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Mortgage Minute Update: August 15, 2025
Rates Dip to 2025 Low — But It’s Not the Whole Story Mortgage shoppers finally got some good news this week:The average 30-year fixed rate dropped to 6.58%, the lowest we’ve seen since October 2024. That’s down from 6.72% just two weeks ago. While the headlines might make it sound like a green light to…
Read MoreThis Week’s Snapshot (as of Saturday, August 9, 2025)
Mortgage Industry Update30‑year fixed mortgage averages 6.58%, down around 14 basis points from last week — its lowest level in months. Refi rate sits near 6.74% Rochester Business Journal+15Bankrate+15First Tuesday Journal+15AInvest+7blog.google+7Artificial Intelligence News+7. Rates are holding steady after a dip, pointing to potential increased refi activity AInvest+1. Real Estate NewsListings are staying on the market…
Read MoreA Game-Changer in Credit Scoring: Rent & Utilities Now Count Toward Your Credit with VantageScore 4.0
More People will Qualify! 1. The Announcement Big news in the world of credit: VantageScore 4.0 now factors in rent and utility payments when calculating your credit score. For millions of Americans—especially renters—this could open new doors to homeownership and better financing options. This change is active now and rolling out across credit reporting platforms…
Read MoreThe Fundamentals of DSCR and Income Property Financing
So You Want to Be a Real Estate Investor? The Fundamentals of DSCR and Income Property Financing by Clay Edmonds Investment property financing is simple—but not always easy. Unlike traditional mortgage loans that require tax returns, W-2s, job verifications, and a full review of your debt-to-income ratio, DSCR financing relies on the property’s rent or…
Read MoreGarbage In/Garbage Out -GIGO and Mortgages: Why Your Loan Quote Is Only as Good as the Info You Provide
By Clay Edmonds – MortgageSimplified.net Unless you’re over 50, you might not know what “GIGO” means.G-I-G-O. It stands for Garbage In, Garbage Out—a concept from the early days of computer programming. When I was in college, we didn’t have laptops or even computer terminals. We had punch card machines in a computer lab. We’d write…
Read More💡 What Drives Mortgage Rates? And Here’s What Happened to Rates Since 2020. By Clay Edmonds – MortgageSimplified.net
You hear it all the time: “Interest rates are too high right now.”“I’m waiting for rates to drop before I buy.” But here’s the truth: most people don’t really understand what causes mortgage rates to rise and fall. And I don’t blame them—because it’s rarely explained clearly. So let’s fix that. Whether you’re a buyer,…
Read MoreThe Fundamentals of VA Home Loans: What Every Buyer (and Realtor) Should Know
If you’re an Honorably Discharged Veteran, active-duty service member, or eligible surviving spouse, one of the most powerful tools available to you when buying a home is the VA loan. It’s a benefit you’ve earned—and when used, it can be a true game-changer. We’re here to help you understand and use that benefit with confidence.…
Read MoreWith Rates, Change is the Only Constant
With Rates, Change is the Only Constant – Here’s How to Make That Work for You By Clay Edmonds – MortgageSimplified.net In the mortgage world, there’s one rule that never changes: rates always do. They go up. They go down. They bounce with inflation reports, Fed meetings, global news, and investor sentiment. Trying to time…
Read MoreThe Science of Real Estate Finance
By Clay Edmonds – MortgageSimplified.Net Everything in real estate finance starts with a simple premise: most people need funding to acquire a residence or investment property. While some buyers pay cash, most will finance their purchase—either because they don’t have the liquid funds or because they choose to leverage their cash for other opportunities. This…
Read More🏡 Hidden Advantage in a High-Rate Market
By Clay Edmonds | MortgageSimplified.net When mortgage rates are up, most buyers get nervous. But here’s the truth—this is one of the best times to buy a home in Palm Beach County and across South Florida. Why? Less competition, more negotiating power, and the ability to refinance later. If you’re looking at Palm Beach mortgage…
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