Your Money Archives - NAR Consumer Ad Campaign

How Federal Reserve Rate Changes Affect Mortgage Rates

Find out why mortgage rates don’t immediately fall in line with Federal Reserve rate changes.

Trend lines, like for interest rates and mortgage rates, appearing over buildings.

A Whole House Surge Protector Can Keep the Power Flowing at Home

Prevent power surge damage to your electronics with a surge protection device.

A panel on the outside of a house like what one could see for surge protection.

How Could FICO Credit Score Changes Affect You?

Here’s why you should monitor a recent change in credit score processing and your credit report.

A hand holding a phone showing a credit report.

Locating the Best Thrift Shopping Finds for Your Home

Thrifting has gone from a quaint hobby to a mainstream activity, and from clothing to home décor and beyond. Home thrifting shoppers enjoy the thrill of finding one-of-a-kind pieces that tell a story versus a big box store dupe, says Ann Couser Kittredge, creator of Dabbling & Decorating, a New England-based home décor blog. “It’s

Home Buyers Step Up as Mortgage Rates Fall

Loan applications for prospective home buyers reach four-year high. Is now the right time for you?

Why Didn’t Mortgage Rates Fall More After the Fed Rate Cut?

The Federal Reserve cut its short-term interest rate by a quarter point on Sept. 17 – the first cut this year. Although mortgage rates dropped, continuing a recent trend, some home buyers may have expected deeper cuts. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.26% the week of the Fed announcement, Freddie Mac reports. That means mortgage

Dropping Mortgage Rates Raise Demand for Loans

If you’re a prospective home buyer waiting for lower mortgage rates, you might consider applying for a loan now. In mid-September 2025, mortgage rates posted their largest weekly decline in a year. Those falling rates are driving more home buyers to apply for mortgage loans. “Mortgage rates are headed in the right direction, and home