Travis Howell at Supreme Lending

12/10/2025

Wondering what the Fed’s decision means for mortgages and the housing market? Here’s a quick breakdown:

Today’s FOMC press conference gave us a clearer picture of where the economy might be heading. The Fed cut rates by a quarter point for the third time this year, but also signaled they may be nearing the end of the cutting cycle. They emphasized that future moves will depend heavily on upcoming data rather than a preset path.

Markets reacted positively at first, with stocks moving higher on the news. The Fed also announced that it will begin buying short term Treasury bills again starting next week. They framed it as a technical move to support liquidity rather than a return to full scale asset purchases, but markets still responded favorably.

Investors are now adjusting expectations. Most seem to think the Fed will slow down from here, with only limited cuts projected over the next year. At the same time, the amount of disagreement inside the Fed today shows how uncertain the economic outlook really is. Inflation, labor market softness, and volatility risks are all competing forces right now.

In the coming months the biggest drivers for markets will be inflation reports, jobs data, and whether the broader economy continues to cool or starts to reaccelerate. With the Fed now clearly data dependent, any surprises in the economic numbers could create more volatility.

As for mortgage rates, the initial reaction has been modestly positive. Lower Treasury yields after the announcement are helping ease some rate pressure, but the market is still very sensitive to incoming data. If inflation cools or the labor market weakens further, we could see more gradual improvement. If the data comes in hotter than expected, rates could hold steady or even tick back up. For now, the trend is slightly favorable, but still very data driven.

Curious to see where rates land for you right now? Give me a call!

Call now to connect with business.

12/08/2025

Welcome to Myth-Busting Mondays!
Every week we tackle some of the biggest myths in the home-buying world. These misconceptions often discourage good people from exploring their options.

Myth #9: "Self employed people struggle to get approved."
A lot of business owners, contractors, gig workers, and 1099 earners assume it will be hard to qualify for a mortgage because their income looks different from a traditional W2 employee. The truth is that self employment does not hurt you. It simply requires a different type of documentation.

Lenders look at your true earnings after business expenses, your stability of income, and how consistent your deposits or tax returns appear over time. In many cases, things like add backs, business mileage, depreciation, and other legitimate write offs can actually help build a clearer picture of your qualifying income.

Being self employed is not a barrier. You just have to show how the income flows. If you are unsure what documents you need or how your income would be calculated, I can walk you through it so you know exactly where you stand.

12/01/2025

Welcome to Myth-Busting Mondays!
Every week we tackle some of the biggest myths in the home-buying world. These misconceptions often discourage good people from exploring their options.

Myth #8: "Student loans automatically disqualify you."
A lot of people assume that having big student loans means they cannot qualify for a mortgage, but that simply is not true. Lenders do not judge you based on the total amount you owe. What matters is the payment itself and how it fits into your debt to income ratio.

Most loan programs allow for student loans in repayment, deferment, or income driven plans. An income driven payment can sometimes help someone qualify when the standard payment would have been too high. Just be careful not to push the payment unrealistically low. Extremely reduced payments can extend the life of the loan and increase the overall interest you pay. The goal is to find a balanced payment that fits your budget while still making real progress on the loan.

If you have student loans and want to explore what you qualify for, I can help you look at your numbers and show you where you stand.

11/24/2025

Welcome to Myth-Busting Mondays!
Every week we tackle some of the biggest myths in the home-buying world. These misconceptions often discourage good people from exploring their options.

Myth #7: "Pre approval and pre qualification are the same thing."
These two terms get mixed up all the time, but they are not equal. A pre qualification is a quick estimate based on the information you provide. It can be useful for early planning, but it is not verified and it does not carry much weight with sellers.

A pre approval is a stronger step. It uses actual documents and verified numbers to show what you truly qualify for. This gives you more accuracy, more confidence, and more credibility when you make an offer. Many sellers and agents look for a pre approval because it shows you took the time to get fully prepared.

If you are ready to start shopping seriously, I can walk you through the pre approval process so you go in with the strongest position possible.

11/17/2025

Welcome to Myth-Busting Mondays!
Every week we tackle some of the biggest myths in the home-buying world. These misconceptions often discourage good people from exploring their options.

