Rocket mortgage review for september 2022 full rocket mortgage review for september 2022 holidays rocket mortgage review for september 2022 moon rocket mortgage review for september 2022 free rocket mortgage review for september 2022 weather rocket mortgage review forms rocket mortgage review for where the crawdads rocket mortgage review for real estate rocket mortgage review for photographer rocket mortgage review for relief working for rocket mortgage reviews wells fargo or rocket mortgage reviews rocket mortgage reviews and ratings rocket mortgage login in to my account rocket mortgage payment rocket mortgage careers

Rocket Mortgage Review for September 2022

---

Rocket Mortgage Review for September 2022

Rocket Mortgage is the largest online retail mortgage lender in the US. This online lender offers a wealth of educational content on its website to help buyers better understand the mortgage and home-buying processes. 

Its website has multiple, easy-to-use mortgage calculators to help you determine how much house you can afford. Rocket Mortgage is one of the top lenders of FHA loans, which are lower, flexible down payment options for first-time home buyers. It is also one of the largest securitizers of VA loans, which are lower-cost mortgages for veterans and their family members. 

Rocket Mortgage offers an option called Overnight Underwrite, a fast, verified approval tool for securing a home loan. It functions similarly to a preapproval letter but it actually offers full approval from the lender in as little as 2 hours. By uploading all of your paperwork by 7 p.m. ET, for example, you can have full approval by the next morning. If you go through the verified approval process and your loan does not close because of Rocket Mortgage's review of your finances, it will pay you $1,000.

Here's everything you need to know about Rocket Mortgage and its mortgage offerings. 

What types of mortgages does Rocket Mortgage offer?

Rocket Mortgage offers most types of home loans and is one of the largest online mortgage lenders in the country. Its full list includes:

• VA , or Veterans Affairs loans
• FHA , or Federal Housing Administration loans
• Conventional 
• Jumbo
• ARMs , or adjustable-rate mortgage loans
• Refinance

Minimum credit score for Rocket Mortgage

The minimum credit score for conventional mortgages with Rocket is 620, and 680 for jumbo loans. You can get approved for an FHA or VA loan through Rocket Mortgage with a score as low as 580. 

Minimum down payment requirements for Rocket Mortgage 

The down payment requirements with Rocket Mortgage are the same standard requirements for all home loans. Here are the requirements by loan type:

• VA loan: 0% minimum down payment required
• FHA loan: 3.5% minimum down payment required
• Conventional loan:3% minimum down payment required
• Jumbo loan: 10% minimum down payment required

What are Rocket Mortgage's terms, fees and conditions?

Rocket Mortgage charges most of the typical fees that all lenders do, but there is no fee to lock in an interest rate for 45 days. Locking in your rate can be helpful, particularly since interest rates are rising and are expected to keep going up throughout 2022. Even one-tenth of a percentage point can add tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. 

However, if you want to extend your rate for an additional 15 days (which you can do twice) it will cost you 25 basis points, which means your mortgage rate will go up by 0.25%. While some lenders offer a free float down, which lets you lower your locked interest rate if rates go down, Rocket Mortgage does not offer this as a standard feature. Instead, Rocket Mortgage offers Rate Shield, a product that allows you to lock in an interest rate for 90 days before you find a home, which does include one free float down -- but it will cost you 1 basis point. 

This online mortgage giant also charges a deposit of $500 for home appraisals, which is used to pay for the appraisal when you're closing on your new home at the end of the transaction.

Outside of specific lender fees, there are other standard costs and fees associated with buying a home. Some of the most common ones include:

• Home appraisal 
• Title insurance
• Lawyer fees
• Taxes
• Homeowner's insurance

What discounts does Rocket Mortgage offer?

Just as most lenders do, Rocket Mortgages offers you the ability to buy down your interest rate by purchasing mortgage points up front. If you can afford to pay cash for points, your interest rate for your entire loan will go down, saving you tens of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your mortgage. 

Can you refinance with Rocket Mortgage?

Yes, Rocket Mortgage offers refinance home loans. You can complete a cash-out refinance or a standard term rate finance. 

Where does Rocket Mortgage operate?

Rocket Mortgage operates online in all 50 states in the US. Although the company itself does not employ any mortgage brokers, it works with thousands of independent mortgage brokers across the country, many with physical branches you can go to for an in-person experience.

FAQs

How long does it take to apply online with Rocket Mortgage?

Rocket Mortgage has a verified approval process called Overnight Underwrite, which can approve you for a mortgage in as little as 2 hours. 

Does Rocket Mortgage advertise interest rates online?

Rocket Mortgage does advertise daily interest rates online, but your individual interest rate is always specific to your personal financial situation. Your credit score is a huge factor in determining your interest rate, so make sure to prioritize paying off any high-interest debt like credit card debt before you start house hunting. 

There is no hard credit pull when you are looking for general rates from Rocket Mortgage or getting prequalified, but to be preapproved or verified does require a hard pull on your credit.

How many days does it take to close on a home with Rocket Mortgage?

It can take as little as eight days to close on a new house with Rocket Mortgage, which is a pretty fast closing process. On average, the closing process takes about 26 days, but this depends on the market where you're buying your new house. In especially hot markets, you should expect closing on your house to take longer than a month, regardless of the mortgage lender you work with.

Methodology

CNET reviews mortgage lenders by comparing a variety of criteria including: loan types offered, credit score requirements, down payment requirements, features, terms and fees, discounts offered, accessibility and refinance options.

More mortgage advice

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

---

Source

Va refinance rates for august 2022 inflation va refinance rates for august 2022 horoscope va refinance rates for august 2022 full va refinance rates for august 2022 free va refinance rates for august 2022 schedule va refinance rates for august 2022 printable va refinance rates for fixed mortgages va refinance rates for cash out best va refinance rates va refinance rates today for fixed mortgages va refinance rates with cash out 30 year va refinance rates navy federal va refinance rates best va refinance rates va refinance cash out best va refinance companies va refinance rates va refinance program va refinance guidelines va refinance mortgage

VA Refinance Rates for August 2022

---

VA Refinance Rates for August 2022

If you or your spouse are a veteran, you may be able to lock in a lower mortgage rate by refinancing with a VA refinance loan. Refinancing your mortgage through a VA refinance loan could reduce your interest rate, make monthly payments more affordable or shorten your loan term so you can pay off your mortgage faster. 

