Paul Olbrantz, Mortgage Advisor

Paul Olbrantz, Mortgage Advisor As brokers, we do the rate shopping for you so you can focus on finding your dream house!

We pride ourselves on exceeding our customer's expectations in finding the best rates, service, and options for a home loan that's right for you. Whether you want the lowest rate possible, a large amount of guidance, or a more complex financing package, we realize you are unique and we'll work with you to form a loan that is exclusively for you. We distinguish ourselves from others in our industr

y by providing WOW service, communication, and knowledge of home financing. We realize that buying or refinancing a home can be a stressful process without guidance and expertise todays constantly changing lending world. As your professional loan team, we are up-to-date on current lending guidelines, practices, and programs so that we can offer you the best advice and help you through the home loan process stress-free. Our goal is that you will be so impressed with our way of doing business that you will gladly tell your friends and family; our business is built on your referrals and we aim to have our clients for life.

08/31/2026

� Happy Monday! Here’s your Mortgage & Housing Market Update.

We’re kicking off the week with rates around:

� VA: 6.25% | APR 6.492%
� FHA: 6.125% | APR 6.879%
� Conventional: 6.625% | APR 6.787%
� Jumbo: 6.50% | APR 6.625%

Rates shown with no points, 780 FICO, and 25% down on Conventional and Jumbo.

� FAQ MONDAY: What can I do with the equity in my home?

Your home equity can be a powerful financial tool. Depending on your situation, you may be able to use it to consolidate high-interest debt, access cash for major expenses, or restructure your overall finances.

That doesn't automatically mean refinancing your first mortgage. There are different ways to access equity, and the key is comparing the costs and figuring out which strategy actually improves your financial position.

� HOME VALUES

The latest Case-Shiller data showed U.S. home prices increased 0.4% from May to June and are approximately 1.5% higher than a year ago.

� INFLATION

PCE inflation came in roughly as expected, with both headline and core PCE increasing 0.2% for the month.

� BIG WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday: JOLTS Job Openings
Wednesday: ADP Employment + Mortgage Applications
Thursday: Jobless Claims
Friday: BLS Jobs Report �

Employment data can have a major impact on mortgage rates, so Friday will be one to watch.

Your mortgage shouldn't just be about getting a loan—it should be part of a bigger plan.

That’s why I offer a Hopes & Dreams Strategy Session. We talk about where you are today, where you want to go, and how real estate and mortgage planning can potentially help you get there.

No pressure. No obligation. Just a conversation and a strategy.

� Message me to schedule your Hopes & Dreams Strategy Session.

08/27/2026

Morning hike. Great podcast. Even better reminder.

I was listening to Gavin Ekstrom from Impact Elite Coaching this morning, and two things really stuck with me:

1. Every day, do something hard AND something emotional.

The “hard” part makes sense to me. My ADD brain is really good at finding 15 other things to do when there’s one difficult thing I know I need to tackle. Then I wonder why I’m frustrated or not growing.

But the emotional part caught me off guard.

His example was simple: send someone a genuine text telling them what you appreciate about them.

That hit me.

2. Learn to genuinely compliment people.

I realized something about myself: sometimes I’m general with my compliments and very specific with my critiques.

“He’s a great guy, BUT…”

Why not reverse that?

Be specific about what’s GREAT in people. Tell them exactly what you appreciate. Tell them what they’re doing right.

And by the way, that doesn’t just apply to how we treat other people. It applies to how we talk to ourselves too.

So that’s my challenge today:

Do something hard.
Do something emotional.
Find something genuinely good in someone—and tell them.

Great way to start the morning.

Today, I already won. I woke up early, got outside, learned something, and now it’s time to go put it into practice.

08/24/2026

📉 MORTGAGE MARKET UPDATE | AUGUST 24, 2026

Here’s where rates opened this week:

VA: 6.375% | APR 6.402%
FHA: 6.25% | APR 6.987%
Conventional: 6.75% | APR 6.871%
Jumbo: 6.375% | APR 6.487%

Three things you need to know this week:

🏦 The Fed: Three Fed members voted to raise rates. Nobody voted to cut.

🏠 Buyer demand: Demand is pulling back, which could mean less competition and more negotiating power for buyers right now.

📊 Friday matters: We have a major economic report coming Friday that could make it one of the most important days for mortgage rates this year.

And remember: the lowest rate isn’t always the best deal. Rate, APR, fees, loan structure, and your long-term strategy all matter.

I break it all down in this week’s video.

▶️ Watch the full market update

Thinking about buying, selling, or refinancing? Reach out. We can run the numbers and build a strategy around your goals.

Smart people research. Brilliant people verify.

Paul Olbrantz
Clear 2 Close Brokers

Rates as of August 24, 2026. No points. Conventional and Jumbo scenarios assume 25% down and 780 FICO. Rates and APRs are subject to change and are not a commitment to lend. Equal Housing Opportunity.

