Category Archives: Mortgages
Cautious BofA heeds history
Remember the wise decision that Bank of America made in August 2001 in light of the decision it’s making now. Continue reading
Jobs report and mortgage rates
When policymakers and pundits talk about home affordability, they usually discuss mortgage interest rates and student loan debt. But the underlying problem is slow wage growth. Continue reading
Send letter; cancel 3-year-old loan?
When a lender makes a paperwork error, is justice served by forcing the lender to cancel the loan three years later? Continue reading
Will the last homeowner please turn out the lights?
The homeownership rate keeps sinking. Now it’s at its lowest level since 1994. Continue reading
How those mysterious bonds work
Mortgage rates are influenced by bond prices, and when bond prices go up, yields and interest rates go down. But why? Here’s a brief, simplified explanation. Continue reading
Much ado about mortgages
A bunch of agencies are trying to expand the number of would-be homeowners who can qualify for mortgages. But I’m skeptical that these efforts will help many people. Continue reading
Why not have loan inspectors?
I have an idea: Let’s set up a network of mortgage inspectors. Continue reading
Hard task of making things easier
In 10 months, it’s going to be easier to shop for a mortgage. And those intervening 10 months aren’t going to be easy at all for mortgage companies. Continue reading
Yay for consumer-friendly forms
Beginning Aug. 1, 2015, the Good Faith Estimate and Truth in Lending statement will be replaced by one brand-new document called the Loan Estimate. The new disclosure is a big improvement. Continue reading
Bernanke rejected for mortgage refi
Former Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke recently admitted he was rejected for a refinance on his Washington, D.C., home. What does that say about the mortgage market? Continue reading