Monthly Archives: December 2008

Finally, the Fed is Buying

The Fed announced that it will begin to buy MBS in early January.  Good news? Well, yes, it is good news, and although that move is pretty much already priced into the market and rates are already low, it is also true that rates have risen since two weeks ago.  So, we might see them ...

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A Christmas Message of Solidarity and Hope

Even Pope Benedict XVI, in his Christmas address Urbi et Orbi alighted on the concerns on the economic crisis. The Pope stated, in a long list of difficulties around the world, that "wherever an increasingly uncertain future is regarded with apprehension, even in affluent nations: ...

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Mortgage Rates Hit 37 Year Lows; Applications Hit 5 Year High

The Fed has been buying Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) like we all know.  And, the plan has worked.  Mortgage rates, while still volatile, are bouncing around their all-time lows. And I have been just as busy as everyone else, ...

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Is it Time to Refinance?

The stories are all over the news, including this one from the Associated Press, that mortgage rates are low. How low?  Well, depending on where you look, anywhere from 37 year lows to All-time lows.  I can tell you that from a raw rate standpoint, ...

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Fun with Tough Times

A rather fun video, pretty much summing up the market in '08. Hey, if you can't laugh, you haven't lived. Right?

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Fed Rate Cut of 75 basis points

This rate cut was unusual.  Normally, when the Fed cuts the Fed Funds Rate, it favors stocks and money flows out of the bond market.  Therefore, mortgage rates suffer. This time around, Bernanke threw us a bone - he ...

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Appraisals Explained

Jim and Carol @ Yahoo! Video Everything you wanted to know about appraisals; but were afraid to ask.

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This Refinance Boat May Leave Port Soon – Board Now

30 year mortgage rates ended Friday close to 4.75%.  A bit higher for lower credit scores or higher loan-to-values, of course, but still in the low 5's.  Good, by any measure.  But, watch this video, and ...

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The Advent of a Crisis

The following article was sent out in my October newsletter, and I am reprinting it here, now.  Want the latest great info?  Subscribe to the newsletter in the box on the Right.  This has a lot to do with a video that I just recorded, and will post soon, about the reason to refinance ...

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Get Docs in for a Refinance – Lock Today

The Fed has announced that is will be buying Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) in an effor to lower mortgage interest rates.  Even though they have made two purchases of MBS, and rates are lower, they have been quite volatile ...

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