Recent Articles
Holiday Week Catch-Up: Mortgage Rates Hover Near 2-Month Lows
A holiday-week catch-up: light trading kept markets mostly sideways, but the average 30-year fixed edged to near two-month lows as bonds got a small lift from Europe and pending home sales improved.
Published on 12/30/2025
The Hidden Costs That Can Make or Break Your Mortgage Approval
Why Taxes and Insurance Matter More Than You Think When most homebuyers start house hunting, they focus on one number: “How much home can I afford?” Usually, that number is based on the purchase price and estimated mortgage payment. But there are two often-overlooked line items that can quietly shrink your buying power—or even stop a deal in its tracks: 👉 Property taxes 👉 Homeowner’s insurance Let’s break down why these matter so much, how they affect your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and what you can do to stay ahead of surprises.
Published on 12/29/2025
Inflation Cools in November — What It Means for Mortgage Rates
Inflation slowed in November after peaking earlier this fall. Here’s what that means for mortgage rates and what homebuyers should watch next.
Published on 12/18/2025
Fed Cuts Again, But Dot Plot Steers Mortgage Rate Outlook
The Fed cut rates by 0.25% and ended quantitative tightening, but the real story for the average 30-year fixed is in the dot plot and Powell’s comments. Here’s what that means for mortgage rates and homebuyers.
Published on 12/10/2025
This Week in Mortgage Rates: Buyers Are Back as Rates Hover in the Low 6s
Mortgage rates bounced around but stayed in a tight range near the low 6% area this week, while purchase applications hit their highest level since early 2023 and refinance demand more than doubled compared to last year. Here’s what that means if you’re thinking about buying or refinancing.
Published on 12/06/2025
Stronger Data Last Week Caused a Slight Rate Bump
Stronger jobless-claims and durable-goods data from last week pushed the average 30-year fixed slightly higher, but mortgage rates are still near recent lows. Here’s what that means for buyers and homeowners
Published on 12/01/2025
Income — Not Savings — May Very Well Be The Biggest Barrier To Homeownership In 2025
A Real Hypothetical USDA Mortgage Case Study Using a $285,000 Home in Wise County, Texas Most first-time buyers believe the hardest part of buying a home is saving for the down payment. But in today’s market—with higher rates, strict underwriting rules, and rising taxes—the real obstacle is not cash… it’s income. Even when a buyer can get into a home with less than $1,000 at closing, and even when buying dramatically increases their net worth compared to renting, many families still cannot qualify because their income doesn’t meet USDA requirements or DTI guidelines. This real-world Texas scenario proves it.
Published on 11/21/2025
What Today’s Jobs Report Means for Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates held steady after a mixed jobs report, with unemployment rising and job growth coming in stronger than expected. Learn what this means for homebuyers and what to watch next.
Published on 11/21/2025
Can’t Afford a Down Payment? Here’s the Hard Truth About Becoming a Homeowner
Buying a home with little to no money saved and barely enough income to qualify is one of the toughest financial positions to be in. Many first-time buyers hope that down payment assistance, grants, or a low-down-payment mortgage will be the magic solution—but if your income is too low or you’re already stretching your budget to the limit, no program can fix that. This blog is not here to sugar-coat anything. It’s here to help you build a strategy that gets you into a home for real — not just someday, but sooner than you think if you take the right steps.
Published on 11/18/2025
50-Year Mortgages? Here’s What You Need to Know
The Trump administration says it’s exploring 50-year mortgage options to help with affordability. Learn what this could mean for homebuyers, monthly payments, and long-term costs.
Published on 11/11/2025
Fannie Mae’s Big Update: You May Qualify Even With a Credit Score Below 620
Fannie Mae’s new credit score policy lets lenders use automated approvals even for borrowers below 620. Here’s what that means for homebuyers who thought they couldn’t qualify.
Published on 11/08/2025
What’s Going On With Mortgage Rates? (Explain-It-to-a-5th-Grader Version)
Mortgage rates dipped, then jumped after the Fed’s cut. A $15B corporate bond sale and stronger economic reports added pressure. Here’s the simple, kid-level way to understand what’s happening and what it means for buyers.
Published on 11/06/2025
Mortgage Rates Jump After the Fed’s Rate Cut — Here’s Why
The Federal Reserve cut rates again, but mortgage rates actually rose. Learn why this happens, what Powell said, and what it means for homebuyers.
Published on 10/29/2025
Mortgage Rates Hold Near Yearly Lows as Market Awaits Next Data
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is hovering near 3-year lows as bond markets hold steady amid limited economic data. Learn why rates remain low and what could move them next.
Published on 10/22/2025
Gen Z and the Dream of Homeownership: Adapting to a Challenging Market
A new Realtor.com survey reveals that 1 in 5 Gen Z adults say housing affordability is their top life concern. Learn how young buyers are adapting, saving, and staying determined to achieve homeownership.
Published on 10/15/2025
Mortgage Rates Tick Up Slightly as Bonds Weaken and MBS Underperform
On October 9, 2025, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate edged slightly higher to 6.38% after a weaker 30-year Treasury auction and mild MBS underperformance. Rates remain stable within a narrow range as the government shutdown continues.
Published on 10/10/2025
Mortgage Rates Holds Steady After Weak Jobs Report
On October 1, 2025, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate held at 6.37% after weak private payroll data. Bigger shifts may follow when the delayed government jobs report is released.
Published on 10/01/2025
3 Reasons Home Affordability Is Improving This Fall
Affordability is finally improving this fall thanks to lower average 30-year fixed mortgage rates, slower home price growth, and rising wages. Learn why now could be the right time to buy.
Published on 09/26/2025
Mortgage Rates Hit Yearly Lows—Then Jump After the Fed Cut. Here’s What Happened (and Why Applications Just Surged)
After touching yearly lows early in the week, the average 30-year fixed rose following the Fed’s rate cut—thanks to the dot plot and Powell’s comments. Still, mortgage applications just saw their biggest weekly jump since 2021 as homeowners reacted to earlier rate declines. Here’s what it means for buyers and homeowners.
Published on 09/19/2025
From Minimum Wage to Millionaire: How $7.25 a Day Can Build Wealth
Most people believe that building wealth is impossible on minimum wage. But what if I told you that even someone making $7.25 an hour could end up a millionaire by retirement? Let’s walk through a real-world example of how discipline, consistency, and smart financial decisions can create generational wealth, starting with nothing more than the cost of a fast-food meal each day.
Published on 09/18/2025