Refinance rates have moved sharply higher this month. The 30-year fixed refinance now averages 7.43% to 7.65% as of September 28, 2026, depending on the survey, up more than a quarter point in a single week and a full percentage point above where rates sat this summer. The 15-year refinance averages 6.60%, and the 20-year… Read More »
Construction loans represent a specialized financing vehicle designed to fund the building of residential or commercial properties from the ground up. Unlike traditional mortgages that provide a lump-sum payment for an existing property, construction loans disburse funds incrementally throughout the building process, aligning with construction milestones and protecting both lenders and borrowers through structured oversight.… Read More »
A home appraisal is a critical step when refinancing your mortgage. Lenders require an appraisal to determine your home’s fair market value, which affects loan approval, interest rates, and borrowing limits. The RefiGuide can get you up to speed on do’s and don’ts on home appraisals for refinancing. What Do Appraisers Look for in a… Read More »
Many potential homebuyers are concerned in 2026 about interest rates and paying mortgage points. With 30-year mortgage rates well over 6%, buying and affording a home is more challenging than in the recent past. That is one reason that many people are thinking about paying mortgage points on a mortgage, which is one way to… Read More »
Down payments are a big hurdle for many home buyers. Monthly mortgage costs are affordable but down payments are a hurdle. The good news is that there are ways around down payment roadblocks, you don’t have to be a victim of old-fashioned down payment requirements. The 20% standard Down payments have been a barrier to… Read More »
When it comes to mortgage rates no one knows what the future will bring. There is no better example than 2025. Many economists forecast mortgage rates of 5.75% and even more. What really happened was that rates went down. According to Freddie Mac, for the first 6 months of 2025 mortgage rates averaged 6.125% and… Read More »
Bank statement mortgages are becoming more common, loans where monthly bank statements can be used instead of tax returns to support a mortgage application. There is new evidence that bank statements can lead to better credit scores for many borrowers, especially those with lower credit scores. In turn, better credit scores can mean reduced mortgage… Read More »
FHA mortgages should cost less. This is a government program that churns out billions of dollars in annual surpluses, money that comes from borrowers. If FHA mortgage loans were less costly then more people – especially first-time buyers – could buy homes. That would be great for buyers and also sellers, lenders, and brokers. It… Read More »
