»
FREEandCLEAR Blog

FREEandCLEAR Blog

Welcome to the FREEandCLEAR Blog! Our blog offers unique insights on the latest mortgage market news and trends. We also use our blog to shine a spotlight on important topics that are shaping the real estate and mortgage markets including housing affordability, socioeconomic developments and financial literacy. We are always adding interesting features to the FREEandCLEAR Blog so sign up below to receive our Mortgage Market Update and other posts or check back frequently.

Sign up to be notified of new blog posts
Please enter your email
Thank you for submitting your email address
Home Ownership Hits 20 Year LowPOSTED: Tuesday February 24, 2015

According to a recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau, the rate of homeownership hit a 20 year low of 64.5%  in 2014.  The Census Bureau defines the homeownership rate as the percentage of households that own the house in which they live.  The home ownership rate peaked at 69.0% in 2004 and has been […]

Existing Home Sales Come Into 2015 Like a LambPOSTED: Monday February 23, 2015

In our effort to cover important trends that affect the mortgage market, FREEandCLEAR keeps a close eye on existing home sales, which is the number of previously constructed housing units that are sold in a month.  The existing home sales figure is reported separately from the new home sales figure, which is the number of […]

When Housing Starts Dip, You Dip, I DipPOSTED: Wednesday February 18, 2015

A key report that reflects the strength of the housing market is the monthly Housing Starts report released jointly by the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.  The Housing Starts report includes two pieces of data: starts and permits.  A housing start is counted when construction […]

Mortgage Applications Slip Sliding AwayPOSTED: Wednesday February 18, 2015

At FREEandCLEAR, we follow the Mortgage Bankers’ Association (MBA) mortgage applications index which measures both purchase and refinance applications for mortgage lenders across the country.  An increase in the MBA applications index reflects an increase in mortgage applications while a decrease in the index reflects a decline in mortgage applications.   Mortgage application activity continued […]

Housing Market Index Falls Back but Remains PositivePOSTED: Tuesday February 17, 2015

The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index is one of the key housing market statistics that we track at FREEandCLEAR.  The Housing Market Index incorporates factors such as current and expected new home sales and interest level from potential new home buyers.  It is important to highlight that the index focuses on new […]

Mortgage Applications SlidePOSTED: Wednesday February 11, 2015

At FREEandCLEAR, we follow the Mortgage Bankers’ Association (MBA) mortgage applications index which measures both purchase and refinance applications for mortgage lenders across the country.  An increase in the MBA applications index reflects an increase in mortgage applications while a decrease in the index reflects a decline in mortgage applications.   Mortgage application activity continues […]

Mortgage Applications Remain FlatPOSTED: Wednesday February 04, 2015

At FREEandCLEAR, we follow the Mortgage Bankers’ Association (MBA) mortgage applications index which measures both purchase and refinance applications for mortgage lenders across the country.  An increase in the MBA applications index reflects an increase in mortgage applications while a decrease in the index reflects a decline in mortgage applications.   Mortgage application activity seems […]

Half of Borrowers Throw Away Money on Their MortgagePOSTED: Monday February 02, 2015

According to a recent report released by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a government agency focused on consumer financial matters, almost half (47%) of all mortgage borrowers do not compare lenders when they select a mortgage.  At FREEandCLEAR, we believe that one of the best ways to save money on your mortgage is to […]