Shawn Barsness, NMLS #67292 Embrace Home Loans

03/23/2026

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Rates began the week with slight improvement before moving much higher in the second half. Wednesday's Fed meeting and press conference pressured rates higher after markets began pricing in the possibility of a Fed policy rate hike this year rather than additional cuts. Rates jumped again on Friday as bonds sold off amid higher oil prices and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 ⚠️
Mortgage rates looked likely to move higher to start the week due to concerns over further escalation in Iran. However, after those attacks were postponed, markets rallied and rates are starting the week slightly better. Rates will continue to fluctuate based on the outlook for either a resolution in the Middle East or further military escalation.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
• Economic data: There is very little data this week that will play a role in mortgage rates.
• Military action in Iran: The longer the conflict in the Middle East continues, the higher mortgage rates are likely to go. However, if a resolution is reached, rates would stabilize and should begin moving lower again, even if slowly.

03/21/2026

New 5.0-star Review: "We recently purchased our house financed through Embrace Home Loans. Shawn, our loan officer is the best guy for the job. We were looking for a home in a very competitive market. It took us 3 bidding war to win our home and Embrace made it happen. Shawn was able to work with his team to offer 2 weeks close and property value certificate so we can have a very strong offer. The processing is seamless. This is the fastest home purchase we’ve been through. We are glad that we found Shawn and Embrace. He’s very responsive especially on after hours and weekends when most negotiation happened. He’s also the first loan officer we’ve dealt with who will take the time to explain the mortgage process and what the numbers mean to us. I’m highly confident to refer him to anyone. I can’t thank him and his team for their awesome job from start to finish. We will definitely find him again in the future if we ever need to buy another home."

03/20/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Shawn Barsness by Carlton M - Shawn and his team were awesome from start to finish. We wanted a fast close and we got our dream home within 3 weeks of going under contract. All star team indeed!

Click to see all 546 reviews of Shawn Barsness, Mortgage Loan Originator | NMLS 67292

03/18/2026

Should you buy a new car while applying for a mortgage?

No.
No in black.
No in red.
Just… no. 🚫🚗

Here’s why.

When you buy a car, you usually take on a new monthly payment. That can change the numbers lenders use to approve your home loan.
A new loan can also affect your credit.
Even small changes can cause delays or problems with your mortgage.

The safest move?
Wait until after you get the keys to your home to make big purchases.

Buying a home soon or looking for a mortgage?
Talk to me before making any big money moves.

03/16/2026

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates rose for a second straight week as oil prices topped $100 a barrel. Volatility also increased, with rates swinging day to day based on market sentiment and headlines surrounding the conflict with Iran.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates may continue creeping higher along with oil prices. Expect more volatility and larger-than-normal day-to-day moves. If you're considering refinancing or currently under contract, stay in close contact with your mortgage professional.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
• The Fed: Normally this week’s Fed meeting would be the main focus, along with the quarterly rate forecasts from Fed officials and Chair Powell’s press conference. However, the Fed is widely expected to leave policy rates unchanged, and markets already anticipate no cuts this year. Because of that, the meeting is unlikely to move mortgage rates much.
• Military action in Iran: The conflict continues to keep oil prices elevated. Higher energy prices raise inflation concerns, which push bond yields higher and put upward pressure on mortgage rates.

03/11/2026

𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 '𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱' 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲!

𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱.
What is the difference? 🤔

👉 Getting prequalified is the process of providing a mortgage lender with some background information, like your credit, income, and expenses so the lender can help you determine how much you can afford and what you are likely to qualify for.

👉 A pre-approval, however, means you've provided the lender with proof of your income and assets and had a credit check to determine exactly how much you can be approved for. In some cases, a pre-approval can show you are approved for a loan before making an offer, which makes your offer stronger and could help you win a bidding war.

