10 hours ago
Steve Kerr's refusal to mortgage the Warriors' future for Stephen Curry sparked a firestorm, and DeMarcus Cousins had the sharpest rebuttal yet. Kerr's defense of the franchise's future-first approach collided with an uncomfortable reality: Curry had just dropped 44 points to beat Minnesota, proving his championship window remains wide open.
Appearing at Gil's Arena, DeMarcus Cousins argued with Gilbert Arenas over Kerr's remarks, passionately arguing that if the Warriors are unwilling to push all their chips to the center of the table while Curry is still performing at a superstar level, the team owes it to the franchise icon to trade him to a legitimate contender. His argument hinged on the logical contradiction that the Warriors cannot simultaneously claim that Curry has a championship window and refuse to invest in it.
"So why would you mention championship window with Steph if you're not willing?" Cousins, a former Warriors player himself, challenged.
When Arenas countered that Steph Curry is 38 and no longer the foundational piece to build a five-year plan around, Boogie shut down the notion.
The tension between championship windows and roster construction just reached a boiling point. Subscribe to stay on top of the NBA's biggest debates and power player clashes.
#curry
Appearing at Gil's Arena, DeMarcus Cousins argued with Gilbert Arenas over Kerr's remarks, passionately arguing that if the Warriors are unwilling to push all their chips to the center of the table while Curry is still performing at a superstar level, the team owes it to the franchise icon to trade him to a legitimate contender. His argument hinged on the logical contradiction that the Warriors cannot simultaneously claim that Curry has a championship window and refuse to invest in it.
"So why would you mention championship window with Steph if you're not willing?" Cousins, a former Warriors player himself, challenged.
When Arenas countered that Steph Curry is 38 and no longer the foundational piece to build a five-year plan around, Boogie shut down the notion.
The tension between championship windows and roster construction just reached a boiling point. Subscribe to stay on top of the NBA's biggest debates and power player clashes.
#curry
4 days ago
In a housing market where affordability is increasingly out of reach for many buyers, Vic Bulbon is looking at a type of property that's becoming less expensive: condominiums.
With national home prices near record highs and mortgage rates topping 7% in recent weeks, buying a home remains out of reach for many Americans. Condos appear to offer a rare bright spot, with prices falling across the country.
But even with cheaper sales prices, rising homeowners' **** ociation (HOA) fees and one-time special **** sments are driving up ownership costs.
Now, guidelines released this year by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored agencies that back nearly half of all US home purchases, aim to reduce the financial and structural risks of condo buildings. Real estate agents told CNN that the changes could add pressure to the condo market by further driving up HOA fees, increasing the total monthly bill for condo owners, and potentially eroding the savings of a lower purchase price.
As of mid-October, condo sales prices lagged behind single-family home prices in 99 of the 100 largest markets in the United States, according to data from financial services company Intercontinental Exchange provided to CNN. Nationally, single-family home prices rose 1.5% from a year earlier, while condo prices fell 1.1%.
#prices #home #sales #year
With national home prices near record highs and mortgage rates topping 7% in recent weeks, buying a home remains out of reach for many Americans. Condos appear to offer a rare bright spot, with prices falling across the country.
But even with cheaper sales prices, rising homeowners' **** ociation (HOA) fees and one-time special **** sments are driving up ownership costs.
Now, guidelines released this year by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored agencies that back nearly half of all US home purchases, aim to reduce the financial and structural risks of condo buildings. Real estate agents told CNN that the changes could add pressure to the condo market by further driving up HOA fees, increasing the total monthly bill for condo owners, and potentially eroding the savings of a lower purchase price.
As of mid-October, condo sales prices lagged behind single-family home prices in 99 of the 100 largest markets in the United States, according to data from financial services company Intercontinental Exchange provided to CNN. Nationally, single-family home prices rose 1.5% from a year earlier, while condo prices fell 1.1%.
#prices #home #sales #year
22 days ago
The 10-year Treasury yield recently hit its highest level in 24 years at 5.3%. That high yield has income-seeking investors wondering whether to load up on Treasuries while they're at a historically high level.
Here's a look at how much passive income you can generate over the next 10 years on Treasury bonds compared to another popular income-focused investment: the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT:SCHD).
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 14x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ***** ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
Image source: Getty Images.
A 10-year Treasury bond is a fixed-income investment backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. It's a global financial benchmark that influences the rates of almost all consumer and corporate credit, including mortgages.
#treasury #missed #year #investors
Here's a look at how much passive income you can generate over the next 10 years on Treasury bonds compared to another popular income-focused investment: the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT:SCHD).
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 14x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ***** ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
Image source: Getty Images.
A 10-year Treasury bond is a fixed-income investment backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. It's a global financial benchmark that influences the rates of almost all consumer and corporate credit, including mortgages.
#treasury #missed #year #investors
22 days ago
Americans are falling behind on their mortgages and are increasingly having their homes repossessed, a new report has found.
New data from real estate data firm ATTOM's August 2026 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report showed lenders repossessed 5,794 U.S. properties in August through completed foreclosures (REOs), an increase of a whopping 42 percent from a year earlier, and 22 percent from the previous month.
Texas was the hardest-hit state, with 1,835 REOs, followed by California (589 REOs), North Carolina (356 REOs), Arizona (296 REOs) and Alabama (286 REOs).
The report also showed a total of 40,277 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings – default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions – a 13 percent increase from a year ago and up 1 percent from a month ago.
Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM – a leading provider of property data, AI-powered intelligence and real estate ******* ytics solutions – said: "August's data shows that foreclosure activity continues to trend above year-ago levels, particularly in completed foreclosures, which saw a notable annual increase.