Just like VA loans, VA refinance loans are backed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, which makes them especially secure loans in the eyes of private lenders that issue them. If you are eligible for a VA refinance, you can take advantage of lower interest rates — especially if you're refinancing from a conventional loan. Conventional loans and refinances tend to have higher interest rates and more fees than VA options, which is why VA refinancing can be particularly appealing. 

Here's everything you need to know about VA refinance loans, who is eligible and what current rates are.

Current VA refinance rate trends

Right now, VA refinance interest rates are hovering between 4.5%-5%, compared to the 30-year fixed-rate for conventional refinances which has dropped into the low-to-mid 5% range. Until the Federal Reserve increased its benchmark interest rate for the fourth time at the end of July, mortgage rates overall had been rising since the beginning of the year, but reversed course and dropped in response to the Fed's action.  

Some volatility in mortgage rates is anticipated as concerns grow over the potential slowing of the economy, but regardless of the economic climate, securing yourself the lowest refinance rate possible will help you save tens of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your loan.

What are VA refinance loans and who should consider one?

To qualify for any type of VA loan, refinance loans included, you must be either an active or retired member of the military, or the spouse of one.

Refinancing (whether through a VA or conventional refinance) allows you to replace your existing home loan with one that typically has a lower interest rate and a new loan term that will offer valuable savings over the long run.

There are many different reasons to consider refinancing. If you want to shorten your loan term and pay off your mortgage faster, you can refinance from a 30-year mortgage into a 15-year mortgage. Doing this will decrease the amount of interest you pay over the lifetime of the loan, but it will increase your monthly mortgage payment.

If your current mortgage rate is high, you also might be able to lock in a lower rate, which could decrease your monthly payment. Doing this could free up cash flow available for other expenses like car payments, high-interest debt, home improvements or education expenses. 

Pros of a VA refi

• Lower interest rate: You will pay a much lower interest rate compared to a traditional 30-year or 15-year refi, potentially saving you tens of thousands of dollars over the course of your new home loan. 
• No down payment required: There is no down payment needed to complete a VA refinance.
• No private mortgage insurance requirement: If you refinance a conventional loan with less than 20% equity in your home, you typically need to purchase private mortgage insurance, but no mortgage insurance is necessary for VA refinancing.
• Less stringent credit requirements: Like regular VA loans, VA refinance loans tend to allow for lower credit scores and incomes than conventional refis. 

Cons of a VA refi loan

• VA funding fee: Although it's a one-time expense, this upfront fee can add thousands onto the total cost of your refinance. However, it can be rolled into the refinance amount rather than paid upfront. 
• Occupancy restrictions: You must live in (or at some point have lived in) the house you are refinancing.
• Service requirements: You must be an active or retired military member, or the spouse of one. 
• Fewer options: If your current home loan is not already a VA loan, you can refinance, but only as a cash-out refinance (which we'll explain down below).

Current mortgage and refinance rates

We use information collected by Bankrate, which is owned by the same parent company as CNET, to track daily mortgage rate trends. The above table summarizes the average rates offered by lenders across the country.

FAQs

What types of VA refinance loans are available?

There are two main types of VA refinance loans available. If you already have a VA mortgage, you can refinance with an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), or what is commonly known as a "streamline" refinance, which can give you a lower interest rate on your new mortgage. However, if you have a conventional mortgage or other type of home loan you cannot refinance with a VA IRRRL. Just as with all refinances, this type of refinance replaces your current mortgage with a new one. To qualify for a VA IRRRL refinance, you must be able to prove that you currently live or have at one point lived in that home.

If you want to refinance a different type of mortgage into a VA refinance, your only option is to refinance with a cash-out refinance loan, which is a bit more involved. A cash-out refi allows you to take a lump sum of cash from the equity you've built up in your home and it works a little differently than a standard rate and term refinance (which is essentially what the VA's IRRRL option is).

When you complete a cash-out refi, you're still replacing your old mortgage with a new one, but you end up with a bigger loan than you had before. That's because you receive the equity you've built in your home back as cash -- and this amount is added on to the loan. As a result, cash-out refis may come with higher fees and rates. You'll also pay more interest over the long run, but the trade-off is the immediate access to cash you can use to pay off other debt or life expenses. 

To complete a VA cash-out refi, you must currently live in the home, qualify for a VA-backed home loan Certificate of Eligibility, and meet both the VA's and your lender's requirements for income, credit score and other requirements.

Do VA mortgage refinances have fees?

VA mortgage refinances do have an upfront funding fee, but it's minimal compared to the fees you typically pay for a conventional refi. You can also roll this fee into the refinance loan amount and pay it off over time. For an IRRRL, you are required to pay a fee equivalent to 0.5% of your loan. For a cash-out refinance, you must pay a fee worth 2.3% of your loan's value for first-use and a 3.6% fee after first use. 

You will still have to pay lender-specific fees such as closing costs, which can add up to thousands of dollars that you will pay no matter what type of mortgage you are refinancing. 

What's the difference between a VA refinance loan and a conventional one?

The biggest differences between a VA refinance and a conventional refinance are the criteria, the interest rate you will pay, the fees you will be required to pay and the credit and income requirements lenders will expect to see from you as a borrower. VA refinance loans are only available to current or former military members and their spouses, and they have lower interest rates, fees and income requirements.

More mortgage tools and resources 

You can use CNET's mortgage calculator to help you determine how much house you can afford. The CNET mortgage calculator factors in variables like the size of your down payment, home price and interest rate to help you figure out how large of mortgage you may be able to afford. Using the CNET mortgage calculator can also help you understand how much of a difference even a slight increase in rates makes in how much interest you'll pay over the lifetime of your loan.

