Iowa Divorce Mortgage

10/17/2026

Wall Street Is Nervous… But Could That Be Good News for Homebuyers?

Here's an interesting twist in the financial markets!
Inflation is still running hot, oil prices are climbing, and technology stocks are making investors a little nervous. Normally, that combination isn't great news for mortgage rates.

But something unexpected is happening! Investors are moving money out of riskier stocks and into the relative safety of government bonds. That shift is helping the bond market recover and could create some welcome opportunities for mortgage rates.

So, what does this mean for YOU?

HOME BUYERS: Don't assume you have to wait for the perfect mortgage rate. A changing market may offer opportunities to negotiate on home prices, closing costs, or seller concessions.

HOME SELLERS: Buyers are watching affordability closely. Smart pricing and creative financing incentives could make your home stand out.
REALTORS: Financing strategies matter more than ever! A well-structured offer with the right seller concessions could help turn a hesitant buyer into a confident homeowner.

THE BIG TAKEAWAY: Mortgage rates can change quickly, and waiting for everything to be perfect could mean missing an opportunity that's right in front of you.
The stock market may be riding a roller coaster, but that doesn't mean your real estate plans have to!

Let's talk about your options and find a financing strategy that works for your goals. Because the best time to make a move isn't necessarily when the headlines say so. It's when the numbers make sense for YOU!

10/15/2026

This time of year reminds us that letting go is part of every season.

As a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®), I often see decisions about the home being made before anyone has looked at what they will mean for the mortgage.

If you are going through a divorce, you are letting go of a lot right now. That deserves patience. What comes next deserves a plan.

Before you sign the settlement, find out how its terms will affect your ability to keep the house, refinance, or buy your next home. Getting those answers early gives you the chance to make choices with clear information rather than finding out after the agreement is final.

If you or someone you know is facing these decisions, I would be glad to talk through your situation.

https://www.divorcelendingassociation.com/offices/lisa-severseike.cfm

10/14/2026

Happy 251st Birthday to the United States Navy!

Since October 13, 1775, generations of sailors have answered our nation’s call with honor, courage, and commitment.

To our Navy veterans, active duty sailors, reservists, and their families, thank you for your service and dedication. We remember those who never returned home and honor the legacy they left behind.

Here’s to 251 years of standing watch and keeping America strong.
Semper Fortis. Always Strong. Happy Birthday, U.S. Navy!

10/10/2026

A Little Market Sunshine During Harvest Season!

It's harvest time here in the Midwest! The combines are rolling, the fields are changing, and farmers are gathering the rewards of months of hard work.
Like farming, real estate is all about preparation, patience, and recognizing opportunities!

After several weeks of turbulence, the bond market showed some encouraging signs of stability this week. While inflation concerns and economic uncertainty haven't disappeared, calmer financial markets can create opportunities for improvement in mortgage pricing.

For Homebuyers: Don't let headlines keep you on the sidelines! The right home, a comfortable payment, and a solid financing plan matter more than trying to perfectly time the market.

For Homeowners: Thinking about selling, downsizing, or exploring your home equity? Fall can be a great time to review your options and plan your next chapter.
For Realtors: Your guidance matters more than ever! Helping clients understand their options and recognize opportunities is how we turn uncertainty into confidence.
The bottom line?

We can't control the economic weather, but we can prepare for the opportunities it brings!

And unlike farmers, we don't have to get all our closings done before the snow flies!
Let's plant the seeds today for tomorrow's homeownership success!

Have questions about buying, selling, or financing? Let's connect!

10/03/2026

No more rain in the forecast? We may finally be seeing a little sunshine in the mortgage market.

After a rough stretch for bonds and mortgage pricing, the market got some relief this week. Treasury yields pulled back, and today’s weaker-than-expected employment report added to the sense that borrowing costs may finally be finding a little stability.
And right now, rates treading water is a whole lot better than rates continuing to climb.

For buyers, that matters.
You do not need the market to become perfect overnight for an opportunity to appear. A little stability can make it easier to evaluate payments, compare financing options, and decide whether the right home makes sense today.

For real estate agents, this is also a great time to reconnect with buyers who stepped back because they were worried about rising rates. The conversation does not have to be, “Are rates low enough yet?”

It can simply be:
• What can you comfortably afford today?
• What financing options could improve the numbers?
• And what happens if market conditions improve later?

The storm clouds may not be completely gone, but seeing some sunshine in the forecast is certainly a welcome change.

10/02/2026

Doing a few small projects every month keeps your home in tip-top shape!

09/30/2026

Keeping the house may be part of the divorce settlement. But can the mortgage plan actually support it?

That’s a question that should be answered before the settlement is finalized.

There are often more pieces involved than simply determining who gets the home:

• Can one spouse qualify for the mortgage independently?
• How and when can support income be used for qualifying?
• Is the proposed equity buyout financially and mortgage-feasible?
• Could the way the settlement is structured create a financing problem later?

This is why mortgage planning belongs at the beginning of the divorce process, not at the end.

As a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®), I work alongside divorce professionals and their clients to evaluate the mortgage implications of the marital home before decisions become final.

The goal is to identify potential obstacles early, provide clarity around available mortgage options, and help the professional team make informed decisions with the financing piece in view.

If you’re an attorney, mediator, financial professional, or real estate professional working with a divorcing client where the home is part of the conversation, reach out to me. I’m happy to be a resource and help you evaluate the mortgage side of the scenario.

https://www.divorcelendingassociation.com/offices/lisa-severseike.cfm

09/26/2026

Fall is here and you know what they say: “It’s either network or no work.”

For Realtors and lenders, relationships have always mattered. But here’s something worth remembering: Today’s renter could be tomorrow’s homeowner.

Not every renter is ready to buy today. With household budgets under pressure, some may feel homeownership is farther away than ever.

That doesn't mean the conversation should stop. It means the conversation should start earlier.

A good first step isn't always, “Let's buy a house.”

Sometimes it's:
👉 Where are you today?
👉 Where do you want to be?
👉 What would it take to get there?

Technology and artificial intelligence can give consumers more information than ever before, but information isn't the same thing as having a plan.

Markets change. Rates change. Technology changes. Relationships still matter.

So while the leaves are falling this season, don't let your follow-up fall with them.

Know someone wondering if homeownership could be in their future? Let's start the conversation.

09/22/2026

09/19/2026

Ahoy, homebuyers and Realtors!
Today is Talk Like a Pirate Day, and this week’s mortgage market has given us plenty to navigate.

The Federal Reserve raised its policy rate this week, inflation remains stubborn, and the bond market has been moving around. Translation: borrowing costs are still challenging, and waiting for a sudden drop may not be the best strategy for every buyer.

But there may still be treasure hiding in today’s housing market.

With more homes available for sale, some buyers may have additional negotiating power. Instead of focusing only on the purchase price, it can be worth exploring:
⚓ Seller-paid closing costs
⚓ Interest-rate buydowns
⚓ Price reductions
⚓ Other seller concessions

For Realtors, this is a great time to help buyers look beyond the listing price and understand the total cost of buying the home.

For buyers, the question does not have to be, “Should I wait for rates to fall?”
A better question may be: “What can we negotiate on this home today?”
Every transaction is different, so before you walk the plank and assume a home is outside your budget, let’s run the numbers and see what options may be available.
No treasure map required.