#Foreclosure
New data from real estate data firm ATTOM's August 2026 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report showed lenders repossessed 5,794 U.S. properties in August through completed foreclosures (REOs), an increase of a whopping 42 percent from a year earlier, and 22 percent from the previous month.
Texas was the hardest-hit state, with 1,835 REOs, followed by California (589 REOs), North Carolina (356 REOs), Arizona (296 REOs) and Alabama (286 REOs).
The report also showed a total of 40,277 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings – default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions – a 13 percent increase from a year ago and up 1 percent from a month ago.
Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM – a leading provider of property data, AI-powered intelligence and real estate ******* ytics solutions – said: "August's data shows that foreclosure activity continues to trend above year-ago levels, particularly in completed foreclosures, which saw a notable annual increase.
#Foreclosure
23 days ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Federal Reserve officials expect that another interest rate increase will likely be needed this year to combat inflation, according to minutes released Wednesday from the central bank's most recent meeting.
The officials unanimously agreed that inflation was still elevated and had not made much progress toward their 2% target in recent months, the minutes said. The Fed increased its key interest rate at the Sept. 15-16 meeting by a quarter-point to about 3.9%, its first increase in three years.
The increase defied President Donald Trump's repeated calls for the Fed to cut rates and prompted the president to criticize the Fed's rate-setting committee, though he still expressed support for Chairman Kevin Warsh, whom he appointed earlier this year. The rate increase comes as Americans are already struggling with high costs for groceries, gas and housing, and as affordability has taken on a leading role in the upcoming midterm elections, just seven weeks away.
Longer-term interest rates for mortgages and other borrowing have also jumped in the past few months for a range of reasons, including rising government debt, heavy borrowing by tech firms to finance data center construction, climbing oil and gas prices, and signs that growth and inflation remain elevated. The Fed's rate hike has likely played only a limited role in the increase.
Still, key policymakers have said since the meeting that the Fed can take some time to monitor the economy and the impact of last month's rate hike before making another move. Wall Street investors now forecast the Fed will keep its rate unchanged at its next meeting Oct. 28-29, according to futures pricing, and raise it when they meet in December.
#officials
The officials unanimously agreed that inflation was still elevated and had not made much progress toward their 2% target in recent months, the minutes said. The Fed increased its key interest rate at the Sept. 15-16 meeting by a quarter-point to about 3.9%, its first increase in three years.
The increase defied President Donald Trump's repeated calls for the Fed to cut rates and prompted the president to criticize the Fed's rate-setting committee, though he still expressed support for Chairman Kevin Warsh, whom he appointed earlier this year. The rate increase comes as Americans are already struggling with high costs for groceries, gas and housing, and as affordability has taken on a leading role in the upcoming midterm elections, just seven weeks away.
Longer-term interest rates for mortgages and other borrowing have also jumped in the past few months for a range of reasons, including rising government debt, heavy borrowing by tech firms to finance data center construction, climbing oil and gas prices, and signs that growth and inflation remain elevated. The Fed's rate hike has likely played only a limited role in the increase.
Still, key policymakers have said since the meeting that the Fed can take some time to monitor the economy and the impact of last month's rate hike before making another move. Wall Street investors now forecast the Fed will keep its rate unchanged at its next meeting Oct. 28-29, according to futures pricing, and raise it when they meet in December.
#officials
23 days ago
This is one of the best letters that I have read in my lifetime ("We lived within our means: I earned $30,000 as a pastor and still retired comfortably"). I used to be a mortgage-loan officer; I would get a couple that each made six figures, but would have difficulty qualifying them for a loan amount they wanted because of their consumer-debt load.
Conversely, I would have a blue-collar "Joe Sixpack" that made substantially less but saved and saved and saved, and who got the loan he needed for a house. People in the U.S. need to wake up and not be compulsive: Quit buying things you really don't need. It's that way with the federal government as well, and based on that.
'People in the U.S. need to wake up': As a mortgage loan officer, I rejected applications from wealthy couples. Here's why.
Google makes a fresh bet on nuclear power as the AI energy crunch intensifies
We'd better get real quick or we're going to have a financial crisis that makes the Great Recession of 2008 look like a picnic.
#makes
Conversely, I would have a blue-collar "Joe Sixpack" that made substantially less but saved and saved and saved, and who got the loan he needed for a house. People in the U.S. need to wake up and not be compulsive: Quit buying things you really don't need. It's that way with the federal government as well, and based on that.
'People in the U.S. need to wake up': As a mortgage loan officer, I rejected applications from wealthy couples. Here's why.
Google makes a fresh bet on nuclear power as the AI energy crunch intensifies
We'd better get real quick or we're going to have a financial crisis that makes the Great Recession of 2008 look like a picnic.
#makes
23 days ago
AGNC's Q2 spread income of 40 cents per share covered its 36-cent dividend, but the payout has been cut three times since 2015.
Annaly raised its quarterly dividend from $0.70 to $0.75, while Dynex rebounded to 6.4% economic return after both posted Q1 losses.
If Q3 spread income falls below 36 cents or book value drops below $8.38, shareholders' own capital funds the dividend and a cut becomes likely.
Read More: Learn 7 ways to generate income with a $1,000,000+ portfolio (sponsor)
AGNC Investment (NASDAQ:AGNC) is a mortgage REIT that borrows short-term money in the repo market, buys agency mortgage-backed securities, and keeps the spread between bond yields and borrowing costs. Leverage of 7.4 times tangible equity magnifies both gains and losses.
