GREENWAY BLOG

22 September 2023

MarketMinute | Home Values Continue to Rise

The Fed kept policy rates unchanged at the September meeting. They signaled one more hike in 2023, while cuts are less likely in 2024. Jobless claims fell last week to the lowest level since January, indicating a healthy labor market. The average credit card interest rate hit an all-time high. Total credit card debt topped $1 trillion for the first time ever. High mortgage rates pushed homebuilder confidence to the lowest level since April, as more buyers are waiting to purchase....

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20 September 2023

Fed Meeting September 2023: The Feds Held Rates

  Mortgage rates don't always follow Fed actions. The Federal Reserve Board left policy rates unchanged at their most recent meeting, as expected. Mortgage rates may not remain steady, though. Mortgage rates have a mind of their own. Mortgage rates are based on the demand for mortgage backed securities (MBS). Investors are more interested in what the Fed may do next than what they just did. The Fed gave us some hints: Probably more hikes to come. In a statement issued after their meeting, the Fed reiterated their goal of keeping inflation at 2% and affirmed that future actions will depend on economic indicators. However, the...

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15 September 2023

MarketMinute | How Much Did Purchase Mortgage Apps Fall?

Retail sales showed signs of slowing in August, as higher gasoline prices limited consumers’ discretionary spending. Gas prices fed the year's biggest monthly rise in consumer inflation, though the annual increase was the smallest in almost 2 years. Wholesale inflation also rose in August, more than expected. Rising inflation can lead to higher mortgage rates.   Black Knight reports P&I payments topped $2K for more than half of new July mortgages and over $3K for almost a...

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13 September 2023

Mortgage News: FHA Credit Rejection Removal

  Was your mortgage application flagged when you tried applying? Not anymore! If you or someone you know has been denied an FHA home loan, your path forward just got easier.   What changed? The Federal Home Loan Administration (FHA) has stopped placing a warning flag on applications from homebuyers with prior FHA loan rejections. Previously, the FHA system flagged a rejected borrower's record for six months. If the homebuyer tried again with another lender, the flag led to a longer, more stringent review or even to an immediate dismissal. What now? If you or someone you know has been denied for an FHA home loan ,...

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13 September 2023

Understanding PITI: Breaking Down Your Mortgage Payment

  If you're on the journey to homeownership, you've likely encountered the terms "principal" and "interest" in relation to your mortgage. These terms represent the fundamental aspects of what you're borrowing and the associated costs. However, there's more to your mortgage payment than just these two elements. Collectively, these expenses are referred to as "PITI." What does PITI Stand For? PITI is short for principle, interest, taxes, and insurance. This is what makes up your monthly mortgage payment. Deconstructing the Four Components of a Typical Mortgage Payment While most mortgages include these...

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