Helping Washington State homeowners learn more about their mortgage options.
If you’re planning to buy a home in Washington State, you’re not alone — and you’re probably using a mortgage between $300,000 and $1,000,000.
That loan range now represents the largest share of homebuyers across Washington, from first-time buyers to relocations and move-up homeowners. But where people are buying has shifted significantly in the past few years.
Below are the top Washington cities attracting homebuyers and what mortgage financing typically looks like in each market. [Read more…]
Last week I had fun creating a spoof where I’m consoling a drunk racoon, Rocky. Rocky has the blues because he decided to chase a low rate with an online lender and now his home purchase transaction is on a rocky road. All joking aside, I actually have saved several purchases where clients who first opted for an online lender with a slightly lower rate discovered that the loan officer and their lender could not close their transaction. It’s easy to promise a low mortgage rate but that low rate doesn’t matter at all if your transaction doesn’t close. [Read more…]
HUD has released the 2026 FHA loan limits for homes located in Washington State. FHA loan limits are set each year and vary by county and by the number of units (1–4 unit homes).
These limits determine the maximum base loan amount you can finance using an FHA-insured mortgage. If your loan amount is higher than the FHA limit for the county where the property is located, you may need a different type of financing (such as a conventional or jumbo loan), or a larger down payment. [Read more…]
Freddie Mac released the PMMS (Prime Mortgage Market Survey) today showing that mortgage rates for the 30-year fixed averaged 6.22% last week. Really, the best use of Freddie’s survey is to show how mortgage rates are trending because you can’t lock in last week’s rate UNLESS they just happen to be the very same rate as what’s available to you at the moment you’re ready, willing and able to lock. [Read more…]
The Fed has just announced a rate cut the Fed Funds rate by 25 basis points.
This has been widely anticipated by the markets. Remember, the Fed’s rate cut does NOT directly impact mortgage rates (except for home equity lines of credit and other loans that may be attached to the prime interest rate). [Read more…]
If you’re buying a home in Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Everett, Kirkland, Redmond, Renton, Issaquah, Bothell, Shoreline, or anywhere in Washington State, you’ve likely typed something like: [Read more…]
Welcome to this week’s edition of The Mortgage Porter Weekly, where I break down what’s happening in the mortgage and housing markets and what it means for homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate professionals.
VA Loan Limits for 2026 for Washington StateVA Loans technically don’t have a “loan limit” the same way that a conforming or FHA loan does. Veterans, who have earned the benefit of having a VA loan are eligible for a zero or low-down payment mortgage. The calculation is based on 2026 conforming-loan limits and the veteran’s entitlement status. [Read more…]
Rhonda Porter is a Licensed Mortgage Originator MLO121324 living in the greater Seattle area. Rhonda began her career in 1986 in the title and escrow industry and began her mortgage career in 2000. She enjoys helping people understand the mortgage process and started writing The Mortgage Porter in late 2006. Read More…
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