---

Source

20 year interest rates for september 2022 blank 20 year interest rate for mortgage 20 year interest rates mortgage current 20 year interest rates 20 year interest rate history halloween h20 20 years later 20 year anniversary gift 20 year mortgage rates 20 year anniversary symbol

20-Year Interest Rates for September 2022

20-Year Interest Rates for September 2022

Although a 20-year fixed-rate mortgage is a less common choice for a home loan than a 15- or 30-year mortgage, it has some advantages to consider when buying a house. A 20-year mortgage is a home loan you take out that you repay over a 20-year period. It also has a fixed interest rate just like 15- and 30-year mortgages do. 

In a rising interest rate environment, a 20-year mortgage has some benefits over a 30-year mortgage. Since it's a shorter loan term you will end up paying a full decade less in interest, which adds up to tens of thousands of dollars in savings.

Here's everything you need to know about what a 20-year mortgage is, how they work and how to find the lowest mortgage rates possible. 

What is a 20-year mortgage?

A 20-year mortgage works the same way as 15- and 30-year mortgages, it just has a 20-year term instead. You'll still need to meet all the same criteria and qualify with a lender or bank to be approved for this home loan type.

Comparing a 20-year and 30-year fixed rate mortgage

How does a 20-year home loan stack up to a 30-year mortgage? A 20-year term has the benefit of simply being paid off in a shorter amount of time. You'll have a higher monthly payment for two decades, but save yourself 10 years of interest on your loan. 

Comparing a 20-year and 15-year fixed rate mortgage

While similar to a 15-year mortgage, with a 20-year mortgage, you'll have lower monthly payments, but pay five additional years in interest. What length mortgage you choose will depend in part on how high of a payment you can afford. A 20-year mortgage may be a good compromise if you can't afford the monthly payment for a 15-year mortgage, but don't want to stretch your loan terms out to 30 years.

No matter what term length you choose for a mortgage, it's important to do your research and interview numerous lenders before committing to one. This will help you find the lowest rate and fees available for your personal financial situation. The more lenders you talk to, the greater your chances of finding a lower rate. Even half a percentage point can make a big difference in the amount of interest you pay over the life of your mortgage. 

20-year fixed mortgage trends

Right now, 20-year fixed-rate mortgage rates are hovering in the mid to upper 5% range, according to Bankrate, which is owned by the same parent company as CNET. Mortgage rates were at their highest levels in 14 years earlier this year, and have been consistently climbing since January when rates were still historically low and closer to 3%. 

Depending on what happens with inflation, mortgage rates may remain relatively flat or they could keep increasing. The Federal Reserve is likely to continue raising rates over the course of the year, as economic conditions like inflation continuing to put additional pressure on rates. If you're considering buying a home, it's likely that mortgage rates are currently lower than they will be by the end of 2022. This means it could make sense to buy a home now, rather than waiting. 

You can use CNET's mortgage calculator to figure out how much a difference in interest rates will cost you for your mortgage. 

Current mortgage and refinance rates

We use information collected by Bankrate to track daily mortgage rate trends. The above table summarizes the average rates offered by lenders across the country.

Pros of a 20-year fixed-rate mortgage

Here are some key benefits a 20-year home loan offers over standard 30-year fixed-rate mortgages:

• Save money on interest: You will save thousands of dollars in interest over the life of your loan compared to a 30-year mortgage. 
• Pay off loan faster: You will pay off your mortgage 10 years earlier than the most common type of mortgage, which is a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, as well as building up equity in your home faster. 

Cons of a 20-year fixed-rate mortgage

And here are some reasons why a 20-year mortgage may not make as much sense as a 30-year home loan.

• Higher monthly payments: You have to be able to afford the monthly payments on a 20-year mortgage, which will be higher than a 30-year mortgage and may eat into your monthly budget. 

How do you qualify for a 20-year fixed-rate mortgage?

You apply for a 20-year mortgage the same way you do for other types of mortgages. You must qualify with a lender or bank who is willing to lend you the money. The lender will take into account almost every aspect of your financial life to determine whether or not you can pay back the loan -- you'll submit financial documents like tax returns and pay stubs to apply for a home loan. 

Information like your credit score, your income, how much debt you're carrying and your loan-to-value ratio all affect the rate a lender will offer you.

Other mortgage tools and resources

You can use CNET's mortgage calculator to help you determine how much house you can afford. CNET's mortgage calculator takes into account things like your monthly income, expenses and debt payments to give you an idea of what you can manage financially. Your mortgage rate will depend in part on those income factors, as well as your credit score and the ZIP code where you're looking to buy a house.

---

Source

Inflation interest rates and jobs how today stencile inflation interest rates and jobs how today weather inflation interest rates and jobs howard inflation interest rates and jobs howell inflation interest rates and jobs howey inflation interest rates and jobs howden inflation interest rates and recession inflation interest rate calculator inflation interest rates inflation interest rate relationship jimmy carter inflation interest rates inflation interest rate history

Inflation, Interest Rates and Jobs: How Today's Economy Compares to Recessions of the Past

Inflation, Interest Rates and Jobs: How Today's Economy Compares to Recessions of the Past

This story is part of Recession Help Desk, CNET's coverage of how to make smart money moves in an uncertain economy.

What's happening

There's still debate about whether the US economy is officially headed into a recession, but the economic downturn is causing widespread stress.

Why it matters

Periods of financial volatility and market decline can drive people to panic and make costly mistakes with their money.

What's next

Examining what's happening now -- and comparing it with the past -- can help investors and consumers decide what to do next.

Facing the aftershocks of a rough economy in the first half of 2022, with sky-high inflation, rising mortgage rates, soaring gas prices and a bear market for stocks, leading indicators of a recession have moderated slightly in the past month. That could mean the economic downturn won't be as long or brutal as expected. 

Still, the majority of Americans are feeling the sting of rising prices and anxiety over jobs. The country has experienced two consecutive quarters of economic slowdown -- the barometer for measuring a recession -- even though the National Bureau of Economic Research hasn't made the "official" recession call.  

At a time like this, we should consider what happens in a recession, look at the data to determine whether we're in one and try to maintain some historical perspective. It's also worth pointing out that down periods are temporary and that, over time, both the stock market and the US economy bounce back. 

