Author: Lending Agent

Mortgage rates jumped quickly higher yesterday following the higher inflation reading in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Now today, rates have completely erased the move despite a similar report, the Producer Price Index (PPI) seemingly adding fuel to the inflationary fire. PPI is almost never as big of a deal as CPI when it comes to pushing rates around. That’s still true today, even though rates ultimately moved more than they did yesterday. Specifically, CPI resulted in a bigger, sharper initial move in the underlying bond market that was slowly backtracked afterword. Contrast that to today’s PPI which prompted a…

Today’s mortgage rate movement is very straightforward.  Unfortunately, it’s also marked by a straight line toward higher levels–in this case, the highest since January 14th. Incidentally, January 14th was the day before the last instance of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the same inflation report that caused rates to surge higher today.  Back in January, inflation was a bit better than the market was expecting.  Today, it was much worse (i.e. “higher”). Rates are based on bonds, and inflation is an arch enemy of the bond market. To understand this, consider the fact that bonds are “fixed income” investments in…

The current economic landscape is increasingly uncertain, fueled by shifting policies under President Donald Trump. Recent tariff proposals on key trading partners like Canada, Mexico, and China have contributed to market volatility, leaving many investors seeking stable, long-term investment opportunities. In times like these, rental real estate continues to be a proven, income-generating asset that offers financial security and long-term appreciation.Rental Properties: A Stable and Profitable InvestmentUnlike stocks, which can experience wild swings due to political and economic changes, rental properties provide a steady and predictable income stream. Housing remains an essential need, and as mortgage rates and home prices rise,…

Mortgage Rates Tick Slightly Higher. More Volatility in Store Tomorrow Any recap of financial news headlines will likely mention Fed Chair Powell’s congressional testimony today.  Some efforts could even be made to link today’s rate movement to various Powell comments, but that’s not what actually happened. The real story is that bonds (which dictate mortgage rates) lost ground moderately and steadily overnight, largely due to the interconnectedness of global financial markets and the fact that European bonds were having an even worse day.  By the time the sun was up in the U.S., bonds were basically done moving for…

Mortgage rates have been on a vacation from volatility since January 16th when they fell back toward 7% after hitting the highest levels since May 2024. Top tier 30yr fixed rates have operated inside a 0.13% range since then and a narrower 0.08% range for the past 2 weeks.  Today was technically a win, but it was fairly small (-0.02%). Any time our daily index is that close to the previous day, it’s safe to assume that most lenders are effectively unchanged. Rates are definitely still willing to react to major economic reports when results fall far from forecasts, but…

Fire damage is a major risk for real estate investors and homeowners. Whether you’re flipping houses, managing rental properties, or building from the ground up, a fire can wipe out months (or even years) of hard work, capital, and potential profit.With an increasing number of structure fires caused by electrical faults, cooking accidents, and even wildfires in certain regions, safeguarding your investment isn’t just smart—it’s essential. In 2024 alone, nearly 2,000 structures in California were lost to wildfires, but fire risks extend far beyond the West Coast. The question isn’t if a fire might happen—it’s how prepared you are when…

Friday brought the release of the big jobs report which is historically more likely than any other monthly economic report to cause the biggest pops or drops. Today’s installment can be filed under the “pop” category, but it was so quiet, you might not even hear it. In fact, the drop in rates seen earlier in the week ended up being slightly bigger. It resulted in a 0.06% move lower in the average lender’s top tier 30yr fixed rate while today’s jobs report only caused a 0.03% move in the other direction.  The net effect is an average 30yr fixed…

Will they? Won’t they? Who knows! President Trump’s latest round of tariffs—a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico (currently on a 30-day pause) and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods—has the real estate world buzzing. Are these just aggressive negotiation tactics? A bluff? Or will they actually stick? Either way, for investors, the mere speculation around tariffs can drive up prices, disrupt supply chains, and create ripple effects in the housing market.The question is: Do you stock up now, or do you gamble and hope prices stay steady? If you have the space and the cash, taking inventory…

In videos NBC News obtained through a public records request, three women detail their allegations that they were raped and sexually assaulted by luxury real estate star Oren Alexander and his twin brother, Alon.The women gave their statements to Miami Beach police last fall, shortly before the men were arrested, according to the time stamp on the video. Local law enforcement blurred the women’s faces in the video as they recounted the allegations of sexual assault.The nine hours of video obtained from the Miami-Dade state attorney’s office also include body camera video from the men’s arrests tied to state and…

Yesterday was notable for being the first day in more than a week to offer any excitement for rates.  More notably, that excitement was the good kind.  The average lender moved back under 7.00% for top tier conventional 30yr fixed rates for the first time since December 17th, even if only by a scant 0.01%.   Today’s rates are effectively right in line with that, but officially 0.01% higher, and not for any interesting reasons.  The only major economic data consisted of weekly Jobless Claims–not to be confused with tomorrow’s immensely more important jobs report–coming in fairly close to forecasts. Tomorrow’s…