#times
Annaly raised its quarterly dividend from $0.70 to $0.75, while Dynex rebounded to 6.4% economic return after both posted Q1 losses.
If Q3 spread income falls below 36 cents or book value drops below $8.38, shareholders' own capital funds the dividend and a cut becomes likely.
Read More: Learn 7 ways to generate income with a $1,000,000+ portfolio (sponsor)
AGNC Investment (NASDAQ:AGNC) is a mortgage REIT that borrows short-term money in the repo market, buys agency mortgage-backed securities, and keeps the spread between bond yields and borrowing costs. Leverage of 7.4 times tangible equity magnifies both gains and losses.
#times
23 days ago
My husband and I recently learned about an estate plan that I believe could leave him with little or none of his parents' inheritance, while their plan for long-term care remains murky. Could you give us your two cents?
They have two children: my husband, 47, and his older brother, 57. His parents, both 80 and in excellent health, own their home outright and have about $600,000 in a brokerage account, in addition to pensions and Social Security.
'People in the U.S. need to wake up': As a mortgage loan officer, I rejected applications from wealthy couples. Here's why.
Google makes a fresh bet on nuclear power as the AI energy crunch intensifies
The parents originally bought their home to be close to the older brother and his family. My husband and I live on the East Coast. He is a few years from retiring from the military and plans to work as a contractor afterward. We both expect to work for at least another 10 years. He has a good relationship with his parents and visits three times a year to help care for them.
#plan
They have two children: my husband, 47, and his older brother, 57. His parents, both 80 and in excellent health, own their home outright and have about $600,000 in a brokerage account, in addition to pensions and Social Security.
'People in the U.S. need to wake up': As a mortgage loan officer, I rejected applications from wealthy couples. Here's why.
Google makes a fresh bet on nuclear power as the AI energy crunch intensifies
The parents originally bought their home to be close to the older brother and his family. My husband and I live on the East Coast. He is a few years from retiring from the military and plans to work as a contractor afterward. We both expect to work for at least another 10 years. He has a good relationship with his parents and visits three times a year to help care for them.
#plan
23 days ago
AGNC Investment has seen a mix of setbacks and gains in recent years, which raises a straightforward question for anyone looking at the stock today: Is the current share price meaningfully supported by the returns the business earns on its capital base?
Over the past 3 years, AGNC Investment has delivered a total return of about 48.1%, which puts real weight on whether those past gains are grounded in sustainable returns on the equity it deploys.
The mortgage REIT model relies on how efficiently AGNC Investment can fund and reinvest its portfolio. The valuation story therefore hinges on whether that capital structure can keep generating attractive excess returns after funding costs and hedging.
What if you looked at AGNC Investment through its earnings instead? See what AGNC Investment's 4.9x P/E says about the price.
For investors, the debate is whether AGNC Investment's current price fairly reflects the level and quality of the returns it earns on its capital.
#investment #returns #whether #earns
Over the past 3 years, AGNC Investment has delivered a total return of about 48.1%, which puts real weight on whether those past gains are grounded in sustainable returns on the equity it deploys.
The mortgage REIT model relies on how efficiently AGNC Investment can fund and reinvest its portfolio. The valuation story therefore hinges on whether that capital structure can keep generating attractive excess returns after funding costs and hedging.
What if you looked at AGNC Investment through its earnings instead? See what AGNC Investment's 4.9x P/E says about the price.
For investors, the debate is whether AGNC Investment's current price fairly reflects the level and quality of the returns it earns on its capital.
#investment #returns #whether #earns
23 days ago
By Ann Saphir
Oct 7 (Reuters) - The interest rate on the most common US home loan jumped last week to its highest in almost three years, worsening affordability for buyers four weeks before elections that will decide if President Donald Trump's Republicans keep control of Congress.
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage surged 19 basis points to 7.49% in the week ended October 2, the Mortgage Bankers **** ociation said on Wednesday. It was last higher in November 2023.
Mortgage rates are tied closely to the yield on US 10-year Treasury notes, which earlier this week hit a 24-year high, driven by worries over inflationary pressures from soaring oil prices and data showing stronger US economic growth.
The cost of living is the top issue on Americans' minds as they decide how they will vote on November 3, a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Monday showed, and is one reason why Trump's approval rating is at a record low of 32%.
#week #rate
Oct 7 (Reuters) - The interest rate on the most common US home loan jumped last week to its highest in almost three years, worsening affordability for buyers four weeks before elections that will decide if President Donald Trump's Republicans keep control of Congress.
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage surged 19 basis points to 7.49% in the week ended October 2, the Mortgage Bankers **** ociation said on Wednesday. It was last higher in November 2023.
Mortgage rates are tied closely to the yield on US 10-year Treasury notes, which earlier this week hit a 24-year high, driven by worries over inflationary pressures from soaring oil prices and data showing stronger US economic growth.
The cost of living is the top issue on Americans' minds as they decide how they will vote on November 3, a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Monday showed, and is one reason why Trump's approval rating is at a record low of 32%.
#week #rate
23 days ago
Bessent's $6 billion buybacks left yields nearly unchanged against a $32 trillion market, prompting him to admit he can't set the equilibrium price.
The 10-year yield hit a 12-month high of 5.31%, dragging 30-year fixed mortgage rates near their 52-week high of 7.60%.
Cramer says bonds, not oil, reveal the long-term truth, making the daily 10-year yield close more important than Bessent's policy promises.
