MBS RECAP: Bonds Sneak Into September Unnoticed

Posted To: MBS Commentary

August began with bond yields moving down from 3%, effectively keeping them in a sideways-to-slightly higher trend that arguably dates back to January. The trend may have taken a break in the spring as yields tested a move over 3.10%, but geopolitical considerations and trade tensions quickly caused traders to rethink it. At times, the range has been as narrow as 2.82-2.88, which is also true for most of this week, and easily true for today. With rates operating so persistently in such a narrow range, there's little to do but wait for a breakout . Otherwise, we'd just be enumerating a litany of bull vs bear arguments for rates and marveling at their serendipitous counterbalance. I sincerely apologize for that fact that the last sentence read like something out of a vocab book, or a...(read more)

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MBS RECAP: Bonds Sneak Into September Unnoticed

Posted To: MBS Commentary

August began with bond yields moving down from 3%, effectively keeping them in a sideways-to-slightly higher trend that arguably dates back to January. The trend may have taken a break in the spring as yields tested a move over 3.10%, but geopolitical considerations and trade tensions quickly caused traders to rethink it. At times, the range has been as narrow as 2.82-2.88, which is also true for most of this week, and easily true for today. With rates operating so persistently in such a narrow range, there's little to do but wait for a breakout . Otherwise, we'd just be enumerating a litany of bull vs bear arguments for rates and marveling at their serendipitous counterbalance. I sincerely apologize for that fact that the last sentence read like something out of a vocab book, or a...(read more)

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Mortgage Rates End Week Near Best Levels

Posted To: Mortgage Rate Watch

Mortgage rates caught a break to end a week that was otherwise spent moving higher. Although we did see a bit of improvement in underlying bond markets yesterday, lenders were still getting rate sheets caught up with Wednesday afternoon's bond market weakness. As such, we were left with a decent trading day but no improvement in rates. In order to see that improvement, we needed this morning to bring stronger trading levels and that's exactly what it did. Lenders were consequently able to offer token improvements in the upfront costs attached to the same old rate quotes that have prevailed for weeks. In other words, bond markets aren't moving enough for actual mortgage rates to change. Instead, movement is limited to the upfront costs (or credits) associated with any given loan--something that...(read more)

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Mortgage Rates End Week Near Best Levels

Posted To: Mortgage Rate Watch

Mortgage rates caught a break to end a week that was otherwise spent moving higher. Although we did see a bit of improvement in underlying bond markets yesterday, lenders were still getting rate sheets caught up with Wednesday afternoon's bond market weakness. As such, we were left with a decent trading day but no improvement in rates. In order to see that improvement, we needed this morning to bring stronger trading levels and that's exactly what it did. Lenders were consequently able to offer token improvements in the upfront costs attached to the same old rate quotes that have prevailed for weeks. In other words, bond markets aren't moving enough for actual mortgage rates to change. Instead, movement is limited to the upfront costs (or credits) associated with any given loan--something that...(read more)

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HomeReady: Several Big Advantages Over FHA

Posted To: MND NewsWire

Fannie Mae's 3% down payment HomeReady program was rolled out in 2016. HomeReady has numerous advantages over FHA loans (historically the most common "low down payment" option) and other conventional loans. We'll compare them in this series. Today, let's look at mortgage insurance costs: No upfront mortgage insurance premium: While both HomeReady and FHA have low down payments (3% for HomeReady, 3.5% for FHA), FHA loans add an upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) of 1.75% of the amount borrowed to buyers' loan balances at closing. On a $200,000 purchase, that's $3377. Think that's not a significant cost? You don't recoup it until you've made 12 payments! It also means that half your down payment goes to UFMIP costs, versus the...(read more)

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HomeReady: Several Big Advantages Over FHA

Posted To: MND NewsWire

Fannie Mae’s 3% down payment HomeReady program was rolled out in 2016. HomeReady has numerous advantages over FHA loans (historically the most common “low down payment” option) and other conventional loans. We’ll compare them in this series. Today, let’s look at mortgage insurance costs: No upfront mortgage insurance premium: While both HomeReady and FHA have low down payments (3% for HomeReady, 3.5% for FHA), FHA loans add an upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) of 1.75% of the amount borrowed to buyers’ loan balances at closing. On a $200,000 purchase, that’s $3377. Think that’s not a significant cost? You don’t recoup it until you’ve made 12 payments! It also means that half your down payment goes to UFMIP costs, versus the...(read more)