I don't mean to minimize the gravity and hardship of the times. But it can be useful to review how the economy has behaved in the past to avoid irrational or impulsive money moves. For this, we can largely blame recency bias, our inclination to view our latest experiences as the most valid. It's what led many to flee the stock market in 2008 when the S&P 500 crashed, thereby locking in losses and missing out on the subsequent bull market. 

"It's our human tendency to project the immediate past into the future indefinitely," said Daniel Crosby, chief behavioral officer at Orion Advisor Solutions and author of The Laws of Wealth. "It's a time-saving shortcut that works most of the time in most contexts but can be woefully misapplied in markets that tend to be cyclical," Crosby told me via email. 

Before you make a knee-jerk reaction to your portfolio, give up on a home purchase or lose it over job insecurity, consider these chart-based analyses from the last three decades. We hope this data-driven overview will offer a broader context and some impetus for making the most of your money today.

What do we know about inflation? 

Historical inflation rate by year

Macrotrends.net

Current conditions: The US is experiencing the highest rate of inflation in decades, driven by global supply chain disruptions, the injection of federal stimulus dollars and a surge in consumer spending. In real dollars, the 8.5% rise in consumer prices over the past year is adding about $400 more per month to household budgets. 

The context: Policymakers consider 2% per year to be a "normal" inflation target. The country's still experiencing over four times that figure. The 9.1% annual rate in July was the largest jump in inflation since 1980 when the inflation rate hit 13.5% following the prior decade's oil crisis and high government spending on defense, social services, health care, education and pensions. Back then, the Federal Reserve increased rates to stabilize prices and, by the mid-1980s, inflation fell to below 5%.

The upside: As overall inflation rates rise, the silver lining might be increased rates of return on personal savings. Bank accounts are starting to offer more attractive yields, while I bonds -- federally backed accounts that more or less track inflation -- are attracting savers, too. 

What's happening with mortgage rates? 

30-year fixed-rate mortgage averages in the US

Current conditions: As the Federal Reserve continues its rate-hike campaign to cool spending and try to tame inflation, the rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has grown significantly. In June, the average rate jumped annually by nearly 3 percentage points to almost 6%. In real dollars, that means that after a 20% down payment on a new home (let's use the average sale price of $429,000), a buyer would roughly need an extra $7,300 a year to afford the mortgage. Since then, rates have cooled a bit, even dipping back down below 5%. What happens next with rates depends on where inflation goes from here.

The context: Three years ago, homebuyers faced similar borrowing costs and, at the time, rates were characterized as "historically low." And if we think borrowing money is expensive today, let's not forget the early 1980s when the Federal Reserve jacked up rates to never-before-seen levels due to hyperinflation. The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in 1981 topped 16%. 

The upside: For homebuyers, a potential benefit to rising rates is downward pressure on home prices, which could cause the housing market to cool slightly. As the cost to borrow continues to increase with mortgages becoming more expensive, homes could experience fewer offers and prices would slow in pace. In fact, nearly one in five sellers dropped their asking price during late April through late May, according to Redfin. 

On the flip side, less homebuyers mean more renters. Rent prices have skyrocketed, and housing activists are asking the White House to take action on what they call a "national emergency."

What about the stock market? 

Dow Jones Industrial Average stock market index for the past 30 years

Macrotrends.net

Current conditions: Year-to-date, the Dow Jones Industrial Average -- a composite of 30 of the most well-known US stocks such as Apple, Microsoft and Coca-Cola -- is about 8.5% below where it started in January. Relative to the broader market, technology stocks are down much more. The Nasdaq is off almost 19% since the start of the year. 

The benchmark S&P 500 stock index hit lows in June that marked a more than 20% drop from January, which brought us officially into a bear market. Since then, it's bounced back up a little, but some experts warn that a current bear market rally is at odds with expected earnings and we could see even lower stock prices in the near future.

The context: Stock price losses in 2022 are not nearly as swift and steep as what we saw in March 2020, when panic over the pandemic drove the DJIA down by 26% in roughly four trading days. The market reversed course the following month and began a bull run lasting more than two years, as the lockdown drove massive consumption of products and services tied to software, health care, food and natural gas. 

Prior to that, in 2008 and 2009, a deep and pervasive crisis in housing and financial services sank the Dow by nearly 55% from its 2007 high. But by fall 2009, it was off to one of its longest winning streaks in financial history. 

The upside: Given the cyclical nature of the stock market, now is not the time to jump ship.* "Times that are down, you at least want to hold and/or think about buying," said Adam Seessel, author of Where the Money Is. "Over the last 100 years, American stocks have been the surest way to grow wealthy slowly over time," he told me during a recent So Money podcast.

*One caveat: If you're closer to or living in retirement and your portfolio has taken a sizable hit, it may be worth talking to a professional and reviewing your selection of funds to ensure that you're not taking on too much risk. Target-date funds, a popular investment vehicle in many retirement accounts that auto-adjust for risk as you age, may be too risky for pre- or early retirees. 

What does unemployment tell us? 

US unemployment rates

Current conditions: The July jobs report shows the unemployment rate holding steady, slightly dropping to 3.5%. The Great Resignation of 2021, where millions of workers quit their jobs over burnout, as well as unsatisfactory wages and benefits, left employers scrambling to fill positions. However, that could be changing as economic challenges deepen: More job losses are likely on the horizon, and an increasing number of workers are concerned with job security. 

The context: The rebound in theunemployment rate is an economic hallmark of the past two years. But the ongoing interest rate hike may weigh on corporate profits, leading to more layoffs and hiring freezes. For context, during the Great Recession, in a two-year span from late 2007 to 2009, the unemployment rate rose sharply from about 5% to 10%. 

Today, the tech sector is one to watch. After benefiting from rapid growth led by consumer demand in the pandemic, companies like Google and Facebook may be in for a "correction." Layoffs.fyi, a website that tracks downsizing at tech startups, logged close to 37,000 layoffs in Q2, more than triple from the same period last year. 

The upside: If you're worried about losing your job because your employer may be more vulnerable in a recession, document your wins so that when review season arrives, you're ready to walk your manager through your top-performing moments. Offer strategies for how to weather a potential slowdown. All the while, review your reserves to see how far you can stretch savings in case you're out of work. Keep in mind that in the previous recession, it took an average of eight to nine months for unemployed Americans to secure new jobs.

