Cindy Jaramillo- Hablo Español NMLS 1123902

Cindy Jaramillo- Hablo Español NMLS 1123902 Branch Production Manager at Revolution Mortgage (NMLS # 1686046)

08/05/2026

The Federal Reserve met on July 29th and as expected decided to leave interest rates unchanged. And right on cue the question I am getting from buyers is does that mean mortgage rates are coming down now?

Here is the honest answer: not necessarily. And understanding why matters for anyone trying to make a smart decision about buying or refinancing right now.

Mortgage rates are not directly controlled by the Federal Reserve. They are influenced by a combination of factors including bond market movement, inflation expectations, and the overall health of the economy. The Fed's decision to hold rates steady is one input among many and the mortgage market frequently prices in expected Fed decisions well before the meeting even happens.

That is why you can sometimes see mortgage rates move in the opposite direction of what you might expect from a Fed announcement. The market is always looking ahead.

Here is what I am seeing on the ground right now. Buyers are continuing to move forward. They are not waiting for a perfect rate environment because many of them understand that waiting for perfect can mean missing out on equity, appreciation, and the stability that comes with owning your own home.

If you or someone you know has been sitting on the sidelines waiting to time the market perfectly it may be worth having a real conversation about your options. Every situation is different. Having a clear plan based on your specific goals and financial picture is what actually helps you make the best decision for you and your family.

Reach out anytime. I am happy to walk through your situation together.

07/29/2026

Some of your buyers may qualify for a zero down loan today even if they did not qualify just a few weeks ago. And this is worth paying attention to right now.

USDA recently announced updated income limits for its Single Family Guaranteed Loan Program with the new limits taking effect on July 13, 2026. In many parts of the country this means more households may now qualify for USDA financing, which offers 100 percent financing with no down payment required for eligible buyers.

This is not a minor adjustment. If you have had buyers sitting on the sidelines because they were just over the income limit before July 13th it is absolutely worth taking another look at their situation right now.

Here is the important detail to keep in mind. USDA income limits are based on the property's county and household size so the exact qualifying thresholds vary depending on where your client is buying. A buyer who did not qualify in one county may qualify in a neighboring one. And a buyer who was just over the limit before the update may now be comfortably under it.

Zero down payment. No private mortgage insurance structured like conventional PMI. Competitive rates. USDA financing is one of the most powerful tools available for buyers purchasing in eligible areas and the updated income limits just expanded who can access it.

If you have a client you are not sure about reach out and I will run the numbers to see if they qualify. No pressure and no obligation.

07/22/2026

Should you tap your home equity instead of refinancing your whole mortgage? Right now millions of homeowners are saying yes and the data shows exactly why.

The brand-new Mortgage Monitor just found that second-lien borrowing hit an 18-year high with more than half of all equity now being pulled through HELOCs and home equity loans. That is not a coincidence. That is millions of homeowners making a very smart financial decision.

Here is the thinking behind it. If you locked in a low first mortgage rate a few years ago refinancing your entire loan would mean giving that golden rate away permanently. A HELOC or a second mortgage lets you keep that low rate completely intact while still accessing the cash you need for whatever your goals are. Home improvements, debt consolidation, helping a family member, investing in another property. The equity is yours and now there is a way to use it without sacrificing the rate you worked hard to lock in.

And the timing makes this even more compelling. HELOC rates recently hit their most attractive level since 2022 making that cash easier and less expensive to reach than it has been in years. With trillions in home equity sitting available across the country this is a powerful tool that more homeowners should be exploring right now.

Reach out and let's look at what your equity could do for you without touching your existing mortgage rate.

07/21/2026

Higher mortgage rates have slowed some activity in the housing market. But that does not mean opportunity has disappeared. Not even close.

A slower market creates conditions that simply did not exist during peak competition. Less competition from other buyers means your offer is not going up against five others the same day. More time to make decisions means you are not pressured into waiving inspections or making choices you will regret. And greater flexibility when negotiating with sellers means terms, credits, and concessions that were off the table entirely twelve months ago are now genuinely available.

The key is focusing on what is actually happening in your local market rather than reacting to national headlines that may have nothing to do with the specific neighborhood or price range you are targeting.

On the lifestyle side there is an important trend worth knowing about. A recent National Association of Realtors survey found that 89 percent of people value sidewalks and places to walk and 63 percent said they would pay more to live near parks, shops, and restaurants. For agents that means highlighting the lifestyle around a property can be just as powerful as promoting the home itself. The walkability and community context of a listing is increasingly a deciding factor for buyers.

If you have buyers who want to review their options in today's market send me a message. The opportunity is there for the buyers who are paying attention and prepared to act.

07/15/2026

You may have seen some headlines recently about the new federal housing bill called the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Let me give you the simple, clear picture of what it actually means and why it matters for buyers, sellers, and investors right now.

The big picture is straightforward. This bill is focused on helping create more housing supply over time. It does that through several specific mechanisms. Speeding up certain construction reviews to reduce the time and cost it takes to get new homes built. Encouraging more housing options like townhomes and duplexes that can add meaningful inventory in areas where single family homes alone cannot keep up with demand. Limiting how many single-family homes the largest institutional investors can purchase, which helps level the playing field for everyday buyers competing against large corporate buyers. And reducing some of the costs tied to manufactured homes, which expands affordable homeownership options for more families.

Now this does not mean home prices are going to change overnight. Housing supply takes time to develop and the effects of this legislation will be gradual rather than immediate. But what it does show is that affordability and inventory challenges are being taken seriously at the federal level. That is meaningful.

For buyers, sellers, and investors this is a good reminder that the market is still moving and evolving. The people who are prepared, educated, and working with the right team are going to be in the best position to take advantage of what comes next regardless of how the market shifts.

Reach out if you have questions about how this affects your specific situation.

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