Tomie Raines

Where Are Mortgage Rates Going?

The new Federal Reserve chief has recently pledged to continue the tapering of bond purchases at the current pace which will no doubt result in rising mortgage interest rates. The current Freddie Mac 30 year rate is 4.28%. So where do the

Tomie Raines

When Should You Stop Renting and Buy?

The answer is when it costs less to buy than to rent. But how do you calculate that? If you find two similar houses- one for sale and one for rent- divide the asking price by the annual rent. The difference is

Tomie Raines

Things Looking Up In Michigan

We've written about the vibrancy of the greater Lansing economy and what a great place it is to work and live. The state is also on a roll right now and this WSJ article describes what's happening. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304181204579367174200784080

Tomie Raines

Mortgage Foregiveness Tax Relief

Since the mortgage debt relief exemption expired at the end of 2013, distressed homeowners working with lenders to stay in their homes and avoid foreclosure or who have been forced to sell for less than the amount owed on the mortgage have