§

What's happening

Home prices overall are up by 37% since March 2020.

Why it matters

Surging home prices and higher interest rates make monthly mortgage payments less affordable.

What's next

Rising mortgage rates will make borrowing money more expensive, which will lessen competition to buy homes and eventually flatten prices.

Home prices continued to skyrocket in March as buyers tried to stay ahead of rising mortgage rates. 

Prices increased by 20.6% this March compared to last year, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Indices, the leading measures of US home prices. This was the highest year-over-year increase in March for home prices in more than 35 years of data. Seven in 10 homes sold for more than their asking price, according to CoreLogic. 

Out of the 20 cities tracked by the 20-city composite index, Tampa, Phoenix and Miami saw the highest year-over-year gains in March. Tampa saw the greatest increase, with an almost 35% increase in home prices year-over-year. All 20 cities experienced double-digit price growth for the year ending in March.

The strongest price growth was seen in the south and southeast, with both regions posting almost 30% gains in March. Seventeen of the 20 metro areas also saw acceleration in their annual gains since February. 

"Those of us who have been anticipating a deceleration in the growth rate of US home prices will have to wait at least a month longer," said Craig Lazzara, managing director at S&P DJI, in the release. "The strength of the Composite indices suggests very broad strength in the housing market, which we continue to observe."

Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, home prices overall are up by 37%. The current surge in home prices is a result of tight competition between buyers in a low-inventory market as they attempt to lock in lower mortgage rates before rates jump even higher throughout the year, as experts predict they will.

If you're considering buying a new home -- or are actively in the market -- the news isn't all bad. Interest rates are at their highest point in more than 40 years, and one potential benefit of that may, eventually, be downward pressure on home prices. As it becomes increasingly expensive to borrow money, fewer people will seek to do so, and homes for sale may receive fewer offers leading to, eventually, lower prices. In fact, nearly one in five sellers lowered their asking price during a four-week period in May and April, according to Redfin.

"Mortgages are becoming more expensive as the Federal Reserve has begun to ratchet up interest rates, suggesting that the macroeconomic environment may not support extraordinary home price growth for much longer," said Lazzara. "Although one can safely predict that price gains will begin to decelerate, the timing of the deceleration is a more difficult call."

---

Source

Getting a loan for solar panels how to pay for solar panels financing options for solar panels solar panels 0 finance uk best way to finance solar system how to finance how to finance an investment property

How to finance your solar panels: Cash, loan, lease and more

How to finance your solar panels: Cash, loan, lease and more

Whether you're looking to save money, avoid paying so much to your utility or keep some carbon out of the atmosphere, homeowners are generating their own energy with rooftop solar. By some estimates, 13.4% of homes will have solar panels installed by 2030.

While prices are dropping steadily (though supply chain snags have pushed them up recently), rooftop solar costs thousands of dollars, sometimes tens of thousands. Most people don't have that kind of cash laying around, but there are plenty of options for paying for solar.

---

Advertiser Disclosure : CNET's corporate partner, SaveOnEnergy, can help you find the right energy fit for your home. The SaveOnEnergy marketplace helps you search, compare, sign up and save on the right energy fit for your home — all for free. If you're interested in solar, answer a few questions to get an exact price quote from our solar advisors.  

---

"Financing has always been an issue," said Roger Horowitz, director of co-ops at Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit and advocacy group helping people adopt solar in 11 states. Being able to finance solar is often dependent on having a bunch of cash, good credit and owning a home. 

This article aims to hit some of the highlights of solar financing, but it should not be taken as financial advice. For that you'll have to find someone more qualified to determine whether going solar makes financial sense for you and how to best pull it off. 

Buying solar panels with cash

Arguably the most straightforward way to buy solar panels is with cash, and the benefits are clear. With a cash payment you avoid paying interest and loan fees and don't need a qualifying credit score. As a result, you'll save more money over the life of your solar panels. 

You do have to cough up more cash up front, however, so it will take a while before you recoup the money that you've spent. That period of time is called a payback period, and it's a useful piece of information when deciding whether or not paying in cash is a good option for you. The average payback period is eight years in the US, and you can find help calculating your payback period here.

A cash purchase gives you the opportunity to take advantage of the federal solar tax credit. If your solar panels are fully installed through 2022, the US government will give you 26% of the cost back when you file your taxes. In 2023 the credit falls to 22% and will disappear after that, barring new legislation.

That means you could be getting thousands of dollars back, but it also means you don't get that money back until tax time.

Paying cash works best for folks who have a stable cash flow and can absorb such a large one-time payment, said Grant Klein, senior dealer relations specialist at Clean Energy Credit Union.

Buying solar panels with a loan

If you can't afford to pay all at once, solar loans are widely available from a number of sources and in a number of forms, though a poor credit score might disqualify you.

It's increasingly common for solar providers to offer loans, often from a third party. While these loans are easy to apply for, they can have higher fees associated with them than options from a bank or credit union.

"The vast majority of folks that purchase solar that we see end up using loans from their installers," Horowitz said. He pins that apparent preference on how easy it can be to get a loan in that way. However, getting multiple loan proposals (at least two, Horowitz said) can save you significant money.

One such option is a home equity loan or home equity line of credit, where you borrow against the equity of your house (what you could get for selling it minus what you owe on your mortgage). You can borrow up to 85% of that amount, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

You can claim the federal solar tax credit if you purchase solar using a loan, though it comes back to you when you file your taxes, not when you buy your system. Still, it might be useful in paying back the loan.

Solar loans can be secured or unsecured. A secured loan is one that's backed by collateral, like your house or the solar panels themselves. Essentially, you're saying the lender can sell your collateral to pay off the loan if you fail to pay it. Solar loans are most often secured by the solar equipment, Klein said. Home equity loans are secured by the value in your house. Unsecured loans don't have that guarantee backing them up. As a result, secured loans offer lower interest rates and longer terms for paying them back. 

With any of these options, it's important to shop around and compare lenders. Again, this article isn't to be considered as financial advice. 

Getting help from the government to buy solar panels

Beyond the federal solar tax credit, the federal government (and sometimes your state) can help with a couple of other financing options.

