We are your Minneapolis St Paul area home mortgage refinancing or purchase money mortgage broker. Our Minnesota mortgage loan programs include Conventional, FHA,VA mortgage loan programs-fixed rate or adjustable(ARM).   

Call Patti  Mazzara or John Mazzara at 952-285-4319 for an interest rate quote on current Minnesota mortgage rates -or- use the mortgage calculators to calculate your debt consolidation savings with a refinanced mortgage payment. 

Minnesota Mortgage Broker- Venture Development - has been committed to your Minnesota real estate mortgage loan needs for over 14 years-whether it be for a home purchase, refinancing to a lower rate, or debt consolidation.   

We offer Minnesota loan financing for first time buyers, move up buyers, home remodel and rehab,  and investment property loans throughout the Twin Cities, MN-Minneapolis St Paul and Greater Minnesota. We are located in Edina, Minnesota.

Our mortgage loan programs offered include: Conventional fixed rates, 30 year, 15 year, 10 year, ARMS, adjustable rate mortgages, Interest Only loans, FHA, VA, Veteran loans, USDA, Reverse mortgages, new construction, second mortgage, lines of credit,  low closing cost & "no closing cost" loans.

Customers First! Satisfied customers are more important to us than anything else. We strive to be your Minnesota mortgage lender/broker for life for all your real estate financing.  Our goal is to make the loan process as simple and worry-free as possible. We at Venture Development pride ourselves in offering the highest level of customer service, and appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. We do it all-whether you want to refinance to a lower mortgage rate, consolidate debt, get a new home mortgage for a purchase, home equity line of credit or second mortgage, or purchase of an investment property.  We have grown our business one loan at a time, based on repeat business and referrals. 

We have the tools you need to make the correct decision regarding your next home mortgage.  We  can help you compare products so that the loan you select will match your goals.  We can create a special report specific to your situation by utilizing a number of special software programs.  We are your "mortgage doctor" we only "prescribe" the correct product after a financial consultation. Whether you are a first time home buyer or have obtained many mortgages throughout your lifetime you will find that the depth of knowledge and products that we have access to will meet your needs.

Are you waiting for a certain interest rate before you refinance your loan?  Would you like to obtain one of the Twin Cities best interest rates on your next Minnesota home loan?  Why not let us track the interest rate for you-and notify you when/if your rate is reached? Our MN mortgage rates are always very competitive-combined with excellent service and extensive product knowledge.

SOLUTIONS: PERFECT CREDIT-POOR CREDIT-DEBT CONSOLIDATION

If your credit score is not quite where it needs to be for a specific loan program, we will use one of our credit analyzer programs to see if there is something we can do to improve your scores.  In some cases, we have dramatically improved the borrower's scores to where the borrower can qualify for a better set of mortgage loan products.  At the same time, we have some clients that are in credit repair mode for the next 6-12 months.  We believe in being proactive.  We can make some suggestions on how you can re-establish credit.  Start now-so you can buy a home in the future! Credit repair just takes time-Let's get started today! The sooner you do, the sooner you will be in a new home.  Not all mortgage brokers will take the time to help you make permanent fixes to your credit.  We take pride in doing business the right way. Use our debt consolidation mortgage calculator to see how much you can save.

Bankruptcy, Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Foreclosures and Short sales-we've seen it all.  Different loan programs have different requirements for re-establishing acceptable credit.  For example, FHA loans can be obtained while in a chapter 13 bankruptcy if certain conditions are met.  The key is to start planning for your future mortgage sooner rather than later.  We can refer you to companies that work with you to restore your credit and we might be able to provide you with some helpful tips.  We understand that bad things can happen to good people-Life Happens.  It's how you deal with the circumstances that matter.  Download a short PDF on Credit Repair

We have FREE e-book entitled "101 Fast Fixes To Boosting Your Credit Score" You can click on the title to get your copy.  Learn about credit repair and how to boost your credit score for a future mortgage and home purchase.   Another E-book of interest might be our book on family budgeting.  Ever end up with-too much month at the end of the money?  That could be due to the failure to establish and stick to a budget.  Our bugeting book will help you get your financial spending in order-- FREE Budgeting book.

