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Rates have plunged in recent weeks, and 30-year mortgage rates are already half a percentage point down from their November average. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.56% last week, an 11-basis-point drop from the previous week, according to Freddie Mac data. But experts believe the central bank is done raising rates, which means mortgage rates should ease somewhat. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should fall even further.

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

Average 30-year mortgage rates finally fell below 7% in mid-November, the first time they've been that low since late September. And as we head into 2024, mortgage rates are expected to fall even further as inflation continues to slow. 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. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.56% last week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is an 11-basis-point drop from the previous week. Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit.

Persons: they've, Freddie Mac Organizations: Zillow, Fed Locations: Chevron

Mortgage rates have been steadily trending down for over a month now, and they plunged even further last week. As long as inflation continues to decelerate, mortgage rates should go down in 2024. Mortgage Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. 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: Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky, ARM Locations: Chevron

Mortgage rates fell dramatically last month, and they could drop further in 2024. Today, average 30-year mortgage rates are nearly 80 basis points down from where they were a month ago. As inflation continues to slow, mortgage rates should come down even more. This means that as long as inflation keeps decelerating, mortgage rates should come down. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Spelman College, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Atlanta, Chevron

☆ With Offices Sitting Empty, Landlords Are ‘Handing Back the Keys’
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Peter Eavis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

That means a landlord stops paying the mortgage on the office building, or declines to refinance it, and the bank or investors who made the loan repossess the building. Some of the biggest names in commercial real estate, like Brookfield and Blackstone, have defaulted on mortgages and have started or completed the process of handing back the keys on office towers. The tactic reveals both the depth of the problems in the office market and the ability of big property companies to push much of the financial pain onto banks and other lenders.

Organizations: Blackstone Locations: Brookfield

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. Mortgage Rates for Buying a Home30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Decline (-0.16%)The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.75%, down 16 basis points since this time last week. 20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Go Down (-0.18%)The average 20-year fixed mortgage rate is down 18 basis points from last week and sits at 6.40%. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Decrease (-0.17%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.12%, down a bit from last week. Mortgage rates have risen throughout 2023, and they're higher than they were in November 2022.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

☆ Uncertain 2024 makes US companies refinance debt sooner, not later
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Matt Tracy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Doubts that debt issuance conditions will be as strong in 2024 as they are now, with markets still divided on the direction of interest rates and the economy, have also driven the interest in doing deals now. Credit spreads are underpricing recession risk, said Nate Thooft, senior portfolio manager for Manulife Investment Management. Even if companies waited for rate cuts in 2024, declines in all-in funding costs may not necessarily follow, as credit spreads could then widen, said Amol Dhargalkar, managing partner at Chatham Financial. But Natalie Trevithick, head of investment grade credit strategy at Payden & Rygel, said economic data was too strong for cuts. Some $770 billion of investment-grade rated bonds mature in 2024 and over $900 billion in both 2025 and 2026, according to data by Morgan Stanley (MS.N).

Persons: Joshua Roberts, Maureen O'Connor, Edward Marrinan, Nate Thooft, Amol Dhargalkar, Natalie Trevithick, Morgan Stanley, Steven Oh, Matt Tracy, Shankar Ramakrishnan, Davide Barbuscia, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Federal Reserve, REUTERS, ICE, BMO Capital Markets, Investment, Informa Global, Treasury, Federal, Nikko Securities America, Manulife Investment Management, Chatham Financial, Deutsche Bank, PineBridge Investments, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Wells, U.S

☆ Mortgage rates drop for fifth straight week
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It’s the fifth straight week rates have moved lower. The average mortgage rate is based on mortgage applications that Freddie Mac receives from thousands of lenders across the country. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. According to a forecast from Realtor.com, the average mortgage rate is projected to be 6.8% in the next year. “As mortgage rates are expected to remain elevated, current homeowners with low mortgage rates are expected to stay put, leading to a decline in for-sale inventory,” said Xu.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, “, Khater, Jiayi Xu, Xu, ” Xu, Joel Kan, ” Kan Organizations: DC CNN —, Inflation, Federal, Realtor.com, Treasury, Mortgage, Association Locations: Washington

Average 30-year mortgage rates have dipped even further below 7% and are holding steady today. Now that inflation is nearing the Fed's target, it's likely we'll see some more substantial mortgage rate drops in 2024. This would give mortgage rates time to recede ahead of the spring buying season, providing more affordability for home shoppers. 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. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates fell to 6.67% last week, according to Freddie Mac data.

Persons: you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Federal, Investors, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

☆ Rakuten's mobile misadventure: from ambitious plan to millstone
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Anton Bridge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

By any measure, cash-bleeding Rakuten Mobile is deeply troubled. Rakuten is set for another tough year in 2024 with investors keen to see if it can achieve its goal of having the mobile unit break even. Those steps have raised some 800 billion yen ($5.4 billion). Then in October, SoftBank Corp (9434.T), Japan's No.3 mobile network provider, began offering a generous reward campaign for most mobile users using SoftBank Group's (9984.T) PayPay online payment system. Without profits, the mobile unit is not likely to entice would-be suitors and competition laws would probably prevent the likes of SoftBank and Docomo from bidding.

