The Mortgage Page - Andrew Buno

02/27/2026

Did you know mortgage rates follow the 10 year treasury bond and not necessarily the Fed Rates?

We've seen the 10 year dip below 4% a few times over the last 12 months, which created an opportunity window for rate and term refinances that actually make sense.

If you bought within the last 3 years, it may be a good time to look into reducing your interest rate - especially if you're in an FHA or VA loan.

FHA and VA rate reductions are streamlined to where you don't need an appraisal or income verification. If the loan makes financial sense, you qualify for it.

If you're in a conventional loan, we could look at possibly removing PMI and reducing the rate as well.

Reducing your rate and or PMI can save you money monthly - if you're comfortable with your payment, we can look at shortening the term. Keep your payment the same, pay it off years faster, save 10's if not 100's of thousands in interest.

The time of 7%+ mortgages are in the past, brighter days seem to be ahead!

02/03/2026

New Fed Chairman has been nominated. Do we hope for lower rates? Yes - however nothing is guaranteed.

If you're a homeowner above 6.5% - it's a good time to consider looking at reducing your rate. If you're above 7% it's more than likely a no brainer.

Reduce your rate and payment while the market allows instead of gambling and waiting for lower rates. Nothing is guaranteed - if you can save money now, it makes sense.

If rates go up while you're waiting on the sideline - you're stuck in the higher rate and payments until they come back down. Opportunity costs...

You can always reduce your rate again when and IF rates continue to go down.

You don't have to add thousands to your loan to lower your rate and you don't have to go back to a 30 year term either - there's flexible options that make sense depending on your goals.

Ask me about what is available! We're sitting at a good spot for most who closed in the summer of 2023 up until recent.

Home shoppers waiting for significantly lower mortgage rates this year may be disappointed, even if the next Federal Reserve chair wants to lower interest rates.

01/23/2026

Congratulations to one of my buyers on their accepted offer!

USDA Rural Development Loan - 100% Financing AND the seller is covering all closing costs! Only thing out of pocket for the buyer is the appraisal and earnest money deposit. Monthly payments in line with what they were wanting as well...

Affordability is still a thing !

Next steps; processing, underwriting, and closing.

01/22/2026

Mortgage market is always changing - Sad to see these products go away/change - they do help first time homebuyers with affordability.

With that said, I'm sure something new will come in to take the place of One+ (one % down payment program)

There are still other grants, down payment assistance programs, and low down payment options available - this isn't the end of the world - just a slight change.

Curious on eligibility for down payment assistance? Give me a call! I'm happy to help

Stay tuned for what may replace these two products, whenever something gets removed, something usually gets added - lets see how this plays out!

01/21/2026

New guideline change - properties owned under an LLC are now eligible for a 7 day closing HELOC - previously it must've been held in your name personally.

Quick product highlight:

- Home Equity Line of Credit (doesn't change your first mortgage)
- Fast closings (receive funds as quickly as 4 days after application)
- Electronically connect bank statement for proof of income
(no need for W2's/paystubs/tax returns)
- No appraisal needed (desktop appraisal is used)
- Can be used for primary, 2nd homes, and investment homes

This is a great loan if you need equity fast and don't want to touch your first mortgage rate.

01/09/2026

Big mortgage news today…

For the first time since COVID, the government is stepping back into the mortgage market.

The plan is for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy up to $200 billion of mortgage bonds.
That may sound boring - but here’s what it really means:

👉 When the government buys mortgage bonds, it pushes mortgage rates lower
👉 Lower rates = lower monthly payments
👉 Lower payments = more buyers able to qualify

This is basically the same type of tool that helped drive rates into the 2–3% range a few years ago - and it hasn’t been used since 2022.

Will rates crash overnight?
No.
But this is a clear signal that the government wants housing to move again and wants borrowing to get cheaper.

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for rates to come down, this is one of the biggest moves we’ve seen in a long time that could actually make that happen.

I’ll be watching it closely 👀
If you want to know what this means for your buying power or refinancing options, just shoot me a message.

FHFA Director Bill Pulte says Fannie and Freddie will buy bonds from the public market.

12/26/2025

Wishing everyone a great holiday season - perfect time for rest, relaxation, reflection and goal/intention setting for the new year. If home ownership is on your 2026 bingo sheet - give me a call! With my recent ACL/MCL tear, I've got nothing but time to help crunch numbers and see what your new year could look like.

12/15/2025

I've been in the industry for a decade now, recently moved over to Clear2 Mortgage back in July and hit the ground running.

The last 3 consecutive months I have hit the "$2 Million Supper Club" with November finishing third in fundings out of roughly 30-35 loan officers.

Some who have been with the company a few years, some who are also just getting started.

I don't say all of this to toot my own horn (maybe I am) I say this because it shows what can happen when you have a company behind you who is also aligned with your values, morals, and ethics.

Mortgages isn't easy, but it also isn't rocket science. Things either make sense, or they don't - my job is to build trust with my clients so they know their biggest financial purchase of their lives is in good hands.

To anyone who has trusted me with their finances or even reached out to have a conversation - Thank you - if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be where I am today. Same goes to realtors and referral partners.

As the year wraps up, intention and goal setting has been on my mind.

2026 I have a goal to help 100 families.

If you, or anybody you know, needs guidance or has questions around mortgages - please reach out! Numbers aside, the greatest joy in this career is helping real everyday Americans achieve homeownership.

Proud of the growth, humbled by the trust, and motivated for what's next.

10/29/2025

Huge congrats to my first time home buyer!

What's great about this, we were able to get him approved for a first time homebuyer grant that only requires a 1% down payment. ($4,120 in free grant money!)

Cash needed at closing is less than his current rent payment 😳

Closing on Halloween Day - that's a SCARY good loan structure!

If you feel homeownership is out of reach - give me a call, there's programs out there to help with affordability.

10/25/2025

I just spoke with a teacher and afterwards it had me thinking.. My SO and I have a young child at home and I understand it can get stressful, overwhelming and overstimulating at times.

Teachers have that, times 20-30.

Multiple individuals with their own specific needs, personalities, and gifts.

Teachers do a lot for our youth and are underpaid for the value they provide.

This post is a thank you to our teachers. You are valued, even if it sometimes doesn't feel like it.

As a thank you, to try and help make your life easier - we have a specific loan product to help you become a homeowner.

Reach out if you have any questions - I'll be available all weekend to answer any financial questions you may have.

(Not discrediting the value of other public service - you're all valued! The conversation just hit home on what it must be like having to be a caregiver, teacher, mentor to many individuals all at once!)

10/01/2025

📉 Mortgage Market Update 📈

You may have seen the recent news about the Fed reducing rates. Here’s what that really means for mortgages:

Mortgage rates don’t directly follow the Fed rate—they track the 10-year Treasury bond. Leading up to the Fed’s announcement, lenders had already priced in the anticipated reduction. As a result, mortgage rates ticked up slightly after the announcement, but they are now trending back down.

👉 The good news? Rates are still hovering around an 11-month low.

✅ If you’re currently in a higher-rate mortgage, this could be a great time to explore refinancing and locking in some monthly savings.

✅ If you’re thinking about buying, today’s market is working in buyers’ favor—you may be able to negotiate seller concessions or even get under contract below list price.

Keep in mind: once rates drop more significantly, buyer competition will increase, and home prices are likely to climb.

💡 Acting now could put you ahead of the crowd. If you’d like a free mortgage review, send me a message and we’ll see what savings or opportunities might be available for you.