Kathi Holtz, Mortgage Lender NMLS #525331

Happy first day of Summer!

How are you celebrating Homeownership Month?

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 👍
Rates improved last week when data showed both wholesale and consumer inflation is once again moving lower. The Fed left its policy rate unchanged last week and Fed Chair Powell signaled the Fed isn't likely to make any moves at the next meeting in July, with Fed officials projecting between 1-2 cuts this year.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
While it was great to see rates move lower last week, we could be seeing rates capped out for the near term, meaning we aren't likely to see them move lower this week and instead are likely to see them get slightly worse. For those in process and closing soon, consider discussing locking with your mortgage pro. Those not yet under contract or in process though shouldn't worry much, rates are not likely to move that much higher.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Juneteenth holiday: Markets will be closed in observance of Juneteenth on Wednesday, and mortgage rates won't move that day.
- Economic data: Only a couple reports this week to watch, retail sales on Tuesday and PMI data on Friday. If the data reflects economic weakness we could see rates improve just slightly, but stronger data would pressure rates higher on the week.

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads!

The steps to homeownership can seem intimidating, but we are here to help guide you!

Did you know?

What fact surprised you the most?

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘇𝘆 👎
Rates improved early in the week as markets grew optimistic that the Fed was likely to cut its policy rate at least a couple of times by the end of the year. However, rates jumped higher on Friday when the BLS jobs data showed a lot more jobs were created than what had been forecast, ending the week just slightly better than the previous week.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 ⚠️
Rates this week will definitely move higher or lower, we just don't know which way they will go. Rates should start the week off calm, but Wednesday brings inflation data and the Fed meeting. Depending on how the data comes out and what the Fed says, we could see rates start to improve again or they could move quite a bit higher. There is a lot of risk this week.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Inflation data: The CPI inflation report comes out Wednesday morning before mortgage rates are released and will affect rates that day.
- Fed meeting and press conference: The Fed is unlikely to cut or hike rates at this month's meeting, however will release its quarterly forecast for rates. Fed Chair Powell's press conference is also likely to cause rates to move Wednesday afternoon.

Home is where our safe place is

Doughnut wait to find your dream home!

Homeownership has changed a lot over the years. Let’s take a look back and see how it’s changed and why we celebrate!

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟬𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 ⚠️
Last week saw mortgage rates move quite a bit higher by midweek, only to recover and end the week almost unchanged. Rates rose as consumer confidence readings unexpectedly came in higher on Tuesday, but were helped by slightly better than expected inflation data on Friday.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 👍
Mortgage rates are sure to move this week, and hopefully improve, but it will depend on the data. This week brings lots of jobs data, and any signs of a softening labor market will help mortgage rates improve ahead of next week's Fed meeting and inflation data. However, if the labor market data shows strength instead of the expected weakness, we could see mortgage rates move higher.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Jobs data: This week brings the job opening and labor turnover survey on Tuesday, the ADP private payroll report on Wednesday, jobless claims on Thursday, and the report that will have the most impact on mortgage rates on Friday, the BLS jobs report.
- Other economic data: There are a few other reports this week that will give insight into whether the economy is slowing down or not, which could help mortgage rates this week.

Friday and last day of month! Let’s make today a great one!

The beginning of porch sittin’ season is upon us! Read how you can revive a space that has been dormant all winter! 🌷

Sittin' Pretty: 5 Porch Decor Ideas That Will Transform Your Favorite Summer Perch Here are five looks from the design world of Instagram to help you get your porch ready for a season of laid-back fun and lounging.

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates were just slightly higher to end the week ahead of the holiday weekend, although it wasn't much. Fed officials were out speaking last week, with most of them saying they needed to see more signs that inflation was still dropping before they would consider voting to lower the Fed policy rate later this year.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates may continue to creep slightly higher this week, although we shouldn't see any big moves in rates. The big moves for rates could come next week when we get a lot of labor market reports and the BLS jobs data.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Inflation data: Friday brings the personal consumption expenditures index, the Fed's favored inflation gauge that tracks what goods and services consumers buy and how much they pay for them. Economists expect to see the smallest increase in inflation so far this year, which could help mortgage rates recover a bit if they creep higher through the week.
- Fed speakers: More Fed officials will be out speaking this week, likely to spread the same message as the members did last week, that the Fed needs to see inflation improve for a few months before cutting rates.

Home of the free, because of the brave. Today we honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Are you in the homebuying process but don’t know what do next? Take a look at this Homebuyer checklist!

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 👍
Mortgage rates improved slightly last week when April's consumer price index report showed inflation easing for the first time in months. Rates were further helped when other data showed retail sales were unexpectedly flat last month.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 👍
This week it is likely that mortgage rates will move slightly day-to-day, but will be basically unchanged for the week. Mortgage rates have settled in to a range anticipating that the Fed will cut rates two times this year, with the first cut likely to come at the September Fed meeting. Rates are not likely to move much lower unless we see more data showing the economy and labor market are slowing down while inflation is easing.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Fed speakers: Many of the Fed officials will be speaking this week, likely spreading the message that the Fed will keep its policy rate steady until later this year.
- Early close Friday: Markets will close early on Friday and be closed on Monday for Memorial Day. Lenders will also be closed on Monday.
- Economic data: There is little in the way of data this week to influence mortgage rates.

The amount of money a homebuyer puts down to purchase a home hit a historic high at the end of 2023, but that sum is finally falling! See how much you need to put down to purchase a home!

Down Payments Fall From Historical Peak: See How Much You Need To Put Down To Buy a House Today There's good news for buyers hoping to hit the spring housing market: How much you have to put down to snag a home has fallen.

Who is involved in the loan process and what do they do!

If you’re thinking about buying a new home - THIS is the time. Contact me - I’ll help you.

Barbara Corcoran Says Housing Prices ‘Are Going To Go Through the Roof’ — But When? If you've been in the market to buy a home, you're likely in a tough spot. While you may be tempted to wait for interest rates to drop, if you wait too long, you could be dealing with a surge in home...

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 👍
Mortgage rates improved a little bit last week as markets remained optimistic that the Fed will cut rates later this year and will not need to instead start hiking rates to fight inflation. Overall it was a quiet week for rates as traders held steady ahead of this week's inflation data.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲, 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 ⚠️
This week will be a big one for mortgage rates, which could either continue improving or will see a turnaround based on the reaction to the inflation data released this week. Be sure to stay in touch with your mortgage professional to assess the risks to locking or floating if you're currently in the mortgage process.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
- Inflation data: Wholesale inflation data comes out Tuesday, but will have a much smaller effect on mortgage rates than Wednesday's consumer CPI inflation data. The early projections are that we will see a slowing in inflation, which will help mortgage rates improve from here.
- Retail sales data: Because this report comes out on Wednesday at the same time as inflation, it will either help the market rally that improves rates or the sell off that pushes mortgage rates higher.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s!

Buying a home is not an impulse purchase. It can take time, here are the steps to buying a house and how long each step typically takes.

Steps to Buy a House: How Long Do They Take? Here are the steps to buy a house and how long they typically take, just so you aren't sitting there holding your breath and wondering if something's up.