Even Narrower Sideways Grind; No Reaction to Auction
By:
Matthew Graham
Tue, Jan 9 2024, 4:28 PM
Even Narrower Sideways Grind; No Reaction to Auction
Friday’s trading session set a reasonably wide range relative to the past few weeks. It also set the highest yields of the past few weeks. But things have gotten increasingly sideways since then. Yesterday’s entire range was well inside Friday’s. Now today’s range is well inside yesterday’s. What does it all mean? There are only so many conclusions to draw from a sideways, increasingly narrow trend. “Indecision” is the most obvious conclusion and that would stand to reason with December’s CPI coming out on Thursday morning. This week’s Treasury auction cycle has some potential to to increase volatility, but that was not the case after today’s 3yr auction (essentially no reaction).
NFIB Biz Optimism
91.9 vs 90.7 f’cast, 90.6 prev
IBD Econ Optimism
44.7 vs 42.0, 40 prev
10:23 AM
sideways to slightly weaker overnight, but buyers in charge early. 10yr down 2.5bps to 4.004. MBS up 1 tick (0.03).
01:25 PM
No major reaction to 3yr Treasury auction (reasonably strong). 10yr down 1.4bps on the day at 4.015. MBS down 2 ticks (.06).
04:08 PM
Still super flat into the close. MBS down 1 tick (.03). 10yr down 1bp at 4.019.
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Stephanie Horan is a lead data analyst for the MarketWatch Guides Team, specializing in home buying and personal finance. Beginning her career in asset management and transitioning to data journalism, Stephanie is a Certified Educator of Personal Finance (CEPF®). She is passionate about translating data to provide digestible insights for a broad audience. Her studies have been featured in CNBC, Bloomberg and the New York Times, among many others.
Edited By:
Andrew Dunn
Andrew Dunn is a veteran journalist with more than a decade of experience in the business and finance arena. Before joining our team, Andrew was a reporter and editor at North Carolina news organizations including The Charlotte Observer and the StarNews in Wilmington. In those roles, his work was cited numerous times by the North Carolina Press Association and the Society of Business Editors and Writers. Andrew completed the business journalism certificate program from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Editor’s Note: Parts of this story were auto-populated using data from Curinos, a mortgage research firm that collects data from more than 250 lenders. For more details on how we compile daily mortgage data, check out our methodology here.
Mortgage rates rose slightly in the first week of 2024, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increasing by 0.10 percentage points, according to data from Curinos analyzed by MarketWatch Guides.
This slight increase took place in the midst of mixed economic signals. The Labor Department reported that employers added 216,000 jobs in December, exceeding economists’ expectations, while the stock market had a rocky start to the beginning of the year. Through last Friday, the S&P is down roughly 1% year-to-date.
Economists with the Mortgage Bankers Association are still confident that rates will fall over the coming months. The next Federal Reserve meeting is scheduled for the end of January, and though rates may be held steady at that meeting, the board previously indicated that they expect three rate cuts throughout the year.
Here are today’s average mortgage rates:
30-year fixed mortgage rate: 7.18%
15-year fixed mortgage rate: 6.41%
5/6 ARM mortgage rate: 6.90%
Jumbo mortgage rate: 7.03%
Current Mortgage Rates
Product
Rate
Last Week
Change
30-Year Fixed Rate
7.18%
7.19%
-0.01
15-Year Fixed Rate
6.41%
6.38%
+0.03
5/6 ARM
6.90%
6.94%
-0.04
7/6 ARM
7.11%
7.11%
0.00
10/6 ARM
7.19%
7.19%
0.00
30-Year Fixed Rate Jumbo
7.03%
7.08%
-0.05
30-Year Fixed Rate FHA
6.84%
6.90%
-0.06
30-Year Fixed Rate VA
6.85%
6.87%
-0.02
Disclaimer: The rates above are based on data from Curinos, LLC. All rate data is accurate as of Wednesday, January 10, 2024. Actual rates may vary.
>> View historical mortgage rate trends
Mortgage Rates for Home Purchase
30-year fixed-rate mortgages are down, -0.01
The average 30-year fixed-mortgage rate is 7.18%. Since the same time last week, the rate is down, changing -0.01 percentage points.
At the current average rate, you’ll pay $677.43 per month in principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow. You’re paying less compared to last week when the average rate was 7.19%.
15-year fixed-rate mortgages are up, +0.03
The average rate you’ll pay for a 15-year fixed-mortgage is 6.41%, an increase of+0.03 percentage points compared to last week.
Monthly payments on a 15-year fixed-mortgage at a rate of 6.41% will cost approximately $866.17 per $100,000 borrowed. With the rate of 6.38% last week, you would’ve paid $864.52 per month.
5/6 adjustable-rate mortgages are down,-0.04
The average rate on a 5/6 adjustable rate mortgage is 6.90%, a decrease of-0.04 percentage points over the last seven days.