Read More: Learn 7 ways to generate income with a $1,000,000+ portfolio (sponsor)
Jim Cramer said on Mad Money October 5, 2026: "Treasury Secretary Bessent basically copped to not being able to stop a bond market slide with his meager multibillion dollar bond buys. He's plugging the dike with a finger, and it's got $31 trillion in Treasuries behind it.", according to Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer
#year #money #market #learn
The 10-year yield hit a 12-month high of 5.31%, dragging 30-year fixed mortgage rates near their 52-week high of 7.60%.
Cramer says bonds, not oil, reveal the long-term truth, making the daily 10-year yield close more important than Bessent's policy promises.
Read More: Learn 7 ways to generate income with a $1,000,000+ portfolio (sponsor)
Jim Cramer said on Mad Money October 5, 2026: "Treasury Secretary Bessent basically copped to not being able to stop a bond market slide with his meager multibillion dollar bond buys. He's plugging the dike with a finger, and it's got $31 trillion in Treasuries behind it.", according to Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer
#year #money #market #learn
24 days ago
Americans are falling behind on their mortgages and are increasingly having their homes repossessed, a new report has found.
New data from real estate data firm ATTOM's August 2026 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report showed lenders repossessed 5,794 U.S. properties in August through completed foreclosures (REOs), an increase of a whopping 42 percent from a year earlier, and 22 percent from the previous month.
Texas was the hardest-hit state, with 1,835 REOs, followed by California (589 REOs), North Carolina (356 REOs), Arizona (296 REOs) and Alabama (286 REOs).
The report also showed a total of 40,277 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings – default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions – a 13 percent increase from a year ago and up 1 percent from a month ago.
Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM – a leading provider of property data, AI-powered intelligence and real estate ***** ytics solutions – said: "August's data shows that foreclosure activity continues to trend above year-ago levels, particularly in completed foreclosures, which saw a notable annual increase.
#real
New data from real estate data firm ATTOM's August 2026 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report showed lenders repossessed 5,794 U.S. properties in August through completed foreclosures (REOs), an increase of a whopping 42 percent from a year earlier, and 22 percent from the previous month.
Texas was the hardest-hit state, with 1,835 REOs, followed by California (589 REOs), North Carolina (356 REOs), Arizona (296 REOs) and Alabama (286 REOs).
The report also showed a total of 40,277 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings – default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions – a 13 percent increase from a year ago and up 1 percent from a month ago.
Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM – a leading provider of property data, AI-powered intelligence and real estate ***** ytics solutions – said: "August's data shows that foreclosure activity continues to trend above year-ago levels, particularly in completed foreclosures, which saw a notable annual increase.
#real
24 days ago
The bond-market rout of 2026 may be jolting markets, but it's also gaining a important following among savers and the risk-averse.
Wall Street has been gripped by the volatile moves in bond yields over the past few weeks. The all-important 10-year Treasury yield BX:TMUBMUSD10Y was up another 3.4 basis points on Monday to 5.35%, it highest level since April 2002, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
My wife never went back to work after raising our kids. Do I have to share my retirement savings 50/50?
Go ahead and get that poetry degree. Republican law won't prevent people with humanities majors from getting student loans.
That's raised the costs of new mortgages, corporate borrowing and financing the $40 trillion national debt. It also has many bond portfolios sitting in a sea of red ink for 2026, with the bond market's equivalent of the S&P 500 SPX — the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index's — total return having turned negative. Bond yields and prices move in the opposite direction.
#bond #treasury #tmubmusd10y
Wall Street has been gripped by the volatile moves in bond yields over the past few weeks. The all-important 10-year Treasury yield BX:TMUBMUSD10Y was up another 3.4 basis points on Monday to 5.35%, it highest level since April 2002, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
My wife never went back to work after raising our kids. Do I have to share my retirement savings 50/50?
Go ahead and get that poetry degree. Republican law won't prevent people with humanities majors from getting student loans.
That's raised the costs of new mortgages, corporate borrowing and financing the $40 trillion national debt. It also has many bond portfolios sitting in a sea of red ink for 2026, with the bond market's equivalent of the S&P 500 SPX — the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index's — total return having turned negative. Bond yields and prices move in the opposite direction.
#bond #treasury #tmubmusd10y
24 days ago
This is one of the best letters that I have read in my lifetime ("We lived within our means: I earned $30,000 as a pastor and still retired comfortably"). I used to be a mortgage-loan officer; I would get a couple that each made six figures, but would have difficulty qualifying them for a loan amount they wanted because of their consumer-debt load.
Conversely, I would have a blue-collar "Joe Sixpack" that made substantially less but saved and saved and saved, and who got the loan he needed for a house. People in the U.S. need to wake up and not be compulsive: Quit buying things you really don't need. It's that way with the federal government as well, and based on that.
My wife never went back to work after raising our kids. Do I have to share my retirement savings 50/50?
Go ahead and get that poetry degree. Republican law won't prevent people with humanities majors from getting student loans.
We'd better get real quick or we're going to have a financial crisis that makes the Great Recession of 2008 look like a picnic.
#conversely
Conversely, I would have a blue-collar "Joe Sixpack" that made substantially less but saved and saved and saved, and who got the loan he needed for a house. People in the U.S. need to wake up and not be compulsive: Quit buying things you really don't need. It's that way with the federal government as well, and based on that.
My wife never went back to work after raising our kids. Do I have to share my retirement savings 50/50?
Go ahead and get that poetry degree. Republican law won't prevent people with humanities majors from getting student loans.
We'd better get real quick or we're going to have a financial crisis that makes the Great Recession of 2008 look like a picnic.
#conversely
24 days ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
According to average rates from the Zillow lender marketplace, fixed and adjustable mortgage rates are moving in different directions compared to Monday, following a shift in rate-hike expectations.