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂? 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲. 👍

I can provide either one, depending on your unique situation and where you are in the house hunting process. The best part? The conversation is absolutely free, and there's no obligation. 🏡 😁

03/09/2026

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates moved higher last week because of rising oil prices tied to the Iran conflict. Increased oil prices ripple through the economy, pushing up the price of goods and creating inflation. Inflation is bad for mortgage rates and generally pushes them higher. Jobs data, which showed fewer new jobs and higher unemployment, helped keep rates from moving significantly higher to end the week.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Military action in the Middle East is expected to continue for the next few weeks or longer, and oil prices are expected to keep rising. Mortgage rates still remain lower than last year but could creep higher this week. There is no reason to expect rates to fall until a resolution is reached in the Middle East.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Inflation data: This week's consumer inflation data would likely have played a bigger role in mortgage rates before the conflict in the Middle East. Now the data may seem less important as fresh inflation concerns rise.
- Military action in Iran: The situation in Iran has pushed up oil prices and sparked new inflation concerns. That has driven bond yields higher, which has pressured mortgage rates.

03/04/2026

Helping clients during the day… learning trending sounds at night. 🎶

All jokes aside, if you’re curious about what’s going on with mortgage rates, thinking about buying, or wondering if refinancing could save you money, let’s chat.

I’m always happy to help. Reach out anytime. 💬

03/02/2026

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 👍
Mortgage rates didn’t move much last week, but dipped just low enough to generate headlines about reaching their best levels since 2022. Despite the media attention, rates really only moved slightly lower for the week.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Rates ended last week looking like they might be ready to move lower, but military action in the Middle East over the weekend quickly changed the mood. Rates are starting this week higher and potentially more volatile. While they’re not in danger of jumping sharply, it’s a good idea to stay in touch with your mortgage professional and keep an eye on how things develop.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: This week has quite a few important reports, most notably Friday's BLS jobs report, including unemployment figures. Economic data will still play a role but may be less important depending on how things play out in the Middle East.
- Military action in Iran: The situation in Iran has pushed up oil prices, along with speculation that prices could move significantly higher from here. That has sparked fresh concerns about inflation and has pushed up bond yields, which have pressured mortgage rates higher.

02/28/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Shawn Barsness by Peter V - Shawn and Jessi are incredible people, incredibly professional and efficient. We've closed several loans with Embrace and highly recommend Shawn and his team. If you want your loan done right look no further.

Click to see all 545 reviews of Shawn Barsness, Mortgage Loan Originator | NMLS 67292

02/25/2026

If you’re going to quit one thing in 2026... quit waiting for “perfect” rates.

Yes, rates go down.
Yes, they go up.
Yes, they change.

But they usually don’t drop to the magic number everyone is hoping for.

I watch what’s happening in the market all the time. If there’s a big shift, I know. That’s part of my job.

But here’s what most people forget:

👉 The interest rate is only ONE part of the mortgage.

There’s also:

• How you structure the loan
• Whether you can refinance later
• Your long-term plans

You don’t win by trying to perfectly time the market.
You win when the numbers make sense for you and your life.

If you’re curious about where rates are, where they might be headed, and if you could be saving thousands right now, send me a message.

We can take a look at it together.

02/23/2026

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘄 👍
Mortgage rates were basically unchanged last week, not even showing much movement on a day-to-day basis.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 👍
Rates are not likely to make any significant improvement from here unless something unexpected occurs. With little in the way of economic data or other fundamental events to help improve mortgage bond prices, the basis for mortgage rates, it is unlikely we see rates move much lower. On the flip side, it is also unlikely that rates will creep higher. Any moves we do see this week should be small.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: There are only a couple of weekly labor reports on the calendar this week, along with wholesale inflation data on Friday. None of these are likely to have much effect on mortgage rates.
- The Fed: Normally the outlook for potential Fed rate cuts plays a role in mortgage rates, but markets are currently not expecting a rate cut until June at the earliest, and even that is only a coin-flip proposition according to markets.