Market Updates
July inflation stays elevated as income and orders strengthen
July PCE inflation remained elevated while income, durable-goods orders, and revised second-quarter growth defined Wednesday's market backdrop.
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Market Updates
July inflation stays elevated as income and orders strengthen
July PCE inflation remained elevated while income, durable-goods orders, and revised second-quarter growth defined Wednesday's market backdrop.
Edition August 26, 2026
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107 articles, explainers, and resources.
Market Updates
July new-home sales estimate leads Tuesday's housing picture
July new-home sales were estimated at a 607,000 annualized pace as available supply reached 9.6 months, while a 4.70% 10-year Treasury yield and a full economic calendar shape the rate backdrop.
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Market Updates
A busy economic calendar puts housing data in focus
The 10-year Treasury closed Monday at 4.70%, U.S. stocks finished mixed, and representative mortgage averages remained above their August 17 comparison before new-home sales, durable-goods orders, GDP, and Jackson Hole.
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Market Updates
Long-term Treasury yields keep pressure on mortgage pricing
The representative Conventional observation was 6.698%, while the August 19 Treasury close put the 10-year yield at 4.65% and the 30-year yield at 5.19%.
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Market Updates
July housing starts cool as borrowing costs remain elevated
The representative Conventional rate averaged 6.750%, while July housing starts fell and bond-market pressure kept the mortgage backdrop cautious.
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Market Updates
Mortgage rates start higher as oil and bond-market pressure builds
The latest official 10-year Treasury close was 4.68% on August 14 and the current representative Conventional rate averages 6.743% as oil headlines coincide with higher longer yields.
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Market Updates
Homebuyers await housing data and Fed minutes
The 10-year Treasury finished Friday at 4.68%, while the latest representative Conventional rate averages 6.653% before key housing data and Federal Reserve minutes.
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Rates & Economy
The Fed May Move. Your Mortgage Rate May Not.
The most important interest rate for home buyers is not the one most people are watching
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Rates & Economy
America's Consumer Split Screen
Retail sales fell, value stores stayed busy, and both signals can be true
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Housing & Communities
AI Is Coming to Town. What Happens Next?
Data centers promise investment and jobs, but communities are asking who pays for the power, roads, and housing
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Market Updates
Rates finish a mixed data week slightly lower
July retail sales fell 0.6%, underlying producer prices rose 0.4%, and the latest representative Conventional rate averages 6.653%.
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Market Updates
Retail sales fell and Treasury yields eased
July retail sales fell 0.6% to $763.6 billion, the 10-year Treasury eased near 4.62%, and today's representative Conventional rate is 6.73%.
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Market Updates
Producer prices held flat, but core pressure stayed firm
July producer prices were unchanged, a core measure rose 0.4%, the 10-year Treasury was near 4.67%, and the latest daily Conventional index was 6.74%.
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Market Updates
Inflation matched forecasts, and bonds held steady
July inflation matched forecasts, the 10-year Treasury held near 4.67%, and the latest daily mortgage indexes were 6.79% Conventional, 6.31% FHA, and 6.32% VA.
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Market Updates
Oil and Treasury yields rise before tomorrow's inflation report
Oil climbed again and the 10-year Treasury moved near 4.73% before Wednesday's inflation report, creating a less friendly morning backdrop for mortgage pricing.
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Market Updates
After the jobs report, attention turns to CPI and PPI
July payrolls fell by 23,000 and prior months were revised lower. The 10-year Treasury closed Friday at 4.65%, while this week’s CPI and PPI reports now hold the next major test for mortgage rates.
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Market Updates
A weak July jobs report pulled Treasury yields lower, but housing got a mixed message
Payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, prior months were revised lower, and wage growth cooled. Treasury yields dropped as markets reduced near-term tightening expectations, a rate-friendly move paired with a less reassuring employment backdrop.
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Market Updates
Low layoffs met rising continuing claims, leaving mortgage rates without an all-clear
Initial jobless claims stayed historically low while continuing claims climbed, productivity improved, and labor costs remained contained. The mix helped bonds at the margin, but elevated mortgage rates continued to restrain housing demand.
