Category: Blog
Pitiful Housing Supply Slighted Dampened Q2 Home Sales
Headstrong is a rather interesting word, but the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) chose it to describe the continuing imbalance between supply and demand in the housing market. NAR blames this imbalance for slightly tempering home sales as well as pushing continued robust price growth i
Archived Refinance Market Commentary
Historical market notice. This page originally carried a past monthly refinance and mortgage-rate report. Its rates, loan shares and closing statistics describe that earlier reporting period; they are not current pricing, closing-time or qualification guidance. If you are considering a refinance now, start with
Archived Commentary on Cash Home Sales
Historical market notice. This page originally carried a past housing-market forecast about all-cash home sales and projected mortgage originations. Those figures and rate comments belonged to that earlier forecast; they are not current market conditions, financing terms or advice. A buyer comparing a cash purch
Appraisal Alternatives for Home Purchases: What Buyers Should Know
Reviewed October 13, 2026. An appraisal alternative may let an eligible home purchase move forward without a traditional appraisal report. It is a decision made through the lender's loan review, not an option every buyer can select in advance. Fannie Mae calls its offering value acceptance; Freddie Mac calls its
2017 FHFA House Price Index: Historical Snapshot
Historical report — August 22, 2017. This page summarizes the Federal Housing Finance Agency's second-quarter 2017 House Price Index release. It describes that period only; it is not a current home-price forecast or an estimate of any individual property's value. What FHFA reported for the second quarter of 20
Archived Mortgage Rate Commentary
Historical mortgage-rate commentary. This URL previously carried commentary about a past market day. The original market date and reported rates have not been independently verified. Its old rate figures and lock-versus-float advice are not a current NorthStar Funding offer or forecast. For a current decision, c
Archived Bond-Market Commentary
Historical bond-market commentary. This URL previously described Treasury-yield levels from an older trading day. The exact market date is unverified. Those numerical thresholds and the old chart are not a way to predict today's mortgage offer. Mortgage pricing and a borrower's terms depend on the specific lende
Historical 2018 Tax Information Notice
Historical tax notice This URL is retained for visitors following an older link. The former 2018 tax table has been removed. This notice is not current tax, legal, financial, or mortgage advice. Tax rules, deductions, filing circumstances, and their effect on a home purchase or refinance can change. Consult a q
When Home Equity Interest May Qualify for a Tax Deduction
Reviewed October 2026. A home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) does not make its interest deductible just because the loan is secured by a home. The use of the borrowed funds matters. The IRS home-equity interest FAQ says interest on a loan secured by a main or second home may be deductible when
Archived Tax-Time Resource Links
Historical tax-resource notice. This page previously linked to tax-season material distributed for an earlier filing period. Those tracked links are no longer presented as current guidance. For your filing year, start with the IRS individual tax-filing resources and ask a qualified tax professional about your ci
Fannie Mae DTI Guidelines: What a 45% Ratio Means
Under Fannie Mae DTI guidelines, a 45% debt-to-income ratio does not automatically establish approval or denial. Manual underwriting and Desktop Underwriter (DU) have different limits, and the lender must assess the complete loan file. What are the current Fannie Mae DTI limits? Fannie Mae’s Debt-to-Income Ra
Archived Tax-Season Resource Notice
Historical tax-resource notice. This page previously pointed to tax-season tips attributed to Vision Financial Group. That older material and its tracked links are no longer presented as current NorthStar Funding or third-party advice. The attribution identifies the former resource only; it does not imply a curre