities — were some of the most popular ZIP codes to move to in the past year, Opendoor data found. In short, areas like this have usurped big cities like Tampa and Miami as the places to be. But if people are moving to the area for peace and quiet, they might lose that in the future.

☆ Weekly mortgage demand jumps 7% as interest rates drop to lowest level since September
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Mortgage interest rates fell for the third straight week, while mortgage demand also rose again. Total application volume increased 7% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($726,200 or less) decreased to 6.2% from 6.23%, with points increasing to 0.69 from 0.67 (including the origination fee) for loans with a 20% down payment. Mortgage applications to purchase a home rose 3% for the week but were 39% lower year over year. Mortgage rates have moved slightly higher to start this week, but are still well within the new lower range.

☆ 92% of millennial homebuyers say inflation has impacted their purchase plans, but most are plowing ahead anyway, study shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Sarah O'Brien | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The typical first-time buyer was age 36 in 2022, up from age 33 in 2021, according to the National Association of Realtors. The combination of year-over-year double-digit price jumps for much of 2022 and rising mortgage rates created an affordability problem for many buyers. The average for a 30-year fixed-rate loan is 6.21% as of Jan. 24, according to Mortgage News Daily. An adjustable rate mortgage may be an optionIt may also be worth considering an adjustable rate mortgage if you're trying to bring the cost down, Yun said. With an ARM, the appeal is its lower initial rate compared with a traditional fixed rate mortgage.

Mortgage rates dropped significantly in early January and have remained relatively flat this week. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage refinance rates todayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage calculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect.

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. Just keep in mind that HELOC rates are variable, so if rates start to trend up further, yours will likely increase, as well. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage calculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

☆ First-time homebuyers are 'royally screwed'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

For first-time homebuyers like Talej, the outlook has never been bleaker. And during that year, first-time buyers accounted for just 26% of all home purchases, the lowest percentage ever, according to the NAR. The racial makeup of first-time homebuyers also set records in 2022, but the lack of progress in Black homeownership was perhaps most shocking. The percentage of first-time homebuyers who were white hit a two-decade high of 88% last year, up from 83% in 2003. Hope is a fickle thingThere's some slight relief on the horizon for first-time homebuyers.

☆ Bad news for millennials: Things have never looked bleaker for first-time homebuyers
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

For first-time homebuyers like Talej, the outlook has never been bleaker. This unfortunate combination means first-time buyers are waiting longer to purchase homes and winning out with less frequency than ever before. And during that year, first-time buyers accounted for just 26% of all home purchases, the lowest percentage ever, according to the NAR. The percentage of first-time homebuyers who were white hit a two-decade high of 88% last year, up from 83% in 2003. These trends only compound the bad economic news for millennials, who make up the majority of today's first-time buyers.

☆ I Asked ChatGPT for Real-Estate Advice. Here's What It Told Me.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I asked ChatGPT common questions about real estate. I didn't get earth-shattering advice, but it could be a good place to start if you feel clueless. Loading Something is loading. ChatGPT is not exactly that friend, but the generative-AI tool sweeping the internet is a good starting point to tackle the most basic real-estate questions. Specific ideas or advice, such as the timing for real-estate choices or ways to improve the value of a home, were less impressive.

Inflation is continuing to show signs of slowing, and mortgage rates have decreased slightly in response to this news. High inflation and rate hikes from the Fed helped push mortgage rates up more than three percentage points last year. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage calculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect.

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