top of page

Home Loan News..


A Simple Checklist for Buyers Moving to a New State
Moving to a new state can be exciting but also challenging, especially when it comes to updating your address. Here’s a comprehensive checklist to help ensure a smooth transition and make sure you don’t miss any important updates. 1. Update Your Address with the Postal Service Submit a Change of Address Form: Fill out the USPS change of address form online or at your local post office. This will forward your mail to your new address and help you avoid missing important docume

Michael Belfor
Oct 30, 20253 min read


The Fed Cut Rates — So Why Did Mortgage Rates Move the Other Way?
This afternoon, the Federal Reserve announced a quarter-point rate cut , bringing its benchmark rate down by 0.25%. Markets expected this move — but what caught everyone’s attention was what came next. During the press conference, Fed Chair Jerome Powell struck a cautious tone, saying that while the economy is cooling, the Fed will base future rate cuts on data rather than setting a preset path. In other words, no promises for additional cuts yet. At first, bonds improved sli

Michael Belfor
Oct 29, 20251 min read


Consistency & Cost Control for Homebuyers
Mortgage rates have hovered in a tight range this month, with most 30-year fixed loans settling near the mid-6s. While many buyers are waiting for rates to fall further, those who stay engaged now are finding better opportunities — fewer bidding wars, more seller credits, and flexible negotiations. Why Consistency Still Wins The most successful buyers stay active during slower weeks. Checking updated pre-approvals, refreshing credit scores, and revisiting payment goals keeps

Michael Belfor
Oct 29, 20251 min read


Sunday Reset: Work from Rest, Not Rest from Work
Sunday isn’t about what you produce — it’s about what you protect. Peace, faith, family, and gratitude are fuel for every decision you make during the week. Rest is the space where God restores your clarity, your creativity, and your courage. If you’ve been grinding nonstop, take this as permission to pause. You don’t lose momentum when you rest — you strengthen it. Jesus modeled rest on purpose. He stepped away from crowds to pray, to think, to realign with His mission. You

Michael Belfor
Oct 27, 20251 min read


Saturday Strategy: Prepare Before the Door Open
Saturday is the day preparation meets opportunity. Too often, buyers spend weekends “browsing,” not realizing that the best homes go under contract while they’re still crunching numbers. Preparation turns the weekend from window-shopping to winning. If you want to buy, get pre-approved first. That one step separates dreamers from doers. It tells sellers, “We’re ready.” Agents, this is your sweet spot. Use today to lead with clarity — not pressure. A buyer who understands thei

Michael Belfor
Oct 25, 20251 min read


Monday Momentum: Move Before the Market Does
Mondays are made for motion. The market doesn’t wait for anyone — not the perfect interest rate, not the perfect season, not even the perfect plan. But the people who move with clarity always find opportunity, even when others are standing still. If you’re buying, this week is about positioning , not perfection.Start with your numbers — not the headlines. A full pre-approval gives you leverage, clarity, and the ability to act when the right home hits the market. If you’re an

Michael Belfor
Oct 20, 20251 min read


Saturday Strategy: Faith Over Fear in a Waiting Market
The hardest part of this market isn’t the data — it’s the doubt. Buyers keep waiting for a green light from the Fed, the news, or their friends. But faith doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. It moves with conviction. If the payment works, if the home fits, and if the long-term plan makes sense, then today might already be “the right time.” Real estate rewards the prepared — not the perfect. And that’s why we keep showing up, making calls, writing offers, and trusting God wit

Michael Belfor
Oct 18, 20251 min read


Friday Focus: Control the Controllables
The most productive agents aren’t the ones who know where rates are headed — they’re the ones who know how to navigate today. Markets fluctuate. Buyers hesitate. But when you lead with real numbers and personalized options, you give people permission to move forward. That’s leadership, not luck. We’re helping buyers structure affordability through buydowns, DPA layering, and custom payment targets. Every one of those starts with a single question: “What monthly number gives y

