RALPH’S PRESS

If you’re nearing the end of the initial term on your adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), you might be wondering if now is a good time to refinance, and whether you should switch to a fixed rate. Although mortgage interest rates have risen substantially from the lows...

Mortgage rates reached an average of 5% last week, according to Freddie Mac. Though rising rates can sometimes have a slowing effect on home appreciation, prices are also expected to continue to increase this year. With both costs on the rise, first-time homebuyers...

Across the nation, the real estate market has been red-hot, with demand for homes exceeding supply and, in many areas, selling faster and for more money than ever before. Even in cases where sellers anticipate numerous offers and a quick sale, they still benefit from...

While it's hard to predict whether rates will continue to rise past this point, it's not likely that they'll decrease anytime soon. "I believe the rates being above 5% will become a norm, and I don't see a significant downward movement in the near future," says Ralph...

Lending discrimination occurs when a lender makes a decision during the mortgage application process based on a person’s race, color, sex, religion, familial status, nationality, age, receipt of public assistance or disability. Though fair lending laws are designed to...

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate officially hit 5% last week, according to Freddie Mac. For several months now rates have been on a near-vertical rise and are now well above the record lows of the pandemic. As the Federal Reserve works to address inflation,...

Whether you’ve just dipped your toe in the housing market or are fully in the process of buying or selling a home, you know just how much the market has changed since the pandemic. Inventory of homes for sale is at an all-time low, sellers are getting at or over their...

Find out if you qualify for a government home loan, as there are options that require no down payment at all. U.S. Department of Agriculture loans are available for borrowers in need who want to purchase a home in rural or suburban areas. Veteran’s Administration...

Rates continue to inch up faster than many experts had initially predicted they would. As we head into the spring buying season, higher rates strain affordability in a market that's already difficult for many buyers to navigate. READ MORE

Find out what you can do to your house to get the best value. When people come see your house, they want to see key things that portray its value. Focus on things such as curb appeal, landscaping and affordable upgrades in key focal point rooms such as the bathrooms...