Mortgage Grader

Jeff's Orange County Register Column

Jeff Lazerson writes a weekly column for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group, which includes 12 Southern California newspapers.

Recent Blog Posts

Home equity contracts offer no monthly payments, no interest in exchange for cash out (06/12/25)
Southern California homeowners have $1.645 trillion of tappable equity (06/05/25)
Tips for house hunters in an evolving homebuyers' market (06/02/25)
Buy now or wait? House hunters fret prices, rates and prospects for economy (05/22/25)
These creative financing options offer homebuyers another way in (05/15/25)
What's the difference between a bank, mortgage banker or mortgage broker (05/08/25)
Tips to boost, protect credit scores and get a lower mortgage rate (05/01/25)
Why delinquent student loan borrowers may struggle to get a mortgage (04/24/25)
What does stagflation mean for the housing industry? (04/17/25)
How Trump's trade war creates housing headwinds (04/10/25)
How to finance blacklisted Fannie Mae condos (04/07/25)
Buying a condo? Fannie Mae "blacklist" has 438 Southern California communities (03/21/25)
5 ways to use home equity to finance long-term senior care (03/13/25)
Rates tumble and Southern California economists fret housing, recession (03/06/25)
How Trump could lower certain mortgage rates (02/27/25)
Why adjustable-rate mortgages might be better bargain than fixed (02/20/25)
Homeowners can tap up to 50,000 with down-payment grant (02/13/25)
California's balcony law and Fannie Mae standards could push condo fees higher (02/06/25)
How to launch and finance a home rebuild after LA County wildfires (01/30/25)
How to find a down payment to buy a replacement home after LA County fires (01/23/25)
How Los Angeles wildfire victims can get mortgage payment relief (01/16/25)
Do patrons have to report home purchase gift money to the IRS? (01/09/25)
How homeowners can cancel the dreaded private mortgage insurance fee (01/02/25)
Housing in 2025: Rates will drop under 6%, capital gains exemption will double (12/19/24)
New loan options for self-employed with stash of cash (12/12/24)
Privatizing Fannie Mae would cause mortgage rates to soar, economist says (12/05/24)
FHFA loan limits rising to $1.2 million in LA and OC, top $806,000 in Inland Empire (11/27/24)
Criminal charges and jail time now part of predatory mortgage lending law in California (11/21/24)
How and how much homeowners can transfer tax base to their next home (11/07/24)
How to calculate your base year value under Proposition 19 (10/31/24)
56% of Prop. 19 property tax transfer applications approved statewide (10/25/24)
Hot real estate topics: Rates, high payments, all-cash buyers (10/17/24)
California offers 3.5% down payment program for first-time homebuyers (10/10/24)
Homebuyers: Here are your do's and don'ts for a smooth transaction (09/26/24)
Lazerson: Rate cut means home prices will moderate as inventory rises (09/19/24)
How homeowners can choose between a fixed-rate second or HELOC (09/12/24)
FHA has loan option for low-FICO homebuyers (09/06/24)
How homebuyers can use 'pledged' assets and put just 10% down (08/29/24)
Do you have the three Cs necessary for homebuying? (08/22/24)
Refinance applications jump 35% as rate drop encourages homeowners (08/15/24)
As mortgage rate tumbles, will buyers rush in? Not so fast, they say (08/08/24)
Are California homebuyers really going to pay Realtor commissions? (08/02/24)
California Realtors gear up for changes in August (07/25/24)
In California, a homebuyer can snare 30-year mortgage at 5.99% (07/18/24)
Looking for a housing deal with lower rates? Economists say not so fast (07/11/24)
Homeowners can get cash-out second mortgages to fund small rental properties (06/27/24)
What exactly is an average mortgage rate? (06/20/24)
Loan payments for Orange County's record-high median-price house tops $10,000 (06/13/24)
Buy now? Wait? What homebuyers are asking in today's high-price market (06/06/24)
Array of mortgages cover hard-to-qualify properties, borrowers (05/30/24)
Sellers can help buyers with permanent fixed rate buydown to 5.99% (05/25/24)
What's holding up your home loan? Avoid these pitfalls to speed the process (05/17/24)
With mortgage rate topping 7%, what will it take to soften the market? (04/18/24)
