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☆ Opinion | The Case for Letting Mortgages Move With Us
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Peter Coy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At the moment, the market for existing homes is partly frozen because people who have 3 percent mortgage loans don’t want to give them up for 7 percent loans on new homes. Making mortgages portable sounds unrealistic. After all, mortgages are tied by contract to particular pieces of property. “We’re getting this question a lot, even from our own members,” Mike Fratantoni, the group’s chief economist, told me. Nevertheless, he said he couldn’t imagine that owners of securitized loans would go along with the idea.

Persons: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, “ We’re, ” Mike Fratantoni, there’s Organizations: Federal Housing Finance Agency, Mortgage Bankers Association

Mortgage rates trended down a bit late last week, with 30-year mortgage rates dropping just below 7%, according to Zillow data. This is a sign that the economy is coming into better balance, which is good news for mortgage rates. Once inflation slows enough that the Federal Reserve is able to start lowering the federal funds rate, mortgage rates should trend down. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Investors, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ The US could give homeowners a $980 billion stimulus at no additional cost, 'Oracle of Wall Street' says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. That's if Freddie Mac secures approval from its regulator to operate in the market for secondary mortgages, also commonly known as home equity loans. If greenlighted, the scheme would be equivalent to a huge stimulus injection, but without a cent added to the national deficit, the "Oracle of Wall Street" explained. As Freddie Mac is a massive provider of mortgage market liquidity, the move could encourage more banks to extend this financing to customers. The proposal noted that options are limited for homeowners who want to tap their equity, meaning that few are benefiting from the housing market's appreciation.

Persons: —, Meredith Whitney, Whitney, Freddie Mac, Freddie Mac's, Freddie, Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae Organizations: Service, Business

☆ A mortgage advisor shares how to get the 3.5% down payment on an FHA loan fully covered — and the 3 best strategies real-estate investors can use to maximize leverage from government loans
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

This was achieved by allowing first-time buyers to purchase a home with a smaller down payment — as low as 3.5%. The program is still around, and it's often a great way for real-estate investors to get started. Advertisement3 ways to make the most of government loan programsWelgan also shared two strategies that real-estate investors can use to maximize the leverage offered through government loans. Buyers can now purchase up to a four-unit property with a down payment of as little as 5%. "That's been a game changer for real-estate investors," Welgan said.

Persons: —, Jeff Welgan, Fannie Mae, Buyers, Welgan, Fannie Mae's, That's, ADUs, Dave Meyer, Fannie, I've Organizations: Service, Act, Business, Federal National Mortgage Association, Mortgage, Urban Locations: Los Angeles County , California, Michigan, California

Average 30-year mortgage rates continue to hover around 7% after spiking up earlier this month, according to Zillow data. This means we could see mortgage rates improve somewhat as we approach fall. 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. Lower mortgage rates will bring more buyers onto the market, putting upward pressure on prices.

Persons: decelerating, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal, Investors, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, ARM Locations: Chevron

Currently, 30-year mortgage rates are above 7%, according to Zillow data. Hotter-than-expected economic data has pushed mortgage rates up this year. This would allow more hopeful homebuyers to enter the market and find a home with an affordable monthly mortgage payment. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: Fannie Mae, homebuyers, you'll Organizations: Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

Most major forecasts believe that mortgage rates will ultimately trend down this year. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThis week's average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.17%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates inched up to 6.44% this week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates increased dramatically over the last two years, but they're expected to go down at some point this year.

Persons: Fannie Mae, you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Reserve, US, of, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

☆ Gen Z would rather take a chance on a new app than use 'embarrassing' Instagram if TikTok gets banned
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Lindsay Dodgson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

AdvertisementAs a potential US TikTok ban looms, Gen Zers are contemplating what app might take its place. A potential TikTok ban loomsThe US Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that could see TikTok removed from app stores. It's unclear if such AI tools would convince Gen Z to scroll on Instagram and use it more often. AdvertisementJaxson Whittle, an older Gen Z, told BI he holds a different opinion. "No hate to them, but I don't think it's the move for Gen Z at the moment."