Myth #6: "You need 20 percent down to buy a home."
This one stops a lot of people from even starting the homebuying process. Many buyers think they need to save for years before they can qualify, but that simply isn’t how most loans work.

Most programs do not require 20 percent down. FHA starts at 3.5 percent. Conventional options start at 3 percent for qualified buyers. VA and USDA offer zero-down programs for eligible borrowers, and many cities also offer down payment assistance programs to eligible borrowers. Even if you want to put more down, you can choose what fits your situation rather than being locked into a number someone told you years ago.

Waiting for 20 percent can actually cost you more in the long run, especially if home prices and interest rates rise while you wait. The real goal is affordability and long-term stability, not hitting a specific down payment number.

If you are unsure what your options look like, I can walk you through them and show you how close you may already be to buying.

11/14/2025

Finance Friday: "50-Year Mortgages: A Tool, Not a Trap"

Hot take: A 50-year mortgage is not a scam. It’s an access tool. Used intelligently, it can get families into homes who would otherwise rent indefinitely, and it leaves room to accelerate payoff later.

The Core Argument:

Access > Perfection. The #1 barrier for many buyers is the monthly payment (DTI), not the down payment. A 50-year term lowers the payment enough for borderline-DTI households to qualify. Inflation also favors borrowers. The payment is nominally fixed while wages and prices rise over time. In 10–15 years, the same payment usually feels smaller relative to income, while rent always increases.

It’s optionality, not obligation. No one is forced to carry the loan for 50 years. You can:

-Make occasional extra principal payments
-Refinance into a shorter term when income rises or rates drop
-Recast after lump-sum paydowns (when available)
-Sell or refi well before year 50 (typical U.S. loan life is ~7–10 years)

Owning with a longer term beats renting indefinitely. You can’t build equity from the sidelines.

Payment Reality Check (why this helps DTI):

Example on $500,000 at fixed 6% (principal & interest only):
30-yr: ≈ $2,998/mo
50-yr: ≈ $2,632/mo
→ ~12% lower monthly payment.

At 7%:
30-yr: ≈ $3,327/mo
50-yr: ≈ $3,008/mo
→ ~10% lower monthly payment.

That ~10–12% swing pushes a lot of borderline applicants above the approval line without buying a riskier product.

“But you’ll pay interest forever!”... Only if you choose to. Long amortizations start slow, yes. But small, planned prepayments change everything, especially on a 50-year schedule.

For a 50-year loan at 6% (any balance), making extra full monthly payments toward principal:

-1 extra payment per year: payoff ≈ 35.3 years
-2 extra payments per year: payoff ≈ 28.5 years
-4 extra payments per year: payoff ≈ 21.2 years

That’s ~15–29 years eliminated with modest, scheduled prepayments. That is hundreds of thousands of dollars saved in interest payments. The “millions in interest” is a theoretical maximum if you never prepay, never refi, never move, and rates/income never change. Real life isn’t like that. Equity isn’t only amortization. Price appreciation plus even slow amortization will outpace renting. Getting into the market earlier lets you ride appreciation cycles you’d otherwise miss. You still control acceleration later through additional payments, refinances, or lump sum payments.

Who This Helps (and who it doesn’t):

Good fits:

-First-time buyers near DTI limits in high-cost metros
-Stable earners with clear plans to prepay or refi
-Households prioritizing payment stability over near-term principal speed

Not ideal:

-Buyers who won’t prepay, won’t refi, and won’t stay long enough to benefit
-Anyone stretching beyond safe DTI with no emergency fund (term length can’t fix budgeting)

“It only benefits the bank.” Compare a 50 year mortgage to renting. Renting is 100% interest, 0% equity... forever.

A 50-year mortgage converts a renter into an owner with options:

-Prepay principal any time
-Benefit from inflation-proof fixed payments
-Capture appreciation and build net worth

The bank earns interest whether you rent (via your landlord’s mortgage) or own. Only ownership gives you the upside of equity.

