James Branden Branch Manager NMLS# 1093017 NEXA Lending, LLC

03/14/2026

🚨 BIG NEWS from Washington: New Housing Policy Could Impact the Mortgage Market

A new policy from the White House is aiming to make mortgages more accessible, faster to close, and less expensive for lenders to originate. While these changes won’t happen overnight, they could reshape the mortgage landscape over the next few years.

Here are the 3 biggest takeaways for buyers and homeowners:

🏦 More Lenders May Enter the Market
The proposal aims to reduce regulatory burdens on community banks and smaller lenders. That could bring more lenders back into mortgage lending and increase competition.

⚡ Faster, More Streamlined Closings
The policy encourages modernizing mortgage processes with digital signatures, remote online notarization, and fewer disclosure delays. This could help reduce last-minute closing issues.

📉 Appraisals Could Become Faster & More Affordable
Regulators are being asked to expand the use of desktop and hybrid appraisals, AI valuation tools, and reduce appraisal requirements on low-risk transactions.

💡 What this means:
More lender competition, faster mortgage processing, and potentially easier access to home financing.

⚠️ Important Note:
This does not go into effect immediately, because it is an Executive Order directing federal agencies to propose rule changes, not an instant law change. Realistic timeline: 12-36 months before buyers or lenders see them implemented.

Access full article here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/promoting-access-to-mortgage-credit/

If you’re thinking about buying a home this year, it’s a great time to understand your options and get prepared.

📩 Start your loan application here:
https://prod.lendingpad.com/nexa/pos #/?loid=3dad20de-85fe-4343-887e-032ead4ca89e

💬 Have questions? Ask a mortgage professional:
https://www.nolimithomeloans.com/ask-a-professional/

03/14/2026

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03/14/2026

📈 Mortgage Rates Jumped Fast — Here’s What Happened

Just two weeks ago, mortgage rates were sitting at 3-year lows. Now they’ve climbed to 7-month highs. So what changed?

Here are the 3 quick takeaways from this week’s market update:

1️⃣ Rising Oil Prices Are Driving Inflation Concerns
Global tensions involving Iran have pushed oil prices higher, which raises the cost of transporting goods worldwide. When inflation expectations rise, mortgage rates usually follow.

2️⃣ Oil & Mortgage Rates Sometimes Move Together
Oil and rates don’t always move in lockstep, but they share many of the same drivers like economic growth and inflation expectations. Right now, those forces are pushing rates upward.

3️⃣ The Fed Won’t Be Cutting Rates Anytime Soon
The Federal Reserve meets next week, but with inflation risks rising, a rate cut is extremely unlikely. Even when the Fed does cut, it doesn’t automatically mean mortgage rates fall.

💡 The big takeaway: Markets are reacting to global events, and mortgage rates can move quickly in either direction.

🏡 Thinking about buying a home this year?

There are still smart strategies to make today’s market work, including:
✔ Seller concessions
✔ Temporary rate buydowns
✔ Refinance strategies when rates improve

Let’s build a plan that works for your budget and timeline.

👉 Start your application here:
https://prod.lendingpad.com/nexa/pos #/?loid=3dad20de-85fe-4343-887e-032ead4ca89e

👉 Have questions? Ask a professional:
https://www.nolimithomeloans.com/ask-a-professional/

03/01/2026

📉 Mortgage Rates Just Set a Different Kind of Record

1️⃣ Rates Hit Multi-Year Lows And Stayed There

Earlier this year (January 9th), rates briefly dipped to 5.99% and then quickly bounced back above 6.20% within two weeks.

This week was different.

**The index hit 5.99% on Monday
**It never moved above 6.00%
**The entire weekly range was 5.99%–6.00%

That’s an incredibly tight range.

2️⃣ This Is a Volatility Record (And That’s a Good Thing)

Since daily tracking began more than 15 years ago, this was the narrowest weekly range ever recorded following a move to multi-year lows.

Why does that matter? Normally, when rates hit long-term lows:
*They move fast
*They bounce quickly
*Some buyers miss the window
*This time, the window stayed open

That stability gives buyers and refinancers time to:
*Run numbers
*Lock strategically
*Make confident decisions

3️⃣ Next Week Could Change Everything

This week’s improvement happened without major economic news driving it.

But next week is different. The first week of every month brings several top-tier reports, especially the jobs report. Historically, no report moves rates more than jobs data.

That means:

-Volatility could return
-Rates could improve further
-Or we could see a bounce higher
-Markets don’t stay this calm forever

What This Means for You | We are currently sitting at:

✅ The lowest rates since August 2022

✅ Historically rare stability at those levels

⚠️ A potentially volatile week ahead

If you’ve been waiting for:

*Lower payments
*Better buying power
*A refinance opportunity
*Or clearer market direction

This is one of the cleanest windows we’ve seen in years.

📞 Let’s Build Your Game Plan

Before next week’s economic reports hit, let’s run your numbers.

Whether you're buying, refinancing, or just exploring options, now is the time to understand your strategy.

👉 Start your application here:
https://prod.lendingpad.com/nexa/pos #/?loid=3dad20de-85fe-4343-887e-032ead4ca89e

👉 Have questions? Let’s talk:
https://www.nolimithomeloans.com/ask-a-professional/

The market just gave us something rare:
Low rates AND stability.

