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Home Loan News..


Biweekly Payment Mortgages: Accelerating Loan Repayment
A biweekly payment mortgage is a strategy that allows borrowers to make payments every two weeks instead of once a month. By making half of a monthly mortgage payment every two weeks, homeowners make the equivalent of 13 full monthly payments each year, instead of the standard 12. This extra payment can help accelerate the repayment of the mortgage and save money on interest over time. One of the biggest advantages of a biweekly payment mortgage is that it reduces the total i

Michael Belfor
Nov 22 min read


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 303 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 291 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 291 min read


Down Payment Grants: Government-Funded Assistance
Down payment grants are a form of financial assistance provided by government programs to help homebuyers cover the upfront costs of purchasing a home. These grants are typically aimed at first-time homebuyers or low- to moderate-income buyers, and unlike loans, they do not need to be repaid. This makes down payment grants an attractive option for those who need help affording a home but don’t want to take on additional debt. One of the main benefits of down payment grants is

Michael Belfor
Oct 262 min read


Mortgage Credit Certificates: Tax Benefits for Homeowners
A Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) is a tax credit program that allows eligible homebuyers to reduce their federal income tax liability based on the interest they pay on their mortgage. The MCC program is typically offered to first-time homebuyers through state or local housing agencies, and it provides a way to make homeownership more affordable by lowering your overall tax burden. One of the biggest advantages of an MCC is that it allows you to claim a percentage of your m

Michael Belfor
Oct 252 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 201 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 181 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 171 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 161 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 141 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 132 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 72 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 62 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 281 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 271 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 261 min read


How Falling Mortgage Rates Affect Your Buying Power
A half-percent drop in mortgage rates doesn’t sound dramatic. But in real terms, it can increase buying power by 5% or more. Here’s why:...

Michael Belfor
Sep 241 min read


Three Things to Check Before You Lock Your Strike Rate
Locking a mortgage rate is one of the most important decisions in the process — and with rates bouncing in a tight range, timing matters....

Michael Belfor
Sep 241 min read


Mondays Are for Momentum — Even in a Slow Market
It’s Monday, and the market opens in familiar territory. Mortgage rates are holding steady, the 10-Year Treasury is bouncing near its...

Michael Belfor
Sep 221 min read
Content by The Belfor Team, Mortgage Lender California
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