Banks Pay Homeowners To
Banks are now PAYING homeowners to move if they get rid of their mortgage? You can get a massive principal balance reduction if you give up a super low-rate mortgage and buy a replacement home at today's rates. The DREAM (Discount for Real Estate Affordability and Mobility) program is intended to unlock "the trapped value of their low-rate loan" and free "them to move forward with their next property purchase." Wild.
Mortgage Rates Poised to Climb Despite Low Oil
I find it interesting how many people think mortgage rates won't up from here. Despite $100 a barrel oil, total unknowns in the Middle East, and the fact that mortgage rates are historically HIGHEST in the months of May and June. Seems...
AI Triggers Mortgage Rate Cycle: Unemployment, Inflation, Then Recovery
Pondering how AI might affect mortgage rates. My thought is it leads to higher unemployment initially, which typically results in lower rates. But it's "structural," so Fed lowering rates won't lead to more hiring if people aren't skilled. Rates are mostly...
Bond Yields Stagnate Amid War Costs and Supply Surge
Despite the war's fiscal costs, increased Treasury supply, and surging energy prices, bond yields are barely moving higher. We are either in denial, overly optimistic, or labor is much worse than we think. I guess be happy if you need...
Mortgage Rates Stable Now, but Could Surge Soon
Bond yields and by extension mortgage rates seem to like a ceasefire and an open Strait. Just remember this can turn at a moment's notice. And that prior to the conflict, we had a national average sub-6% 30-year fixed.
NAR's First‑Time Buyer Stats Flawed by Tiny Survey
Last year, NAR told us the median age of a FTHB was 40 and 62 for a repeat buyer. Now they're telling us the FTHB share fell to 21%, the lowest ever. But it's all based on a 120-question mail-in survey with...
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...
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.
30
I'd say a 6.50% 30-year fixed seems like a foregone conclusion at this point. When not if... That'd be the first time rates were that high since last summer. Pretty sure the housing market can't handle a return to 7%, not...
Get a Year of Mortgage‑Free Payments on New Home
You've heard of big mortgage rate buydowns... But what about NO mortgage payments for an entire year when you buy a new home?
Pending Home Sales Beat Forecast, Yet Rates Rise Amid Conflict
Pending home sales recorded an unexpected beat in February, rising 1.8% month-over-month versus a forecast of -1%. However, sales were down 0.8% year-over-year and the outlook isn't great given mortgage rates hit those 3.5-year lows in February. They are now markedly higher...
Executive Orders Clash With
So we're signing executive orders to "improve housing affordability" when we already had the lowest mortgage rates in nearly FOUR YEARS. We were ever so close to that elusive magic number of 5.5% for a 30-year fixed, which gets home buyers...
Beeline’s Self-Service Mortgage Option One Step Closer to Loan Officer Extinction
Beeline has introduced a self‑service mortgage experience that lets borrowers complete applications, explore scenarios, lock rates and upload documents without a loan officer. The platform’s AI‑driven loan tracker processes data in seconds and offers real‑time assistance via a digital assistant...
30‑Year Mortgage Rates Likely Stay Below 7%
Questions to ask: - How high can the 30-year fixed go again? Is 6.5% a reasonable guess? Is 7% out of the question? I think 7% is unlikely as we'd be getting into recession talk and bond yields would likely...
Mortgage Rates Surge to 2026 Highs Amid Buying Season
Mortgage rates are at fresh 2026 highs everyone. What's annoying is it's happening during peak home buying season. Doubly annoying b/c we had 5-handle mortgage rates about a week ago.
Mortgage Rates Near 2026 Highs as Bond Yields Climb
Bond yields are back near their highest levels of 2026. Mortgage rates are also close to their 2026-highs, with MND putting the 30-year fixed at 6.19% today, just 2 bps below its peak thus far this year. There's a decent chance mortgage...
Sub‑6% Mortgage Rates Trigger Powerful Psychological Impact
Been saying this for a while... It's not about the ~$60 monthly payment difference. It's the intense human psychology of a sub-6% mortgage rate.
Credit Karma Launches AI‑powered Mortgage Refinancing Marketplace
Credit Karma has just rolled out mortgage broker services to its users (*refinances only). "Credit Karma Home Loans" allows users to shop over 40 financial institutions and 1,500 loan products. Will be powered by Better Mortgage's Tinman AI Platform.
