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The Latest News from WFG National Title Company
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mark zandimortgagerealtytracSelect
January 22, 2015

5 economists forecast the 2015 housing market

As we ring in a New Year, the “Housing News Report” asked five prominent economists to forecast what 2015 will bring for the U.S. housing market after a 2014 that was a bit of a reality check in the housing recovery following two strong bounce-back years in 2012 and 2013.…
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economylou barnesmonetary policymortgagemortgagesSelectstimulus
January 16, 2015

Lower mortgage rates, courtesy of the gnomes of Zurich

A policy change by the Swiss National Bank has addled markets and governments worldwide. How to explain that your lower mortgage rate is courtesy of the Gnomes of Zurich? The 10-year T-note has bottomed at 1.72 percent, down more than a half-percent since Christmas. But 10-year Ts have decoupled from…
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119
cfpbmortgagemortgage shoppingSelect
January 13, 2015

Uncle Sam wants YOU to shop for a mortgage

Finding the right home can be fun and exciting. Find the right mortgage? Not so much. Nearly half of borrowers don’t shop around for the best rate before applying for a mortgage, and even if they do, three out of four end up applying to only to more than one…
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Agent advicefhalending standardsmortgageproperty conditionreal estate disclosuresSelectseller repairs
January 12, 2015

Since when do lenders get to dictate property repairs?

Historically, one of the most onerous aspects of dealing with Federal Housing Administration loans was the inspection process. Fortunately, conventional lenders have never required much more than termite repairs. Sadly, this is all changing — to the detriment of both consumers and agents. A disturbing new trend is emerging where…
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119
lou barnesmortgagemortgage ratesSelect
January 9, 2015

Why mortgage rates are defying expectations and falling as recovery strengthens

Okay, make sense of this: the U.S. economy in a strengthening recovery, the Fed is in hold-me-back mode, jobs-jobs-jobs everywhere … and long-term interest rates, including mortgages, have dropped as they would in a depression. Right. Begin by stripping away three sources of confusion. First the confetti cloud from Wall…
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fhafha insurance premiumsFreddie MacMMImortgagemutual mortgage insurance fundNARobamapresident obamaSelectThe National Association of Realtors
January 7, 2015

FHA slashing mortgage insurance premiums by $900 a year

After raising them six times during the housing bust, the Obama administration is reversing course and rolling back mortgage insurance premiums charged by the Federal Housing Administration by enough to save homeowners an average of $900 a year. In a move expected to bring 250,000 first-time homebuyers into the market,…
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economyMarkets & EconomymortgageSelect
January 7, 2015

We’re feeling better about the economy, but not necessarily ready to buy

The most detailed survey of consumer attitudes about housing finds that while Americans are more optimistic about the economy, many are still wary of making a big financial commitment like a home purchase. The share of consumers participating in Fannie Mae’s December 2014 National Housing Survey who say they would…
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