Kevin's Blog

By
Mortgage and Lending - Pacor Mortgage Corp
RECENT BLOG POSTS
Mortgage markets improved again last week despite an inflation-acknowledging statement from the FOMC and stronger-than-expected jobless data. Usually, events like this would lead mortgage rates higher, but violence in the Middle East and worsening fear for public safety in Japan took center stage...
03/21/2011
Single-family housing starts plunged unexpectedly last month. Nationwide, starts fell 12 percent from the month prior; and 29 percent from February of last year. Feb...
03/21/2011
Homebuilders are optimistic about the housing market this spring, relative to recent months. According to the monthly Housing Market Index as published by the National Association of Homebuilders, after 4 straight months of reading 16, March homebuilder confidence ticked 1 point higher to 17. It'...
03/21/2011
Today, for the second straight meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged within its target range of 0.000-0.250 percent. The vote was 10-0. In its press release, the FOMC noted that since its January 2011 meeting, the economic recovery "is ...
03/16/2011
The Federal Open Market Committee meets today in Washington D.C. The FOMC is a special group within the Federal Reserve, led by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, and consisting of 12 members. The FOMC's official schedule calls for 8 meetings annually at which it reviews the nation's economic and financi...
03/15/2011
Mortgage markets improved last week in a week of few economic releases. The one major data point -- Retail Sales -- showed stronger-than-expected, but markets reacted mildly. The report's strength was whispered in advance of the actual release; its reading validated Wall Street's growing faith in...
03/14/2011
FHA Streamline Refinance guidelines are changing. For the better. In an effort to improve its loan portfolio, the FHA is loosening approval standards on its popular refinance program, rendering large groups of homeowners suddenly FHA Streamline-eligible. Now, that may seem counter-intuitive -- lo...
03/11/2011
Beginning April 1, 2011, Fannie Mae is increasing its loan-level pricing adjustments. Conforming mortgage applicants in Illinois should plan for higher loan costs in the months ahead. If you've never heard of loan-level pricing adjustments, you're not alone; they're an obscure mortgage pricing me...
03/10/2011
April 15 is the traditional due date for federal income taxes. It's a deadline so ingrained in the American psyche that the April 15 calendar date is often called, simply, "Tax Day". In 2011, however, federal taxes aren't due April 15. They're due April 18. It's because of a combination of holid...
03/09/2011
Home affordability reached an all-time high in 2010's last quarter. Unfortunately for home buyers in Illinois , it's been a different story since, however. As mortgage rates cratered, and with home values soft, the Home Opportunity Index reached its highest level in 20 years. The index is publis...
03/08/2011
Rainmaker
170,945

Kevin Lanham

Chicagoland FHA Expert
Contact The Author
Do you know what causes mortgage to rise and fall each day? Everyday I post relevant articles and stats that directly influence the direction of mortgage rates. I also will feature relevant real estate news that can educate you about the market. Have a question or a topic you would like me to cover? Feel free to comment!