According to a Freddie Mac report of its own mortgage holdings, homeowners that refinance their mortgages are pouring into fixed rate products. Fixed rate mortgages accounted for 95% of all refinances backed by Freddie Mac in Q1 2010.

9 of the top 10 leading metropolitan areas for foreclosure-related activity showed a drop in annual activity. Only Reno, Nevada showed an increase.

Shopping for a good mortgage rate takes more than good research -- it takes good luck, too. Maximize your chances of locking a low mortgage rate.

In 2010 -- for the 5th consecutive year -- the single-family conforming mortgage loan limit will be $417,000. If your loan is too large for the limit, though, you've still got options. You just need to know where to look.

It's a common question with rate shoppers. Which is better? A fixed rate mortgage or an adjustable rate mortgage? In short, it depends. And the chart at top shows why.
ARMs And Fixed Rates Don't Move In Unison
Mortgage rates are based on the price of mortgage-backed bonds, a group of securities bought and sold [...]

Fear and doubt work in favor of mortgage rates. Too much fear and doubt, however, work against them. It's why mortgage rates won't fall further in this next week.

In February 2009, Fannie Mae rolled back a rule that kept real estate investors from financing more than 4 properties at a time. The limit raised the maximum number of financed properties to 10. The program gives bona fide investors a ticket to the national REO and Foreclosure Party.

In April, mortgage pricing crossed the threshold every 4 hours, 6 minutes, on average. For rate shoppers, it means that the rate quote you got this morning -- from your loan officer, from your bank's website, or from wherever -- is 100% useless to you by the time this afternoon rolls around.

The Case-Shiller Index is flawed for 3 major reasons and better real estate decisions start with better data. No matter where you live, you should be getting these free weekly market reports -- no question.

The Fed is keeping the Fed Funds Rate in its target range of 0.000-0.250 and has closed all but one of its emergency liquidity programs. Get the breakdown of the Fed's statement and what it means to mortgage rates.