Adjustable-rate mortgages, commonly referred to as ARMs, are mortgages with a fixed interest rate for a set period of time followed by a rate that adjusts on a regular basis. With a 5/6 ARM, the rate is fixed for the first 5 years and then adjusts every six months over the next 25 years.
Monthly payments on a 5/6 ARM at a rate of 6.90% will cost approximately $658.60 per $100,000 borrowed over the first 5 years of the loan.
Jumbo loan interest rates are down, -0.05
The average jumbo mortgage rate today is 7.03%, a decrease of-0.05 percentage points over the past week.
Jumbo loans are mortgages that exceed loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and funding criteria of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. This generally means that the amount of money borrowed is higher than $726,200.
Product
Monthly P&I per $100,000
Last Week
Change
30-Year Fixed Rate
$677.43
$678.11
-$0.68
15-Year Fixed Rate
$866.17
$864.52
+$1.65
5/6 ARM
$658.60
$661.28
-$2.68
7/6 ARM
$672.71
$672.71
$0.00
10/6 ARM
$678.11
$678.11
$0.00
30-Year Fixed Rate Jumbo
$667.32
$670.68
-$3.36
30-Year Fixed Rate FHA
$654.59
$658.60
-$4.01
30-Year Fixed Rate VA
$655.26
$656.59
-$1.33
Note: Monthly payments on adjustable-rate mortgages are shown for the first five, seven and 10 years of the loan, respectively.
Factors That Affect Your Mortgage Rate
Mortgage rates change frequently based on the economic environment. Inflation, the federal funds rate, housing market conditions and other factors all play into how rates move from week-to-week and month-to-month.
But outside of macroeconomic trends, several other factors specific to the borrower will affect the mortgage interest rate. They include:
Financial situation: Mortgage lenders use past financial decisions of borrowers as a way to evaluate the risk of loaning money.
Loan amount and structure: The amount of money that bank or mortgage lender loans and its structure (including both the term and whether its a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate).
Location: Mortgage rates vary by where you are buying a home. Areas with more lenders, and thus more competition, may have lower rates. Foreclosure laws can also impact a lender’s risk, affecting rates.
Whether borrowers are first-time homebuyers: Oftentimes first-time homebuyer programs will offer new homeowners lower rates.
Lenders: Banks, credit unions and online lenders all may offer slightly different rates depending on their internal determination.
How To Shop for the Best Mortgage Rate
Comparison shopping for a mortgage can be overwhelming, but it’s shown to be worth the effort. Homeowners may be able to save between $600 and $1,200 annually by shopping around for the best rate, researchers found in a recent study by Freddie Mac. That’s why we put together steps on how to shop for the best mortgage rate.
1. Check credit scores and credit reports
A borrower’s credit situation will likely determine the type of mortgage they can pursue, as well as their rate. Conventional loans are typically only offered to borrowers with a credit score of 620 or higher, while FHA loans may be the best option for borrowers with a FICO score between 500 and 619. Additionally, individuals with higher credit scores are more likely to be offered a lower mortgage interest rate.
Mortgage lenders often review scores from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. By viewing your scores ahead of lenders considering you for a loan, you can check for errors and even work to improve your score by paying down balances and limiting new credit cards and loans.
2. Know the options
There are four standard mortgage programs: conventional, FHA, VA and USDA. To get the best mortgage rate and increase your odds of approval, it’s important for potential borrowers to do their research and apply for the mortgage program that best fits their financial situation.
The table below describes each program, highlighting minimum credit score and down payment requirements.
Though conventional mortgages are most common, borrowers will also need to consider their repayment plan and term. Rates can be either fixed or adjustable and terms can range from 10 to 30 years, though most homeowners opt for a 15- or 30-year mortgage.
3. Compare quotes across multiple lenders
Shopping around for a mortgage goes beyond comparing rates online. We recommend reaching out to lenders directly to see the “real” rate as figures listed online may not be representative of a borrower’s particular situation. While most experts recommend getting quotes from three to five lenders, there is no limit on the number of mortgage companies you can apply with. In many cases, lenders will allow borrowers to prequalify for a mortgage and receive a tentative loan offer with no impact to their credit score.
After gathering your loan documents – including proof of income, assets and credit – borrowers may also apply for pre-approval. Pre-approval will let them know where they stand with lenders and may also improve negotiating power with home sellers.
4. Review loan estimates
To fully understand which lender is offering the cheapest loan overall, take a look at the loan estimate provided by each lender. A loan estimate will list not only the mortgage rate, but also a borrower’s annual percentage rate (APR), which includes the interest rate and other lender fees such as closing costs and discount points.
By comparing loan estimates across lenders, borrowers can see the full breakdown of their possible costs. One lender may offer lower interest rates, but higher fees and vice versa. Looking at the loan’s APR can give you a good apples-to-apples comparison between lenders that takes into account both rates and fees.
