--- title: The Mortgage Statement Blog | Arkansas Mortgage | choose a mortgage description: choose a mortgage | Bank of Little Rock Mortgage's blog on everything from home loans to refinancing --- [![Bank Of Little Rock Mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/logo-1.png?width=730&height=217&name=logo-1.png "Bank Of Little Rock Mortgage")](http://www.blrmortgage.com/) # The Mortgage Statement ## [Rent Vs. Buy: June 17, 2013 Interview with Matt Mosler](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/299102/Rent-Vs-Buy-June-17-2013-Interview-with-Matt-Mosler) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Tue, Jun 18, 2013 @ 12:44 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Yesterday, I had the chance to sit down with the fantastic Matt Mosler on the KARK's morning segment, Money Matters. I was able to offer more advice to those caught between renting a home or buying a house. You can watch the interview below and get more information in the rest of the post beneath the video.  [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/299102/Rent-Vs-Buy-June-17-2013-Interview-with-Matt-Mosler) 3 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/299102/Rent-Vs-Buy-June-17-2013-Interview-with-Matt-Mosler#comments-listing) Tags: [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage), [Rent vs. Buy](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/rent-vs-buy) ## [Is Buying or Renting Right For You?](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/290076/Is-Buying-or-Renting-Right-For-You) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Wed, May 08, 2013 @ 09:43 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-34452293-jpg/images/139874677.jpg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/290076/Is-Buying-or-Renting-Right-For-You) If you are about to move to a new area, you need to think about a few things before you sign a lease on an apartment or put a down payment on a mortgage. The decision to buy or rent depends on your current financial situation, your future plans and the lifestyle you want to live. Both options have their own set of benefits and potential drawbacks that should be carefully evaluated. [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/290076/Is-Buying-or-Renting-Right-For-You) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/290076/Is-Buying-or-Renting-Right-For-You#comments-listing) Tags: [How to buy a home](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-to-buy-a-home), [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage) ## [Monday Mortgage Memo: April 1, 2013](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/282039/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-April-1-2013) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Thu, Apr 04, 2013 @ 04:15 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-28702721-jpeg/images/blrm_email20banner_green_600x2002.jpeg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/282039/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-April-1-2013) It's the first week of April and rates have changed, but have not increased. We promise this is not an April Fool's joke! Our 30-year fixed rate has dropped from 3.625 percent to 3.5 percent. Our 20-year fixed rate has fallen from 3.5 percent to 3.375 percent. And our 15-year fixed rate stepped down from 2.750 percent to 2.625 percent. [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/282039/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-April-1-2013) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/282039/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-April-1-2013#comments-listing) Tags: [Current mortgage rates](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/current-mortgage-rates), [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage) ## [Monday Mortgage Memo: March 4, 2013](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/273984/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-March-4-2013) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Tue, Mar 05, 2013 @ 05:53 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-28702721-jpeg/images/blrm_email20banner_green_600x2002.jpeg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/273984/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-March-4-2013) Mortgage rates have not changed since last week, continuing to stay steady through the month of February.  [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/273984/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-March-4-2013) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/273984/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-March-4-2013#comments-listing) Tags: [Current mortgage rates](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/current-mortgage-rates), [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage) ## [Monday Mortgage Memo: February 11, 2013](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/273978/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-February-11-2013) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Mon, Feb 11, 2013 @ 05:23 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-28702721-jpeg/images/blrm_email20banner_green_600x2002.jpeg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/273978/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-February-11-2013) [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/273978/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-February-11-2013) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/273978/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-February-11-2013#comments-listing) Tags: [Current mortgage rates](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/current-mortgage-rates), [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage) ## [Monday Mortgage Memo: February 4, 2013](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/273977/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-February-4-2013) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Mon, Feb 04, 2013 @ 05:22 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-28702721-jpeg/images/blrm_email20banner_green_600x2002.jpeg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/273977/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-February-4-2013) It's the first week of February and rates have risen since last week. Our 30-year fixed rate rose slightly from 3.25 percent to 3.5 percent, our 20-year fixed rate went up from 3.125 percent to 3.375 percent and our 15-year fixed rate jumped from 2.5 percent to 3 percent. Though rates are now on the uptick, the movement is slow, so you should still have time to take advantage of low rates before they rise too far from their record lows. If you are still on the fence about refinancing, "there's no point to dilly-dally" said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac's chief economist in [a USA Today article](http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/01/31/mortgage-interest-rates-rise/1881115/) discussing the rise in rates and whether or not lower rates are in our future. Read the article to learn more about why rates are rising and why you should be refinancing now rather than later.    Bank of Little Rock Mortgage is also rolling out a new blog to provide our experience and expertise on mortgage finance, written in plain English for you to follow easily. We call it [The Mortgage Statement](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog).   