Mortgage Rates Dip as Oil Eases Despite Hormuz Shutdown
Why are mortgage rates falling with the Strait of Hormuz still closed, and oil priced around $95 barrel? - Ceasefire and oil prices off their highs (was ~$110) - Hope of a peace deal or resolution (talks ongoing) - Labor is still a bigger concern than inflation (due to energy prices) - Rates remain about .50% above lows before the conflict
California Homeowners Still Locked Into Sub‑4% Mortgages
Everyone keeps talking about lock-in going away, saying the share of mortgage rates above 6% now exceeds those below 3%. Maybe in Alabama. In California, most still can't/won't move as evidenced by 34% of homeowners holding a rate between 3-3.99%...
ARM's Lower Rates May Outshine 30-Year Fixed Now
What's the point of taking out a 30-year fixed mortgage right now if rates are only expected to move lower over the next five years? They made perfect sense when mortgage rates hit record lows in the 2021, but why now? Rates...
Mortgage Rates Set to Rise Before Year‑end Relief
This echoes my thoughts on mortgage rates. Two things are working against them at the moment. Seasonality (they are HIGHEST in spring/summer) and overoptimism RE: the Middle East. It's why I think they climb higher again before we see real relief later in...
Even Advisors Buy High‑Priced Property Amid 2026 Rates
I just heard a financial advisor bought a $1.5M condo. In 2026, with home prices sky-high and mortgage rates above 6%. Does this mean it's a good time to buy real estate?
UWM Leads 2025 Lender Rankings; Captive Builders Absent
Top mortgage lenders of 2025... Of note, UWM in first place for third year in a row. No home builder's captive lenders in the top 10. And former mortgage giant Wells Fargo back in.
Bond Yield Dip Could Trim 30‑Year Mortgages Near 6.4%
Nice move lower today for bond yields. Should result in 30-year fixed mortgage rates back around ~6.375% or lower. But they remain about 0.375% above late February lows and the ceasefire appears tenuous. Actually surprised things haven't already turned higher again...
Flat Yields Signal Recession Concerns over Inflation
Should we be concerned that bond yields and mortgage rates are flat/down in the midst of current events? Especially on the back of a hot jobs report... You can call it "wait or see" or maybe things are a lot worse...
Homebuyer Interest Surges 32% as Demand Beats Inventory
Maybe home buyers haven't thrown in the towel just yet... The average daily page views per for-sale listing on Zillow was 32% higher this March versus last March. "This demand signal outpacing inventory growth is showing the first signs of improvement...
Mortgage Rates Hold Steady Despite $110 Oil Surge
It's kind of nuts how well mortgage rates are doing despite oil being over $110 a barrel. Things could be a lot worse. Perhaps they will get worse...
Powell's Reassurance Drops Mortgage Rates Despite Oil Surge
Mortgage rates are lower today thanks to Jerome Powell. Why? Because he put fears of Fed rate hikes to bed during a Q&A session with Harvard students yesterday. Despite surging oil prices, he said “We feel like our policy’s in a...
Higher Rates Erase Home Price Discounts
You can say home prices are overpriced until the cows come home, but mortgage rates are the quickest and easiest affordability lever to pull. $500,000 purchase price $485,000 (3% down) 5.75% rate $2,830.33 /mo. $450,000 pp (10% off) $436,500 6.75% rate $2,831.13 /mo.
Mortgage Rates May Drop if Tensions Ease, Data Weakens
It's looking like a good day for mortgage rates. But for them to have a winning week, we need easing tensions in the Middle East. And weak economic data, including job openings, retail sales, ADP jobs, and BLS on Friday.
Mortgage Rates Likely Peaked, May Stay Under 7%
Are mortgage rates nearing a top? One could argue they've already baked in the ME conflict and $100 oil. Perhaps they go another ~0.25% higher, but manage to stay below 7%.
Mortgage Rates Jump Above 6.5%, More Hikes Ahead
A 6.50%+ 30-year fixed mortgage rate is coming today. Crazy we had sub-6% rates less than a month ago. It's going to get worse before it gets better.