MINNESOTA MORTGAGES & WIDE VARIETY OF HOME LOAN CHOICES

Think of Venture Development when you need a  "Minnesota mortgage" for " Minnesota Real Estate".  We can help.  We are primarily a Minnesota mortgage broker, although we may be able to help you with financing in another state.  Whether you are a first time home buyer, move up buyer, second home buyer, investment property buyer, vacation property, or interested in financing commercial property please call us.  As a mortgage broker, we have access to some products that other lenders and other mortgage brokers simply don't have.  Here are just a few of our products and unique situations:  Fixed rate loans, adjustable rate loans, ARM, Option ARMs, second mortgages, HELOC's, Reverse Mortgages, One time close, new construction loans, cash out refinance, interest only loan, credit problems, no credit score, debt consolidation, 100% financing, investor loans, no cost loans, low cost loans, no ratio, self employed, stated, true no doc, first time buyer, and investment property financing, 110% loans, and 125% loans, FHA secure, FHA, Veteran, and VA loans.

REVERSE MORTGAGES: STAY IN YOUR HOME OR EVEN PURCHASE A NEW HOME

With regards to reverse mortgages-if you are over age 62 and own a home, you are eligible for this type of loan.  There is no financial qualifying! There is a new JUMBO reverse mortgage product that allows you to get a loan of up to 4M.  This can be used for purchasing a new home or accessing the equity on a second home.  WOW!  We are one of the first brokers to have this product available.  ALMOST AN EXCLUSIVE-I don't know anybody else that is offering this program.  Let's review the criteria again-Are you age 62, and would like to purchase a home but either on a fixed income-SS and/or pension, retired, good credit/bad credit?  YES you CAN use a reverse mortgage for a purchase a home in Minnesota.   There is NO QUALIFYING-other than your age, required downpayment, and new loan amount must be over 200K.  Remember, with a reverse mortgage you make no payments.  This means you could purchase a new home without qualifying and have no payments. CALL ME!

NEW STATE OF MN AND FEDERAL MORTGAGE LAWS-ALWAYS CHANGING

Minnesota has some new mortgage laws that became effective on August 1st 2007.  These laws have removed the ability of Minnesota mortgage brokers to offer no documentation loans on primary residences but not for investment property purchases.  We STILL CAN do low/no documentation programs for investment and commercial properties that are not considered residential properties.

Lenders/Investors change programs qualifying criteria on a regular basis.  We keep up to date on what the new laws are and how they affect your ability to get a mortgage. Call us with your loan scenario.

CONVENTIONAL FIXED RATE MORTGAGES AND ARM's (ADJUSTABLE RATE LOANS)

The 30 year fixed rate mortgage is probably the most popular loan that we write for our clients.  At the same time, we offer 10 yr loans and 15 year loans.  In addition, we have all types of Adjustable Rate Mortgages-ARM's.  We try to counsel borrowers to select the correct loan product based on the length of time they will remain in the property.  Both Fixed Rate loans and ARM's can be amortizing-where you pay both interest and principal or just interest only.  Some people prefer to pay down their loan whereas other will want the maximum tax deduction combined with the lowest payment that interest only has to offer.  There is no right answer as everybody has a different situation and specific goal that they would like to accomplish.  We at Venture Development will take the time to inform you of the options so that you can make the correct choice.  Call us and ask us what our most popular program is at this time and why it is so popular. 

FHA LOANS - VA-VETERAN LOANS| FHA MORTGAGES- VA VETERAN MORTGAGES

With FHA loans, we can utilize Down Payment Assistance programs-like Nehemiah, Ameridream and Genesis to help you pay for the downpayment and closing costs so you can purchase a new home.  Don't let the lack of money be an obstacle to home ownership.  Read more about down payment assistance using gifts from qualified charities.