Risk Management & Best Practices:

-Keep payment comfortably below your budget; use the term to create breathing room, not to max out price.
-Automate one or two extra principal payments per year (tax refund, bonus, or a fixed monthly add-on).
-Maintain a 3–6 month emergency fund so prepayment doesn’t create liquidity stress.

Track opportunities to refi shorter when:

-Your income rises
-Your credit improves
-Market rates drop
-If offered, consider recasting after lump sums (cheaper than refi; keeps rate/term, lowers payment).

Important Take-Aways:

-A 50-year mortgage is a door, not a destination.
-Use the payment relief to get in; use prepayments/refis to get out.
-Renting forever is the real “only-benefits-the-other-guy” plan.

11/10/2025

Welcome to Myth-Busting Mondays!
Every week we tackle some of the biggest myths in the home-buying world. These misconceptions often discourage good people from exploring their options.

Myth #5: "Reverse mortgages are a scam" The world of reverse mortgages has changed dramatically. They used to be predatory and in the past, they have cost a lot of people their homes. But, things have changed!

Let’s set the record straight.
For many Americans nearing retirement, their biggest asset isn’t in a bank, it’s their home. In fact, for the average 65-year-old couple, more than two-thirds of their total wealth is tied up in home equity.

The truth: A reverse mortgage isn’t a scam — it’s a federally regulated financial tool designed to help retirees access that hard-earned equity without selling or giving up the home they love.

Today’s reverse mortgages come with modern safeguards:
✅ Mandatory HUD-approved counseling
✅ Strict lending standards and financial assessments
✅ Protections for non-borrowing spouses
✅ Government-insured limits on how much you can owe

Used responsibly, a reverse mortgage can help you:
-Boost cash flow
-Reduce monthly expenses
-Add long-term stability to your retirement plan

It’s not about giving something up, it’s about unlocking what you’ve already earned.

Let’s start the conversation about how this tool can fit into your financial picture.

Disclaimer:
Terms and conditions apply. Loan proceeds vary based on age, home value, and interest rates. Borrowers must meet all loan obligations, including property taxes, homeowners insurance, and home maintenance. Not all applicants will qualify. This is not a commitment to lend. Subject to program guidelines and approvals.

11/10/2025

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11/07/2025

Finance Friday: “Your Home Is More Than Shelter — It’s a Financial Engine”

Your home isn’t just where you live, it’s part of your long-term wealth strategy. Every mortgage payment builds equity, which is the difference between what your home is worth and how much you owe.

That equity can grow fast through two simple forces:
• Paying down principal each month
• Natural appreciation over time

Example: a $300,000 home appreciating just 3% a year while you make regular payments can build over $60,000 in equity in five years.
That’s why homeownership isn’t just about comfort, it’s about creating a financial engine for your future.

Thinking long-term? I can show you how today’s home can fund tomorrow’s goals.

11/03/2025

Welcome to Myth-Busting Mondays!
Every week we tackle some of the biggest myths in the home-buying world. These misconceptions often discourage good people from exploring their options.

Myth #4: “You need zero debt to qualify for a loan.”
Think you must be completely debt-free before you can buy a home? That one trips up a lot of people.

Lenders don’t expect perfection — they look at your debt-to-income ratio. Having some debt isn’t a problem if it’s managed responsibly. In fact, responsible credit use actually helps build your score by showing that you can handle payments consistently. Being debt-free isn’t always better, because without active credit, there’s nothing for the scoring system to measure.

Good credit isn’t about avoiding debt. It’s about managing it wisely. If you’re unsure what lenders look for, I can walk you through it and show you how close you already are to qualifying.

10/31/2025

Finance Friday: “Why Large Deposits Raise Red Flags”

Ever made a big deposit into your account and wondered why your lender suddenly asks for proof? It’s not because they think you did something wrong, it’s because federal lending laws require them to verify that the money isn’t borrowed or from an unverified source.

If you’re about to apply for a mortgage, avoid moving large sums of money between accounts or depositing cash without documentation.
Keep records of any transfers, pay stubs, or gift letters. These simple steps can save you major headaches later.

Planning to move funds soon? Let’s talk first so I can help you make it clean and compliant.