Mortgage rates worsened last week in response to more indications that the U.S. economy and global economic trends are improving. Global economic data was stronger than expected; which generally boosts investor confidence and leads to higher mortgage rates in Sacramento and across the country.
We may see a reversal of this trend in the short-term because the stock market remains overbought and ready to retrace, the obvious question is when? With little economic news this week, there is no reason the stock market should improve or interest rates should change much. Until the stock market retreats, U.S. interest rates are not likely to decline much. Continue reading
There are alternatives to bankruptcy or foreclosure for home owners who can no longer afford to keep mortgage payments current – It’s called a “short sale”. A short sale is when a property is sold for less than its remaining mortgage principal balance, and executed as a way for both the existing homeowner and mortgage lender to cut their respective losses.
Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) improved a bit last week, and rates remain near all-time low’s, continuing this year’s Refinance Boom and giving fuel to the budding housing market recovery. 
The nation’s biggest banks have started to loosen mortgage lending guidelines. Is this another signal of an improving U.S. economy?