Will a mortgage rate spike squash home price hikes? (04/11/24)
How will house hunters find and buy homes, post-NAR settlement? (04/04/24)
Housing market malaise hasn't cut options for equity rich homeowners (03/29/24)
NAR settlement creates daunting challenges for homebuyers, agents (03/22/24)
Warning signs, including foreclosures, reverberate across housing economy (03/14/24)
No relief this year for homebuyers, industry insiders predict (03/08/24)
Can't afford to buy a home? Here's a plan of action to make it work (02/29/24)
How no-cost mortgages save buyers money when rates come down (02/22/24)
10 creative ways to income-qualify for a home loan (02/19/24)
Cash-strapped, 55-and-older homeowners can weigh no-payment reverse second (02/08/24)
How a bridge loan can help homebuyers avoid dreaded contingency (01/25/24)
Should homebuyers consider an Attorney Opinion Letter to reduce closing costs? (01/19/24)
Freddie Mac adds California programs to its down payment assistance website (01/12/24)
With credit card debt rising, homeowners can borrow to ease payment pain (01/05/24)
2024 housing predictions: Title insurance and commission rates will tumble (12/15/23)
Freddie Mac unveils tool to help clear condo financing reviews faster (12/08/23)
Government-backed mortgage loan caps rising to $1,149,825 in OC, LA (12/01/23)
Can you buy a home with nothing down? FHA has zero-down loan (11/24/23)
Homebuying fires back up as rates decline 3rd week in a row (11/16/23)
Want to split your lot and sell an ADU or two? Here's how (11/09/23)
ADU loan program has $100,000 for OC homeowners who rent to low-income tenants (10/27/23)
California reinstates ADU sales separate from primary home (10/19/23)
Why house payments will likely soar along with rising insurance rates (10/13/23)
Homebuyers hit the brakes, 'smothering' the mortgage marketplace (10/06/23)
Is relief in sight for priced-out homebuyers? Don't hold your breath (09/28/23)
As homebuyer contracts collapse, expectations tumble, too (09/21/23)
After redlining settlement, City National Bank launches home loan grants for underserved (09/15/23)
Tips for inflation-bitten budgets to conquer mortgage payment struggles (09/07/23)
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac fixed rates hit 8% for qualified borrowers (08/30/23)
Priced out of housing market? Zero-down loans, downpayment grants available (08/24/23)
Why are mortgage fees so much higher for mom-and-pop investors? (08/17/23)
How low is home inventory? Rocket Mortgage now chasing Realtors (08/11/23)
Where are all the home listings? Some are selling before hitting MLS (08/03/23)
Mortgage industry, homebuyers pinched by high rates, declining cash (07/27/23)
Retirement funds may qualify for purchase of short-term rentals, ADUs (07/20/23)
Buying a new construction home? Beware the fine print in upgrades (07/13/23)
Will homeowners' insurance crisis upend home sales in California? (06/15/23)
Proposition 19's death tax needs to die, readers say (06/08/23)
Prop. 19's property tax transfer a 'godsend' for Southern California seniors (06/05/23)
How LLCs can protect heirs from property tax reassessments under Prop. 19 (05/26/23)
FAIR Plan seeks nearly 50% premium hike from California Department of Insurance (05/19/23)
California's FAIR Plan may save condo associations blacklisted by Fannie Mae (05/11/23)
Are homeseller and buyer escrow accounts safe at local banks? (05/04/23)
Fannie, Freddie increasing 'debt' fees on borrowers this summer (04/28/23)
Home sellers can finance their low-rate mortgage and generate income (04/20/23)
Mortgage rates fall for fifth consecutive week to 6.27% (04/13/23)
Need a down payment? 300-plus assistance programs available in California (04/06/23)
Fannie Mae squeezing out appraisers with new automated program (03/30/23)
Homebuyers who want a low rate can assume the sellers' FHA mortgage (03/23/23)
Will Silicon Valley, Signature bank crashes send mortgage rates plummeting? (03/16/23)
How seniors can tap their home's equity in tough times (03/10/23)
Fannie Mae halts financing for 6,102 condos in Laguna Woods (03/03/23)
FHA's lower mortgage insurance fees could save borrowers $1,500 annually (02/23/23)
Want to buy a house - in a year? Here's your financial checklist (02/16/23)