5. Consider negotiating with lenders on rates
Mortgage lenders want to do business. This means that borrowers may use competing offers as leverage to adjust fees and interest rates. Many lenders may not lower their offered rate by much, but even a few basis points may save borrowers more than they might think in the long run. For instance, the difference between 6.8% and 7.0% on a 30-year, fixed-rate $100,000 mortgage is roughly $5,000 over the life of the loan.
Expert Forecasts for Mortgage Rates
With mortgage interest rates climbing steadily throughout the first half of 2023 and exceeding 7%, prospective homeowners may be wondering: Will there be any relief going forward? Some experts are optimistic.
Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) project that rates will fall going into 2024 and throughout next year. In fact, the MBA predicts that rates will end 2024 at 6.1%.
More Mortgage Resources
Methodology
Every weekday, MarketWatch Guides provides readers with the latest rates on 11 different types of mortgages. Data for these daily averages comes from Curinos, LLC, a leading provider of mortgage research that collects data from more than 250 lenders. For more details on how we compile daily mortgage data, check out our comprehensive methodology here.
Editor’s Note: Before making significant financial decisions, consider reviewing your options with someone you trust, such as a financial adviser, credit counselor or financial professional, since every person’s situation and needs are different.
Despite an uptick in mortgage rates at the beginning of 2024, mortgage demand surged after adjusting for the holiday.
Mortgage applications increased 9.9% for the week ending Jan. 5 compared to one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.62% as of Jan. 4, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey.
“The increase in purchase and refinance applications for both conventional and government loans is promising to start the year but was likely due to some catch-up in activity after the holiday season and year-end rate declines,” Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, said in a statement. “Mortgage rates and applications have been volatile in recent weeks and overall activity remains low.”
Purchase applications rose by 6% week over week on an adjusted basis. Meanwhile, refinance applications were 19% higher than a year ago.
The share of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan activity decreased to 14.4% from 14.5% the week prior. The share of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan activity was 16.3%, up from 14.6% over the previous week, while the share of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan activity decreased to 0.4% compared to 0.5% the previous week.
Like some of the brand’s trendy outfits, the Forever 21 Credit Card comes in more than one variety. One version can be used with the retailer only, and the other can be used wherever Visa is accepted. Both versions pack rewards and perks that could enhance your wardrobe, but only if you stay on top of expiration dates.
Neither version beats the flexibility of a general rewards credit card, which won’t limit you to shopping or earning rewards with just one retailer, and will have a longer window to make the most of those rewards. Still, the Forever 21 Credit Card can offer free shipping, plus birthday and anniversary incentives, so weigh the value of these benefits to determine whether it’s a good fit.
Here’s what you need to know about the Forever 21 Credit Card.
1. It features decent introductory offers
Compared with some other store credit cards, the Forever 21 Credit Card has fairly generous offers for new cardholders. You can get 20% off your first purchase when the card is used on the same day you open the account. There’s also an opportunity for 15% off when you receive the Forever 21 Credit Card.
These discounts can add up to significant savings, but depending on the amount spent, you can likely do better. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, for example, can allow more time and flexibility to earn its sign-up offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. While you won’t get the bonus immediately, this card offers more time to budget, and you can earn by paying for everyday expenses. On top of that, you’ll also get a 0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR.
2. But ongoing rewards have a limited shelf life
Rewards vary depending on the version of the card. With either version, you’ll earn 3 points per $1 spent with the retailer in stores or online. The Visa card also earns 2 points per $1 spent on qualifying restaurant purchases and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
For every 300 points earned, you’ll automatically get a $5 rewards certificate to be used at Forever 21. That means points are worth a better-than-average 1.6 cents each. The problem, though, is that you can’t bank rewards, and those certificates expire 60 days from the date issued. (Points expire 24 months after posting.) So you may end up having to use reward certificates regardless of whether you actually need a new outfit or accessories.
The certificate is printed on your monthly statement or sent via email with a barcode, according to Lindsey LeBerth, senior manager of corporate affairs at Bread Financial, the bank that issues the Forever 21 Credit Card. Your Forever 21 account will also grant access to your rewards.
For online shoppers, for instance, the $0-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express earns 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%, and rewards in everyday categories. And as long as the card is active, your rewards don’t expire. Terms apply; see rates and fees.
🤓Nerdy Tip
In-store shoppers who frequent a Forever 21 located inside a Simon Mall might want to consider the $0-annual-fee Simon credit card, which offers cash back on in-person transactions within Simon’s nearly 200 U.S. properties.
3. You’ll have access to some perks
As a Forever 21 cardholder, you’ll get access to some snazzy ongoing perks. On your card anniversary and the retailer’s birthday in April, you’ll get 21% off. On your own birthday, you get a $10 discount on a purchase of a minimum of $25. Terms apply.
