Last week's economic reports included readings on job openings, retail sales and consumer sentiment in addition to weekly reports on new jobless claims and Freddie Mac's survey of mortgage rates.
Job Openings Hold Steady in November; Quits and Hires Increase
According to the Labor Department, job openings held steady with a reading of 5.50 million openings in November, which matched October's reading. Hires and quits showed more activity, which analysts deemed a healthy sign for the economy. Workers typically hold on to their current jobs in times of economic uncertainty, while they may be … [Read More...]
There are a variety of mortgage products out there that serve the needs of different homeowners, but for the uninitiated it can be hard to know what will work best for them. If you happen to be close to retirement and are looking at options that will be more financially beneficial for you, here are the details on a reverse mortgage and how this product can work for you. The Details On A Reverse Mortgage A reverse mortgage may be one of the lesser-known products available on the market, but it was created in 2009 as the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage for Purchase (HECM) following the 2008 … [Read More...]
Once you're done with debt and you've started to save, it's commonly the case that you'll start hearing about the risks and rewards of investing in stocks or real estate. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for many people to know what type of investment is going to work better for them down the road. If you're currently considering what you should put your money into, here are some reasons you may want to turn to real estate. It's Something You Can See While investing in the stock market will give you the ability to invest as little or as much as you want, a home will take a monthly payment … [Read More...]
There was a time when a higher percentage of people were married before they committed to buying a home together, but it's a lot more common to co-habit and invest in a home together. If you're considering the commitment of a mortgage without being married, here are some things to be aware of before you start searching the market. Relationship Status Won't Affect Your Rates It might seem like there are greater risks involved if two individuals purchasing a property are not legally bound, but it actually makes no difference to the mortgage lender. If two people are buying a home together, the … [Read More...]
The springtime is known to be one of the best times to put your home up for sale. However, if you're not necessarily planning on engaging a real estate agent, it's important to be prepared for all of the hard work involved in putting your home up for sale. Whether you're new to the market or you've never sold a home on your own before, here are some questions to ask yourself so you're prepared for selling in the coming season. Do You Know The Market? The neighborhood you live in and the buying market you're dealing with are important factors in how your home is going to sell, so you'll need to … [Read More...]
2017 started with good news; fixed mortgage rates were lower, but the national unemployment rate ticked upward and labor reports showed fewer openings for public and private sector jobs. Construction spending was higher in November. Mortgage Rates Lower; Construction Spending Higher Freddie Mac reported lower average rates for fixed rate mortgages as the average rate for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage crept up. The average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage dropped by 12 basis points to 4.20 percent; The average rate for a 15-year mortgage fell 11 basis points to 3.44 percent while the … [Read More...]
