MortgageInfo.us https://mortgageinfo.us/Mortgage news and plain-English guides Mortgage rates top 7% for the first time since early 2025: what it means for your paymenthttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-rates-top-7-percent-september-2026/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-rates-top-7-percent-september-2026/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 The 30-year fixed averaged 7.03% the week of September 24, 2026, up from 6.30% a year earlier. Here is what that does to a monthly payment and what buyers and owners can do. The Fed raised rates for the first time since 2023. Here is what it means for mortgages and HELOCshttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/fed-raises-rates-september-2026-what-it-means-for-mortgages/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/fed-raises-rates-september-2026-what-it-means-for-mortgages/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 On September 16, 2026, the Federal Reserve raised its target range to 3.75% to 4.00%. HELOC and credit card rates follow quickly; fixed mortgage rates react differently. Why mortgage rates follow the 10-year Treasury, not the Fedhttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/why-mortgage-rates-follow-the-10-year-treasury/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/why-mortgage-rates-follow-the-10-year-treasury/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Mortgage rates usually track the 10-year Treasury yield plus a spread. Understanding that link explains why rates can rise even before the Fed acts. Homes for sale hit the highest supply in over a decade: why buyers have more leveragehttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/home-inventory-highest-in-a-decade-august-2026/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/home-inventory-highest-in-a-decade-august-2026/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 NAR data for August 2026 shows 4.9 months of supply, 1.62 million homes listed, and a median price of $429,100. What it means for negotiating. 2026 mortgage rate timeline: from about 6% in March to over 7% in Septemberhttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-rates-2026-timeline/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-rates-2026-timeline/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 A week-by-week look at how the 30-year fixed mortgage rate moved in 2026 using Freddie Mac data, and what drove each shift. 2026 conforming loan limits: $832,750 in most areas, up to $1,249,125 in high-cost countieshttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/2026-conforming-loan-limits-explained/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/2026-conforming-loan-limits-explained/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 What conforming loan limits are, the 2026 figures from FHFA, how to find your county's limit, and why going over it changes your loan. 2026 FHA loan limits: $541,287 floor and $1,249,125 ceilinghttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/2026-fha-loan-limits/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/2026-fha-loan-limits/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 FHA loan limits for 2026 by property size, how they are set, and how to find your county's limit before you shop. Should you refinance when rates are above 7%? Who still benefitshttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/should-you-refinance-when-rates-are-above-7-percent/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/should-you-refinance-when-rates-are-above-7-percent/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 With 30-year rates at 7.03%, most owners should keep their current loan. But some borrowers still gain from refinancing. Here is how to tell which group you are in. Keep your low mortgage rate: why a HELOC can beat a cash-out refinance in 2026https://mortgageinfo.us/news/keep-low-rate-mortgage-use-heloc-instead-of-cash-out/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/keep-low-rate-mortgage-use-heloc-instead-of-cash-out/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 If your first mortgage rate is well below today's 7% average, a cash-out refinance reprices your whole balance. A HELOC or home equity loan only prices the new money. First-time buyers made up 30% of sales in August 2026: how to compete and what to prioritizehttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/first-time-buyers-2026-market/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/first-time-buyers-2026-market/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 First-time buyers' share of existing-home sales rose to 30% in August 2026. Practical steps for first-timers facing 7% rates and rising inventory. How much house can I afford? The 28/36 rule, explained with real numbershttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/how-much-house-can-i-afford/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/how-much-house-can-i-afford/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Use the 28/36 rule and debt-to-income ratio to estimate an affordable home price, with a worked example at a 7% rate. What credit score do you need to buy a house? Minimums by loan typehttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/credit-score-to-buy-a-house/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/credit-score-to-buy-a-house/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Typical minimum credit scores for conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and jumbo loans, plus how your score affects rate and mortgage insurance. How much down payment do you really need? It is probably less than 20%https://mortgageinfo.us/news/how-much-down-payment-do-you-need/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/how-much-down-payment-do-you-need/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Minimum down payments by loan type (0% to 20%), the real cost of putting less down, and where down payment money can come from. PMI explained: what it costs and how to get rid of ithttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/pmi-explained-how-to-remove-it/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/pmi-explained-how-to-remove-it/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 How private mortgage insurance and FHA mortgage insurance work, typical costs, and the rules for removing each. Closing costs explained: what you pay, typical amounts, and how to lower themhttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/closing-costs-explained/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/closing-costs-explained/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 A plain-English breakdown of mortgage closing costs, typically 2% to 5% of the loan, with ways to reduce or shift them. Pre-qualification vs. pre-approval: which one sellers take seriouslyhttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/prequalification-vs-preapproval/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/prequalification-vs-preapproval/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 The difference between mortgage pre-qualification and pre-approval, what documents you need, and how long a pre-approval lasts. Mortgage rate locks explained: when to lock, how long, and what a float-down ishttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-rate-lock-explained/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-rate-lock-explained/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 How a mortgage rate lock protects you from rising rates, typical lock periods, extension costs, and float-down options. Mortgage points and buydowns: is it worth paying to lower your rate?https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-points-explained/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-points-explained/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 How discount points work, break-even math for buying down your rate, and how seller-paid temporary buydowns like a 2-1 compare. Fixed-rate vs. adjustable-rate mortgage: which is right for you?https://mortgageinfo.us/news/fixed-vs-adjustable-rate-mortgage/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/fixed-vs-adjustable-rate-mortgage/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 How fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages work, how ARM caps protect you, and who benefits from each. The mortgage process step by step, from application to closinghttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-process-step-by-step/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-process-step-by-step/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Each stage of getting a mortgage explained: pre-approval, application, Loan Estimate, underwriting, appraisal, Closing Disclosure, and closing day. Refinance break-even: how to tell if a refinance will actually save you moneyhttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/refinance-break-even-calculator-guide/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/refinance-break-even-calculator-guide/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 The break-even formula for refinancing, a worked example, and the hidden factors like term reset and escrow that change the answer. Cash-out refinance explained: how it works, limits, and when to avoid ithttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/cash-out-refinance-explained/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/cash-out-refinance-explained/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 How a cash-out refinance turns home equity into cash, typical loan-to-value limits by loan type, costs, and alternatives. HELOC vs. home equity loan: which is better for you?https://mortgageinfo.us/news/heloc-vs-home-equity-loan/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/heloc-vs-home-equity-loan/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 A side-by-side comparison of HELOCs and home equity loans: rates, payments, draw and repayment periods, costs, and the best uses of each. FHA Streamline and VA IRRRL: the easiest way to refinance a government loanhttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/fha-streamline-and-va-irrrl-explained/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/fha-streamline-and-va-irrrl-explained/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 How FHA Streamline and VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans work, eligibility, seasoning, costs, and the net tangible benefit rule. Mortgage wire fraud: how to protect your down payment and closing fundshttps://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-wire-fraud-how-to-protect-your-closing-funds/ https://mortgageinfo.us/news/mortgage-wire-fraud-how-to-protect-your-closing-funds/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 How closing-fund wire fraud works, the warning signs of a fake wiring email, and what to do immediately if you sent money to a scammer.