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Market Updates
Services expanded, hiring contracted, and Treasury held supply steady
July services activity stayed firm while employment contracted and price pressure accelerated. Treasury kept auction sizes steady, leaving mortgage markets with modest relief, but no inflation all-clear.
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Loan Program Updates
VA clarified documentation for certain itemized fees and charges
VA published a change clarifying when invoices or supporting documents are required for itemized fees and charges.
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Loan Program Updates
VA clarified how home energy ratings may be used in underwriting
VA guidance addressed the effect of certain home energy efficiency ratings on underwriting decisions.
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Loan Program Updates
FHA asked for input on modernizing minimum property requirements
HUD opened a request for information about updating long standing single family minimum property requirements.
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Loan Program Updates
FHA increased the maximum draw requests for Limited 203(k) loans
HUD Mortgagee Letter 2026-06 updates an operational feature of the Limited 203(k) rehabilitation program.
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Loan Program Updates
FHA signaled broader eligible credit scoring models
FHA confirmed its intention to enable additional eligible credit scoring models alongside Classic FICO.
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Loan Program Updates
What California homebuyer professionals should know about the 2026 CalHFA bulletin stream
CalHFA has published updates covering Dream For All, refinance, manufactured housing, income limits and a UC shared appreciation program.
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VA Loans
VA loan readiness: the questions worth answering before the home search
A practical starting point for eligibility, entitlement, cash needs, property expectations and team coordination.
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Mortgage Guides
Self employed mortgage preparation: make the income story easy to follow
A documentation framework for business owners, independent professionals and investors.
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Mortgage Guides
Renovation financing starts with scope, contingency and control
How to prepare a property improvement plan before comparing financing choices.
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Mortgage Guides
The clean financing handoff: what a real estate professional should send first
A concise handoff structure that improves speed without placing sensitive information in casual channels.
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Mortgage Guides
Jumbo loan preparation rewards an organized balance sheet
How to prepare assets, income, reserves, ownership interests and property context for a larger loan review.
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Home Equity
HELOC or home equity loan: begin with the job the money must do
A decision framework for revolving access, fixed proceeds, payment stability and preserving the existing first mortgage.
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Reverse Mortgages
A useful HECM conversation includes the whole housing plan
What homeowners and families should discuss about occupancy, costs, responsibilities, alternatives and counseling.
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First-Time Buyers
A first time buyer cash plan is more than a down payment
How to organize down payment, closing costs, reserves, inspections and moving expenses before choosing a target price.
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Market Updates
Oil plunged, Palantir surged, and the bond market found a little relief
Oil fell sharply on possible progress at the Strait of Hormuz while softer trade and hiring data helped long-term bonds, even as Palantir and Caterpillar showed that AI investment remained powerful.
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Local Housing
Utilities and rural property questions to answer before financing
Water, septic, wells, access, power, solar agreements and outbuildings can shape both due diligence and financing.
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Local Housing
California insurance questions belong near the start of the home search
A practical question list for buyers and real estate professionals before a property becomes emotionally expensive.
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Local Housing
A Placer County home search needs a location specific property brief
Insurance, utilities, wildfire context, commute patterns, taxes and property condition can vary sharply across nearby communities.
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Local Housing
How to research development near a Placer County property
A repeatable method for checking planning documents, active projects, transportation and public meeting records.
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Market Updates
Oil fell almost 5.5%, but a 5.23% long bond kept housing cautious
Diplomacy removed part of the oil war premium while the 10-year and 30-year Treasury yields remained high enough to constrain mortgage affordability.
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Market Updates
Amazon jumped, Apple fell 7.4%, and the 10-year Treasury reached 4.71%
A wild July ended with stronger oil, expensive gasoline, and sharply divided technology earnings, while long yields kept pressure on housing.
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Market Updates
Microsoft surged while the 30-year Treasury reached 5.22%
Strong artificial-intelligence earnings lifted stocks, but the bond market treated the Fed's divided hold as insufficient protection against inflation.
