Six months ago, I published my 2026 mortgage rate predictions, and if you’d told me back in December that the biggest driver of rates this year would be a war halfway around the world, I would’ve said that’s not usually how this works. But here we are at the midyear mark, and that’s exactly what happened. Let’s recap what actually unfolded in the first half of 2026 and then get into the updated forecasts for the rest of the year. [Read more…]
2026 Mortgage Rate Forecast: Midyear Update
July 1, 2026 by 1 Comment
Refinance to Pay Off Student Loans Without Cash-Out Pricing
June 26, 2026 by 1 Comment
If you’ve got federal student loans, you’ve probably heard that repayment is about to change — again. Starting July 1, 2026, the SAVE plan officially ends, two brand-new repayment plans launch, and millions of borrowers will be reshuffled into new monthly payment amounts. That reshuffle doesn’t just affect your loan servicer statement. It flows directly into how a mortgage lender calculates your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) — which affects how much home you qualify for. [Read more…]
How Lenders Qualify Salary, Hourly, and Variable Income
May 8, 2026 by 3 Comments
When it comes to getting a mortgage, how much you earn matters — but so does how you earn it. A W-2 salary looks very different to an underwriter than an hourly wage, a part-time paycheck, or income from a second job. And if you’ve recently started a new position or are expecting a pay increase, there are specific guidelines that govern whether that income can even be used to qualify. Let’s break it all down. [Read more…]
Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Changed the Rules on Condo Financing — Here’s What Seattle Buyers Need to Know
April 3, 2026 by 5 Comments
If you’re shopping for a condo in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Tacoma, or anywhere in King, Pierce, or Snohomish County, there’s something you need to know: the rules just changed. On March 18, 2026, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issued Lender Letter LL-2026-03 and Guide Bulletin 2026-C — a coordinated update to how condominiums qualify for conventional financing. Some of the changes expand access to more buildings. Others will make it harder for some projects to qualify. And a few will affect what happens at closing. Here’s a breakdown of what changed, what it means for buyers, and what questions to ask before you make an offer on a condo. These guideline changes also impact homeowners who are planning on refinancing their condo with a conventional mortgage. [Read more…]
2026 Conforming Loan Limits for Washington State
December 5, 2025 by 1 Comment
Low-Down-Payment Programs, Renovation Loans & Down Payment Assistance Options
The 2026 conforming loan limits are giving homebuyers and homeowners across Washington State more borrowing power and more flexibility. Higher limits mean more buyers can qualify for competitive conforming mortgage programs—often with lower down payments, reduced mortgage insurance, and expanded underwriting options. [Read more…]