First-time homebuyer pickle: Sparse inventory, high rates, looming recession (02/09/23)
Hard-money loans can turn a 10% return for rental-shy investors (02/03/23)
Lower rates coming for low down payment buyers with riskier credit scores (01/26/23)
Why are mortgage applications spiking 25% even as home sales collapse? (01/19/23)
Why no Costco-like discounts for real estate services? It's illegal (01/12/23)
Home equity lines, second mortgage lending spikes as consumer debt soars (01/05/23)
2023 predictions: Southern Californian median home price to slide 10% (12/22/22)
Buyer beware: Hefty broker referral expenses may limit home, mortgage choices (12/13/22)
California Realtor's new purchase contract could upend buyer's agent commission (12/08/22)
Fannie, Freddie now a better deal than FHA financing for certain first-time buyers (11/28/22)
Homebuyers face 91% increase for credit reports starting Jan. 1 (11/23/22)
Will these zero-down loans for homebuyers doom real estate again? (11/17/22)
Are layoffs and the stalled housing market signs to tap equity now? (11/10/22)
As prices fall, homebuyers can weigh agent bonus for even more discounts (10/20/22)
Homebuyers can lock a rate for 150 days ahead of a sales contract (10/13/22)
How a temporary rate buydown can help lower house payments (10/06/22)
30-year mortgage rates soar to 6.7%, highest in 15 years (09/29/22)
30-year fixed mortgage hits 6.29%, double last year's average (09/22/22)
Fannie Mae fee unfairly hurts borrowers using mortgage brokers (09/15/22)
Lenders announce higher conventional loan limits early (09/08/22)
Adjustable-rate-mortgage applications highest in 15 years (09/01/22)
Market opening up for first-time, low-down payment buyers (08/25/22)
Reverse mortgage market may be teetering on collapse (08/04/22)
New ‘second mortgage’ could help self-employed borrowers weather a recession (07/31/22)
Home seller discounts can include more than just price drops (07/23/22)
Mortgage relief plans may help struggling borrowers stay put (07/16/22)
Freddie Mac credits on-time rent payments for first-time buyers (07/10/22)
FICO score simulator paves approval path for borderline homebuyers (07/08/22)
Market shift opens door for buyers to make demands of sellers (07/02/2022)
Adjustable-rate mortgages can lower payments as interest rates soar (06/20/22)
Freddie Mac eases granny flat financing (06/12/22)
Vulnerable borrowers should pull cash-out before inflation sinks economy (06/04/22)
Unique loan offers no income threshold for underserved homebuyers (05/28/22)
As interest rates rise, lenders offer creative mortgages, incentives (05/14/22)
Adjustable mortgages now hugely more affordable than fixed rates (05/07/22)
5 easy ways to get your hands on $1 million (05/01/22)
Market hitting peak for cash-out refinancing (04/23/22)
Reverse mortgage knockoff available for seniors 55 and over (04/16/22)
Negative adjustable-rate mortgages are back (04/09/22)
Could mortgage rates soon hit 5%? We’re not that far off (04/02/2022)
Biden administration unveils plan to curb racial bias in home appraisals (03/26/22)
Freddie Mac ending automated appraisal waivers on cash-out refinances (03/20/22)
Condo shoppers beware: Balcony law could cost you thousands of dollars after you buy (03/12/22)
Mortgage rate drop may be temporary response to Russian invasion (03/05/22)
Condo questionnaire causing some boards to boycott Fannie, Freddie financing (02/26/22)
Agents share how homebuyers with a loan can top all-cash offers (02/19/22)
‘No credit report, no job’ is 2022’s exotic mortgage winner (02/13/22)
Harsh COVID-19 rules rescinded for self-employed borrowers (02/05/22)
Adjustable mortgages may see a 3.5% rate increase by 2025 (02/01/22)
New HOA questionnaire could torpedo condo financing under Fannie, Freddie (01/22/22)
Appraisal pre-approvals can level the home-buying playing field (01/15/22)
Fannie, Freddie raising fees on high-balance and second home loans (01/08/21)
Freddie Mac’s 15-year fixed rate ends 2021 near all-time low (01/01/22)
Next year’s predictions: Low mortgage rates and high home prices (12/25/21)
Despite inflation, mortgage rates remain inexplicably flat (12/18/21)
Wish list for a mortgage system makeover: Build your own mortgage, easier appraisals (12/11/21)
Are new loan limits for Fannie and Freddie too high? (12/04/21)
