Helping Washington State homeowners learn more about their mortgage options.
Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released their monthly updated forecast for mortgage rates through 2025. This June update no longer shows predicted rates for the 30-year fixed conforming to hit the 5% range. MBA, who tends to be the most optimistic, forecasts that in the 4th quarter of 2025, we’ll see 6.0% for a rate with the homes of 5.8% in 2026.
Should you hold out on Fannie Mae and MBA’s forecast for lower rates in two years? It depends. [Read more…]
The Existing Home Sales was released yesterday which reports on the closings of existing single-unit homes.
Would you be surprised to know that last month, 31% of all sales were first-time homebuyers? [Read more…]
If you have been finding the current lack of inventory a challenge, you may want to consider a renovation mortgage. A renovation mortgage (or rehab loan) allows you to finance improvements to the property beyond the sales price of the home. The renovations begin after closing and there are no restrictions on the types of improvements. You can even use this on your existing home as a refinance if you love your location and neighbors and just want to make changes to your home. [Read more…]
Have you been considering a “mother-in-law” apartment or backyard cottage? This type of dwelling is technically referred to an accessory dwelling unit aka “attached dwelling unit” (ADU) or detached dwelling unit (DADU). [Read more…]
***THIS CLASS IS SOLD OUT–please contact me if you would like us to arrange another class.***
If you’re a real estate agent, you don’t want to miss out on this upcoming class on Washington state’s new zoning laws. This all day class takes place at the Kent office of New American Funding and we will be serving up lunch as well as important information you need to know. 
We just have a few seats left so be sure to sign up today! Scan the QR code or click here to RSVP.
I hope to see you then!
We have the FOMC meeting wrapping up this Wednesday. While we don’t anticipate any changes to the Fed Funds rate, what Chairman Powell has to say following the meeting may impact mortgage rates. For more detail, check out my latest Mortgage Market Update video.
It’s fun to visit open houses on the weekends. You may be picturing yourself living in the home, enjoying the backyard or perhaps making a few home improvements to really make it “yours”.
If you’re even thinking about buying a home, I strongly encourage you to get fully preapproved before you find yourself at an open house wanting to present an offer.
Here are some steps I recommend for anyone considering buying a home. [Read more…]
Do you know the difference between being prequalified or preapproved for a mortgage? This short video reviews the importance of being preapproved.
If you are currently preapproved with a lender, I recommend making sure that your preapproval has been underwritten by a “human underwriter” and not just “AUS” (automatic underwriting i.e. a computer). One way to make sure you have been fully underwritten is to ask your mortgage professional for the underwriter’s name…if they say “Fannie Mae” or “Freddie Mac” – that’s actually the automated underwriting system that lenders use. 😉
Being fully pre-underwritten not only helps to provide you with peace of mind with your loan approval, it also helps to expedite your closing AND may also help your offer be accepted over other offers with a weaker approval status.
If you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance, please reach out to me!
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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