Approved with Amy Fichter

01/09/2026

Happy Friday!!! It’s a good day for mortgage rates — here’s why:

Yesterday, Trump announced he’s instructing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities to help push mortgage rates lower.
This initally caused a strong rally in mortgage bonds however today’s BLS Jobs Report tempered some of those gains, bonds are still higher overall — and that matters for rates.
If Fannie and Freddie deploy roughly $20B per month, it should tighten mortgage spreads, which directly helps mortgage rates come down. While this doesn’t impact longer-term Treasuries, lower spreads still benefit homebuyers and homeowners.
At the same time, the Fed is focused on buying shorter-term Treasuries. If the Treasury issues less long-term debt, that further supports rate stability.

Why is this mean for you?
Mortgage rates are positioned to trend lower
Buyer activity is likely to increase
Home values may rise
Opportunity to buy now, gain appreciation, and refinance later when rates improve

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy, this could be your window, so let's talk!!
Message me to see how today’s market could work in your favor. I am always here to talk!

01/08/2026

Here's what's happening with our mortgage rates today
We received economic data this morning that shows a labor market that’s cooling—but still resilient. The latest Challenger Job-Cut Report revealed 35,553 layoffs in December, down sharply from 71,321 the month before. At the same time, Initial Jobless Claims came in at 208,000, slightly higher week-over-week but still below expectations, while Continuing Claims rose to 1.914 million.
Here’s where it matters for home buyers or those looking to refinance their homes.
Despite mixed employment data, the bond market remains under pressure, partly due to Trump’s comments about significantly ramping up U.S. military spending. Increased government spending expectations can push bond yields higher—directly impacting mortgage rates.
What does this mean for you?
Market uncertainty creates windows of opportunity for buyers who are prepared and informed. Waiting for “perfect” conditions can cost more than acting with the right strategy today.
Thinking about buying a home in 2026?
Let’s talk through your options, rate strategies, and timing—so you can make a confident move instead of guessing.

12/16/2025

Another report was released this morning that should continue to help our mortgage rates decrease. Here is what I have for you...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released jobs reports for both October and November, and the data points toward cooling labor conditions—which is good news for mortgage rates.
In October the economy lost 105,000 jobs, far weaker than expected. Much of this was driven by government layoffs, including employees who accepted buyouts and remained on payroll only through September.
In November the report showed 64,000 jobs added, slightly stronger than the 45,000 expected, but still modest by historical standards.
AND The Unemployment rate increased from 4.4% to 4.6%, signaling a softening labor market.
Why this matters: Slower job growth and rising unemployment reduce inflation pressure, which can ease concerns at the Federal Reserve—often leading to lower bond yields and downward pressure on mortgage interest rates.
This trend could be a positive step toward more favorable borrowing conditions ahead.
Are you curious about what this means to you when considering buying or refinancing your home? Let's Chat!! I'm here to help!

11/20/2025

Now that the government is back open we are receiving important reports such as The Jobs Reports and Unemployment. Here is what todays reports mean to our mortgage market!

The latest numbers came in mixed:
• 119,000 new jobs (above expectations)
• Unemployment up to 4.4%
• Wage growth holding steady

What this means for homebuyers:
Mortgage rates are expected to stay steady or drift slightly lower as the labor market gradually cools.

Good news if you're thinking about buying, refinancing, or starting to plan your next move so let's chat.

11/18/2025

As we approach the end of 2025 I wanted to share the Housing Market Outlook or What to Expect Next Year
Over the past three years, home sales have been hovering around 4 million per year, which is much lower than the more typical 5–5.5 million.
But there’s good news ahead for 2026!
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is forecasting a 14% increase in home sales next year. That’s about 560,000 additional homes sold, bringing the total to 4.56 million. Still below normal—but definitely a welcome boost.
What’s driving the improvement? Lower mortgage rates.
NAR expects rates to drop to around 6% next year, which could motivate more buyers to jump into the market. Lower rates = more demand = more competition.
Home values are also expected to rise.
NAR is forecasting 4% home price appreciation nationwide.
To put that into perspective:
If you buy a $500,000 home, a 4% increase means your home could gain $20,000 in value in just one year.
If you have questions about whether now is a good time to buy please reach out. I am always here to help at no cost or obligation to you.

10/21/2025

Good news for anyone waiting out high mortgage rates:

Zillow says blended rents (new + renewal leases) dipped 0.1% in September and are up just 2.3% year over year — the slowest pace in years.

Cooling rent growth means housing inflation is easing, which could open the door to lower mortgage rates ahead if the Fed sees less inflation pressure.

In short: the market’s still tight, but the trend is finally moving in buyers’ favor.

