Ted Learakos

05/20/2026

When it comes to lending, there’s no one-size-fits-all—and that’s exactly why we don’t treat it that way.

We shop over 190+ lending partners to match you with the right loan, the right rate, and the right strategy for your unique situation. Whether it’s optimizing your credit, navigating debt-to-income, or structuring the perfect down payment—we’ve got you covered.

Because at the end of the day, there are only two words that matter: YOU’RE APPROVED. ✔️

Ready to make your next move? Let’s get you the best fit. 💼📞

05/15/2026

🏡 Mortgage Market Update: Rates Move Moderately Lower

May has been much more volatile than April when it comes to daily mortgage rate movement. While recent days have trended slightly higher, today was a welcome shift in the opposite direction. After reaching roughly 6-week highs yesterday, the bond market began recovering late in the day and continued improving overnight—bringing today’s average 30-year fixed rate down slightly. 📉

🌍 What’s Driving the Market?
Global tensions—especially the ongoing Iran conflict—remain the primary source of volatility. There’s also cautious optimism as some analysts anticipate potential progress toward a peace agreement following President Trump’s meeting with Xi, expected to continue into tomorrow. If meaningful progress is made, it could help push mortgage rates even lower.

💡 Unique Loan Programs Available
A question came up today regarding some of the unique loan products we currently have available for clients. You might be sorry you asked…LOL…but here you go:

✔️ 1-Year Tax Return Program (Conforming & Jumbo)
✔️ Bank Statement Programs (3, 12, or 24 months)
✔️ VA & FHA Manual Underwrites (down to 580 FICO)
✔️ VA Loans up to $5M
✔️ Non-Warrantable Condos (up to 80% LTV)
✔️ Asset-Based Income (including life insurance)
✔️ Business Funds for Down Payment & Reserves
✔️ Jumbo Gift Funds (100% allowed)
✔️ Investment Loans up to $2.5M
✔️ Reverse Purchase Loans (age 62+)
✔️ LLC & Blind Trust Vesting
✔️ Credit Flexibility Programs (recent foreclosure, bankruptcy, lates)
✔️ No Max Financed Properties (NON-QM)
✔️ DSCR Investment Loans (no personal income needed)
✔️ Stated Income & VOE-Only Programs
✔️ Bridge Loans (up to 70% LTV)
✔️ Credit Union Jumbo (up to 95% financing)
✔️ Low Reserve Jumbo Options (as little as 2 months)

As you can see… the team has definitely been busy. 😉

If you have questions about rates, approvals, or finding the right loan strategy, feel free to reach out anytime.

05/14/2026

Everyone is chasing the best rates—but at the end of the day, what matters most is whether the loan actually gets approved. 🏁

Have your clients call us. 📞

There’s a reason the oldest adage in lending still holds true: “The best loan in town is the one you’re approved for.” Once the rate shopping is done, make sure your clients have a team that can get them to the finish line. We’re here to make that happen. 🤝

Mortgage Rates Hold Steady Despite Slightly Hotter CPI

Today’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in a bit higher than expected, with core inflation at 2.8% (vs. 2.7% forecast) and overall inflation at 3.8% (vs. 3.7%). Despite the initial reaction, bond markets ultimately stabilized, with yields ending slightly lower on the day. 📊

That said, the non-housing “supercore” metric—coming in at 0.454% monthly and 3.32% annually—remains elevated. This continues to signal that meaningful rate cuts are unlikely in the near term, keeping mortgage rates relatively steady for now. 📉

05/04/2026

Mortgage Rates Remain Surprisingly Calm 📊

Despite ongoing uncertainty around the outcome of the Iran conflict—and its potential impact on inflation—mortgage rates have remained relatively stable. These geopolitical factors continue to outweigh typical economic data that would normally move the market.

👀 What to watch next:
Friday’s Jobs Report is expected to be the next major driver for mortgage rate movement.

🙏 A quick thank you:
April was an incredibly busy month for originations and fundings—truly appreciate your continued trust and support!

Expanded Credit Union Products Now Available 🚀

Just in time for the traditional seller season, we’re excited to announce expanded lending options in the following states:
AZ | CA | CO | ID | MT | OR | TN | TX | UT

💰 Example Pricing (as of 5/4/2026)

Conforming Loans
• 10/6 ARM: 5.500% (1 point)
• 7-year option: 0.125% lower rate

Jumbo Loans
• 10/6 ARM: 5.625% (1 point)
• 7-year option: 0.125% lower rate
• Up to 90% LTV to $1,650,000
• Up to 85% LTV to $2,000,000
• PMI rates lower than most banks

WOW! 🎉
Reach out anytime for a personalized quote—I’m happy to help!

