I’m the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors. Here are 6 things to know about the housing market now

In this series, we ask a variety of real estate economists what they think buyers and sellers should know about the housing market now. National Association of Realtors As mortgage rates inch upwards ...

Mortgage prepayments have fallen 62% from a year ago. This is what that says about the housing market.

Ultimately, as long as buyers are able to keep up with their regular monthly payments, fewer people making extra mortgage payments probably isn’t going to have a massive impact on the broader housing ...

5 economists and real estate pros predict the housing market this summer

Want to buy a home? Here’s what pros say you may want to know this home buying season. Getty Images/iStockphoto Home prices have been climbing, as have mortgage rates (you can see the lowest mortgage ...

5 economists and real estate pros on what mortgage rates will look like for 2022

What should you expect for mortgage interest rates in 2022? Getty Images/iStockphoto Mortgage rates have reached their highest point in 13 years, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. An...

3 economists predict when competition in the housing market will decline

When will you see competition decrease in the housing market? Getty Images Mortgage rates on 30-year fixed rate loans have climbed from about 3.5% earlier this year to upwards of 5.6%, and pros say th...

‘It’s unlikely home prices will plummet.’ 5 pros predict home prices in 2022

Will home prices fall? Getty Images Gone are the uber-low mortgage rates of 2021. Indeed, average 30-year-fixed mortgage rates have risen from roughly 3.5% to about 5.6% this year, and pros say they e...

Out of 100 housing markets in America, this is the least overpriced, study finds

Baltimore is the least overvalued housing market, new study reveals. Getty Images Housing prices have risen rapidly in the past year, even as mortgage rates are on the rise with pros saying they will ...

Fed issued biggest rate hike in 22 years. 4 things to do with your money now

Amid rising interest rate, here’s how to handle savings, investments and debt. Getty Images/iStockphoto For the first time in 22 years, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by more than one-quart...

‘I can’t afford to pay the loan because I’m on a fixed income.’ I’m a 57-year-old widow with $67K in student loan debt. Can you help me get rid of it?

There are some forgiveness and benefit options, including some specific to military spouses that could provide financial compensation. AP Question: I’m a military wife, and my husband died on active d...

‘It is costing more to survive now.’ I owe $109K in student loans, and the balance keeps going up as the loan servicer ‘continuously tacks on more money.’ With high inflation, how can I even cope with my student loans now?

Unfortunately, it is possible for a loan balance to increase, even as you are making payments. iStock Question: I have student loans in excess of $109k.  I am on an income-driven plan but my biggest p...

Gas prices are up roughly 40% from just a year ago. So you may want to try this method to get ‘basically free money’ for gas — but there’s a catch

Is a gas credit card right for you? Getty Images Amid high inflation, rising prices of crude oil and the war in Ukraine, gas prices have jumped from an average of about $2.88 per gallon a year ago, to...

What to expect if you’re thinking about buying an investment property

Think about your objective as it will inform what kind of property you’ll buy. Getty Images Many people dream of owning real estate that nets them a rent check each month, but knowing what you might a...

4 housing market predictions for 2022, from economists and real estate pros

We asked home and mortgage experts and economists what they predict will happen this spring. Getty Images/iStockphoto We asked home and mortgage experts and economists what they predict will happen in...

As mortgage rates climb, one big thing homebuyers should consider doing now

Is a mortgage rate lock right for you? Getty Images Mortgage rates will likely rise throughout 2022, many experts predict. Indeed, both Holden Lewis, home and mortgage expert at Nerdwallet, and Jeff O...

This is exactly how much income homebuyers are bringing to the bargaining table

How much income do homebuyers usually come to the table with? Getty Images/iStockphoto The median household income in America is about $68,000, according to the Census Bureau — but that may not be eno...

4 economists and real estate pros on exactly when mortgage rates will hit 5%

Pros expect that higher mortgage rates will cool the housing boom somewhat. Getty Images/iStockphoto If mortgage rates continue on their current trajectory, some experts predict 30-year fixed rates co...

Mortgage delinquencies rose for the first time in 9 months. What does that mean?

More homeowners are late on their mortgage payments. What does that mean? Getty Images/iStockphoto Mortgage delinquencies are on the rise. Indeed, in February, the national delinquency rate rose for t...

We took out $55K in student loans and 22 years later, the balance has not budged

How to get out of student loan debt. Getty Images/iStockphoto Question: I graduated in 2000 with about $35K in student loan debt.  My wife also had about $20K in student loan debt.  They were mostly f...

I’m 65 and have $220K in student loan debt. I have a lot of health issues and am only working part-time. Can I somehow erase this debt?

Remember, if you’re having difficulty making payments due to low or no income, you may be eligible for a low or $0 payment by enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan Getty Images/iStockphoto Ques...

My son failed out of school and has $126K in student loan debt. What can we do?

How to get out of student loan debt Getty Images/iStockphoto Question: My son was studying in a pharmacy program and at the end of the last semester, the college kicked him out due to his non-performa...

I now owe 3x what I originally borrowed in student loans. What can I do?

Borrowers with less-than-perfect credit records face challenges while climbing out of debt, and they can get steeper when you’re older because income tends to plateau. Getty Images/iStockphoto Questio...

‘Reduced competition.’ 5 predictions for the housing market in 2022, from economists and real estate pros

We’ve already seen rates rise in the early months of 2022, and some pros say that will continue. Getty Images Aspiring home buyers may have watched as mortgage rates in recent months rose (though to b...

Foreclosures have jumped 70%. Here’s what that says about the housing market

The foreclosure uptick indicates that the economic — and especially employment recovery — is not complete, an expert says. Getty Images Foreclosures are up, and that’s something potential homebuyers a...

The latest mortgage rates, and what pros say will happen to mortgage rates in 2022

What you might pay for a mortgage now Getty Images/iStockphoto Mortgage rates are rising: According to the latest data from Bankrate, 15-year-mortgage rates rose slightly from a day prior to 3.65% (3....

I cosigned student loans for my daughter, but am now disabled. What can I do?

How to get out of student loan debt Getty Images/iStockphoto Question: I cosigned on a private student loan for my daughter in 2006. Soon afterwards my health deteriorated, and I was granted disabilit...

I graduated college at 40, but defaulted on my student loans. How can I deal?

How to get out of student loan debt Getty Images/iStockphoto Question: I am about to turn 65 and eligible for Medicare. I have a bachelor’s degree in business and organizational communications and an ...

This is the minimum amount of money you should have in savings, pros say

How much money should you have saved? Getty Images/iStockphoto You probably know the emergency fund ‘rule’ — save anywhere from 3-9 months of expenses to cover a potential unexpected expense. And whil...

6 financial advisers on how they’re handling their investments amid inflation

Amid high inflation, here’s what financial planners are personally doing with their money. Getty Images/iStockphoto The rate of U.S. inflation hit 7.9% in February, according to government data releas...

The most expensive state for car insurance — plus what it costs in every state

One survey from NerdWallet finds that switching car insurance could save good drivers about $417 a year. Adobe Stock (New Africa) There’s no doubt that car insurance is expensive — NerdWallet reveals ...

I took out $30K in student loans, but they now total $96K. How is this possible?

How to get out of student loan debt Getty Images/iStockphoto Question: I’d like to obtain advice on tackling student loan debt. I do not have private loans, and I owe approximately $96,000. I’m so con...

Mortgage rates have dipped — is it a good time to buy a home? Experts weigh in.

Getty Images Some mortgage rates have fallen slightly: The average interest rate on a fixed rate 30-year mortgage now sits at 4.20% and the average annual percentage rate is 4.25%, down from 4.29% and...