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Market Updates
The Fed held at 3.50% to 3.75%, but three officials wanted a hike
A 9 to 3 decision, a 7.3% jump in Brent crude, and a rise in the 10-year Treasury to 4.68% denied housing the relief implied by the word hold.
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Market Updates
Oil near $81 gave the Fed a little room, but markets still priced a live decision
Energy retreated below its recent peak while technology shares and Middle East supply risk kept financial conditions unsettled one day before the Fed announcement.
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Market Updates
Oil fell 7.5% as a U.S.-Iran pause gave Fed week a less inflationary start
WTI settled at $82.61, stocks split, and investors assigned meaningful odds to a rate hike ahead of the Federal Reserve decision.
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Market Updates
Treasury yields held near 4.67% as Oracle signed a Pentagon agreement worth almost $7 billion
Long-term financing stayed expensive while a major government software agreement showed that selected investment remained powerful before the Fed meeting.
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Market Updates
Oil above $90 and a 4.70% Treasury yield tightened the housing vise
West Texas crude settled near $90.50 while the 10-year yield reached its highest level of the year, combining inflation pressure with weaker mortgage affordability.
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Market Updates
Brent touched $95 as the 10-year Treasury reached 4.65%
A renewed energy shock pushed long yields and mortgage pressure higher while Alphabet's earnings kept the artificial-intelligence investment debate alive.
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Market Updates
D.R. Horton cut its outlook as mortgage costs kept demand from becoming closings
America's largest homebuilder showed that buyer interest could remain real while elevated mortgage rates, incentives, and affordability constrained transactions.
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VA Loans
Can a surviving spouse get a VA home loan?
Learn which surviving spouses may have a VA home loan eligibility path, how the COE process works, and what the lender still needs to review.
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VA Loans
Which VA refinance option fits what I am trying to do?
Compare the VA IRRRL and VA cash-out refinance. See which existing loan, occupancy, appraisal, equity, cost, and benefit questions matter.
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VA Loans
What other VA housing help may be available?
Find official paths for the Native American Direct Loan, VA adapted housing grants, and VA help when mortgage payments become difficult.
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VA Loans
What is a VA IRRRL refinance?
Learn how a VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan works, who may be eligible, what it costs, and how to judge the real benefit.
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VA Loans
What does a VA loan cost?
See how the VA funding fee works, who may be exempt, current fee percentages, what can be financed, and which closing costs may still apply.
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VA Loans
Can I use my VA home loan benefit again?
Understand full and remaining VA entitlement, using the VA benefit again, restoration, and when county loan limits still matter.
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VA Loans
Am I eligible for a VA home loan?
Learn who may qualify for a VA home loan, what a Certificate of Eligibility shows, and how to request a COE without confusing it with loan approval.
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VA Loans
What is a VA cash-out refinance?
Learn how a VA cash-out refinance may access home equity or replace a non-VA mortgage, plus the appraisal, occupancy, cost, and approval questions.
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VA Loans
How does buying a home with a VA loan work?
See how buying a home with a VA-backed loan works, from COE and budget planning through the offer, appraisal, underwriting, and closing.
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VA Loans
What does a VA appraisal check?
Understand what a VA appraisal does, how it differs from a home inspection, what happens with low value or repairs, and which homes may be eligible.
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VA Loans
You earned the benefit. Let's make sure you understand how to use it.
Understand VA home loan benefits, eligibility, costs, buying, and refinancing. Get straight answers from Nick Cunningham, NMLS #907393.
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Home Equity
Start with the goal. Then verify the numbers.
Follow the second-mortgage process from the first conversation through disclosures, property review, underwriting, closing, and servicing.
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Home Equity
Should you borrow against your home?
Use a balanced decision guide to compare the goal, payment, time, resilience, and alternatives before borrowing against your home.
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Home Equity
Using home equity for repairs and improvements
Compare a HELOC and home equity loan for repairs or renovations, including project timing, staged draws, overruns, payments, and risks.
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Home Equity
One amount. One repayment plan. Your home secures it.
See how a closed-end home equity loan works, what a fixed payment does and does not solve, and how it compares with a HELOC or refinance.
