Market Update: The financial markets are in full swing — and Barry Schwartz, Top 50 producer and mortgage advisor with PERL Mortgage, explains the the relationship between rates and bonds, unemployment reports, our favorite Fed Chair, Ben Bernanke, and why some mortgage rates differ between products and programs.

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Credit Advice: It’s advice time on the PERL Mortgage podcast. Barry Schwartz, mortgage advisor with PERL Mortgage, discusses credit checks in today’s economy — and offers a bevy of helpful tips for when your credit score is unexpectedly lowered or if you’re wondering about your current credit score.

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Historically low rates: Everyone in the mortgage business these days is discussing historically low rates and how long this trend might last. We’ve even devoted previous episodes of the PERL Mortgage Podcast to discuss rates and whether or not they’re actually quote unquote historically low. Now that we know that they are, let’s talk about why. Barry Schwartz, mortgage advisor with PERL Mortgage, discusses historically low rates and why they’re currently ultra low.

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What is a Refi Boom? When you buy a home and secure a home loan, you’ll obtain a mortgage note detailing the amount to be repaid, the full term of the loan, and the interest rate at. And when rates go down, most homeowners refinance their mortgages to save money. And sometimes, for a variety of reasons, a high percentage of home owners find themselves in a position to refinance their home loans, causing a boom of refinances – or what’s known in the industry as a Refi Boom. Barry Schwartz, mortgage advisor with PERL Mortgage, discusses the concept of Refi Booms in today’s economy.

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Chicago’s West Loop: Formerly a warehouse district with factories and businesses, Chicago’s West Loop now offers a trendy atmosphere with a multitude of spacious lofts — and has recently signaled new development activity. Jason Beckstrom, agent with Conlon: A Real Estate Company, and Barry Schwartz, mortgage advisor with PERL Mortgage, discuss real estate and financial trends in Chicago’s west loop neighborhood.

For more information on development in the West Loop, visit the West Loop Community Organization website at WestLoop.org.

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