USA Rate Center

08/05/2020

24/04/2020

Home buying may have slowed down, but you can still shop for home during COVID-19. The housing industry has adapted to keep buyers safe. Read the article by realtor.com to learn more about virtual tours and other innovations. https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/should-i-buy-a-house-during-coronavirus-crisis/

23/04/2020

MYTH: You can’t do anything to fix your credit score. FACT: Credit scores are determined by five factors and you can take steps to remedy a poor credit score. Check out this video and learn how you can boost your credit score. https://www.realtor.com/videos/video-how-long-does-it-take-to-improve-your-credit-score-enough-to-buy-a-home-/3b8d28ba-bc5b-41a7-85da-68aafe40e59e?playlist_id=e2e2a2a8-aa36-48ce-bfd9-56b67284e6b1

If you're hoping to buy a home, having a good credit score is key to qualifying for the best mortgage rate—and the biggest loan you can get. Find out how to boost a low credit score into home-buying range.

22/04/2020

Mortgage interest rates for both the 30-year fixed rate mortgage and the 15-year fixed rate mortgage dropped for the last two consecutive weeks in April, remaining at 3-year lows. Whether you are looking to refinance or buy a home, mortgage rates at record lows could present new affordability and savings options for you. https://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/is-it-time-to-refinance-your-mortgage/

21/04/2020

From virtual home tours to working with an agent remotely, here are great tips from Realtor.com to help you navigate the home buying process while social distancing. Finding an agent remotely: To find an agent to further help you remotely, ask candidates if they offer virtual consultations and home tours. They should also be able to help you with e-signature apps so you can send and receive documents to sign digitally through email. Great tips from realtor.com!

In the second installment of our "Home Buying in the Age of Coronavirus" guide, we explore the question: "Can I safely house hunt right now?"

20/04/2020

Good morning! Every saving opportunity could make a big impact on your monthly expenses. Check out this article from The Wall Street Journal and learn why refinancing has become so popular among homeowners recently.

Falling interest rates are causing a flurry of mortgage refinancing applications. What you should know to lock in these new rates.

19/04/2020

Mortgage refinances have skyrocketed over the last few weeks. Compared to this same time in 2019, there are more than double the number of total refinance applications. If you have been considering changing your rate or term, now could be the best time. Take a look at the latest news from Yahoo Finance. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/refinances-come-roaring-back-mortgage-171039602.html

18/04/2020

Mortgage interest rates have declined to record-breaking lows in 2020. If you were on the fence about buying because of affordability or down payment concerns, check out these top three down payment myths. You might be surprised to find out owning a home is not an impossible goal! https://www.realtor.com/videos/don-t-fall-for-these-down-payment-myths/0351bc5c-a2ea-4c09-a7a9-d84dc597ef35?playlist_id=e2e2a2a8-aa36-48ce-bfd9-56b67284e6b1

Saving up for a down payment is one of the most intimidating parts of buying a home—and your friends and family members have probably given you at least one piece of well-meaning, but ill-informed advice. Here’s how to separate fact from fiction.

17/04/2020

If you are planning to buy a home in the next year, you may have heard the terms pre-approval and pre-qualification. These are two important terms that mean two very different things. Read this article by realtor.com to learn what you need to make the most competitive offer on a new home.
https://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/get-a-mortgage-preapproval/

What does mortgage pre-approval mean? It means a lender has guaranteed to give you a home loan.

16/04/2020

For the week of March 27, refinance application volume was twice the amount of the same time period last year. Read the full article to find out more news that could help you determine if you are ready to refinance your home. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/refinances-come-roaring-back-mortgage-171039602.html

15/04/2020

This guide by Realtor.com can help you figure out whether you can—and should—shop for a home right now, or hold off until this crisis blows over.
https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/should-i-buy-a-house-during-coronavirus-crisis/

Does the coronavirus have you thinking twice about home shopping? We're here to help, with a new series, "Home Buying in the Age of Coronavirus."

14/04/2020

Many consumers who dream of owning a home are concerned about their ability to make a 20% down payment. What many prospective buyers do not know is that there are mortgages that require as little as 5% or 3.5% down. Read this article to learn more about down payment myths.
https://www.realtor.com/videos/don-t-fall-for-these-down-payment-myths/0351bc5c-a2ea-4c09-a7a9-d84dc597ef35?playlist_id=e2e2a2a8-aa36-48ce-bfd9-56b67284e6b1

Saving up for a down payment is one of the most intimidating parts of buying a home—and your friends and family members have probably given you at least one piece of well-meaning, but ill-informed advice. Here’s how to separate fact from fiction.

13/04/2020

If you are looking to refinance or purchase a home, your credit score is an important factor of your application review. An error on your credit report could lower your credit score. Check out these tips from the CFPB to learn what you should look for on your credit report.

When reviewing your credit report, check that it contains only items about you. Be sure to look for information that is inaccurate or incomplete.

09/04/2020

For many homeowners, one of the greatest benefits of refinancing is the opportunity to change the rate and/or term of your mortgage. There could be benefits in transitioning from an adjustable-rate loan to a fixed-rate loan via a refinance of your current mortgage. Check out this article for more tips! https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/mortgage-rates-record-low-refinance-now

Here’s how to tell if refinancing is worth the cost.

08/04/2020

Did you know there is more than one type of mortgage loan program. Check out these tips from the Mortgage Bankers Association to learn more about conventional, FHA, USDA and VA home loans.https://www.mba.org/Documents/Consumertools/MBA_Consumer_Tools-1Homeownership.pdf

07/04/2020

Homeowners who refinance could capitalize on a huge savings opportunity. Check out this article to learn what question you should ask before refinancing your mortgage.

Mortgage rates are resting near record lows—and that’s spurring a wave of refinancing activity.

06/04/2020

There are proactive steps you can take to make your mortgage application process more simple and efficient. Start by gathering your documents. Check out these tips from the Mortgage Bankers Association to learn what type of information your lender will request.https://www.mba.org/Documents/Consumertools/MBA_Consumer_Tools-1Homeownership.pdf

04/04/2020

Mortgage interest rates for both the 30-year fixed rate mortgage and the 15-year fixed rate mortgage dropped for the last two consecutive weeks. Whether you are looking to refinance or buy a home, mortgage rates at record lows could present new affordability and savings options for you. https://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/is-it-time-to-refinance-your-mortgage/