Donna Hambek - VP of Mortgage Lending NMLS #396728

11/02/2026

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 👍
Mortgage rates ended the week slightly lower for the fourth straight week, although once again it wasn't a smooth ride. Rates crept higher after Wednesday's Fed meeting before improving Thursday and Friday as AI and tech stocks sold off and investors moved money into bonds.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 👍
Mortgage rates could continue to improve this week, but they'll need some help from weaker jobs data and falling oil prices. While we could see rates move a little lower, don't expect any big drops. Instead, we could see more of the gradual improvement we've seen throughout October.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
•Labor data: It's a big week for jobs data, with Friday's BLS jobs report likely to have the biggest impact on mortgage rates. Weak numbers could help rates, while strong numbers could push them higher.
•Oil: Oil prices are starting the week lower on hopes for a U.S.-Iran deal, but concerns about possible military action after the midterms could push prices higher again.
•Stocks: AI and tech stocks could continue to influence rates this week. More selling could help mortgage rates improve, while a rebound could push rates higher.

10/29/2026

10/28/2026

What mortgage rate are you waiting for? 👀

I’m dressing up as a 2% rate for Halloween… because everyone’s chasing after me. 👻

But really, all the headlines about rates and home prices can make buying a home feel a little scary.

The truth is, everyone’s situation is different. People are still buying homes and getting mortgages, and there may be a path forward for you, too. 🏡

It starts by looking at your numbers and seeing what options you have. You might be surprised by what’s possible! And if now isn’t the right time, you can still make a plan for when it is.

Have a question? Send me a message, or drop it in the comments. No tricks over here, just a conversation. 🎃

10/27/2026

A little sunshine, a little encouragement, and a reminder that sometimes all it takes is a fresh set of eyes! ☀️🏡

Whether it’s a tricky loan, a stubborn listing, or just one of those days, I’m always happy to help turn things around.

Here’s to making today a GRAte one! ❤️😊

10/26/2026

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 👍
Mortgage rates crept a little higher during the week before turning around on Thursday as AI stocks sold off and investors moved money out of stocks and into the safety of bonds. That helped mortgage rates improve and end the week a little lower.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 ⚠️
The big event this week is Wednesday's Fed meeting, but AI stocks could continue to have a big influence on mortgage rates. Oil prices haven't had much of an effect on rates recently, but that could change this week. With so many things in play, we are likely to see some day-to-day ups and downs in rates and possibly a bigger move for the week.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
-Stocks: The big sell-off in AI stocks has slowed for now, but if stocks start falling again, it could help mortgage rates this week. However, if stocks rally, it could push rates higher.
-Oil: Oil prices haven't had much influence on mortgage rates recently, despite being near six-month highs, but that could change after this week's Fed meeting.
-The Fed: The Fed is not expected to hike rates at this meeting, but we should expect markets to react to the Fed's policy statement and Fed Chair Warsh's press conference.

10/23/2026

LOWDOWN ON BUYDOWNS! 💰
What if you could lower your mortgage payment without lowering the price of the home? That's where a mortgage rate buydown comes in!
There are several ways to make it happen:
🔹 1-0 Buydown: Enjoy a payment based on a rate 1% lower for the first year.
🔹 2-1 Buydown: Enjoy a payment based on a rate 2% lower in year one and 1% lower in year two.
🔹 3-2-1 Buydown: Step into homeownership with reduced payments for the first three years!
🔹 Permanent Buydown: Pay discount points upfront to secure a lower interest rate for the life of the loan.
💡 Here's what many buyers and sellers don't realize: Seller concessions can potentially be used to cover the cost of a buydown, making this a great negotiating tool!
The key is figuring out which option makes the most financial sense for YOU.
📲 Let's run the numbers and explore your options!

Temporary buydowns do not change the note rate. Payments increase when the subsidy period ends. Loan qualification, program availability and seller contribution limits apply.

10/21/2026

Every week, someone online announces the housing crash is coming. Meanwhile, your lease renewal comes with another rent increase.

So, do you buy or keep renting?

Headlines and comment sections don’t know your income, savings, debt, or plans. That’s where a conversation with a mortgage professional can help.

We can talk about potential monthly payments, upfront costs, savings, and general mortgage information. Then we can talk about how those numbers fit your life and goals.

Sometimes buying makes sense. Sometimes continuing to save makes sense. As a mortgage professional, my job is to help you understand those options without pressure.

If you’ve been going back and forth, send me a message. Let’s look at your numbers and give you something more useful than just another headline.

10/19/2026

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 👍
Mortgage rates got better last week after reaching their highest levels in early October. Even though reports showed inflation was higher than expected, mortgage rates continued to improve and ended the week a little lower.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Although rates improved last week, helped by a sell off in AI stocks, they showed signs of stalling on Friday and continued to lose ground to start this week. With little economic data coming out to help guide rates, headlines will play a bigger role this week. Unfortunately, rates are more likely to creep higher than continue to improve.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
• Stocks: Mortgage rates' improvement last week was in large part due to stock market weakness, particularly in the AI sector, and investors moving money into bonds for safety. Mortgage bonds benefited from the move, helping rates improve. Stocks could continue to play a role this week, especially with little in the way of economic data.
• Oil: Oil prices moved higher again, but efforts to lower prices at the pump by temporarily suspending federal and state taxes have helped limit the impact on mortgage rates.

10/14/2026

Your friend just bought a house, and now you're comparing their mortgage to yours. 🏡

But here's the thing: Just because you're both buying a home doesn't mean you're getting the same loan.

Your loan terms, monthly payment, closing costs, down payment, loan type, and credit score can all make your mortgage look different from someone else's.

That's why comparing numbers without understanding what's behind them can be misleading.

💬 Message me "𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘" and let's look at what actually makes sense for YOU.

10/12/2026

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 👍
After moving higher to start the week, mortgage rates got a little better as the week went on, ending just slightly lower than the week before. It wasn't a big improvement, but at least it broke the streak of rates moving higher over the last few weeks.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 ⚠️
There are some early signs that mortgage rates may be done climbing, at least for now. We could still see some ups and downs this week though, especially with inflation data coming out in the middle of the week.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
• Inflation data: Consumer inflation data comes out Wednesday, followed by wholesale inflation data on Thursday. If inflation is lower than expected, rates could improve a little more, but higher inflation could push them back up.
• Oil: Oil prices will continue to influence mortgage rates this week, although the connection between the two hasn't been quite as strong recently.
• The Fed: The Fed raised its policy rate in September, but markets have recently backed off expectations for another increase in October. This week's inflation reports and comments from Fed officials could change those expectations.