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A Professional Stylist's Modern Organic Portland Apartment — House Tour

Name: Jorie Garcia and Trevor Bennett
Location: Southeast Portland, Oregon
Size: 640 square feet
Years lived in: Renting 4 years

For those of you who have had the pleasure of laying eyes on Schoolhouse Electric's gorgeously styled catalogs, today's house tour will provide you with a bit of a fan girl or boy moment. If you've seen those perfectly imperfect gallery walls, and effortlessly fluffed pillows, then you're familiar with Jorie Garcia's work. As the catalog stylist and product developer for the Portland-based furniture and lighting company, her work has long since populated countless interiors-obsessed blogs and Pinterest boards, all while managing to strike a masterful (and somehow still accessible) balance between classic Pacific Northwest style and colorful mid-century modern design.

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Magnolia Market's Fall Displays Are Even Better Than Anthropologie's

Autumn is a time for earthy hues, rustic touches, and an overall calming feel—three elements that Magnolia Market brought into their space for the upcoming fall season.

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13 Things You Probably Haven't Considered Spray-Painting (But Should)

When you want to change the color of a wooden chair, you automatically reach for a can of spray paint. But when you have some monstera leaves, a KitchenAid mixer or a fridge in need of a makeover? Spray paint isn't the first thing that comes to mind. After searching the web and our archives for unexpected subjects for spray-paint spruce-ups, we've determined that this humble supply can accomplish much more than we ever thought it capable of.

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Peek Inside Prince Harry's Dorm Room In These Throwback Pics

Let's all take a step back in time, shall we? Back in the days of Yore (okay, the early 2000's) Prince Harry was just another ginger cherub hanging out at his dorm room at Eton College, from where he graduated in 2003.

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The Best Luggage for Everyone — The Best List

When it comes to finding the luggage that's right for you (and your next trip), there are a few questions you should ask: How will you be traveling? How long will you be traveling? How much stuff will you actually bring with you?

The answers to those questions can help determine what kind of bag is right for you, whether that be a weekender, a carry-on, or a more substantial check bag. Of course, no matter which style of luggage you land on, not all bags are created equal.

So to help you find the best option for you, we're sharing our favorite luggage on the market right now from low, medium, to high. Read on to find your perfect match before you book that ticket.

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The One Thing People Forget to Clean When Moving

Moving is expensive enough as it is, so nobody wants to get the bad news that they aren't getting their security deposit back due to a dirty apartment. But it happens more often than you might think. According to a 2013 survey by Rent.com, more than 25 percent of renters have lost part or all of their security deposit at some point.

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A Modern Industrial Paris Apartment Is Flooded with Light — House Tour

Name: Iñigo, Charlotte, and their 2-year-old daughter, Ellie
Location: Paris, France
Size: 800 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years, owend

Paris in general is not known for having big apartments, but when you have a space with large windows (and tons of natural light flooding in) coupled with a homeowner who has a background in interior design and architecture, anything is possible. The first thing people notice when they walk into Iñigo and Charlotte's home is how surprisingly big and bright it feels. With terrace views of the Ourcq canal and an open concept kitchen the couple created, it's no wonder the place feels so spacious and inviting.

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Sorry, but Here Are 5 Things You Should TOTALLY Worry About at Home

We recently wrote about things at home you don't need to worry about. But that doesn't mean you're off the hook. For every ahh, it's not actually that big of a deal item on the list, there's—sorry—something waiting to take its place. And it's not always the stuff you might think about. So, just in case you need something to keep you up at night, here are five things that you should be worried about.

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Jumbo Loans Back in Style?