In addition, many subprime lenders have either left the business or the loan programs that used to be offered have gone away.  The government is trying to create some new solutions by revamping old programs and creating new programs.  These proposed adjustment primarily are occuring in the FHA programs, but there may be some in VA (Veteran loans) too.  Call me for details as these changes are evolving.  Click under the tab FHA to your on the side bar for updates on FHA.  This may be a solution to stemming the foreclosure crisis in the Minnesota housing market. 

If you have an existing FHA loan there is also the FHA Streamline refinance that is available for a lower cost refinance.  This program may not require an appraisal, credit check or proof of employment-but must have made your last 12 months payments on time.

There is an FHA 203K loan available for rehabilitation of an existing home for an owner occupant.  There is the "lite" version allowing up to 35K and an expanded version allowing for greater repairs.  The investors available to purchase this loan come and go-we may or may not have an outlet for this loan.  Would you like more info on the 203K?  We have created a downloadable PDF that covers a lot of the highlights-Streamline 203K

Existing FHA programs allow the seller to pay some of your closing costs-usually up to 6%.  There are down payment assistance programs too.  We are creative, so call us with your situation.

As a side note, do you know what the anacronym stands for? FHA stands for "Federal Housing Administration." The mandate of the FHA is to be an agency of the federal government that will insure private loans that are issued for new and existing housing.  In addition, FHA loans can be granted for approved  home repairs. The entity FHA was actually created by congress in 1934 and subsequently became part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Housing (HUD) in 1965.  The recent passage of a vote by the House of Representatives gives us hope that the FHA will become a more modernized agency that will provide programs that are more risk based and responsive to today's lending environment.  We'll have to wait to see if the Senate can pass the bill without to many modifications.  In any event, the FHA will come out a better and stronger organization than they are today. 

KEY FHA LOAN ADVANTAGES:

*Total buyer contribution required is 3.5%

*Fixed rate loans, ARM's and Buydowns

*Buyer contribution can be a gift from a relative or qualified charity DPA program-up to 100% of the amount for down payment and closing costs

*Credit scores as low as 620 (possibly lower w/manual underwrite)

*Credit can be non-traditional credit with manual underwriting

*No cash reserves required unless 3-4 unit

*Sellers can contribute up to 6% towards closing costs w/minimum down payment

*Increased FHA loan limit w/ 2008 Stimulus package

*Relaxed appraisal requirement in comparison to the past

*Cash out refy to 85% loan to value-consolidate first & second to 97%

*Borrower can have an open Chapter 13 w/12 months of on time payments

*Non occupying Co-borrower allowed-come together as one on the application

*Mandatory loss mitigation by the loan servicer-not automatic foreclosure-if asked

*31/43 qualifying ratios- compensating factors allowed for additional flexibility

*U.S. Citizenship not required

*FHA loans can be assumed at the note rate with full qualify (credit & income)

*Streamlined refinance for existing FHA loans-less documentation, limited qualifying criteria and less expensive.

*Condominiums are acceptable with 51% owner occupancy within the project and high rises are allowed-project must be on approved list-other factors may apply

*1.75 % mortgage insurance can be financed in the loan, then .55% monthly

VA LOANS-VETERAN SPECIAL OFFER

If you are a Veteran, you are eligible for 100% financing with a VA loan.  VA loans are insured through something called the funding fee.  This protects the administration against loan defaults.  The funding fee can be added to the back of the mortgage but is a reasonable trade off, when you consider that the loan is financed at 100% of the properties value. 

When all things are compared, it may turn out that a conventional loan or FHA loan might be a better fit.  Veteran loans take a little more time to process, so if that is the route you want to pursue, please allow ample time. The nice thing is that you have more mortgage finance options to evaluate. If you have served our country in the armed forces since 9/11 or are currently serving full time or in the guards, let us know.  From time to time, we run various specials for exclusively for veterans and active duty participants.  Call us for details.  We want to honor those who make this country safe.  Thank you for your sacrifice.

