The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.33% this week, near its all-time low, Freddie Mac reports.“Mortgage rates have stabilized over the last few weeks as the market searches for direction in the fog of economic data,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “While financial markets initially rallied on the news of Federal Reserve support and are improving due to the Senate’s passage of a new small business stimulus, we con
While sheltering in place, more homeowners are taking on house projects. Stores that offer gardening supplies and building materials are weathering COVID-19, as retail sales of building materials, gardening equipment, and supply stores (paint and wallpaper stores and hardware stores) were up 7% in March compared to a year ago, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.“This is a good time for homeowners because gardening, yard improvements, and mino
Some borrowers who’ve obtained a mortgage are going into forbearance before the loan can be sold by the lender to a government-sponsored enterprise. As a result, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Wednesday that for a limited time it will be directing mortgage financing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the enterprises) to purchase home loans that have gone into forbearance shortly after closing. The agency says it hopes this step wi
Like people, pets have certain needs when it comes to the space where they live, and the National Association of REALTORS®’ latest Pet Survey proves they can be the deciding factor for buyers when choosing one home over another. In fact, REALTORS® are likely to be prepared to guide clients in the right direction—the study found that 81% of members surveyed consider themselves animal lovers.When it comes to the house your pet-conscious clien
As real estate pros find new ways of conducting business during a pandemic, home showings are on the rise.While showings dropped between March 12 and April 12, data from the national showing service ShowingTime shows that home showings have been on the upswing, with a 39% increase in the last two weeks. The uptick is likely due to virtual showings rather than in-person showings.The largest increase in showings has been for homes priced $300,000 t
As hotels face steep declines in travel guests due to COVID-19, they’re trying to find a new hook to appeal to consumers. Some are now offering up rooms to people who are finding working from home too distracting. The hotel rooms can offer privacy, a desk, high-speed internet, a minifridge, and a special rate for just the day.For example, the White Bear Country Inn, a Best Western Plus outside of Minneapolis, is offering a $49 room to houseboun
Investors who have cash on hand are viewing opportunities brewing in the housing market amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Housing stock is very low in many markets as some sellers have pulled their homes off the market. But investors are still viewing potential growth areas and reportedly making purchases for home flipping and rentals.Investors believe that people quarantined in their homes may start to feel like their current house is inadequate in so
The three main credit reporting bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—have announced that everyone will be able to request a free credit report from each of them weekly over the next year. The new policy started this week.The companies say the reports are being made more readily available to help Americans “protect their financial health during the sudden and unprecedented hardship caused by COVID-19.”The CARES Act requires that compa
While existing-home sales dipped in March as the COVID-19 pandemic sparked stay-at-home restrictions across the country, they're not far off from the numbers a year ago, and home prices continue to rise.The National Association of REALTORS®’ monthly existing-home sales—which includes completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and co-ops—dropped 8.5% in March compared to February. Sales were at a seasonally adjusted
When Congress passed the first of three coronavirus relief packages in early March, it included an important provision waiving Medicare restrictions on providing telehealth services to seniors. Additionally, many major medical insurance carriers have recently added a telemedicine option. That’s good news, but what about those who don’t have Medicare or other coverage that includes virtual doctor visits?Members’ health coverage is
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