by Jon Terry | May 3, 2012 | Blog, Buying A Home, Mortgage Guidelines, Mortgage Rates, Mortgages
Despite an improving U.S. economy, the nation’s banks remain cautious about what they will lend, and to whom. Last quarter, by a margin of 3-to-2, more banks tightened residential mortgage lending standards for “prime borrowers” than did loosen...
by Jon Terry | Apr 4, 2012 | Blog, Federal Reserve, Mortgages
The Federal Reserve has released the minutes from its last FOMC meeting, a 1-day affair held March 13, 2012. Mortgage rates in Colorado are rising on the news. For the un-indoctrinated, 3 weeks after it meets, the Federal Open Market Committee, the sub-group within...
by Jon Terry | Mar 30, 2012 | Blog, Buying A Home, Housing Analysis, Mortgage Rates, Mortgages, Residential Real Estate, Statistics
After a brief run-up two weeks ago, mortgage rates are back below 4 percent. It’s good news for home buyers and mortgage rate shoppers because, with lower mortgage rates, we can lower the amount of mortgage payments. According to Freddie Mac’s weekly...
by Jon Terry | Dec 23, 2011 | Blog, Mortgages, Taxes
Time is running out to boost to your 2011 federal tax refund. All you have to do is make your January 2012 mortgage payment while it’s still December. It’s a simple tax strategy that works because of how mortgage interest is paid, and of how the U.S. tax...
by Jon Terry | Oct 25, 2011 | Blog, Foreclosure, Mortgage Guidelines, Mortgages, Personal Finance
The Federal Home Finance Agency announced big changes to its Home Affordable Refinance Program Monday. More commonly called HARP, the Home Affordable Refinance Program is meant to give “underwater homeowners” opportunity to refinance. With average, 30-year...
by Jon Terry | Oct 12, 2011 | Blog, Buying A Home, Buying in a Recession, Mortgages, Residential Real Estate
This Month I will highlight the second of the five most important loan programs about which consumers need to know. The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority or CHFA was created in 1973 by the Colorado Legislature to address the shortage of affordable housing in the...