subject: Mortgage Rates - Don't Be Manipulated by Media [print this page] He opened the real estate section and the headlines read, "Mortgage Rates Fall Dramatically." William had been considering buying his first home, but the current real estate market could still be falling in value. He did not want to get into a situation where he was purchasing a mortgage at a rate now only to see it fall again next month. But the pressure from the headlines was pushing him to act.
The basis of the headline that the media was referring to was a whopping fall in the mortgage lending rate by .25 percent. Not what most people would call dramatic. While the drop does result in a lower monthly payment by a few dollars, it certainly is not enough of a reason to act unless your personal timing is right. Being guided by a newspaper can be quite difficult if that is your primary resource for making a mortgage decision. This may be one of your information sources, but you need to look at several to make wise decisions.
Generally speaking, the media whether it is on television, internet or print seeks to sensationalize the facts to make a point (and to sell their stories). The facts support that we may be heading in a recession, but the drama behind the story gets your attention. Likewise, a fall in mortgage rates did occur, but not to the degree that should prompt William to act unnecessarily.
In some situations, advertised mortgage rates by a media source also may be misleading. The media will not necessarily define how lenders or brokers advertise their mortgage rates. There are laws under Truth and Lending requirements that mandate advertisers to list APR (Annual Percentage Rate) and other terms in their representation, but this remains vague in some cases.
Mortgage Rates - Don't Be Manipulated by Media
By: Anurew Kipney
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