Lenny Loans

10/30/2024

Freddie
Please
Stop
🛑

10/07/2024

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates made a significant move higher last week after jobs data came in much stronger than expected, showing a resilient labor market with lots of new jobs created and a drop in unemployment. The strong labor data makes Fed rate cuts less necessary, and the reaction in markets pushed mortgage rates higher.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗻 👎
Mortgage rates may continue higher this week because momentum has shifted after last week's jobs data. Although eventually rates will move lower again, we could see some more worsening this week before that happens.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Market momentum: Markets now pricing in the chance that the Fed may not even cut rates at all at the November meeting, which is pressuring mortgage rates higher this week. Traders still believe a quarter point cut is the most likely result, but if concerns about cuts grow from here it will pressure mortgage rates higher in the near term before seeing them move lower again.
- Inflation data: Although not as important as a few months ago, inflation data could help stop rates from rising higher from here. However, the data doesn't come out until late in the week.

09/30/2024

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 👎
Although headlines may still be sharing a bit of delayed results, mortgage rates did indeed move slightly higher since the Fed meeting and rate cut on the 18th. Although that may be a bit confusing, it is because mortgage rates are based on other market factors not set by the Fed or directly tied to the Fed policy rate, and markets had already anticipated the Fed rate cut and accounted for it.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 ⚠️
Mortgage rates haven't moved much since the Fed meeting but that could change this week when markets get to look at the most recent jobs data from September. Depending on what the data shows, mortgage rates may move higher or lower from here.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Labor market data: This week brings quite a few different labor market reports throughout the week, with the biggest one coming on Friday. Signs of labor market weakness could help mortgage rates move lower, while any surprise strength in the labor market could pressure mortgage rates higher.
- Fed speakers: Fed members are out sharing their insight into the economy, labor market and future Fed policy rate cuts, influencing mortgage rates through the week.

09/23/2024

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 👍
Although many consumers mistakenly thought that a half-point rate cut by the Fed to its policy rate meant that mortgage rates would fall, they didn't. In fact we saw some volatility through the week as rates got slightly worse before improving to end the week basically unchanged.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 👍
Mortgage rates are not likely to make any big moves higher or lower this week. Markets continue to digest Fed comments about pending policy rate cuts, but there is little economic data to influence rates this week. The overall outlook is that rates will improve slowly over time, and that we shouldn't expect rates to make any big moves significantly lower anytime soon.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Inflation data: The Fed's favored gauge of inflation, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, will come out on Friday. It is not likely that inflation falls enough to push mortgage rates much lower, but we could see at least a little bit of improvement if the report shows inflation continues to fall.
- Fed speakers: Fed members are out this week sharing their insight into the economy, labor market, and future Fed policy rate cuts.

09/16/2024

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 👍
Mortgage rates continued to move lower last week, but once again it was in small steps rather than seeing big rate drops. Rates were helped last week as reports came out showing inflation rose at the slowest pace since early 2021, as well as markets pricing in the chance of a larger rate cut at the September Fed meeting.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 ⚠️
Mortgage rates are likely to start the week relatively unchanged but have the potential to move lower after the Fed meeting and Fed Chair Powell's press conference on Wednesday. Expect volatility after the meeting and into Thursday.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- The Fed: The Fed will be cutting rates at this week's meeting, with markets now anticipating that cut to be a half point rather than the previously expected quarter point, after an article last week in the Wall St Journal. While mortgage rates are not set by the Fed, they will react to the Fed rate cut as well as the quarterly projections of Fed members on where the policy rate will be in the future.
- Fed press conference: Expect more market reactions to Fed Powell's press conference, which will affect mortgage rates this week.

09/09/2024

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 👍
Mortgage rates moved slightly lower last week after jobs data showed the labor market continues to cool, making a Fed rate cut at this month's meeting almost guaranteed.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 👍
Mortgage rates could improve a bit more this week if inflation data shows inflation continuing to move lower, but we shouldn't look for big drops in rates yet. Next week will bring the Fed meeting, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference, where we will more likely see mortgage rates react.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Inflation data: Wednesday brings consumer inflation data while Thursday brings wholesale inflation data. It is likely that these reports will show that inflation continues to move lower, which is good for mortgage rates.
- The Fed: Although the Fed doesn't meet until next week, markets are currently pricing in the idea that the Fed will start cutting rates with a quarter point rate cut at this meeting. If markets were to anticipate a larger cut, such as a half point cut, we could see mortgage rates move lower in anticipation. However, that doesn't seem likely at this point, with markets instead anticipating bigger cuts later this year.