Use this form to receive FREE advice from an experienced professional regarding any Mortgage and/or Real Estate related topics.

02/21/2026

https://www.nolimithomeloans.com/%f0%9f%93%89-rates-at-3-year-lows-even-after-a-wild-week-in-the-markets/

SCOTUS's ruling on tariffs brought mortgage rates down to the lowest levels in 3-Years. Check the info in the above link and hit me up.

02/06/2026

🏦 Will a New Fed Chair Make Mortgage Rates Drop? Let’s Clear the Noise.

🔹 Key Point #1: A New Fed Chair ≠ Lower Mortgage Rates
Even if a new Fed Chair is more “rate-cut friendly,” Fed rate cuts don’t directly lower mortgage rates. By the time the Fed actually cuts, the bond market has already priced it in. Mortgage rates move before the Fed acts, not after.

🔹 Key Point #2: Why the “Fed Cuts = Lower Mortgage Rates” Myth Persists
History tells a different story. In late 2024, mortgage rates hit long-term lows the day before the Fed cut rates… then climbed higher while the Fed kept cutting. Markets trade expectations, not announcements.

🔹 Key Point #3: What Actually Moved Rates This Week
Weak labor market data came out this week and rates love bad economic news. That’s why Thursday was the best day for mortgage rates. Now all eyes are on next week’s jobs report, which could either push rates lower… or reverse the gains quickly.

💡 Bottom line: Don’t base major financial decisions on headlines or Fed speculation. Timing the market is tough and strategy matters more.

📲 If you want real-time guidance based on what rates are actually doing, not rumors, I’m always happy to help.

Click here for full article: https://mortgageratesweekly.com/james-branden/69863988fb556ce595f7c33e?s=em

With the announcement that Trump nominated Kevin Warsh to be the new Fed Chair, there's a lot of misinformation and speculation making the rounds regarding the potential impact on mortgage rates. Let's clear it up.

01/02/2026

📉 Mortgage Rates Close Out 2025 on a Lower Note

Mortgage rates quietly gave borrowers some good news to end the year. Here’s what matters most 👇

• 30-Year Fixed Hits Its Lowest Point of 2025
Rates started the year near 7% but finished at 6.15%, the lowest level seen all year with a meaningful shift heading into 2026.

• Refinance Activity Picked Up Fast When Rates Dipped
Borrowers jumped on even small drops in rates, with refi volume spiking in September to its highest level since 2022.

• 2026 Outlook: Stability With a Chance for More Relief
Most forecasts expect rates to stay around the mid-6% range, but some projections see 30-year rates dipping below 6% next year which will be a big deal for buyers and homeowners alike.

💡 Thinking about buying, refinancing, or planning your next move in 2026? Strategy matters more than timing alone.

📩 DM me or click the link to see what options make sense for you. 316.295.9100 /

Shop for your new home loan or refinance an existing mortgage in Wichita KS. We offer many lending options with great rates and exceptional service.

12/06/2025

🚨 Are Rates About to Make a Move? The Fed’s December 10th Meeting Could Be a Game-Changer

The upcoming Fed announcement is shaping up to be the most interesting one in over a year and for once, the outcome isn’t a sure thing. 👀

Here’s what you need to know:

🔹 A Surprise Is Possible
Markets are only pricing in an 85% chance of a rate cut which is far lower than usual. That means the Fed could surprise everyone and surprises can move mortgage rates quickly.

🔹 A Rate Cut Doesn’t Guarantee Lower Mortgage Rates
Sounds crazy, right?
But the Fed’s dot plot and the Chair’s comments may signal fewer future cuts which can actually push mortgage rates up, even if the Fed cuts next week.

🔹 Unusual Economic Data Timing = Volatile Market
Thanks to the recent government shutdown, key job data is coming out of order. That means markets are on edge, watching every release closely, including Tuesday’s Job Openings data and the delayed jobs report on Dec 16th.

👉 If you’re a homeowner, buyer, or investor, this is the update you can’t afford to miss.

Read my full breakdown here:
📄 Full Article: https://mortgageratesweekly.com/james-branden/69334909fb556ce595e35198?s=em

🌐 Webpage Overview: https://www.nolimithomeloans.com/are-rates-about-to-make-a-move-because-of-the-fed/

If you want clarity on whether now is the right time to buy, refinance, or access equity, message or call me anytime. I’m here to help you make the smartest move possible. 316.295.9100

Please note that this newsletter is fiercely apolitical. There is no judgment on whether any given political development is good or bad. We are only interested in how financial and housing markets are reacting. December 10th will be the most interesting Fed announcement in more than a year. It’s t...

05/05/2025

https://mortgageratesweekly.com/james-branden/681534b20c59d6e646a8fdd3?s=em

Whether you refer to it as "strong," or "not as bad as feared," this week's economic reports were better than the market was prepared for. The result is moderately higher rates.

05/02/2025

Tips to avoid mortgage fraud
Contact me to discuss the latest scoop in real estate!

05/02/2025

2025 Mortgage Rate Forecast: Expected Trends

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