Michael Belfor
Oct 17, 20251 min read


Payment Targets Beat Headlines
Rates move. Headlines shout. But smart buyers win by anchoring to a payment target—not a clickbait decimal. When we start with “What monthly number lets you breathe?” everything else falls into place: price, down payment, and the best structure to protect your cash. From there, we compare paths: Conventional vs. temporary buydown: Trade a slightly higher cost today for breathing room in year one or two. Self-employed options (bank statements/P&L): When tax returns don’t tel

Michael Belfor
Oct 16, 20251 min read


Markets Steady, Opportunities Sharpen
Today’s mortgage market is in a holding pattern — not inactive, just patient. That’s a good thing for those prepared to act. Current Snapshot The 10-year Treasury yield is trading around 4.02 % (Investing). FRED’s last published 10-year print remains ~4.05% (with some lag in updates). Bond strategists expect long-term yields to remain elevated near 4.10% over the next few months due to inflation and fiscal pressures. These yields are anchoring mortgage rates. Because there’

Michael Belfor
Oct 15, 20251 min read


Quiet Market, Smart Positioning
Mortgage rates are holding in a tight range today, and that stability is exactly what smart buyers, sellers, and homeowners should lean into. What the Data Shows The 10-year Treasury is trading around 4.04 % YCharts reports the 10-year yield at 4.05 % as of October 10 The latest FRED print has shown ~4.10 %, though with publication lag That means mortgage markets aren’t about to rocket or collapse overnight — they’re paused, waiting on catalysts: inflation data, Fed commentar

Michael Belfor
Oct 14, 20251 min read


Monday Mortgage Setup: Turn Intention Into Approval
If you’re waiting for “perfect conditions,” real estate will lap you. The win isn’t timing the market; it’s preparing so that when the right home appears, you’re already approved, priced, and poised to move. That’s how offers get accepted—speed plus clarity. Step one is pre-approval, not because lenders love paperwork, but because it converts guesses into decisions. With a full file review, we anchor your max price to a comfortable payment, then reverse-engineer taxes, insur

Michael Belfor
Oct 13, 20252 min read


Self-Employed and Ready to Buy? Here’s How to Make It Happen
If you’re self-employed, you’ve probably heard the phrase “it’s harder to get a mortgage when you work for yourself.” That might’ve been...

Michael Belfor
Oct 7, 20252 min read


The Truth About Down Payment Assistance — Still Alive, Still Powerful
There’s a common misconception floating around right now: that Down Payment Assistance (DPA) programs disappeared when the market slowed....

Michael Belfor
Oct 6, 20252 min read


Anchored in Peace
The past few weeks have been filled with questions about rates, the Fed, and where the market goes next. But Sundays remind us of a...

Michael Belfor
Oct 5, 20251 min read


Three DIY Projects That Pay Off in Comfort and Value
Weekends are for projects — and some of the best ones aren’t just cosmetic. They add comfort now and value later. Here are three worth...

Michael Belfor
Oct 4, 20251 min read


Four Loan Programs Helping Buyers Move Forward in 2025
Mortgage rates may feel stuck in the mid-6s, but that hasn’t stopped buyers from finding ways to move forward. The difference isn’t...

Michael Belfor
Sep 30, 20252 min read


Small Upgrades, Big Returns — Weekend Homeowner Tips
Not every improvement needs a remodel. Some of the best returns come from small, consistent upgrades — the kind you can tackle over a...

Michael Belfor
Sep 28, 20251 min read


Treasury Watch — Why the 10-Year Matters Most
Ask any lender what drives mortgage rates, and you’ll hear the same answer: watch the 10-Year Treasury. Here’s why it matters:...

Michael Belfor
Sep 27, 20251 min read
DSCR, ARMs, and Program Flexibility — What’s Working Now
In a mid-6% rate environment, creativity matters. Standard 30-year fixed loans are still the most common path, but buyers and investors...

Michael Belfor
Sep 26, 20251 min read
Content by The Belfor Team, Mortgage Lender California
bottom of page
