Personal Finance Advice and Commentary

The 30-year fixed fell 14 basis points in Bankrate’s survey this week.

So far this morning, mortgage rates have remained flat as the news on retail sales balances the news on consumer prices.

The core Consumer Price Index was unchanged this week. The flat core CPI bodes well for mortgage rates.

FICO announces a new wrinkle in credit scoring today. With the Economic Impact Index, FICO will estimate the effect of various economic scenarios on consumers.

What dumb thing have done with your house? Consider this an open thread for Monday afternoon. Comments are not only welcome, but demanded.

If you’re going to close your loan by the end of next week, it might be a good idea to lock your rate by Tuesday afternoon.

Alyssa Katz argues that Texas avoided the housing bubble and bust because it restricts cash-out refinancing. The theory is compelling but not fully convincing.

The average rate on the 30-year fixed was 5.35 percent in this week’s survey.

Jamie Dimon is wrong to equate regulation with punishment.

Navy Federal Credit Union is offering no-down payment mortgages — with no mortgage insurance — for qualified homebuyers.