A recent spike in mortgage rates has slowed the number of applicants applying for mortgage refinancing. In the past several weeks rates have gone from as low as 4.75% to higher than 4.91% at the end of business last week. This rate increase has cooled what was a hot mortgage refinancing market. With the opportunity to lower mortgage rates consumers were left with more cash in hand at the end of every week, driving up consumer spending and fueling the market across the board.

An industry report by the Mortgage Bankers Association shows that a record 12% of those with a mortgage are behind on their payments or in foreclosure.

There are changes in the way the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) or reverse mortgage program can be implemented for mature Americans. The changes impact the requirements of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved counselors. This is good news for mature Americans because it allows for you to make a more informed decision regarding the HECM which is right for your needs.

Today seniors are experiencing the recession in every aspect of their livelihood. Rising living and housing costs and potential cuts to government assistance mean less social security and pension earnings to take care of their increasing health needs. Unfortunately, many homeowners are not aware of the opportunity that the reverse mortgage provides them.

When it comes to doing simple and quick calculations for your home loan refinancing needs, mortgage calculators are the financial tools that you need. Such calculators not only help you figure out your home affordability, but also enable you to analyze your mortgage payments based upon loan amount, interest rates and other factors.

Officials in Washington are looking to keep mortgage rates at affordable levels to help the ailing housing market. However, as Treasury notes being printed begin flooding the market, keeping rates down will be more of a challenge every week. As Treasury yields push higher there will be a tug on mortgage rates to follow suit.

Mortgage loan interest rates continue to hold steady at under 5% for the ninth week in a row.

Being a Contrarian can be very lonely. Therefore, all Great Investors find themselves very lonely as only contrarians become Great Investors. Jeremy Grantham has been lonely a very long time, but he is what I consider a Great Investor, along side Warren Buffet, Bill Gross and Julian Robertson.

Interest only mortgages were going great guns until 2007? Nope, it was during 1925 when real estate prices peaked.

HUD creates new $8000 dollar tax credit flexibility for first time home buyers.

The mortgage industry changed in the last year. Most companies have found themselves under significant financial pressure. Some mortgage firms have disappeared. Others have grown and expanded their market share by acquiring struggling competitors.

RealtyTrac’s monthly report released Wednesday threw cold water on anyone thinking the recession is over, or even easing, as the report indicated foreclosure filings hit another monthly record in April.