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☆ Mortgage rates may be stabilizing after the election. Here's what to expect into early 2025
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Don't expect 'huge swings' on mortgage ratesElection uncertainty contributed to an upward swing in mortgage rates during October. But now that we have a president-elect, mortgage rates are expected to gradually come down over time, Lautz said. Experts say that mortgage rates might head into a "bumpy" or "volatile" path over the next year. "Our expectation is that rates are going to be in the 6% range as we move into 2025," she said. For example, if you bought your home around this time last year, when mortgage rates peaked at around 8%, you might benefit from a mortgage refinance, Lautz said.

Persons: Freddie Mac, it's, Jessica Lautz, Lautz, Jerome Powell, Robert Dietz, Jessica Lautz Jessica Lautz, Jeff Ostrowski, Jacob Channel Organizations: Getty, Federal Reserve, National Association of Realtors, Treasury, Trump, Federal, CNBC Locations: U.S

☆ The Fed is poised for its first rate cut in years, but it may be too soon to refinance your mortgage
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Federal Reserve is poised to make its first interest rate cut in years on Wednesday. While mortgage rates are partly influenced by the Fed's policy, they are also tied to Treasury yields and the economy. Home loan rates have already started to come down in recent weeks, slightly induced in part by favorable economic data and indications the Fed could cut rates. As of Thursday, Sept. 12, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage in the U.S. was 6.20%, according to Freddie Mac data via the Fed. "It's almost impossible to figure out what mortgage rates are going to do from week to week or month to month," Ostrowski said.

Persons: Chen Zhao, Freddie Mac, Jeff Ostrowski, Ostrowski Organizations: Federal, CNBC, Treasury, Finance Locations: Redfin, U.S

☆ Maintenance and repair costs can be an unwelcomed surprise for first-time homeowners. Here are some ways to avoid bill shock
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Experts say the "hidden costs" of owning a home, especially repairs and maintenance, can come as a shock for homeowners. Based on that calculation, Bankrate estimated, annual maintenance costs in some of the states with the highest home prices — like California, Hawaii and Massachusetts — can go over $26,000 annually. Keep your 'critical eye' as a homeownerOnce you become a homeowner, it will be important to keep up with routine maintenance in your house. To avoid surprises, try to regularly inspect your home and look for spots or corners that may need to be fixed. While homeowners are "the most critical" of a house when they're buying, they often don't keep the "critical eye" after moving in, said Hicks.

Persons: Alex Marrero, " Marrero, expats, Marrero, Angi.com, they're, Angie Hicks, Bankrate.com, Massachusetts —, you've, Jeff Ostrowski, Hicks, Dan Bawden, That's, Bawden, Tom Grill Organizations: Finance, Bankrate.com, CNBC, National Association of Realtors, Legal Eagle Contractors, Co Locations: Coral Springs , Florida, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Bellaire , Texas

☆ Homebuyers take on 'a lot more than a mortgage payment,' expert says — 'hidden costs' average $18,000 a year
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"Homebuyers have to make a compromise along the way, and often it's the age or the condition of the home," she said. The survey found that the median age of owner-occupied homes in the U.S. is about 40 years old. A mistake, however, is spending your entire reserve of savings for the down payment and ending up "house poor," Ostrowski said. In 2023, 46% of homeowners used cash from savings to cover home improvement projects, according to Angi.com. On average, there are three offers for every home that's listed for sale, Lautz said.

Persons: Jessica Lautz, Lautz, Ostrowski, you've, They're, who's Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Survey, U.S . Census Locations: U.S

☆ The hidden costs of owning a home are surging for Americans
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“My homeowners insurance doubled, with no notice – nothing,” said Jennifer Schauer, who bought her home in Novato, California, in 2021. The US homeowners insurance industry lost $101.3 billion last year as severe storms, hurricanes and wildfire did significant damage. Schauer isn’t alone among Californians grappling with high hidden costs of homeownership. By contrast, Kentucky ($11,559), Arkansas ($11,692) and Mississippi ($11,881) had the lowest hidden costs of homeownership, according to Bankrate. Since Covid, the hidden cost of homeownership has climbed most rapidly in three states: Utah (44%), Idaho (39%) and Hawaii (38%).

Persons: we’re, That’s, Bankrate, Jeff Ostrowski, ”, Jennifer Schauer, Schauer, wasn’t, “, Schauer isn’t, it’s, you’ll, ” Ostrowski Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, P Global, Federal Reserve Locations: New York, Novato , California, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, Utah, Idaho

☆ What to expect from the housing market in the second half of 2024, according to real estate experts
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

While the market is seeing more listings, the boost in supply is not enough to attract buyers, according to Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae. "Mortgage rates are down a bit from May highs, but that hasn't spurred a surge of competition among buyers in the housing market," Divounguy said. Many experts believe the Federal Reserve will likely hold interest rates in the upcoming board meeting on June 12. However, the National Association of Realtors forecast a potential interest rate cut by the fall of this year, according to Jessica Lautz, the NAR's deputy chief economist. 'It's hard to foresee prices really cooling'While the housing market has slowed in terms of the number of transactions, prices haven't soften despite broader expectations, Ostrowski explained.