The current 30-year fixed rate today, Tuesday, October 6, 2026, was unchanged at 7.40%, the 15-year fixed rate increased 6 basis points to 6.72%, and the 5/1 ARM decreased 11 basis points to 7.29%.
Read more: Weekly survey of mortgage lenders with the lowest rates: Two lenders hit 8%
Here are the current mortgage rates today, Tuesday, October 6, 2026, according to the latest Zillow data:
#rate #year
According to average rates from the Zillow lender marketplace, fixed and adjustable mortgage rates are moving in different directions compared to Monday, following a shift in rate-hike expectations.
The current 30-year fixed rate today, Tuesday, October 6, 2026, was unchanged at 7.40%, the 15-year fixed rate increased 6 basis points to 6.72%, and the 5/1 ARM decreased 11 basis points to 7.29%.
Read more: Weekly survey of mortgage lenders with the lowest rates: Two lenders hit 8%
Here are the current mortgage rates today, Tuesday, October 6, 2026, according to the latest Zillow data:
#rate #year
1 month ago
On the Sept. 3, 2026 episode of The Ramsey Show, a Houston caller named Nathan asked whether he should use his savings to clear a mortgage he described as a "whatever, 2% mortgage or something." He had about $280,000 left on it and roughly $346,000 in liquid ******* ets, most of it cash and the rest in a taxable brokerage account. Dave Ramsey told him to do it, and to do it that night.
Five months earlier, Ramsey had told a caller in almost the same position the opposite. On April 1, 2026, a web engineer earning around $600,000 a year called in about three weeks after being laid off, sitting on enough cash to clear a San Francisco, California mortgage. "When you're in the middle of a storm, you do temporary things," Ramsey said. "Hold on to the cash. We're not gonna pay off the house because we may not be staying in the house."
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MediaTek Is Stepping Up Competition Against Qualcomm With a New 2-Nanometer Chip. What This Means for QCOM Stock.
1 Year Into the Microsoft Deal, IREN Is Delivering and a Rally May Follow Soon
#mortgage #told
Five months earlier, Ramsey had told a caller in almost the same position the opposite. On April 1, 2026, a web engineer earning around $600,000 a year called in about three weeks after being laid off, sitting on enough cash to clear a San Francisco, California mortgage. "When you're in the middle of a storm, you do temporary things," Ramsey said. "Hold on to the cash. We're not gonna pay off the house because we may not be staying in the house."
Here's Another Little-Known Firm Jensen Huang's Nvidia Is Quietly Backing
MediaTek Is Stepping Up Competition Against Qualcomm With a New 2-Nanometer Chip. What This Means for QCOM Stock.
1 Year Into the Microsoft Deal, IREN Is Delivering and a Rally May Follow Soon
#mortgage #told
1 month ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
According to average rates from the Zillow lender marketplace, mortgage rates are lower headed into the weekend.
The current 30-year fixed rate today, Saturday, September 19, 2026, fell by 1 basis point to 7.04%, the 20-year fixed rate fell 10 basis points to 6.82%, and the 5/1 ARM fell by 10 basis points to 7.04%.
Read more: Weekly survey of mortgage lenders with the lowest rates: Breaking the 7% barrier
Here are the current mortgage rates today, Saturday, September 19, 2026, according to the latest Zillow data:
#mortgage #fell #year
According to average rates from the Zillow lender marketplace, mortgage rates are lower headed into the weekend.
The current 30-year fixed rate today, Saturday, September 19, 2026, fell by 1 basis point to 7.04%, the 20-year fixed rate fell 10 basis points to 6.82%, and the 5/1 ARM fell by 10 basis points to 7.04%.
Read more: Weekly survey of mortgage lenders with the lowest rates: Breaking the 7% barrier
Here are the current mortgage rates today, Saturday, September 19, 2026, according to the latest Zillow data:
#mortgage #fell #year
1 month ago
Choosing the right mortgage lender could save you thousands of dollars. Shopping for one should be one the first steps you take when buying a house.
Comparing lenders and lining up preapprovals early gives you some benchmarks to work from, and when your real estate agent recommends lenders, you'll have a better sense of whether they're offering a good deal. Plus, having preapprovals in hand lets buyers and agents know you're serious.
Real estate agents typically have a roster of recommended lenders, often built on years of repeat business. "Choosing a lender is not just about obtaining financing," says Matthew Martinez, a California real estate broker. "It is about choosing one of the most important members of the transaction team."
Agents vet lenders to add to their networks, and they know what separates a good one from a bad one. Here are the four questions they say you should ask any lender you're considering.
A lender may offer a special program based on your profession, income or location that can make the mortgage more affordable.
#agents #estate #good #know
Comparing lenders and lining up preapprovals early gives you some benchmarks to work from, and when your real estate agent recommends lenders, you'll have a better sense of whether they're offering a good deal. Plus, having preapprovals in hand lets buyers and agents know you're serious.
Real estate agents typically have a roster of recommended lenders, often built on years of repeat business. "Choosing a lender is not just about obtaining financing," says Matthew Martinez, a California real estate broker. "It is about choosing one of the most important members of the transaction team."
Agents vet lenders to add to their networks, and they know what separates a good one from a bad one. Here are the four questions they say you should ask any lender you're considering.
A lender may offer a special program based on your profession, income or location that can make the mortgage more affordable.
#agents #estate #good #know
1 month ago
Leaving $650,000 in IRAs untouched for 11 years grew the balance to $1.11 million, forcing a $42,000 first-year RMD on top of pension income.
The couple missed 11 years of Roth conversion opportunities at the 12% rate, pushing RMD dollars into the 22% bracket instead.
