Posts by Brian Mutter
What’s Been Going On With Mortgage Rates, And What Comes Next?
A look back at mortgage interest rates over 2025, with an eye toward what we can expect in 2026 As the year winds down, I wanted to quickly revisit a frequent topic: Mortgage rates! They’ve been a bit frustrating lately. They haven’t fallen as much as many people expected, but they also haven’t shot significantly…
Read MoreIs a 50-Year Mortgage Really the Fix?
Affordability has been the big headline for years now – and honestly, for good reason. Between fast home-price growth, tight inventory, and mortgage rates that aren’t exactly doing us favors, it’s become harder for everyday buyers to comfortably step into the market. Just a quick reminder: These articles I share here are researched and written…
Read MoreThe FED finally cut rates – now what?
The Federal Reserve finally cut the Fed Funds Rate by 0.25% on September 17, 2025 – the first cut in more than four years. While that rate affects how banks lend to each other, it doesn’t directly control mortgage rates. Still, the move had been widely anticipated across the real estate and mortgage world. Just a quick…
Read MoreMortgage rates are falling – without the FEDs help
Mortgage rates are now sitting at their lowest point in the past 12 months—a welcome shift for both homeowners and buyers! This move comes as labor market data continues to soften, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut rates later this month. But here’s the important part: the bond market is already pricing that…
Read MoreRefinance Now?
Is the moment upon us—the moment millions of homeowners who have purchased since 2022 have been waiting for: an opportunity to refinance their mortgage to a lower rate and payment? We’ve been writing in this newsletter for months now that the Federal Reserve Bank (FED) has a keen eye on the labor market: The FED…
Read MoreMortgage rates: Still held up by the labor market
It’s been an interesting Summer this year when it comes to housing and financial markets! In many ways, it feels like the markets have been holding their breath. But why? What’s the FED waiting for? All eyes have been on the Federal Reserve (FED), with the hope that they’ll cut interest rates. After all, the…
Read MoreHousing is still tight. Rates remain stubborn. Why, and what’s next?
Can you believe we’re almost halfway through 2025 already? The first half of this year has been an interesting one for housing, as financial markets try to adapt to a new administration in the White House. Let’s look at the bigger picture to see what may be in store for the rest of 2025 when…
Read MoreOpportunity or Caution? The Latest Twist in Mortgage Rates After Tariff Talks
In our last newsletter, written just after the President announced massive tariffs, we discussed how the economic turmoil that resulted was actually good news for mortgage rates, pushing them down – and fast! For a brief moment, it looked like a tremendous refinance opportunity was on the horizon for many people! Just a quick reminder:…
Read MoreTariffs Rattle Markets, but Lower Rates & Refinance Opportunities Await!
You may have seen in the news this week that President Trump enacted a slew of tariffs and as a result, the stock market has tumbled. While that’s not good news for your 401k, there is a silver lining: This is fantastic news for mortgage rates. Since the announcement of the tariffs earlier this week, mortgage rates…
Read MoreTrump, Tariffs, and the 10-Year Treasury Tangle
We’re almost 60 days into the new presidential administration, and we’re starting to get a picture of their fiscal plan. A key target of their plan is the yield on the 10-year US Treasury bond, and if you own a home or are considering buying, you may really benefit from this! Just a quick reminder:…
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