Rodney Hart - Mortgage Loan Consultant NMLS #517986

06/16/2026

06/12/2026

FRIDAY COMMENTARY

Good morning and happy Friday!

The word “moist” feels like it should apologize after entering the room.

MARKET UPDATE
This week we had higher inflation, stronger jobs numbers, and an end to the ceasefire with Iran. All of these are bad for mortgage rates. However, yesterday afternoon, President Trump cancelled planned air strikes and announced that both sides had approved final details of a permanent ceasefire to be signed this weekend. Let’s hope it actually happens and holds, this time. Following this news, stocks surged, oil plummeted, and mortgage rates dropped to the lowest levels of the week.

Existing home sales increased 3.2 percent in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.17 million units, the strongest pace since December, as modest improvements in affordability (driven by lower mortgage rates relative to a year ago and income growth that has outpaced home-price appreciation) helped support demand.

MORTGAGE TIDBIT
OCCUPANCY REQUIREMENT

The standard mortgage for the purchase of a primary residence says the borrowers must occupy the property as principal residence within 60 days after closing and for at least one year, unless extenuating circumstances exist beyond borrowers’ control. There is more scrutiny on borrowers that purchase multiple primary residences in a short period of time. There may be restrictions on allowing the departing residence to become an investment property rather than selling it. This is to prevent investors from financing investment properties as primary residences to get better financing terms.

FROM THE HART
How much do you value truth? What if it’s offensive or convicting? Does that devalue the truth? To what extent should truth be expressed, and to what extent should it be censored? A Belgian court recently ruled that some statements can be considered criminal, “hate speech,” even if those statements are factually accurate or scientifically supported. Colonel Nathan Jessup was right. We can’t handle the truth!

We have always struggled with the truth. When we don’t like it, we simply reject it, twist it, redefine it, or say it’s relative. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 describes people who will not tolerate sound teaching but will turn away from the truth and surround themselves with those who will say what they want to hear to satisfy their own passions. Algorithms create nice, comfy echo chambers for us where we are constantly affirmed and never challenged or made uncomfortable. Is this good and healthy? Should doctors tell us what we want to hear or what we need to hear?

God is kind and loving enough to tell us the truth. His Word is truth and will set you free (John 8:32, 17:17). The truth is light, but darkness hates the light (Psalm 119:105, John 3:20). John 14:6 says Jesus is the truth, the way (to God), and the life (abundant and eternal). Bless is the one who is not offended by the Truth, Jesus (Matthew 11:6).

Have a great weekend!

*This information is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. All information is provided in good faith; however, no representation or warranty is made of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy and validity of any information. The information contained herein represents the views and opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Trustmark Bank, and Trustmark Bank does not make any representations or warranties with respect to its accuracy or reliability. *

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06/05/2026

FRIDAY COMMENTARY

Good morning and happy Friday!

A bagpipe sounds like a goose going through a divorce.

MARKET UPDATE
Mortgage rates are staying in a narrow range and are moving in sync with war headlines. April JOLTS data surprised to the upside, with job openings rising to their highest level in almost two years and the job openings-to-unemployed ratio moving back above 1.0 for the first time since mid-2025, signaling renewed firmness in labor demand. Layoffs remained low, despite spiking energy costs tied to the US-Israel war with Iran.

MORTGAGE TIDBIT
PAYMENT RECAST / RE-AMORTIZATION

Mortgage loan recasting, or re-amortizing, can lower your payments without the hassle or expense of refinancing. It allows you to apply an additional sum of money to substantially reduce the unpaid principal balance of your loan and re-amortize the payments based on the lower balance. A recast does not change the interest rate or the maturity date indicated in your original executed mortgage documents. This is a good option for those who sell their current home after closing on another home and want the proceeds applied toward the new mortgage.

FROM THE HART
How often do you use AI? I think there is an inverse correlation between the growth of artificial and human intelligence. I am using it more and more, while trying to be cautious to not become dependent on it and not let it do all my thinking and problem-solving. When I prepare a Bible study/lesson or this commentary, I most want God to speak through me. I seek Him by praying and spending time in His Word. I sometimes will use AI to help gather information or pull ideas together but not create everything for me.