09/03/2024

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 👍
Mortgage rates moved slightly lower on the week, but not by much, and were basically unchanged throughout the week before heading into the Labor Day holiday.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 ⚠️
Mortgage rates will react to jobs data this week, and any signs that the labor market is weakening will help mortgage rates move lower. However, although it is unlikely to happen this way, if markets were to get any surprises showing the labor market is not as weak as anticipated it could see rates react negatively and move higher on the week.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Labor market data: Wednesday brings the job openings and labor turnover survey (JOLTS), and on Thursday we will see unemployment claims and the ADP private payroll report. But it is Friday's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) jobs data that will cause the most movement in mortgage rates this week.
- Fed rate cuts: Markets will be looking for the jobs data to support the speculation that the Fed will need to start cutting its policy rate at this month's Fed meeting. If the data shows the labor market is weakening worse than expected, speculation of a bigger Fed rate cut could help mortgage rates.

08/29/2024

⚠️ Whether you're getting a mortgage to buy a home or to refinance, these are 4 things you should NOT do...

❌ Make any large purchases like a new car or furniture for your new home
Even if you don't have to pay any interest or make any payments for awhile, new purchases come with new debt that will have to be factored in and can affect qualifying for your loan.

❌ Deposit cash into your bank account
All money into and out of your accounts has be be accounted for during the mortgage process, even if not being used for the mortgage or a down payment. Talk with me about how to document unexpected or large deposits, especially cash deposits.

❌ Quit or change jobs.
Now isn't the time to make a move, even for a better opportunity... at least not without talking to me first about how it can impact your loan.

❌ Open (or even close) credit accounts
Don't take that new store card to save 10% on your purchase, don't pay off old debts or collections, and don't close or pay off any other accounts. Some of these actions can have unexpected consequences to your credit score, so be sure to talk with me first.

✅ Remember, I'm always here to help. If any of these situations comes up and you're thinking of buying or refinancing soon, be sure to reach out to me for guidance.

08/27/2024

08/26/2024

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 👍
Mortgage rates moved slightly lower for the week, although most media sources are still behind the curve and some of the headlines about how low rates are at have been overblown. Rates got a boost on Friday from Fed Chair Powell's comments that "the time has come for policy to adjust".

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 👍
Rates are not likely to make any big moves this week, but could continue to creep lower, usually improving the lender rebate (credit you get towards closing costs or the cost to buy a rate down using points) rather than seeing actual rates move lower.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Economic data: Thursday brings the final 2nd quarter GDP data, and Friday brings the PCE inflation data, which is the Fed's favorite gauge of inflation. Markets didn't react much to the CPI inflation data earlier in the month, which could signal we won't see a big reaction to Friday's data.
- Labor Day: Markets are closed Monday September 2nd, so we could see some conservative rates on Friday this week ahead of the holiday weekend.
- Fed rate cuts: Mortgage rates could react favorably if markets speculate larger Fed rate cuts coming at the September meeting.

08/23/2024

Imagine, for a moment, that you're navigating the mortgage market in August 2024. It's not the easiest time to be in the market, and it's a bit like trying to win over a crowd that’s tough to please. Mortgage rates are significantly higher than they were last year—6.5% to 6.7% for those 30-year fixed loans—and that’s making it difficult for many people to afford a home.

Now, think about this: when things get challenging, as they have with these mortgage rates, people naturally pull back. Mortgage applications have dropped sharply—over 10% in just one week this August. And when it comes to refinancing, the numbers are even more striking, with a decrease of more than 15% in just a week.

But here's the key, and it's something we can all learn from: challenges like these are opportunities in disguise. Just as you would connect with a person by understanding their needs, the same applies here. In a market like this, it’s important to stay positive, understand the factors at play, and approach each step thoughtfully.

Remember, when you focus on the needs and the emotions of the people involved—whether it's yourself, a client, or a family member looking to buy—you can create an environment of trust and opportunity. Stay focused on the end goal, keep a positive attitude, and don’t be discouraged by the tough circumstances. Instead, use them as a way to grow stronger and more resilient​

After all, success in life, much like success in navigating the mortgage market, is about turning challenges into stepping stones.

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