Mark, it's great to have you. And there's, of course, some great anecdotal evidence to be had in Fed minutes, as well as the Fed's Beige Book. And I'm wondering, because it's been a while since we've had a chance to talk with you, how you describe this moment in our economy and how the president should state next week.The state of our union is what. Oh, well, fortunately, I'm not president, Joe. That's a tough one.Well, good luck with that, you know. You know, my sense of the economy is would depends on whi ...

Group 1 - The typical U.S. homebuyer's down payment fell to $64,000 in December, marking a 1.5% year-over-year decline and the first decrease in five months [1] - The median down payment percentage decreased to 15.2% from 16.7% a year earlier, indicating that buyers are putting down a lower percentage of the purchase price [1] - The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is currently at 6.09%, which is close to the lowest level since 2022, potentially encouraging more homebuyers to enter the market [1] Group 2 - In December, the median down payment percentage saw the largest decline in Orlando (-6.3 percentage points), while the highest percentage was recorded in San Francisco at 25% [1] - The median down payment in dollar terms was highest in San Francisco at $400,310, while the lowest was in Virginia Beach at $8,700 [1] - The report highlights that sellers prefer buyers with larger down payments, but current market conditions give buyers more negotiating power due to an oversupply of homes [1]

Core Insights - Current mortgage rates are reported to be at their lowest in years, with Zillow indicating a 30-year fixed rate of 5.85% [1][17] - Mortgage rates vary significantly by source, with Zillow's rates typically lower than those from Freddie Mac due to different data collection methods [17] Mortgage Rates Overview - The current national average mortgage rates according to Zillow are as follows: - 30-year fixed: 5.85% - 20-year fixed: 5.64% - 15-year fixed: 5.36% - 5/1 ARM: 5.81% - 7/1 ARM: 5.71% - 30-year VA: 5.36% - 15-year VA: 5.15% - 5/1 VA: 4.99% [4] Refinance Rates - Today's mortgage refinance rates are generally higher than purchase rates, with the following national averages: - 30-year fixed: 5.97% - 20-year fixed: 5.67% - 15-year fixed: 5.39% - 5/1 ARM: 6.10% - 7/1 ARM: 5.89% - 30-year VA: 5.68% - 15-year VA: 5.21% - 5/1 VA: 4.95% [5] Market Conditions - The current housing market is considered favorable for buyers compared to previous years, with home prices stabilizing and mortgage rates dropping since last year [15] - Predictions indicate that the 30-year mortgage rate is expected to remain around 6% through the end of the year, with minimal decreases anticipated [18] Mortgage Types and Their Characteristics - A 30-year fixed mortgage offers lower and predictable monthly payments but comes with higher interest costs over the loan's life [7][9] - A 15-year fixed mortgage has higher monthly payments but lower interest rates, allowing borrowers to pay off their mortgage sooner and save on interest [10][11] - Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) offer lower initial rates but come with the risk of rate increases after the introductory period [12][13]

Core Insights - The housing market is experiencing a downturn, with existing home sales in January dropping 8.4% from December, reflecting ongoing affordability challenges and low inventory levels [1][2] - Economists anticipate a potential improvement in sales due to lower mortgage rates, but affordability issues are expected to persist [1] Group 1: Sales Performance - Existing home sales in January were at an annualized rate below 4 million, maintaining activity near decades-low levels [1] - The decline in sales is attributed to poor weather conditions and limited inventory, which has kept prices elevated [1][2] Group 2: Affordability Trends - Mortgage rates averaged 6.1% in January, down from nearly 7% a year ago, contributing to improved affordability conditions [1] - The median home price in January was $396,800, reflecting a modest increase of 0.9% from the previous year [1] Group 3: Inventory and Market Dynamics - Inventory levels increased by 3.4% over the past year, but remain significantly below pre-pandemic averages, limiting home price appreciation [1] - The cold weather in early January impacted home sales, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast regions, with expectations that warmer weather may boost sales [1][2] Group 4: Future Outlook - Economists predict a thaw in market conditions this spring, but significant improvements in affordability are seen as distant [1] - Low inventory levels are likely to continue affecting the market, with a cap on how much sales activity can improve in the near term [1]

WEALTH, HE SAID. IT'S NOT HAPPENING. PEOPLE ARE AGAIN, QUOTE, STUCK.>> ALL RIGHT, DIANA, THANK YOU. OUR NEXT GUEST SAYS THE AMERICAN DREAM HAS MOVED ON FROM HOMEOWNERSHIP TO NEVER LEAVE YOUR HOME IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO OWN ONE. RYAN SERHANT IS FOUNDER AND CEO OF SIRHAN REAL ESTATE AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF OWNING MANHATTAN.RYAN, IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN. I MEAN, JUST PICK IT UP WHERE DIANA LEFT OFF AND WHAT LAWRENCE IS SAYING, BECAUSE I THINK YOU'RE SAYING SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR. >> THE WORD CRISIS IS ...