Are you interested in seeing if you prequalify for a home loan? We have a quick-and-easy way for you to [get prequalified for a mortgage online.](http://www.blrmortgage.com/get-preapproved-for-a-home-loan/) If you have any questions, comments or concerns, we would love to hear from you. Just [contact us](http://www.blrmortgage.com/contact-us/) and let us know what you need.  Happy Tuesday, Scott McElmurry President & CEO of Bank of Little Rock Mortgage NOTE: Your mortgage rate can be affected by a number of factors, including your credit score, loan-to-value ratio, your down payment and the loan program you choose. No matter what, we'll always find you the best mortgage loan at the best rate, guaranteed. For more information, visit our [Today's Rates](http://www.blrmortgage.com/what-are-todays-mortgage-rates/) page.   [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/273977/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-February-4-2013) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/273977/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-February-4-2013#comments-listing) Tags: [Current mortgage rates](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/current-mortgage-rates), [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage) ## [Monday Mortgage Memo: November 12, 2012](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/243190/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-November-12-2012) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Tue, Nov 13, 2012 @ 02:21 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-28702721-jpeg/images/blrm_email20banner_green_600x2002.jpeg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/243190/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-November-12-2012) [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/243190/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-November-12-2012) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/243190/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-November-12-2012#comments-listing) Tags: [How do I refinance](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-do-i-refinance), [first-time home buyer](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buyer), [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage) ## [KATV Live: A Few Tips for First-Time Home Buyers](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234130/KATV-Live-A-Few-Tips-for-First-Time-Home-Buyers) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Fri, Oct 19, 2012 @ 08:57 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234130/KATV-Live-A-Few-Tips-for-First-Time-Home-Buyers) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234130/KATV-Live-A-Few-Tips-for-First-Time-Home-Buyers#comments-listing) Tags: [How to buy a home](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-to-buy-a-home), [first-time home buyer](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buyer), [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage) ## [How to Apply for a Home Loan](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234002/How-to-Apply-for-a-Home-Loan) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Tue, Oct 16, 2012 @ 09:44 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-18407179-jpg/images/istock_000019227735xsmall.jpg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234002/How-to-Apply-for-a-Home-Loan) For the majority of first-time homebuyers, getting a mortgage is a must. A mortgage, however, can be a complex process for those who don’t do their research. It’s important to know exactly what will be required of you during the mortgage application process, because preparation is one major key to success. **** [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234002/How-to-Apply-for-a-Home-Loan) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234002/How-to-Apply-for-a-Home-Loan#comments-listing) Tags: [Get pre-qualified online](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/get-pre-qualified-online), [first-time home buying](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buying), [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage) ## [How to Choose the Mortgage Right for You](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/232700/How-to-Choose-the-Mortgage-Right-for-You) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Thu, Oct 11, 2012 @ 10:13 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-18406216-jpg/images/istock_000011618280xsmall.jpg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/232700/How-to-Choose-the-Mortgage-Right-for-You) When looking for the right mortgage, the most important question to answer is, “Which mortgage type is right for my financial situation?” This means a few things: [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/232700/How-to-Choose-the-Mortgage-Right-for-You) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/232700/How-to-Choose-the-Mortgage-Right-for-You#comments-listing) Tags: [Get prequalified online](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/get-prequalified-online), [first-time home buyer](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buyer), [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage) [All Posts](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/all) ### Subscribe Email ### Latest Posts ### Posts by category - [choose a mortgage (10)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage) - [Closing (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/closing) - [credit score (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Current mortgage rates (6)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/current-mortgage-rates) - [first-time home buyer (5)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buyer) - [first-time home buying (6)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buying) - [Get pre-qualified online (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/get-pre-qualified-online) - [Get preapproved online (2)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/get-preapproved-online) - [Get prequalified online (3)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/get-prequalified-online) - [how do I calculate my credit score (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-do-i-calculate-my-credit-score) - [How do I refinance (6)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-do-i-refinance) - [How to buy a home (7)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-to-buy-a-home) - [mortgage insurance (2)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/mortgage-insurance) - [Mortgage payment (5)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/mortgage-payment) - [mortgage rates (6)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/mortgage-rates) - [preapproval (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/preapproval) - [prequalification (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/prequalification) - [refinance your home (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/refinance-your-home) - [Rent vs. Buy (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/rent-vs-buy) - [what is a credit score (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/what-is-a-credit-score) - [what is exactly is a mortgage refinance (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/what-is-exactly-is-a-mortgage-refinance) - [what is involved in buying a home (2)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/what-is-involved-in-buying-a-home) ### Follow Me © 2015 [Privacy/Legal](https://blrmortgage.hs-sites.com/blog) [Site Map](https://blrmortgage.hs-sites.com/blog)