Hulse Home Loans-MLP

01/01/2026

🎉 Happy New Year 2026! 🎉
Wishing everyone a healthy, happy, and productive year ahead.
As we head into 2026, here’s a quick look at where the housing market is positioned — especially here in Minnesota:

🏡 Minnesota Market Snapshot
The purchase market is expected to remain steady and competitive, but less intense than the rapid pace of the past few years.
Most projections show moderate price appreciation in the ~2–4% range statewide in 2026. Demand is still solid, and while inventory is improving slowly, it remains historically tight — which continues to support home values.

📉 Mortgage Rates & Affordability
Rates have leveled off compared to the climb in recent years. Many analysts expect 30-year fixed rates to generally hold in the low-to-mid 6% range this year, with the potential to dip below 6% depending on inflation data and Fed decisions.
Even small shifts in rates can boost affordability and open more doors for buyers and sellers.

📊 What Experts Expect in 2026
• A more balanced market, without the bidding-war intensity of the past
• Gradual appreciation, not big swings
• More inventory over time, though still below historic averages
• Expanded use of affordability tools like seller credits, buydowns, and down payment assistance

✨ Looking Ahead
Whether you plan to buy, sell, refinance, or simply watch the market this year, 2026 is shaping up as a year of opportunity with more stability than we’ve seen in a while.
If you're curious how today’s market translates into monthly payments based on your budget, here’s a helpful calculator I use often:

🔗 Mortgage Calculator: https://hulsehomeloans.com/mortgage-calculator/

Here’s to clarity, smart planning, and steady progress in the year ahead.

Cheers to 2026 🥂

Disclaimer: Results received from this calculator are designed for comparative purposes only, and accuracy is not guaranteed. We do not guarantee the accuracy o

11/11/2025

11/10/2025

A 50-year mortgage? Here’s what that could actually look like.

There’s been talk about introducing a 50-year mortgage to make housing more affordable. The idea is simple — stretch the loan longer to reduce the monthly payment.

💡 Here’s what that might look like (based on a $415,200 home price at 6.2% interest):

With 20% down:

30-year: about $2,813/month

50-year: about $2,577/month

With 5% down:

30-year: about $3,100/month

50-year: about $2,850/month

That’s roughly $250/month less on a 50-year mortgage — but here’s the tradeoff:

It would take over 20 years to pay off your first $50,000 of principal compared to about 8 years on a 30-year loan.

📉 The bottom line:

It’s short-term payment relief at the cost of long-term equity growth.

✅ A 50-year mortgage could help some buyers qualify or afford a home.

⚠️ But slower equity, higher total interest, and a longer financial obligation make it worth examining carefully.

It’s an interesting concept — but always look beyond the monthly payment when comparing loan options.

10/29/2025

Mortgage Rates Jump—Right After a Fed Rate Cut?!
Sounds backward, right? But this has actually happened before.
Even though the Fed cut rates today, mortgage rates moved higher fast. Why? Because the bond market doesn’t react to what just happened, it reacts to what’s coming next.
During his press conference, Fed Chair Powell hinted that another cut in December isn’t guaranteed. That statement alone caused investors to reprice expectations—and mortgage rates jumped immediately.
👉 Remember: Fed cuts don’t directly lower mortgage rates.
What matters most is how markets expect the Fed to move in the future.

10/14/2025

📊 Mortgage Rate Outlook: What to Expect Over the Next 12 Months

🔍 Current Snapshot

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate recently eased to about 6.3 %, its lowest in roughly a year.
AP News

Despite that dip, rates remain elevated compared to historical norms. Many forecasts expect them to stay in the mid-6 % range through 2025.
CBS News
PBS
The Mortgage Reports

Fannie Mae revised its projections: 30-year rates are expected to end 2025 at ~6.4 %, and 2026 at ~6.0 %.
Fannie Mae

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) anticipates an average 6.0 % rate in 2025.
Reuters

10/02/2025

Minnesota Mortgage Trends – Fall 2025

Here’s what I’m seeing right now in our local market:

🔹 Rates are holding steady in the mid-6% range for a 30-year fixed in Minnesota. Some programs are pricing slightly lower depending on credit and down payment.

🔹 Home prices are still climbing. In the Twin Cities, the median price just crossed $400,000, while the statewide average is around $349,000.

🔹 Tight inventory. Many homeowners are hanging onto their older, lower rates (“golden handcuffs”), which means fewer listings and more competition for buyers.

What does this mean for you?

First-time buyers are getting creative with down payment assistance and strategy.

Rate-lock timing is more important than ever.

Having a broker shop multiple lenders can make a big difference in cost.

📍 As always, I’m keeping an eye on the numbers so my clients can make the smartest move possible in Minnesota’s market.

