The Mortgage Porter Weekly: Rates, Tariffs, Remodeling Options & What to Watch Next

In this week’s episode of The Mortgage Porter Weekly, we’re covering several timely topics that are influencing mortgage rates and homeownership decisions right now — from global trade headlines to practical ways homeowners are funding remodels.

If you’re watching rates, thinking about renovating your home, or planning to buy in the near future, here’s a recap of what we discussed.

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Renovation Mortgages: Turning “Fixer-Uppers” Into Your Dream Home

Renovation Home Loan Mortgage Every home has a story — and sometimes that story includes a little frosting falling off the roof.

In my new Sora-generated video, you’ll see a fun twist: my animated character repairing a gingerbread house as though it were a real remodel. It’s a playful way to highlight a very real mortgage option many homebuyers and homeowners don’t realize exists: renovation loans. [Read more…]

Mortgage Rate Update for the Week of May 12, 2025

Tariffs continue to toy with mortgage interest rates and we have a couple inflation indicators scheduled to be released this week that could impact mortgage rates. Also in this episode, we discuss renovation mortgages.

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, refinancing, remodeling or a reverse mortgage, I am happy to help you!

Mortgage Market Update for the week of March 18, 2024

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.

Home Improvement and Construction Loans

There are many options available for financing home improvements not to mention using cash or available funds.

What type of program is used may depend on the scope and amount of funds needed for the project. We can help you with everything from a home equity line of credit where you can do the work yourself or a full construction loan if you’re working with a vacant lot or a complete tear-down property. Larger projects may require a general contractor and/or to have the contractor approved by the lender.

Loans that do not require a general contractor are our home equity line of credit, stand-alone second mortgage or a cash-out refi. With the home equity loan of credit or second mortgage, you could keep your existing first mortgage (if there is one).

Here are some possible programs to consider: [Read more…]

Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit

If you have been wanting to spruce up your kitchen, bathroom or any part of your home and you don’t want to touch your low interest rate on your existing mortgage, a second mortgage could be an option worth considering. [Read more…]

Reduce your mortgage payment AND improve your your home with a refi

refinancing to remodel your kitchen in Tacoma Recently I helped some clients refinance their mortgage on their home in Tacoma. Not only did we dramatically reduce their monthly mortgage mortgage payment, but they were also able to make some improvements to their home. [Read more…]

My Seattle Kitchen Remodel: Flooring

Probably one of the toughest decisions we had to make, next to the counter-tops, was what to do with our flooring. We had a wood floor with a beautiful painted surface. Unfortunately, it was a real challenge to keep it clean and the paint was wearing off. Plus the lighter blond finish didn’t really go with our cabinets.

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