If you're a homeowner with a mortgage, you may be familiar with the concept of an escrow account. This financial tool is designed to simplify the management of property-related expenses by combining certain costs, such as property taxes and insurance, into one account. Typically, your mortgage servicer collects a portion of these expenses with each monthly mortgage payment and holds the funds in an escrow account to cover these bills when they become due. Various factors can lead to fluctuations in these estimated expenses. If the actual costs turn out to be lower than anticipated, your escrow … [Read More...]
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on inflation, consumer sentiment, and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims. Inflation Rate Holds Steady in July Month-to-month inflation rose at a pace of 0.20 percent in July and met analysts’ expectations. There was no change in the pace of month-to-month inflation from June’s reading of 0.20 percent growth. The Consumer Price Index also reported that year-over-year inflation reached 9.10 percent, which was the highest reading since reaching a 40-year high in mid-2022. Core inflation, which excludes volatile … [Read More...]
Obtaining a pre-approval for a mortgage is an important step when you're planning to buy a home. It gives you an idea of how much you can afford, helps streamline the home-buying process, and strengthens your position as a serious buyer. However, many people worry that the pre-approval process might negatively impact their credit score. In this blog post, we'll dive into the details to determine whether or not a pre-approval for a mortgage will hurt your credit. Understanding Credit Inquiries To understand how pre-approval affects your credit, we need to discuss credit inquiries. When you … [Read More...]
As the housing market continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly crucial for aspiring homeowners to tread carefully and avoid falling into the trap of being house poor. The dream of owning a home should not come at the expense of financial stability and overall well-being. Here are some essential tips to steer clear of this precarious situation: Setting a Sensible Budget: Before even considering purchasing a house, it's imperative to create a comprehensive budget that includes all your income, expenses, and financial goals. Be honest with yourself about what you can afford, considering not … [Read More...]
It is not uncommon for renters to pay more in rent than their landlord's mortgage payment. This is because landlords are typically looking to make a profit on their rental properties, and they will often set their rent prices based on market rates rather than the cost of their mortgage. There are several reasons why renters often pay more than a mortgage payment: Renters are not building equity: When you make a mortgage payment, you are building equity in your home. Equity is the value of your home that you actually own. As you pay down your mortgage, you own more and more of your home. … [Read More...]
Last week’s scheduled economic reporting included readings on construction spending, public and private sector payroll growth, and the national unemployment rate. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. Construction Spending Slips in June U.S. construction spending slipped by 0.60 percent to 0.50 percent growth in June; analysts expected a month-to-month reading of 0.70 percent growth in construction spending. Year-over-year construction spending increased by 3.50 percent of which single-family residential construction accounted for 2.10 … [Read More...]
