Blog – Page 2 of 755

19 Mar 2025

How Mortgage Amortization Works

Mortgage Tips

When you take out a mortgage, you commit to a long-term financial obligation. Understanding mortgage amortization can help you make informed decisions about your loan and how your payments impact your financial future. What is Mortgage Amortization? Mortgage amortization refers to the process of gradually paying off your loan over time through fixed monthly payments. Each payment is divided into two parts: Principal: The portion that goes toward reducing your loan balance. Interest: The amount paid to the lender for borrowing the money. At the start of your loan, a larger percentage of your payment goes toward interest. Over time,…

18 Mar 2025

By Mark Feder

How Debt-to-Income Ratio Affects Your Mortgage Eligibility

Home Buyer Tips

When applying for a mortgage, lenders evaluate several factors to determine your loan eligibility. One of the most critical metrics is your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI). Understanding how DTI impacts mortgage approval can help you better prepare for homeownership and improve your chances of securing the loan you need. What is Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)? DTI measures the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes toward monthly debt obligations. Lenders use this ratio to assess your ability to manage additional debt responsibly. There are two types of DTI: 1. Front-End DTI: Focuses solely on your housing expenses, including mortgage principal, interest, property taxes,…

17 Mar 2025

By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 17th, 2025

Financial Reports

The inflation data report released last week showed a surprising result—it was cooler than expected across the board. This has led to a much more positive outlook, even in light of recent events regarding the Trump administration. While consumer sentiment reports from the University of Michigan still showed more dissatisfaction than expected, they were accompanied by largely positive data across various releases. There are strong expectations that there will be no interest rate increases, with some potential for rate cuts this year. Consumer Price Index The consumer price index increased a mild 0.2% last month, the government said, breaking a…

14 Mar 2025

By Mark Feder

APR vs. Interest Rates

Home Mortgage Tips

If you're gearing up to dive into the world of real estate, there are a few key terms you'll want to wrap your head around before taking the plunge. Today, we're demystifying APR and interest rate, two crucial concepts that can impact your home-buying journey. Don't worry, I'll break it down in simple terms so you can confidently navigate the process like a pro. Interest Rate: Let's start with the basics. The interest rate is the percentage charged by a lender for borrowing money to buy your home. It's essentially the cost of borrowing the principal amount. When you're comparing…