Count your pandemic-related mortgage blessings (11/27/21)
iLender offers Calif. home sellers up to $3 million guaranteed if buyer falters (11/21/21)
For the first time ever, mortgage rates plunge as inflation soars (11/14/21)
Yes, there are ‘marijuana mortgages’ for California borrowers (11/06/21)
Millennial homeownership rates lag the national average (10/29/21)
Fannie, Freddie give green light for remote appraisals (10/24/21)
Home price gains will shrink to 3-5% in 2022, experts say (10/17/21)
Mortgage lenders boosting jumbo loan limits 2 months before regulator (10/10/21)
Fannie, Freddie flip makes rental acquisitions enticing again (10/03/21)
State grants helping low-income homeowners build granny flats (09/26/21)
You, too, could own a McMansion thanks to low jumbo rates (09/19/21)
Some homebuyers balking at unreasonable seller demands (09/12/21)
Record home-price gains zapping mortgage insurance (09/05/21)
Mortgage market nearly crashed in early COVID-19 days (08/28/21)
Freddie Mac combines mortgage and renovation financing (08/22/21)
15-year fixed-rate mortgage remains near all-time low (08/14/21)
10 years of mortgage news: ADUs and IRA home loans are hot topics (08/07/21)
15-year fixed mortgages drop to record low of 2.1% (07/31/21)
Will lenders refund fees paid for a market downturn that never materialized? (07/25/21)
Ten steps than can improve housing affordability (07/23/2021)
Zero-down mortgages are back a decade after mortgage meltdown (07/17/2021)
Can a 40-year mortgage save failing borrowers? (07/14/2021)
Buyer beware: Appraisers bidding up fees after loan applications (06/26/21)
Fed’s Decision to Keep Interest Rates Low May Sink Home Prices in 2022 (06/19/21)
Self-employed borrowers still struggle to qualify for government-backed loans (06/12/21)
HUD issues mortgage underwriting rules favoring temporary foreign workers (06/05/21)
Credit scores don’t predict mortgage default risk (05/28/2021)
30-year mortgage rates may climb to 3.5% by year end (05/23/21)
Fannie and Freddie face price competition from mortgage investors (05/15/21)
Fannie, Freddie shrink mortgage menu during COVID (05/08/21)
Creative mortgages can help elderly parents keep their homes (05/01/21)
First-time homebuyers are getting outbid by big companies (04/25/21)
Fannie adjustables dive to 1.75% for first 5-10 years (04/18/21)
Agency plan would postpone foreclosures until 2022 (04/11/21)
How much higher can home prices go? (04/04/21)
Lenders accepting Bitcoin as down payment on home purchases (03/27/21)
Loan costs for second homes, rentals to spike under new Fan-Freddie rule (03/21/21)
Mortgage originators get high marks from borrowers (03/14/21)
Fannie, Freddie’s old FICO standards squeeze millions of would-be homebuyers (03/07/21)
30-year fixed-rate nears 3% for first time in 6 months (02/25/21)
Fannie, Freddie reap billions from ‘adverse market’ fee (02/21/21)
Fannie, Freddie extend COVID-19 forbearance up to 15 months (07/14/21)
How to reduce the high cost of title insurance (02/07/21)
California lawmakers, lenders step up to help landlords (01/31/21)
Top 3 mortgage approval obstacles in the COVID-19 pandemic (01/24/21)
Mortgage payment forbearance must be expanded (01/17/21)
Applications surging for 15-year mortgages as rates plummet (01/10/21)
New law expands California’s homestead equity protection to $600,000 (01/01/21)
Top 10 predictions: More rate drops in store for 2021 (12/24/20)
Regulator ends debt-ratio standard for mortgage approvals (12/17/20)
COVID pandemic helps push mortgage rate down 35% in 2 years (12/10/20)
Pandemic making it harder for self-employed borrowers to get a mortgage (12/4/20)
Regulator for Fannie, Freddie has raised the maximum loan limits for a fifth straight year. (11/25/20)
PROP 19 CREATES CONFOUNDING QUESTIONS, GOTCHA RULES (11/19/20)
Bidding wars, outdated appraisals hamstring first-time homebuyers (11/12/20)
Volatile coronavirus and no stimulus means lower mortgage rates ahead (11/6/20)
New mortgages predicted to break all-time record in 2021 (10/29/20)
Reverse mortgages available to borrowers as young as 60 (10/22/20)
Laguna Woods co-op ends decade-long lender monopoly (10/15/20)
Southern California mortgage brokers suspected in fraudulent loan applications (10/8/20)
Are banks trying to squeeze out mortgage brokers? (10/1/20)
