The whole country has enjoyed years of historically low interest rates. That’s been great for real estate and even better for Portland real estate. Market factors have typically allowed Portlanders to get lower interest rates than the national average. For the first time in 18 meetings, the Federal Reserve held interest rates at their current… Continue reading Feds Hold Tight on Interest Rates

Do interest rates matter?  For quite a few years now we’ve all been hearing that “rates are at historic lows and will only go up.”  It was true then and it seems to be true now and the statement fuels the “Buy Now” debate.   I think we are better served by educating and giving the… Continue reading One Percent Gets You Five

NBC Nightly News just aired a segment on mortgage interest rates and a renewed refi craze. 30 year rates are down from 4.5% this time last year to 3.81%. The experts crystal ball is that rate will remain low but now is the time to act if you are thinking about a refi. Does a… Continue reading NBC Segment on Mortgage Interest Rates

For the first time since June 2003, the Federal Reserve cut the key interest rate tied to home mortgages by .5%. Too little too late? Not the Fed’s business? The cure? It sounds like we can expect at least one more rate cut by the end of the year.

I wasn’t a Realtor when interest rates were in double digits and we’re a long way from that now but rates do matter.  In January of 2010 a 30 year mortgage was quoted at 4.75% for a qualified buyer.  In November, it was 4.25% and today is back to 4.75% (note that these are base… Continue reading Mortgage Interest Rates Tick Up