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Showing posts from September, 2026

Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in 2027? What Buyers Must Know

Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in 2027? What Buyers Must Know A couple at the kitchen table compares mortgage paperwork and costs as they consider their next home purchase. Buyers keep asking me whether they should wait for 2027 to buy a home. The honest answer starts with what major forecasters have actually revised, then looks at what waiting could cost you. Current projections don’t point to a dramatic return to 3%–5% mortgage rates. They suggest rates could stay elevated, and the price of a home may change while you wait. 1. Economic Outlook: Why Major Forecasters Revised 2027 Rates to 7.0%-7.5% Fannie Mae’s October 2026 forecast now projects an average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 7.4% in the fourth quarter of 2026 and 7.5% throughout 2027 . That’s a substantial upward revision from its previous estimates of 6.8% for Q4 2026 and 6.7% for 2027. Fannie Mae points to stickier inflation and continued pressure on 10-year Treasury yields. It also expects slower home-price growth and ...
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CA & TX Insurance Escrows: Stop DTI Surprises Before Closing

CA & TX Insurance Escrows: Stop DTI Surprises Before Closing Insurance costs for a California or Texas property should be part of the mortgage budget before you make an offer, not a last-minute surprise before closing.
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VA Loan Strategies in CA & TX: Buy with $0 Down & No PMI

VA Loan Strategies in CA & TX: Buy with $0 Down & No PMI Caption: A VA-eligible homebuyer can use military benefits to purchase a home with no down payment and no monthly private mortgage insurance, subject to lender approval and VA requirements.
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DSCR Loans in CA & TX: Qualify with Rental Income, Not DTI

DSCR Loans in CA & TX: Qualify with Rental Income, Not DTI Caption: A property-focused financing review can help investors understand whether projected rental income supports a DSCR loan.
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Katy to Sugar Land: Navigating Houston Suburb Mortgages 2026

Katy to Sugar Land: Navigating Houston Suburb Mortgages 2026 Caption: A welcoming Katy, Texas neighborhood illustrates the suburban communities many buyers are considering in 2026.
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Buying in Silicon Valley: Qualifying with RSUs in San Jose

Buying in Silicon Valley: Qualifying with RSUs in San Jose San Jose technology professionals can use carefully documented RSU and bonus income to plan for a Silicon Valley home purchase.
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Buying in San Diego: How High-Balance Loans Beat Jumbo Rules

Buying in San Diego: How High-Balance Loans Beat Jumbo Rules San Diego County homebuyers may be able to use a high-balance conforming loan to finance a higher-priced property without automatically moving into jumbo financing.
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Buying in Frisco & McKinney: DFW Mortgage Strategies in 2026

Buying in Frisco & McKinney: DFW Mortgage Strategies in 2026 Caption: A modern North Texas home reflects the type of new-construction inventory attracting buyers to Frisco, McKinney, and surrounding DFW communities.
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Sacramento to Inland Empire: California Mortgage Options 2026

Sacramento to Inland Empire: California Mortgage Options 2026 Caption: California buyers can use a thoughtful mortgage strategy to make an inland relocation more manageable.
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Austin & Central Texas Mortgages: Navigating Property Taxes

Austin & Central Texas Mortgages: Navigating Property Taxes Austin and Central Texas homebuyers should evaluate property taxes, escrow, loan limits, and total monthly payment before making an offer. Corey Friedrich, NMLS #2746546 | Best Deal First If you’re moving to Austin, Round Rock, or San Marcos for a technology job, a mid-market relocation, or a fresh start in Central Texas, the mortgage payment you see in an online listing is only part of the story. Principal and interest matter, of course. But property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, HOA dues, and escrow setup can substantially change your total monthly housing cost. That’s why my Austin TX mortgage guide for 2026 starts with the complete payment: not just the interest rate. I provide one-on-one guidance throughout the mortgage process. You won’t be passed through a call center or shuffled between gatekeepers. My approach is the Friedrich Advantage: direct communication, practical loan strategy, and ...
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2/1 Temporary Rate Buydowns: Cut Monthly Payments in CA & TX

2/1 Temporary Rate Buydowns: How Texas & California Buyers Are Slashing Initial Monthly Payments in 2026 California and Texas buyers can use seller or builder concessions to reduce their initial mortgage payments through a temporary 2/1 rate buydown.
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2026 Conforming Limits in CA & TX: Avoid Jumbo Underwriting

2026 Conforming Loan Limits in CA & TX: How High-Balance Mortgages Save You From Jumbo Underwriting Caption: Understanding the 2026 conforming loan limits can help California and Texas buyers choose the right financing path before making an offer. Corey Friedrich, NMLS #2746546 | Best Deal First If you’re shopping for a home in California or Texas in 2026, the loan amount, not just the purchase price, can determine whether you receive conventional financing or move into jumbo territory. That distinction matters. A jumbo loan may require more reserves, tighter debt-to-income standards, additional documentation, and a larger down payment. But in certain California counties, a high-balance conforming mortgage may allow you to finance a higher loan amount while remaining within the Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac system. The 2026 national baseline conforming loan limit for a one-unit property is $832,750 . In designated high-cost areas, the limit can rise as high as $1,249,125 . So, ...
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Discount Points vs. Cash: What Makes Sense in CA and TX?

Permanent Rate Buydowns vs. Holding Cash: When Do Discount Points Make Sense in CA and TX? Caption: Homebuyers comparing the long-term savings of discount points with the flexibility of keeping cash reserves. Corey Friedrich, NMLS #2746546 | Best Deal First Mortgage rates around 6.3% have many California and Texas buyers asking the same question: Should I pay upfront discount points to lower my rate permanently, or should I hold onto that cash for reserves? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Paying points can reduce your monthly principal-and-interest payment for the life of the loan. Holding cash can protect you from unexpected repairs, income interruptions, moving costs, and other expenses that have a way of showing up at the worst possible time. I approach this decision with Total Transparency . That means comparing the actual cost, monthly savings, break-even period, and your personal financial cushion. There are no hidden costs in the math, and a lower advertised rate isn...
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Co-Buying a Home in CA & TX: Multi-Generational Mortgage Tips

Co-Buying a Home With Family or Friends: Multi-Generational Mortgage Strategies in CA and TX Caption: A multigenerational household can use thoughtful mortgage planning to make shared homeownership more manageable.
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Mortgage Recast vs. Refinance: Lower Payments Without Refinancing

Mortgage Recast vs. Refinance: How to Lower Your Payment Without Refinancing in CA and TX California and Texas homeowners comparing mortgage recast and refinance options with clear payment strategy guidance. Corey Friedrich, NMLS #2746546 | Best Deal First If you have received an inheritance, work bonus, business payout, or proceeds from selling another property, you may be wondering how to put that money to work. One option is applying a lump sum to your mortgage principal and asking your servicer to recast the loan. A recast can lower your principal-and-interest payment without changing your current interest rate or replacing your mortgage. A refinance, by contrast, creates an entirely new loan and may involve a new rate, appraisal, underwriting, and closing costs. Which option makes sense for you in California or Texas? The answer depends on your loan type, current interest rate, available cash, equity position, and how long you expect to keep the property. I’ll walk you thr...
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FHA 203k vs. Fannie Mae Home Style: Fixer-Upper Loans in CA & TX

FHA 203(k) vs. Fannie Mae Home Style: Financing Fixer-Uppers With One Renovation Loan in CA and TX Older fixer-upper home in California or Texas with renovation plans, showing how one renovation loan can finance both purchase and eligible improvements.
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