Tips for landlords going without rental income (9/24/20)
Why are the lowest mortgage rates so hard to capture? (9/17/20)
Borrower distress is opening opportunities for private mortgage investing (9/10/20)
How many refinances are you allowed during a pandemic? (8/27/20)
Coming soon to your refi: A half-point fee that could add $2,500 or more to costs (8/20/20)
Will home values tank post pandemic? (8/13/20)
Survival for some mom and pop landlords hangs in the balance (8/7/20)
Self-employed landlords battle harder for home-loan approvals (7/30/20)
Super-low mortgage rates: A blessing or ominous sign of next housing downfall? (7/23/20)
720 mortgage companies took PPP money, claiming jobs saved (7/16/20)
How soon will fixed mortgage rates fall below 2%? (7/9/20)
Will foreclosures explode once the moratorium is lifted? (7/2/20)
Banks should match rate discounts for low-wealth Blacks (6/25/20)
How to boost Black Homeownership (6/18/20)
Self-employed borrowers face new scrutiny from Fannie, Freddie (6/11/20)
Risky mortgages back 10 weeks after dramatic crash (6/4/20)
Virus-impacted borrowers missing out on today’s record-low rates (5/28/20)
Wraparound mortgages can help home sellers boost their prices (5/21/20)
Borrowers risk losing their homes as unpaid mortgage bills pile up (5/1/20)
Cash-out refinancing, home equity lending may come to a halt (5/14/20)
California homeowners can get up to 10 months to make up missed payments or sell (5/7/20)
Borrowers risk losing their homes as unpaid mortgage bills pile up (4/30/20)
How to navigate mortgage application landmines during a pandemic (4/23/20)
Will mortgage servicers get a Hail Mary line of credit like borrowers? (4/16/20)
Home values may fall as jumbo loans vanish (4/9/20)
Will coronavirus outbreak slam U.S. home prices? (4/3/20)
Those working in battered industries may not get their mortgages approved (3/26/20)
Lenders throwing lifeline to borrowers impacted by coronavirus (3/20/20)
Mortgage rates rise sharply from last week’s record low (3/13/20)
Can coronavirus sicken our healthy housing market? (3/5/20)
Democratic presidential candidates answer 3 hot housing questions (2/27/20)
Mortgage qualifying rules get creative (2/13/20)
Coronavirus may drive mortgage rates to new lows (2/6/20)
New FICO scoring model focuses on 24-month look back (1/30/20)
FHA Commissioner Montgomery, leave down payment assistance alone (1/23/20)
What’s driving this week’s spike in mortgage applications? (1/16/20)
Prediction: Home values will drop by 25% to 50% in decade ahead (1/3/20)
Mortgage prediction for 2020: a 30-year fixed at 2.875% without points (12/26/19)
Will new granny flat laws ruin nice neighborhoods? (12/19/19)
Getting a granny flat loan is easy peasy (12/12/19)
2020 may be a good time to build a granny flat (12/5/19)
Fannie, Freddie high-cost loan limits raised to record $765,600 (11/27/19)
Will Fannie and Freddie comply with new privacy law? (11/21/19)
Should credit bureaus sell your data when you apply for a mortgage? (11/14/19)
Reporter’s notebook: Fog the mirror mortgages are back (11/7/19)
Could Fannie and Freddie soon have competition? (10/31/19)
Mortgage assoc. chair uses scaremongering speech to wedge brokers against Quicken Loans (10/24/19)
State regulators don't second guess low-ball appraisals (10/17/19)
Are appraisal waivers good news or bad news? (10/10/19)
17% of young homebuyers regret their purchase, Zillow survey shows (10/4/19)
Robots could replace loan officers in the future (9/26/19)
Mortgage rates for borrowers with damaged credit are dropping (9/19/19)
Deal allows risky home loans 'business purpose' (9/12/19)
Home equity borrowing down dramatically since housing crash (9/6/19)
Mixed economic signals could spell a choppy housing market ahead (8/29/19)
How low will fixed-rate mortgages go? (8/22/19)
FHA to ease access to loans in unapproved condo complexes (8/15/19)
New FHA cash-out refi rule curbs financing for moderate-income borrowers (8/8/19)
Tax cedits could help foreclosure victims buy homes again (8/1/19)
Fractional ownership provides alternative For priced-out home shoppers (7/25/19)
Laguna Woods residents complain about the lack of co-op lenders (7/18/19)
Laguna Woods disputes co-op lending monopoly (7//11/19)
New program offers hard-money mortgages at half the rate (7/3/19)