09/11/2025

🚨 Rates Are Dropping… Protect Your Equity! 🚨

A lower rate sounds exciting—but don’t let hidden costs eat away at what you’ve built.

💡 Key things to check:

Payoff vs. Loan Amount – if your new loan is higher than what you owe, your equity may be getting used to pay fees, points, or buydowns.

Equity Protection – refinancing should strengthen your position, not drain it.

Buydowns & Discount Points – know the true costs for the rate

Underwriting & Junk Fees – many lenders tack them on (we don’t).

👉 Refinancing should save you money without sacrificing equity. Always look past the “shiny rate” and understand every number.

08/18/2025

📊 Minnesota Metro Housing Market – August 2025

Inventory: Just over 22,000 homes for sale statewide (up 9% from last year), but still only about 2 months of supply—well below the 5–6 months that indicate balance.

Prices: Twin Cities median home price is around $401,000, showing modest annual growth.

Market Activity: Homes are still selling close to 100% of asking price, though more listings are seeing price reductions and fewer are selling over list.

Showings: Buyer activity strongest in the $300–400K range, but higher-end homes ($1M+) are seeing the fastest growth in showings.

🔎 Takeaway: It remains a seller’s market, but buyers are gaining a little more breathing room compared to the past couple of years.

08/07/2025

💡 Why Did My Mortgage Payment Go Up? Escrow Shortage Explained

If your monthly mortgage payment just went up—even though you're in a fixed-rate loan—you’re not alone. Here’s why it happens and what you can do:

📦 Escrow shortages are the usual culprit. Your escrow account covers:

🏡 Property taxes

🔒 Homeowners insurance

🔺 If property taxes go up, it may be due to higher home values or a new assessment—good news for equity, but not your monthly budget.

📈 If homeowners insurance increases, many people miss it because the annual renewal notice gets overlooked. That’s where trouble starts. A higher premium + the shortage it causes = double whammy on your payment.

✅ Tips:

Always open and review your annual insurance renewal.

Consider asking your agent for a quote check if you notice a jump.

Keep an eye on your escrow statements.

A little attention now can save you from a surprise increase later.

07/07/2025

🏠 Rate vs. APR – What’s the Difference?

When you’re shopping for a mortgage, you’ll see both interest rate and APR listed. They’re not the same – here’s why:

✅ Interest Rate:
The cost to borrow the money. It determines your monthly principal & interest payment.

✅ APR (Annual Percentage Rate):
Shows the true cost of the loan over its term. It includes your interest rate PLUS certain fees and costs, such as:

– Lender origination & underwriting fees
– Discount points (if you buy down your rate)
– Processing fees
– Mortgage insurance (for some loans)

What APR usually doesn’t include:
🔹 Title insurance
🔹 Escrow fees
🔹 Homeowners insurance
🔹 Property taxes
🔹 Other third-party fees not required by the lender

💡 Why it matters:
When comparing lenders, looking at the APR helps you see which loan is actually the better deal – not just who offers the lowest rate.

07/03/2025

🎆🏡 Happy 4th of July, Minnesota! 🇺🇸

Here’s your mid-summer housing market snapshot:

✅ Median Home Price: Around $366,800, up about 3% from last year.

✅ Inventory: Slowly increasing with approximately 2 months of supply, giving buyers a few more options, but still below balanced market levels.

✅ Buyer Demand: Remains strong – about 40-50% of homes are selling over asking price, especially well-prepped and well-priced listings.

✅ Market Speed: Homes are selling quickly, averaging just 23 days on market, moving faster than last summer.

✅ Outlook: Modest price growth is expected to continue through the year, with forecasts ranging from slight increases to mid-single-digit gains.

🎇 What does this mean for you?
If you’re planning to buy or sell this summer, understanding how rates, inventory, and demand affect your options is key to a confident move.

🇺🇸 Have a safe and happy 4th of July with your family, friends, and fireworks!

06/25/2025

☀️ Heard the Fed might cut rates this summer? Don’t grab your floaties just yet... 🏖️💸

While a Fed rate cut sounds like lower mortgage rates are coming, that’s not always how it works. 😅

🏦 The Fed sets short-term rates (think credit cards & HELOCs).
📉 Mortgage rates move with the 10-year Treasury and mortgage-backed securities (MBS) — and those play by different rules.

📊 Sometimes mortgage rates go up after a Fed cut if investors worry about inflation. It’s all about how the market reacts — not just what the Fed does.

👉 The good news? Mortgage rates have been trending lower this past week, even without a Fed cut. That’s because of softer economic data and shifting investor sentiment.

So while the headlines heat up, the real rate relief may already be showing up — just from different drivers. 🏡🕶️