Mortgage Rates Overview - The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate is currently just above 6%, specifically at 6.09%, down from 6.11% last week and significantly lower than the 6.87% average from a year ago [1] - The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage average has also decreased to 5.44% from 5.5% last week, compared to 6.09% a year ago [2] Influencing Factors - Mortgage rates are affected by various factors including the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies and bond market investors' expectations regarding the economy and inflation [3] - The 10-year Treasury yield, which serves as a benchmark for pricing home loans, has decreased to 4.13% from 4.21% a week prior [3]

Core Insights - Mortgage rates have decreased, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.16%, down from 6.23% last week [1] - The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is significantly lower than the previous year's rate of 7.03% [2][7] Current Mortgage Rates - Current mortgage rates for various loan types are as follows: - 30-year fixed: 6.16%, down from 6.18% four weeks ago and 7.03% a year ago, with a 52-week average of 6.57% and a low of 6.16% [2] - 15-year fixed: 5.50%, slightly up from 5.49% four weeks ago and down from 6.24% a year ago, with a 52-week average of 5.79% and a low of 5.49% [2] - 30-year jumbo: 6.33%, down from 6.37% four weeks ago and 7.05% a year ago, with a 52-week average of 6.64% and a low of 6.31% [2] - The average total of discount and origination points for 30-year fixed mortgages is 0.35 [2] Housing Market Trends - Home prices are declining in many previously hot markets, with half of the 50 largest metro areas experiencing price drops over the past year [4] - Increased housing inventory and leveling home prices create a favorable environment for buyers and those looking to refinance [4] Economic Outlook - The Federal Reserve has maintained its benchmark interest rate, with no immediate plans for cuts, influenced by stronger-than-expected labor numbers [5] - Predictions suggest a potential rate cut in the first half of 2026 if inflation remains steady, but job growth could complicate this scenario [6] - Mortgage rates are currently nearly one percentage point lower than a year ago, when they were around 6.9% [7]

Hello everyone. The haters are wrong. The bull market is coming. Mr.. Beast is in the finance game. And a technology company wants to help you sitting at home pay less on your mortgage. We're live today from the desk of Anthony Pompiano. Before we get into today's episode, I need your help. My goal is to get to 1 million subscribers on YouTube. We currently have 43,863 of you. Hit the subscribe button and let's get into today's show. Ladies and gentlemen, the bull market is coming and all of the bears are c ...

Mortgage Rates Overview - Mortgage rates have increased significantly from a low of 2.65% during the pandemic to nearly 8% in 2023, with a stabilization around 6.10% as of early February 2026, showing a slight improvement from 6.9% in February 2025 [1] - The historical context indicates that rates near 6% are moderate compared to the sub-3% rates seen during the pandemic, which are unlikely to return soon [2] Future Rate Predictions - Morgan Stanley projects a slight decline in mortgage rates through 2026, targeting the 5.75% range, while many economists expect rates to remain around 6% [3] Financial Implications for Buyers - For a $400,000 home purchase with a 20% down payment, the remaining loan balance of $320,000 at a 6.10% rate results in a monthly payment of $1,939.18 [4] - If rates drop to 5.75%, the monthly payment would decrease to $1,867.43, saving approximately $72 per month [5] - Buyers should consider if the potential savings of $72 per month over 30 years outweigh the risks of missing out on desired properties or facing higher future prices, making current rates appealing for those planning to stay long-term [6] Refinancing Considerations - The industry standard suggests refinancing if savings of 1% to 2% can be achieved, meaning refinancing is advisable if the current mortgage rate is 7.10% or higher, given the current rate of 6.10% [7] - An example shows that refinancing a $300,000 mortgage from a 7.25% rate to 6.10% would reduce the monthly payment from approximately $2,314 to $1,818 [8]

Core Insights - Home equity lines of credit (HELOC) and home equity loan (HEL) rates are currently slightly above their 52-week lows, making them attractive options for homeowners looking to access equity without refinancing their primary mortgage [1][4] Group 1: Current Rates and Trends - The average HELOC rate has decreased to 7.23%, with a 52-week low of 7.19% recorded in mid-January [2] - The national average for home equity loans stands at 7.44%, with a 52-week low of 7.38% noted in early December [2] - Rates are determined based on a minimum credit score of 780 and a combined loan-to-value ratio (CLTV) of less than 70% [2] Group 2: Product Comparison - A HELOC allows homeowners to draw cash as needed, while a home equity loan provides a lump sum [3] - Home equity interest rates differ from primary mortgage rates, typically based on an index rate plus a margin, with the current prime rate at 6.75% [5] - Lenders have flexibility in pricing second mortgage products, making it essential for borrowers to shop around for the best rates [6] Group 3: Lender Considerations - Some lenders offer below-market introductory rates for HELOCs, which may only last for a limited time before converting to a variable rate [6][9] - Home equity loans generally do not have introductory rates, providing a fixed interest rate throughout the repayment period [7][12] - It is important to consider minimum draw amounts for HELOCs, as some lenders may require a significant initial draw [11] Group 4: Usage and Recommendations - Homeowners with low primary mortgage rates and significant equity may find it beneficial to consider a HELOC or HEL for home improvements or other expenses [14] - The national average rates for HELOCs and HELs can serve as a benchmark when comparing offers from different lenders [13]