When one spouse dies, the survivor files under single brackets where the 22% rate starts at $50,400, making the same RMD far more costly.
Two retirees, same $1 million, same 4% rule, buy one finished with $1.4 million, the other hit $0 in 12 years. Our free reader guide explains the flaw that separated them, and the income-first method built to avoid it.
Let's start by considering a couple retiring at 62. His pension covers the mortgage, the groceries, the property tax, and the trip to see the grandkids twice a year. Two traditional IRAs, hers and his, hold a combined $650,000 on the day they stop working, and they never take a distribution. Now imagine that eleven quiet years have passed, and then the first required minimum distribution letter arrives, followed by a second, and the number attached to those letters is larger than either of them planned for.
#iras
The couple missed 11 years of Roth conversion opportunities at the 12% rate, pushing RMD dollars into the 22% bracket instead.
When one spouse dies, the survivor files under single brackets where the 22% rate starts at $50,400, making the same RMD far more costly.
Two retirees, same $1 million, same 4% rule, buy one finished with $1.4 million, the other hit $0 in 12 years. Our free reader guide explains the flaw that separated them, and the income-first method built to avoid it.
Let's start by considering a couple retiring at 62. His pension covers the mortgage, the groceries, the property tax, and the trip to see the grandkids twice a year. Two traditional IRAs, hers and his, hold a combined $650,000 on the day they stop working, and they never take a distribution. Now imagine that eleven quiet years have passed, and then the first required minimum distribution letter arrives, followed by a second, and the number attached to those letters is larger than either of them planned for.
#iras
1 month ago
My husband, 59, and I, 55, are planning to retire over the next few years, and this is one of the biggest unknowns I'm struggling with. My mom had Alzheimer's disease and spent seven years in a really nice memory-care facility in a smaller town. It cost about $7,000 a month. Thankfully, my parents had purchased long-term-care insurance and had paid premiums for about 12 years.
My dad died shortly after being diagnosed with cancer, so his policy was never used. But my mom's policy ended up being worth its weight in gold. It essentially covered all of her care. By the time my mother died, the insurance company had paid out almost $600,000. We only paid about $100 a month for some extras. Needless to say, that experience has made me think.
The 10-year Treasury is having its worst run in over 100 years. Why investors are buying bonds anyway.
'I'm burned out': I'm constantly helping my cousin who is running out of money. Is it too much to expect his sister to help?
I've looked into long-term-care insurance, but the premiums are so incredibly expensive, and I worry about what they'll cost by the time it makes sense for me to seriously consider a policy. We're fortunate financially. After 35 years in the corporate grind, we'll have substantial retirement savings; we've always saved carefully; and we have no debt or mortgage.
#insurance #paid #term
My dad died shortly after being diagnosed with cancer, so his policy was never used. But my mom's policy ended up being worth its weight in gold. It essentially covered all of her care. By the time my mother died, the insurance company had paid out almost $600,000. We only paid about $100 a month for some extras. Needless to say, that experience has made me think.
The 10-year Treasury is having its worst run in over 100 years. Why investors are buying bonds anyway.
'I'm burned out': I'm constantly helping my cousin who is running out of money. Is it too much to expect his sister to help?
I've looked into long-term-care insurance, but the premiums are so incredibly expensive, and I worry about what they'll cost by the time it makes sense for me to seriously consider a policy. We're fortunate financially. After 35 years in the corporate grind, we'll have substantial retirement savings; we've always saved carefully; and we have no debt or mortgage.
#insurance #paid #term
1 month ago
AGNC Investment (NASDAQ: AGNC) completed its IPO in May 2008 at $20 per share. Today, shares of the mortgage REIT trade at around $10 per share, a staggering 50% below their IPO price.
However, the company's monthly dividends have more than offset the slump in its share price. AGNC has paid out over $50 per share in ****** ulative dividends since its IPO, more than double its IPO price. With dividends reinvested, it has significantly outperformed mortgage REITs and other financial stocks since its IPO.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
AGNC Investment's founders formed it in the depths of the financial crisis, seeing an opportunity to create a leading Agency MBS (mortgage-backed securities guaranteed against credit losses by government agencies like Fannie Mae). It invests in Agency MBS on a leveraged basis, primarily through repurchase agreements, and uses dynamic risk management strategies to navigate market risks, including interest rate changes.
The company has had to maneuver around several market cycles, unexpected events, and market volatility over the years, which have weighed on its investment returns and earnings. AGNC Investment has still managed to significantly expand its Agency MBS portfolio (it reached $97.2 billion at the end of the second quarter), financed primarily by selling stock. As a result, its shares outstanding have risen a staggering 7,660% since its IPO. This combination of earnings volatility and dilution is why its share prices have fallen 50% since the IPO.
#since #agency #dividends
However, the company's monthly dividends have more than offset the slump in its share price. AGNC has paid out over $50 per share in ****** ulative dividends since its IPO, more than double its IPO price. With dividends reinvested, it has significantly outperformed mortgage REITs and other financial stocks since its IPO.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
AGNC Investment's founders formed it in the depths of the financial crisis, seeing an opportunity to create a leading Agency MBS (mortgage-backed securities guaranteed against credit losses by government agencies like Fannie Mae). It invests in Agency MBS on a leveraged basis, primarily through repurchase agreements, and uses dynamic risk management strategies to navigate market risks, including interest rate changes.
The company has had to maneuver around several market cycles, unexpected events, and market volatility over the years, which have weighed on its investment returns and earnings. AGNC Investment has still managed to significantly expand its Agency MBS portfolio (it reached $97.2 billion at the end of the second quarter), financed primarily by selling stock. As a result, its shares outstanding have risen a staggering 7,660% since its IPO. This combination of earnings volatility and dilution is why its share prices have fallen 50% since the IPO.
