Hello, and welcome to Mortgage Porter Weekly! This is your update for the week of November 9th. Last week brought a surprisingly strong jobs report, and mortgage rates improved slightly. Watch the video above or read the highlights below. [Read more…]
Mortgage Porter Weekly: Jobs Surprise, CPI Preview & VA Home Loans
November 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
What Happens if an Appraisal Comes in Low on a Purchase
November 4, 2026 by 1 Comment
You have an accepted offer, the inspection is behind you, and then the appraisal comes back below the price you agreed to pay. Sometimes that’s a real surprise. Other times it isn’t. When a home’s price was bid up, buyers, sellers, and agents alike may expect the appraisal to come in low.
Either way, it helps to have a backup strategy with your lender and to know your options before the appraisal is in. On a purchase, a low appraisal usually has several workable answers, and the first one isn’t a lending decision at all. [Read more…]
Mortgage Porter Weekly: Fed Holds Steady, Jobs Week Ahead & Down Payment Assistance
November 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Welcome to Mortgage Porter Weekly for the first week of November 2026! Each Monday, I break down where mortgage rates have been trending and what may move them in the week ahead. This week: the Fed holds steady with two dissenters, it’s jobs week, and our spotlight is on down payment assistance — what to know before you choose a program. [Read more…]
How to Choose a Down Payment Assistance Program
October 31, 2026 by 1 Comment
Most homebuyers start their down payment assistance (DPA) search with one question: “how much money can I get?” when what they should also be considering is “what will this cost me or impact me over the years I own the home?“
Two programs can offer the same dollar amount and behave completely differently when you sell, refinance or simply watch rates drop. Here’s how I walk Washington homebuyers through the comparison. [Read more…]
Mortgage Rates This Week: Fed Week, Earnings Season & UAD 3.6 Appraisal Changes
October 26, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Welcome to your mortgage rate update for the week of October 26, 2026. Watch the video above or read the highlights below. [Read more…]
