Why an Oregon Mortgage Broker is Your Best Bet (and Why Banks Fall Short)
When you’re ready to buy a home in the Pacific Northwest, the first question is usually: “Should I go to my bank or hire a mortgage broker?” While banks are great for checking accounts, a local Oregon mortgage broker offers distinct advantages for your home loan. 1....
Mortgage rates are in the 5% range. Why…and will they stay that way?
In early January 2026 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchased up to $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities (MBS). The administration's stated goal for this intervention is to increase demand for these bonds, thereby narrowing the "spread" between Treasury yields and...
Tariffs effects on mortgage rates
Mortgage rates have shown significant volatility in response to tariff announcements, often moving in two stages: a brief initial drop followed by a sustained climb as inflation fears set in. When major tariffs were announced (e.g., April 2025), mortgage rates...
Affordability isn’t all about home prices and rates
Affordability is often associated primarily with home prices and mortgage interest rates. However, mortgage payments generally include not only principal and interest, but also property taxes and homeowner's insurance. For loans exceeding 80% loan-to-value, private...
Prepayment penalties may be coming back
Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman’s call for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to offer new government‑backed mortgages with prepayment penalties put a spotlight on how much United States borrowers have paid for the right to refinance at will. Ackman wrote “One of...
Portable mortgages are better than 50-year mortgages but demonstrate that billionaires shouldn’t be the ones to solve housing market problems
A portable mortgage lets you move your existing loan and its interest rate to a new property rather than getting a completely new mortgage. For example, if you've paid off half of a $400,000 home at a 3% interest rate, you could sell that house and transfer the...
Fed rate cut at next meeting in December may be a coin flip
On October 29th, 2025, the Federal Reserve lowered the federal funds rate for the second consecutive time, reducing it by a quarter point to set the target range at 3.75%-4.00%. The next opportunity for a potential rate cut will be at the upcoming Federal Open Market...
50-year mortgage is a very bad idea for homeowners
A recent proposal suggests offering 50-year loans to help buyers purchase homes and build equity. However, this plan is unlikely to succeed, as it would significantly slow down the equity growth that makes homeownership appealing. Buyers would be essentially locked in...
Historic Shift: Fewer First-Time Homebuyers as Age Soars to 40
The average age of first-time homebuyers is increasing. It is important to note that a first-time buyer does not solely refer to individuals purchasing their first property. Rather, the term encompasses anyone who has not owned real estate within the past three years....
Mortgage Application Surge Following Rate Drop
On September 19th, 2025, mortgage rates experienced a significant drop, leading to a notable increase in mortgage applications across the country. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 6.39%, marking the lowest level since October 2024. Alterna...