NEWS & INSIGHTS

A $2,015 Difference in Monthly Payments Deserves a Conversation A $2,015 difference in monthly payments deserves a conversation before a buyer walks away. Here's a real scenario I'm seeing: $1.5M home purchase 40% down → $900,000 loan amount Option A: 30-year fixed at 7.25% → ~$6,140/month principal & interest Option B: First-lien HELOC at 5.50% (interest-only) → ~$4,125/month That's a $2,015/month difference. The HELOC isn't for everyone — it's variable, interest-only, and r

What Does a 25 Bps Fed Rate Hike Actually Mean to You? Today, the Federal Reserve will announce its latest interest-rate decision. If rates move by 25 basis points (0.25%), what does that actually mean for you? One important misconception first: A 25-bps Fed move does NOT mean mortgage rates automatically move 0.25%. The Fed controls a short-term policy rate. Mortgage rates are influenced more by the bond market, inflation expectations, economic conditions, and—most important