For Any of my Real Estate Professionals reading this...

Zillow’s latest data shows blended rents fell 0.1% in September and are up only 2.3% YoY, signaling that rental inflation is cooling.

That’s a double-edged signal: slower rent growth could soften near-term buyer urgency, but it also supports lower inflation and rate relief — potentially boosting affordability and activity down the road.

Smart agents will watch this shift closely: today’s renters might become tomorrow’s buyers sooner than expected.

Let's get buyers into their homes!!

10/17/2025

Have you been thinking about an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) while considering buying a home or refinancing?
Here’s what you should know before you decide 👇
Pros:
✅ Lower initial interest rates – Usually start below fixed-rate mortgages.
✅ Smaller early payments – Great if you plan to move or refinance in a few years.
✅ Potential for savings – You could benefit if rates stay steady or drop.
✅ Short-term flexibility – A smart choice if you don’t plan to stay in the home long-term.
✅ Opportunity to build equity faster – With lower initial payments, you can choose to pay extra toward your principal and build equity more quickly.
Cons:
⚠️ Rate uncertainty – Payments can rise when the rate adjusts.
⚠️ Budget unpredictability – Harder to plan for future expenses.
⚠️ Refinancing risk – You might need to refinance if rates go up.
⚠️ Complex terms – Caps, margins, and indexes can be confusing.
Bottom line:
An ARM can be a great fit for some homebuyers — especially if you value flexibility or plan to move within a few years. But if predictable payments and long-term stability are your priorities, a fixed-rate mortgage may make more sense.
Ready to explore your options?
I am only ever a call, text, or email away! Let's connect.
[email protected] or 410-446-9837.
I can help you compare loan types and figure out what’s best for your financial goals.

10/01/2025

September was another great month 💙 but the real highlight was the stories behind the approvals:

✨ A 3x return client who keeps sending referrals my way 🙌
✨ A retiree denied elsewhere, approved with an asset-based loan 🏡
✨ A disabled Veteran turned down twice, approved + property taxes waived 🇺🇸
✨ A last-minute Rocket Mortgage denial turned into an on-time closing with a 1099-only program 💪
✨ A downsizer at the beach able to move on their timeline 🌊

When others say no, I love finding a way to say YES.

08/01/2025

Another month is in the books and another Top Producer milestone achieved! I'm always humbled to be among such incredible colleagues—but today, I want to share a few July reviews that remind me why I do what I do.
It REALLY matters who you work with—and I couldn’t be prouder of my team. hashtag
***I had the pleasure of working with Amy Fichter of Primary Residential Mortgage on a recent transaction, and she was an outstanding lending partner from start to finish. Amy kept the file updated and on track with clear, timely communication. My clients—located nine hours away—were delighted with her service. She made the process feel smooth and stress-free. I’d gladly work with her again and highly recommend her.
***Thank you so much for your care and expertise through this process. Despite my own uncertainties, you made things stress-free. I confidently walked into closing, and my new home already feels like a sanctuary. As a single woman, I never thought homeownership was possible. I’m so thankful Joy referred me to you!
I'm excited to plant flowers, build a chicken coop, cook, host friends, and embrace both the joys and challenges of homeownership. You are a rockstar—thank you!
***Amy was diligent and responsive. She truly cared about our best interest and went the extra mile for us.
***First time working with Amy! My client had used her before and spoke highly of her professionalism and communication. I experienced the same—top-notch!
***This was our fourth home purchase, and it was by far the smoothest! Amy’s attention to detail and communication made it a stress-free experience. Highly recommend her and her team.
***Thank you for a smooth transaction. Your timely responses and excellent communication stood out.
***Amy is a joy to work with. She always makes time to answer questions, and I recommend her to all my clients.
***Seamless process and excellent communication across the board.

07/24/2025

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Amy Fichter by Mark H - I had the pleasure of working with Amy Fichter of Primary Residential Mortgage on a recent transaction, and she was an outstanding lending partner from start to finish. Amy kept the file updated and on track every step of the way, with clear and timely communication throughout. My clients were absolutely delighted with her service — even more impressive given that they were located nine hours away. Amy made the entire lending process feel smooth and stress-free, regardless of the distance. I would gladly work with her again and highly recommend her to both clients and fellow agents.

Click to see all 395 reviews of Amy Fichter | Retail Branch Manager | Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc., Branch Manager

07/22/2025

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Amy Fichter by Andrew P K - Amy was incredibly diligent and responsive. She genuinely cared about our best interest and took extra steps to make sure we got the best results we could.

Click to see all 394 reviews of Amy Fichter | Retail Branch Manager | Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc., Branch Manager