When people talk about America's monetary policy, they're referring to the actions taken by the Federal Reserve Bank that affect the availability and cost of money and credit.

The act of closing on a mortgage yields a dizzying array of documents. A borrower is required to sign page upon page of legalese-often with little understanding of what's contained within the paperwork...

Entering 2008, the direction of interest rates remains unpredictable. Nobody has a crystal ball to tell which direction rates are headed.

Today's secondary market investors include government-chartered companies like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, plus insurance companies, pension funds, and securities dealers.

The factors driving the ebbs and flows of mortgage rates are largely unknown to the general population...

There are several benefits to having a better mortgage rate. The most obvious benefit is that a lower mortgage rate will result in a lower mortgage payment.

A mortgage rate, when you purchase a home is determined by both economic conditions, and the type of loan program that you choose.

A mortgage rate is the rate of interest rate you pay on money you either borrow to buy a home, or a rate you pay on a second mortgage, or home equity loan when you borrow money against your home.

It's often said that you should refinance when mortgage rates are 2% lower than the rate you currently have on your loan.

New home construction is down; the inventory of vacant homes for sale is up. As more and more houses stay on the market longer and longer, prices will invariably begin to drop. The housing bubble has clearly burst.