Mortgage rates lowest in 3 years; Fannie, Freddie lower income requirements for downpayment program (6/27/19)
Low mortgage rates trigger more loan applications - and longer delays (6/20/19)
Experian Boost may help risky borrowers buy a home (6/13/19)
Refi opportunities revive as 30-year mortgage rate drops to 3.82% (6/6/19)
New piggy-back loans can lower your payments when buying a home (5/30/19)
Fannie, Freddie appraisal secrecy hurts first-time buyers (5/23/19)
Mortgage competition banned at Laguna Woods co-ops (4/25/19)
6 turbo-charged ideas for boosting your home purschasing power (4/18/19)
Energy loans plunge in California after income-qualifying laws took effect (4/11/19)
Fannie Mae's decision to use real estate agents as appraisers is risky (4/4/19)
Mortgage rate plunge lowers a no-cost, 30-year fixed refi to 3.9% (3/28/19)
Are agents getting kickbacks for mortgage, escrow referrals? (3/21/19)
Client gets new mortgage after failing to pay 2nd for eight years (3/14/19)
Mortgage brokers' share of home loans on the rise (3/7/19)
Patient buyer gets $35,000 discount waiting out overconfident seller (2/28/19)
New loan allows 85% cash out with less documentation (2/21/19)
New "opportunity zones" give investors tax breaks (2/14/19)
Congress must act in wake of massive mortgage data breach (2/7/19)
Consider a bridge loan to avoid a fire sale (1/31/19)
Trump tax law gives landlords 20% tax break (1/24/19)
Housing slowdown creates opportunities for first-time buyers (1/18/19)
Lenders coming to aid of workers affected by government shutdown (1/10/19)
Will new mortgage regulators in D.C. keep your home safe? (1/3/19)
Lazerson's predictions: Mortgage rates, home prices and sales to go down in 2019 (12/27/18)
Why mortgage brokers must give rebates to borrowers (12/20/18)
Angelo Mozilo, ex-CEO of failed Countrywide Financial, praised at mortgage conference (12/13/18)
Mortgage rates drop: How soon until the next recession? (12/6/18)
Conventional loan limits increase for a third year in a row (11/29/18)
What if you could trade sweat equity for a cash down payment and closing costs? (11/21/18)
Wildfire victims get extra time for mortgage payments (11/15/18)
Stated-income loans with easier standards assists wage earners and self-employed (11/8/18)
Affordable jumbos: 40-year fixed rates, easy qualifying, interest-only for 10 years (11/1/18)
New frontier in mortgage lending: Automation (10/25/18)
Fannie, Freddie looking to increase mortgage limits (10/18/18)
30-year mortgage rate nears 5%, jumping to 7½-year high (10/11/18)
Should you buy or rent a home? It depends on the math (10/4/18)
30-year mortgage rates hit 7-year high: 4.72% (9/27/18)
Mortgage show offers smart options for mortgage and escrow payments (9/20/18)
Small borrowers, pot providers and gun dealers need more access to lending (9/13/18)
Mortgage issues that Congress should act on to help consumers (9/6/18)
Proposed self-employment mortgage act will allow risky loans (8/30/18)
Sales slowdown gives homebuyers more leverage (8/23/18)
Check your home's fire risk before you buy it (8/16/18)
First time ever: Standalone fixed-rate second mortgages allow 100% cash-out (8/9/18)
Fannie, Freddie helping borrowers ditch their mortgage insurance (7/26/18)
Thirty-year mortgage rates level off at 4.5% (7/19/18)
Is the housing market changing course? Seven signs of a possible slowdown (7/12/18)
VA offers up to $50,000 for home renovations with 0 down, 0 equity (7/5/18)
Tariffs, possible recession spell end to rising mortgage rates (6/28/18)
Self-employed can get seconds and HELOCS with bank statements (6/21/18)
Fed rate bump moves prime rate to 5%; is it time to unHELOC? (6/14/18)
FICO now has competition. But will that improve credit scores? (6/7/18)
Mortgage rates see first decline in a month (5/31/18)
30-year fixed mortgage rate reaches highest sustained increase in 40 years (5/25/18)
Credit reports lower lending bar, increase default risks (5/17/18)
Alimony payments to help borrowers to qualify for loans under new tax law (5/10/18)
Fannie and Freddie impeding more affordable adjustable-rate mortgages (5/3/18)
Debt, bad credit keep renters from becoming homeowners, Fed survey shows (4/26/18)
Mortgage rates highest since 2014; lenders allowing up to 85% cash-out mortgages (4/19/18)
