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Can You Get An FHA Loan with a 550-580 FICO Credit Score?
Can you secure an FHA loan with a minimum FICO score of 550? Our guide covers what you need to know about qualifying for an FHA loan with a low credit score. Can You Get An FHA Loan with a 550-580 FICO Credit Score? Becoming a homeowner can be an exciting, yet incredibly daunting, task […]
Unlocking the Door to Homeownership: Understanding FHA Loans
Uncover why FHA loans are a great choice for homebuyers. Learn the key benefits & how to secure an FHA loan, making your path to homeownership more attainable. Unlocking the Door to Homeownership: Understanding FHA Loans For many aspiring homeowners, the mortgage process can be overwhelming. FHA loans stand out as a popular and accessible […]
Benefits of Assumable Mortgages for Homebuyers and Sellers
Discover the benefits of assumable mortgages for both buyers & sellers. We break down what assumable mortgages are & why they might be the right choice for you. Benefits of Assumable Mortgages for Homebuyers and Sellers Welcome to the world of home financing, where options like assumable mortgages are often overlooked yet potentially valuable tools. […]
What Are Conforming Loans: Essential Guide to Homeownership
Uncover the benefits of conforming loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Learn how these loans work, & how they simplify the homebuying process. What Are Conforming Loans: Homeownership with Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Entering the world of homebuying often starts with understanding the various mortgage options available. Government-backed loans, particularly conforming loans […]
Family Hack of the Week
Celebrate National Brunch Month with this delectable Blueberry Coffee Cake recipe from Allrecipes. Serving 12, this indulgent treat is perfect for the occasion. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9-inch Bundt pan. In a large bowl, cream together 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of softened butter until light and […]
Elevated Unemployment Claims Persist
Weekly initial jobless claims rose slightly to 223,000, staying historically low. Continuing unemployment claims fell by 43,000 to1.85 million, however they have remained persistently above 1.8 million since last June. What’s the bottom line? While new unemployment filings are low, the elevated continuing claims suggest individuals are taking longer to find new jobs. With many […]
Homeownership Remains a Solid Investment Option
Recent data shows that home prices across the nation continued their upward trajectory in February. According to Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), prices rose 0.3% during the month and 2.9% on an annual basis. ICE reported a smaller 0.11% monthly increase, with their index showing annual growth slowing to 2.7% in February from 3.4% in the previous […]
Wholesale Inflation Also Eases, Key Components Cool
The Producer Price Index (PPI), a key measure of wholesale inflation, declined 0.4% from February to March, with the annual rate dropping from 3.2% to 2.7%. This was much cooler than the 3.3% reading that had been forecasted. The decline was largely due to a plunge in gasoline prices, like in the CPI report. Excluding […]
Consumer Inflation Eases in March
Inflation was cooler than expected last month, with both the headline and core Consumer Price Index (CPI) readings falling short of forecasts. Headline CPI dipped 0.1% from the prior month, while the year-over-year figure softened from 2.8% to 2.4% – a decline driven largely by a sharp drop in gasoline prices. Core CPI, which excludes […]
Family Hack of the Week
April is National Grilled Cheese Month, so why not try a delicious twist on this classic sandwich? This Tomato Bacon Grilled Cheese from Allrecipes is a scrumptious option that yields 4 sandwiches. First, cook 8 slices of bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until evenly browned. Drain the bacon and set it aside. […]
Continuing Jobless Claims Reach 3-Year Peak
Weekly initial jobless claims declined slightly to 219,000, staying low historically. However, the more concerning indicator is the persistent rise in continuing unemployment claims, which increased by 56,000 to reach 1.9 million – the highest level since November 2021. Additionally, recent data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas showed a 60% surge in job cut announcements […]
Job Openings Fall in February
The number of open jobs declined modestly in February, down from 7.76 million in January to 7.57 million, falling short of estimates. The drop was particularly pronounced in sectors like trade, finance, and leisure and hospitality. The hiring rate (3.4%) and quit rate (2%) remained near decade lows, excluding the COVID-19 period. The low hiring […]
Private Payrolls Rebound
In March, the private sector exceeded expectations, adding 155,000 new jobs – well above the forecasted 105,000. Gains were seen across companies of all sizes, with small businesses adding a notable 52,000 positions after several months of weak or negative growth. While the bulk of hiring occurred in the service sector (+132,000 jobs), there were […]
March Sees Stronger Job Growth, But With Caveats
March delivered a surprising upside in job growth, with 228,000 new positions added – significantly exceeding the expected 135,000 to 140,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, this headline figure may be subject to revision in the coming months, as January and February saw downward adjustments totaling 48,000 fewer jobs. Additionally, a […]
Global Reciprocal Tariffs Announced
Last week, President Trump announced a new 10% “baseline” tariff on imports, along with country-specific tariffs set at roughly half the rates those countries charge on US exports. These sweeping new tariffs have created significant market uncertainty, as it remains unclear how other nations will respond. In the short term, the announcement sparked a sharp […]