Newsletter archive — page 2
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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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The Latest on Rates — and Why the Middle East Matters
Mortgage rates have already done a lot of zigging and zagging in 2026.
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2026: What’s in store for mortgage interest rates?
As we wrapped up 2025, housing affordability was clearly on the White House’s radar. One idea that grabbed headlines was the idea of a 50-year mortgage. While it was widely criticized — mostly because the long-term in…
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