A HomeStyle energy mortgage from Fannie Mae allows you to add the cost of a solar project into your new or refinanced mortgage. The Federal Housing Administration offers similar additions to mortgages. The amount of money you can borrow is determined based on the value of your home. 

One of the advantages of an energy efficient mortgage is that you're borrowing money once instead of twice. That means you only pay one set of loan costs and fees, and you can pay it back over 30 years, instead of 10 or 15 as can be the case with other solar loans. This keeps your monthly payment low. Not every lending institution offers loans from these programs and the borrowing process can be complicated.

"They tend to be more complicated, because you need to make so many phone calls to reach the right people," Horowitz said. That can place an extra burden on people who have fewer financial resources, the people the program is meant to help. It's important to work with an institution who knows how to navigate these systems, Horowitz said. 

An energy efficient mortgage can be used for other energy saving equipment in addition to solar panels such as new insulation, new windows and doors, smart thermostats or water efficiency improvements. Whatever the upgrade, it must be cost effective, which means it needs to save more money over its lifetime than it costs. For most places in the country, solar panels are sure to satisfy that requirement.

Johner Images/Getty Images

Another option is Property Assessed Clean Energy, which deserves a brief mention despite only being available to residential customers in California, Florida and Missouri. Working with a local PACE office, you can finance your solar panels and pay back the loan over a longer period of time through an additional charge on your taxes. In theory, this makes large purchases more affordable, though early iterations of the program have actually buried some low income homeowners with debt and the possibility of foreclosure. New regulations passed by state legislatures could fix this problem.

Getting solar through a lease or power purchase agreement

If buying solar using cash or a loan is out of reach because of poor credit, lack of cash or some other reason, you still have options. Instead of buying, you can enter into a lease or power purchase agreement with a solar provider. With both options, lumped together as third-party-owned solar, the solar provider owns the panels and you agree to pay for the equipment (via lease) or pay for the power (power purchase agreement), usually at a lower price than you pay your utility.

CNET went into detail on power purchase agreements earlier, but briefly, here's what you need to know.

The biggest benefits to these arrangements are that you don't have to buy solar panels to get solar power. Usually you'll save money on power over the life of your agreement, too. And you won't have to worry about the maintenance of the panels, although maintenance usually isn't a huge burden.

Power purchase agreements usually save you less money than buying panels outright. And, depending on the price of your lease or power purchase agreement and how much your payment increases over time, you could end up saving significantly less. The federal tax credit also goes to the owner of the system, in this case the solar company.

Because these agreements commonly last for 25 years, they work best if you plan to stay in your house long term. Anecdotal reports reveal moving to a house with third-party-owned solar panels can be onerous and expensive. What happens if you move is something you'll want to be sure of before sticking third-party-owned solar panels on your roof.

Also, be aware that third-party ownership of solar panels isn't allowed in every state.

Which solar financing option is best?

Sorry! I'm not giving financial advice here. Before making any decision, make sure you get the advice you need from someone qualified, get multiple offers on solar projects or loans, and make a point of reading all the fine print.

Are there finance options I left out? Others you're curious about? Did you finance solar panels in a way that worked perfectly for you? Reach out via comments and let me know.

---

Source

https://residencec.costa.my.id/

.

What happened at Zillow? How a prized real estate site lost at iBuying

What happened at Zillow? How a prized real estate site lost at iBuying

Zillow, the popular online real estate marketplace and daydream fuel throughout the pandemic, is having a tough time. 

The company turned heads earlier this month when it announced it would be shutting down Zillow Offers, the algorithm-fueled home-flipping arm of its company. It also said it would try to offload more than 7,000 homes and exit the iBuying -- or "instant buying" -- business completely. That's $2.8 billion worth of homes. 

The announcement came as a major surprise, especially given the scale of Zillow's massive investments in its iBuying efforts in recent years. Its exit was precipitated by a series of missteps, including an overbuying fiasco that resulted in a glut of overpriced inventory. 

Now, according to an Insider analysis, more than half of the homes Zillow owns are listed for prices below what the company paid for them. In Phoenix, 93% percent of the homes Zillow purchased are listed for less than the original purchase price, and in Dallas, 81% are less. 

What is iBuying anyway?

To do iBuying, tech companies rely on algorithms to determine if it would be profitable to purchase a home to then resell. Using specific data -- the home's age, condition and ZIP code -- algorithms can predict which homes will rise in value, allowing the tech company to get into an emerging market early. Think of it like large-scale, automated home-flipping. 

If you're a homeowner, there may be a benefit to using an iBuyer to sell your home. For one, the process is streamlined over the traditional method: You don't have the stress of dealing with a real estate agent, showings or the uncertainty of the market. You'll get an immediate all-cash offer based simply on the algorithm's assessment of your home's data, though the tradeoff is a smaller profit margin. 

What went wrong at Zillow?

As an iBuyer, Zillow relied on these computer calculations to buy houses in decent condition on the cheap, spend minimal capital fixing them up and quickly resell them for a profit. Sound too good to be true? For Zillow, it was. The company ended up making thousands of above-market offers to homeowners. 

Zillow attributed the mishap to its technology, blaming its iBuying algorithms -- called "Zestimates" -- for inaccurately predicting the values of homes. Given surging prices and high real estate volatility in the last 18 months, it was a tricky undertaking in the first place. 

As homes appreciated at a rapid pace during the COVID-19 pandemic, Zillow's iBuying algorithms consistently and significantly underestimated market changes. That's what eventually led the company to shut down its instant-buying business for good. The real estate giant is set to lose an estimated $380 million on Zillow Offers, according to the LA Times.

"The challenge we faced in Zillow Offers was the ability to accurately forecast the future price of inventory three to six months out, in a market where there were larger and more rapid changes in home values than ever before," said Viet Shelton, a spokesperson for the company.

The company also said it will write off $569 million worth of homes and lay off 25% of its staff. Though the future is unclear for some of Zillow's languishing inventory across the country, there's reason to believe that institutional investors could win out in snatching it up. The company has agreed to sell 2,000 units to New York City-based investment firm Pretium Partners.

Zillow has said it intends to honor all existing deals for homes under contract. 