Persons: Japan's Rakuten, Hiroshi, Mickey, Rakuten, Mitsunobu Tsuruo, Rakuten's, NTT Docomo, Mikitani, Amir Anvarzadeh, Anton Bridge, David Dolan, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Citi, Amazon Japan, Rakuten Securities, Rakuten Bank, SBI Securities, GUNNING, Rakuten Mobile, Reuters, NTT, SoftBank Corp, Asymmetric Advisors, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, ARPU

☆ Mortgage demand from homebuyers gets a boost as interest rates continue to fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage rates fell last week for the fourth time in five weeks, and homebuyers appear to be responding. That left total mortgage application volume essentially flat last week, up just 0.3% from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Mortgage applications to purchase a home rose 5% for the week but were still 19% lower than the same week one year ago. Mortgage rates are now 88 basis points higher than they were a year ago, but most current homeowners refinanced when rates were at record lows two years ago. "With rates already at two-month lows last week, the result is gentle descent to slightly lower two-month lows."

Persons: Joel Kan, Matthew Graham, Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Mortgage News, CNBC PRO Locations: refinance

Mortgage rates have dropped dramatically this month, with 30-year mortgage rates now around 60 basis points lower than where they were at the start of November. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.67% last week, a nine-basis-point drop from the previous week, according to Freddie Mac data. But experts believe the central bank is done raising rates, which means mortgage rates should ease somewhat. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: you'll, Freddie Mac Organizations: Federal Reserve, Federal, Zillow Locations: Chevron

☆ My mother gave me my $100,000 inheritance early. I struggled to pay my bills before — now I'm set up for life.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Jillian Pretzel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

She plans to sell the condo and give her daughters an early inheritance when they get older. When my apartment complex raised my rent from $1,600 to $1,800 a month in early 2016, I cried. "Think of it as your early inheritance," she told me. Part of me thought that with the inheritance money and my own home, my financial woes would soon be over. I hope to help my own kids in the same wayMy early inheritance has meant so much to me.

Persons: Jillian Pretzel, —, I'd, It's Organizations: Service Locations: Southern California

REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - M&G Real Estate (MNG.L) forecasts it is "a matter of time" before global property markets face greater volumes of forced selling, with banks increasingly reluctant to refinance troubled or lower quality assets at current interest rates. "We are in a new period of real estate investment that will require a new mindset," he told Reuters before the publication of the firm's Global Real Estate Outlook on Tuesday. Nearly 40% of outstanding British commercial real estate loans are due to mature in 2024 and 2025, where average real estate values have fallen by over 20% since mid-2022, the report said, citing data from Bayes Business School. "Real estate debt is becoming an increasingly attractive investment proposition," Pellicer said. U.S. office-based working is at only 50% of pre-pandemic levels, the report cited real estate services firm JLL (JLL.N) as estimating, while numbers in Europe have recovered to 75%.

Persons: Aly, Jose Pellicer, Pellicer, G, Carolyn Cohn, Sinead Cruise, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, G, Reuters, Bayes Business, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Germany, Sweden, Europe, United States, Asia

Average 30-year mortgage rates continue to hover right around 7%, which is significantly lower compared to where they were a month ago. Once we get a clearer picture of when the Fed might start seriously considering cutting rates, mortgage rates could fall further. 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. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.67% last week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is a nine-basis-point drop from last week. Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit.

Persons: Freddie Mac Organizations: Fed, Mortgage, Zillow Locations: Chevron

REUTERS/Lori Shepler/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 27 (Reuters) - U.S. bond giant Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO) said on Monday it expects the next few years to provide the best opportunities for private credit investors since the global financial crisis. "As private credit investors, this is the environment we’ve been waiting for," portfolio managers at PIMCO said in a note. In particular, PIMCO expects the lower liquidity environment to create opportunities for private credit investors in specialty finance - collateral-based loans to consumers and small businesses - as well as in senior corporate loans and commercial real estate. Within specialty finance, the asset manager singled out residential mortgage credit, solar and home improvement lending, equipment finance and aircraft leasing. PIMCO said it expects opportunities for private credit to provide such financing not just directly to borrowers, but also to banks and non-bank lenders.