You’ll also get access to free standard shipping, events and exclusive offers. General-purpose rewards credit cards don’t typically provide these kinds of store incentives — although, again, they tend to offer richer and more flexible rewards.
4. The high APR is unfashionable
As of this writing, the Forever 21 Credit Card was charging a sky-high interest rate north of 33%. For comparison, the national average rate on credit cards that assessed interest as of August 2023 was significantly lower at 22.77%, according to Federal Reserve data.
It’s not uncommon for store credit cards to have high interest rates, but just know that if you tend to carry a balance month to month, this card will get expensive quickly.
A credit card at a credit union will save you more money, but it may take some minor effort to join and become a member. The $0-annual-fee PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card, for example, earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, and it has a 0% introductory APR for 12 months on balance transfers made in the first 90 days after account opening. After that, the APR for the unpaid balance and any new balance transfers will be a non-variable rate of 17.99%. But regardless of what credit card you have, do what you can to pay it off in full each month so you never have to worry about the APR.
5. Promotional offers may occasionally be available
The Forever 21 Credit Card’s terms and conditions state that the issuer occasionally offers special financing terms such as deferred interest, waived interest, a low APR or equal payment options.
It’s important to always read the terms and conditions to understand what’s being offered. For instance, deferred interest promotions are typically advertised as “no interest if paid in full by” a certain amount of time. This means that interest continues to accrue in the background during the promotional window, and if the entire balance isn’t paid by the time the promotion expires, you’re on the hook for interest charges dating back to the original purchase. With this card’s high interest rate, it could derail your budget or lead to debt if you’re not prepared to cover that cost.
For a true 0% introductory promotion — which, when it ends, will charge you interest only on your remaining balance at that time — consider the introductory offers listed above for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card or Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.
Are you looking for the best jobs for pregnant women? Pregnancy is a special and exciting time for moms-to-be, and you may be looking for ways to make money during this time period. Finding the perfect job when you’re pregnant can be a scary feeling, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to…
Are you looking for the best jobs for pregnant women?
Pregnancy is a special and exciting time for moms-to-be, and you may be looking for ways to make money during this time period.
Finding the perfect job when you’re pregnant can be a scary feeling, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to focus on looking for opportunities that suit your skill set, level of experience, and physical limitations during pregnancy.
For me, when I was pregnant not too long ago, I really loved being able to work from home. It made life so much easier, and the flexible hours helped greatly for when I wasn’t feeling up to it.
A good starting point could be looking for work-from-home positions or freelance opportunities that allow for more flexible schedules and the possibility of working at your own pace from the comfort of your home.
Recommended reading:
Best Jobs for Pregnant Women
There are 16 ways for pregnant women to make money listed below. If you want to skip the list, here are some jobs that you may want to start learning more about first:
Below are the top jobs for pregnant women.
1. Blogger
Blogging is exactly what I do for a living, and it is how I made money while pregnant as well.
Being a blogger means writing blog posts for people on the internet, just like with this blog post that you are currently reading.
You can write about things you like, such as money, travel, lifestyle, or family. Plus, you get to choose how you make money from your blog – there are lots of ways, like display ads or affiliate marketing.
Blogging is how I earn most of my money, and it has totally transformed my life. I can travel whenever I want, make my own schedule, be my own boss, and spend the whole day with my daughter. Plus, having flexible work hours helped me a ton while pregnant as I was able to choose my working hours.
Learn more at How To Start A Blog FREE Course.
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Want to see how I built a $5,000,000 blog?
In this free course, I show you how to create a blog, from the technical side to earning your first income and attracting readers.
2. Freelance writer
Similar to blogging, freelance writing gives pregnant women the opportunity to showcase their writing skills while working remotely. This job allows you to work on various writing projects, such as articles and ebooks.
Freelance writers create articles, website content, social media posts, or even ebooks for different people or companies.
I have worked as a freelance writer for many years. It’s a great career because you can work from home and set your own schedule, like writing only when you’re feeling good during your pregnancy or while your baby is napping.
Recommended reading: 14 Places To Find Freelance Writing Jobs For Beginners
3. Tutor
An online tutor gives academic support to students via video chat or messaging platforms. It’s a good option for pregnant women as it is flexible and can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Helping students with their studies can be a good way to earn money while pregnant. There are lots of ways to tutor from home, and you can make your own schedule and decide how much or how little you want to work.
Recommended reading: 11 Best Places To Find Online Tutoring Jobs (Make $100+ an hour)
4. Sell printables on Etsy
If you have a knack for design, you can create and sell printables on Etsy. This is a great work-from-home option for pregnant women who are creative and enjoy designing digital products.
Printables are digital products you can download and print at home, like checklists for grocery shopping, planners for your budget, invitations for weddings, printable wall art, and more.
I recommend signing up for Free Workshop: How To Earn Money Selling Printables. This free training will give you ideas on what to sell online, how to get started, and how to make printable sales.