What do Zillow's problems mean for iBuying? 

Other competitors seem to have figured out the iBuying formula's secret sauce and are going strong. Two of Zillow's rivals, Opendoor and Offerpad, both posted new revenue highs for the third quarter, though neither company is profitable yet. Private equity firms like Blackrock have made headlines for their investments in instant buying. 

Though Zillow is no longer in the game, iBuying seems to be here to stay. 

---

Source

Tags:

• What Happened At Zillow How Accurate
• What Happened At Zillow How To Sell
• What Happened At Zillow Howard
• What Happened At Zillow Real Estate
• What Happened At Chernobyl
• What Happened At The Alamo
• What Happened At Sandy Hook
• What Happened At Wounded Knee
• What Happened At Ruby Ridge
• What Happened To Matthew Stafford

How to protect your finances how to keep my money safe how your money is protected market watch 8 ways to protect how to protect you 8 ways to prevent cancer 8 ways to open msconfig 8 ways to spot fake news 8 ways to prevent data breaches 8 ways framework

8 Ways to Protect Your Money During a Recession

8 Ways to Protect Your Money During a Recession

This story is part of Recession Help Desk, CNET's coverage of how to make smart money moves in an uncertain economy.

What's happening

With the latest GDP report showing another consecutive quarterly decline in economic activity, the country is likely in a technical recession.

Why it matters

Previous recessions have all seen pervasive layoffs, higher costs of borrowing and a tumultuous stock market.

What it means for you

Worry less about the macroeconomic news of the day and focus on what you can control. Take inventory of your financial life, gather facts and make moves to protect your savings.

While many economists still refuse to use the R-word, the warning signs indicate the US economy is now likely in a technical recession. In addition to another quarterly drop in GDP, or gross domestic product, consumer confidence has gone down, the stock market is in bear territory and inflation is still soaring, despite four interest rates hikes from the Federal Reserve.

An increase in layoffs -- another key indicator of a recession -- is also being felt across the country as many companies, particularly in the tech sector, have announced layoffs in recent months. And if you ask most people, they'll say it's become undoubtedly harder to make ends meet. At least one poll conducted in June finds a majority of Americans, or 58%, believe we are in a recession.

But then others point to some key factors that point in the opposite direction -- for example, low unemployment levels, rising spending and a healthy banking sector.

While the National Bureau of Economic Research makes the official call on a recession -- and so far it's remained tight-lipped -- whether we call this challenging financial period a recession or not seems like a pretty subjective matter of interpretation. 

At CNET Money, we're dedicated to supporting your financial health with accurate, timely and honest advice that takes into consideration the pressing financial questions of our time. That's why we're launching the Recession Help Desk, a destination where you will get the latest, best advice and action steps for navigating this uncertain period. 

First, a quick look back at the US economy

Since the Great Depression, the US has had about a dozen economic setback periods lasting anywhere from a few months to over a year. In some ways, there's always a recession on the horizon: Economies are cyclical, with upswings and downturns. We can't predict what will happen in advance, and sometimes we can't even tell what's happening while we're in the middle of it. Morgan Housel, author of The Psychology of Money, may have said it best when he tweeted back in April: "We're definitely heading toward a recession. The only thing that's uncertain is the timing, location, duration, magnitude and policy response." 

Attempting to figure out recession specifics is a guessing game. Anyone who tells you different is likely trying to sell you something. The best we can do right now is draw on history to build context, get more proactive about the money moves we can control and resist the urge to panic. This includes reviewing what happened in previous recessions and taking a closer look at our financial goals to see what levers to pull to stay on track. 

Here are eight specific steps you can take to create more financial stability and resilience in a turbulent economy. 

Read more:  Bear Markets: Expert Stock Market Advice for Investors

1. Plan more, panic less   

The silver lining to current recession predictions is that they're still only forecasts. There is time to assemble a plan without the real pressures and challenges that come with being in the thick of an economic slowdown. Over the next couple of months, review your financial plan and map out some worst-case scenarios when your adrenaline isn't running high. 

Some questions to consider: If you did lose your job later this year or in early 2023, what would be your plan? How can you fortify your finances now to weather a layoff? (Keep reading for related advice.)

2. Bulk up your cash reserves 

A key to navigating a recession relatively unscathed is having cash in the bank. The steep 10% unemployment rate during the Great Recession in 2009 taught us this. On average, it took eight to nine months for those affected to land on their feet. Those fortunate to have robust emergency accounts were able to continue paying their housing costs and buy time to figure out next steps with less stress. 

Consider retooling your budget to allocate more into savings now to hit closer to the recommended six- to nine-month rainy day reserve. It may make sense to unplug from recurring subscriptions, but a better strategy that won't feel as depriving may be to call billers (from utility companies to cable to car insurance) and ask for discounts and promotions. Speak specifically with customer retention departments to see what offers they can extend to keep you from canceling your plans.

3. Seek a second income stream

Web searches for "side hustles" are always popular, but especially now, as many look to diversify income streams in the run up to a potential recession. Just like it helps to diversify investments, diversifying income streams can reduce the income volatility that arrives with job loss. For inspiration on easy, low-lift side hustles that you might be able to do from home, check out my story.

4. Resist impulsive investing moves

It's hard not to be worried about your portfolio after all the red arrows in the stock market this year. If you have more than 10 or 15 years until retirement, history proves it's better to stick with the market ups and downs. According to Fidelity, those who stayed invested in target-date funds, which include mutual funds and ETFs commonly tied to a retirement date, during the 2008 to 2009 financial crisis had higher account balances by 2011 than those who reduced or halted their contributions. "Those who panic and sell 'at the bottom' often regret it because trying to time the market can result in losses that are very difficult to regain because stock prices can change quickly," said Linda Davis Taylor, seasoned investment professional and author of The Business of Family. 

If you have yet to sign up for automatic rebalancing, definitely look into this with your portfolio manager or online broker. This feature can ensure that your instruments remain properly weighted and aligned with your risk tolerance and investment goals, even as the market swings. 

5. Lock interest rates now

As the policy makers raise interest rates to bring down inflation levels, interest rates will increase. This potentially spells bad news for anyone with an adjustable-rate loan. It's also a challenge for those carrying a balance on a credit card.

