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Struggling homeowners often don’t understand escrow

Housing Wire

Escrow accounts are required for conventional borrowers with 20% or less equity in their homes. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan borrowers must maintain escrow accounts for the entire loan cycle, regardless of equity. After that, 70% had higher homeowners’ insurance and 57% had higher premiums.

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Will the 2025 housing market crash like 2008?

Housing Wire

High debt and low equity: Key warning signs Several catalysts could spark a housing market correction in 2025. Mortgage rates , which reached 6.72% in December 2024 and are projected to stabilize at 6.5–6.7% in 2025 2 could pose risks for high loan-to-value (LTV) borrowers who have minimal home equity.

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Pending sales defy expectations, spark hope for a rebound

Real Estate News

" Mortgage rates continue dropping Buyers also got some good news on the mortgage rate front. Freddie Mac's weekly survey showed the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 6.77% as of June 26, down from last week's 6.81% average. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage meanwhile averaged 5.89%.

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Trapped by design: Why America’s housing market is stuck — and what the rest of the world can teach us

Housing Wire

Unlike existing owners, these buyers have no low-rate loan to protect, no equity to leverage, and no fallback. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is a cornerstone of American housing finance, but it wasnt built for flexibility. Yet while the U.S. So why hasnt the U.S. moved forward? It was built for stability.

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Mortgage Rates Chart and Trends Over the Past One Year: July 2025

Marco Santarelli

The big question is: what have mortgage rates trends over the past year looked like? According to the Primary Mortgage Market Survey® by Freddie Mac , as of July 3rd, 2025, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage sits at 6.67% , while the 15-year fixed rate is at 5.80%. Let's dive in.

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Best Time to Refinance Your Mortgage: Expert Insights

Marco Santarelli

With a better financial profile, you might qualify for a loan with a shorter term, helping you build equity faster and own your home sooner. Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) concerns : If you have an ARM, the interest rate can change over time, potentially increasing your monthly payments.

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Mortgage Refinance Rates Rise Compared to Last Week – December 22, 2024

Marco Santarelli

Mortgage refinance rates hold significant importance for homeowners who aim to lower their monthly payments or leverage their home equity for new financial opportunities. As of December 22, 2024, the average 30-year fixed refinance rate stands at 6.71% , down just 1 basis point from the previous day.