Mortgage Brokers of the South NMLS 2565664

09/14/2026

When you’re buying a home, the appraisal is an important part of the process, providing an independent opinion of the property’s value. Appraisers consider factors such as recent sales of comparable homes, location, size and features, overall condition, and improvements. These details help determine how the home compares with similar properties in the local market. Understanding what goes into an appraisal can help you set realistic expectations, make informed decisions, and feel better prepared for closing.

09/14/2026

September MBS Highway survey: buyer activity and price trends cool

Crystal here with a quick update from the latest MBS Highway National Housing Index.

Housing market activity continued to cool in September. The national index fell from 27 in August to 22 in September, marking its fourth consecutive monthly decline. For perspective, the index reached a seasonal high of 47 back in May.

Both buyer activity and home price direction weakened, falling below August levels and where they were a year ago.

Regionally, the slowdown was widespread. Buyer activity declined in all seven regions, with the largest drops in the Northeast and Southeast. Price direction also weakened in six of the seven regions.

This month’s survey also looked at seller concessions. Nearly half of respondents – 46% – said seller concessions were very common in their markets. Another 42% said they were somewhat common, while just 12% said concessions were rare.

There were some interesting regional differences, though. The Midwest, West, Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest were broadly in line with the national trend, while the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast stood out. In the Mid-Atlantic, 36% said concessions were rare, while that number jumped to 71% in the Northeast.

Of course, every market is different. So, if you’re wondering what these trends mean for our local market, or what they could mean for your buying or financing options, reach out. I’m happy to help you build a plan that’s right for you.

Call now to connect with business.

09/04/2026

Putting more money down can have benefits, but it’s not automatically the best choice for every buyer. A larger down payment means borrowing less and may lower your monthly payment or loan costs. But it also means less cash available for moving expenses, repairs, emergencies, or other goals. The right amount depends on your finances, comfort level, and priorities, not just a target percentage. Comparing different scenarios can help you find the balance that works best for you. Have questions? Send me a message – I’m happy to help!

08/24/2026

There’s more to the cost of homeownership than the price of the home. Property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, maintenance and utilities can all impact your monthly budget. Before you start shopping, consider the full cost of owning a home so you can set a realistic budget, avoid surprises, and find a home that fits comfortably within your finances. Curious what buying could look like for you? Reach out anytime. I’m here to help.

https://plus.preapp1003.com/Crystal-Nay

08/21/2026

Discount points mean paying more upfront for a lower interest rate. For some homeowners, the long-term savings make sense; for others, keeping cash available for a down payment, repairs, or other priorities may be better. The right choice depends on your goals, timeline, and how long you’ll keep the mortgage. I can help you compare the costs and find the strategy that fits your situation. Have questions? Send me a message – I’m happy to help!

08/05/2026

Private employers added 44,000 jobs in July, according to ADP, well below expectations of about 70,000. Hiring rose across businesses of all sizes, though ADP described job growth as "choppy" across industries.

07/31/2026

Buying a home? Once you're under contract, it's important to keep your finances steady until closing. Avoid opening new credit accounts, financing large purchases, or increasing your credit card balances, as these changes could impact your loan approval.

07/27/2026

Many buyers assume that a brand-new home won't have any issues, but that's not always the case. Even newly constructed homes can have defects, incomplete work, or installation problems that may not be obvious during a walkthrough.

A professional home inspection provides an independent evaluation of the property's condition before you finalize the purchase. Inspectors may identify items that need repair, adjustment, or further review, giving you an opportunity to address concerns before closing.

Even in newly built homes, inspectors may uncover issues such as incomplete finishes, plumbing leaks, electrical concerns, HVAC problems, improper grading, or other construction-related items. While many of these issues may be minor, identifying them early can help prevent headaches after move-in.

For many buyers, the cost of a home inspection is a worthwhile investment. The information provided can help reduce surprises, improve confidence in the purchase decision, and create an opportunity to have certain items addressed before taking ownership.

The bottom line: Just because a home is new doesn't mean it's perfect. A professional home inspection can provide valuable insight into the property's condition and help you move forward with greater confidence.

07/25/2026

Hi, this is Crystal Nay with your weekly market update.

There were several notable housing updates this week. After two months of declines, new home sales rose 1.6% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 628,000, coming in above expectations.

Home prices also continued to rise. According to ICE’s latest Home Price Index, U.S. home prices increased 0.26% from June to July, bringing year-over-year appreciation to 1.7%. Since the beginning of the year, prices have been rising at an annualized pace of about 3%, helping homeowners continue to build equity over time. Even modest appreciation can add up: a $500,000 home that increases in value by 3% would gain approximately $15,000 in equity over one year.

Turning to the broader economy, geopolitical concerns have continued to impact oil markets. Reports that the Iran-backed Houthi group proposed a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia raised concerns about potential disruptions to alternative shipping routes, contributing to higher oil prices and increased market volatility.

On the labor front, weekly unemployment claims dropped to 187,000 after holding near the 209,000 to 217,000 range over the past month. While that’s the lowest level since 1969, the data may not tell the full story. Recent changes requiring additional identity and eligibility verification for unemployment benefits may be contributing to delays or cancellations in some filings.

If you're thinking about buying a home, refinancing, or simply have questions about today's market, I'm always here to help.

Mixed-Use: if you will occupy the property, will you set aside space within the property to operate your own business? (e.g., daycare facility, medical office, beauty/barber shop)

07/18/2026

Hi, this is Crystal Nay with your weekly market update.

June brought some welcome inflation news, with both consumer and wholesale inflation coming in lower than expected. Consumer prices fell 0.4% for the month, while annual inflation slowed to 3.5%. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, remained unchanged from May, while wholesale prices also declined, helped by lower energy costs.

This is important because the Fed closely watches inflation when making decisions about its benchmark interest rate. The Fed will continue monitoring inflation trends, labor market conditions, and geopolitical developments in the Middle East as it evaluates future policy decisions.

In housing, pending home sales, which measure signed contracts on existing homes, declined 5.4% from May to June, ending a four-month streak of gains. The report highlights just how sensitive buyers remain to mortgage rates and affordability.

Housing starts made a strong comeback in June, rising 19% after a steep drop in May and beating expectations. Building permits, a leading indicator of future construction, dipped 3%. Builders remain cautious as affordability challenges, elevated mortgage rates, and higher construction costs continue to create headwinds for new home construction.

Looking at the broader economy, retail sales rose 0.2% in June. Lower gas prices reduced sales at gas stations, but excluding gasoline purchases, retail sales increased a stronger 0.7%, suggesting consumer spending remains resilient despite ongoing economic uncertainty.

Finally, oil prices moved higher as tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalated, making energy prices another trend worth watching in the weeks ahead.

If you're thinking about buying a home, refinancing, or simply have questions about today's market, I'm always here to help

Mixed-Use: if you will occupy the property, will you set aside space within the property to operate your own business? (e.g., daycare facility, medical office, beauty/barber shop)