Are points still deductible under new tax rules? (4/12/18)
Payments for adjustable mortgage rising again (4/5/18)
California raises price cap on state loans to first-time homebuyers (3/29/18)
Thought you were finished? There's another tax bill due in April (3/22/18)
Financing for profitable property flipping (3/15/18)
How self-employed borrowers can get the best rates (3/8/18)
With mortgage rates at 4-year highs, look for discounts (3/4/18)
Dead people on title, trust issues can derail mortgages (2/22/18)
Want to be a landlord? Financing is available for apartments (2/15/18)
Little known formulas can help you qualify for a bigger mortgage (2/8/18)
Act now to avoid the pain of a sharp interest-rate spike (2/1/18)
Are lenders doing enough to prevent mortgage fraud? (1/25/18)
Are Fannie and Freddie accepting riskier loans? (1/18/18)
Mortgage insurance is up for large FHA loans (1/11/18)
Seven last-minute obstacles to closing escrow on time (1/4/18)
HELOC loans may still be deductible under new tax plan (12/28/17)
2018 Predictions: Rates will rise, but loans will drop as home sales decline (12/21/17)
International credit reports can help foreign workers buy a U.S. home (12/14/17)
Here are five ways to improve the CFPB (12/7/17)
Uncle Sam just said yes to higher 'conforming loan' limits (11/30/17)
Wells Fargo formula shows recession looming in the next 18 months (11/22/17)
GOP tax plays could be painful for Orange County homeowners (11/16/17)
Payment hike possible for a fifth of all home-equity loans (11/9/17)
Borrowers beware: Abusive lenders are out there (11/2/17)
Mortgage bankers unveil lots of tricks and treats (10/27/17)
Down payment insurance cuts you risk if your home value drops (10/20/17)
Borrowing against your home can be tricky during financial emergencies (10/13/17)
Congressional bills could fuel a new race to the bottom (10/6/17)
Options expanding for safer non-prime mortgages (9/29/17)
How Equifax hackers could steal your home (9/22/17)
Low refinance activity defies low interest rates (9/15/17)
Seniors, not lenders, to pay for FHA losses on reverse mortgages (9/8/17)
New 'silent second' could be your best shot at homeownership (9/1/17)
Appraisal waivers, alimony revisions will make mortgages easier to get (8/25/17)
Orange County homes can be 27% more affordable than Realtors say (8/18/17)
Stated-income loans are back (8/11/17)
New mortgage rules raise privacy concerns (8/4/17)
Buying vs. Renting: First-Time Buyers should not give up the Hunt (7/28/17)
Revised Rates might make Earthquake Insurance more Feasible (7/21/17)
Loan Helps Investors Beat the Clock on Property Swaps (7/14/17)
Lenders Lower the Bar as Business Slows (7/7/17)
Federal Regulators Mull Appraisal-Free Mortgages for Some Loans (6/29/17)
Will Fed Rate Hikes Trigger a Recession in 2018? (6/23/17)
Despite their stigma, adjustable mortgages can save borrowers big bucks (6/20/17)
Mortgage Rates Tick Down; Fannie May Plans to OK Newly Self-Employed Borrowers (6/9/17)
Lenders Wary of Fake Rental Property Investments (6/2/17)
Family, Friends and Co-Workers are your Best Souces for Finding a Loan Officer (5/26/17)
Does Federal Law Discriminate against Homeowners with Poor Income or Credit? (5/19/17)
Cash-out refinances can pay off student debt (5/11/17)
Wells Fargo denies customer claim of aggressive sales tactic (5/5/17)
Federal Reserve's Decisions may put U.S. in a Deeper Recession (4/22/17)
Early Tax Filers more likely to get the deal in a seller's market (4/15/17)
Online Tool helps you decide whether to buy a home now or wait (4/10/17)
Mortgage Rates Drop on Heels of Fed Hikes (4/1/17)
Mortgage firms lend a hand in financing flips (3/25/17)
FICO scores for risky borrowers to rise under the new rules (3/17/17)
Now's a Good Time to Pull Cash out of your Home (3/11/17)
Your Protections will Vanish if Mortgage Police Go Away (3/4/17)
Is Housing Market Correction on the Horizon? (2/25/27)
Creative Mortgages make Comeback for Credit-Challenged Borrowers (2/17/17)
How to Beat the Crowd in a Seller's Market (2/11/17)
Trump's Travel Ban Causes Buyer to Cancel Pending OC Sale (From "Lazerson's Blog (2/3/17)
No Down Payment Loans Available in CA - But at a Price (1/27/17)
Loan Options for Vacation Rentals getting Better (1/22/17)
A Parting Gift from HUD Chief Julian Castro: An FHA Fee Cut (1/15/17)
