Fannie/Freddie no longer fund 2nd mortgages; Big changes to mortgage fees on borrowers

Fannie/Freddie no longer fund 2nd mortgages; Big changes to mortgage fees on borrowers

  The federal housing finance agency (FHFA), the largest buyer of mortgages through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (Fannie/Freddie), announced huge changes to there fee structure.  In particular they are targeting high cost loans with big jumps for second...
Mortgage rates hit records, refi drops 60%, sales decline, 25% drop predicted

Mortgage rates hit records, refi drops 60%, sales decline, 25% drop predicted

The swiftness of the changes in the real estate market are astonishing, yet not unexpected.  I predicted last year mortgage rates would top 5% and they already have come close.  This has led to a 60% drop in refinances and a sharp reduction in sales.  What do these...
Redfin plunges 26% in one day and foreshadows 4 trends shaping the 2022 and beyond real estate market.

Redfin plunges 26% in one day and foreshadows 4 trends shaping the 2022 and beyond real estate market.

Redfin plunges 26% in one day and foreshadows 4 trends shaping the 2022 and beyond real estate market. Redfin, the darling of the real estate market the last several years  has plunged 45% over the last year.  At the same time numerous analysists are downgrading the...
Ukraine invaded; impact on the economy, interest rates, and real estate

Ukraine invaded; impact on the economy, interest rates, and real estate

Initially when Ukraine was invaded the stock market dropped precipitously over 800 points during the day only to make a huge rebound into positive territory.  What does this volatility mean for interest rates and in turn real estate?  Does the invasion change the path...
Housing party coming to an end, what does this mean for values; the bears have awoken

Housing party coming to an end, what does this mean for values; the bears have awoken

Gary Shilling, the author of the Case-Shilling real estate index, accurately predicted the last real estate bust.  He has come out with recent predictions that throw a cold towel on how this housing cycle ends.  Are we at a bear market or a peak in real estate?  Where...
Inflation roars to highest since 1982, mortgage rates jump above 4%, what does this mean for real estate

Inflation roars to highest since 1982, mortgage rates jump above 4%, what does this mean for real estate

Inflation plowed ahead at its fastest 12-month pace in nearly 40 years during January and substantially higher than any estimates according to a closely watched gauge the Labor Department released Thursday (CPI). The stock and bond markets are continuing to awaken,...