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Lending / Financial

Buying real estate is even more challenging for those of us whose eyes glaze over at the mere mention of decimals, percentages or anything else that even hints of mathematics.


The financial aspect of purchasing the largest investment of your lifetime, though, is the most important. Nobody wants to lose money. Nobody wants to leave money on the table.


If you're in the market for information on mortgages, credit scores and interest rates, you've come to the right place. The financial and mortgage pros here at ActiveRain even tell you how to shop for and compare lenders, how to raise your credit score, how to get a mortgage after a short sale or foreclosure and how to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. Even Mom and Dad can't give the great advice you'll find here at ActiveRain.


Plan to spend some time here because ActiveRain's content library is massive. Lucky for you we've arranged it so that it's über user-friendly. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to put your finger on just the information you're looking for without having to surf a million other pages.

Recent blogs on Lending / Financial
By Andrews Collen Guide Real Estate, California Real Estate in Orange County
(Orange County Real Estate Group)
Homeowners often build years of equity in their residences, only to find it difficult to tap into that equity when it comes time to retire. Even if a home is one of their biggest assets, unexpected expenses, health care costs, and monthly costs can cause stress. A reverse mortgage is an option for homeowners who are eligible to use part of the equity in their home for living expenses without selling the home. Unlike traditional mortgages, a reverse mortgage does not require regular monthly mortgage payments, allowing homeowners to explore additional retirement income options while maintaining home ownership. This guide provides information on reverse mortgages, accessing your equity, and how this financial product can open new possibilities for retirement planning. 1. Convert Home Equit...
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By Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI 623-582-4444
(Level 4 Funding )
The best hard money lender for a Phoenix deal isn't necessarily the one making the biggest promises. It's the one whose lending approach fits your property, project, and repayment plan. If you're comparing options, start with a practical question: Which lender's financing suits your Arizona investment?A lender may fit a fix-and-flip purchase but not a construction project or commercial property. And a headline rate alone won't tell you how underwriting, fees, or the funding process could affect your plan. Compare lenders against the deal itself: the property's value and condition, your project budget, and a realistic exit strategy.This guide offers a practical framework for comparing Phoenix hard money lender by project fit, deal evaluation, loan structure, and process. It also explains...
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By Joseph Lorenzo, Your Law And Order Realtor
(Supreme Management LLC)
In this edition of “The ABC’s of Real Estate,” we open Case File I: Interest Rates — How They Affect Buying Power. Now, when buyers start looking for a home, they usually focus on the fun stuff:The kitchen.The backyard.The bedrooms.The neighborhood.The garage.The place where the Christmas tree will go.Then the lender enters the room and says: “Let’s talk about interest rates.”Suddenly, the music stops, the courtroom gets quiet, and everyone starts looking for a calculator. Interest rates may not be exciting, but they are one of the most important parts of buying a home. They affect monthly payments, buying power, affordability, and sometimes whether a buyer can qualify for the home they want. So today, we are putting mortgage interest rates on the witness stand. What Is a Mortgage Inter...
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By Tom Gilliam | RE/MAX Classic, Your Trusted Oakland County REALTOR — 24 Years — 7
(RE/MAX Classic)
For Agents, Lenders, and Advisors Your Client Has a 3% Mortgage and Won't Move. Here's the Conversation That Actually Helps. What 24 years in Oakland County has taught me about the rate lock-in, with fresh local data. 49.1% of U.S. Mortgages Under 4% 22.5% of Mortgages at 6% or More +4.9% Oakland County New Listings 2.4 Months of Supply Call or Text 248-790-5594Visit Homes2MoveYou.com TL;DR Owners with low mortgage rates rarely respond to a rate argument. They respond when someone lays out the whole picture: their equity, the real monthly cost of the next home, and what has changed in their life. The lock-in is easing slowly, and in Oakland County single-family new listings rose 4.9% over the past year while supply stayed tight at 2.4 months. Agents who lead with that full picture will...