04/27/2026

Happy Monday!

Today’s calendar is light, with no major scheduled economic news expected to move mortgage rates. However, the Treasury will auction $69 billion in 2-year notes and $70 billion in 5-year notes—both solid indicators of investor demand.

We begin the week with Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities prices and mortgage rates unchanged from Friday’s close.

What do you do when you’re locked into a 2.625% mortgage… and suddenly you’re expecting TRIPLETS? 👶👶👶

That’s not a hypothetical—it’s a real client scenario Ted brought up on the baseball podcast Barrel It Up with host Jay Ciambrone.

Most people think the only options are:
• Bite the bullet and sell to buy bigger
• Use a bridge loan to buy before you sell
• Convert the condo into a rental and use a low-down-payment program to buy bigger

All solid strategies... but Ted thinks there may be a 4th option 🤣

If you’re sitting on a low-rate loan but life has changed, this is worth 60 seconds.

Check out the clip below. 👇

1 like. "Former teammate Jay Ciambrone welcomed Ted Learakos on the Barrel It Up baseball podcast."

04/27/2026

📉 Last Week’s Rates Recap: Near Recent Lows

Mortgage rates held steady through the end of the week, with the 30-year fixed rate index showing little movement and remaining near some of the lowest levels seen in over a month. If you’d like a personalized rate quote based on your scenario, reach out to anyone on our team. 📞

📊 Looking ahead, the upcoming Fed announcement will be the next key event for markets. Current expectations point to no rate change, as the Fed continues to watch inflation trends and broader economic conditions closely.

🎓 And one more highlight to share this Sunday—what a finish. An inspiring group of future business leaders filled the UAMC Event Center this week for the grand finale of the six-part Fortune Foundations series, created and led by the amazing Katia Linstrom. It was a powerful close to a program focused on real-world strategies for launching successful careers. ✨

04/25/2026

📉 Mortgage Rates Holding Near Recent Lows

Good news for buyers and homeowners watching the market—mortgage rates closed out the week steady and are hovering near their lowest levels in more than a month. The current 30-year fixed rate sits around 6.125%, while VA and FHA options remain in the mid to low 5% range.

With the next Federal Reserve announcement ahead, markets are expecting no rate hike or cut for now. If you’ve been waiting for a window of opportunity, this could be a smart time to explore your options and get a game plan in place. 🏡

Reach out anytime to discuss what today’s rates could mean for your buying or refinancing goals.

04/15/2026

📉 Rates just hit their lowest point in 4 weeks—and yesterday was the best day we’ve seen all month!

Momentum picked up thanks to positive news around potential peace talks, giving the mortgage market a rare alignment in our favor.

As we wrap up tax season (😅), today’s rates are holding steady—but the recent drop is worth paying attention to.

💬 Curious what this means for you? Call or message me for a personalized quote.

04/08/2026

🌍 Mortgage Market Update 📊

A shift in the right direction...

After the ceasefire news, we’re seeing Mortgage-Backed Securities improve, with 30-year fixed rates coming in about 0.5% better than Tuesday’s close.

If you’ve been waiting for a window, this could be one worth watching.

Check out screenshots from my April newsletter for smart down payment strategies.💰

03/31/2026

The market is finally moving in the right direction—for a change! 📊

Here’s your latest Non-Warrantable Condo Lending update:

War headlines continue to support bond recovery, and mortgage rates are starting to ease. 🏡 📉

Overnight, markets reacted to reports that administration officials indicated Trump may be willing to end the war—even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. This sparked a rally, which gained further momentum after comments suggesting the most difficult phase of the Iran conflict may already be behind us.

As a result, bond yields improved (dropping from 4.36 to 4.30), building on momentum from the previous day’s rally. While the move is moderate, it’s notable—especially given recent volatility.

📊 Markets are still heavily influenced by geopolitical headlines, but economic data (like job openings reports) could quickly shift sentiment if it comes in stronger than expected.

What does this mean?
Bonds are beginning to reflect concerns about economic growth, even as oil prices remain volatile. In short—markets are paying attention, and we’re starting to see positive movement for rates.

📩 Want a personalized rate quote or scenario? Let’s connect.

🎥 Check out this quick breakdown:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8mFkAOerTgI