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Home Equity
Borrow what you need, when you need it. Understand what can change.
Learn how HELOC draw and repayment periods work, why rates and payments can change, what fees may apply, and when access can be restricted.
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Home Equity
Using home equity for debt consolidation
Learn what changes when other debt moves onto the home. Compare the new term, total cost, payment, old-account plan, and alternatives.
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Home Equity
The payment is only part of the cost.
Review second-mortgage fees, payment changes, HELOC access risk, tax cautions, rescission, and the foreclosure risk of debt secured by your home.
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Home Equity
Same equity. Different ways to borrow.
Compare three ways to borrow against home equity, including what happens to the first mortgage, payment structure, fees, and future flexibility.
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Home Equity
Your first mortgage can stay put. Let's look at what a second loan would change.
Compare HELOCs, home equity loans, and refinancing. Learn what a second mortgage changes, what it costs, and which risks belong in the decision.
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Agent Resources
The preapproval letter is one part of the offer conversation.
Pre-offer mortgage support for California real estate agents: property fit, price, credits, appraisal, timing, lender calls, and financing assumptions.
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Agent Resources
Evaluate the financing in front of you, not a rumor about the program.
A practical financing review for California listing agents: lender questions, offer terms, program myths, property fit, appraisal, credits, and communication.
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Agent Resources
Plan the financing before the buyer falls in love with the next home.
A real estate agent's guide to HECM for Purchase: buyer contribution, property fit, offer planning, ongoing obligations, family questions, and early scenario review.
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Agent Resources
A status update should tell you what changed and what happens next.
A clear mortgage communication plan for California real estate agents from accepted offer through appraisal, conditions, closing figures, and funding.
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Agent Resources
Help the buyer get ready without asking the agent to qualify them.
A practical buyer-financing handoff for California real estate agents: goals, payment comfort, cash-to-close, review stages, documents, and property questions.
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Agent Resources
A financing partner who stays in the transaction.
Practical mortgage support for California real estate agents: buyer preparation, offer conversations, transaction updates, listing-side questions, and local resources.
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Market Updates
Brian Moynihan warned inflation could linger as Treasury yields opened Fed week higher
The Bank of America chief executive's higher-for-longer view collided with oil relief and a crowded policy calendar, leaving mortgage markets defensive.
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First-Time Buyers
Ask the question you think you should already know
Clear answers to first-time homebuyer questions about credit, down payments, preapproval, assistance, monthly payments, offers, and closing.
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First-Time Buyers
How much house can you comfortably afford?
Learn how income, debts, credit, taxes, insurance, HOA dues, and your own comfort zone shape an affordable first-home payment in California.
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First-Time Buyers
What happens when you buy your first home?
See the first-time homebuying process from budget and preapproval through offers, underwriting, final review, signing, and closing.
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First-Time Buyers
The right loan is the one that fits the whole plan
Compare conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and assistance-linked home loan paths in plain English. See the trade-offs that matter before you choose.
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First-Time Buyers
Down payment help can be useful. The terms still matter.
Learn how California down payment assistance can work, what eligibility and repayment rules to check, and how Nick helps compare the full loan structure.
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First-Time Buyers
Your down payment is not the whole number
Learn what first-time homebuyers may need for a down payment, closing costs, prepaid expenses, and reserves, plus ways funds may be sourced.
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First-Time Buyers
Buying your first home starts with a conversation
Buying your first home in California? Nick Cunningham explains affordability, down payments, loan options, assistance, and every step in plain English.
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Agent Resources
VA Offers: Myth vs. Fact
A sourced guide to recurring questions about VA-backed purchase offers.
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Agent Resources
Sacramento-Area Homebuyer & Homeowner Resource Hub
Official Sacramento-area starting points for homebuyers, homeowners, agents, and referral partners.
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Agent Resources
Move-Up Buyer Planning Worksheet
A printable worksheet for planning the sale of a current home and the next purchase as one decision.
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Agent Resources
First-Time Buyer Conversation Guide
A practical first-time buyer conversation guide for real estate agents and prospective homebuyers.