While federal student loan borrowers don't have to worry about their rates going up, those with private variable rate loans may want to look into consolidating or refinancing options through an existing lender or other banks, such as SoFi, that could consolidate the debt into one fixed-rate loan. This will prevent your monthly payments from increasing unpredictably when the Federal Reserve raises interest rates again this year, as expected.

6. Protect your credit score  

Borrowers may have a tougher time accessing credit in recessions, as interest rates jump and banks enforce stricter lending rules. To qualify for the best loan terms and rates, aim for a strong credit score in the 700s or higher. You can typically check your credit score for free through your existing bank or lender, and you can also receive free weekly credit reports from each of the three main credit bureaus through the end of the year from AnnualCreditReport.com. 

To improve your credit score, work towards paying down high balances, review and dispute any errors that may be on your credit report or consider consolidating high-interest credit card debt into a lower interest debt consolidation loan or 0% introductory APR balance transfer card.

7. Rethink buying a home

While home prices have cooled in some areas, it remains a competitive housing market with few homes to go around. If rising mortgage rates are adding more pressure to your ability to buy a home within budget, consider renting for a little longer. If you're also worried about your job security in a potential recession, then that's even more reason to take pause. Leasing isn't cheap at the moment, but it can afford you more flexibility and mobility. Without the need to park cash for a down payment and closing costs, renting can also keep you more liquid during a potentially challenging economy.

8. Take care of your valuables

The advice that was born out of the sky-high inflation period in the late 1970s still applies now: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." 

With ongoing supply chain issues, many of us face high prices and delays in acquiring new cars, tech products, furniture, home materials and even contact lenses. This includes replacement parts, too. If a product comes with a free warranty, be sure to sign up. And if it's a nominal fee to extend the insurance, it may be worth it during a time when prices are on the rise.

For example, my car has been in the repair shop for over three months, waiting for parts to arrive from overseas. So, in addition to paying my monthly car payment, I have a rental car fee that's adding up. If nothing else, I'll be heading into a possible recession a more cautious driver.

Read more: Smaller Packages, Same Prices: Shrinkflation Is Sneaky

---

Source

Can a broken phone be fixed how to fix my broken cell phone how to fix broken phone fix broken phone near me fix what is broken yes you can employment sault ste marie yes you can diet yes youtube

Yes, you can fix a broken phone during the coronavirus lockdown. See 3 ways to repair it

Yes, you can fix a broken phone during the coronavirus lockdown. See 3 ways to repair it

For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the

WHO

and

CDC

websites.

Accidents happen. Cracking your iPhone's ($500 at Best Buy) screen or breaking your Android phone's charging port is the last thing any of us wants to worry about right now. Especially with most of us under stay-at-home orders, practicing social distancing and wearing face masks in public during the coronavirus pandemic.

You may be spending more time at home, but chances are you're still texting, watching videos and making more calls than ever from your phone. So what happens if it takes a tumble onto the sidewalk when you're out for a social-distancing walk? What if it slides off the counter top when you're making dinner? What if it just starts acting buggy?

Normally you might pop into a retail store, but in an effort to stem the spread of the COVID-19 disease, retail stores across the country have closed, including Apple Stores, and wireless carriers have closed the majority of their brick-and-mortar stores, too. So where do you go to get your phone repaired? You still have several options to get it fixed. 

Apple support has a few different options for you. 

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

Fixing a broken iPhone

If your iPhone isn't physically broken, and you're experiencing software or performance issues, use the Apple Support app to talk to an employee who can help troubleshoot your issue. The app allows the support representative to run diagnostic reports and guide you through any potential fixes. 

For physical damage or an unresponsive device that needs to be fixed or replaced, you can find a list of authorized Apple service providers by visiting this support page and click on Schedule a Repair. You'll be asked to sign in to our Apple ID and select a device that's linked to your account, after which you can search for an open store. 

Using an Apple-approved repair center will allow you to take advantage of lower repair fees if you have AppleCare Plus on your iPhone. 

It's a good idea to call the store before you finalize your appointment, as some stores may have adjusted their hours or temporarily closed due to being nonessential services. 

If you don't feel comfortable going out in public, or lack a nearby repair facility, you can also mail your phone to Apple in for service. Visit this support page and click on Send in for Repair the follow the prompts. Of course, this is a less than ideal solution, because you'll be without your phone for up to five days. You can use an old phone or buy a cheap backup phone to keep you connected while your device is in the shop. 

uBreakiFix is still open and repairing broken devices. 

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

Android phone repairs

As a whole, Android owners don't have a central location, like an Apple Store, that they can go to for repairs. Don't let that stress you. For software and performance issues, contact your wireless carrier or your phone maker to troubleshoot. Most of the time, those types of issues can be resolved over the phone. 

Best Buy has paused device repairs for the time being, leaving Android owners to find third-party repair businesses. One such reputable company is uBreakiFix, an official Samsung repair partner. uBreakiFix repairs all types of phones, tablets and even computers -- including Apple products. 

In order to help keep customers and employees safe, uBreakiFix has rolled out curbside service and a mail-in option. In some areas, you can even have a tech come to your home and fix your device. Find the closest uBreakiFix location and the repair services offered using the company's availability tool.

Again, it's probably best to call any business directly to confirm they're open -- especially as more cities continue to shut down nonessential services -- and make sure they're taking appointments and have the parts in stock to complete your specific repair. It may be you need to mail in your device.

You can also repair your phone yourself. 

iFixit

Fix it yourself

If you're out of warranty and feel comfortable attempting to repair your phone on your own, you can always order a repair kit from iFixit. There are kits that include everything you need -- including the tools -- to replace a broken iPhone screen, swap out an Android phone's battery or more. 

iFixit has posted guides that go with each kit, walking you through the entire process. If your movement isn't restricted, it'll save you a trip out, and potentially save you some money in the process.

While we all try to do our part to stop the spread of coronavirus, there are some myths you should be aware of. And if you absolutely have to go out, use these best practices to keep yourself safe. Here's the current knowledge on coronavirus and your delivery packages.

---

Source