Samantha Sharf

10 Million More People Could Qualify for Mortgages Thanks to New Credit Score Rule

An estimated 10.7 million additional people could qualify for mortgages thanks to upcoming changes to lender credit scoring models. Black households in particular are expected to benefit. On Monday, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced…

The 10 Best Big Cities to Live in the U.S. in 2022

The Austin, Texas metro area gained 53,301 people between July 2020 and July 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. About 25% of that was “natural increase” a.k.a. births minus deaths. The rest was migration, people moving to Austin from…

What’s a Real Estate Agent Worth?

The ink on her Yale diploma was barely dry when Panle Jia Barwick drove from New Haven, Connecticut, to Boston to look at houses. A newly minted economics Ph.D., she was starting an assistant professorship at MIT and needed to secure a place to live…

Today's Mortgage Rate Movement Is Mixed | March 24, 2022

After big hikes yesterday, mortgage rate movement is more moderate Thursday. The average rate being charged on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is a touch higher, while the average 15-year rate is somewhat lower as are the rates for adjustable rate…

15-Year Mortgage Rates

A 15-year mortgage allows borrowers to finish paying off their homes in half the time and at a lower overall cost than a 30-year loan. The catch? You’ll have a higher monthly mortgage payment. The higher payments means a 15-year mortgage won't be…

Current Mortgage Rates Jump to Highest Level Since May 2020

The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage jumped up to 3.22% this week, according to Freddie Mac. That's the highest level since May 2020. Mortgage rates increased across loan categories this week. The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate…

Today's Mortgage Rates | December 29, 2021

Mortgage rates are trending lower today. Any rate reduction is good news for borrowers. Rates remain very low historically speaking. Borrowers with strong credit can still find attractive rates and low monthly payments on a new mortgage or when…

After Zillow's Home-Flipping Fiasco, Think Twice About Trusting 'Zestimate' Home Values

Americans love the Zestimate, but Zillow's latest business problems suggest you should think twice before using the popular home value algorithm to make any big real estate decisions. Zillow announced Tuesday that it leaving the home-flipping…

Daily Mortgage Rates Move Higher | November 1, 2021

The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is up to 3.533% today. That's a 0.064 percentage point jump from Friday. It's the first time in five days the 30-year rate has moved higher. The 30-year refinance rate is also higher today at 3.675%.…

How Money Chose the Best Places to Live in 2021

Every year since 1987, we’ve combined lots of data with old fashioned reporting to find 50 or so standout spots for our Best Places to Live project. To create Money’s Best Places to Live ranking for 2021-2022, we considered cities and towns with…

This Is the Best Place to Live in the U.S. Right Now

On the second track of his hit 1985 album “Around the World in a Day,” Prince describes “Paisley Park,” a mythical place where people are accepted and rules are non-existent. A few years later, when the artist decided to make Paisley Park a reality,…

'I Can Do This Myself.' A New Generation Is Ditching Convention and Changing How America Buys Homes

Madina Gildenberg and her boyfriend relocated from Brooklyn to the Phoenix area in 2014 with the idea that it would be easier to one day buy a home there. Neither had a job when they moved, but they figured they could find work that paid almost as…

$1,400 Checks and More: 6 Ways You May Benefit From the New Stimulus Package

President Joe Biden is poised to sign a $1.9 trillion relief package into law on Friday, helping millions of Americans still struggling financially as the nation races to end the year-long pandemic that has hobbled the global economy. And while you…

YouTube's Favorite Mortgage Strategy Has Millions of Fans. Here's How It Actually Works

The most popular video on Sam Kwak’s YouTube channel has 3.5 million views. It’s nothing fancy. Just a half hour of Kwak talking. A few sheets of printer paper and a thick black Sharpie his only props. But it offers something viewers can’t resist:…

A Key Indicator Suggests Mortgage Rates' Epic Decline May Soon End

Homebuyers and refinancers looking for the best possible price might want to consider locking in their mortgage rate now. Though rates started the year with a new record low, a key benchmark suggests home loans could soon start getting more…

What the Democrats Winning Georgia Means for Your Wallet

Two months after Americans elected Democrat Joe Biden president, his economic agenda — from bigger stimulus checks to higher taxes on the wealthy — just got a big shot in the arm. On Tuesday, voters in the state of Georgia went to the polls to settle…

Today's Best Mortgage and Refinance Rates: November 25, 2020 | Rates Drop

Thanks to rising home prices, it will be possible to get a conforming loan on a $1 million home in some parts of the country for the first time next year. Meanwhile, mortgage rates dropped from yesterday. Today’s Mortgage Rates The average rate for a…

Today's Best Mortgage and Refinance Rates: November 24, 2020 | Rates Rise Slightly

The share of borrowers deferring mortgage payments increased for the first time since June. Meanwhile, mortgage rates rose from yesterday. Today’s Mortgage Rates The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate purchase mortgage was 3.412% on…

Here Are Today's Best Mortgage & Refinance Rates for November 23, 2020

It has been 15-years since home values and sales rose at such a lightening fast rate. Experts expect that strength to continue well into the new year. Meanwhile, mortgages rates are down slightly. Today’s Mortgage Rates The average rate for a 30-year…

How Veterans Can Take Advantage of the Low Mortgage Rate Environment

A decades-old benefit to help soldiers returning from World War II — the VA loan program — is more popular than ever. The program allows veterans to buy homes with zero-money down, but service members still need to shop to get the best deal. During…