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With interest rates near record lows, and many people sitting on loans with fixed rates over 5%, this guide by U.S. News & World Report couldn’t be more timely. Of course, refinancing only makes sense if it will actually save you money. You need to take many things into account, from how much of your…

Normally, this blog provides you with a consolidated view into all things home related. On a daily basis, there’s usually something interesting to report. But sometimes, the news itself is the news. If you google “mortgage” and click on the news tab, then in today’s top stories you’ll see that “mortgage rates slipped lower last…

For the last few months, there’s been uncertainty in the market — not enough supply, but also prices not moving in proportion to the costs. As we head into summer, it looks like that’s changing — at least for first-time buyers. And the demographic is changing too. After months of talking about how Millennials aren’t…

For the last few months, there’s been uncertainty in the market — not enough supply, but also prices not moving in proportion to the costs. As we head into summer, it looks like that’s changing — at least for first-time buyers. And the demographic is changing too. After months of talking about how Millennials aren’t…

Last week Tuesday, the blog addressed an increasing trend of moving from DIY to DIFM. Obviously, to each their own on that sort of decision — but, if you are going to contract out work, some caution is prudent. In one of their weekend roundups, Money Magazine covered the 9 biggest home-repair scams. It’s hard…

At 55,000 square feet, the White House isn’t just any old McMansion. But recent reports on a project that broke ground last year indicate that it’s originally ambitious goals were actually understated. The home is currently planned to have a 74,000 square foot main residence, with total square footage for all buildings in the compound…

Conventional mortgages are those not insured by a government agency — and to get one, you usually need to put 20% down, and they’re usually only 30-year, fixed rate. If those terms don’t fit your needs, then you can consider an FHA guaranteed loan, and if you do, you need to know a few things.…

Apparently, there’s confusion. The Federal Home Loan Banks (a collection of 12 regional banks that help finance mortgages made by their member banks) have been holding back on purchasing mortgages from their members, because they’re unsure how they would have to meet Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) targets for affordable housing. The FHFA has declared…

Did you finish some much needed work on the house this Memorial Day weekend? Or maybe kick-off a new project? For 30 years now, do-it-yourself has been a big part of American life, and has led to the success of companies like Home Depot). But it looks like the UK has started moving in the…

Last week Wednesday, this blog reported on Sen. Shelby’s discussion draft of The Financial Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015. For those of you who are inclined to delve a little deeper into these things, and who haven’t already done so, you may be interested in the Wall Street Journal’s critique of the draft. The upshot…