Posted To: MND NewsWire

Taking out a mortgage with an origination balance higher than whatever the conventional loan limit was at the time used to be an expensive proposition. Home buyers and refinancers had an incentive to do whatever they could - higher down payments, piggy back second mortgages - to get their loan under that conventional limit in order to reap the benefits of lower borrowing costs. However, as Archana Prahan writes in the CoreLogic Insights Blog, since mid-2013 a jumbo loan has had lower borrower costs than a conforming loan, currently defined as one with a balance at or under $453,100. In the first quarter of 2018 that differential averaged 33 basis points (bps). As Figure 1 shows, conforming loans were cheaper during the period from the second quarter of 2007 to the first quarter of 2013, (blue...(read more)

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Jumbo Loans Back in Style?

Posted To: MND NewsWire

Taking out a mortgage with an origination balance higher than whatever the conventional loan limit was at the time used to be an expensive proposition. Home buyers and refinancers had an incentive to do whatever they could - higher down payments, piggy back second mortgages - to get their loan under that conventional limit in order to reap the benefits of lower borrowing costs. However, as Archana Prahan writes in the CoreLogic Insights Blog, since mid-2013 a jumbo loan has had lower borrower costs than a conforming loan, currently defined as one with a balance at or under $453,100. In the first quarter of 2018 that differential averaged 33 basis points (bps). As Figure 1 shows, conforming loans were cheaper during the period from the second quarter of 2007 to the first quarter of 2013, (blue...(read more)

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6 Stylish Amazon Finds That Influencers Love

It's no secret that Amazon is a great source for budget-friendly home decor. They carry a seemingly neverending array of furniture, accessories, and tchotchkes, many of which are available with two-day shipping for Prime members. And no matter what your personal style—Scandi, mid-mod, boho, minimalist—there's bound to be something that catches your eye.

But with thousands of items to slog through it can be tough to know where to start. So we looked through some of our favorite design-minded blogs to find the Amazon home products that influencers love. We can't promise they'll turn you into Instagram star overnight, but they might just be the extra dose of style your home needs.

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Labor Day Sales: Our Picks For The Best Deals

While autumn doesn't officially start until the equinox, Labor Day is often the last hurrah of summer, one more long weekend before school, work, and life resume their hectic pace. It's also a chance to indulge in some retail therapy before heading back to said responsibilities. If you're looking for a deal, we rounded up the best on the internet for your home and beyond.

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MBS Day Ahead: Lowest Volatility Ever, or Close to It

Posted To: MBS Commentary

There are a few different ways to measure volatility in the bond market, but one of the simplest is via the average daily trading range. That particular metric is showing volatility in line with the lowest levels on record. The lower volatility goes and the longer it stays there, the more likely we are to see a big move in rates. Many would argue that, because we've spent so much time moving toward higher rates during the past 2 years, that big move stands a good chance of being rate friendly. The catch is that it could still take months before such a thing begins to materialize. The other catch is that there are good reasons for the extended run of bad luck for rates. Moreover, there's a risk of complacency due to the fact rates are being held a bit lower than they otherwise might...(read more)

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MBS Day Ahead: Lowest Volatility Ever, or Close to It

Posted To: MBS Commentary

There are a few different ways to measure volatility in the bond market, but one of the simplest is via the average daily trading range. That particular metric is showing volatility in line with the lowest levels on record. The lower volatility goes and the longer it stays there, the more likely we are to see a big move in rates. Many would argue that, because we've spent so much time moving toward higher rates during the past 2 years, that big move stands a good chance of being rate friendly. The catch is that it could still take months before such a thing begins to materialize. The other catch is that there are good reasons for the extended run of bad luck for rates. Moreover, there's a risk of complacency due to the fact rates are being held a bit lower than they otherwise might...(read more)

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Before and After: This $8K Bathroom Remodel Keeps the Old Tile and Peach Tub

This sweet green and pink bathroom is 63 years young, and though it had received a few updates 25 years ago, "It was just time to modernize and freshen up the old bathroom," according to its owner. Let's see what a difference 10 days can make in the long life of a vintage bathroom...

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The 13 Best Kirkland Signature Products at Costco

Store-brand products aren't usually something to get excited about. They're cheap and … that's about it. But Costco's Kirkland Signature brand of products are a bargain-hunter's dream because they are not only economical, but also often top-of-the-line.

