They Needed More Space but Didn’t Think They Could Buy: A Utah Multigenerational Homebuying Success Story
For Kristina, buying a home in Utah wasn't just about becoming a homeowner. It was about finding a place where her family could finally have room to live, grow, and be together.
Why Didn't Rates Fall After This Week's Jobs Report?
It's been a bumpy ride for interest rates recently, and while this week was no exception, the pace subsided slightly. Nonetheless, rates moved higher with Wednesday seeing the highest average 30yr fixed rates since November 1, 2023. On the bright side, that's a lot better than the story in 10yr Treasury yields, which hit their highest level since 2002.
Why Rates Almost hit 7.5% This Week, And Is The Worst Over?
At 9:44am ET on Wednesday, this week's rate story was mostly about waiting for next week's economic data. At 9:45, an unlikely report made the wait a lot more uncomfortable.
Doctor Loans: The Mortgage Built for Medical Professionals
Becoming a doctor can come with a unique financial situation. You may have a strong career ahead of you while also carrying significant student loan debt, having limited savings after years of training, or just beginning to earn your full professional income.
Mortgage Rates Barely Budged in Response to Fed Rate Hike
It's a common refrain in this newsletter: The Fed does not hike/cut mortgage rates and the two can often move in opposite directions in the short-term.
Utah Mortgage Rates vs. Closing Costs: What Should Homebuyers Focus On?
Utah homebuyers comparing mortgage interest rates, closing costs, discount points, and lender credits should consider both the monthly payment and the total cost of the loan. The lowest advertised mortgage rate is not always the most cost-effective choice.
Oil and Inflation Push Mortgage Rates to Highest Levels Since Early 2025
Mortgage rates moved sharply higher this week, ultimately reaching their highest levels since early 2025. Most of the damage took place on Wednesday and Thursday, but Friday ultimately made things slightly worse. The average top-tier 30yr fixed rate rose almost a quarter of a percent in total.
Is Fear of Commitment Keeping You from Buying a Home in Utah?
Buying a home is a major decision, and it is normal to feel hesitant. For many first-time homebuyers in Utah, the biggest obstacle is not necessarily credit, a down payment, or mortgage rates. Sometimes it is simply the fear of making a long-term commitment.
Highest Mortgage Rates in 15 Months, But Some Push Back on Fed Hike Expectations
Mortgage rates hit their highest level since June 2025 this week. While that milestone sounds ominous, it was the product of gradual movement and logical motivations.
Jackson Hole Jump For Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates were on track for a fairly uneventful week until Friday morning, when a speech from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh triggered a sharp bond market sell-off. The average top-tier 30yr fixed rate jumped to its highest level in just over 3 weeks.
New Construction vs. Existing Homes in Utah: What You Should Know Before You Decide
Is it smarter to build a new home or buy an existing one? Both options can work, but they offer different experiences, costs, and long-term considerations. The best choice depends on your budget, lifestyle, and priorities.
Mountains vs Molehills: What Rates Really Cared About This Week
Mortgage rates ended the week moderately higher, but things could have been slightly worse without Wednesday's surprisingly sharp drop in longer-term Treasury yields (a key benchmark for mortgage rates). The cause was an announcement about Treasury's bond buyback program--a subject that made far more noise than its lasting impact warranted.
Debt Consolidation: Using Your Home Equity to Consolidate
Have you ever thought about consolidating all your debt into a single payment? When you consolidate debt, you use money from a new loan to pay off debts from other sources like credit cards and medical bills. Consolidating lets you make one payment to one lender, which makes bills easier to manage. A Cash-Out refinance mortgage allows you to pay off your existing mortgage as well as any other liabilities in your name and then establishes a new loan that you will make monthly payments toward. Let’s talk about what some of the main advantages are for refinancing all your debt against your home.
Lowest Mortgage Rates in 4 Weeks After July's Inflation Data
Rates may still be elevated in a general sense, but by the end of the week, they were as low as they've been since July 17th. If we have one thing to thank, it was this week's inflation data.
Love your 1st Mortgage? Why not get a 2nd?
Are you carrying high interest credit card debt? Do you need to improve or repair your home, or finish your yard? Many home owners are sitting on a lot of home equity and would love a way to access it without refinancing. I can help you with that!
Lowest Rates in Weeks After Jobs Report and Oil Price Drop
Mortgage rates moved lower almost every day this week with most of the help coming from war-related headlines and a last-minute boost from the jobs report.
5 Mortgage Tips for Self-Employed Utah Homebuyers
Being self-employed comes with a lot of freedom, but qualifying for a mortgage can feel more complicated than it should. The good news is that buying a home is absolutely possible with the right strategy.
Not Much Worse Than Last Week, But it Was a Bumpy Ride
If there's one thing to know about this week's rate movement it's that it left us almost exactly where we were last Friday. How we got there felt a bit more dramatic at times.
When a Reverse Mortgage is Right
I am a believer in reverse mortgages, and so are most people who give me five minutes to explain why.
Highest Rates in Over a Year (And a Small Recovery on Friday)
While the milestones may be significant, the underlying reasons for them remain simple.
Let's start with the milestones, even though they're not the fun kind. On Thursday, average 30yr fixed mortgage rates hit their highest level in just over a year. The average lender jumped over 6.8% after being closer to 6.5% at the end of June.