Newsletter
The Forward Mortgage newsletter
Regular insights from Brian Mutter (NMLS #1109257) on mortgage rates, the housing market, and how they connect to your financial life.
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VA Loans and the Funding Fee: What It Is, What It Costs, and Who Doesn't Pay It
First things first: if you served, thank you. Truly. And I'm glad you're reading this, because the VA loan benefit is one of the best things the federal government has ever done for homebuyers, and I
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What Actually Happens During Underwriting (From a Guy Who Watches It Every Day)
If you've ever had a loan in process, you know the feeling. You got pre-approved, you found the home, you signed the purchase agreement, and then... your file disappeared into something called "underw
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PMI explained: why it's on your loan, and how to get rid of it
Private mortgage insurance, in plain English — what PMI actually is, why it's on your loan, and every real way to get rid of it (plus the FHA curveball most buyers miss).
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Rates Just Hit Their 2026 High. Here's the Whole Messy Story.
This morning, mortgage rates hit their highest level of 2026, 6.85%. It's the first time all year that rates are sitting above where they were on the same day last year.
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Michigan property taxes: why the seller's tax bill won't be yours
The property taxes on a Michigan listing usually aren't what you'll pay. Here's how "uncapping" resets your bill the year after you buy — and how to plan for your real number, not the seller's.
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What will you actually pay at closing? Here's how I explain it: three buckets.
The cash you bring to the closing table, explained in three simple buckets — down payment, closing costs, and prepaids — in plain English and real dollars.
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100 Days of Conflict: Where Mortgage Rates Stand
About 100 days into the Middle East conflict, mortgage rates have climbed from below 6% to 6.78%. Here's the oil-to-rates chain reaction, two scenarios for what's next, and what it means if you're buying or refinancing.
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What is an escrow account — and why did my “fixed” payment go up?
If part of your mortgage payment goes into escrow, here's what that account actually is — and why a "fixed" payment can still change when your taxes or insurance rise.
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3.8% Inflation? Yikes! Here's What It Actually Means
The April inflation report dropped this morning. The headline: 3.8% — the highest reading in about three years. Here's what it actually means for your mortgage rate.
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Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and Your Mortgage Rate
A few months ago, mortgage rates quietly dipped below 6% for the first time since 2022.
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