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By Phil Caulfield, San Mateo County Mortgage Strategist
(New American Funding)
Can you buy your next home before selling your current home?For many homeowners in San Mateo County, that is the question standing between them and their next move.You may have substantial equity in your current home, strong income, and the ability to afford the next property after your existing home sells - but you don't want to sell first, move into temporary housing, and then hope the right home becomes available.Fortunately, selling first is not always your only option.I work with homeowners and real estate agents throughout Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo and surrounding San Mateo County communities to evaluate ways to buy a home before selling the current home.Depending on your financial situation, there may be several strategies worth considering.1. Bridge FinancingA bridge l...
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By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
Building a new home in Centerville, OH? 🏡 Your mortgage rate lock needs to match your construction timeline—not a typical 30- or 45-day resale closing. Extended locks, extension fees, and float-down options can make a big difference. Learn what to ask your lender before signing a builder contract and protect your financing plan. How Long Can You Lock In a Mortgage Rate Building New Construction in Centerville, Ohio? What a 30-day resale lock and a 9-month new-construction build have in common — and why they need different strategies. Talk to Douglas Haney & The Haney Group Published October 2026 · Updated October 2026 · By Douglas Haney & The Haney Group, Springfield, OH Douglas Haney leads The Haney Group at Coldwell Banker Heritage and helps buyers and sellers navigate Centerville, Sp...
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By Doug Haney, Springfield Ohio Real Estate Agent
(The Haney Group / Coldwell Banker Heritage)
How Long Can You Lock In a Mortgage Rate Building New Construction in Centerville, Ohio? What a 30-day resale lock and a 9-month new-construction build have in common — and why they need different strategies. Talk to Douglas Haney & The Haney Group Published October 2026 · Updated October 2026 · By Douglas Haney & The Haney Group, Springfield, OHDouglas Haney leads The Haney Group at Coldwell Banker Heritage and helps buyers and sellers navigate Centerville, Springfield, and the surrounding Ohio market every day. Quick Answer Most buyers in Centerville, Ohio can lock a mortgage rate for 30 to 60 days, but a new-construction purchase usually needs an extended builder lock of 90 days to a year because construction takes longer than a resale closing. As of October 1, 2026, Freddie Mac's s...
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By Kimo Stowell, James "Kimo" Stowell - REALTOR®, ABR®, GREEN
(HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 )
               Latest rates, based on 20 percent down, $200,000 owner-occupant mortgages. The rates and terms may vary; check with lenders for details. Rates may have changed click here to verifyWednesday, October 7, 2026  Lender Term/Type Interest Rate % Points % *APR American Savings Bank808-593-1226NMLS#423168 15-YR Fixed 6.250 1.875 6.643 30-YR Fixed 7.125 1.875 7.378 5-YR ARM 5.875 2.125 6.511 Bank of Hawaii877-616-2636 15-YR Fixed 6.375 0.875 6.514 30-YR Fixed 7.000 1.625 7.163 5-YR ARM 6.500 1.625 6.658 Central Pacific Bank808-544-0500NMLS#416603 15-YR Fixed 6.375 2.000 6.848 30-YR Fixed 7.125 1.750 7.404 5-YR ARM 6.125 2.000 6.742 Finance Factors808-548-3300NMLS#449916 15-YR Fixed 6.125 2.125 6.704 30-YR Fixed 7.125 1.875 7.475 5-YR ARM 6.750 1.500 7.520 First Hawaiian Bank808-6...
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By Doug Haney, Springfield Ohio Real Estate Agent
(The Haney Group / Coldwell Banker Heritage)
Oakwood, Ohio Home Values Jumped in the 2026 Reappraisal — Here's What It Means for Your Tax Bill Montgomery County's 2026 reappraisal and a Homestead Exemption guide for Oakwood, Springfield, Ohio, and Miami Valley homeowners Talk to Douglas Haney & The Haney Group Published October 2026 · Updated October 2026 · By Douglas Haney & The Haney Group, Springfield, OHDouglas Haney leads The Haney Group at Coldwell Banker Heritage, helping buyers and sellers navigate Oakwood, Springfield, Ohio, and the surrounding Dayton and Central Ohio market every day. Quick Answer Montgomery County's 2026 reappraisal raised residential property values in Oakwood, Ohio and the rest of the county by an average of about 19%. Clark County — home to Springfield, Ohio, where our team is based — saw an even bi...