#since #agency #dividends
1 month ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates, and whether directly related or not, mortgage rates followed. With home loan rates now effectively at 7%, what will it take for mortgage rates to reverse course and move lower?
See today's best rates.
No. As of Sept. 17, Freddie Mac reported that the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate was 6.95%. This is 19 basis points higher than last week. At this time in September 2025, mortgage rates averaged 6.26%, 69 basis points lower.
The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate this week was 6.26%, up 17 basis points from last week, and 85 basis points higher than this time last year.
#basis #points
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates, and whether directly related or not, mortgage rates followed. With home loan rates now effectively at 7%, what will it take for mortgage rates to reverse course and move lower?
See today's best rates.
No. As of Sept. 17, Freddie Mac reported that the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate was 6.95%. This is 19 basis points higher than last week. At this time in September 2025, mortgage rates averaged 6.26%, 69 basis points lower.
The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate this week was 6.26%, up 17 basis points from last week, and 85 basis points higher than this time last year.
#basis #points
1 month ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Prequalification is a rough estimate of how much you may be able to borrow, while preapproval is a vetted, conditional commitment of the amount and interest rate a lender feels comfortable offering you for a mortgage.
Prequalification is based on the information you provide, whereas a preapproval requires a soft credit pull and is a more accurate representation of what you can borrow.
Preapproval vs. prequalification can vary from lender to lender in terms of definition, and it's important to understand the differences as you begin your homebuying journey.
Prequalification
#preapproval #affect
Prequalification is a rough estimate of how much you may be able to borrow, while preapproval is a vetted, conditional commitment of the amount and interest rate a lender feels comfortable offering you for a mortgage.
Prequalification is based on the information you provide, whereas a preapproval requires a soft credit pull and is a more accurate representation of what you can borrow.
Preapproval vs. prequalification can vary from lender to lender in terms of definition, and it's important to understand the differences as you begin your homebuying journey.
Prequalification
#preapproval #affect
1 month ago
Apollo Global Management warned Wednesday that credit default swaps on hyperscaler debt are pricing in more risk. Chief economist Torsten Slok tied the shift to weakening credit fundamentals rather than routine bond-dealer hedging.
Hyperscalers are the cloud computing giants, including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta, that run the infrastructure behind the AI boom. They face a credit default swap (CDS) gap against bank debt, widened to about 60 basis points since October 2025.
Slok made the case in a Wednesday note reported by CNBC.
"What the market is repricing is hyperscaler credit fundamentals, namely a debt-financed AI capex cycle with rising leverage, negative free cash flow and uncertain payback on depreciating ****** ets."
Dan Alpert, founding managing partner of Westwood Capital, compared the setup to the run-up to the 2008 mortgage crisis. He said banks have since built far bigger equity buffers and are more diversified than they were then.
#slok
Hyperscalers are the cloud computing giants, including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta, that run the infrastructure behind the AI boom. They face a credit default swap (CDS) gap against bank debt, widened to about 60 basis points since October 2025.
Slok made the case in a Wednesday note reported by CNBC.
"What the market is repricing is hyperscaler credit fundamentals, namely a debt-financed AI capex cycle with rising leverage, negative free cash flow and uncertain payback on depreciating ****** ets."
Dan Alpert, founding managing partner of Westwood Capital, compared the setup to the run-up to the 2008 mortgage crisis. He said banks have since built far bigger equity buffers and are more diversified than they were then.
#slok
1 month ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Mortgage rates continue to rise as 2026 nears its fourth quarter. What is the outlook for home loan rates in the next five years? Should you wait for mortgage rates to fall significantly before buying or refinancing? Mortgage interest rates are determined by several factors, all of which can give us clues about the future. Let's take a closer look at mortgage rate predictions over the next five years.
Here are the housing market predictions for 2026.
One of the most useful indicators for predicting mortgage rates is the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note. Mortgage rates and 10-year Treasury yields typically move in the same direction, although mortgage rates are usually higher because lenders factor in additional risks. This difference is known as the spread, and we'll account for it when estimating where mortgage rates could go.
With that in mind, the first step is to look at where economists believe Treasury yields are headed over the next five years. To build a forecast, we'll combine expert economic projections with data compiled using artificial intelligence.
#next #five
Mortgage rates continue to rise as 2026 nears its fourth quarter. What is the outlook for home loan rates in the next five years? Should you wait for mortgage rates to fall significantly before buying or refinancing? Mortgage interest rates are determined by several factors, all of which can give us clues about the future. Let's take a closer look at mortgage rate predictions over the next five years.
Here are the housing market predictions for 2026.
One of the most useful indicators for predicting mortgage rates is the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note. Mortgage rates and 10-year Treasury yields typically move in the same direction, although mortgage rates are usually higher because lenders factor in additional risks. This difference is known as the spread, and we'll account for it when estimating where mortgage rates could go.
With that in mind, the first step is to look at where economists believe Treasury yields are headed over the next five years. To build a forecast, we'll combine expert economic projections with data compiled using artificial intelligence.
#next #five
1 month ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Today, the Federal Reserve increased its target interest rate by 25 basis points — its first rate hike in more than three years.
When the Fed changes interest rates, the impact reaches far beyond Wall Street. Higher rates can help savers earn more on their cash, while lower rates can make mortgages, car loans, and credit cards more affordable. But because every rate move creates both winners and losers, there's no simple answer to whether high or low rates are best.