Great news for Veterans!  The Minnesota state legislature has just passed a new state law that allows disabled vets to receive a permanent property tax exemption on their primary homestead.  Here is how you qualify-if you have a service related disability that is between 70-100%, you can get a $150,000 exclusion.  If you have a service related disability that it 100% and qualified as total and permanent, then you can get a $300,000 exclusion.  You need to file a form with the county assesor in order to qualify.  The form is CR-DVHE100.  You can find out more at http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/  Read property tax fact sheet #13

KEY VA LOAN ADVANTAGES

*100% Purchase financing possible

*Funding fee can be financed in the loan

*Funding fee may be waived for disabled vet

*90% ltv cash out refinance

*Sellers can contribute 4% towards buyers closing costs

*41% qualify ratio

USDA GUARANTEED RURAL HOME LOAN PROGRAM

The USDA offers a program to finance single family homes in rural areas.  So it won't work in major population areas, but might on the fringe.  Here are some of the highlights and things to consider:

*The loan is a fixed rate for 30 years

*Up to 100% of the appraised value can be financed.  This needs to include the 2% guarantee fee.

*Sellers are allowed to contribute up to 6% towards the closing costs

*Only 1 unit single family residences allowed

*Purchase and Refinances-OK.  The refinance is ONLY for rate and term improvement, not cash out.

*Full documentation loan underwriting

*$417K is the maximum loan size allowed

*No cash reserves required

*No minimum contribution from the borrowers funds required (FHA loans require 3.5% for example)

*NO PMI-there is an upfront USDA Guarantee fee of 2% required which can be financed into the home loan.  On a refinance, the cost of the guarantee is .5%

MINNESOTA CORPORATE MORTGAGE BENEFIT

Patti Mazzara is our corporate real estate benefits director.  She will be happy to review this program with you if you have any questions.  Here is the internal link to an overview of the program- Minnesota corporate mortgage  

The formal website for this program is located at http://www.minnesotacorporatemortgage.net/

Common mortgage questions answered at our site!

Throughout our website you can find tools available to answer virtually any mortgage question. Trying to decide if now is a good time to refinance? Check out our Refinance Mortgage Calculator. Wondering if a new home equity loan or second mortgage can lower your monthly payments? Use our Debt Consolidation Mortgage Calculator! Confused by all the loan programs from which to choose? Our Loan Program page will help you find the right type of loan for you. Also, we'll be happy to prepare a personalized mortgage quote for the home mortgage program of your choice. 

WIN A FREE MONTHS MORTGAGE PAYMENT-SWEEPSTAKES

Please check out all the tabs on the left.  Under the "Venture Development" tab you can enter the mortgage payment sweepstakes.   How would you like to win a one month's mortgage payment-up to $5K?  You have to enter to have a chance at winning!

Venture Development Inc is owned by John Mazzara - President & Patti Mazzara - Vice President.  We can be reached at 952-285-4319.  We schedule appointments out of the RE/MAX Associates Plus office at 7300 France Ave S Suite 410, Edina, Minnesota 55435.  Call us for directions and to schedule a time to take your loan application. 

If you are looking for real estate information on any of the communities within the 7 county metro area, just ask John Mazzara.  We recently wrote a series of reports on the various cities in and around Minneapolis and St Paul.  You can find them on the tabs to the left.  Just click and read up on the cities to see which community you might want to call home.  We  have specific reports about the real estate activity in each city at John's real estate site under "press releases/reports".  Visit http://www.minneapolisstpaulhomes.com/  to find out more.

MINNESOTA MORTGAGES AND REAL ESTATE

We are more than just a Minnesota mortgage broker, we are able to help you with all aspects of a Twin Cities relocation. John has been successfully selling Twin Cities real estate since 1986.  The first 9 years were with Burnet Realty and the balance has been with RE/MAX.  John sells homes throughout the metro area.  We live and work in Edina and know the Edina real estate market extremely well.  John has lived in Edina MN since 1986 and in Minnesota his entire life.