Persons: Young, —, Zers, Joe Biden, They'd, Gabrielle Yap, Instagram, Josie doesn't, Gen, Hibaq Farah, TikTok, Farah, Tabitha Mae, I'm, I've, Yap, Kat, It's, Sophie Lund, Yates, Hargreaves Lansdown, Jaxson Whittle, TikToker Cassandra Marie, Gen Z, she's Organizations: Service, Senate, Business, Pew Research Center, Meta, Facebook, BBC, YouTube, Gen Locations: TikTok

Though mortgage rates are currently at a five-month high, they still should ultimately trend down this year. But if inflation remains sticky in the coming months, mortgage rates will likely remain elevated for longer than currently expected. 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 because inflation has been somewhat sticky in recent months, mortgage rates have remained elevated so far this year.

Persons: Fannie Mae, Hamilton Fout Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, ARM Locations: Chevron

Mortgage rates haven't changed much over the last week, but they could move up or down later this week depending on how a couple of big economic reports turn out. If these reports come in hotter than expected, mortgage rates could tick up higher. This index is expected to come in a bit lower than last month's reading, which would be good news for mortgage rates. This means we could see mortgage rates start to trend down in fall. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ ‘Mad Men’ star Christina Hendricks is married
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Actor Christina Hendricks is a married woman. The “Mad Men” actor wed her partner of four years George Bianchini, a camera operator who works in the entertainment industry, on Saturday at the historic Napoleon House in New Orleans, according to People magazine. The southern locale is a special place for the couple, according to Hendricks, who told the outlet in an interview published on Sunday that New Orleans was a place both Hendricks and Bianchini each loved to visit before they met. Shirley Manson, the lead singer of the band Garbage and a close friend of Hendricks’, officiated the ceremony. I will love and care for him forever.”Hendricks was previously married to actor Geoffrey Arend for 10 years before announcing their separation in 2019.

Persons: Christina Hendricks, George Bianchini, Napoleon, Hendricks, Bianchini, ”, Matt Weiner, Christian Siriano, Mae Whitman, Katya Katya, Shirley Manson, Hendricks ’, ” Hendricks, Geoffrey Arend Organizations: CNN, Napoleon House, People Locations: New Orleans, Orleans

Average 30-year mortgage interest rates are hovering around 7%, according to Zillow data. Last week, mortgage rates climbed to levels not seen since November 2023 after the latest Consumer Price Index report showed that inflation was hotter than expected in March. While the Fed doesn't set mortgage rates, changes in the federal funds rate do influence mortgage lenders' decisions on how much interest to charge on loans. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, CPI, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ Why mango sticky rice is one of Thailand’s most beloved summer dishes
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Karla Cripps | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Better known to the rest of the world as mango sticky rice, it’s a deceptively simple dish. And few have perfected that balance as well as 63-year-old Varee Jeensuwan, the undeniable queen of mango sticky rice in Bangkok. In 2022, she performed at the Coachella music festival in California and ended her show by digging into a bowl of mango sticky rice. K Panich has been dishing out mango sticky rice since 1932. According to R-Haan co-owner/chef Chumpol Jangprai, there’s evidence suggesting mango sticky rice has been around since Thailand’s late Ayutthaya period (1351-1767), with references to the dish found in the centuries to follow.