Understanding why the Fed raises and lowers rates — and how those decisions affect your money — can help you make smarter choices about saving and borrowing.
The Federal Reserve is mandated by Congress to promote stable prices and maximum employment within the U.S. economy. One of the tools it has at its disposal to achieve these goals is the federal funds rate.
#federal #reserve #interest #make
Today, the Federal Reserve increased its target interest rate by 25 basis points — its first rate hike in more than three years.
When the Fed changes interest rates, the impact reaches far beyond Wall Street. Higher rates can help savers earn more on their cash, while lower rates can make mortgages, car loans, and credit cards more affordable. But because every rate move creates both winners and losers, there's no simple answer to whether high or low rates are best.
Understanding why the Fed raises and lowers rates — and how those decisions affect your money — can help you make smarter choices about saving and borrowing.
The Federal Reserve is mandated by Congress to promote stable prices and maximum employment within the U.S. economy. One of the tools it has at its disposal to achieve these goals is the federal funds rate.
#federal #reserve #interest #make
1 month ago
Generating $2,200 monthly in dividends requires between $264,000 at a 10% yield and $754,000 at a 3.5% yield, with higher yields carrying greater principal erosion risk.
A blended portfolio of SCHD (35%), DGRO (25%), VYM (20%), and JEPI (20%) hits a 3.9% weighted yield requiring about $670,000 to reach the $2,200 target.
A 3.5% yield growing 8% annually doubles income in roughly nine years, while a flat 10% yield stays stagnant or declines if distributions are cut.
Read More: Learn 7 secret wealth tips high net worth investors use that most investors miss (sponsor)
Turning zero into $2,200 a month in dividend income requires only two things: a target yield and the capital to support it. The annualized goal is $26,400, which lands somewhere between covering a mortgage payment and replacing a part-time salary. The capital needed depends entirely on the yield you choose, and the yield you choose determines how durable that income actually is.
#yield #choose #dgro
A blended portfolio of SCHD (35%), DGRO (25%), VYM (20%), and JEPI (20%) hits a 3.9% weighted yield requiring about $670,000 to reach the $2,200 target.
A 3.5% yield growing 8% annually doubles income in roughly nine years, while a flat 10% yield stays stagnant or declines if distributions are cut.
Read More: Learn 7 secret wealth tips high net worth investors use that most investors miss (sponsor)
Turning zero into $2,200 a month in dividend income requires only two things: a target yield and the capital to support it. The annualized goal is $26,400, which lands somewhere between covering a mortgage payment and replacing a part-time salary. The capital needed depends entirely on the yield you choose, and the yield you choose determines how durable that income actually is.
#yield #choose #dgro
1 month ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Mortgage rates continue to rise as 2026 nears its fourth quarter. What is the outlook for home loan rates in the next five years? Should you wait for mortgage rates to fall significantly before buying or refinancing? Mortgage interest rates are determined by several factors, all of which can give us clues about the future. Let's take a closer look at mortgage rate predictions over the next five years.
Here are the housing market predictions for 2026.
One of the most useful indicators for predicting mortgage rates is the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note. Mortgage rates and 10-year Treasury yields typically move in the same direction, although mortgage rates are usually higher because lenders factor in additional risks. This difference is known as the spread, and we'll account for it when estimating where mortgage rates could go.
With that in mind, the first step is to look at where economists believe Treasury yields are headed over the next five years. To build a forecast, we'll combine expert economic projections with data compiled using artificial intelligence.
#rates #five #yields
Mortgage rates continue to rise as 2026 nears its fourth quarter. What is the outlook for home loan rates in the next five years? Should you wait for mortgage rates to fall significantly before buying or refinancing? Mortgage interest rates are determined by several factors, all of which can give us clues about the future. Let's take a closer look at mortgage rate predictions over the next five years.
Here are the housing market predictions for 2026.
One of the most useful indicators for predicting mortgage rates is the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note. Mortgage rates and 10-year Treasury yields typically move in the same direction, although mortgage rates are usually higher because lenders factor in additional risks. This difference is known as the spread, and we'll account for it when estimating where mortgage rates could go.
With that in mind, the first step is to look at where economists believe Treasury yields are headed over the next five years. To build a forecast, we'll combine expert economic projections with data compiled using artificial intelligence.
#rates #five #yields
1 month ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Today, the Federal Reserve increased its target interest rate by 25 basis points — its first rate hike in more than three years.
When the Fed changes interest rates, the impact reaches far beyond Wall Street. Higher rates can help savers earn more on their cash, while lower rates can make mortgages, car loans, and credit cards more affordable. But because every rate move creates both winners and losers, there's no simple answer to whether high or low rates are best.
Understanding why the Fed raises and lowers rates — and how those decisions affect your money — can help you make smarter choices about saving and borrowing.
The Federal Reserve is mandated by Congress to promote stable prices and maximum employment within the U.S. economy. One of the tools it has at its disposal to achieve these goals is the federal funds rate.
#federal #interest #disclosure
Today, the Federal Reserve increased its target interest rate by 25 basis points — its first rate hike in more than three years.
When the Fed changes interest rates, the impact reaches far beyond Wall Street. Higher rates can help savers earn more on their cash, while lower rates can make mortgages, car loans, and credit cards more affordable. But because every rate move creates both winners and losers, there's no simple answer to whether high or low rates are best.
Understanding why the Fed raises and lowers rates — and how those decisions affect your money — can help you make smarter choices about saving and borrowing.
The Federal Reserve is mandated by Congress to promote stable prices and maximum employment within the U.S. economy. One of the tools it has at its disposal to achieve these goals is the federal funds rate.
#federal #interest #disclosure