Persons: Orphe Divounguy, Realtor.com, Kelman, Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae, Duncan, Freddie Mac, hasn't, Divounguy, Jessica Lautz, Ostrowski Organizations: Realtor.com, CNBC, Federal Reserve, Reserve, National Association of Realtors Locations: U.S

☆ What you'll pay in every U.S. state in hidden homeownership costs: It's like 'buying a used car every year'
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

That's how much the average "hidden costs" of homeownership will set you back for a median-priced U.S. home worth $436,291, according to a new analysis by Bankrate. Hidden costs include property taxes, homeowners insurance, home maintenance costs, as well as electricity, internet and cable bills, per Bankrate's study. "The [hidden] costs of owning a home are at the same level as buying a used car every year," says Bankrate analyst Jeff Ostrowski. While many online mortgage calculators include property taxes and homeowner insurance as part of a bundled mortgage payment estimate, not all do. As such, at least some of the hidden costs can be overlooked when budgeting for a new home.

Persons: you'd, Jeff Ostrowski

☆ Hurricane season will bring 4 to 7 major storms, NOAA predicts. How to prevent catastrophic damage to your home
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

With scientists predicting yet another active year for storms, making your home hurricane resistant has become a more valuable precaution. "Already, we are seeing storms move across the country that can bring additional hazards like tornadoes, flooding and hail," he said. A separate forecast from hurricane researchers at Colorado State University predicts an "extremely active" hurricane season in 2024 due to record-warm tropical and eastern subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures. If installing new hurricane windows isn't in the budget, shutters are lower-cost options to protect windows and other openings, said Chapman-Henderson. Talk to your insurer about possible discounts Strengthening your home against disasters may help lower your insurance cost.

Persons: Irma, Warren Faidley, Alicia Silverstone, Erik A, Hooks, Phil Klotzbach, Klotzbach, Jeff Ostrowski, Leslie Chapman, Henderson, Jennifer Languell, Chapman, Kin, Melissa Cohn, William Raveis, Bankrate's Ostrowski, Ostrowski, Loretta Worters, Worters, Languell Organizations: Getty, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Finance, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hurricanes, Colorado State University, Department of Atmospheric, Fluid Dynamics, Climate, Energy Solutions, Swiss, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Federal Alliance, Safe, Safe Homes, Department of Energy, Trifecta, William Raveis Mortgage, Insurance, Institute, Homeowners Locations: Miami , Florida, U.S, windstorms, Florida, In Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, dsireusa.org

☆ What exactly goes into closing costs?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But there is an often-overlooked expense when buying a home: closing costs. At the same time, the Biden administration plans to take aim at so-called “junk fees” hidden in closing costs. New York, Delaware and Washington, DC, have the highest average closing costs, according to Bankrate; while Missouri, Indiana and North Dakota have the lowest. Lowering closing costs on your ownThere is one relatively simple way to lower your overall closing costs: shop around. “When you compare those offers, examine not just the rate itself but also the closing costs.

Persons: homebuyers, —, Biden, ” Jeff Ostrowski, , ” Ostrowski, you’re, homebuyers haven’t, Brian Connolly, it’s, “ It’s, ” Connolly, Connolly, ”, Freddie Mac, ” Genaro Villa Organizations: CNN, Consumer Financial, National Association of Realtors, realtors, University of Michigan, NAR, homebuyers Locations: New York , Delaware, Washington, Missouri, Indiana, North Dakota, Bankrate, AnnualCreditReport.com

☆ How to make your home hurricane resistant, as scientists predict an 'extremely active' storm season
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

In this article Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTRyersonclark | E+ | Getty ImagesMaking your home hurricane resistant can be a significant financial undertaking. In 2024, the national average cost to upgrade an entire house with hurricane windows runs between $1,128 and $10,293, or $100 and $500 per window, including installation, according to This Old House. Hurricane resistance is about preventing 'pressurization'Hurricanes are different and unpredictable storms, said Jeff Ostrowski, a housing analyst at Bankrate. If installing new hurricane windows aren't in the budget, shutters are lower-cost options to protect windows and other openings, said Chapman-Henderson. Talk to your insurer about possible discounts Strengthening your home against disasters may help lower your insurance cost.