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By Bob Elliot, 30Yrs Experience
(RES Realty)
While the Core PCE Index came in at 3.0%, below the expected 3.3%, overall inflation remains well above the Federal Reserve's 2% target.With inflation still running above the Federal Reserve’s target, there remains room for rates to stay elevated or potentially increase over the next several rate decisions if the Fed remains focused on restraining inflation.The JOLTS job openings report has also revealed a larger-than-expected gap. Job growth across the board has been slowing, with growth concentrated in only a handful of sectors.The nonfarm payroll figures have also come in well below expectations, while the unemployment rate remains elevated on a year-over-year basis when compared with historical levels over the past decade.PCE IndexPCE increased 3.4% from a year earlier, while core P...
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By Real Estate Broker Cape Cod Heath Coker Falmouth, Heath Coker
(https://capegroup.com)
Why Real Estate Feels Safe When Money Feels UncertainMoney news can feel loud. One week, people talk about new rules for digital dollars. The next week, they talk about gold. It is easy to wonder what your savings are really worth.When that happens, many people look to things they can see and touch. A home is one of those things.What is a hard asset?A hard asset is something real. You can walk through it, fix it, and use it every day. A home gives you a place to live, and that value does not depend on the headlines.Why this mattersMoney is a promise. What it can buy may change over time. A home is different. It is land and a building, and people will always need a place to live. That steady need is why many buyers feel calm about real estate.What to keep in mindHomes are not magic. Pric...
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By Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI, Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell
(HomeSmart Real Estate)
Hey mortgage rates are at about 7% and people think they are high. But are they? Let's compare by jumping into Peabody and Sherman's "Wayback Machine" and see what mortgage rates people had when they were buying homes in your parent's generation.Looking Back at Mortgage Rates 1970: ~7.30% to 7.50% (The onset of the "Great Inflation" period, pushing borrowing costs upward across all sectors). 1980: 13.74%(Part of the highest rate cycle in modern American history, driven by aggressive Federal Reserve policy to break rampant stagflation. Rates eventually peaked at an all-time weekly high of 18.63% in late 1981). 1990: 10.13%(Beginning a decades-long decline as inflation cooled down and the economy stabilized). 2000: 8.05%(Marked the final stretch of single-digit, pre-recession rates before...
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 Did you hear rates are up? There is lot of talk in the media that rates have not been this high in over 20yrs- for the 10yr treasury that is true, but for Mortgages we are still lower than the highs we saw in 2023. 2023 has a lot of similarities to this year where we saw interest rates hit a bottom in February and climb from there.  If you remember 2023, we had rates touching 8 for a bit in a few weeks of October and November only to settle back down.   While 2023 and 2026 are following an eerily similar pattern… (like a crazy similar pattern) the reasons are a bit different.  2023 was all about inflation and the Fed trying to get inflation under control after the excessive incentives we saw in the pandemic. Today there are inflation fears, but it is not the same broad-based inflation ...
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By Doug Haney, Springfield Ohio Real Estate Agent
(The Haney Group / Coldwell Banker Heritage)
Should You Offer a Mortgage Rate Buydown Instead of Cutting Your Price Near Enon Countryside, Ohio? With 30-year rates back above 7%, sellers near Enon Countryside, Ohio have two tools to keep a listing moving — a price cut or a seller-paid rate buydown. Here's the real dollar-for-dollar comparison. Talk to Douglas Haney & The Haney Group Published September 2026 · Updated September 2026 · By Douglas Haney & The Haney Group, Springfield, OHDouglas Haney leads The Haney Group at Coldwell Banker Heritage and helps buyers and sellers navigate Enon Countryside, Mad River Township, Springfield, Ohio, and the surrounding Ohio market every day. Quick Answer Near Enon Countryside, Ohio, a seller-paid mortgage rate buydown often delivers more real payment relief to a buyer than an equal-dollar ...
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By Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL, Tallahassee Real Estate
(Joe Manausa Team at Xcellence Realty)
A good reminder for homeowners: understand the strategy behind the mortgage plan, not just the sales pitch. Small payment decisions can make a real difference over time. Biweekly Mortgage Plans: What They Promise… and What You Really Need to Know If you’ve ever opened an email promising to save you thousands on your 30-year mortgage—without refinancing, points, or paperwork—you’re not alone. These biweekly mortgage ads show up everywhere, and while the claims sound exciting, there’s always more to the story. Most of these offers don’t come from actual mortgage lenders. They come from third-party companies that package the concept with lots of flashy selling points: No closing costs! No refinancing! No points! No credit check! No appraisal! Save thousands! Cut years off your mortgage! An...