Persons: Mae Varee, “, Bangkok's Mae Varee, Lauren DeCicca, Rong, ”, Nam Dok Mai, Chiang Rai, Milli, Panich, Pongpat, – it’s, Bib, Khun Nan, Mai, it’s, It’s, Haan, Chumpol Jangprai, Rama V’s Organizations: CNN, Bangkok CNN, Coachella, Haan Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Bangkok’s, Thonglor, Mae, Bangkok's, province’s Bangkhla, Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi province, “, nieow, Thailand’s, Suratthani, China , Hong Kong, Singapore, Thai, California

☆ Peer inside Barely Fair, the exhibition where major artists present at miniature scale
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Roland Miller/Barely FairThat same year, the New York gallery Selenas Mountain showcased Juan Arango Palacios' canvases and woven works. Artists and their galleries are responsible for producing all of the small works, but Barely Fair’s team helps with installation as needed. Roland Miller/Barely FairBarely Fair began as a joke between the co-founders of the artist space Julius Caesar, but they quickly realized its potential as a serious art fair. “And I think that Barely Fair is much more successful at that.”For nascent galleries and artists, Barely Fair is a more accessible way to participate in Chicago’s art week, which draws curators and collectors from around the world. “(It’s) inverting the dynamics of making a monument at small scale,” she said, explaining that Barely Fair “happened to feel almost tailor-made” for her work.

Persons: Anish Kapoor, Barbara Kruger, Yoko Ono, Rebecca Morris, Roland Miller, Juan Arango Palacios, Julius Caesar, ”, Josh Dihle, Tony Lewis, Kate Sierzputowski, ” Miller, “, Ellie Rines, Henry, Daid Puppypaws, Ingrid Olson, Jonas Müller, Miller, Alice Tippit, Evan Jenkins, Julia Fischbach, Fischbach, gallerists, Al Freeman, Rines, Amanda Ross, Ho, Michiko Itatani, Kay Hoffman, Katharine Hamnett, Ross, ” Ross, Price, that’s, Tatjana Pieters, Charles Degeyter, Mae Alphonse Dessauvage, Pieters, ” Pieters, “ I’ve, — Organizations: CNN, Color, Barely, Artists, New, Los, Chicago —, NADA Miami, Miami Art Locations: Chicago, New York, New York City, Los Angeles, Portland, Ross, Belgian, NADA, Ghent, Belgium

Average 30-year mortgage rates increased to 6.88% this week, according to Freddie Mac. If this measure shows some slowing in inflation, mortgage rates could inch back down. It's likely that we'll need to wait for more data before it becomes clear how mortgage rates will trend this year. 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.

Persons: Freddie Mac, It's, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, CPI, of Labor Statistics, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, ARM Locations: Chevron

A hotter-than-expected inflation report has pushed back expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut. This means mortgage rates are likely to remain elevated for longer than many forecasters had anticipated. This would keep mortgage rates elevated throughout the summer homebuying season, when many home shoppers will be looking to get a mortgage. "March inflation figures were very bad, which also means bad news for interest rates," Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, said in a blog post reacting to March's CPI data. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: Lawrence Yun, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal, Labor Statistics, National Association of Realtors, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

CNN —Myanmar rebels fighting the junta say they have seized the last remaining military base in a key border town, dealing the latest significant blow to the country’s military rulers as they struggle to cling to power. About 200 soldiers abandoned their base in the southeastern town of Myawaddy and have been pushed to the No 2. “Officially we (are in) control of the town Myawaddy since last night,” KNU spokesperson Saw Taw Nee said. Footage also showed Thai military vehicles and troops stationed along the border. CNN has reached out to Myanmar’s military junta for comment.

Persons: Karen, ”, Saw Taw, Thailand’s Mae Sot, Manan Vatsyayana, “, Naw Tee, Aung, Thailand's, Prasarn Saengsirirak, ” Prasarn, Prasarn, Kim Jolliffe, it’s Organizations: CNN, Myanmar, Karen National Union, UN, Reuters, Getty, Karen National Liberation Army, Command, National League for Democracy, Army, Arakan Army Locations: Myawaddy, Myanmar, Thailand, Thailand’s, Tak, Thailand's Mae Sot, AFP, Teetering, Aung San, Kachin, China, Rakhine, Arakan

☆ Mortgage-backed securities offer high-quality income and are relatively cheap, UBS says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Investors looking for high-quality income, as well as a bargain, should turn to agency mortgage-backed securities, according to UBS. Agency MBS are debt obligations backed by the government and are issued by agencies such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae. However, agency MBS lagged their higher-quality counterparts because they are highly correlated to interest rate volatility, she said. As gross domestic product slowly trends lower, the market will become more comfortable with the likelihood of the Fed cutting rates, Falconio said. Banks, which have been investing excess deposits in Treasurys, will be among those turning to agency MBS, Falconio said.