Now, not every Kirkland product hits it out of the park (Charmin still beats Kirkland toilet paper by a mile), but there's a baker's dozen of food products with Costco's store label that often rank at the top of experts' lists — and our list too.

Here are our picks for the best Kirkland label products. Don't have a Costco membership? You can actually find some of this stuff on Amazon or Jet.com, but you may need to spend a few dollars more.

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Celebrate Your Freedom: 7 Reasons NOT to Buy a Home

While buying a home often seems like the mark of adulthood and stability, there are plenty of reasons home ownership is not all it's cracked up to be. So whether you aren't in a position to buy a home at this point or you just aren't sure about taking the plunge, here are some reasons to celebrate your non-homeowner freedom.

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Pottery Barn’s New Harry Potter Home Decor Has Us On Platform 9 ¾

Great news, Potter fans: You no longer have to attend Hogwarts to feel like a wizarding student. Following the success of last year's PBteen Harry Potter collection, Pottery Barn has announced its official home decor expansion that involves the company's entire trifecta (Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and PBteen).

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MI, Warehouse, and Broker Products; Mortgage Fraud Protection Trends

Posted To: Pipeline Press

"How can you make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere?" It seems that 3D-printing is going places. NASA awarded five teams $100,000 in a 3D-Printed habitat competition. As the next step, the winners are required to 3D print a one-third-scale model of their design for a chance to win $2 million. And a Russian firm has announced commencement on the world's largest 3D construction printer , capable of printing an entire six-story building before you can ask, "Where's the inspector?" I am sure we could use them as polling places in this country. Fraud Just the word "fraud" is enough to make people take notice. Some writers won't even address the topic because they don't want their name and "fraud" together on the internet...(read more)

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MI, Warehouse, and Broker Products; Mortgage Fraud Protection Trends

Posted To: Pipeline Press

“How can you make a comeback when you haven’t been anywhere?” It seems that 3D-printing is going places. NASA awarded five teams $100,000 in a 3D-Printed habitat competition. As the next step, the winners are required to 3D print a one-third-scale model of their design for a chance to win $2 million. And a Russian firm has announced commencement on the world’s largest 3D construction printer , capable of printing an entire six-story building before you can ask, “Where’s the inspector?" I am sure we could use them as polling places in this country. Fraud Just the word “fraud” is enough to make people take notice. Some writers won’t even address the topic because they don’t want their name and “fraud” together on the internet...(read more)

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11 Cute Decor Pieces That Also Solve Small Space Problems

In a small space, every inch counts. There's quite literally no room for frivolous decor items that don't also provide a function. But the items in this post—spotted in real homes from recent house tours—are hardworking and good looking.

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One Wise Thing You Can Do for Your Home This Labor Day Weekend — Weekend Projects

It will never be not true that solving a problem when it's small is much easier — and, when it comes to home maintenance, drastically more cost effective — than solving a problem that's grown.

While we're outside grilling or sipping on something relaxing this Labor Day weekend, we're going to take a little stroll around the perimeter and see if there might be a little problem we need to address now, before it gets bigger.

Apartment Therapy Weekend Projects is a guided program designed to help you get the happy, healthy home you've always wanted, one weekend at a time. Sign up now for email updates so you never miss a lesson.

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MBS RECAP: New Tariff News Helps Bonds Dig Into Range

Posted To: MBS Commentary

While we can't really avoid talking about "the range" recently (roughly 2.80 to 2.90 in terms of 10yr Treasury yields), we can at least talk about it in a slightly more enjoyable way today. As of yesterday afternoon, yields were essentially challenging the upper end of the range. Any weakness today would have meant a potential confirmation of a range breakout (which generally results in more momentum in the same direction). The day started to go well for bonds right from the overnight session with modest global market weakness and risk aversion prompting similarly modest gains in safe-haven bond markets. The PCE data helped too, albeit slightly. Traders were fearing a stronger-than-expected result, so when inflation was reported right in line with expectations, bonds got another...(read more)

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MBS RECAP: New Tariff News Helps Bonds Dig Into Range