I like to sometimes present spiritual concepts to see how AI responds. It surprises me sometimes how affirming it is to my faith. The reason it affirms it is that it simply gathers information to generate a conclusion that is true, without the human/secular biases that cloud the truth.

There is a God, and the evidence of Him and His design is abundant and clear throughout creation (Romans 1:20). Jesus is overwhelmingly the most significant and impactful figure in all of human history. The Bible is incomparable to any other writings as the all-time best-selling book, by far the most affirmed and supported of any ancient texts, despite being the most scrutinized and challenged.

I expect human and spiritual biases to progressively grow within the AI platforms so that they can be used to deceive and control. But, there is absolute truth. That can be denied or rejected, but that fact cannot be changed. And, the truth always prevails. Jesus is the truth, the way, and the life (John 14:6).

Have a great weekend!

*This information is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. All information is provided in good faith; however, no representation or warranty is made of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy and validity of any information. The information contained herein represents the views and opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Trustmark Bank, and Trustmark Bank does not make any representations or warranties with respect to its accuracy or reliability. *

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06/04/2026

The road to homeownership may be closer than you think. With the right preparation and a clear understanding of the process, you can move forward with confidence. Learn how to get your finances in order and navigate each step on your journey to owning a home: bit.ly/4nEZFSJ

06/01/2026

The housing market is shifting in buyers' favor. Active inventory is up 8.9% compared to last year, home prices have fallen 2.4%, the biggest weekly drop on record since Realtor.com started tracking in 2018, and homes are taking six days longer to sell.

It's the third straight week of price declines, and Realtor.com economists say the slowdown "goes beyond normal seasonality." Mortgage rates are also lower than they were a year ago, with the average 30-year fixed rate at 6.11% for the week ending Feb. 5, according to Freddie Mac.

Read: https://rltor.cm/I8Q1oe

05/29/2026

FRIDAY COMMENTARY

Good morning and happy Friday!

A dyslexic man walks into a bra

MARKET UPDATE
This week brought some housing data that shows signs of stability. Builder sentiment improved in May, returning to pre-war levels, while pending home sales posted their strongest April reading since 2023.

Optimism for a peace agreement with Iran boosted the markets this week. Oil dropped back below $100 per barrel. 10yr yields reached their lowest levels since May 14th. Mortgage rates dropped to their lowest levels in 2 weeks.

MORTGAGE TIDBIT
ASSETS FOR INCOME

Asset depletion/dissipation is a way to qualify for a mortgage loan using substantial assets in lieu of, or in addition to, traditional income from employment. This is an option for conventional (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac) but not government (FHA/VA/USDA) financing. There are limitations, such as the type of assets/accounts allowed and the max loan-to-value ratio.

FROM THE HART
Happy end of the week, end of the month, possibly end of the world! It feels good to make it to the end and look forward to what’s ahead. We have the weekend, a new month, the summer, Heaven. What are you looking forward to? Are you looking forward? Or, do you prefer to look back?

Scripture encourages us to remember but not look back (Luke 9:62). God promises to His children so great a reward that we cannot even comprehend it (1 Corinthians 2:9). Our future hope is guaranteed (2 Corinthians 1:22). It cannot be lost or taken away (John 10:28-29). Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.”

God’s Word tells us that we can know, with full assurance, that we have eternal life (1 John 5:13). 1 Peter 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Have a great weekend!

*This information is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. All information is provided in good faith; however, no representation or warranty is made of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy and validity of any information. The information contained herein represents the views and opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Trustmark Bank, and Trustmark Bank does not make any representations or warranties with respect to its accuracy or reliability. *

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05/26/2026

After reaching 9-month highs last week, mortgage rates have improved every day since last Wednesday. Today, the 10-year treasury, which is the primary benchmark for mortgage rates, reached the lowest level since May 14th.

05/25/2026

Nearly half of Veterans (49%) feel homeownership is currently out of reach, according to a recent survey from NewDay USA.