National Mortgage Rates · September 29, 2026

Source: Freddie Mac PMMS & Optimal Blue via FRED

Rates shown are national averages and are provided for informational purposes only. Actual rates vary based on credit profile, loan amount, and market conditions. Please contact us for a personalized rate quote.

First-Time Buyers

The Down Payment Myth That Keeps Buyers Renting

One of the biggest reasons people keep renting is the belief that you need 20% down to buy a home. You don't. Plenty of loan programs let qualified buyers get in with 3% to 5% down, and some — like VA and USDA loans — allow zero down for those who qualify. There are also down payment assistance programs that provide grants or low-cost second loans to help cover the upfront cost. The catch is that these programs vary by area and have limited funding, so it pays to know your options early. If you've been waiting to save a huge lump sum, you might already be closer to ready than you think. A short conversation can map out exactly what you'd need and which programs fit your situation.

Tip of the Week

If you're self-employed, keeping clean financial records for two years makes mortgage qualification much smoother.

Tips for Homeowners

Debt-to-Income Ratio: What Lenders Are Looking At

HousingWire

Zillow’s Samuelson: Undermining the MLS could bring regulators knocking

He cited Hill scrutiny of Compass and MRED and warned data restrictions could invite regulation

Mortgage News Daily

New Home Sales Back in The Range After Uncommonly Big Bounce

The new home market returned to the longer-term range last month, with sales seeing their 4th biggest rebound in 4 years.  Sales of new single-family homes rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 684,000 in August, up 6.4% from July's revised 643,000 but 2.0% below the same month last year. The increase puts sales back above the 600,000 mark after July's pullback, although the broader tr

HousingWire

Texas Mortgage Source: Reverse is the ‘largest underserved market in the business right now’

At AIME Fuse in Austin, Mark Hairston and Shara Parker shared successful borrower scenarios for unlocking nearly $15 trillion in U.S. senior home equity

Mortgage News Daily

Pending Sales Rebound Slightly as Regional Results Diverge

Pending home sales edged higher in August as gains in the South and West offset declines in the Northeast and Midwest. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), which tracks signed contracts on existing homes, increased 0.3% from July but was down 4.7% from a year earlier. The modest increase came despite another period of elevated mortgage rates. NAR Chief Econo

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