Ross Bennett, Certified Mortgage Banker - NMLS #229369

03/20/2026

Mortgage rates continue to edge up this week. Ending at 6.53% Friday afternoon. This matches the highest interest rates for 2026 and will certainly have an impact on borrowers wanting to refinance or homebuyers looking to purchase.

While mathematically it is not a huge increase, it does have a negative effect on buyer sentiment. Expect already depressed home sales to soften even further. 

03/14/2026

Mortgage rates have moved up over the last couple of weeks due to a weaker bond market. In that timeframe, we have moved up from 5.99% fixed rate to 6.41% fixed rate.

This is not a welcome event as we come into peak home buying season, but we are hoping that once hostilities are resolved, rates will come back down from current levels. 

03/14/2026

The Trump admin moved forward with their proposal to aid the housing market. What does this mean?

Trump's EO "Promoting Access to Mortgage Credit" targets Dodd-Frank-era burdens.

It directs CFPB/regulators to: modernize HMDA reporting (raise exemption thresholds for small banks, cut data burdens); tailor ATR/QM/TRID rules (broader safe harbors, materiality standards over strict timing); simplify appraisals (expand alternatives, reduce for low-risk loans); promote digital e-signatures/notarization; adjust capital/liquidity for community banks (

President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance are committed to lowering costs for all Americans, securing our borders, unleashing American energy dominance, restoring peace through strength, and making all Americans safe and secure once again.

03/06/2026

The mortgage markets quite understandably have been more volatile than usual.

A weak job report today held down increases in rates, while higher oil prices wanted to drive rates higher.

Two weeks ago we were sub 6% on the average conventional 30 year fixed rate and now we are roughly 6.14%, not a huge difference but certainly enough to give some buyers pause.

My thinking is that if the war can be wrapped up quickly, we’ll see rates drop back down below 6%.

RB

01/09/2026

Rates for home loans plunge to three year loans today after President Trump instructed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the largest purchaser of home mortgages in the country, to use the $200 billion cash on hand to purchased mortgage bonds. Purchasing these bonds will help drive up pricing and lower yields. The question is, will the affect be short-term or longer-term. It has been a long time since we’ve had mortgage rates with a five handle. If you’re interested in purchase a refinancing, your home reach out to me. 

11/10/2025

Fannie Mae, the largest mortgage purchaser in the country, has now stated they are eliminating minimum credit scores.

What will be the effective outcome of this, other than some lenders marketing “no minimum credit scores” to generate business?

Do you agree that credit scores should no longer be used as a criteria for loan approval?

11/03/2025

Following the Fed rate cut last Wednesday, mortgage rates settled in a bit higher than a week before.

30 year fixed rate loans for the borrowers with the highest credit average 6.34% versus 6.18% last week. While rates are up, they are still at the low end of the range for the year.

Purchase applications are holding fairly steady, but refinance applications dropped significantly after long-term rates moved higher.

10/20/2025

Tough times equals opportunity. Are you ready to take advantage of those opportunities?

Foreclosure rates have surged across the country and are up almost 20% from this time last year.

"In 2025, we’ve seen a consistent pattern of foreclosure activity trending higher, with both starts and completions posting year-over-year increases for consecutive quarters,” says Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property, and real estate data.

"While these figures remain within a historically reasonable range, the persistence of this trend could be an early indicator of emerging borrower strain in some areas."

More: https://rltor.cm/ohij46

09/17/2025

To those that follow me, you’ll remember that I have stated many times that Fed rate cuts, like today, have little to no impact on long term mortgage rates. Despite what those instagram loan officers try to convince you of.

Follow the market, not the influencers.

Rates across the entire maturity spectrum actually rose slightly today, including the all- important 10 year Treasury bond, after today’s 25 basis point cut.

Mortgage rates for 30 year fixed also rose 9 basis points in choppy trading, following some intraday price changes.

09/15/2025

Join us this Wednesday, September 17th to view this listing by Lori Baker, of Premier Sotheby's International Realty.

8035 Lakeside Drive
Yahala, FL 34797

09/10/2025

Excellent news on the inflation front today. August producer price index inflation fell to 2.6%, well below expectations of 3.3%.

Core PPI inflation fell to 2.8% below expectations of 3.5% and month over month.

PPI inflation was negative for just a second time since March 2024. The Fed will be forced into cutting short term interest rates/

The question is whether it will be 25 basis points, or 50 basis points.