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2 weeks ago | 
money.usnews.com | Erika Giovanetti |Gina Freeman |Whitney Blair Wyckoff
Here's how Trump's latest tariffs could impact mortgage rates and homebuilding costs in a market that's already fraught with affordability woes.
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2 months ago | 
money.usnews.com | Gina Freeman |Whitney Blair Wyckoff |Erik J. Martin
It can be easier to qualify for a mortgage with multiple borrowers. But the hassle is real.
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2 months ago | 
money.usnews.com | Gina Freeman |Whitney Blair Wyckoff
If you're thinking of purchasing a mobile home, the type of manufactured home you're purchasing may impact the loan required. Review factors like interest rates and the total cost of the loan over time when making your decision.
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Jan 23, 2025 | 
money.usnews.com | Erika Giovanetti |Gina Freeman
Key Takeaways Trump says he will "demand" that the Federal Reserve cut interest rates in response to falling oil prices. The central bank is politically independent, and the president doesn't have control over how its board members vote. Even if the Fed does lower the benchmark rate, it won't significantly impact long-term borrowing rates, including mortgages.
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Jan 20, 2025 | 
usnews.com | Erika Giovanetti |Gina Freeman
Conventional wisdom dictates that consumers should have an emergency fund with enough money to cover three to six months' worth of living expenses – but in reality, 42% of Americans don't have an emergency fund at all, according to a U.S. News survey. Between Jan. 8 and 15, 2025, U.S. News ran a nationwide survey of 1,207 Americans, conducted through PureSpectrum.
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Jan 17, 2025 | 
money.usnews.com | Richard Barrington |Ray Frager |Gina Freeman
Key Takeaways Even if your home has been destroyed by a disaster, you are still obligated to make mortgage and property tax payments. However, when disasters happen, loan servicers and tax collectors are likely to provide homeowners with some degree of relief from mortgage and other payments. This relief won't happen automatically, so check with you loan servicer and county tax office to find what relief is available and how to apply for it.
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Jan 13, 2025 | 
money.usnews.com | Sarah Brodsky |Gina Freeman |Katy Marquardt
Key Takeaways An acceleration clause allows a lender to demand immediate repayment of a home loan in certain circumstances. Lenders may invoke an acceleration clause if a borrower defaults on the loan, transfers the property to another person or entity or breaks other terms of the mortgage agreement. Communicate with your lender proactively to avoid loan acceleration. When you take out a mortgage, you plan on paying it back over 15 or 30 years.
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Jan 13, 2025 | 
money.usnews.com | Erika Giovanetti |Gina Freeman
Key Takeaways President Trump's economic agenda could have a downstream impact on mortgage rates. Generally, the expert consensus points to higher rates as a result of Trump administration policy proposals. Research shows that tariffs tend to have an inflationary effect, potentially leading to higher mortgage rates and increased homebuilding costs. Bond pricing, and thus mortgage rates, are influenced in part by fiscal policy.
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Jan 10, 2025 | 
money.usnews.com | Sarah Brodsky |Gina Freeman |Katy Marquardt
Key Takeaways A mortgage loan servicer is a company that collects payments and manages a home loan. Loan servicers handle many tasks including responding to forbearance requests, cancelling PMI and certifying when a home loan is paid off. The servicer for a home loan may change when the loan is sold. Want to check how much interest you've paid on your home loan or need to change your payment method? Your mortgage loan servicer can help. What Is a Mortgage Loan Servicer?
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Jan 9, 2025 | 
money.usnews.com | Gina Freeman |Whitney Blair Wyckoff |Ray Frager
Key Takeaways Amounts forgiven through debt settlement may be taxed as income by the IRS. An IRS worksheet shows how to avoid paying taxes on debt settlement when you're insolvent. Taxpayers who are insolvent can bypass at least some debt settlement taxes. An individual overwhelmed by debt who is considering debt settlement has to take possible drawbacks into account, with a tax obligation being a large one.
