Fed aims to get the economy back on track
The fed meeting on April 29th addressed the fact that they are going to use all the tools in their arsenal to get the economy back. It looks like their main goal is to instill some stability in the market. As such, they will be keeping rates low for a while. “The...
Interactive Rate Charts Highlight Interesting Trends
Most people have an easier time interpreting numbers when they are presented to them visually. Endless numbers on a spreadsheet don't always paint a clear picture of the current situation with regard to rates. So we have added a few interactive visual charts to our...
COVID-19 and your mortgage: what about a forbearance?
We recognize there is a lot of information posted on the Internet and in the media regarding how to pay your mortgage during the COVID-19 pandemic. As your trusted mortgage broker, we want you to have the best information available. One topic that is particularly hot...
Coronavirus and the effect on mortgages
What has been happening with the mortgage industry since COVID-19 was classified as a pandemic? In short: a lot. Economies have come to a standstill and financial markets have been turned completely on their head. Let's take a look at exactly what happened. The...
Adjusting business processes during COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies within the real estate and mortgage industries to adjust their business practices. Here are a few highlights: Remote Online Notarization The Oregon Association of Realtors (OAR) is advocating for and participating in the...
Finances During the Corona Virus
We at Alternative Mortgage realize that you have a lot of finance-related questions during the Corona Virus pandemic. We thought it would be a good idea to pass along some of these resources for you to utilize during this time of uncertainty. The US Small Business...
The Federal Reserve Implements Rate Cut on Tuesday
The Federal Reserve implemented a half-percentage-point rate cut on Tuesday. Markets slid, amidst fears the coronavirus epidemic is raising recession risks for the U.S. and global economies. The Fed reduced the federal-funds rate to a range between 1% and 1.25%. This...
Minutes show Fed cautiously optimistic on economy despite new risks
Minutes of the central bank's last policy meeting showed policymakers at the Federal Reserve were cautiously optimistic about interest rates holding steady this year, even after acknowledging new risks caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The readout of the policy...
The city of Portland is creating a new district
At the beginning of May, 10,000 homes and businesses between the Willamette River and Naito Parkway running west will get new addresses. Changes to signage in the area, currently labeled Southwest Portland, will cost about $300,000. Residents and businesses will soon...
Good news and bad news from the U.S. yield curve
Everyone is waiting on the recession or for more rate cuts. Is it going happen? Does it really matter if it does? How will we know we are in recession? Even if they drop the rate, will that mean lower rates for the consumer? A drop in the 10-year Treasury yield below...