You can visit our real estate site at http://www.minneapolisstpaulhomes.com/  and go to reports and press releases to get a ton of information or start your ON LINE HOME SEARCH for a new home IMMEDIATELY.  If you are moving from out of state, not working with another real estate agent, and need a relocation package we can help-call us.   If you are leaving Minnesota-we can refer you to a top Realtor in your new community.

If you find yourself needing to sell your home in light of a distressed situation that might involve letting the home go to foreclosure, I would encourage you to consider ALL of your options first-then decide what is right for you-loan modification, forebearance repayment plan, as well as a short sale may work as well or better.  There are a number of tax and credit implications to whatever your decision will be-so you are highly advised to contact an attorney and accountant and possibly the IRS at http://www.irs.gov/ If you do decide that a short sale is the route to pursue, then contact John Mazzara to help sell your home.  John has completed the CDPE-Certified Distressed Property Expert program-and can share his knowledge of how to proceed with the short procedure.  You can learn more as well at Short Sale Option

REAL ESTATE INVESTING BOOK- "REALITY BASED" REAL ESTATE INVESTING

John Mazzara recently wrote a book about investing in investment real estate.  The book covers over 23 years of his personal experiences and insights into selling/owning/managing rental real estate.  You can find out more about the book and investing in real estate at our investment property book's website.  While the book is based upon Twin Cities Minnesota real estate, much of the lessons and information is applicable across the US. Visit http://www.realitybasedrealestateinvesting.com/ and get your personal copy today.

  This is the cover of the book.

FIRST TIME BUYER AND LANDLORD EDUCATION CLASSES

We offer classes throughout the Twin Cities through various community education and corporate locations. Call us to see what class location and time would be most convenient for you. Our class topics include:  the importance of credit, obtaining a mortgage, purchasing a home, selling a home, and becoming a successful landlord.  These classes are always offered in the evenings.  For those of you who are unable to attend our classes but would like home buying and landlording education, let me offer the FREE online classes offered by MGIC.  MGIC is a leading private mortgage insurer and underwriter.  They have created a two online classes that you can take.  Upon the successful completion of the course and passing a test online, you will obtain a certificate.  Besides obtaining knowledge, you MIGHT be required to complete a home buying class under certain first time buyer mortgage programs.  This class MAY be acceptable.  Here is how you get to the classes:  go to http://www.mgichome.com/  sign up and take the class, when you are done, you will need the lender code-here it is:  learning@ventureloanapp.com 

You don't have to be a MN home buyer to take the class.  Feel free to share this resource with anyone that will be looking to become either a home owner in need of understanding the process or a landlord looking to do landlording successfully.  The best part is that you can take the class from the convenience of your home or office online at on your time line. 

If you are a landlord-let me give you a link to a Free landlord website.  This site allows you to enter data and photo's about your property.  Once you have your site built, you can advertise your URL on Craigslist, the newspaper or even online on your website. Go to my Twin Cities real estate site and scroll down under Investment Property in Minnesota-click on the link that offers the website

MORTGAGE CALCULATOR WIDGET

We just created the widget you see below. It allows you to calculate a mortgage payment or see an amortization schedule.  Would you like a copy for your blog or website?  Just visit mortgage payment calculator and get yours today-it's free!

We help sell and finance mortgage loans throughout Minnesota in cities such as Minneapolis, St Paul and all surrounding suburbs such as Edina, Eden Prairie, St Louis Park, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Robbinsdale, New Hope, Crystal, Chaska, Chanhassen, Waconia, Savage, Prior Lake, Shakopee, Richfield, Bloomington, Mendota Heights, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Fridley, Columbia Heights, Shorview, Vadnais Heights, Lino Lakes, Roseville, Falcon Heights, North East Minneapolis, St Anthony, Stillwater, Inver Grove Heights, Lake Elmo, Afton, Cottage Grove, So St Paul, West St Paul, Woodbury, Oakdale, and Greater MN Minnesota.  We are your Minnesota mortgage broker and we finance Minnesota homes all throughout the State of MN.

