The Mortgage Porter Weekly | Iran Ceasefire, Fed Rate Decision, HELOC Mortgages
The Pre-Retirement Mortgage Checkup
If you’re 5 to 10 years from retirement and you haven’t taken a hard look at your mortgage lately, now is the time. Not because anything is wrong — but because the decisions you make in this window can significantly change what your financial picture looks like when you stop working.
Most people review their investment accounts regularly. Far fewer give the same attention to their mortgage and home equity, even though for many homeowners in Washington State, equity is the largest single asset they own.
Here’s what I look at when a client comes to me in this season of life.
Mortgage Porter Weekly – Week of May 25, 2026 | Interest Rates, Iran and Home Equity Loans for Seniors
We were off yesterday for Memorial Day — hope you had a great long weekend! Here’s your mortgage and housing market update for the week of May 25th, 2026.
Remodeling Your Home: Financing Options to Consider for a Major Renovation
Recently, I spoke with a Seattle homeowner who is planning a major remodel. Like many homeowners, he initially reached out asking about a HELOC — which is often the first option people think of when they want to improve their home. They currently have a very low rate with their existing mortgage, which is one reason why they’re considering a home equity line of credit.
As we talked through his plans, budget, and long-term goals, it became clear that there were several ways to approach financing a remodel, each with very different advantages and limitations.
If you’re considering remodeling your home — whether it’s a kitchen overhaul, an addition, or a full transformation — understanding these options upfront can help you choose the strategy that fits your project best. [Read more…]
Do You need to sell your House before You can buy your next Home?
Many homeowners in our area may be sitting on quite a bit of home equity that they could use to purchase their next home. When it’s not a “buyer’s market”, you may have lower odds of a seller wanting to accept an offer if it’s based on needing to sell and close on an existing home. In order to have your offer accepted, it’s helpful to put forward an attractive offer that will make it easier for the seller to select your offer over others.
Here are some programs that can help! [Read more…]