Lenders take hard line on your creditworthiness (1/7/17)
3 Ways to Delay your Capital Gains (12/30/16)
Forecast: Rising Rates will curb 2017 Mortgage Volume (12/25/16)
Forecast Scorecard: 2016 Housing Market Defied Predictions (12/17/16)
Rates are rising, but you can beat payment hikes with alternative loans (12/10/16)
What new loan limits mean for O.C. borrowers, vets (12/3/16)
Mortgage Broker: One Agent can't fairly represent buyers & sellers (11/25/16)
Post-Election Rate Will Reverse Course (11/18/16)
Cheaper Mortgages and Taxpayer Bailout Ahead (11/11/16)
Homebuyer Homeruns found at the Mortgage Convention (from "Lazerson's Loan Log") (11/4/16)
Mortgage application process to get easier (10/28/16)
Lawsuits or loopholes protect buyer deposits (10/21/16)
Why the U.S. needs a housing czar (10/14/16)
More creative loans for hard-to-qualify borrowers (10/8/16)
Loans for hard-to-qualify borrowers are back (9/30/16)
Fannie Mae's newest software widens mortgage credit (9/23/16)
Paying points can yield jumbo savings (9/17/16)
The 'parent loan' can yield a mother lode of savings (9/10/16)
Landlords are trading up to $1M rentals (9/4/16)
Public adjusters can boost insurance claims after a disaster (8/26/16)
Using credit scores for rents and utility payments would dramatically expand homeownership (8/19/16)
Title insurance, hidden defects among readers' chief complaints (8/12/16)
Shacking up? Business partners? Your deduction is double (8/5/16)
Mortgage credit can make first home affordable (7/29/16)
Energy loans lower utility bills ---- but at a price (7/22/16)
Beware of mortgage 'gotcha' charges (7/16/16)
Blame or cheer Brexit as 30-year rates expected to drop below 3% (7/2/16)
Tips for buyers facing a seller's market (6/24/16)
5 cash-saving tips for mortgage refi's (6/18/16)
How credit disputes delay mortgage credit decisions (6/12/16)
Never give up trying to get better loan terms. You might get lucky. (6/4/16)
How to deal with low-ball appraisals (5/28/16)
New loans give buyers more options (5/20/16)
Fannie Mae trying to rule in more borderline borrowers (5/14/16)
Fannie Mae to offer no-credit-score mortgages (5/6/16)
Don't get snookered on title and escrow fees (4/29/16)
Is a recession coming next year? (4/22/16)
Will Trump or terrorists drive down home prices? (4/15/16)
Several loans can help cut utility bills (4/8/16)
How closing funds get hijacked by fraudsters (4/1/16)
Is Fannie Mae profiteering off riskier borrowers? (3/25/16)
Piggyback seconds making a comeback (3/18/16)
Best options for mortgage insurance for those with small down payments (3/11/16)
Mortgage insurance rising for some borrowers (3/4/16)
Fannie relaxes rules for refinancing mortgages (2/26/16)
Reverse mortgage can be cure for a cash flow crunch (2/22/16)
How Disasters Affect your Chances of Getting a Mortgage (2/12/16)
Borrowers Shun Bubble-Era Mortgages (2/5/16)
Tips For Making it Easier to get your Home Loan Approved (1/22/16)
Rate drops could spur new refi mania (1/15/16)
Become a landlord with as little as 15% down (1/6/2016)
Forecast: Mortgage rates won't rise, Fan-Fred will survive (12/25/15)
Grants can help you make your down payment (12/11/15)
An alternative to stocks: Buying rentals through an IRA (11/27/15)
Room addition may benefit you more than moving (11/14/15)
Will Fannie loan lead to more foreclosures? (10/23/15)
How to close your mortgage faster (10/11/15)
No procrastinating under new mortgage rules (9/25/15)
It's never too late to start a real estate empire (9/18/15)
Fixes needed for flawed mortgage licensing system (9/12/15)
Will Fed start buying mortgages again? (8/28/15)
Slowdown could create homebuying opportunities (7/31/15)
A quicker mortgage payoff saves big bucks (7/24/15)
Give your kids the gift of equity (7/9/15)
2015 home prices: Second half looks even better (6/26/15)
New mortgage rules are coming (6/11/15)
Appraisal hypocrisy hits home
Ditching FHA mortgage insurance no easy task
California contracts termite trouble
An alternative to stocks: Buying rentals through an IRA
Splitting up property is hard to do
New credit check tool could make loans easier to get
Mortgage industry expands the credit box
Give your kids the gift of equity
Decision engine helps borrowers get loans
Bankruptcy? Foreclosure? This loan's for you