	Mortgage News Daily Lowest Prices Since 10am. Potential Reprices For The Worse - 15 hours ago Posted To: MBS CommentaryAfter encountering support just over 100-26, MBS 4.5's rose to 100-29 alleviating some previous risk of a reprice for the worse. But moments ago, losses superseded those previous lows by about a quarter of a tick, bringing MBS back into a range that could elicit reprices for the worse. With the 10yr yield seeming to form a double top at 3.70, it's still possible that many lenders will not reprice for the worse given the already discussed factors of it being late in the day on a Friday, but more so than last post, the risks have increased for reprices to be more than merely isolated incidents. Act accordingly, but know that if next week's bond auctions are strong, we could be right back in the mix....(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. Mortgage Rates End Busy Week Above Lowest Levels of Year - 15 hours ago Posted To: Mortgage Rate WatchMortgage rates backed up a few basis points yesterday after the Treasury announced the terms of next week’s auction supply. This announcement overshadowed several economic data releases that came in close to expectations. All lenders did reprice for the worse by the end of the day, this increased consumer borrowing costs anywhere from an 0.125 to a 0.25 in discount points. The best par 30 year fixed mortgage rate did hold in the 4.75% to 5.00% range after reprices though. After yesterday’s busy economic data calendar, the schedule was empty today. Reports from fellow mortgage professionals indicate lender rate sheets to be worse today. The par 30 year conventional rate mortgage has risen to the 4.875% to 5.125% range for well quailed consumers. There are still a few lenders offering...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. Bonds Retreat Into The Close. Any Risk Of Reprices? - 16 hours ago Posted To: MBS Commentary4.5's now down 3 ticks on the day at 100-27 10yr Note Yield up to 3.69 from intraday range around 3.66. No confirmation from stocks as major indexes all still in the red On of those minor sell-off's that might NOT lead to a reprice for the worse (yet) Even though it's disconcerting that the current downtrend in prices is leading us back toward the worst levels of the day, there are a few considerations that make this situation not so black-and-white. First of all, it's obviously Friday afternoon, and obviously after the technical bond market close at 3pm. The market doesn't really close at 3pm of course, but some feel it might as well. 3pm is when day over day levels are marked for comparison against each other. Volume and liquidity tend to die down between 3 and 5 unless...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. Fannie Mae Clarifies Timing of Delinquency Buyouts. How Does this Affect Rates? - 17 hours ago Posted To: MBS CommentaryUgly AM got prettier as 4.5's made it back to unchanged at 100-31 10yr yields actually down a bp to 3.66 (were as high as 3.7 this AM) Potentially unseen lift from Fannie delinquency buyout release If trying to recover lost YSP from this AM, still safe to wait it out. Things looked pretty bad this AM as bonds opened much worse than even an extension of yesterday's weakness would suggest. Lockers rejoiced. Floaters readied their cyanide pills. But in the previous commentary, AQ discussed a chain of events starting with a stronger dollar that has resulted in MBS getting back to unchanged on the day after commodities led stocks lower. And though there is a bit of movement, we're now approaching that "out of the woods" time of day where prices will either level off as volatility...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. Rates Recover as Dollar Rally Weakens Commodity Stocks  - 19 hours ago Posted To: MBS CommentaryRates are staging a lackluster comeback as commodities stocks battle a strong dollar. Adding some weakness is a continued lack of liquidity in the markets. Plus health care debate rages on....much uncertainty lies ahead. The dollar is rallying and energy shares are weighing down stocks. The S&P is -0.52% at 1159, but finding stable ground at 1160 support. Here is the S&P loserboard....Georgetown should be #1 on this list, but they were omitted because they are a college basketball team, not a stock. Still, I think we can make an exception. ....and 10s are feeling some bargain buying stock lever love. Back in the 24-hour sideways trend channel after a brief bump in yields. The FN 4.5 is now flat on the day at 100-31. This is a 9 tick improvement from the intraday low price print of 100...