How a Recession Could Impact Your Car Loan Interest Rate
Talks and rumors about a recession will always be nerve-wracking. The sheer mention of it will spiral most people into thinking about how it will affect their jobs, loan repayments, and other financing-related things. One of the things affected by the recession is our vehicles, especially ones that are still not out of a payment […]
Effectively Manage Your Business Finances: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs
Managing finances can be a challenge for many business owners, especially when it falls outside their expertise. A strong grasp of financial strategies is essential for sustaining growth and stability, no matter the industry. Focusing on core principles and practical approaches can make navigating this complex area more approachable. Small, consistent steps often lay the […]
Is College Worth the Debt? A Realistic Look at the Cost of Higher Education
The rising cost of higher education has sparked a heated debate: Is college really worth the debt? For decades, earning a degree was seen as a guaranteed ticket to success, promising higher salaries, better job opportunities, and financial stability. However, with student loan debt in the U.S. surpassing $1.7 trillion, many students and parents are […]
How Will Mortgage Rates React to the End of the Trade War?
Is it too soon to be talking about the end of the trade war? Perhaps, but there have been rumblings of a closed-door meeting to get a deal done, along with a softer stance from President Trump. The man who tends to get bond yields to calm down, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, was a speaker […]
Mortgage Brokers Are Supposed to Shop Around on Your Behalf
A new lawsuit filed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost claims the nation’s top mortgage lender is ripping off Ohio consumers. It’s an interesting one because the role of a mortgage broker is to shop on a consumer’s behalf so they don’t have to. Instead of working with a captive lender like a retail bank, […]
What the Heck Is Going on with Mortgage Rates?
There’s a lot going on right now with mortgage rates so I’m dedicating a very long post to it. First and foremost, mortgage rates are dropping fast as the economy teeters on the brink of a possible recession. The driver is worldwide tariffs and a global trade war, which has led to a stock market […]
Mortgage Rates Back to 7% as Tariff Day Rattles Bond Market
Welp, the question I asked recently, would mortgage rates hit 5.99% or 7% next, has been answered. And unfortunately, if you’re a prospective home buyer or recent homeowner looking for rate relief, it’s 7%. The latest foe for mortgage rates is a new round of global tariffs, including a whopping 104% tariff on Chinese imports. […]
The Fight for Control of Real Estate Listings Heats Up as Zillow Plays Hardball
A new battle, or perhaps war, is underway for control of real estate listing data. Depending on who you ask, it’s about the consumer. Mostly the home seller, who logically benefits from maximum exposure to their listing. The best way to get the most exposure is by agreeing to syndicate your listing to as many […]
Redfin Ultimatum: Buyers Should See All the Listings
A week after Zillow drew a hard line on off-market listings, Redfin has rolled out its own ultimatum. Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman penned a short statement, saying “Buyers should see all the listings, and sellers should control how their listing appears online.” He went on to say that, “Redfin.com will not publish any listings that […]
Beware of the Mortgage Rate That Ends with .875%
I was looking at ICE’s most recent Mortgage Monitor Report when something struck me. In their rate distribution chart of recent mortgages, I noticed a super wide range of rates during the year 2022. This was because the 30-year fixed began the year around 3%, and ascended rapidly to around 7.5% by that October. It […]