Persons: Phil Klotzbach, Jeff Ostrowski, Leslie Chapman, Henderson, Jennifer Languell, Chapman, Kin, Melissa Cohn, William Raveis, Bankrate's Ostrowski, Ostrowski, Loretta Worters, Worters, Languell Organizations: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Hurricanes, National Oceanic, Fluid Dynamics, Climate, Energy Solutions, Swiss, Finance, Colorado State University, Department of Atmospheric, Federal Alliance, Safe, Safe Homes, Department of Energy, Trifecta, William Raveis Mortgage, Insurance, Institute, Homeowners Locations: windstorms, U.S, Florida, In Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, dsireusa.org

☆ Should you refinance your mortgage? Here are three signs it's time, real estate experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Thanks to those high mortgage interest rates, refinance activity in 2023 was at the lowest level in 30 years. In the first and second quarters of 2023 there was only $75 billion and $80 billion, respectively, in mortgage refinance originations nationally, according to Freddie Mac, a government-sponsored entity that buys mortgages from banks. "We're just in a much higher interest rate situation with the economy," she said. "We've been so accustomed to mortgage rates as a baseline being at 2% or 3%," said Veronica Fuentes, a certified financial planner at Northwestern Mutual. Some lenders may require a higher interest rate if you finance closing costs, plus you'll be paying interest on those expenses for the life of the mortgage.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Jeff Ostrowski, Chen Zhao, Zhao, We've, Veronica Fuentes, that's, Ostrowski, CoreLogic's Organizations: Westend61, Getty, Federal Reserve, Northwestern Mutual

☆ Housing 'affordability has just totally collapsed,' economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"Since the pandemic, affordability has just totally collapsed," said Chen Zhao, a senior economist at Redfin. February 2021 was the last month when the typical household earned more money than they needed to afford the median home. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets the standard of affordability at 30% of household income. Affordability deficit narrowed in FebruaryThe average household fell short $29,448 to afford a home in February, according to Redfin. The affordability deficit narrowed because rates have been on a consistent decline since the last peak in October, according to Zhao.

Persons: Chen Zhao, They've, Zhao, It's, Jeff Ostrowski, Veronica Fuentes, Fuentes, Ostrowski, Buyers, Redfin, Louis, What's Organizations: Getty, Redfin, Finance, U.S . Department of Housing, Urban Development, Northwestern Mutual, Cleveland Locations: U.S, Detroit, Pittsburgh, St, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Warren, Mich, Cincinnati, Milwaukee , Kansas City , Virginia Beach, Va, Antonio, Columbus , Ohio

☆ In these 22 states, you need a six-figure income to afford a typical home, analysis finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Buying an affordable home in the United States has gotten a lot harder for many people since 2020. A new analysis from Bankrate.com finds that in 22 states and Washington, DC, buyers need a six-figure household income to comfortably afford a typical median-priced home. That’s a lot more than in January 2020, when Bankrate found buyers needed a six-figure income in just six states and the District of Columbia. For instance, Bankrate found that the income needed to buy a median-priced home rose the least in North Dakota (up 9.2%); Illinois (up 27.2%); and Kansas (up 29.3%). The complete Bankrate analysis can be found here.

Persons: Bankrate, ”, Jeff Ostrowski, –, Redfin –, homebuyers, ” Ostrowski Organizations: New, New York CNN, District of Columbia, “, United States –, of Columbia, Washington State Locations: New York, United States, Washington, DC, West, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, South, Midwest, Mississippi, Ohio, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Dakota, Illinois, Kansas

☆ To buy a house in today's market, more people turn to an alternative lender: their parents
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty ImagesFewer people can afford to buy a house these days. On top of soaring home prices, 30-year fixed mortgage rates have been hovering near the highest level in more than two decades. "U.S. home prices are near record highs, and mortgage rates have rocketed to their loftiest levels since 2000," said Bankrate analyst Jeff Ostrowski. At its peak in 2006 before the crash, the payment-to-income ratio was 34%. In late 2023, the payment-to-income ratio is 40%.

Persons: Andrew Caballero, Reynolds, Jeff Ostrowski, Bankrate Organizations: AFP, Getty, ICE Mortgage Technology Locations: Arlington , Virginia

☆ 'The most important financial decision' of your life—what you need to know about mortgages
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

News about mortgage rates comes out daily. But for most would-be homebuyers, up-to-the-minute financial information might not feel as important as the bigger-picture questions: How do mortgages work? "Borrowing to purchase property is probably the most important financial decision that most people are ever going to make in their life," she says. The average 30-year mortgage rate was above 10% for most of the 80s, cresting in 1981 at 18.39%. "One can never truly predict the future, but I don't see mortgage rates returning back to the 3% range in the remainder of my lifetime," he says.

