February 5th, 2010
Friday Scoop on Credit Karma & Housing Market News
Good news on the job front! The national unemployment rate dips to 9.7 percent from last year’s 10 percent. The unemployment report still shows that the job crisis remains deep and will likely not return to any normal level in the next three to four years. The unexpected decline offers us all hope that employers could start adding more jobs this year.
For your fix of news and information on the housing market, plus updates on Credit Karma from the media, today’s roundup has you covered.
Credit Karma in the News
- The View From The Bay television show mentions Credit Karma in the program 5 Steps to Healthier Finances!
- 3 ways to get a free credit report with no hidden fees at CreditShout features Credit Karma as an easy way to get started on improving your score.
- The Kansas City Star suggests, “Check this KC measurement—how much credit card debt are you carrying?“
- Press Enterprise talks about Credit Karma as one of its recommended online tools to help maintain a good credit history.
Home & Mortgage News
- Kiplinger answers a question about the homeowner tax credit and filing bankruptcy in, “A home buyer credit meets foreclosure.”
- Speaking of the homeowner tax credit, My Dollar Plan outlines simple steps on how to claim your home buyer tax credit.
- MoneyNing answers the question, should I pay off my mortgage, or have one at all?
- If you are indeed planning to take out a mortgage, Foreigner’s Finances offers some tips on which mortgage loan is right for you.
- Homeowners have more than interest rates to consider at tax time, reports The Washington Post.
This Week’s Mortgage Rates
According to Bankrate.com, the four-week streak of declining mortgage rates broke this week as the average 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed, and 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages rose. Despite the upbeat news of economic growth entering 2010, personal income and consumer spending in December, and a stronger-than-expected manufacturing index for January, mortgage rates were bumped up only slightly. Mortgage survey results:
Bankrate’s recent survey results:
- 30-year fixed: 5.15% — up from 5.13% last week (avg points: 0.49)
- 15-year fixed: 4.55% — up from 4.54% last week (avg points: 0.45)
- 5/1 ARM: 4.56% — up from 4.53% last week (avg points: 0.38)
