September 2024

On this crazy day with the bond market, mortgage rates dropped to another yearly low after the CPI inflation print. How low? Mortgage News Daily came out with a shocking print of 6.11% mortgage rates for their top-tier borrowers, while HousingWire’s Mortgage Rates Center, which tracks actual loan lock data from Polly, is also at a year-to-date low of 6.44%. That means some borrowers are getting mortgage...

Michigan-based United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) has launched proprietary technology that will use artificial intelligence (AI) to send pre-validated refinance opportunities. Dubbed “KEEP,” the system identifies borrowers who can save on their monthly mortgage payments and will automatically communicate these savings to them through an email that provides a link to a refi application, UWM announced...

ICE Mortgage Technology will be sunsetting legacy integrations for its flagship Encompass platform by Oct. 31, 2025, which will modernize the mortgage market even if some vendors have to go kicking and screaming. In an email to partners on Tuesday, ICE said that it will be closing down the Encompass SDK (Software Development Kit) on the same day it sunsets the program’s Technology Partner Network,...

There’s nothing that makes my morning coffee taste better than sitting down and penning an article on a midcentury modern gem designed by one of the style’s most masterful architects. Richard Neutra, the Austrian-American architect, spent most of his career in Southern California, designing masterpieces like the Kaufmann House, the Lovell House, and the Singleton House, to name just a few of his...

Take the stress out of shopping with these easy, affordable, crowd-pleasing gifts. Better Homes & Gardens / Marcus Millán Shopping for gifts is a stressful experience if you don’t know where to start. Amazon is a convenient place to shop thanks to Prime’s fast and free shipping, but the thousands of options can be overwhelming. Whether you’re shopping for family, friends, neighbors, or...

These underrated trees offer a ton of beauty, adaptability, and wildlife value. Lynn Karlin  The recent decimation of our native ash trees because of a tiny insect proves that everyone planting the same type of tree, yard after yard, is not a smart idea. Not only that, but when you play “follow the leader,” you miss out on the chance to plant something unique. A diverse plant selection adds...

Throw pillows, colorful wreaths, scented candles, and more start at $7. Better Homes & Gardens / Tyler Roeland If you’re ready for crisp, golden days with warm pops of color everywhere you turn, your favorite season is finally here. What better way to embrace the start of autumn than by sprucing up your home with seasonal decorations?Create the ultimate autumn-inspired oasis you’ll want to...

This all-natural cleaning hack has been our go-to for more than 70 years. Getty Images / Rattankun Thongbun The Better Homes and Gardens editors have been sharing cleaning advice for more than a century, but not all of our scrubbing methods have stood the test of time. As cleaning products and tools have evolved, we’ve updated our best practices—but there are a few vintage cleaning tips that...

Find out when and how to deadhead mums so they continue blooming as long as possible. Carson Downing Knowing when and how to deadhead mums can help prolong blooming and keep your plants looking their best all season long. Removing faded flowers (called deadheading) interrupts the plant's goal of making seeds. If the plant succeeds in setting seeds, it tapers off on blooming, and you’ll be back...

According to the latest Commercial Delinquency Report from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), U.S. commercial mortgage delinquencies rose in the second quarter of 2024. The MBA's quarterly analysis examines delinquency rates for five major investor groups: commercial banks and thrifts, commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), life insurance companies, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Collectively,...