Persons: Leslie Falconio, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, Falconio, Janus Henderson, Banks Organizations: UBS, CNBC, Agency MBS, Federal Reserve, MBS, SEC, Securities ETF Locations: UBS Americas, Treasurys

Hopeful homebuyers should expect mortgage rates to remain elevated for at least a couple more months. If inflation eases in the coming months and the Fed is able to start cutting its benchmark rate, mortgage rates should drop as expected. 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. This is good news for mortgage rates — as inflation slows and the Federal Reserve is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates are expected to trend down as well.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, ARM Locations: Chevron

☆ Google's executive productivity advisor says these 2 common 'pitfalls' are making people less efficient at work
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The first obstacle is overcommitting, Martin said. Related stories"So I think we all fall into that trap sometimes, and it's important to realize that that's not always going to set you up for the best output," Martin told HBR. AdvertisementTo overcome overcommitting, Martin told HBR that identifying your top three priorities daily, weekly, and monthly can be helpful. AdvertisementMartin told HBR that once people become more intentional with their time, they should use it wisely to address projects or tasks. She later gave tips on how people can approach emails, meetings, and other day-to-day office tasks while reaching peak productivity.

Persons: —, Laura Mae Martin, Harvard Business Review's, Martin, that's, HBR, overcommitting Organizations: Service, Harvard Business, Business, BI

This week, 30-year mortgage rates averaged 6.82%, according to Freddie Mac. Though mortgage rates are expected to go down in 2024, when they'll start dropping depends on how inflation trends in the coming months. This has kept mortgage rates elevated. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, they've, Fannie Mae, you'll Organizations: Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, Zillow, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ More students are dropping out of college — here's why
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Although college enrollment declines leveled off this year, the number of students who started but then withdrew has been on the rise, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. At the same time, roughly 26% of current undergraduates have seriously considered leaving college or are at risk of dismissal, according to a separate report by education lender Sallie Mae. "We need more support for early college planning, especially for first-generation students or those from underserved communities," said Rick Castellano, a spokesperson for Sallie Mae. Among students who are considering putting their education on hold, most said it was due to financial concerns. Others cite a loss of motivation or life change followed by mental health challenges, Sallie Mae found.

Persons: Sallie Mae, Rick Castellano Organizations: Student Clearinghouse Research

Mortgage rates were a bit lower this month compared with February. High inflation and Federal Reserve rate hikes helped push mortgage rates up over the last couple of years. 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. This is good news for mortgage rates — as inflation slows and the Federal Reserve is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates are expected to trend down as well.

Persons: Fannie Mae Organizations: Mortgage Bankers Association, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, ARM Locations: Chevron

This week, 30-year mortgage rates averaged 6.37%, according to Zillow data. Most major forecasters expect mortgage rates to decline in 2024, but so far we haven't seen any signs of a sustained drop. As we get more data showing that inflation is cooling, mortgage rates should start trending down more definitively. The sooner the Fed can start cutting rates, the sooner mortgage rates will start to fall. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Commerce Department, Fed, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

Today, 30-year mortgage rates are hovering in the mid-6% range, according to Zillow data. As inflation slows and the Fed is able to lower rates, mortgage rates are expected to go down, too. 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. This is good news for mortgage rates — as inflation slows and the Federal Reserve is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates are expected to trend down as well.

Persons: Fannie Mae Organizations: Reserve, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, ARM Locations: Chevron

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