Weak Jobs Data Drives Mortgage Rates Downward
Another horrendous jobs report saved mortgage rates today. Had it come in hot, we'd likely have a 30-year fixed closer to 6.25% again during peak home buying season. Granted, w/o the conflict in Iran we'd probably be at 5.875% or lower...
Mortgage Rates Set for Volatile Swings Amid Global Uncertainty
My biggest takeaway right now regarding mortgage rates is to expect heightened volatility. They will likely bounce around a lot more than normal thanks to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The good news is 30-year fixed rates remain near ~3-year...
Mortgage Rates Hover Near 5% as Jobs Data Looms
Mortgage rates have eased back toward the 5s today, potentially due to oil transport assurances from the President. The 30-year fixed is just 8 bps away from a 5-handle again, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Jobs report on Friday...
Opendoor Says It Will Offer 4.99% Mortgage Rates to Its Home Buyer Customers
Opendoor announced a beta mortgage product that will provide a 30‑year fixed rate of 4.99% with no points or fees, roughly a full percentage point below the current 6% market average. The discount is achieved through reduced margins, automation, and...
Mortgage Rates Jump After Iran Attack
Mortgage rates slipped back above the 6% threshold after the Iran attack, with the 30‑year fixed climbing to 6.12%—a 13‑basis‑point jump. Ten‑year Treasury yields rose nine basis points, and mortgage‑backed‑security prices fell, feeding the rate increase. Simultaneously, oil prices spiked...
AI-Driven Recession Threatens Benefits of Lower Mortgage Rates
Cheering for lower mortgage rates has always been a delicate balance of hoping for payment relief w/o a wider economic downturn. In other words, getting a cheaper 30-year fixed without a big increase in unemployment or a stock market crash. The fact...
Sub‑6% Mortgage Rates May Spur Buyer Confidence
Good to see Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage rate survey go sub-6% too. Not because it changes the math much, but because it will result in more positive news headlines and boost consumer sentiment. The type of stuff that can get prospective home...
UWM’s 2025 Loan Volume Jumps 17% on Refinance Surge
The nation's top mortgage lender (UWM) funded $163.4B in home loans during 2025. That was up ~17% from $139.4B in 2024. Interestingly, it was led by refis, which surged to $70.3B from $43.4B, while home purchase lending actually fell slightly YoY.
Bed Bath & Beyond Expands Into Home Financing Services
Bed Bath & Beyond plans to offer mortgages, HELOCs, renovation loans, and title services. They are also partnering with Figure Technologies to deliver digital home equity products to consumers. The move apparently advances its objective of becoming the "Everything Home Company."
Chase Rolls Out Another Mortgage Rate Sale as Rates Fall Below 6%
JPMorgan Chase has launched a limited‑time mortgage rate promotion that applies to both home‑purchase and refinance loans. The program offers an automatic 0.25 percentage‑point discount, with rates potentially dropping from 5.50 % to 5.25 %, and is available until March 8 2026 with a 60‑day...
Mortgage Rates Dip to Lowest Since August 2022
Actual LOCKED mortgage rates hit the lowest point since August 2022, per Optimal Blue real-time data. The 30-year fixed fell to 5.945% yesterday for a conforming loan backed by Fannie/Freddie. FHA was 5.859% and VA an even lower 5.608%. Decent.
Mortgage Rates Dip as AI Job Fears Rise
Mortgage rates dropped into the 5s today because everyone is finally realizing the robots are going to take our jobs. Bittersweet.
30‑Year Mortgage Falls Below 6%, Boosting Spring Buying
A nice little market selloff creates a flight to safety. And gets the 30-year fixed below that stubborn 6% threshold, finally. The key will be staying sub-6% to allow human psychology to work its magic during the spring home buying...
Rate Launches RateFi to Make It Easier to Qualify for a Mortgage with Crypto Holdings
Rate has introduced RateFi, a new mortgage product that lets borrowers leverage their cryptocurrency holdings without liquidating them. The program treats verified crypto as both qualifying income and reserve assets, though any down‑payment must still be converted to U.S. dollars....
ChatGPT Forecasts Median Home Price Hitting
The future is bleak: "ChatGPT noted that the median home price today is around $420,000 and predicted it will rise to between $510,000 and $580,000 by 2030." "It based its analysis on the assumption that home prices will grow 4% to 6%...
Rates Dip to 2022 Lows, Sales Still Lagging
Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater: “Mortgage rates dropped again this week, now down to their lowest level since September of 2022.” The 30-year fixed averaged 6.01% this week, down from 6.09% last week. Meanwhile, pending home sales are DOWN after existing...