Posted To: MBS Commentary

While we can't really avoid talking about "the range" recently (roughly 2.80 to 2.90 in terms of 10yr Treasury yields), we can at least talk about it in a slightly more enjoyable way today. As of yesterday afternoon, yields were essentially challenging the upper end of the range. Any weakness today would have meant a potential confirmation of a range breakout (which generally results in more momentum in the same direction). The day started to go well for bonds right from the overnight session with modest global market weakness and risk aversion prompting similarly modest gains in safe-haven bond markets. The PCE data helped too, albeit slightly. Traders were fearing a stronger-than-expected result, so when inflation was reported right in line with expectations, bonds got another...(read more)

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CB2 Just Launched a Stylish Collection With Gwyneth Paltrow's goop

Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle company, goop, may have a reputation for suggesting and selling items so expensive most of us could only dream about buying them, but its newest collaboration is a departure from the site's extremely affluent roots. The new goop x CB2 furniture collection just launched, and it's surprisingly on the affordable side.

And while we're excited to see GP pivot into the design space, we would have expected her to pair up with a luxury brand like ABC Carpet & Home, not Crate & Barrel's more affordable sister store. But hey, after seeing the 58-piece collection we're not complaining. Because my goopness, is it beautiful.

There are, of course, some extravagant offerings, like this $3,299 special edition shearling chair signed by Gwyneth herself (you can also buy it unsigned for $899). But overall, the collection is moderately priced and includes a range of stylish pieces with thoughtful details. Take for instance, the chinoiserie rug, which was inspired by Paltrow's time in England.

"I lived in England—where chinoiserie wallpaper and tapestries are so prevalent—for such a long time," Paltrow explained on CB2's site. "To me, the motif represents a very homey feeling, which I've never seen on a rug before. It was really fun to transpose it off the wall and onto the floor."

That soft, almost romantic theme carries through the rest of the collection as well. You can shop the full line on CB2.com now, but check out our favorite pieces below.

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Chip Gaines Wants To Fund Your Business—Again

Chip Gaines is looking to make your dreams come true… again.

You may recall that last October, the "Fixer Upper" alum/home renovation king launched a new platform called Chipstarter (you know, like Kickstarter) to help a few lucky folks achieve their wildest dreams.

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Mortgage Rates: If You Like Boring, You're in Luck!

Posted To: Mortgage Rate Watch

Mortgage rates didn't move at all, again today. There really hasn't been any meaningful movement for more than 3 weeks. The same thing happened from late June through mid July. And if we broaden our definition of "sideways" just a bit, we can legitimately fit most of 2018 into the same conversation. Just about the only thing that's interesting about recent rate movement is that it continues to keep us generally closer to the highest levels in 7 years. Part of the current problem is simply the time of year. It's not uncommon to see underlying bond markets consolidate at some point in the summertime months before breaking higher or lower in September. The difference this time around is that part about 2018 being broadly sideways for the entire year. That would seem to suggest indecision among...(read more)

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Mortgage Rates: If You Like Boring, You're in Luck!

Posted To: Mortgage Rate Watch

Mortgage rates didn't move at all, again today. There really hasn't been any meaningful movement for more than 3 weeks. The same thing happened from late June through mid July. And if we broaden our definition of "sideways" just a bit, we can legitimately fit most of 2018 into the same conversation. Just about the only thing that's interesting about recent rate movement is that it continues to keep us generally closer to the highest levels in 7 years. Part of the current problem is simply the time of year. It's not uncommon to see underlying bond markets consolidate at some point in the summertime months before breaking higher or lower in September. The difference this time around is that part about 2018 being broadly sideways for the entire year. That would seem to suggest indecision among...(read more)

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The Best Living Room Colors to Refresh Your Space

If your living room feels like a relic from a past life, it may be time for an update. But refreshing your furniture and replacing all your objets d'art can be a pricey proposition. Enter: paint! A new coat can dramatically change the look and feel of your living room without costing you a fortune. But here's a challenge: consider a color that's not white. These 11 shades are gorgeous and bold—and they're guaranteed to give your space an unforgettable makeover. Hate the look? Just repaint. But we bet you won't.

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