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. Underwriter Compensation and Production; Mortgage Insurance Update; Fannie Mae Buyout Details - 21 hours ago Posted To: Pipeline PressYesterday I overheard a snippet of a conversation between a father and his son, with the father trying to prove a point. "Son, how old are you?" His son replied, "Eight". The father said, "When I was your age, I was nine." Who were, and probably still are, the largest mortgage lenders/investors in 2009? There were no real surprises. HERE are the rankings Yesterday I mentioned underwriter compensation and production , and perhaps was somewhat misunderstood. First, let me go on record that I have nothing against underwriters, and in fact believe that as a group they are often under-appreciated, under-paid, over-pressured, and usually taken for granted. I received a few comments that I will certainly pass along. "I have been underwriting FHA loans for over 15...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. Rates Higher as Trading Session Gets Off to Slow Start  - 22 hours ago Posted To: MBS CommentaryGood Morning. How in the world does Georgetown lose in round 1?!?!?!? They aren't the only ones heading back to class early though. 13 seed Murray State beat 4 seed Vandy. Marquette, who was a five seed, couldn't get passed no.11 Washington. Notre Dame, the six seed lost to Old Dominion. Meanwhile, Nova just barely pulled out a nail biter against Robert Morris and New Mexico, who had their second lowest point total on the season, found a way to squeak one out against 14 seed Montana. Bracketology gets interesting from here...especially with the Hoyas down and out. Did you call any of these upsets? What shocker did you forecast for day 2? The econ calendar is quiet today, making secretive tourney watching that much easier...COUGH COUGH HERE IS THE LINK COUGH COUGH Both benchmark 10s...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. The Day Ahead: Light Calendar Puts Market Focus on Politics - 22 hours ago Posted To: MND NewsWireStocks are in mixed after yesterday’s mixed session. A lack of significant data on today’s schedule implies trading could be light, but headlines should be active as former Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan prepares to deliver a 48-page paper entitled "The Crisis" to the Brookings Institution in Washington. According to the Financial Times, Greenspan will take issue with claims that the Fed’s interest rate slashing early in the decade caused the US housing bubble. While he will concede "that regulators underestimated the scale of the asset price bubble . . . he attributes the failing, among others, to overseas regulators, the US credit rating agencies, financial houses and mainstream economics," the FT reported. One hour before the opening bell, Dow...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. Winning Streak Snaps As MBS Close At The Lows - 1 day ago Posted To: MBS CommentaryGoing out at lows of the day with 4.5's down 3 ticks to 101-00 10yr Tsy at high yield of day just under 3.68 Moderate gains in Dow and Nasdaq, S&P unchanged Big raft of data + Treasury Supply was just a bit too bearish for bonds today Still... Not a huge affair in terms of volume. MBS about half of normal. Kind of a medium term chart tonight but a lot going on with MBS trends, so the discussion will be almost exclusively on the top section of the following chart: Many many colors in the MBS chart, eh? Here's what they are: WHITE LINE: can either be thought of as one of two things: pretty dang close to 101-00 or an inflection point over the past two weeks. Both are accurate. It's moderately supportive vs. the pessimism that the next two sets of lines seem to suggest YELLOW LINES...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. 10 Days Left in Fed's MBS Purchase Program. What is Potential for Extension? - 1 day ago Posted To: MND NewsWireThe Federal Reserve reported on their weekly purchases of agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS). In the week ending March 17, 2010, the Federal Reserve purchased a gross total of $10.6 billion agency MBS. In that week the Fed sold $601 million mortgage-backeds (supported the roll), for a net total of $10.0 billion agency MBS purchases. This amount is unchanged from the previous three reporting periods. The goal of the Federal Reserve's agency MBS program is to provide support to mortgage and housing markets and to foster improved conditions in financial markets more generally. Only fixed-rate agency MBS securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae are eligible assets for the program. The program includes, but is not limited to, 30-year, 20-year and 15-year securities...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.