Pete Ballard Ever Home Funding

10/21/2026

Rates eased a touch today — here's the straight look.

Bankrate's daily national average has the 30-year fixed at 7.37% this morning, down from 7.47% yesterday. The 15-year is at 6.75%. Freddie Mac's weekly survey still sits at 7.40%.

On a $400,000 loan, 7.37% is about $2,761 a month in principal and interest — about $28 less than yesterday. Real, but one data point can reverse it.

The bigger picture: Fannie Mae forecasts 7.4% for Q4 2026 and 7.5% through 2027, and February's average was near 6.09%. Waiting has moved the wrong way for eight months.

What you can control: your credit score, your loan program, and the price you negotiate. If the payment works today, you can buy now and refinance later if rates ease. Message me and let's run your real numbers.

I'm Pete Ballard with EverHome Funding.
NMLS #2561676 | Company NMLS #2379832 | https://www.everhomefunding.com
This is for informational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit and underwriting approval.

10/08/2026

Building instead of buying? The USDA One-Time Close construction-to-permanent loan finances the land, the construction, and eligible soft costs (site work, permits, well/septic) in one closing before the build starts.

Highlights: potential 100% financing for qualified USDA borrowers, up to 10% construction contingency, no monthly payments during construction (with an eligible payment reserve), no second closing, no requalifying — then it converts to a 30-year fixed USDA loan.

The honest caveat: the appraisal sets the maximum loan amount — 100% financing is not an unlimited budget. The builder must be USDA-approved, and USDA eligibility and program guidelines apply.

Thinking about building in a qualifying area? Message me and let's run the numbers.

Pete Ballard | Mortgage Loan Originator
EverHome Funding — NMLS #2379832 | My NMLS #2561676
https://www.everhomefunding.com

This is for informational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit and underwriting approval.

10/05/2026

Biggest mistake I see buyers make: touring homes before getting pre-approved.

Here's why the order matters.

When you're pre-approved, you know your real budget — not a guess, not a Zillow estimate. You don't fall in love with a house that's $50k out of reach. Sellers and listing agents also take your offer a lot more seriously. In a market where good homes move fast, "I'm pre-approved" is one of the strongest things you can say.

And it costs you nothing. I can run your numbers in minutes and tell you exactly where you stand.

If you're thinking about buying in the next few months, message me and let's get you ready before you start touring. No pressure, just math.

I'm Pete Ballard with EverHome Funding.

NMLS #2561676 | Company NMLS #2379832 | https://www.everhomefunding.com

10/05/2026

Mortgage rates just posted their biggest weekly jump in four years — then the first crack appeared Friday morning.

Freddie Mac's weekly survey (Oct 1) puts the 30-year fixed at 7.28% — up from 7.03% last week, and the highest since November 2023. A year ago it was 6.34%.

Friday's jobs report came in soft — 29,000 jobs added vs ~100,000 expected — and bond yields eased a bit. Daily rate trackers dipped slightly into the weekend.

My take: one headline week is not a prediction. What protects you is knowing your exact numbers — your real payment, your cash to close, and how sensitive both are to a quarter-point move. I can run that for you in minutes.

Planning to buy soon? Message me and let's get your math straight. No pressure, just math.

I'm Pete Ballard with EverHome Funding.

NMLS #2561676 | Company NMLS #2379832 | https://www.everhomefunding.com

This is for informational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit and underwriting approval.

09/27/2026

Let me clear up the biggest myth in homebuying:

You do NOT need 20% down.

Where 20% came from: putting 20% down lets you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI). That's it. It's not a law, not a requirement, not a minimum.

What you actually need: Conventional loans go as low as 3% down for qualified buyers. FHA allows 3.5%. Some loan programs go even lower, and down payment assistance programs exist in many markets to help cover the gap.

The math on a $350,000 home: 20% = $70,000. But 3% = $10,500. On that same $350K home, 3% down is $10,500 (before closing costs). That's a completely different savings goal — and an achievable one for a lot of buyers.

What actually matters: lenders qualify you a good way — by what they qualify for, not by how much they put down. Credit, income stability, debt-to-income ratio, and reserves matter far more than hitting a magic 20%.

So if you've been renting and waiting because you thought you needed $70K saved up, get pre-approved first and find out your real number. It might be $10K.

What's been holding you back from buying — the down payment, or something else? Drop it in the comments and I'll give you a straight answer.

Pete Ballard | EverHome Funding | NMLS #2561676
Company NMLS #2379832 | https://www.everhomefunding.com

This is for informational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit and underwriting approval.

09/24/2026

Heads up if you're house hunting: mortgage rates just hit a 20-month high.

The 30-year fixed averaged 6.95% this week per Freddie Mac, up from 6.76% last week and 6.26% a year ago. Daily rate trackers are showing over 7% today.

The backdrop: the Fed raised its benchmark rate on September 16 — the first hike since 2023 — as inflation keeps running above target.

Here's my honest take. Don't try to time the bottom. If your payment works at today's rates, the house is usually worth buying. You can always refinance later if rates come down. And if you're already under contract, let's talk about locking your rate.

I'm Pete Ballard with EverHome Funding. Message me and I'll run the numbers on your price range — no pressure, just math.

NMLS #2561676
Company NMLS #2379832 | https://www.everhomefunding.com

09/03/2026

🏡 WHAT A WAY TO FINISH THE DAY CLOSING NUMBER2! 🎉🔑

Yesterday was a big one — two families officially became homeowners!

Congratulations to my clients on their new home! Thank you for trusting me to help make this happen. It’s always rewarding to see all the hard work come together and hand over those keys.

Shoutout to Justin Dominey for being a great Realtor to work with. Great teamwork and communication from start to finish made this transaction a smooth one.

Two families. Two new beginnings. One unforgettable day.

If buying a home is on your radar, give me a call or shoot me a text. Let’s talk about what it would take to get you there.

🔑 Pete Ballard | Mortgage Loan Originator
📞 817-691-6309
📧 [email protected]

09/03/2026

🏡 TWO CLOSINGS. ONE INCREDIBLE DAY! 🎉🔑

Yesterday was a milestone worth celebrating: two clients reached the closing table, and this was closing #1 of 2!

This one was especially meaningful because I had the opportunity to work alongside my wife, Amanda Ballard, an incredible Realtor and partner. Helping clients achieve their dream of homeownership together makes the experience even more rewarding.

Congratulations to our clients on their new home! Thank you for trusting us to be part of such an important journey.

Thinking about buying, refinancing, or simply exploring your mortgage options? Reach out today—we’d love to help you understand your next steps.

🔑 Pete Ballard | Mortgage Loan Originator
📞 817-691-6309
📧 [email protected]

08/04/2026

Another happy homeowner and another fast closing in the books! 🏡✨

✅ Same-Day Approval
✅ Clear to Close in Just 10 Days
✅ FREE 1-0 Buydown with Motto Mortgage Odyssey

This is what happens when you have a lender who works quickly, communicates every step of the way, and is committed to getting clients to the closing table on time.

A huge congratulations to our buyers, and a big shoutout to Keith Mathews for helping them find their dream home at an incredible price! It takes a great team to make transactions like this happen, and I’m grateful to everyone involved.

Who’s next?

Pete Ballard
Motto Mortgage Odyssey
NMLS #2561676
📲 817-691-6309

07/22/2026