Mortgage Rate Predictions for 2026: What Washington Homebuyers & Homeowners Should Know

December 28, 2025 by Rhonda Porter Leave a Comment

Mortgage rates continue to be one of the most talked-about topics for homebuyers and homeowners across Washington State. Whether you’re hoping to buy your first home, move up, or refinance, it’s natural to wonder: where are mortgage rates headed in 2026?

While no forecast is guaranteed, several respected housing and mortgage organizations regularly publish outlooks that can help set realistic expectations. Below is a Washington-focused look at what groups like the Mortgage Bankers Association, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and Zillow are projecting — and what it could mean for buyers and homeowners here in the Pacific Northwest. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Interest Rates, Opinion Tagged With: 2026, forecast, interest rates, mortgage rates

Homebuyer Workshop: Mortgage Programs and Strategies for First-Time Homebuyers

December 26, 2025 by Rhonda Porter Leave a Comment

How to Create Affordability and Get Your Offer Accepted

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming — especially when you start hearing about interest rates, down payments, competing offers, and loan programs with unfamiliar names. The good news? There are many mortgage options and strategies designed specifically to help first-time home buyers succeed, even in competitive markets.

In our upcoming Home Buyer Workshop, we’ll be breaking down mortgage programs and practical strategies that help buyers create affordability and write strong, winning offers. Here’s a preview of what we’ll cover. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Homebuyer Workshop, Mortgage Programs Tagged With: affordable housing, homebuyer workshop, mortgage programs, strategies

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from The Mortgage Porter

December 24, 2025 by Rhonda Porter Leave a Comment

As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season.

This time of year is a reminder to slow down, reflect, and appreciate what matters most — home, family, friends, and the sense of comfort and security that comes from having a place to call your own. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Just for Fun Tagged With: gratitude, holidays

Mortgage Rate Update for the Week of December 22, 2025

December 22, 2025 by Rhonda Porter Leave a Comment

It’s a BIG holiday week and I am postponing this week’s episode of the Mortgage Porter Mortgage Rate Update until next Monday.

Mortgage rates are still in a fairly tight range as you can see from Optimal Blues Mortgage Market Index which is based on mortgage rates that were locked on December 19,2025 by lenders who use Optimal Blue for their pricing/locking platform. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Interest Rates Tagged With: holidays, mortgage rates

Renovation Mortgages: Turning “Fixer-Uppers” Into Your Dream Home

December 19, 2025 by Rhonda Porter Leave a Comment

Inspired by my new gingerbread house renovation video!

Every home has a story — and sometimes that story includes a little frosting falling off the roof.

In my new Sora-generated video, you’ll see a fun twist: my animated character repairing a gingerbread house as though it were a real remodel. It’s a playful way to highlight a very real mortgage option many homebuyers and homeowners don’t realize exists: renovation loans. [Read more…]

Filed Under: ADU & DADUs, HomeStyle, New Construction, Remodel, Renovation Mortgage Tagged With: 203k, remodel, renovation

Charming Starter Home in Puyallup – Perfect First-Time Buyer Opportunity

December 18, 2025 by Rhonda Porter Leave a Comment

8011 148th Avenue Ct E, Puyallup, WA 98372 – Listed by Mike Severeid with exp Realty

[Read more…]

Filed Under: First Time Home Buyer, Real Estate Tagged With: just listed, puyallup, starter home

Medical Professional Mortgage Program – The Doctors Loan

December 17, 2025 by Rhonda Porter Leave a Comment

100% Financing | No Mortgage Insurance | Loan Amounts Up to $2 Million

I’m pleased to announce a new mortgage program designed specifically for medical professionals. This program recognizes the unique financial profile of doctors — including high student loan balances, strong earning potential, and career stability — and offers flexible financing that traditional loan programs often don’t.

Whether you’re early in your medical career or well established, this program is built to make homeownership more accessible without requiring a large down payment or private mortgage insurance. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Mortgage Programs, Refinance, Residential Purchase, Specialty Mortgage Programs Tagged With: buyer, doctor program, medical, mortgage, refi