Persons: Lori Shepler, PIMCO, Matt Tracy, Davide Barbuscia, Nick Zieminski Organizations: REUTERS, Pacific Investment Management Company, Thomson Locations: Newport Beach , California

Mortgage rates are down substantially from last month, already potentially providing some monthly savings for borrowers. Average 30-year mortgage rates hit a low of 6.91% this month, which is 87 basis points down compared to where rates peaked in October. Mortgage Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. 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: Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky, ARM Locations: Chevron

☆ New home sales fell last month as mortgage rates hit 2023 high
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington, DC CNN —New home sales in the United States fell in October as typical mortgage rates reached their highest levels this year. This was below analysts’ expectations of an annualized sales pace of 723,000. The average mortgage rate for that loan has been lower recently, dropping down to 7.29% last week, according to Freddie Mac. New home builders often offer more financing options for homebuyers, she said, and are able to “buy down” mortgage rates to make their offerings more attractive than the resale market. With [mortgage] interest rates anticipated to drop in the coming year, more resale homes may go on the market – however there remains significant pent-up demand from buyers,” Mangold said.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Kelly Mangold, ” Mangold, “ Organizations: DC CNN, US Department of Housing, Urban Development, Census, Federal Reserve, Real Estate Consulting, homebuyers Locations: Washington, United States

☆ Now that federal student loan payments have resumed, here's what to consider before refinancing
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

But converting federal student loans into private debt can lead to the loss of a number of consumer protections, experts warn. Federal loans have more safeguardsThe most important thing to keep in mind when considering refinancing your federal student loans is that, should you move forward, your debt will be transferred to a private company, and become a private student loan. "Private student loans don't have the same benefits as federal student loans," Kantrowitz said. While federal student loan rates reset annually for new loans, they're fixed once disbursed. Federal student loan borrowers don't need to refinance to get a slightly better rate, Kantrowitz pointed out: Most student loan servicers will offer a 0.25% interest rate deduction when you sign up for automatic payments.

Persons: haven't, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz, Scott Buchanan, Buchanan, Betsy Mayotte, I've, servicers Organizations: Student Loan, Alliance, Finance, cryptocurrency, U.S . Department of Education, Federal Reserve, The, Student Loan Advisors, Federal Locations: U.S, Mayotte

Mortgage rates dropped significantly this month, with 30-year mortgage rates hovering right around 7% after spiking close to 8% in October. As the broader economy continues to normalize, mortgage rates should trend down even further, increasing affordability for borrowers. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. Sky high mortgage rates have pushed many hopeful buyers out of the market, slowing homebuying demand and putting downward pressure on home prices. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

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

☆ The looming office space real estate shortage. Yes, shortage
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Eric Rosenbaum | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

You read that right: amid a commercial real estate market across U.S. downtowns being described in apocalyptic terms, CoStar sees a shortage on the horizon, with one key caveat for top companies to bear in mind. CoStar's call of an upcoming office space shortage is predicated on a look at the current data on leasing and construction activity compared to recent market history. They have attracted over 175 million square feet of net new occupancy since the beginning of 2020, an average of 12.7 million square feet per quarter. "Modern, premium office space remains in demand, just as it has historically, even during difficult economic times," said Phil Mobley, national director of office analytics at CoStar Group. Less than 30 million square feet has broken ground in 2023, making this year the lowest for construction starts since 2011.

Persons: Visoot, downtowns, Phil Mobley, Google's, Mobley, Jeff Greene Organizations: CNBC, Google, City, Gas Co, Billionaire Locations: U.S, New, Los Angeles, West Palm Beach

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. Mortgage Rates for Buying a Home30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Inch Down (-0.08%)The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.91%, down eight basis points since this time last week. 20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Decrease (-0.13%)The average 20-year fixed mortgage rate is down 13 basis points from last week and sits at 6.58%. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Essentially Flat (-0.02%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.29%, down a tiny bit from last week. Mortgage Refinance Rates30-Year Fixed Refinance Rates Fall (-0.16%)The average 30-year refinance rate is 7.10%, which is down from last week.

Persons: you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

☆ I got a $20,000 grant to build a tiny home on my property. It was expensive to start, but I feel secure in my old age now.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Jean Lowell, 75, needed a more accessible house and her daughter needed an affordable one. After getting a grant and refinancing her home, she built a $130,000 backyard tiny home to live in. Her daughter moved into the main home and Lowell is able to age in place on her property in Vermont. The other purpose was to try to provide a place for my husband and I to live at our old age. I feel secure in my old age now in a way that I did not before.

Persons: Jean Lowell, Lowell, —, I'd, didn't, Ray Tan Organizations: Service, Vermont Housing Locations: Vermont, Montpelier , Vermont, Montpelier

☆ Goldman names global growth stocks set to make a comeback
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

European growth stocks haven't been doing as well as their U.S. peers this year. Growth stocks in the region have underperformed value stocks by 13% since the start of the rate-hiking cycle in 2022, according to Goldman Sachs in a Nov. 20 report. Bond yields appear to have peaked — a positive for growth stocks — and economic growth should speed up in the first quarter of next year — a positive for value stocks. The bank recommends an overweight rating for pure growth companies, namely those in its growth basket. Goldman said "pure growth" companies are more cyclical than quality stocks or stocks with stable margins.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Michael Bloom Organizations: Tech Locations: Europe

Mortgage rates are the lowest they've been in two months, with 30-year mortgage rates now hovering right around 7%. This is great news for mortgage rates, since it means we'll likely see some substantial drops in 2024. 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 interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates fell to 6.67% this week, according to Freddie Mac data.

Persons: you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Zillow, Investors Locations: Chevron

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