Recommended reading: How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy
Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.
5. Virtual assistant
Virtual assistants give administrative support to clients (like an administrative assistant!), including managing emails, organizing calendars, arranging travel (such as booking hotel stays and rental cars), and scheduling appointments.
With the flexibility to set your work hours, this online job is perfect for pregnant women.
I have been a virtual assistant in the past, and I currently have a virtual assistant. It is a much needed job that just continues to become more and more in demand.
Recommended reading: Best Ways To Find Virtual Assistant Jobs
6. Transcriptionist
In this job, you convert audio files into written text. As a transcriptionist, you can work from home with flexible hours, making it one of the good jobs for pregnant women to work from home because you can work as much or as little as you want.
Transcription jobs are flexible, and you can do them right from home.
As an online transcriptionist, your job is to listen to audio or video recordings and write down exactly what is being said. The aim is to do it without making mistakes in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
I recommend watching Free Workshop: Is a Career in Transcription Right for You? to learn more.
Recommended reading: 18 Best Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners To Make $2,000 Monthly
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In this free training, you will learn what transcription is, why it’s a highly in-demand skill, who hires transcriptionists, how to become a transcriptionist, and more.
7. Answer online surveys
If you are looking for easy jobs while pregnant, then I recommend answering online surveys.
There is no set schedule, and you can do these while watching TV or in bed. No, you won’t get rich (nor will it be a full-time job), but it can give you a little extra spending money.
The survey companies I recommend for extra cash include:
Survey Junkie
Swagbucks
Branded Surveys
PrizeRebel
American Consumer Opinion
User Interviews – These are the highest-paying surveys with the average being around $60. I have personally done one of these, and I was paid $400 for an hour of my time.
Recommended reading: 18 Best Paid Survey Sites To Make $100+ Per Month
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Swagbucks is a site where you can earn points for surveys, shopping online, watching videos, using coupons, and more. You can use your points for gift cards and cash.
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Branded Surveys is one of the most popular survey sites that rewards you in cash and gift cards for sharing your opinion. You can get paid anywhere from $0.50 to $5.00 per survey.
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American Consumer Opinion allows you to express your opinions on products and services through surveys and product testing. You can earn $1 to $5 per survey taken.
8. Proofreader
If you’re good at noticing small details, you could offer your services as a proofreader or editor for various kinds of content. This means checking and fixing mistakes in writing.
People such as writers and business owners hire proofreaders and editors to make their work better.
I personally have a proofreader, and I know many, many others who have proofreaders as well. It is an in-demand job that you can do while pregnant at home.
If you want to become a proofreader, I recommend joining the free 76-minute workshop – Learn How to Become a Proofreader…and Start a Freelance Proofreading Business.
Recommended reading: 20 Best Online Proofreading Jobs For Beginners (Earn $40,000+ A Year)
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This free 76-minute workshop answers all of the most common questions about how to become a proofreader, and even talks about the 5 signs that proofreading could be a perfect fit for you.
9. Bookkeeper
If you’re good with numbers, you might try selling bookkeeping services online or for small businesses, either as a freelancer or part-time.
Bookkeepers are people who handle financial tasks for businesses and this includes keeping track of sales, managing expenses, and creating financial reports.
Plus, you do not need a bachelor’s degree to get started.
If you want to become a bookkeeper, I recommend watching the free training How To Become A Bookkeeper.
Recommended reading: How To Find Online Bookkeeping Jobs
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This free training will teach you what you need to know to become a virtual bookkeeper and make money from home.
10. Sell Canva templates
A Canva template is a ready-made design that you can sell for things like social media graphics, ebooks, and presentations.
Businesses, advertising professionals, social media influencers, and more buy Canva templates because it’s a helpful starting point if you’re not great at designing from scratch. These templates have blank spaces where you can add your own words and pictures. You can also change colors and fonts to fit your preferences.
They’re really useful for making things look good without spending a long time on it.
And, this is where you can come in.
You can design templates and sell them to others to use.
With Canva templates, you can sell a single design an unlimited amount of times. If you’re looking for something passive, this is a great way to learn how to make money while pregnant.
Recommended reading: How I Make $2,000+ Monthly Selling Canva Templates
11. Data entry clerk
Data entry clerks input, update, and double-check information in lists or tables, typing things like numbers and names to keep everything neat and organized.
On average, data entry jobs pay around $15 to $20 per hour.
All you need is an internet connection and a reliable computer to get started too.
This is a low-stress work-from-home job that is good for pregnant women.
12. Write book reviews
Book reviewers read books and get paid to share their opinions in book reviews. There are websites that pay you (and sometimes give you a free book) to talk about what you think of the books.
Some companies that pay for book reviews include Online Book Club, Kirkus Reviews, and BookBrowse.
So, if you find yourself reading a lot of books while pregnant, this can be a great place to start to make extra money.
