Mortgage Update for the week of May 20, 2024


This week’s update features information on mortgages for self-employed borrowers!

Tips for Lowering Your Mortgage Payment

Your total mortgage payment consists of the principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance (if applicable). If you’re considering buying or refinancing your home, there are some ways that you may be able to lower your total mortgage payment. [Read more…]

Mortgage Market Update for the week of May 13, 2024

My apologies for being a week (plus one day) behind on my weekly update. Last week I was on vacation in California visiting my wonderful sister-in-law. I’m back to work now! Please let me know if you need any assistance with your mortgage or real estate needs.

Searching for your Dream Home? Consider a Renovation Mortgage.

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…]

Predicting Mortgage Rates is like forecasting Weather

Trying to predict mortgage rates is very similar to forecasting our weather in our beautiful Pacific Northwest. There are economic indicators with data that result in mortgage rates going down or raising higher just as there are weather patterns and pressure systems that typically indicate sunnier days or a storm approaching. Sometimes the reports that are being relied on can conflict with each other making it more difficult to make an accurate prediction. [Read more…]

It’s FED Day! [Live post]

Around 11:00 PST today, the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee aka The Fed) will wrap up their two-day meeting with an announcement on any adjustments they are making to the federal funds rate. Although the Fed does not directly control mortgage interest rates*, the changes to the funds rate and the Fed’s commentary influences the direction of mortgage interest rates. Mortgage rates are based on bonds (mortgage-backed securities or MBS) and are traded, just like other types of bonds. Markets will react to the Fed’s actions and this will impact mortgage rates. Commentary or signs that inflation is not getting into check will push mortgage rates higher and indications that inflation is taming and that the Fed will lower the funds rate soon will help lower mortgage interest rates. [Read more…]

Are you considering an ADU?

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…]

Mortgage Market Weekly Update for April 29, 2024

This is a BIG week with the wrap up of the two day Fed meeting and the Jobs Report… want to know more? Check out my latest video.