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Market Updates
A 14% weekly oil rally put household resilience and inflation on a collision course
WTI finished its strongest week in months near $82 while short Treasury yields stayed restrictive, forcing housing to weigh healthy demand against a renewed energy shock.
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Market Updates
A 41.4 Philly Fed reading complicated the case for lower rates
Regional manufacturing surged far beyond expectations while oil below $80 offered a competing inflation signal, leaving housing with a mixed market day.
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Market Updates
Cooler inflation gave bonds room to breathe, but shelter kept housing cautious
Treasury yields eased after softer inflation evidence, giving mortgage markets a friendlier direction without proving that the longer trend had changed.
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Market Updates
Kevin Warsh told Congress housing was lagging while inflation remained the Fed's test
The Federal Reserve chair put elevated mortgage costs and weak housing beside a firm inflation commitment, while supply proposals highlighted how slowly new homes reach buyers.
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Market Updates
Oil climbed to $73.88 as a 9% Korean selloff exposed the other side of the AI boom
Energy inflation returned, South Korea's KOSPI fell 8.95%, and modest U.S. retail growth left mortgage markets balancing price pressure against global risk.
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Market Updates
SK hynix raised $26.5 billion as Delta tested the strength of the consumer
A record foreign listing, resilient travel demand, contained oil, and a 10-year Treasury near 4.57% made July 10 a study in strong investment and stubborn financing costs.
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Reverse Mortgages
HECM updates
Short, dated, sourced notes on reverse mortgage (HECM) policy, programs, and local items as they land.
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Reverse Mortgages
Is a reverse mortgage right for me?
Compare the reasons a HECM may help, the situations where it may not fit, and the alternatives worth putting side by side.
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Reverse Mortgages
How does a reverse mortgage work?
See how a HECM uses home equity, how the balance grows, how proceeds may be received, what homeowners still pay, and when the loan is repaid.
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Reverse Mortgages
A HECM can be used to buy a home, not only refinance one.
See how eligible buyers age 62 or older can combine personal funds with a HECM to buy a principal residence and keep more cash available.
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Reverse Mortgages
Bring the housing asset into the planning conversation.
Collaborative HECM reviews for Financial Planners evaluating housing wealth, liquidity, cash flow, risk, and family needs with clients age 62 or older.
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Reverse Mortgages
Helping a parent starts with listening, not selling.
Help a parent evaluate a HECM without taking over the decision. Learn the questions to ask about the home, costs, spouse protections, servicing, and the estate.
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Reverse Mortgages
Clear loan facts for the tax and cash flow conversation.
Mortgage-side support for CPAs reviewing HECM loan proceeds, interest, property charges, liquidity, documentation, and client coordination.
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Reverse Mortgages
Counseling is a protection, not a sales step.
Prepare for HUD-approved reverse mortgage counseling and follow the HECM process through appraisal, underwriting, closing, and servicing.
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Reverse Mortgages
No required monthly mortgage payment does not mean no cost.
Understand HECM closing costs, the growing loan balance, property charges, occupancy rules, non-recourse protection, and the questions families should ask.
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Reverse Mortgages
Your home equity is part of the plan. Let's understand the tradeoffs.
Learn how an FHA-insured HECM reverse mortgage works, what it costs, what homeowners must keep paying, and when another option may fit better.
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Checklists & Worksheets
VA COE and offer preparation checklist
Organize the questions that matter before a VA-backed offer is written.
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Checklists & Worksheets
Reverse mortgage family conversation guide
Create a calm, informed family discussion before deciding whether a HECM deserves a closer look.
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Checklists & Worksheets
Home equity comparison worksheet
Compare a HELOC, home equity loan and refinance without focusing on payment alone.
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Checklists & Worksheets
First-home cash-to-close checklist
Plan beyond the down payment before you start shopping.
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Checklists & Worksheets
Agent buyer-readiness and offer-support toolkit
Use better financing questions before a buyer reaches the offer stage.
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Tell us what’s on your mind. Buying, refinancing, or exploring your options starts with a conversation.
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