Recommended reading: 16 Best Ways To Get Paid To Read Books
13. Graphic designer
If you have design skills, you can make money while pregnant by creating logos, website designs, brochures, business cards, marketing materials, and more for clients as an independent contractor.
This is a job that you can do as a freelancer, which means you can make your own schedule and work as much or as little as you would like.
Recommended reading: How To Make Money As A Digital Designer
14. Social media manager
Social media managers and online community managers take care of a business’s social media accounts and online communities (such as forums) with the goal of bringing in new customers and helping the business grow.
They may post pictures or videos to highlight products or the company, and they might join in on popular social media trends, like on TikTok, to get more people to see them.
Social media managers also answer common questions that customers ask, such as on Twitter, in an Instagram Story, or in a TikTok video.
15. Search engine evaluator
A search engine evaluator, also called a Google Rater, is someone who gives ratings to websites based on how good and helpful they are.
This online typing job is perfect for beginners because you don’t need any experience to begin, and you don’t have to be an expert because Google prefers regular people to rate their sites.
Learn more at How To Become a Search Engine Evaluator.
16. Flea market flipper
A flipper buys items from places such as garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, or thrift stores and resells them online for a profit.
For example, you may sell clothing, appliances, household goods, and more as a flipper.
You may be able to earn extra money by flipping items for resale or possibly earn a full-time income!
A helpful free training that I recommend is Turn Your Passion For Visiting Thrift Stores, Yard Sales & Flea Markets Into A Profitable Reselling Business In As Little As 14 Days.
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This free workshop will teach you how to get into the flipping business. It will teach you how to resell furniture, electronics, appliances, and anything else you can find.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about finding a job while pregnant.
Should I say I’m pregnant at a job interview? What are the rights of pregnant employees?
Legally, most employers cannot discriminate against you based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, as established in the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. However, you might wonder if you should disclose your pregnancy during an interview. Ultimately, it’s your decision. If you believe the job is a good fit for you and your pregnancy, you can choose to discuss it after receiving a job offer to determine the necessary accommodations.
It’s usually within your rights to only disclose your pregnancy when you feel comfortable doing so. You should prioritize your health and the needs of you and your child, and focus on finding a job that supports your situation.
What job should I get while pregnant?
When looking for a job while pregnant, you may want to look for jobs that are not physically demanding and have a flexible work schedule. Some job options for pregnant women include becoming a virtual assistant, freelance writer, or proofreader.
What are suitable jobs for women with high-risk pregnancies?
For women with high-risk pregnancies, it’s important to choose jobs that don’t have exposure to harmful chemicals or require heavy lifting. Remote jobs such as online tutoring, social media management, or bookkeeping are ideal in this situation, but you should always ask your doctor to see which jobs are best for your specific situation.
How can a pregnant woman earn money from home? What are the best remote jobs for pregnant moms?
I think working from home is the best possible job idea for pregnant women, and it’s exactly what I did while pregnant! Pregnant women can earn money from home by taking on remote work or freelancing positions. Some options include proofreading, virtual assistance, freelance writing, bookkeeping, and online tutoring.
Are there jobs available for women in their third trimester of pregnancy?
Yes, there are jobs for women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Remote jobs or freelancing in fields like writing, proofreading, or bookkeeping can be suitable during the third trimester, along with many others!
Can you start a job at 7 months pregnant?
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 says that companies with 15 or more employees can’t make job decisions based on pregnancy or childbirth. As long as you can do the job, a company cannot refuse to hire you just because you’re pregnant. So, if you are 7 months pregnant and need a job, you can get one.
What jobs can you not do while pregnant?
Jobs that you may want to avoid while pregnant include those that involve exposure to toxic chemicals or heavy lifting. Also, some roles with high stress or long hours may not be suitable for some pregnant women. I highly recommend talking with your doctor about which jobs are safe for you during your pregnancy if you have questions.
Can I use FMLA while pregnant?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows qualified employees to take up to 12 weeks off from work without pay for certain family and health reasons, like being pregnant.
Is it OK to not work while pregnant?
Yes, it is okay not to work while you are pregnant. If you can afford it, then saving money ahead of time can be very helpful.
Best Jobs for Pregnant Women – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on the best jobs for pregnant women.
Whether you are looking for permanent or temporary jobs while pregnant, you have many options.
If you are wondering what is the best job for a pregnant woman, then the list above is a great place to start. Everyone is different, and everyone’s pregnancies are different – so, you will want to think about what you are comfortable doing as well as what you can physically and mentally handle.
For me, I was so nauseous and sick for the first several months that it was too hard for me to do pretty much anything. Working online was all that I could handle, and even then, that was difficult.
So, do not feel bad if you are not able to handle much. Pregnancy is hard! You are growing a baby and that takes a lot out of a person.
I hope you are able to find the best job for you.
What do you think are the best jobs for pregnant women?
