When you're in the market for a home loan, you'll likely come across terms like "mortgage broker" and "mortgage originator." While these professionals play critical roles in helping you secure financing, their responsibilities and how they serve you differ significantly.

In the first FOMC Minutes of the year, the Federal Reserve signaled strongly that while officials remain vigilant for inflation exceeding their expectations, they have no plans to raise interest rates. Much of the apprehension among speculators is the monetary policy which could keep inflation higher than expected for some time. Meanwhile, unemployment reports indicate that the previous year remained stable, consistently staying below the annual high--a positive sign of a stronger job market. However, this has been somewhat dampened by the recent reports of the Trade Deficit. Compared to the previous year, the trade gap has nearly doubled, potentially clashing with the policies introduced by the Trump Administration.

When it comes to buying a home, selecting the right mortgage is one of the most important financial decisions you'll make. The type of loan you choose will impact your monthly payments, interest rates, and overall financial stability.