Persons: Will, Mary O'Sullivan, Read, Jeff Ostrowski, Z homebuyers, Lawrence Yun, that's, Freddie Mac, you've, O'Sullivan Organizations: Nationwide Mortgage Brokers, Federal Reserve, Fed, cresting, National Association of Realtors, CNBC, PMI, Federal Housing Administration, Financial, Urban Institute

☆ The Grand Canyon, a Cathedral to Time, Is Losing Its River
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Raymond Zhong | Elena Shao | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +19 min

And yet, the Grand Canyon remains yoked to the present in one key respect. The Colorado River, whose wild energy incised the canyon over millions of years, is in crisis. Down beneath the tourist lodges and shops selling keychains and incense, past windswept arroyos and brown valleys speckled with agave, juniper and sagebrush, the rocks of the Grand Canyon seem untethered from time. The Grand Canyon is a planetary spectacle like none other — one that also happens to host a river that 40 million people rely on for water and power. At Mile 0 of the Grand Canyon, the river is running at around 7,000 cubic feet per second, rising toward 9,000 — not the lowest flows on record, but far from the highest.

Persons: windswept, Davis, John Weisheit, ”, “, Mead Hoover, Powell, Daniel Ostrowski, Victor R, Baker, . Baker, Lake Powell, Dr, Ed Keable, wouldn’t, Jack Schmidt, Schmidt, ’, Alma Wilcox, “ There’s, we’ve, Nicholas Pinter Organizations: Rockies, York Times, University of California, Utah Glen, Lake, Mead, Recreation, Hualapai, CALIF, ARIZ . Utah Glen, Lake Mead, Area, Forest Utah, Engineers, University of Arizona, of Reclamation, National Park Service, Center, Colorado River Studies, Utah State University Locations: Colorado, The Colorado, North America, Utah, Powell, Lake Mead, Arizona, . UTAH COLO, N.M, ARIZ . Utah, Mead, NEV . UTAH COLO, Glen, ARIZ, Hopi, Nevada, Lake Powell, Arizona , California , Nevada, Mexico, Davis, Little Colorado, tamarisk, gesturing

☆ This couple bootstrapped their way to a multimillion-dollar business. Here are their top tips for success
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The duo shared three tips with CNBC Make It on how to run a successful business — in good and bad times. Putting customers firstWhen it comes to building a successful business, Hamilton has one guiding principle: you have to make products that people love. She launched the hair masque in 2018 when she saw a "mid-tier space" in hair care products that had yet to be filled — products of salon-grade quality, but at an affordable price. When people love one product, you can convert product love to brand love. "When people love one product, you can convert product love to brand love," Ostrowski shared.

Persons: Emily Hamilton, Alexander Ostrowski, Coco, Tik, Ostrowski, Emily, Hamilton, Emily Hamilton Co, they're, —, it's, Alexander Ostrowski Co, there's, I've Organizations: CNBC, Hamilton, Eve, Coco Locations: Bali, Singapore, Covid

☆ The housing market has frozen over. Here's why experts say home affordability isn't getting better any time soon.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The housing market is frozen, and affordability is unlikely to get better soon, experts told Insider. Activity has slowed thanks to high mortgage rates, which have pushed both buyers and sellers out of the market. That's largely because the Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates high over the next year, which will influence mortgage rates to stay elevated. Housing in limboIt's a precarious time for the US housing market, with activity slowing significantly in recent months as the Fed aggressively hiked interest rates. Mortgage rates — and likewise, home affordability — will hinge on the Fed's future interest rate moves and any subsequent volatility in rate markets.

☆ High home prices, mortgage rates make it tough to be a first-time homebuyer now. Here's why location matters
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A new Bankrate ranking found the Austin, Texas, metro area is the best for first-time home purchasers. Prospective buyers looking to secure the purchase of their first home this spring will still face a difficult market. A new Bankrate ranking found the Austin, Texas, metro area is the best for first-time purchasers, while the worst is Washington, D.C. Austin's high ranking was "surprising," given that affordability dragged down its score, noted Jeff Ostrowski, analyst at Bankrate. "Affordability is a challenge in Austin, but it's not as challenging as in a lot of the California markets or in places where wages just haven't kept up with home prices," Ostrowski said.

☆ B-52 crews are getting special brain training to help them fly the US Air Force's oldest bomber
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Hope Seck | Sandboxx News | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

US Air Force B-52 crews are going through a special brain- and body-conditioning program. The program is part of an effort to find the best way to enhance the performance of Air Force crews. Other airmen could get access to similar programs in the future, an Air Force official said. Officers on the lower deck of a B-52 at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota in August 2006. A B-52 bomber drops cluster bombs over Afghanistan on October 7, 2001.

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