I just released my January 2026 Mortgage Market Report, and I wanted to share a quick summary before you watch the video. Here’s what we’re seeing right now: • Mortgage rates have moderated from 2025 highs. We’re not in a sharp drop, but the trend is moving in the right…
Read Time: ~3 Minutes Here’s a quick breakdown of the recent announcement around a potential $200B purchase of mortgage-backed securities through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and how to talk about it with clients. The headline: Yes, the administration announced plans to support lower mortgage rates by buying MBS. The…
I’ve noticed a new trend with young homebuyers 👀 What if offering more on a home could actually save you money every month? Smart buyers are using seller credits to lower payments and reduce cash to close, without asking for a price cut. It’s happening more than you think, but…
I wanted to share a quick story from a recent holiday party we attended at a client’s home. A few years ago, this was an older house with good bones, but it wasn’t ideal for entertaining or long-term family living. Instead of moving, they used a renovation loan to reimagine…
Are collections stopping you from becoming a homeowner? You’re not alone—and the good news is, you still have options. In this video, I break down exactly how collections affect your mortgage approval, what lenders look for, and how to create a strategic path to homeownership even with derogatory credit. We…
We just attended a holiday party at a client’s home we helped with a renovation loan a few years ago. Same lot. Same location. Completely reimagined home. That’s the power of a renovation loan. Not flips. Not shortcuts. Long-term homes where families build memories.
Read Time: ~2.5 Minutes This week’s Saturday Strategy comes from a real client conversation that uncovered a major opportunity many retirees — and agents — still don’t realize exists. The Big Idea Retirement-age clients can use a reverse mortgage to purchase a home, even if they sell their current property…
Affordability just improved across all 100 major U.S. markets, and most people missed it. More inventory. Softer prices. Mortgage payments under 30% of income in many areas. Meanwhile, buyer activity is near its highest level of the year. This isn’t about timing the market. It’s about understanding when the math…
In this December 2025 Monthly Market Report, I break down what’s really happening in today’s housing and mortgage market and why this could be one of the most interesting windows for buyers we’ve seen in years. We cover the Federal Reserve’s third straight rate cut and what it actually means…
This week’s Saturday Strategy hits a theme that’s picking up steam across the financial world right now: liquidity risk. Even Ray Dalio has been talking about how tightening conditions could create pressure points heading into 2026 — not a crash prediction, but a reminder that the people who stay liquid…
Trapper Searles is a strategic growth leader, author, and perspective expert who helps entrepreneurs and leadership teams build businesses that scale — without losing their purpose, people, or peace. After building and selling a seven-figure company, enduring personal loss, and walking beside his wife through a traumatic brain injury, Trapper…
