Mortgage Rates
Podcast Episode - Suze School: What The New Fed Funds Rate Means for You
On this episode of Suze School, Suze explains what the change in the Fed Funds Rate means for you.
Podcast Episode - If You Don’t Have A Plan, You Plan To Fail
How can we avoid planning to fail in our financial life?
What to Consider as a Potential Homebuyer
Potential homebuyers are facing a double affordability whammy.
What To Do When the Fed Raises Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve just made a big change in its policy, and over the coming months the fallout from this change will be felt throughout your financial life.
Podcast Episode - Suze School: Recasting Your Mortgage
On this podcast, Suze explains how recasting your mortgage can help you in the short and long terms. We also get updates about how inflation will affect your Social Security checks and bonds.
Podcast Episode - The Stock Market, Mortgage Rate, and Crypto Currency Whirlwind
On this podcast, we go to Suze School on what to expect in the stock market, so you can invest wisely for the long term. Plus, lessons on mortgage rates and what real estate to take advantage of.
Podcast Episode - Are We In A Housing Bubble Or Not?
On this podcast, we go to Suze School for the latest on what is happening in the real estate market. Learn why birth rates factor into supply and demand and what you should think about doing now.
Podcast Episode - Suze School: March 2021 By The Numbers
On this podcast, we go to Suze School to learn about the latest with the 2021 Stimulus, interest rates and refinancing your mortgage. Plus, what’s happening with the Stock Market and BitCoin.
Podcast Episode - Ask Suze Anything
On this podcast of Ask Suze Anything, Suze answers questions from Women & Money listeners (as read by KT) Amy, Kim, Cat, Marissa, Chris, Tim, Leigh, and Fran.
Podcast Episode - Three Money Moves You Don’t Want To Make
In this podcast, Suze shares three recent conversations she’s had with friends and family about their finances.
Don't Refinance Your Mortgage Without Reading This First
As news intensified over the summer that the U.S. economy was looking weaker, it caused mortgage rates to decline. The yield on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage in late August was 3.55%, a sharp decrease
Shifting Real Estate Market Requires Home Sellers to Be Extra Smart
If you are planning to put your home on the market this Spring, working with a terrific real estate agent will be extra important.
Home Buying in Next 6 months? Do This Now!
If you are planning on buying a home in the next few months, I bet you are already spending plenty of time checking out online listings.
Are You Going to Win or Lose From Rising Interest Rates?
I want you to understand there is a big shift going on in our economy. I know you are well aware that interest rates have been very low ever since the financial crisis. But that’s changing. The Federal Reserve, which has control of a key interest rate-called the Federal Funds rate-has recently decided that it no longer needs to keep that rate so low because the economy is showing signs of solid strength.
The Smartest Home Buying Move Most People Ignore
Most homebuyers choose a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. There’s nothing wrong with going the conventional route and spreading your payments over 30 years. But I wish more people would take out a 15-year mortgage instead.
Don’t Over-React to the Mortgage Rate Rise
Over the past few months mortgage rates have begun to rise a bit. And the expectation is that they may continue to drift higher throughout 2017. While there’s no question mortgages now cost more, I want anyone thinking of buying a home, or refinancing, to not over-react to higher rates. Keep in mind:
Avoid This Costly Refinancing Trap
In late July, the 3.4% average rate for a 30-year mortgage was near the historic low set in 2013. That’s great news for so many homeowners who were unable to refinance back in 2013 because they didn’t have the 20% equity that most lenders require for the best refi deals. Fast-forward to today and home values are up an average of nearly 30% since early 2013. That means plenty of homeowners can now-finally-refinance at today’s great rates.
Step 4: Closing the Deal: Scour your all-in Mortgage Costs
It takes a hefty wad of money to get a mortgage. It’s typical for all the fees associated with securing a mortgage—called Closing Costs-to add up to 2% or more of the loan. That’s a stiff $4,000 or so on a $200,000 mortgage.
Step 3: Get to the Point: When It Pays to Buy Down Your Mortgage
Lenders like to give home borrowers choices when it comes to their mortgage rate. You’ll always be presented with a standard rate: what you qualify for based on how the lender sizes up your financial profile (credit score, income, debts etc.) And then you will also be presented with some options to “buy down” or reduce that interest rate.
Suze’s Mortgage Tip #2: Know the Down Side of Making a Small Low Down Payment.
My absolute best advice is to strive to make a 20% down payment when you buy a home. I know that can be a lot of money. But hear me out. What you need to understand is that a small down payment can end up costing you big time.
Suze’s Mortgage Tip #1: Shop Around
It amazes me that so many homebuyers who spent weeks, if not months, hunting around for the best home, don’t shop around as diligently for the best mortgage. According to the Consumer Financial
Turn a Child/Grandchild’s Summer Job into a Retirement Windfall.
If you have a child or grandchild who is going to get paid for work this summer, I want you to consider a way to gift them a valuable retirement stake.
Four Smart Moves in a Falling Stock Market
Nobody likes to see the value of their investment accounts fall, but whether it’s a correction (a drop of at least 10% but less than 20%) or a full-on bear market (a decline of 20% or more) the reality is that markets go through rough periods. Always have, and always will.
4 Signs You’re About to Make a Very Big Real Estate Mistake
With the Spring home buying rush just around the corner, I want to make sure that you don’t buy into a very big mistake.
The Massive Mistake 4 in 10 Parents With Young Children Make …and how to fix it in four easy steps
A new survey makes me sad, mad and very nervous. According to Bankrate.com, 37% of parents with children under the age of 18 have no life insurance. And even the parents with life insurance aren’t really protecting their family, as one-third have policies with death benefits that do not exceed $100,000. That may sound like a lot of money, but it’s woefully little once you sit down and run the numbers.
Why You Should Seriously Consider a Roth 401(k)
You know I love, love, love Roth IRAs. One of the prime reasons being that in retirement you will not owe a penny of tax on your withdrawals. That’s quite different from a Traditional IRA where every penny will be taxed at your ordinary income tax rate.
Three Steps to Guaranteed Financial Independence
As a nation we set aside one day a year to formally celebrate our independence. When it comes to your money my hope is that you will make every day, not just July 4th, a day where you make conscious decisions that will help you build financial independence: a life where you are in control of your money, and not vice-versa.
How to Get the Most Out of Social Security
Your Social Security retirement benefit is one of the most valuable pieces of your retirement plan. Not only will it likely account for a large portion of your income when you retire, but it also has an incredible feature: your annual benefits increase with inflation. Your 401(k) and IRAs don’t come with such a great guaranteed inflation-protection feature.
How To Marry Your Finances
It’s no secret that money can be a serious wedge issue for couples. Survey after survey reports that when couples argue, finances are often at the heart of the discord. Here’s how every couple can lay the groundwork for financial compatibility.
Resist home-buying pressure, Suze Orman advises
The recent rise in housing prices and the decrease in supply in certain parts of the country have some people willing to spend every nickel they have to get into the market now. But Suze Orman warns hopeful homebuyers not to be hasty and end up house poor.