Recommended reading: How To Take Maternity Leave When Self-Employed
While the average 30yr fixed mortgage rate is still more than 1% below the long-term highs seen in October, it has been rising slowly and steadily in the new year. Today’s average rate is now as high as it has been in 4 weeks.
That’s the dramatic way to say it, but things aren’t as scary when we consider rates are only about 0.2% off the December lows and that the entire drop was more than 1.4% from the October highs.
Today’s bond market movement was sideways. The change in mortgage rates occurred due to timing of market movements yesterday and today as well as the monthly settlement process for the mortgage backed securities (MBS) that underlie day to day mortgage rate changes.
Bond traders remain focused on Thursday morning’s inflation data via the consumer price index (CPI) as the next big potential flashpoint for rate volatility.
Morgan Stanley’s home price outlook is unchanged, but it does see something new in affordability, after a painful year for most homebuyers, as mortgage rates bit in a way they haven’t since the 1980s. James Egan, the bank’s co-head of U.S. securities products research, crunched the data on mortgage rates falling from their recent 8% peak to the 6% range, and sees affordability improving as early as next month to a point unseen since February 2021, which was less than halfway through the pandemic housing boom.
This is needed since “home prices have once again broken through to a new record high,” the note said. Egan and his team cited data showing October’s year-over-year increase of 4.8%. The catch, they say, is that mortgage rates decreased more than 50 basis points in December and close to 70 basis points the prior month. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is sitting at 6.8%—much lower than October’s 23-year high, but more than double the 3% range that put a floor under the pandemic era housing boom.
Mortgage rates will also support Morgan Stanley’s forecast from November, which sees prices mildly declining through 2024. “While home prices continue to climb, as these lower rates filter through our affordability calculations the pace of deterioration has slowed to its most benign levels since 2Q21,” the bank’s strategists wrote. “If rates were to hold at these levels, [year-over-year] affordability could improve as soon as next month—which would be the first time this has been the case since February 2021.
“It is our expectation of increases here that has us continuing to expect a mild decrease in home prices in 2024 despite improved affordability and the growth in sales,” the strategists wrote. In late November, the investment bank forecast a 3% drop in nationwide home prices through this year.
If current mortgage rates were to hold, the strategists added, the monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home would be $185 lower than Morgan Stanley’s existing metric. That would bring the average monthly payment to its lowest level since April. Nonetheless, affordability has already improved some.
The bank found that pending home sales and mortgage purchase applications “remain soft, but the pace of their decline has moderated significantly,” the note read, citing a 15% year-over-year decline in purchase applications and a 5% decline in pending home sales last month. But the investment bank predicts sales to increase this year, with existing-home sales jumping 2.5% year over year, and new-home sales 7.5%.
“While a faster improvement in affordability than we expected introduces upside risk to our forecasts…we expect the absolute levels of affordability and inventory to keep growth from accelerating too quickly,” they wrote.
Existing-home sales retreated to their slowest pace in more than a decade—largely a result of the lock-in effect, which refers to homeowners refusing to sell their homes for fear of losing their low mortgage rates. More than 90% of conventional borrowers have a mortgage rate less than or equal to 6%; nearly 87% have a rate less than or equal to 5%; almost 75% have a rate less than or equal to 4%, according to Morgan Stanley.
However, the lock-in effect seems to be showing signs of easing, as existing-home sales rose in November after five consecutive monthly declines. They’re still down more than 7% on an annual basis, and new-home sales are only up more than 1% year over year. But it is expected that supply will increase this year. For-sale inventory was “virtually unchanged,” in December, following seven consecutive months of declines. Months of supply, which refers to the number of months it would take for all the current homes for sale on the market to sell, has also increased to its highest level since May 2020, the note said.
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Ohio-based mortgage lender CrossCountry Mortgagehas adopted the updated credit scoring model FICO Score 10 T to support origination of non-conforming loans and issue mortgage-backed securities (MBS), the company announced on Tuesday.
The lender’s move follows Movement Mortgage’s decision in early October to become an “early adopter” of the updated credit scoring model that FICO released about four years ago. Other mortgage lenders may follow suit since regulators plan to replace the classic credit system with an updated one to incorporate trended data.
CCM claims it is “the first mortgage lender to commit to issuing MBS exclusively based on FICO Score 10 T,” a step for investors at the $12 trillion MBS global market “to familiarize themselves with the new score and realize the promised performance improvement.”
According to Jenn Stracensky, CCM’s chief operating officer, “By proactively issuing mortgage-backed securities exclusively based on FICO Score 10 T,” the company empowers “investors to make smarter decisions.”
The move will also help the company to “continue to offer personalized solutions to our customers,” Stracensky said in a statement.
Fair Isaac Corp. (FICO), the company that retains the rights to the market’s adopted methodology to measure consumer credit risk, launched the updated credit score in 2020 for lenders to have greater precision by incorporating trended credit bureau data when making lending decisions.
