| |
 |
Saturday, August 1, 2026 |
|
|
A Note From Joseph Brown
Weekly Market Update
Hello,
Welcome to this week's Mortgage Market Update!
Whether you're thinking about buying a home, refinancing, or simply keeping an eye on the market, staying informed can help you make better financial decisions.
This week, we're watching:
Current mortgage rate trends
Housing market activity
Economic news that may impact interest rates
Opportunities for first-time homebuyers and move-up buyers
Available down payment assistance programs
Mortgage rates can change daily, and even small movements can affect your purchasing power and monthly payment. If you're considering buying a home in the coming months, now is a great time to review your options and develop a strategy.
If you have questions about financing, credit improvement, down payment assistance, FHA, VA, Conventional, DSCR, or other loan programs, I'm here to help.
Feel free to reach out for a personalized mortgage review or pre-approval consultation.
Have a great week!
Joseph C. Brown
Mortgage Loan Originator
Empire Financial Group
Phone: 786-342-8999
Email: jbrown@mpirefi.com
|
Mortgage Market Update
What's your home actually worth right now?
Hi there. Home values have been moving, and I want to make sure you know what that means for you.
|
|
|
|
National Mortgage Rates · July 30, 2026
|
%22%2C%22fill%22%3Atrue%2C%22tension%22%3A0.4%2C%22pointRadius%22%3A4%2C%22pointBackgroundColor%22%3A%22%233b5bdb%22%2C%22borderWidth%22%3A2%7D%5D%7D%2C%22options%22%3A%7B%22plugins%22%3A%7B%22legend%22%3A%7B%22display%22%3Afalse%7D%7D%2C%22scales%22%3A%7B%22y%22%3A%7B%22ticks%22%3A%7B%22callback%22%3A%22function(v)%7Breturn%20v%2B%5C%22%25%5C%22%7D%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22%23666%22%7D%2C%22grid%22%3A%7B%22color%22%3A%22rgba(0%2C0%2C0%2C0.06)%22%7D%7D%2C%22x%22%3A%7B%22grid%22%3A%7B%22display%22%3Afalse%7D%2C%22ticks%22%3A%7B%22font%22%3A%7B%22size%22%3A11%7D%2C%22color%22%3A%22%23666%22%7D%7D%7D%7D%7D&w=520&h=180&bkg=white&f=12) |
|
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.
|
| | |
|
Equity Check
Your home may be worth more than you think
Home values have shifted a lot over the past few years, and many of you are sitting on equity you might not realize you have. That equity—the difference between what your home is worth and what you owe—can be a real financial tool. Whether you're thinking about refinancing, making a big home improvement, or just want to know where you stand, understanding your equity is a smart first step. The market moves, and so do home values. If you haven't had a conversation about this in a while, it's worth a few minutes of your time. I'm happy to walk you through what your equity position looks like and what options might make sense for your situation.
|
|
Tip of the Week
Landscaping maintenance protects your home's value — overgrown yards are the number one curb appeal issue buyers notice.
|
|
Tips for Homeowners
HOA Fees and How They Affect Your Mortgage
|
|
1.
|
HOA dues are included in your debt-to-income ratio calculation when you apply for a mortgage. High HOA fees reduce how much home you can qualify for.
|
|
2.
|
Before buying in an HOA, review the financials: reserve fund balance, any pending special assessments, and recent meeting minutes. A depleted reserve fund can mean a large unexpected charge.
|
|
3.
|
HOA dues are generally not tax-deductible for a primary residence. If the home is a rental property, dues may be deductible as a business expense.
|
|
|
|
Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Joseph Brown team any time and we'll walk you through your options.
|
|
Mpire Financial · Unsubscribe
|
|