John Burnam Loan Officer NMLS #247530

John Burnam Loan Officer NMLS #247530 Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from John Burnam Loan Officer NMLS #247530, Mortgage brokers, 6500 River Place Boulevard, Bldg 7, Ste 250 Office 223, Austin, TX.

John Burnam at CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC
Senior Loan Officer

šŸ”Mortgage Lender in Austin, TX
šŸ Over 2,000 Families helped
šŸ” DM me your mortgage questions

Husband, Father and Dog Dad

NMLS # 247530
Branch NMLS #1806506
Company NMLS #3029

09/08/2026

šŸ’° Does a Bigger Down Payment Lower Your Mortgage Rate?

Many homebuyers assume that putting 25% down will automatically get them a better interest rate than putting 20% down. But mortgage pricing doesn't always work that way.

Depending on your loan type, property type, loan amount, and overall loan scenario, putting more money down could potentially:

• Lower your mortgage costs
• Reduce closing costs
• Potentially improve your interest rate
• Or sometimes make little to no difference at all

The real question is: Is using that extra cash worth the savings?

Sometimes keeping more money in the bank and accepting a slightly higher payment can make more financial sense.

šŸ“Š Don't guess—crunch the numbers and compare your options.

09/06/2026

šŸ  Why Two Buyers With the Same Credit Score Can Get Different Mortgage Rates

Think that everyone with a 750 credit score automatically gets the same mortgage interest rate? Not necessarily!

Your credit score is only one piece of the mortgage pricing puzzle. Your loan amount, property type, debt-to-income ratio, loan program, down payment, and other factors can all affect your rate and loan costs.

Even something as small as moving from a 739 credit score to 740 could potentially change your mortgage pricing depending on the loan scenario.

The key takeaway: Don't judge your mortgage options by credit score alone.

If you're buying a home or refinancing, make sure you understand how your complete financial profile affects your mortgage rate and costs.

09/03/2026

šŸ’° Mortgage Points Explained: Is Buying Down Your Interest Rate Worth It?

Welcome to Day 10 of Busting Mortgage Interest Rate Myths!

One common myth is that buying discount points to lower your mortgage interest rate is always a bad decision. That’s not necessarily true.

Sometimes paying points can save you significant money over the life of your mortgage—but it depends on the numbers.

In this video, we explain:

• What mortgage discount points are
• How much one point actually costs
• Why points are calculated based on your loan amount—not the home price
• How to calculate your break-even point
• When buying points may make financial sense
• When it may be better to keep your cash
• How seller-paid points can help lower your mortgage rate
• Why the length of time you keep your mortgage matters

For example, if $3,000 in points saves you $60 per month, your approximate break-even point is 50 months. But every situation is different, so the numbers need to be analyzed before making a decision.

šŸ‘‰ Are mortgage points worth it for you? Run the numbers before you decide!

09/01/2026

šŸ”’ Mortgage Rate Lock Explained: Does Locking Guarantee the Lowest Rate?

Not necessarily.

In Day 9 of busting mortgage interest rate myths, we're breaking down what a mortgage rate lock actually does.

A rate lock is designed to protect you if mortgage rates increase—but it doesn't automatically mean you'll get the lowest possible rate if the market improves after you lock.

That's why it's important to ask your lender:

• What is your rate-lock period?
• Do you have a renegotiation policy?
• What happens if rates drop after I lock?
• What happens if my purchase contract is terminated?
• Should I lock or float my rate?

The goal isn't to predict tomorrow's mortgage rates. It's to understand your options and manage your risk.

If you're buying a home or refinancing and aren't sure whether you should lock or float, reach out. šŸ 

Follow for more mortgage education and daily mortgage myth-busting videos!

08/27/2026

° Does the Fed Control Mortgage Rates? The Truth About Mortgage Rates

You’ve probably heard: ā€œThe Fed raised rates, so mortgage rates went up.ā€

But here’s the truth: the Federal Reserve does NOT directly set 30-year fixed mortgage rates. šŸ‘€

The Fed controls the Federal Funds Rate, which influences things like the Prime Rate and other types of borrowing.

But 30-year mortgage rates are heavily influenced by the bond market and mortgage-backed securities (MBS).

šŸ“ˆ When bond prices fall → yields can rise → mortgage pricing can increase.

