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…]
Mortgage Rates This Week: Hot Inflation, AI Jitters & New Home Appraisal Changes
October 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Home Appraisal Checklist for Selling or Refinancing in Washington
October 14, 2026 by 1 Comment
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…]
Mortgage Rates This Week: Inflation Data, Ceasefire Talk & Homebuyer Opportunities
October 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Welcome to Mortgage Porter Weekly for the week of October 12, 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…]
Seattle Buyer’s Market: How to Leverage Seller Credits to Reduce Your Rate
October 10, 2026 by 1 Comment
A recent Seattle Times story reports that Seattle‑area buyers put down an average of nearly 20% in August, up from under 16% five years earlier, based on a Realtor.com analysis. Realtor.com estimates that the larger down payment saves Seattle buyers about $205 a month in principal and interest compared with what the 2021 share would cost today.
Putting more down is a reasonable response to higher rates, and for some buyers it’s the right one. But the same article notes that sellers are commonly offering concessions, including credits to help buyers get a lower rate. In a market that is tilting toward buyers, there may be a better use of your cash. [Read more…]
Who’s Buying Homes in this Market?
October 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
With mortgage rates above 7%, you may wonder who would buy a home right now. You may be surprised to learn that many people are.
Higher interest rates reduce competition. Some homebuyers no longer qualify with their current approach, and others have chosen to sit out and wait for rates to (maybe) come down. Meanwhile, sellers are in a tougher spot, with fewer showings and more willingness to negotiate. In many cases, the market has shifted in buyers’ favor.
This means contingencies may be accepted, sellers may be more willing to pay closing costs (or help buy down your interest rate), and you may find some wiggle room on the list price. [Read more…]