The company claims the model can expand mortgage approval rates by up to 5% relative to classic versions without adding incremental risk. It reduces default risk and losses by up to 17% and allows lenders to project cash flows more accurately, FICO says.
Government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have relied on the classic credit models for nearly 20 years.
However, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced in late 2022 that it would replace the Classic FICO credit model with the FICO 10 T and VantageScore 4.0, a competing model incorporating trended credit bureau data.
The original implementation timeline was to move from a tri-merge system to a bi-merge system in the first quarter of 2024. But, concerns expressed by stakeholders and members of the U.S. Congress delayed the transition.
Amid a discussion on changing the credit scoring model, HousingWire reported in December that credit reports will be more expensive for mortgage lenders in 2024.
FICO will charge one price – higher than the current price – to all mortgage lenders, independent of their volumes, departing from the tier-based pricing structure it implemented in early 2023. It will also collect the same per-score price for soft pulls and hard pulls, an initiative that started in 2023 despite significant differences in these products.
In our latest real estate tech entrepreneur interview, we’re speaking with Daniel Shaked from Home365.
Without further ado…
Who are you and what do you do?
I am the CEO and Founder of Home365. We are a new breed of property management companies which leverages quite a bit of technology and artificial intelligence to make the entire process of owning real estate much more profitable, predictable and hassle free. First, we conveniently bundle a multitude of services for a one-rate fee, including management fees, repairs, maintenance, tenant placement and rent loss due to vacancies. To generate this fee, we look at the various data points of the home including the age, location, renovations, appliances, etc. But we also use this data and a series of sensors throughout the home to monitor systems so that we can predict any major issues and be proactive with maintenance. This saves landlords up to 50-percent in maintenances costs traditionally paid.
What problem does your product/service solve?
What we are really doing is offering refined communication between all the parties involved and improving customer service. Tenants, landlords and service providers communicate through Home365’s own app, which uses intuitive technology to report maintenance issues schedule repair visits and track the process from beginning to end. Tenants also have the ability to send video of the problem directly to the service provider. After scheduling an appointment, the tenants can track the movement of the maintenance worker through a map feature to save time and frustration. All fees are covered by Home365 without any additional cost to the property owner.
What are you most excited about right now?
I am most excited about our recent launch into the Las Vegas market which has a large number of property owners. We acquired Pangea Realty & Property Management, a Las Vegas company that currently owns over 300 single-family homes in Southern Nevada to begin our service.
What’s next for you?
My next step is to acquire more properties to use our service. My company is actively looking at deals in Florida, Texas and California.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
I’m really big on working with young entrepreneurs to get their ideas and businesses off the ground. I think it’s important to support the next generation pursuing new ideas. Most new businesses don’t make it, so it’s important for me to help them keep moving forward until they find the one that does. The momentum we have right now to help those ideas move to next steps is incredible.
Thanks to Daniel for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop me a line (drew @ geekestatelabs dot com).
Mortgage giant Mr. Cooper has tapped Mike Weinbach, a veteran banking executive, as president following current leader Chris Marshall’s expected retirement at the end of this year.
Weinbach, the longtime CEO of Chase Home Lending and former CEO of consumer lending at Wells Fargo, will begin his role Feb. 1, Mr. Cooper announced Tuesday. Marshall, also the company’s vice chairman, will remain onboard to assist with the transition and lead fundraising for Mr. Cooper’s mortgage servicing rights fund.
“I have long admired Mr. Cooper’s impressive record of growth and profitability as well as their commitment to the customer experience, and I am thrilled to hit the ground running with this fantastic team,” said Weinbach in a press release.
Company chairman and CEO Jay Bray in a statement commended Weinbach’s background in consumer lending. Weinbach worked at JPMorgan Chase from 2003 through 2020, heading mortgage operations in his final five years there. He worked in the newly-created consumer lending role at Wells from 2020 to 2022, overseeing the launch of a new portfolio of credit cards.
The incoming president will oversee Mr. Cooper’s originations, servicing and technology efforts. Weinbach steps in at a critical time for the publicly traded giant, following a massive data breach in November exposing the Social Security numbers of over 14 million customers. The incident has spawned over a dozen class action lawsuits from consumers, while Moody’s in November suggested the incident could impact the firm’s creditworthiness.
The company reported strong earnings in the third quarter, posting net income of $275 million, nearly double the amount of its second quarter results. Bray, at the time of the earnings and Marshall’s retirement announcement in October, credited Marshall for implementing “bank-like” efficiencies to the company during the pandemic.
Kurt Johnson, Mr. Cooper’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, then anticipated gains in owned servicing moving forward. As part of the firm’s busy 2023, it closed in August on the acquisition of the servicing business of Home Point Capital. That transaction added $83 billion in MSRs to bring Mr. Cooper’s servicing portfolio closer to $1 trillion.