08/24/2026

Mortgage rates, Fed policy, and what's actually happening with buyer demand — your weekly market update for the week of August 24, 2026.

� TODAY'S MORTGAGE RATES — 30-YEAR FIXED
VA .................. 6.375% (APR 6.402%)
FHA ................. 6.25% (APR 6.987%)
Conventional ........ 6.75% (APR 6.871%)
Jumbo ............... 6.375% (APR 6.487%)

Notice the FHA line — the lowest rate on the board with the highest APR. That gap is mortgage insurance, and it's the reason the advertised rate never tells the whole story. Also worth seeing: Jumbo is pricing BELOW Conventional this week.

This week the Fed released the minutes from its July meeting, and the detail nobody expected: three members wanted to RAISE rates. Not one argued for a cut. Meanwhile, mortgage applications show buyers stepping back — which is creating a window worth understanding if you're shopping for a home right now.

I break down what's behind these numbers, why the Fed does not set your mortgage rate, and why Friday's Jackson Hole speech may move rates more than anything happening in housing.

WHAT'S COVERED
- Today's rates across VA, FHA, Conventional and Jumbo — rate AND APR
- Should you pay points to buy down your rate?
- Fed minutes: why three members wanted a rate hike
- Why mortgage rates follow the bond market, not the Fed
- Mortgage applications: what falling buyer demand means for you
- The economic data this week that can move rates
- Jackson Hole Friday — and why it matters to your payment

WHO THIS IS FOR
First-time home buyers, anyone shopping for a mortgage, homeowners considering a refinance, real estate agents who want to explain rates to clients with confidence, and anyone tracking the 30-year fixed.


Have a question about your specific situation? Comment below or reach out — happy to walk through the numbers with you.

Paul Olbrantz | Clear 2 Close Brokers
� [email protected]
� 707-494-7017


Rates shown are as of August 24, 2026, assume no points, 25% down payment for Jumbo and Conventional, and a 780 FICO score. Rates and APRs are subject to change without notice and are not a commitment to lend. Actual rate, APR and payment depend on credit score, loan amount, loan-to-value, occupancy, property type, points and other factors. Not all applicants will qualify. Equal Housing Opportunity.

08/17/2026

Thinking about buying a home in 2026? � This week’s mortgage and housing market update covers current mortgage rates, home-buying credit requirements, inflation, existing home sales, and what could move mortgage rates next.
One of the biggest questions homebuyers ask: Can I buy a house with less-than-perfect credit? The answer may surprise you. You don’t necessarily need perfect credit to qualify for a mortgage. FHA, VA, conventional, and jumbo loans all have different guidelines, and lenders look at much more than just your credit score.
� Current Mortgage Rates
• VA Loan: 6.125% | APR 6.345%
• FHA Loan: 6.125% | APR 6.834%
• Conventional Loan: 6.625% | APR 6.651%
• Jumbo Loan: 6.375% | APR 6.487%
Rates shown with no points and assume a 780 FICO score. Conventional and Jumbo scenarios assume 25% down. Rates and terms are subject to change.
In this video, I also break down the latest Existing Home Sales report, CPI inflation data, housing inventory, and the economic reports coming this week that could impact mortgage interest rates and home affordability.
If you're wondering how much house you can afford, what credit score you need to buy a home, which mortgage program is best, or whether now is a good time to buy a house, let’s build a strategy around your specific situation.
� Schedule a Home Buying Strategy Session:
https://calendly.com/clear2closebrokers/hopes-and-dreams-meeting-clone-2

08/17/2026

Mt. Burdell, take two. Last time up here I was stuck in the fog. Today was different — fog still down in the valley, but clear skies up top.

5.5 months post-knee surgery. 4.5 months out from stem cells + PRP. The body is coming back stronger every week, and I’m finally feeling the gratitude for that choice instead of just the grind of it. Tests coming up — feeling good about where I’m at. 🏔️

08/16/2026

🏡 OPEN HOUSE | 208 San Andreas Drive, Novato

If location and lifestyle matter to you, this one is hard to beat.

Harvest Market, Chinese food, Subway, Ace Hardware — all right across the street. Step out the back door and you have access to some of Novato’s best hiking. Walk a block up the street and you’re at the Bay Club.

And today, special guest Danielle Olbrantz gives us a tour of the property!

Stick around until the end because I break down the financing and explain what makes this townhouse unique — and potentially more desirable from a financing perspective for homebuyers.

Whether you’re just starting to think about buying or you’re actively looking, your first step should be a Strategy Session.

No application.
No documentation.
No commitment.
No credit pull.

We sit down, talk through your goals, answer your questions, and build a plan. Sometimes the smallest tweak in your strategy can save you thousands of dollars.

Smart people research. Brilliant people verify.

Reach out and let’s put a strategy together. 🏡

Address

1425 N McDowell Boulevard Ste 213
Petaluma, CA
94954

Telephone

+17074947017

Website

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