Kathleen Douglas - Loan Consultant NMLS #781275

05/07/2026

03/26/2026

Mortgage Rate Update

03/17/2026

The spring market is competitive, and the last thing you want to do is leave your home purchase up to luck.

Getting fully pre-approved before you start shopping is the single best move you can make right now. Know your numbers, know your comfort zone, and be ready to move the moment the right home comes along. A strong team with the right lender and agent behind you means you can structure a clean, confident offer without hesitation.

Luck is nice, but preparation wins in this market every single time.

If you are thinking about buying this spring and want to be ready when the right home shows up, I am happy to get you started. Reach out to Kathleen today.

03/16/2026

A lot of people are asking me right now whether this is a good time to buy a home. Here is exactly what I am telling them.

Yes, there is a lot happening. Global events are affecting energy prices, inflation data keeps shifting back and forth, and tariffs are creating cost pressure across the board. That uncertainty is pushing some buyers and sellers to the sidelines. But here is what most people are completely missing.

The government just passed one of the biggest housing bills in a generation. It is called the ROAD Act and it passed with massive bipartisan support. It restricts large Wall Street investors from scooping up single family homes and streamlines the permitting process so more homes can actually get built. That is a genuine and significant win for everyday home buyers. Less competition from institutional investors means a more level playing field for you and your family.

On top of that, low inventory is keeping home values stable, which is great news whether you are buying or already own.

The headlines might sound scary right now but the opportunity underneath them is real. The buyers who move with the right strategy this spring are going to look back and be very glad they did. Reach out and let's talk about what that strategy looks like for you.

03/02/2026

The rate-lock effect is finally thawing, and spring is showing up early.

For the last couple years, many homeowners stayed put to avoid giving up their 3% era mortgage rate, which kept listings tight and buyers stuck in scarcity mode.

Now active inventory is up roughly 7% to 10% year over year, and buyers are getting real choices again.

The key point is demand is not disappearing, with pending sales up over 6% year over year in many markets, which signals the season is starting early.

Buyers get more options and more negotiating power, and sellers should remember the best homes priced right are still moving.

02/23/2026

82% of agents are already using AI in their business.

According to a new survey from Realtor Property Resource, about 78% are using it mainly for writing listing descriptions, social posts, and emails.

But here’s what’s interesting. The number one concern is accuracy. 63% of agents said that’s their biggest worry, followed by compliance, legal risk, and fair housing issues.

My take? Use AI for the first draft. Keep pricing strategy, compliance, and client advice human-reviewed.

AI should be your assistant, not your replacement. Comment “AI” and I’ll send you my simple workflow for listings, social posts, and follow-up texts.

02/16/2026

The 2026 outlook for housing is finally starting to turn a corner.

Recent projections from NAR point to mortgage rates trending lower over time and a roughly 14 percent increase in existing home sales in 2026. A double digit jump like that usually signals a “recovery” year, where momentum comes back, more buyers and sellers re enter the market, and some of the frozen feeling starts to thaw.

What this could mean for you:

For buyers:
✅More homes to choose from
✅A bit more negotiating room in some price ranges
✅A chance to move before things get too competitive again

For homeowners:
✅A clearer path to finally move up, downsize, or relocate
✅More confidence that there will be both buyers and options on the other side of your sale

The key is to prepare early. Get your credit in good shape, organize your income documentation, and build a down payment strategy now so when the right opportunity comes along, you are ready instead of rushed.

If you want to talk through what a realistic game plan could look like for 2026, send me a message or give me a call and I will walk you through it.

02/03/2026

The Fed just held interest rates steady after Wednesday’s meeting.

Inflation is cooling—but not fast enough. It’s still around 2.7%, and the Fed’s target is 2%. Meanwhile, job growth has slowed, but the labor market is holding strong.

Some Fed members even hinted at a rate cut in the near future, which tells us a pivot might be closer than expected.

But for now, mortgage rates are steady—and still sticky. If you're waiting for a massive drop before buying, you might be waiting a while.

Find the right house, focus on your monthly payment, and structure your deal smart.

01/23/2026

Quick mortgage update for this week.

Rates moved up slightly after a recent dip due to global events pushing Treasury yields higher. That movement always spills into mortgage rates.

The bigger picture matters though. Rates are still hovering near multi year lows in the low 6 percent range and remain much better than where we were a year ago.

We are also seeing refinance activity increase and buyer interest remain steady, even with some short term volatility.

If you want to know what this means for your clients or your pipeline, reach out anytime.

01/12/2026

Major Market News!!!
The President just announced a plan for the US government to buy mortgage bonds, and the goal is simple: help bring rates down and improve affordability!