Welcome to Mortgage Porter Weekly for the first week of November 2026! Each Monday, I break down where mortgage rates have been trending and what may move them in the week ahead. This week: the Fed holds steady with two dissenters, it’s jobs week, and our spotlight is on down payment assistance — what to know before you choose a program. [Read more…]
Mortgage Porter Weekly: Fed Holds Steady, Jobs Week Ahead & Down Payment Assistance
November 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
How to Choose a Down Payment Assistance Program
October 31, 2026 by 1 Comment
Most homebuyers start their down payment assistance (DPA) search with one question: “how much money can I get?” when what they should also be considering is “what will this cost me or impact me over the years I own the home?“
Two programs can offer the same dollar amount and behave completely differently when you sell, refinance or simply watch rates drop. Here’s how I walk Washington homebuyers through the comparison. [Read more…]
Mortgage Rates This Week: Fed Week, Earnings Season & UAD 3.6 Appraisal Changes
October 26, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Welcome to your mortgage rate update for the week of October 26, 2026. Watch the video above or read the highlights below. [Read more…]
Mortgage Rates This Week: Hot Inflation, AI Jitters & New Home Appraisal Changes
October 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Welcome to Mortgage Porter Weekly for the week of October 19, 2026. Each week I break down what’s moving mortgage rates and what it means for you. Watch the video above and read on for the highlights. [Read more…]
Home Appraisal Checklist for Selling or Refinancing in Washington
October 14, 2026 by 2 Comments
If you’re selling or refinancing a home in Washington, the appraisal you get back may look different from the ones your neighbors got a year ago. The visit may take longer, the report will be more detailed, and the square footage may be reported in ways that surprise you. None of that is a red flag. It’s a new reporting format, and a little preparation goes a long way.
Two details are worth knowing now. The deadline is based on when the appraisal is first submitted to the agencies’ system, not on your contract date or the visit date, so an appraisal done in late October but submitted in November still needs the new format. And it applies to conventional loans. FHA has opened optional adoption without a mandatory date, VA and USDA haven’t announced timelines, and jumbo or portfolio loans follow each investor’s own requirements. [Read more…]