šŸ“‰ When bond prices rise → yields can fall → mortgage pricing can improve.

That’s why mortgage rates can move even when the Fed hasn't changed its rate.

08/25/2026

20-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: Which Saves You More Money?

A lower monthly payment can be attractive, but you also need to look at the total interest you'll pay over the life of the loan.

For example, compare:
šŸ  30-year fixed
vs.
šŸ  20-year fixed

A 20-year mortgage may have a higher monthly payment, but you're paying the loan off 10 years sooner.

And if you can structure the rate and costs correctly, the difference in total interest could be substantial.

The important numbers aren't just:

āŒ ā€œWhat's my monthly payment?ā€

Also ask:
• What's my total interest?
• How quickly will I pay off the loan?
• What's the interest rate?
• What will the loan cost upfront?
• How long do I plan to own the home?

Don't choose a mortgage based only on the lowest payment. Look at the entire picture.

Want to compare a 20-year vs. 30-year mortgage for your situation? Send me a message and let's run the numbers.

08/23/2026

Do you really need a 1% lower mortgage rate to refinance?

That's a common rule of thumb—but it doesn't tell the whole story.

For example, imagine you have a $400,000 mortgage and can reduce your rate by 0.75%.

That could potentially save around $3,000 per year, or about $250 per month.

But here's the important question:

šŸ‘‰ How much does the refinance cost?

If it costs $0 to save $250/month, that's obviously attractive.

But if it costs $10,000 to save $250/month, your break-even period is much longer.

That's why you shouldn't automatically wait for a 1% rate drop.

Instead, look at:

šŸ’° Monthly savings
šŸ¦ Refinancing costs
šŸ“Š Break-even period
šŸ” How long you plan to keep the home
šŸ“‰ Your current vs. new loan terms

The same concept applies when deciding whether to buy down your rate when purchasing a home.

Don't just chase a specific percentage. Run the numbers.

Have questions about refinancing or mortgage rates? Send me a message—happy to help.

08/20/2026

šŸ”Should you wait for mortgage rates to drop before buying a home?

It sounds logical: wait for a lower rate → get a lower payment.

But there’s another side to the equation.

When rates fall, more buyers may enter the market. More demand can push home prices higher—which could potentially offset some of the savings from a lower rate.

That’s why the most important question isn't always ā€œWhat’s the interest rate?ā€

It may be:

• How much cash do you have available?
• What home price fits your budget?
• What is your monthly payment goal?
• Can seller concessions help with a rate buydown?
• Could you refinance later if rates improve?

There isn't one strategy that works for everyone. The goal is to structure the home purchase and loan around your overall financial goals.

If you're thinking about buying and want to understand your options, reach out. I'd be happy to help.

08/18/2026

šŸ  Does Your Credit Score Determine Your Mortgage Rate?

Your credit score is important—but it’s not the only factor that determines your mortgage rate.

Other factors can include:

• Loan program — Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo
• Loan purpose — Purchase, refinance, or cash-out refinance
• Down payment and equity position
• Property type — Primary residence, second home, or investment property
• Property type and location, including certain condos
• Loan-to-value and other loan characteristics

That’s why two borrowers with similar credit scores can sometimes receive different mortgage pricing.

The key is to have a mortgage professional evaluate the full picture and clearly explain your options so you can make an informed decision.

Have questions about how your situation could affect your mortgage rate? Send me a message. I’d be happy to help.

08/15/2026

šŸ  The Lowest Mortgage Rate Is Not Always the Best Deal: Mortgage Rate Myth

Seeing a lender advertise an incredibly low mortgage rate can be tempting—but don't choose a lender based on the rate alone.

That "lowest rate" may come with important conditions, such as:

• A specific credit score
• A higher down payment
• Significant rate-buydown points
• Upfront costs you may not want—or be able—to pay

The lowest quote can look great on paper but may not be the best option for your specific financial situation.

šŸ‘‰ Before choosing a mortgage lender, look beyond the advertised rate and understand the full cost, requirements, and terms of the loan.

Have questions about mortgage rates or your options? Send me a message. I'm always happy to help.

Address

6500 River Place Boulevard, Bldg 7, Ste 250 Office 223
Austin, TX
78730

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15125925444

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