The Mortgage Corner with Greenstate Credit Union: Back to School & Back to Financial Basics

As the kids head back to school and routines return, it's also a great time for a financial check-in—especially when it comes to your home goals. Whether you're already a homeowner or thinking about making a move, a quick mortgage review can help keep you on track.

Mid-Year Financial Check-In:

Let’s make sure your mortgage or homebuying plans are still aligned with your goals:

• Already Own?

• Review your current mortgage—could refinancing lower your payment or help fund other priorities like home improvements or college tuition?

• Check in on your home’s equity—there may be more there than you think. Could you use that equity

The Mortgage Corner with GreenState Credit Union: Understanding Mortgage Rates—Key Factors and Influences

Mortgage rates, in simple terms, are the interest rates applied to home loans, and they play a critical role in determining how affordable a home is. Understanding what influences mortgage rates can help you make more informed decisions.

Factors You Can’t Control

1. Economic Conditions
Mortgage rates are deeply tied to the overall economy. In a strong economy, mortgage rates tend to rise, while weaker economic conditions often cause rates to fall. Economic events worldwide have a significant impact on these rates, so it's crucial to stay updated on global financial trends. Bloomberg Markets offers insights on these global shifts.

2.

The Power of Being Pre-Approved as a Buyer in Today's Market

Article from Keeping Current Matters

If you’re buying a home this spring, today’s housing market can feel like a challenge. With so few homes on the market right now it is essential to have a firm grasp on your homebuying budget. You’ll also need a sense of determination to find the right house and act quickly when you go to put in an offer. One thing you can do to help you prepare is to get pre-approved.

To understand why it’s such an important step, you need to know what pre-approval is. As part of the process, a lender looks at your finances to determine what they’d be willing to loan you. From there, your lender will give you a pre-approval letter to help you understand how