The Mortgage Files
Nationally syndicated mortgage news and advice from Senior Loan Officer Scott Sheldon.
When Mortgage Rates Actually Fall (And Why That Hasn’t Happened Yet)
Over the past week, there has been a lot of noise around mortgage rates. Headlines moved fast, social media lit up, and many buyers and homeowners were left wondering the same thing: “Are rates finally coming down?” The short answer, as of mid-January, is no. Mortgage rates are essentially unchanged. Last week, President Trump made…
Read More about When Mortgage Rates Actually Fall (And Why That Hasn’t Happened Yet)What’s Driving the Volatility and What Comes Next?
Mortgage Rates in April 2025: What’s Driving the Volatility and What Comes Next As of April 2025, mortgage rates are experiencing notable fluctuations, reflecting the broader economic uncertainties. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has hovered around 6.6% to 6.85% in recent weeks, influenced by various macroeconomic factors. Key Factors Influencing Current Mortgage Rates Federal…
Read More about What’s Driving the Volatility and What Comes Next?“Why Federal Reserve Rate Cuts Don’t Directly Lower Mortgage Rates”
Why Federal Reserve Rate Cuts Don’t Directly Lower Mortgage Rates When the Federal Reserve announces a cut in interest rates, many people immediately assume that mortgage rates will drop as well. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception. When the Fed adjusts its rates—specifically the Federal Funds Rate—it doesn’t directly impact long-term mortgage rates. Instead, these…
Read More about “Why Federal Reserve Rate Cuts Don’t Directly Lower Mortgage Rates”2023 Confirming Loan Limit Rise
The federal housing finance agency recently released its 2023 conforming loan limit. The new loan limit for 2023 is $715,000. Here is what this means if you’re purchasing or refinancing a home… Each year the Federal Housing Finance Agency which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac releases its annual loan limit. The annual loan limit…
Read More about 2023 Confirming Loan Limit RiseWhy you can expect your home equity line of credit to cost more
Fed funds recently increased the rate by 75 basis points. This change to monetary policy also means your home equity line of credit costs more. The following is what you must know about a home equity line of credit… Home equity lines of credit are tied to the prime rate which is the Fed funds…
Read More about Why you can expect your home equity line of credit to cost moreWhat the Federal Reserve rate increase means
The Federal Reserve increased the Fed funds rate by 25 points to slow down the highest inflation seen in 30 years. As a result, here’s what this means for interest rates, credit cards, and home equity lines of credit. In short, everything is going up. Mortgage rates are also higher but not because of…
Read More about What the Federal Reserve rate increase means