Newsletter
Mortgage Mom Radio Weekly - October 2, 2026
A weak jobs report gave mortgage rates a few hours of relief, then it faded. Plus what a seller-paid 2/1 buydown does on an $850,000 listing.…
Newsletter
Mortgage Mom Radio Weekly - September 25, 2026
Freddie Mac's survey topped 7% for the first time since January 2025. Why rates are high, and why it is not the Fed, plus the new reverse mortgage page.…
Podcast
How Does a Short Sale Work for Buyers and Struggling Sellers?
Short sales are rising again, mostly among recent buyers who put little down. Debbie explains when a struggling seller should call the lender, what hardship and paperwork it takes to qualify, what happens to the leftover balance, and why buyers should expect a somewhat better price, not a steal.…
Newsletter
Mortgage Mom Radio Weekly - September 18, 2026
The Fed raised rates Wednesday. Today's average rates across every program, plus the new HELOC page and how to pre-qualify with a soft credit check.…
Podcast
Can Casita or Guest House Rent Help You Qualify for a Mortgage?
Fannie Mae now lets rent from a casita, guest house or converted garage count toward qualifying income on a one-unit home you will live in. Debbie explains who the rule covers, the 30% cap on that income, why only one accessory unit counts, and how permitting and the appraisal decide the outcome.…
Newsletter
Mortgage Mom Radio Weekly - September 11, 2026
The survey said 6.76%. Lenders were quoting 7.08%. Plus what this morning's CPI report does and does not mean for your rate.…
Podcast
Why Did Mortgage Rates Rise After the Treasury's Bond Buyback?
The Treasury announced a $6 billion buyback of its own bonds, which should have pushed yields and mortgage rates down. Yields rose instead. Debbie explains what a buyback is, why an announcement smaller than the market expected moves rates the wrong way, and what that means if you have been waiting…
Newsletter
Mortgage Mom Radio Weekly - September 4, 2026
Last week the odds of a September rate hike were one in three. They are now two in three, and your rate sheet already moved. Lock or float?…
Podcast
How Do You Assume Someone Else's 3% FHA Or VA Mortgage?
Sellers holding 2020-2022 rates can sometimes let a buyer take the loan over. Debbie explains which loans are actually assumable, why you still qualify from scratch, how to cover the cash gap between the balance and the price, what a VA seller gives up, and how long it really takes.…
Podcast
What Actually Moves Mortgage Rates? (It's Not the Fed)
The Fed hasn't moved once in 2026, yet mortgage rates are up sharply. Debbie explains the 10-year Treasury, the August 17 global bond sell-off, and whether to lock before Jackson Hole.…
Podcast
What Can You Ask the Seller to Pay For? Seller Concessions in a Buyer's Market
Seller concessions hit a record 46.2% of home sales this spring, and the list price has become the opening bid. Debbie breaks down what buyers can ask a seller to pay for and why a seller-paid 2-1 buydown saves about $458 a month versus $71 from the same-size price cut.…
Newsletter
Mortgage Mom Radio Weekly - August 14, 2026
Good morning — Mortgage Mom here. The 30-year ticked lower to 6.69% this week. Not a huge move, but every basis point matters when you're running numbers.…