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By Bob Elliot, 30Yrs Experience
(RES Realty)
With a light week the previous week, only a few data reports will have any far reaching impact, with the M2 money supply and the Federal Reserve Balance sheet giving the most insight.The M2 Money supply has really only increased ever since the COVID pandemic, and has more or less kept in line with the rate inflation has been impacting the costs of many sectors.While the Federal Reserve balance sheets show a trend of increasing lately, it has shown there is still restraint by the Federal Reserve which is evidenced by the recent increase in interest rates. They are showing strong intent that they do want to combat the rising inflation and bring it down under control.M2 Money SupplyM2 increased to $23.343 trillion in August, up from $23.218 trillion in July, an increase of approximately $1...
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By Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI 623-582-4444
(Level 4 Funding )
Imagine if getting a real estate loan depended more on the property, your project plan, and your repayment strategy than on a typical borrower checklist. If you're wondering what hard money lending is, the unfamiliar terms can make it seem confusing. For Phoenix investors, knowing what lenders look for can help you evaluate financing options for a purchase or renovation before you commit. Hard money lending is another option for investment deals, but it's not always the best choice. Loan costs, timelines, and repayment risks are important, especially if renovations or a sale take longer than expected. This guide covers how hard money lending works, what property and project details matter to lenders, and what to review before talking about your deal. You'll also learn how to test your r...
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By Bob Elliot, 30Yrs Experience
(RES Realty)
Expectations that the Federal Reserve would raise rates to combat significant inflation have come to pass, with a modest 0.25% increase in the rate. The Federal Reserve has stated that it remains committed to restoring inflation to its 2.0% target, which will likely include further rate increases in the future. The rest of the week featured a light economic calendar with very few impactful releases, leaving the Federal Reserve’s rate decision as the primary driver of market activity.FOMC Rate DecisionAt its September 15–16, 2026 FOMC meeting, the Federal Reserve raised the federal funds target range by 25 basis points, from 3.50%–3.75% to 3.75%–4.00%. This was the Fed's first rate increase since July 2023.Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index 15-Year FRM rates saw an increase of 0.17%, b...
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By Doug Haney, Springfield Ohio Real Estate Agent
(The Haney Group / Coldwell Banker Heritage)
How Does BAH Affect What You Can Afford Near Wright-Patterson AFB in Beavercreek, Ohio? A plain-English look at 2026 housing allowance rates, how VA lenders count BAH as income, and what it can actually buy in Beavercreek Talk to Douglas Haney & The Haney Group Published September 2026 · Updated September 2026 · By Douglas Haney & The Haney Group, Springfield, OHDouglas Haney leads The Haney Group at Coldwell Banker Heritage, working alongside Lisa Ackerman, Brad Shuman, and Amanda Russell to help buyers and sellers navigate Beavercreek, Springfield, and the surrounding Ohio market every day — including military families PCSing to Wright-Patterson AFB. Quick Answer In 2026, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for Wright-Patterson AFB ranges from about $1,533 to $2,742 a month depending o...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services Inc )
 🏡 What 7% Mortgage Rates Mean for Today’s BuyersPUT CHARLES IN CHARGE™ — Charles Stallions Real Estate Services Inc. Serving Pensacola • Pace • Gulf Breeze • Milton • Navarre📌 7% Is Becoming the “New Normal”Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for NAR, says buyers should expect 7% as the new normal for mortgage rates. In our Gulf Coast markets—where affordability already runs tight—this shift creates both psychological hesitation and real financial pressure.Bright MLS economist Lisa Sturtevant notes that rates “stuck at or above 7%” can become a mental barrier for many buyers.  📈 Where Rates Stand Right Now Freddie Mac average (Sept 17): 6.95% Daily lender trackers: 7.24% (Mortgage News Daily) Rates aren’t rising because of the Fed alone. They’re being pushed by:Long-term bond yields, especia...
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